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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2020.

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Rackspace Technology, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		7370		81-3369925
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, Texas 78218

(210) 312-4000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Holly Windham, Esq.

Executive Vice President,

Chief Legal and People Officer & Corporate Secretary

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, Texas 78218

(210) 312-4000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Brian M. Janson, Esq. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 1285 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10019-6064 (212) 373-3000		Michael Kaplan, Esq. Emily Roberts, Esq. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 450 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 (212) 450-4000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		☐		Accelerated filer		☐
Non-accelerated filer		☒		Smaller reporting company		☐
				Emerging growth company		☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each Class of Securities to be Registered		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)		Amount of Registration Fee
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share		$100,000,000		$12,980

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)	Includes offering price of any additional shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase, if any. See “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest).”

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

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rackspace technology TM Solving Together™                TM

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We combine our expertise with the world’s leading technologies – across applications, data and security – to deliver end-to-end multicloud solutions.                Our Mission                Embrace Empower Deliver                Technology Customers The Future

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Fanatical Experience™ Experts on your side, doing what it takes to get the job done right. From first consultation to daily operations, Rackspace Technology combines the power of always-on service with best-in-class tools and automation to deliver technology when and how you need it.

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$400B 120K Market Opportunity Customers in 120 Countries $2.4B 2019 Revenue 6,800 95% Rackers (employees) Recurring Revenue 62% Automated Workloads

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We partner with customers at every stage of their multicloud journey.
Applicatins Multicloud Security Data 1 Advise 2 Design 3 Build 4 Manage 5 Optimize What are you trying to solve?
Fanatical Experience TM Our Technology Areas Our Process

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For investors outside the United States: neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus and any such free writing prospectus outside of the United States.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			16
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			56
Use of Proceeds			58
Dividend Policy			59
Capitalization			60
Dilution			62
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data			65
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			67
Business			118
Management			135
Executive Compensation			145
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions			181
Principal Stockholders			189
Description of Capital Stock			192
Shares Eligible for Future Sale			202
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations			205
Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)			209
Legal Matters			218
Experts			218
Where You Can Find More Information			220
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-1

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may provide you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Through and including                 , 2020 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

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TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES AND SERVICE MARKS

This prospectus contains references to our trademarks, trade names and service marks. “Rackspace,” “Rackspace Technology,” “Fanatical Experience,” “RackConnect,” “Rackspace Service Blocks,” “Rackspace Fabric” and “MyRackspace” are registered or unregistered trademarks of Rackspace US, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. OpenStack^® is a registered trademark of OpenStack, LLC in the United States. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ^® or ^™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. Other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

We include statements and information in this prospectus concerning our industry ranking and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market opportunity, which are based on information from independent industry organizations and other third-party sources (including third-party market studies, industry publications, surveys and forecasts). We have not independently verified any third-party information and such information is inherently imprecise. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of the future performance of the industry in which we operate and our future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.

The sources of certain statistical data, industry data, estimates and forecasts contained in this prospectus are the following independent industry publications or reports:

 

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Gartner: “Forecast: IT Services, Worldwide, 2018-2024, 2Q20 Update”, published June 2020; “Multicloud: Why It Matters”, published March 2019; “Forecast Analysis: Infrastructure Services, Worldwide”, published September 2019; and “Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure Professional and Managed Services, Worldwide”, published on May 4, 2020, authored by Craig Lowery, To Chee Eng, et al.

The Gartner reports described herein (the “Gartner Content”) represent research opinions or viewpoints published, as part of a syndicated subscription service, by Gartner, Inc. (“Gartner”) and are not representations of fact. Each Gartner Content speaks as of its original publication date (and not as of the date of this prospectus), and the opinions expressed in the Gartner Content are subject to change without notice.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company,” the “Issuer,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Rackspace Technology, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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On November 3, 2016, Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., or “Rackspace Technology Global”) was acquired by Inception Parent, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. We refer to the acquisition of Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc.) as the “Rackspace Acquisition.” As a result of the Rackspace Acquisition, periods before November 3, 2016 reflect the financial position and results of operations of Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (such periods, the “Predecessor Periods”) and periods beginning and after November 3, 2016 reflect our financial position and results of operations, including the push-down accounting effects of the Rackspace Acquisition (such periods, the “Successor Periods”). Due to the change in the basis of accounting resulting from the Rackspace Acquisition and the push-down accounting effects, the consolidated financial statements for the Predecessor and Successor periods are not necessarily comparable.

All consolidated financial statements presented in this prospectus have been prepared in U.S. dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The Company reports financial and operating information in three segments: (1) Multicloud Services, (2) Apps & Cross Platform and (3) OpenStack Public Cloud.

 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding to invest in our common stock. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends may not predict results or trends in future periods. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, in which case the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

If we are unable to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services and sell comparable gross margin services to customers, our revenue and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and profit may be impacted by a number of factors, including our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services and comparable gross margin services to our customers. In addition, as we seek to grow our customer base increasingly through outbound sales, we expect to incur higher customer acquisition costs and, to the extent we are unable to retain and sell additional services to existing customers, our revenue and results of operations may decrease.

Growth in the demand for our services may be inhibited and we may be unable to profitably maintain or grow our customer base for a number of reasons, such as:

 

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our inability to provide compelling services or effectively market them to new and existing customers;

 

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loss of our favorable relationships with our third-party cloud service providers;

 

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customer migration to platforms that we do not have expertise in managing;

 

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the inability of customers to differentiate our services from those of our competitors or our inability to effectively communicate such distinctions;

 

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the decision of customers to host internally or in colocation facilities as an alternative to the use of our services;

 

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the decision of customers to use internal or other third-party resources to manage their platforms and applications;

 

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reductions in IT spending by customers or potential customers;

 

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our inability to penetrate international markets;

 

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a reduction in the demand for our services due to macroeconomic factors in the markets in which we operate;

 

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our inability to strengthen awareness of our brand; and

 

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reliability, quality or compatibility problems with our services.

Moreover, we may face difficulty retaining existing customers over the long term. Certain customer contracts, particularly within our Multicloud Services segment, typically have initial terms (typically from 12 to 36 months) and, unless terminated, may be renewed or automatically extended on a month-to-month basis. Our customers have no obligation to renew their services after their initial

 

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contract periods expire and any termination fees associated with an early termination may not be sufficient to recover our costs associated with such contracts. In addition, many of our other service offerings, including most of our public cloud offerings, can be based on a consumption model and can be canceled at any time without penalty. As a result, we may face high rates of customer churn if we are unable to meet our customer needs, requirements and preferences.

Our costs associated with generating revenue from existing customers are generally lower than costs associated with generating revenue from new customers, and depending on the customer and the service offering, there may be substantial variation in the gross margins associated with existing and new customers. Any failure by us in continuing to attract new customers or grow our revenue from existing customers could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is affected by general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility could adversely impact our business.

Our overall performance depends in part on worldwide economic and geopolitical conditions. The United States (the “U.S.”), the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”) and other key international economies have experienced cyclical downturns from time to time in which economic activity was impacted by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, volatility in credit, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. These economic conditions can arise suddenly and the full impact of such conditions can remain uncertain. In addition, geopolitical developments, such as existing and potential trade wars and other events beyond our control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in the imposition of related public health measures and travel restrictions, and civil unrest can increase levels of political and economic unpredictability globally and increase the volatility of global financial markets. Any of these effects could have a material and adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

The recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19, has spread, and continues to spread, globally and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to constitute a “pandemic” in March 2020. Currently, COVID-19 has not had a significant impact on our operations or financial performance; however, the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, impact on our customers and our sales cycles, impact on our customer, employee or industry events and effect on our vendors, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have shifted to a work from home environment for all employees whose presence in the office is nonessential. In addition, we have and may in the future continue to postpone or cancel customer, employee or industry events, which could impact our brand visibility and our ability to obtain new customers. Moreover, any deterioration in economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic can affect the rate of IT spending, and any reductions may fall disproportionately on outsourced and cloud-based solutions like ours. In addition, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may be exacerbated by the disproportionate impact it is having on the small and medium-size businesses that make a large portion of our customer base, many of which may be forced to shut down or limit operations for an indefinite period of time. Economic weakness, customer financial difficulties and constrained spending on IT operations could adversely affect our customers’ ability or willingness to purchase our service offerings, delay purchasing decisions and lengthen our sales cycles, reduce the value or duration of their subscription contracts, or increase churn, all of which could have a material and adverse effect on our sales and operating results. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, such as those relating to our high level of indebtedness, our need to generate sufficient cash flows to service our

 

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indebtedness and our ability to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness.

If we are unable to successfully execute our strategies and continue to develop and sell the services and solutions our customers demand, our business and results of operations may suffer.

We must adapt to rapidly changing customer demands and preferences in order to successfully execute our strategies. This requires us to anticipate and respond to customer demands and preferences, address business model shifts, optimize our go-to-market execution by improving our cost structure, align sales coverage with strategic goals, improve channel execution and strengthen our services and capabilities in our areas of strategic focus. Any failure to successfully execute our strategies, including any failure to invest in strategic growth areas, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our strategies require significant investments that may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations.

We expect the implementation of our strategies to require significant investments, and the investments we must make could result in lower gross margins and raise our operating expenses and capital expenditures. The risks and challenges we face in connection with our strategies include upgrading and integrating our service offerings, expanding our professional services capability, expanding into new geographies, growing in geographies where we currently have a small presence and ensuring that the performance, features and reliability of our service offerings and our customer service remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological environment. These investments may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations, and we cannot assure that they will ultimately be successful.

We have a history of losses and may not be able to achieve profitability in the future.

We incurred net losses of $59.9 million, $470.6 million and $102.3 million in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We may not be able to achieve profitability in the future or on a consistent basis. We have incurred substantial expenses and expended significant resources to market, promote, and sell our services, and we have substantial debt service payments. Our ability to achieve or maintain profitability will depend on our ability to increase our revenue, manage our cost structure, and avoid significant liabilities. Revenue growth may slow or revenue may decline for a number of reasons, including general macroeconomic conditions, increasing competition, or a decrease in the growth of the markets in which we operate. In addition, as a public company, we expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we have not incurred to date as a private company. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen operating expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may result in losses in future periods. Any failure to increase our revenue or manage our expenses could prevent us from achieving profitability at all or on a consistent basis, which would cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to suffer.

Our results of operations have historically varied and may fluctuate significantly, which could make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our results of operations to fall below investor or analyst expectations.

Our results of operations may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including many of the risks described in this section, many of which are outside of our control. Many of these factors outside our control could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenue and diversion of

 

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management’s time and energy, which could materially and adversely impact our business. Our period-to-period results of operations are not necessarily an indication of our future operating performance. Similarly, our Bookings, Annualized Recurring Revenue and Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate metrics may not provide an accurate indication of our future or expected results of operations. Furthermore, our revenue, gross margins and profitability in any given period are dependent partially on the service, customer and geographic mix reflected in the respective period. Variations in cost structure and gross margins across business units and services may lead to operating profit volatility on an annual and quarterly basis. Fluctuations in our revenue can lead to even greater fluctuations in our results of operations. Our budgeted expense levels depend in part on our expectations of long-term future revenue. Given the fixed nature of certain operating costs related to our personnel and facilities, any substantial adjustment to our expenses to account for lower than expected levels of revenue will be difficult. Consequently, if our revenue does not meet projected levels, our operating expenses would be high relative to our revenue, which would negatively affect our operating performance.

If our revenue or operating results do not meet or exceed the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock may decline.

Our key operating metrics are subject to assumptions and limitations and may not provide an accurate indication of our future or expected results.

Our key operating metrics, including Bookings, Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) and Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate, are based on numerous assumptions and limitations, are calculated using our internal data that have not been independently verified by third parties and may not provide an accurate indication of our future or expected results. For instance, our Bookings metric is calculated by annualizing the monthly value of recurring customer contracts entered into during a period and adding the actual (not annualized) estimated value of professional services consulting, advisory or project-based orders received during the period, but does not reflect actual or anticipated contract non-renewals or service cancellations (which we do not report). Bookings also does not differentiate between recurring and non-recurring revenue, may not correlate to the time period in which revenue is recognized or anticipated to be recognized and is increased by a customer moving from one workload to another workload (which would not be an increase if a customer had a net zero revenue impact in a single workload from a new contract and cancellation). As a result, the assumptions used in calculating Bookings are subject to several limitations. Annualized Recurring Revenue is a historical measure that annualizes our revenue for a previously completed fiscal quarter and therefore is not a reliable indicator of our future or expected results, and Annualized Recurring Revenue also does not reflect any actual or anticipated reductions in revenue due to contract non-renewals or service cancellations. Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on the customers that qualify to be included in the cohort used to calculate the metric. As a result, our key operating metrics may not reflect our actual performance, and investors should consider each one of our key operating metrics in light of the assumptions used in calculating the metric and limitations as a result thereof. In addition, investors should not place undue reliance on our key operating metrics as indicators of our future or expected results. Moreover, our key operating metrics may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies and may not be comparable to such other metrics. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations—Key Operating Metrics” for more information regarding our key operating metrics.

Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments.

We are a highly leveraged company. As of March 31, 2020, we had $3,987.5 million face value of outstanding indebtedness, in addition to $225.0 million of undrawn commitments under our senior

 

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secured first lien revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Facilities”) (without any letters of credit outstanding) and $155.8 million outstanding under financing obligations. In connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to increase the size of our Revolving Credit Facility to $375.0 million, and, after giving effect to such increase, we would have had $375.0 million of undrawn commitments as of March 31, 2020 under our Revolving Credit Facility. Our outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2020 includes $2,817.3 million of borrowings under our Term Loan Facility, $1,120.2 million of 8.625% Senior Notes and $50.0 million of borrowings under our accounts receivable financing facility (the “Receivables Financing Facility”). For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, we made total debt service payments, consisting of required principal and interest payments, of approximately $275.4 million and $280.6 million, respectively, which represented 94.0% and 65.3%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations (or 51.1% and 41.2%, respectively, of our cash flow from operations calculated prior to any deductions for cash interest payments).

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

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limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, strategic initiatives or other purposes;

 

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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, could result in an event of default under the indenture governing the 8.625% Senior Notes (the “Indenture”), the credit agreement governing the Senior Facilities (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”) and agreements covering other indebtedness;

 

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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and the repayment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes;

 

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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our operations or business;

 

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make us more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;

 

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impact our rent expense on leased space, which could be significant;

 

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make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business, our industry or the economy;

 

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restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, engaging in development activities, introducing new technologies or exploiting business opportunities;

 

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cause us to make non-strategic divestitures;

 

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limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness, among other things, our ability to dispose of assets;

 

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prevent us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase all 8.625% Senior Notes tendered to us upon the occurrence of certain changes of control, which failure to repurchase would constitute an event of default under the Indenture, or refinance the Senior Facilities upon a change of control, which is an event of default under the First Lien Credit Agreement; or

 

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expose us to the risk of increased interest rates, as certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under the Senior Facilities, are at variable rates of interest.

In addition, the First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indenture contain restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of substantially all of our indebtedness.

 

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We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.

The market for our services is highly competitive, quickly evolving and subject to rapid changes in technology. We expect to continue to face intense competition from our existing competitors as well as additional competition from new market entrants in the future as the market for our services continues to grow.

Our current and potential competitors vary by size, service offerings and geographic region. These competitors may elect to partner with each other or with focused companies to grow their businesses. They include:

 

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in-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers;

 

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traditional global IT systems integrators, including large multi-national providers, such as Accenture, Atos, CapGemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM;

 

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cloud service providers and digital systems integrators;

 

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regional managed services providers; and

 

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colocation solutions providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS.

The primary competitive factors in our market are: focus on the cloud, technology and service expertise, customer experience, speed of innovation, strength of relationships with technology partners, automation and scalability, standardized operational processes, geographic reach, brand recognition and reputation and price.

Many of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. As a result, some of these competitors may be able to:

 

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develop superior products or services, gain greater market acceptance and expand their service offerings more efficiently or more rapidly;

 

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adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements more quickly;

 

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bundle their offerings, including hosting services with other services they provide at reduced prices;

 

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streamline their operational structure, obtain better pricing or secure more favorable contractual terms, allowing them to deliver services and products at a lower cost;

 

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take advantage of acquisition, joint venture and other opportunities more readily;

 

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adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote greater resources to the promotion, marketing and sales of their services, which could cause us to have to lower prices for certain services to remain competitive in the market; and

 

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devote greater resources to the research and development of their products and services.

To the extent we face increased price competition, we may have to lower the prices of certain of our services in the future to stay competitive, while simultaneously seeking to maintain or improve our revenue and gross margin.

In addition, consolidation activity through strategic mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures may result in new competitors that can offer a broader range of products and services, may have greater scale or a lower cost structure. To the extent such consolidation results in the ability of vertically-integrated companies to offer more integrated services to customers than we can, customers may prefer the single-source approach and direct more business to such competitors, thereby impairing our

 

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competitive position. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships. As we look to market and sell our services to potential customers, we must convince their internal stakeholders that our services are superior to their current solutions. If we are unable to anticipate or react to these competitive challenges, our competitive position would weaken, which would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We may from time to time enter into strategic relationships with one or more of our competitors. By way of example, we have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google and have entered into agreements with colocation service providers to provide us with colocation space.

Our business is highly dependent on our ability to maintain favorable relationships with our third-party cloud infrastructure providers and the ability of those third-party cloud infrastructure providers to provide the services and features that our customers desire.

We have non-exclusive managed service provider relationships with AWS, Microsoft and Google. Some of our customers first select their cloud infrastructure platform provider and then engage us to provide the managed services for the selected platform and, more often than not, we resell the cloud infrastructure to the customer (although some customers may elect to purchase the cloud infrastructure directly from the providers). Our agreements with AWS, Microsoft and Google may be terminated at will by the counterparty. If we are unable to maintain these relationships on favorable terms, or at all, we may not be able to retain our current customers or attract new customers, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Further, if our cloud infrastructure providers are unable to provide the types of services and features that meet customer needs, our customers may migrate to alternative cloud infrastructure providers that we may not have the ability to resell and/or support or may not be able to support on a competitive cost structure, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We rely on our relationships with third-party cloud infrastructure providers to help drive revenue to our business. Most of these providers offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These providers may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of these providers, particularly high-profile providers that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these providers terminate their relationship with us, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our referral and reseller partners provide revenue to our business, and we benefit from our association with them. The loss of these participants could adversely affect our business.

Our referral and reseller partners drive revenue to our business. Most of these partners offer services that are complementary to our services; however, some may actually compete with us in one or more of our service offerings. These referral and reseller partners may decide in the future to terminate their agreements with us and/or to market and sell a competitor’s or their own services rather than ours, which could cause our revenue to decline. Also, we derive tangible and intangible benefits from our association with some of our referral and reseller partners, particularly high-profile partners that reach a large number of companies through the Internet. If a substantial number of these partners terminate their relationships with us, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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We also receive payments and credits from some of our referral and reseller partners, including consideration under volume incentive programs and shared marketing expense programs. Our referral and reseller partners may decide to terminate or reduce the benefits under their incentive programs, or change the conditions under which we may obtain such benefits. Any sizable reduction, termination or significant delay in receiving benefits under these programs could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to timely react to any changes in our referral and reseller partners’ programs, such as the elimination of funding for some of the activities for which we have been compensated in the past, such changes could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations.

If we fail to hire and retain qualified employees and management personnel, our strategies and our business could be harmed.

Our ability to be successful and to execute on our strategies depends on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain qualified executives, IT professionals, technical engineers, software developers, operations employees and sales and senior management personnel who maintain relationships with our customers and who can provide the technical, strategic and marketing skills required for our company to grow. Our ability to execute on our sales strategy is also dependent on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified sales personnel. There is a shortage of qualified personnel in these fields. We compete with other companies for this limited pool of potential employees. Furthermore, the implementation of our strategies will result in changes throughout our business, which may create uncertainty for our employees. Such uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel and could cause customers, suppliers and others who deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships. In addition, the industry in which we operate is generally characterized by significant competition for skilled personnel, and as our industry becomes more competitive, it could become especially difficult to retain personnel with unique in-demand skills and knowledge, whom we would expect to become recruiting targets for our competitors. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel or successfully transition knowledge from departing employees, and this failure could cause a dilution of our service-oriented culture and our inability to develop and deliver new services, which could cause our business to be negatively impacted.

Security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure may disrupt our internal operations and we may be exposed to claims and liability, lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation, lose business-critical compliance certifications and incur additional costs.

We are materially dependent upon our networks, information technology infrastructure and related technology systems to provide services to our customers and to manage our internal operations. Many of our customers require access to our services on a continuous basis and may be materially impaired by interruptions in our or our third-party service providers’ infrastructure. The services we offer also involve the transmission of large amounts of sensitive and proprietary information over public communications networks, as well as the processing and storage of confidential customer information, which may include information subject to stringent domestic and foreign data protection laws, including those governing personally identifiable information, protected health information or other types of sensitive data. We also process, store and transmit our own data as part of our business and operations, which may include personally identifiable, confidential or proprietary information.

Cyber-attacks have become more prevalent in our industry, and the techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems are constantly expanding and evolving and may not be recognized until they are successfully launched against a target. Without the proper tools, software,

 

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services and processes in place that are necessary to protect against and mitigate harm, we could be continuously susceptible to unauthorized access, infrastructure attacks, malicious file attacks, ransomware, bugs, worms, malicious software programs, remnant data exposure, computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks, accidents, employee error or malfeasance, intentional misconduct by computer “hackers,” state-sponsored cyber-attacks and attempts by outside parties to fraudulently induce our employees or customers to disclose or grant access to our data or our customers’ data. Our current security measures may fail or be inadequate to defeat or mitigate these attacks, and we may be unable to implement additional security measures in a timely manner. Even if implemented, these measures could be circumvented as a result of accidental or intentional actions by parties within or outside of our organization. Additionally, other disruptions can occur, such as infrastructure gaps, hardware and software vulnerabilities, inadequate or missing security controls, exposed or unprotected customer data and the accidental or intentional disclosure of source code or other confidential information by former or current employees. Any such incidents could (i) interfere with the delivery of services to our customers, (ii) impede our customers’ ability to do business, (iii) compromise the security of infrastructure, systems and data, (iv) lead to the dissemination to third parties of proprietary information or sensitive, personal, or confidential data about us, our employees or our customers, including personally identifiable information of individuals involved with our customers and their end users and (v) impact our ability to do business in the ordinary course. Each of these risks could further intensify as we maintain information in digital form stored on servers connected to the Internet, especially in light of the growing frequency, scope and well-documented sophistication of cyber-attacks and intrusions. If a breach or other security incident were to occur, it could expose us to increased risk of claims and liability, including litigation, regulatory enforcement, notification obligations and indemnity obligations, as well as loss of existing or potential customers, harm to our reputation, increases in our security costs (including spending material resources to investigate or correct the breach or incident and to prevent future security breaches and incidents), disruption of normal business operations, the impairment or loss of industry certifications and government sanctions (including debarment), all of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The security of our services is important in our customers’ decisions to purchase or use our services. Threats to our infrastructure may not only affect the data that we own but also the data belonging to our customers. When customers use our services, they rely on the security of our infrastructure, including hardware and other elements provided by third parties, to ensure the reliability of our services and the protection of their data. We also offer professional services to our customers where we consult on data center solutions and assist with implementations. We offer managed services domestically and in some jurisdictions outside of the U.S. where we manage the data center infrastructure for our customers. An actual or perceived breach of, or other security incident relating to, our cloud storage systems and networks could result in significant loss. In the event of a claim, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may significantly exceed our liability insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will cover any claims against us relating to any such incident, will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that our insurers will not deny coverage as to any such claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. The costs could be exacerbated by regulatory fines and penalties, notification costs and the loss of revenue due to brand and reputational harm.

Similar security risks exist with respect to our business partners and the third-party vendors that we rely on for aspects of our IT support services and administrative functions, including the systems

 

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owned, operated or controlled by other unaffiliated operators to the extent we rely on such other systems to deliver services to our customers. Our ability to monitor our third-party service providers’ data security is limited. As a result, we are subject to the risk that cyber-attacks on, or other security incidents affecting, our business partners and third-party vendors may adversely affect our business even if an attack or breach does not directly impact our systems. It is also possible that security breaches sustained by, or other security incidents affecting, our competitors could result in negative publicity for our entire industry that indirectly harms our reputation and diminishes demand for our services.

In addition, our customers require and expect that we maintain industry-related compliance certifications, such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001, Service Organization Controls (SOC 1, 2, 3) and Payment Card Industry (PCI), Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the U.S., Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) in Australia and Public Services Network (PSN) in the U.K. There are significant costs associated with maintaining existing and implementing any newly-adopted industry-related compliance certifications, including costs associated with retroactively building security controls into services which may involve re-engineering technology, processes and staffing. The inability to maintain applicable compliance certifications could result in monetary fines, disruptive participation in forensic audits due to a breach, security-related control failures, customer contract breaches, customer churn and brand and reputational harm.

Our inability to prevent service disruptions and ensure network uptime could lead to significant costs and could harm our business reputation and have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our value proposition to customers is highly dependent on the ability of our existing and potential customers to access our services and platform capabilities at any time and within an acceptable amount of time. We have experienced interruptions in service in the past and may in the future experience service interruptions due to such things as power outages, power equipment failures, cooling equipment failures, network connectivity downtime, routing problems, security issues, hard drive failures, database corruption, system failures, natural disasters, software failures, human and software errors, denial-of-service attacks and other computer failures. Because our ability to attract and retain customers depends on our ability to provide customers with highly reliable service, even minor interruptions in our service could harm our reputation.

Because our service offerings do not require geographic proximity of our data centers to our customers, our infrastructure is consolidated into a few large facilities. Accordingly, any failure or downtime in one of our data center facilities could affect a significant percentage of our customers. The total destruction or severe impairment of any of our data center facilities could result in significant downtime of our services and the loss of customer data. In addition, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain and improve our performance, especially during peak usage times and as our services and platform capabilities become more complex and our user traffic increases. To the extent that our facilities fail or experience downtime or we do not effectively upgrade our systems as needed or continually develop our technology and network architecture to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Service interruptions continue to be a significant risk for us and could materially and adversely impact our business.

Any future service interruptions could:

 

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cause our customers to seek damages for losses incurred;

 

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delay payment to us by customers;

 

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result in legal claims against us;

 

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divert our resources;

 

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require us to replace existing equipment or add redundant facilities;

 

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affect our reputation as a reliable provider of hosting services;

 

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cause existing customers to cancel or elect to not renew their contracts; or

 

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make it more difficult for us to attract new customers.

Our customer agreements include certain service level commitments to our customers relating primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. If we are unable to meet the stated service level commitments, we may be contractually obligated to provide these customers with service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. As a result, a failure to deliver services for a relatively short duration could cause us to issue these credits to a large number of affected customers. In addition, we cannot be assured that our customers will accept these credits in lieu of other legal remedies that may be available to them. Our failure to meet our commitments could also result in substantial customer dissatisfaction or loss. Our failure to meet our service level commitments to our customers could lead to future loss of revenues and have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our ability to operate our data centers relies on access to sufficient and reliable electric power.

Since our data centers rely on third parties to provide power sufficient to meet operational needs, our data centers could have a limited or inadequate amount of electrical resources necessary to meet our customer requirements. We and other data center operators attempt to limit exposure to system downtime due to power outages by using backup generators and power supplies. However, these protections may not limit our exposure to power shortages or outages entirely. Any system downtime resulting from insufficient power resources or power outages could cause physical damage to equipment, increase our susceptibility to security breaches, damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which would harm our business and results of operations.

Failure to have reliable Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity and capacity may adversely affect our results of operations.

Our success depends in part upon the capacity, reliability and performance of our network infrastructure, including our Internet, telecommunications and fiber optic network connectivity providers. We depend on these companies to provide uninterrupted and error-free service through their telecommunications networks. Some of these providers are also our competitors. We exercise little control over these providers, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience interruptions or delays in network service. Any failure on our part or the part of our third-party suppliers to achieve or maintain high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance could significantly reduce customer demand for our services and have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We also can provide no assurances that our redundancy planning will be effective.

As our customers’ usage of telecommunications capacity increases, we will be required to make additional investments in our capacity to maintain adequate data transmission speeds, the availability of which may be limited or the cost of which may be on terms unacceptable to us. If adequate capacity is not available to us as our customers’ usage increases, our network may be unable to achieve or maintain sufficiently high data transmission capacity, reliability or performance. In addition, our business and results of operations would suffer if our network suppliers increased the prices for their services and we were unable to successfully pass along the increased costs to our customers.

 

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We have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. If we overestimate or underestimate our data center capacity requirements, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

The costs of building out, leasing and maintaining our data centers constitute a significant portion of our capital and operating expenses. To manage our capacity while minimizing unnecessary excess capacity costs, we continuously evaluate our short and long-term data center capacity requirements, and we have overestimated our data center capacity requirements in the past. However, many of the data center sites that we lease are subject to long-term leases. If our capacity needs are reduced, or if we decide to close a data center, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable leases including, among other things, paying the base rent for the balance of the lease term. Moreover, as a result of changing technological trends, we have seen customer demand shift towards our offerings provided on the infrastructure of a third-party cloud infrastructure provider, which reduces our data center capacity needs. In addition, the solutions we offer and our customer-based approach may encourage our customers to move to the public cloud, which may reduce our data center capacity needs. If we overestimate our data center capacity requirements and therefore secure excess data center capacity, our operating margins could be materially reduced. If we underestimate our data center capacity requirements, we may not be able to service the expanding needs of our existing customers and may be required to limit new customer acquisition or enter into leases that are not optimal, both of which may materially and adversely impair our results of operations.

Real or perceived errors, failures or bugs in our customer solutions, software or technology could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Undetected real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may be present or occur in the future in our customer solutions, software or technology or the technology or software we license from third parties, including open source software. Despite testing by us, real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects may not be found until our customers use our services. Real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could result in negative publicity, loss of or delay in market acceptance of our services and harm to our brand, weakening of our competitive position, claims by customers for losses sustained by them or failure to meet the stated service level commitments in our customer agreements. In such an event, we may be required, or may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend significant additional resources in order to help correct the problem. Any real or perceived errors, failures, bugs or defects in our customer solutions could also impair our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers or expand their use of our services, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on third-party software that may be difficult to replace, or which could cause errors or failures of our service that could lead to lost customers or harm to our reputation.

We rely on software licensed from third parties to offer our services. This software may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this software could result in delays in the provisioning of our services until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business, and there is no guarantee that we would be successful in developing, identifying, obtaining or integrating equivalent or similar technology, which could result in the loss or limiting of our services or features available in our services. Any errors or defects in third-party software or inadequate or delayed support by our third-party licensors could result in errors or a failure of our service, which could harm our business and results of operations.

 

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If our third-party vendors, including our third-party software licensors, increase their prices and we are unable to pass those increased costs to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.

If third-party vendors increase their prices and we are unable to successfully pass those costs on to our customers, it could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations. Many of our contracts with our customers give us the flexibility to increase our prices from time to time; however, notwithstanding our contractual right to do so, raising prices may decrease the demand for our services, cause customers to terminate their existing relationships with us or limit our ability to attract new customers.

Our services depend in part on intellectual property and proprietary rights and technology licensed from third parties.

Much of our business and many of our services rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties. For example, we sell or otherwise provide licenses to use third-party software in connection with the sale of some of our managed service partner offerings. These third-party software components may become obsolete, defective or incompatible with future versions of our services, or relationships with the third-party licensors may deteriorate, or our agreements with the third-party licensors may expire or be terminated. Additionally, some of these licenses may not be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable or that allow our service offerings to remain competitive. Our inability to obtain licenses or rights on favorable terms could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Furthermore, incorporating intellectual property or proprietary rights licensed from third parties on a non-exclusive basis in our services could limit our ability to protect the intellectual property and proprietary rights in our services and our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology using the same third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights.

Sales to enterprise customers involve risks that may not be present in or that are present to a greater extent than sales to smaller entities.

We continue to focus our sales efforts on enterprise customers. Sales to such customers generally have longer sales cycles, more complex customer requirements, substantial upfront sales costs and contract terms that are less favorable to us, including as it relates to pricing and limitations on liability. A number of factors influence the length and variability of our sales cycle, including the need to educate potential customers about the uses and benefits of our solutions, the discretionary nature of purchasing and budget cycles and the competitive nature of evaluation and purchasing approval processes. As a result, the length of our sales cycle, from identification of the opportunity to deal closure, may vary significantly from customer to customer, with sales to large enterprises typically taking longer to complete.

Some of our professional services engagements with our clients are based on estimated pricing terms. If our estimates are incorrect, these terms could become unprofitable.

Some of our customer contracts for professional services are fixed-price contracts to which we commit before we provide services to these clients. In pricing such fixed-price client contracts, we are required to make estimates and assumptions at the time we enter into these contracts that could differ from actual results. As a result, the profit that is anticipated at a contract’s inception is not guaranteed. Our estimates reflect our best judgments about the nature of the engagement and our expected costs in providing the contracted services. However, any increased or unexpected costs or any unanticipated delays in connection with our performance of these engagements, including delays caused by our third-party providers or by factors outside our control, could make these contracts less profitable or unprofitable and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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If we fail to maintain, enhance and protect our brand, our ability to expand our customer base will be impaired and our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

We believe that maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand is important to support the marketing and sale of our existing and future services to new customers and expand sales of our services to existing customers. We also believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market increases. In June 2020, we undertook a comprehensive rebranding effort, changing the legacy “Rackspace” brand to “Rackspace Technology”, which better communicates our enhanced value proposition to customers. Successfully maintaining, enhancing and protecting our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, our ability to provide reliable services that continue to meet the needs of our customers at competitive prices, our ability to maintain our customers’ trust, our ability to successfully differentiate our services and platform capabilities from competitive services and our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce trademark and other intellectual property protection for our brand. Our brand promotion activities may not generate customer awareness or yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses incurred in building and maintaining our brand. If we fail to successfully promote, maintain and protect our brand, our business may be harmed.

Our ability to operate and expand our business is susceptible to risks associated with international sales and operations.

We have operations across the globe. We anticipate that a significant portion of our revenue will continue to be derived from sources outside of the U.S. A key element of our strategy is to further expand our customer base internationally and successfully operate data centers in foreign markets. We have limited experience operating in foreign jurisdictions other than the U.K., Australia and Hong Kong and expect to continue to grow our international operations. Managing a global organization is difficult, time consuming and expensive. If we are unable to manage the risks of our global operations and geographic expansion strategy, our business, results of operations and ability to grow could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, conducting international operations subjects us to new risks that we have not generally faced. These risks include:

 

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localization of our services, including translation into foreign languages and adapting to local practices and regulatory requirements and differing technology standards or customer requirements;

 

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lack of familiarity with and unexpected changes in foreign regulatory requirements;

 

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longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;

 

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difficulties in managing and staffing international operations;

 

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fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

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restrictions on the ability to move cash;

 

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potentially adverse tax consequences, including the complexities of transfer pricing and foreign value added tax systems;

 

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challenges associated with repatriating earnings generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws;

 

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dependence on certain third parties, including channel partners with whom we do not have extensive experience;

 

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the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and legal standards;

 

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increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

 

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trade regulations and procedures and actions affecting production, pricing and marketing of services, including policies adopted by countries that may champion or otherwise favor domestic companies and technologies over foreign competitors;

 

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political, social and economic instability and corruption abroad, terrorist attacks, civil unrest and security concerns in general;

 

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pandemics and public health emergencies, such as COVID-19; and

 

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reduced or varied protection for intellectual property and proprietary rights in some countries.

Operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. The investment and additional resources required to establish operations and manage growth in other countries may not produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.

Legal, political and economic uncertainty surrounding the planned exit of the U.K. from the European Union (the “E.U.”), or Brexit, could have a material and adverse effect on our business.

In June 2016, U.K. voters approved a referendum to withdraw the U.K.’s membership from the E.U., which is commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. occurred on January 31, 2020, but the U.K. will remain in the E.U.’s customs union and single market until December 31, 2020 (the “Transition Period”). During the Transition Period, the E.U. and the U.K. will undertake negotiations on trade as well as other matters relating to Brexit. Negotiations between the U.K. and the E.U. are expected to continue in relation to the customs and trading relationship between the U.K. and the E.U. following the expiry of the Transition Period.

We have operations in the U.K. and the E.U., and as a result, we face risks associated with the potential uncertainty and disruptions that may follow Brexit, including with respect to volatility in exchange rates and interest rates and potential material changes to the regulatory regime applicable to our operations in the U.K. The uncertainty concerning the U.K.’s legal, political and economic relationship with the E.U. after the Transition Period could adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in global political institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, have had and may continue to have a significant adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets and could significantly reduce global market liquidity and limit the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. In particular, it could also lead to a period of considerable uncertainty in relation to the U.K. financial and banking markets, as well as on the regulatory process in Europe. Asset valuations, currency exchange rates and credit ratings may also be subject to increased market volatility.

If the U.K. and the E.U. are unable to negotiate acceptable trading and customs terms or if other E.U. Member States pursue withdrawal, barrier-free access between the U.K. and other E.U. Member States or among the European Economic Area (“EEA”) overall could be diminished or eliminated. The long-term effects of Brexit will depend on any agreements (or lack thereof) between the U.K. and the E.U. and, in particular, any arrangements for the U.K. to retain access to E.U. markets either during a transitional period or more permanently after the Transition Period.

We may also face new regulatory costs and challenges as a result of Brexit that could have an adverse effect on our operations. For example, the U.K. could lose the benefits of global trade agreements negotiated by the E.U. on behalf of its members, which may result in increased trade barriers that could make our doing business in the E.U. and the EEA more difficult. There may continue to be economic uncertainty surrounding the consequences of Brexit that adversely impact customer confidence resulting in customers reducing their spending budgets on our solutions, which could harm our business.

 

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The ongoing instability and uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the final terms reached regarding Brexit, could require us to restructure our business operations in the U.K. and the E.U. and could have an adverse impact on our business and employees in the U.K. and E.U.

Failure to develop and maintain adequate internal systems could cause us to be unable to properly provide service to our customers, causing us to lose customers, suffer harm to our reputation and incur additional costs.

Some of our enterprise systems have been designed to support individual service offerings, resulting in a lack of standardization among various internal systems, tools and processes across products, platforms, services, functions and geographies, making it difficult to serve customers who use multiple service offerings. This lack of standardization causes us to implement manual processes to overcome the fragmentation, which can result in increased expense and manual errors.

We continually seek to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes. Our inability to manage competing priorities, execute multiple concurrent projects, plan and manage resources effectively and meet deadlines and budgets could result in us not being able to implement the systems needed to speed up implementation of customer solutions and deliver our services in a compelling manner to our customers. If we are unable to drive efficiencies in our infrastructure and business processes, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth included in this prospectus may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at similar rates, if at all.

Market opportunity estimates and expectations about market growth included in this prospectus are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. Even if the markets in which we compete meet the size estimates and growth expectations included in this prospectus, our business could fail to grow for a variety of reasons, which would adversely affect our results of operations. For more information regarding the estimates of market opportunity and the expectations about market growth included in this prospectus, see “Business—Overview—Our Industry.”

We may not be able to renew the leases on our existing facilities on terms acceptable to us, if at all, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We do not own the facilities occupied by our current data centers but occupy them pursuant to commercial leasing arrangements. The initial terms of our main existing data center leases expire over the next 15 years. Upon the expiration or termination of our data center facility leases, we may not be able to renew these leases on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Even if we are able to renew the leases on our existing data centers, we expect that rental rates, which will be determined based on then-prevailing market rates with respect to the renewal option periods and which will be determined by negotiation with the landlord after the renewal option periods, will be higher than rates we currently pay under our existing lease agreements. Migrations to new facilities could also be expensive and present technical challenges that may result in downtime for our affected customers. There can also be no assurances that our plans to mitigate customer downtime for affected customers will be successful. This could damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential customers, which could harm our business and results of operations.

 

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We rely on a number of third-party providers for data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, and the loss of, or problems with, one or more of these providers may impede our growth or cause us to lose customers.

We rely on third-party providers to supply data center space, equipment and maintenance. For example, we lease data center space from third-party landlords, purchase equipment from equipment providers and source equipment maintenance through third parties. While we have entered into various agreements for the lease of data center space, equipment, maintenance and other services, the third-party could fail to live up to the contractual obligations under those agreements. For example, a data center landlord may fail to adequately maintain its facilities or provide an appropriate data center infrastructure for which it is responsible. If that were to happen, we would not likely be able to deliver the services to our customers that we have agreed to provide according to our standards or at all. Additionally, if the third parties that we rely on do fail to deliver on their obligations, our customers may lose confidence in our company, which would make it likely that we would not be able to retain those customers, and would harm our business and results of operations.

We are subject to various laws, directives, regulations, contractual obligations and policies regarding the protection of confidentiality and appropriate use of personal information.

We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws, directives and regulations, as well as contractual obligations and policies, relating to the collection, use, retention, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of information, including sensitive, proprietary, healthcare, financial and personal information. The regulatory framework for privacy and security issues worldwide is complex and rapidly evolving and as a result, implementation standards and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Any failure by us, our suppliers or other parties with whom we do business to comply with our contractual commitments, policies or with federal, state, local or international regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. In many jurisdictions, enforcement actions and consequences for noncompliance are rising. In the United States, these include enforcement actions in response to rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of federal agencies, state attorneys general and legislatures and consumer protection agencies. In addition, security advocates and industry groups have regularly proposed, and may propose in the future, self-regulatory standards with which we must legally comply or that contractually apply to us. If we fail to follow these security standards even if no personal information is compromised, we may incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in costs.

Internationally, virtually every jurisdiction in which we operate has established its own data security and privacy legal framework with which we or our customers must comply, including but not limited to the U.K. and the E.U. The E.U.’s data protection landscape recently changed, resulting in possible significant operational costs for internal compliance and risk to our business. The E.U. has adopted the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which went into effect in May 2018, and together with national legislation, regulations and guidelines of the E.U. member states, contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing E.U. law, including the increased jurisdictional reach of the European Commission, more robust obligations on data processors and additional requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies. E.U. member states are tasked under the GDPR to enact, and have enacted, certain legislation that adds to and/or further interprets the GDPR requirements and potentially extends our obligations and potential liability for failing to meet such obligations. Among other requirements, the GDPR regulates transfers of personal data subject to the GDPR to the U.S. as well as other third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data. While we have taken steps to mitigate the impact on us with respect to transfers of data, such as implementing standard contractual clauses and self-certifying under the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield, the efficacy and longevity of these transfer mechanisms

 

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remains uncertain. The GDPR also introduced numerous privacy-related changes for companies operating in the E.U., including greater control for data subjects (for example, the “right to be forgotten”), increased data portability for E.U. consumers, data breach notification requirements and increased fines. In particular, under the GDPR, fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of the annual global revenue of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater, could be imposed for violations of certain of the GDPR’s requirements. Such penalties are in addition to any civil litigation claims by customers and data subjects. The GDPR requirements apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, including employee information.

Non-compliance with relevant data privacy laws, directives and regulations, such as the GDPR, could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities, customers, data subjects or others. We may also experience difficulty retaining or obtaining new European or multi-national customers due to the legal requirements, compliance cost, potential risk exposure and uncertainty for these entities, and we may experience significantly increased liability with respect to these customers pursuant to the terms set forth in our engagements with them.

Domestic laws in this area are also complex and developing rapidly. Many state legislatures have adopted legislation that regulates how businesses operate online, including measures relating to privacy, data security and data breaches, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws and regulations concerning personal information and data security. In addition, laws in all 50 states require businesses to provide notice to customers whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. The laws are not consistent, and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach is costly. States are also constantly amending existing laws, requiring attention to frequently changing regulatory requirements. Further, California recently enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, which took effect on January 1, 2020 and imposes obligations on companies that process personal information of California residents. The CCPA was amended prior to going into effect, and it is possible that further amendments will be enacted, but even in its current form it remains unclear how various provisions of the CCPA will be interpreted and enforced. Among other things, the CCPA gives California residents expanded rights to access and delete their personal information, opt out of certain personal information sharing and receive detailed information about how their personal information is used. The CCPA also provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA may increase our compliance costs and potential liability. Some observers have noted that the CCPA could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in the U.S., which could increase our potential liability and adversely affect our business.

Because the interpretation and application of many privacy and data protection laws along with contractually imposed industry standards are uncertain, it is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing data management practices or the features of our services and platform capabilities. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, lawsuits, regulatory investigations, imprisonment of company officials and public censure, other claims and penalties, significant costs for remediation and damage to our reputation, we could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or modify our services and platform capabilities, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.

In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees which, among other things, sets forth our policies regarding the protection of customer, third party, proprietary and confidential information. We also make public statements about our use and disclosure of personal information through information provided on our website, press statements and our privacy policies, and we have a Chief Privacy Officer that oversees our compliance with these policies. Although we endeavor to comply with our public statements and

 

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documentation, including our code of conduct and business ethics and privacy policies, we may at times fail to do so or be alleged to have failed to do so. The publication of our privacy policies and other statements that provide promises and assurances about data privacy and security can subject us to potential government or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair or misrepresentative of our actual practices.

Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies, could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, inhibit sales and have a material and adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, contractual obligations and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our customers may limit the use and adoption of, and reduce the overall demand for, our services. Privacy and data security concerns, whether valid or not valid, may inhibit market adoption of our services, particularly in certain industries and foreign countries. If we are not able to adjust to changing laws, regulations and standards related to the Internet, our business may be harmed.

Customers could potentially expose us to lawsuits for their lost profits or damages, which could impair our results of operations.

Because our services are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, any significant disruption in our services could result in lost profits or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. Although we generally require our customers to sign agreements that contain provisions attempting to limit our liability for service outages, we cannot be assured that a court would enforce any contractual limitations on our liability in the event that one of our customers brings a lawsuit against us as the result of a service interruption or other Internet site or application problems that they may ascribe to us. The outcome of any such lawsuit would depend on the specific facts of the case and any legal and policy considerations that we may not be able to mitigate. In such cases, we could be liable for substantial damage awards that may exceed our liability insurance coverage by unknown but significant amounts, which could materially and adversely impair our financial condition and results of operations.

Our clients include national, provincial, state and local governmental entities.

Our government work carries various risks inherent in the government contracting process. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

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Government entities typically fund projects through appropriated monies and demand is affected by public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations. While these projects are often planned and executed as multi-year projects, government entities usually reserve the right to change the scope of or terminate these projects for lack of approved funding and/or at their convenience, which also could limit our recovery of incurred costs, reimbursable expenses and profits on work completed prior to the termination.

 

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Government contracts are subject to heightened reputational and contractual risks compared to contracts with commercial clients. For example, government contracts and the proceedings surrounding them are often subject to more extensive scrutiny and publicity. Negative publicity, including an allegation of improper or illegal activity, regardless of its accuracy, or challenges to government contracts awarded to us, may adversely affect our reputation.

 

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Government contracts can be challenged by other interested parties and such challenges, even if unsuccessful, can increase costs, cause delays and defer of project implementation and revenue recognition.

 

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Terms and conditions of government contracts also tend to be more onerous and are often more difficult to negotiate. For example, these contracts often contain high liability for breaches and feature less favorable payment terms and sometimes require us to take on liability for the performance of third parties.

 

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•

Political and economic factors such as pending elections, the outcome of elections, changes in leadership among key executive or legislative decision makers, revisions to governmental tax or other policies and reduced tax revenues can affect the number and terms of new government contracts signed or the speed at which new contracts are signed, decrease future levels of spending and authorizations for programs that we bid, shift spending priorities to programs in areas for which we do not provide services and/or lead to changes in enforcement or how compliance with relevant rules or laws is assessed.

 

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If a government client discovers improper or illegal activities during audits or investigations, we may become subject to various civil and criminal penalties, including those under the civil U.S. False Claims Act and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions or debarment from doing business with other agencies of that government. The inherent limitations of internal controls may not prevent or detect all improper or illegal activities.

 

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U.S. government contracting regulations impose strict compliance and disclosure obligations. Disclosure is required if certain company personnel have knowledge of “credible evidence” of a violation of federal criminal laws involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or improper gratuity, a violation of the civil U.S. False Claims Act or receipt of a significant overpayment from the government. Failure to make required disclosures could be a basis for suspension and/or debarment from federal government contracting in addition to breach of the specific contract and could also impact contracting beyond the U.S. federal level. Reported matters also could lead to audits or investigations and other civil, criminal or administrative sanctions.

The occurrences or conditions described above could affect not only our business with the government entities involved, but also our business with other entities of the same or other governmental bodies or with certain commercial clients and could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.

In addition, the success of our government solutions business is highly dependent on our FISMA and FedRAMP certifications which evidence our ability to meet certain federal government security compliance requirements. Failure to maintain the FedRAMP certification would result in a breach in many of our government contracts, which in turn, could subject us to liability and result in reputational harm and customer and employee attrition. Further, government contracts are increasingly requiring that FedRAMP-authorized service offerings be hosted on public cloud infrastructure. In the event that we are unable to expand the scope of our FedRAMP-authorized service offerings accordingly, it may impair our ability to successfully bid on government contracts.

Our operations and operations of our third-party channel partners in countries outside of the U.S. are subject to a number of anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and similar laws, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate internationally and must comply with complex foreign and U.S. laws including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which prohibit engaging in certain activities to obtain or retain business or to influence a person working in an official capacity. We must also comply with economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the U.S. Commerce Department based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign states, organizations and individuals, as well as other anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. We do business and may in the future do additional business in countries and regions in which we may face, directly or indirectly, corrupt demands by officials or by private entities in which corrupt offers are expected. Furthermore,

 

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many of our operations require us to use third parties to conduct business or to interact with people who are deemed to be governmental officials under the FCPA. Thus, we face the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments or other things of value by our employees, contractors or agents. While it is our policy to implement compliance procedures to prohibit these practices, our due diligence policy and the procedures we undertake may not sufficiently vet our third-party channel partners for these risks prior to entering into a contractual relationship with them. As a result, despite our policies and any safeguards and any future improvements made to them, our employees, contractors, third-party channel partners and agents may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible, regardless of whether such conduct occurs within or outside the United States. We may also be held responsible for any violations by an acquired company that occurs prior to an acquisition, or subsequent to the acquisition but before we are able to institute our compliance procedures. A violation of any of these laws, even if prohibited by our policies, may result in severe criminal and/or civil sanctions and other penalties and could have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Compliance with U.S. regulations on trade sanctions and embargoes administered by OFAC and the U.S. Commerce Department also poses a risk to us. We cannot provide services to certain countries subject to U.S. trade sanctions. Furthermore, the laws and regulations concerning import activity, export recordkeeping and reporting, export control and economic sanctions are complex and constantly changing. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory trading obligations could result in criminal and civil penalties and sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, debarment from governmental contracts, seizure of shipments and loss of import and export privileges. For example, in 2017, prior to our acquisition of Datapipe, one of Datapipe’s European subsidiaries provided network interconnectivity and distributed denial of attack protection service to an Iranian entity subject to OFAC sanctions. Datapipe self-reported the instance to OFAC and we have taken remedial measures to safeguard against re-occurrence. If we provide services to sanctioned targets in the future in violation of applicable export laws or economic sanctions, we could be subject to government investigations, penalties and reputational harm.

Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of anti-corruption laws can require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-money laundering laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, fines, damages, other civil or criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal proceeding, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.

Certain of our international operations are conducted in countries or regions experiencing corruption or instability, which subjects us to heightened legal and economic risks.

We do business and may in the future do additional business in certain countries or regions in which corruption is a serious problem. Moreover, to effectively compete in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, it is frequently necessary or required to establish joint ventures, strategic alliances or marketing arrangements with local operators, partners or agents. In certain instances, these local operators, partners or agents may have interests that are not always aligned with ours. Reliance on local operators, partners or agents could expose us to the risk of being unable to control the scope or quality of our overseas services or being held liable under any anti-corruption laws for actions taken by our strategic or local partners or agents even though these partners or agents may not themselves be

 

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subject to such anti-corruption laws. Any determination that we have violated anti-corruption laws could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation or prospects.

We may be liable for the material that content providers distribute over our network, and we may have to terminate customers that provide content that is determined to be illegal, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

The laws relating to the liability of private network operators for information carried on, stored on, or disseminated through their networks are unsettled or evolving in many jurisdictions. We have been and expect to continue to be subject to legal claims relating to the content disseminated on our network, including claims under The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, other similar legislation, regulation and common law. In addition, there are other potential customer activities, such as online gambling and pornography, where we, in our role as a hosting provider, may be held liable as an aider or abettor of our customers. If we need to take costly measures to reduce our exposure to these risks, terminate customer relationships and the associated revenue or defend ourselves against such claims, our business and results of operations would be negatively affected.

Government regulation is continuously evolving and, depending on its evolution, may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are subject to varying degrees of regulation in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services. Local laws and regulations, and their interpretation and enforcement, differ significantly among those jurisdictions. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, intellectual property and proprietary rights, distribution, mobile communications, electronic device certification, electronic waste, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection, web services, the provision of online payment services, unencumbered Internet access to our services, the design and operation of websites and the characteristics and quality of services. These laws can be costly to comply with, can be a significant diversion to management’s time and effort and can subject us to claims or other remedies, as well as negative publicity. Many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues that the Internet and related technologies currently produce. Some of the laws that do reference the Internet and related technologies have been and continue to be interpreted by the courts, but their applicability and scope remain largely uncertain.

Despite our substantial indebtedness, we may still be able to incur significantly more debt, including secured debt, which could intensify the risks associated with our indebtedness.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future. Although the terms of the Indenture and the First Lien Credit Agreement contain restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions do not prevent us from incurring indebtedness or our subsidiaries from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness under the terms of the Indenture and the First Lien Credit Agreement. To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness or such other obligations, the risk associated with our substantial indebtedness as described above under the risk factor “Our substantial indebtedness could materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments,” including our potential inability to service our debt, will increase.

As of March 31, 2020, we had $225.0 million available for additional borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility portion of our Senior Facilities (without any letters of credit outstanding), all of which would be secured, and $30.3 million available for additional borrowing under our Receivables

 

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Financing Facility. In connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to increase the size of our Revolving Credit Facility to $375.0 million, and, after giving effect to such increase, we would have had $375.0 million for additional borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020, all of which would be secured. In addition to the 8.625% Senior Notes and our borrowings under the Senior Facilities and the Receivables Financing Facility, the covenants under the Indenture and the First Lien Credit Agreement and the covenants under any other of our existing or future debt instruments allow us to incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness and, subject to certain limitations, such additional indebtedness could be secured.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all our indebtedness and to fund our working capital and capital expenditures and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.

Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon, among other things: our future financial and operating performance (including the realization of any cost savings described herein), which will be affected by prevailing economic, industry and competitive conditions and financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control; and our future ability to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, the availability of which depends on, among other things, our compliance with the covenants in the First Lien Credit Agreement.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to draw under our Revolving Credit Facility, Receivables Financing Facility or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to restructure or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements, including the First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indenture, may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations when due. Our equityholders, including Apollo and its affiliates, have no continuing obligation to provide us with debt or equity financing. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would result in a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default, and holders of the 8.625% Senior Notes could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the Senior Facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders (including the lenders under the Senior Facilities) could foreclose against the assets securing their loans and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

 

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Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

The First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indenture contain, and any future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

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incur additional debt, guarantee indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;

 

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pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

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prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt;

 

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make loans or certain investments;

 

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sell certain assets;

 

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create liens on certain assets;

 

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consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

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enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;

 

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substantially alter the businesses we conduct;

 

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enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and

 

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designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires us to comply with a net first lien leverage ratio under certain circumstances and the Receivables Financing Facility requires us to comply with a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio.

Because of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. A failure to comply with the covenants in the First Lien Credit Agreement, the Indenture, the Receivables Financing Facility or any of our other existing or future indebtedness could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event of any such event of default, the lenders under the Senior Facilities and the Receivables Financing Facility:

 

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will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us;

 

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could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit;

 

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could require us to apply all our available cash to repay these borrowings; or

 

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could effectively prevent us from making debt service payments on the 8.625% Senior Notes;

any of which could result in an event of default under the 8.625% Senior Notes.

Such actions by the lenders could cause cross defaults under our other indebtedness. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under the Senior Facilities and the Receivables Financing Facility and any of our other existing or future secured indebtedness could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure the Senior Facilities, the Receivables Financing Facility or such other indebtedness. We have pledged substantially all of our assets as collateral under the Senior Facilities and have pledged certain of our accounts receivable as collateral under the Receivables Financing Facility.

 

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If any of our outstanding indebtedness under the Senior Facilities, the Receivables Financing Facility or our other indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

Borrowings under the Senior Facilities and the Receivables Financing Facility are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we currently do not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) reform may adversely impact our results of operations.

In July 2017, the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. It is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the U.K. or elsewhere. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates will become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, although the U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to LIBOR. Currently, the interest rates on our Senior Facilities, interest rate swaps and our Receivables Financing Facility are tied to LIBOR, and the transition from LIBOR to SOFR or any other alternative benchmark rate that may be established may cause our future interest expense to change significantly and adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, we may need to renegotiate the First Lien Credit Agreement and interest rate swaps to replace LIBOR with SOFR or another alternative rate.

Any downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our ability to obtain future financing, increase our borrowing costs and adversely affect the market price of our existing debt securities or otherwise impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Nationally recognized credit rating organizations have issued credit ratings relating to our long-term debt. Our outstanding debt under the Senior Facilities and the 8.625% Senior Notes currently has non-investment grade ratings. Certain of these organizations have downgraded our credit ratings in the past. There can be no assurance that any rating assigned to any of our debt securities will remain in effect for any given period or that any such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant.

Any additional actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could:

 

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adversely affect the market price of some or all our outstanding debt securities or loans;

 

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limit our access to the capital markets or otherwise adversely affect the availability of other new financing on favorable terms, if at all;

 

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•

result in new or more restrictive covenants in agreements governing the terms of any future indebtedness that we may incur;

 

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increase our cost of borrowing; and

 

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impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any failure by us to identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions and other significant transactions, including dispositions, successfully could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As part of our strategy, we expect to continue to acquire companies or businesses, enter into strategic alliances and joint ventures and make investments to further our business, both domestically and globally (“Strategic Transactions”). Risks associated with these Strategic Transactions include the following, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations:

 

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If we fail to identify and successfully complete and integrate Strategic Transactions that further our strategic objectives, we may be required to expend resources to develop services and technology internally, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage.

 

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Due to the inherent limitations in the due diligence process, we may not identify all events and circumstances that could impact the valuation or performance of a Strategic Transaction and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable opportunities, whether or not the transactions are completed.

 

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Managing Strategic Transactions requires varying levels of management resources, which may divert our attention from other business operations.

 

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We have not realized all anticipated benefits, synergies and cost-savings initiatives from certain previous Strategic Transactions, and in the future, we may not fully realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of any particular Strategic Transaction.

 

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We may be adversely impacted by liabilities that we assume from a company we acquire or in which we invest, whether known or unknown.

 

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Our organizational structure could make it difficult for us to efficiently integrate the Strategic Transactions into our on-going operations and retain and assimilate employees of our organization or those of the acquired business. If key employees depart because of integration issues, or if customers, suppliers or others seek to change their dealings with us because of these changes, our business could be negatively impacted.

 

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Certain previous Strategic Transactions have resulted, and in the future any such Strategic Transactions by us may result, in significant costs and expenses, including those related to severance pay, early retirement costs, employee benefit costs, charges from the elimination of duplicative facilities, other liabilities, legal, accounting and financial advisory fees and required payments to executive officers and key employees under retention plans.

 

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We may issue equity or equity-linked securities or borrow to finance Strategic Transactions, and the amount and terms of any potential future acquisition-related or other dilutive issuance of equity or borrowings, as well as other factors, could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we may divest assets or businesses that are no longer a part of our strategy. These divestitures similarly require significant investment of time and resources, may disrupt our business and distract management from other responsibilities and may result in losses on disposition or continued financial involvement in the divested business, including through indemnification or other

 

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financial arrangements, for a period following the transaction, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Although we report our results of operations in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Further, the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. However, some of our customers are currently invoiced in currencies other than the applicable functional currency. As a result, we may incur foreign currency losses based on changes in exchange rates between the date of the invoice and the date of collection. In addition, large changes in foreign exchange rates relative to our functional currencies could increase the costs of our services to non-U.S. customers relative to local competitors, thereby causing us to lose existing or potential customers to these local competitors. Thus, our results of operations are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Further, as we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency risk could become more significant. We have entered into, and in the future we may enter into, foreign currency hedging contracts to reduce foreign currency volatility. However, we currently do not maintain foreign currency hedging contracts with respect to all our foreign currencies, and any contracts we have or may enter into may not fully mitigate our foreign currency risk, may prove disadvantageous or may create additional risks.

We are exposed to commodity and market price risks that affect our results of operations.

We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. During 2019, we incurred approximately $42 million in costs to power our data centers. We anticipate an increase in our consumption of power in the future if our private cloud sales grow. Power costs vary by locality and are subject to substantial seasonal fluctuations and changes in energy prices. Certain of our data centers are located within deregulated energy markets. Power costs have historically tracked the general costs of energy and continued increases in electricity costs may negatively impact our gross margins. We periodically evaluate the advisability of entering into fixed-price utilities contracts and have entered into certain fixed-price utilities contracts for some of our power consumption. If we choose not to enter into a fixed-price contract, we expose our cost structure to this commodity price risk. If we do choose to enter into a fixed-price contract, we lose the opportunity to reduce our power costs if the price for power falls below the fixed cost. Therefore, increases in our power costs could result in lower gross margins and materially and adversely impact our results of operations.

Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change may result in environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties, resulting in increased electricity prices.

The effects of human activity on the global climate change have attracted considerable public and scientific attention, as well as the attention of the U.S. government. Efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse emissions, particularly those from coal combustion by power plants, some of which we rely upon for power. The added cost of any environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties levied on these power plants could be passed on to us, increasing the cost to run our data centers. Additionally, environmental taxes, charges, assessments or penalties could be levied directly on us in proportion to our carbon footprint. Any enactment of laws or passage of regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S., or any domestic or foreign jurisdiction we perform business in, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

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We utilize open source software in providing a substantial portion of our services. Our use of open source software, and our contributions to open source projects, could impose limitations on our ability to provide our services, expose us to litigation, cause us to impair our assets and allow third parties to access and use software and technology that we use in our business, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We utilize open source software, including Linux-based software, in providing a substantial portion of our services and we expect to continue to incorporate open source software in a substantial portion of our services in the future. The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to offer our services. Moreover, we cannot ensure that we have not incorporated additional open source software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable license. If we fail to comply with these licenses, or if we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that we offer our solutions that incorporate the open source software for no cost, that we make available the source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of applicable open source licenses.

Additionally, the use and distribution of open source software can lead to greater risks than the use of third-party commercial software, as some open source projects have known vulnerabilities and open source software does not come with warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. From time to time parties have asserted claims against companies that distribute or use open source software in their products and services, asserting that open source software infringes their intellectual property rights. We have been subject to suits, and could be subject to suits in the future, by parties claiming infringement of intellectual property rights with respect to what we believe to be open source software. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, and in such an event, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue using such software or offering certain of our services or to discontinue the use of such software or the sale of our affected services in the event we could not obtain such licenses, any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We also participate in open source projects, including contributing portions of our proprietary software code to such open source projects. Our participation in open source projects, and our use open source solutions in a substantial portion of our services, could result in an impairment of design and development assets. In addition, our activities with these open source projects could subject us to additional risks of litigation, including indirect infringement claims based on third-party contributors because of our participation in these projects. Furthermore, our participation in open source projects may allow third parties, including our competitors, to have access to software that we use in our business, which could limit our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology or services, and which may enable our competitors to provide similar services with lower development effort and time, which could ultimately result in a loss of sales for us. While we may be able to claim protection of our intellectual property under other rights, such as trade secrets or contractual rights, our participation in open source projects limits our ability to assert certain of our patent rights against third parties (even if we were to conclude that their use infringes our patents with competing offerings), unless such third parties assert patent rights against us. This limitation on our ability to assert our patent rights against others could harm our business and ability to compete.

 

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Our business is dependent on our ability to continue to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce the intellectual property and proprietary rights on which our business relies. If we are not successful in obtaining, maintaining, protecting and enforcing our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition to our use of open source software, we rely on patent, copyright, trademark, service mark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, all of which provide only limited protection. For example, we do not have any patent rights related to our proprietary tools, technology, processes and systems, including Rackspace Fabric, and rely on confidentiality agreements to protect such proprietary rights. We cannot assure you that any future patent, copyright, trademark or service mark registrations will be issued for pending or future applications or that any registered or unregistered copyrights, trademarks or service marks will be enforceable or provide adequate protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Furthermore, the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights are uncertain.

We regard our trademarks, trade names and service marks as having significant value, and our brand is an important factor in the marketing of our services. We intend to rely on both registration and common law protection for our trademarks. However, we may be unable to prevent competitors from acquiring trademarks or service marks and other intellectual property and proprietary rights that are similar to, infringe upon, misappropriate, violate or diminish the value of our trademarks and service marks and our other intellectual property and proprietary rights. The value of our intellectual property and proprietary rights could diminish if others assert rights in or ownership of our intellectual property or proprietary rights, or in trademarks that are similar to our trademarks.

We also endeavor to enter into agreements with our employees, contractors and parties with whom we do business to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. However, we cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with each party that has or may have had access to our proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Additionally, we currently have patents issued and patent applications pending in the U.S. and the E.U., primarily related to our historical, legacy offerings such as OpenStack Public Cloud. However, our patent applications may be challenged and/or ultimately rejected, and our issued patents may be contested, circumvented, found unenforceable or invalidated. Even if we continue to seek patent protection in the future, we may be unable to obtain or maintain patent protection for our technology. In addition, any patents issued from pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us in the future may not provide us with competitive advantages, or may be circumvented or successfully challenged, invalidated or held unenforceable through administrative process, including re-examination, inter partes review, interference and derivation proceedings and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (e.g., opposition proceedings) or litigation. There may be issued patents, or pending patent applications that may result in issued patents, of which we are not aware held by third parties that, if found to be valid and enforceable, could be alleged to be infringed by our current or future technologies or services.

Third parties may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent, superior to, or otherwise competitive to the technologies we employ in our services or that infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights. If we fail to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights adequately, our competitors may gain access to our proprietary technology and develop and commercialize substantially identical services or technologies, and the steps we have taken may not prevent unauthorized use, access, distribution, misappropriation, reverse engineering or disclosure of our intellectual property and proprietary information, including our know-how and trade secrets. Enforcement of our intellectual property and proprietary rights also

 

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depends on successful legal actions against infringers and parties who misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our proprietary information and trade secrets, but these actions may not be successful, even when our rights have been infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., and patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available to us in every country in which our services are available.

Despite the measures taken by us, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our technology and information, without authorization. Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary technologies and other intellectual property and our services is difficult, time-consuming and costly, and litigation could become necessary in the future to protect or enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Any such litigation could be time consuming and expensive to prosecute or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management attention and resources and harm our business and results of operations. Furthermore, any such litigation may ultimately be unsuccessful and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Additionally, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property and proprietary rights, and if such defenses, counterclaims or countersuits are successful, we could lose valuable intellectual property and proprietary rights.

Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation may be costly to defend and may limit or disrupt our ability to sell our services.

Third-party claims of intellectual property or proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation are commonplace in technology-related industries. Companies in the technology industry, holding companies, non-practicing entities and other adverse intellectual property owners who may or may not have relevant service revenue, but are seeking to profit from royalties in connection with grants of licenses, own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks and trade secrets and frequently make claims of allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property and proprietary rights and may pursue litigation against us. These or other parties have claimed in the past, and could claim in the future, that we have misappropriated, violated, infringed or misused intellectual property proprietary rights. We could incur substantial costs in defending any such litigation, and any such litigation, regardless of merit or outcome, could be time consuming and expensive to settle or litigate and could divert the attention of our technical and management personnel and could harm our business, results of operations and reputation. An adverse determination in any such litigation could prevent us from offering our services to our customers and may require that we procure or develop substitute services that do not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, which could be costly, time-consuming or impossible, or require us to obtain a costly and/or unfavorable license. Certain of our agreements with our customers and other third parties include indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify or otherwise be liable to them for losses suffered or incurred as a result of claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of intellectual property rights. For any intellectual property or proprietary right claim against us or our customers or such other third parties, we may also have to pay damages (including treble damages and attorneys’ fees if we are found to have willfully infringed a party’s rights), indemnify our customers or such other third parties against damages or stop using technology or intellectual property found to be in violation of a third party’s rights, which could harm our business. We may be unable to replace or obtain a license for those technologies with technologies that have the same features or functionality and that are of equal quality and performance standards on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Licensing replacement technologies and intellectual property may significantly increase our operating expenses or may require us to restrict our business activities in one or more respects. We may also be required to develop alternative technology and intellectual property that is non-infringing,

 

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misappropriating or violating, which could require significant effort, time and expense and ultimately may not be an alternative that functions as well as the original or is accepted in the marketplace.

We may have additional tax liabilities.

We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection obligations in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. We may recognize additional tax expense and be subject to additional tax liabilities, including other liabilities for tax collection obligations due to changes in laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations related to tax, including changes to the global tax framework, competition and other laws and accounting rules in various jurisdictions. Such changes could come about as a result of economic, political and other conditions, or certain jurisdictions aggressively interpreting their laws in an effort to raise additional tax revenue. An increasing number of jurisdictions are considering or have unilaterally adopted laws or country-by-country reporting requirements that could adversely affect our effective tax rates or result in other costs to us which could adversely affect our operations and financial results.

We are also currently subject to tax audits in various jurisdictions, and these jurisdictions may assess additional tax liabilities against us. Developments in an audit, investigation or other tax controversy could have a material and adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that development occurs, as well as for prior and subsequent periods. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these proceedings to determine the adequacy of our tax accruals. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of audits, investigations and any other tax controversies could be materially different from our historical tax accruals.

Changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material and adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

The U.S. government has adopted a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has also imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods, including information and communication technology products. These measures may materially increase costs for goods imported into the U.S. This in turn could mean that a larger portion of our customer’s IT spending will be made on hardware costs and less will be available to spend on our services, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

The market price of our common stock could vary significantly as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. In the event of a drop in the market price of our common stock, you could lose a substantial part or all of your investment in our common stock. The following factors could affect our stock price:

 

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our operating and financial performance and prospects;

 

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quarterly variations in the rate of growth (if any) of our financial or operational indicators, such as earnings per share, net income, revenues, Bookings, Annualized Recurring Revenue and Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate;

 

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the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

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strategic actions by our competitors;

 

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changes in operating performance and the stock market valuations of other companies;

 

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announcements related to litigation;

 

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our failure to meet revenue or earnings estimates made by research analysts or other investors;

 

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changes in revenue or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;

 

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speculation in the press or investment community;

 

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sales of our common stock by us or our stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;

 

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changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations or standards;

 

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additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

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actions by our stockholders;

 

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general market conditions;

 

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domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance;

 

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material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section, or other risks that may materialize in the future.

The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We will incur significant costs and devote substantial management time as a result of operating as a public company.

As a public company, we will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses. For example, we will be required to comply with the requirements of Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC and heightened auditing standards, and Nasdaq, our stock exchange, including the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. The rules governing management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation. We expect that compliance with these requirements will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time consuming and costly. In addition, we expect that our management and other personnel will need to divert attention from operational and other business matters to devote substantial time to these public company requirements. In particular, we expect to continue incurring significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring

 

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compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In that regard, we may need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting knowledge. Furthermore, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and fail in meeting our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from Nasdaq, regulatory investigations, civil or criminal sanctions and litigation, any of which would have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur as a result of becoming a public company or the timing and materiality of such costs.

We continue to be controlled by the Apollo Funds, and Apollo’s interests may conflict with our interests and the interests of other stockholders.

Following this offering, the Apollo Funds will beneficially own approximately      % of the voting power of our outstanding common equity (or approximately     % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). Therefore, individuals affiliated with Apollo will have effective control over the outcome of votes on all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, entering into significant corporate transactions such as mergers, tender offers, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and issuance of additional debt or equity. The interests of Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, could conflict with or differ from our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. For example, the concentration of ownership held by the Apollo Funds could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company or impede a merger, takeover or other business combination which may otherwise be favorable for us. Additionally, Apollo and its affiliates are in the business of making investments in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in or provide advice to businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, or are suppliers or customers of ours. Apollo and its affiliates may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Any such investment may increase the potential for the conflicts of interest discussed in this risk factor. So long as the Apollo Funds continue to directly or indirectly beneficially own a significant amount of our equity, even if such amount is less than 50%, the Apollo Funds will continue to be able to substantially influence or effectively control our ability to enter into corporate transactions. The Apollo Funds also have a right to nominate a number of directors comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of the voting power of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number), which currently represents at least a majority of our board of directors. In addition, we have an executive committee that serves at the discretion of our board of directors and includes two members nominated by the Apollo Funds, who are authorized to take actions (subject to certain exceptions) that they reasonably determine are appropriate. See “Management—Board Committees—Executive Committee” for a further discussion.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq’s rules and, as a result, qualify for and intend to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

Following this offering, the Apollo Funds will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, and as a result we will be a controlled company within the meaning of Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards. Under Nasdaq rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:

 

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a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors;

 

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the nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors;

 

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the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors; and

 

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there be an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

We intend to utilize these exemptions as long as we remain a controlled company. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

Our organizational documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could deprive our investors of the opportunity to receive a premium on their shares.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult for, or prevent a third party from, acquiring control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions include:

 

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providing that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with each class of directors serving staggered three-year terms;

 

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prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

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providing for the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, if less than 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds;

 

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empowering only the board of directors to fill any vacancy on our board of directors (other than in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee (as defined below), a Searchlight Board Nominee (as defined below) or an ABRY Board Nominee (as defined below)), whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;

 

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authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock without any need for action by stockholders;

 

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prohibiting stockholders from acting by written consent if less than 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds;

 

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to the extent permitted by law, prohibiting stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders if less than 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds; and

 

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establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors (other than in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee, a Searchlight Board Nominee or an ABRY Board Nominee) or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Additionally, our certificate of incorporation provides that we are not governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, which, in the absence of such provisions, would have imposed additional requirements regarding mergers and other business combinations. However, our certificate of incorporation will include a provision that restricts us from engaging in any business combination with an interested stockholder for three years following the date that person becomes an interested stockholder, but such restrictions shall not apply to any business combination between

 

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Apollo and any affiliate thereof or their direct and indirect transferees, on the one hand, and us, on the other, or certain other situations as described below in “Description of Common Stock—Certain Corporate Anti-takeover Provisions—Delaware Takeover Statute”.

Any issuance by us of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change in control of us. Our board of directors will have the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices and liquidation preferences of such series. The issuance of shares of our preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control without further action by the stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares.

In addition, as long as the Apollo Funds beneficially own a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, the Apollo Funds will be able to control all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation and certain corporate transactions. Our Investor Rights Agreements will also require the approval of Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, for certain important matters, including certain acquisitions and dispositions outside of the ordinary course of business, certain issuances of equity securities and incurrence of debt, and mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets, until the first time that Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 33% of our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Certain Corporate Anti-takeover Provisions—Certain Matters that Require Consent of Our Stockholders”.

Together, the provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the Investor Rights Agreements and statutory provisions could make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our common stock. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions, as well as the significant common stock beneficially owned by the Apollo Funds and their right to nominate a specified number of directors in certain circumstances, could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of us, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition. For a further discussion of these and other such anti-takeover provisions, see “Description of Capital Stock—Certain Corporate Anti-takeover Provisions.”

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided that the exclusive forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or to any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that the federal district courts of the United States shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. We

 

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recognize that the forum selection clause in our certificate of incorporation may impose additional litigation costs on stockholders in pursuing any such claims, particularly if the stockholders do not reside in or near the State of Delaware. Additionally, the forum selection clause in our certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments may be more or less favorable to us than our stockholders.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have consented to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described above. The choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. However, the enforceability of similar forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings. If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our certificate of incorporation will contain a provision renouncing our interest and expectancy in certain corporate opportunities.

Under our certificate of incorporation, none of Apollo, Searchlight, ABRY, their affiliated funds, the portfolio companies owned by such funds, any affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY or any of their respective officers, directors, principals, partners, members, managers, employees, agents or other representatives, will have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities, similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no officer or director of ours who is also an officer, director, principal, partner, member, manager, employee, agent or other representative of Apollo, Searchlight, ABRY or their respective affiliates will be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to Apollo, Searchlight, ABRY or their respective affiliates and representatives, instead of us, or does not communicate information regarding a corporate opportunity to us that such individual has directed to Apollo, Searchlight, ABRY or their respective affiliates and representatives. For instance, a director of our company who also serves as a director, officer or employee of Apollo, Searchlight, ABRY, or any of their portfolio companies, funds or other affiliates may pursue certain acquisitions or other opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, such acquisition or other opportunities may not be available to us. Upon consummation of this offering, our board of directors will consist of 10 members, six of whom will be Apollo Board Nominees, one of whom will be a Searchlight Board Nominee and one of whom will be an ABRY Board Nominee. These potential conflicts of interest could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by any of Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY to itself or its affiliated funds, the portfolio companies owned by such funds or any of their affiliates instead of to us. A description of our obligations related to corporate opportunities under our certificate of incorporation are more fully described in “Description of Capital Stock—Corporate Opportunity.”

 

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We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.

We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers, including for payments in respect of our indebtedness, from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The agreements governing the indebtedness of our subsidiaries impose restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Each of our subsidiaries is a distinct legal entity, and under certain circumstances legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them and we may be limited in our ability to cause any future joint ventures to distribute their earnings to us. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason could also limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or other distributions to us.

Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

Based on our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of March 31, 2020 and an initial public offering price of $                 per share, we expect that purchasers of our common stock in this offering will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of $                 per share, or $                 per share if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share and the initial public offering price. This dilution is due in large part to earlier investors having paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when they purchased their shares. See “Dilution.”

You may be diluted by the future issuance of additional common stock or convertible securities in connection with our incentive plans, acquisitions or otherwise, or in connection with shares issuable to an affiliate of ABRY pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement, any of which could adversely affect our stock price.

After the completion of this offering, we will have                  shares of common stock authorized but unissued (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares). Our certificate of incorporation will authorize us to issue these shares of common stock and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to common stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our board of directors in its sole discretion, whether in connection with acquisitions or otherwise. At the closing of this offering, there will be approximately                shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and RSUs. We have reserved approximately                 shares of our common stock for future grant under our 2017 Incentive Plan and expect to reserve                  shares of our common stock under the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. See “Executive Compensation—New Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2020 Equity Incentive Plan” and “—Employee Stock Purchase Plan.” Moreover, depending on the multiple of invested capital realized by the Apollo Funds on their investment in the Company, which may be achieved based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for a 30 consecutive trading day period, we may be required to issue to an affiliate of ABRY, pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement,                  shares, if the multiple of invested capital realized by the Apollo Funds exceeds 2.0 times, and up to                  shares of our common stock in the aggregate if the multiple of invested capital realized by the Apollo Funds exceeds 4.5 times, as described further under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Datapipe Merger Agreement.” Any common stock that we issue, including under our 2017 Incentive Plan, 2020 Incentive Plan, ESPP or other equity incentive plans that we may adopt in the future, as well as under the Datapipe Merger Agreement or outstanding options or RSUs, would dilute the percentage ownership held by the investors who purchase common stock in this offering.

 

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From time to time in the future, we may also issue additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock pursuant to a variety of transactions, including acquisitions. Our issuance of additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock would dilute your ownership of us and the sale of a significant amount of such shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.

Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price.

After the completion of this offering, we will have                  shares of common stock outstanding and                shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and RSUs. The number of outstanding shares of common stock includes                  shares beneficially owned by the Apollo Funds, our existing stockholders and certain of our employees, which are “restricted securities,” as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and eligible for sale in the public market subject to the requirements of Rule 144. We, the Apollo Funds, Searchlight, affiliates of ABRY and all of our directors and executive officers, who collectively hold substantially all of our issued and outstanding common stock, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC on behalf of the underwriters, dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, subject to certain exceptions. See “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest).” Following the expiration of the applicable lock-up period, all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock will be eligible for future sale, subject to the applicable volume, manner of sale, holding periods, and other limitations of Rule 144. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC may, in its sole discretion, release all or any portion of the shares subject to lock-up agreements at any time and for any reason. In addition, following the lock-up period, certain of our existing stockholders, including the Apollo Funds, Searchlight and ABRY, have certain rights to require us to register the sale of common stock held by them including in connection with underwritten offerings. Additionally, we also intend to file a registration statement in respect of all shares of common stock that we may issue under the 2017 Incentive Plan, the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. Once we register these shares, they can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance. Sales of significant amounts of stock in the public market upon expiration of lock-up agreements, the perception that such sales may occur, or early release of any lock-up agreements, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock or make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a discussion of the shares of common stock that may be sold into the public market in the future.

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds to us from this offering and may not use them effectively.

We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to redeem, repurchase or otherwise repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness. Our management may not apply the net proceeds in ways that increase the value of your investment in our common stock. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, our ultimate use may vary substantially from our currently intended use. Investors will need to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds. Pending use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities, such as money market accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government that may not generate a high yield for our stockholders. If we do not use the net proceeds that we receive in this offering effectively, our business, financial condition,

 

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results of operations and prospects could be harmed, and the market price of our common stock could decline.

There has been no prior public market for our common stock and there can be no assurances that a viable public market for our common stock will develop or be sustained.

Prior to this offering, our common stock was not traded on any market. An active, liquid and orderly trading market for our common stock may not develop or be maintained after this offering. Active, liquid and orderly trading markets usually result in less price volatility and more efficiency in carrying out investors’ purchase and sale orders. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our common stock will lead to the development of an active trading market on Nasdaq or otherwise or how liquid that market might become. The initial public offering price for the common stock will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. See “Underwriting.” If an active public market for our common stock does not develop, or is not sustained, it may be difficult for you to sell your shares at a price that is attractive to you or at all.

The initial public offering price of our common stock may not be indicative of the market price of our common stock after this offering.

The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and representatives of the underwriters, based on numerous factors which we discuss in “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest),” and may not be indicative of the market price of our common stock after this offering. If you purchase our common stock, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the initial public offering price.

We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future on our common stock. We intend to retain all future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and the repayment of outstanding debt. Our Senior Facilities and the Indenture contain, and any future indebtedness likely will contain, restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and make other restricted payments. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock may be your major source of gain for the foreseeable future. While we may change this policy at some point in the future, we cannot assure you that we will make such a change. See “Dividend Policy.”

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrades our common stock, publishes unfavorable research about our business or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

 

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We may issue preferred securities, the terms of which could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred securities having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred securities could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred securities the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred securities could affect the residual value of the common stock.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business” and include, among other things, statements relating to:

 

•

our strategy, outlook and growth prospects;

 

•

our operational and financial targets and dividend policy;

 

•

general economic trends and trends in the industry and markets; and

 

•

the competitive environment in which we operate.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our results to vary from expectations include, but are not limited to:

 

•

our ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers and sell additional services and comparable gross margin services to our customers;

 

•

general economic conditions and uncertainties affecting markets in which we operate and economic volatility that could adversely impact our business, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

•

our ability to successfully execute our strategies and adapt to evolving customer demands, including the trend to lower-gross margin offerings;

 

•

fluctuations in our operating results;

 

•

risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and our obligations to repay such indebtedness;

 

•

competition in the hosting and cloud computing markets;

 

•

inability to compete successfully against current and future competitors;

 

•

dependence on favorable relationships with third-party cloud infrastructure providers;

 

•

failure to hire and retain qualified employees and personnel;

 

•

security breaches, cyber-attacks and other interruptions to our and our third-party service providers’ technological and physical infrastructures;

 

•

our ability to meet our service level commitments to customers, including network uptime requirements;

 

•

increased energy costs, power outages and limited availability of electrical resources;

 

•

increased Internet bandwidth costs or decreased Internet reliability or performance;

 

•

errors in estimating our data center capacity requirements;

 

•

our ability to adequately obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights and claims of intellectual property and proprietary right infringement, misappropriation or other violation by competitors and third parties;

 

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•

the ability of certain of our vendors and customers to reduce or terminate our services at will without a penalty;

 

•

exposure to risks associated with international sales and operations, including foreign currency exchange rates, corruption and instability;

 

•

failure to maintain, enhance and protect our brand;

 

•

the loss of, and our reliance on, third-party providers, vendors, consultants and software;

 

•

our ability to successfully defend litigation brought against us;

 

•

issues with renewing the leases on existing facilities;

 

•

domestic and foreign regulation of our business, our customers, the environment and the third-party providers on whom we rely;

 

•

liability associated with the content and privacy of the data of our customers;

 

•

risks related to diverting management’s attention from our ongoing business operations;

 

•

uncertainty surrounding open source software and other risks associated with our use of open source and participation in open source projects;

 

•

additional tax liabilities; and

 

•

other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in this prospectus, including those set forth under “Risk Factors.”

These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this prospectus and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or review publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this prospectus. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. You should read this prospectus and the documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, merger, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may undertake. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive approximately $                million of net proceeds (based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $                per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares) from the sale of the common stock offered by us, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the public offering price would increase (decrease) our net proceeds by approximately $                 million. We estimate that the net proceeds to us, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase the maximum number of additional shares of common stock from us, will be approximately $                million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering (based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $                per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus).

We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay $                 million principal amount of the outstanding loans under our Term Loan Facility, to redeem, retire or repurchase $                 million principal amount of our outstanding 8.625% Senior Notes and to pay related premiums, fees and expenses. As of July 1, 2020, the interest rate for our Term Loan Facility was 4.00%. The Term Loan Facility will mature on November 3, 2023. The interest rate for our 8.625% Senior Notes is 8.625%. The 8.625% Senior Notes will mature on November 15, 2024. The timing of our use of the net proceeds to repay, redeem, retire or repurchase our outstanding indebtedness will depend upon market conditions, among other factors. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Our management team will retain broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, we may, in the future, decide to pay dividends on our common stock. Any declaration and payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, cash flows, capital requirements, levels of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends will therefore be restricted as a result of restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us under our Senior Facilities, the Indenture and under other current and future indebtedness that we or they may incur. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 31, 2020 on:

 

•

an actual basis, giving effect to the Stock Split; and

 

•

an as adjusted basis giving effect to the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the sale of              shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $            , after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in this offering, and giving effect to the repayment of a portion of our indebtedness with the net proceeds of this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds.”

You should read this table together with the information included elsewhere in this prospectus, including “Prospectus Summary—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

 

		As of March 31, 2020
		Actual				As Adjusted
(in millions, except share and per share data)
Cash and cash equivalents(1)		$	125.2			$
Debt:
Revolving Credit Facility(2)			—
Term Loan Facility			2,817.3
8.625% Senior Notes			1,120.2
Receivables Financing Facility(2)			50.0
Total debt(3)			3,987.5
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock—$0.01 par value; 19,000,000 shares authorized, 13,784,173.81 shares issued and outstanding (actual);              shares authorized,              shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)			0.1
Preferred stock—$0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding (actual);              shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)			—
Additional paid-in capital			1,611.7
Accumulated deficit			(765.7	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(49.5	)
Total stockholders’ equity(4)			796.6
Total capitalization(4)		$	4,784.1			$

 

(1)	As adjusted cash and cash equivalents does not reflect the use of proceeds from this offering to pay any premiums, fees or expenses relating to the expected repayment of indebtedness.

(2)

As of March 31, 2020, $225.0 million and $30.3 million were available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Receivables Financing Facility, respectively. In connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $375.0 million, and, after giving effect to such increase, we would have had $375.0 million of undrawn commitments as of March 31, 2020 under our Revolving Credit Facility.

(3)	Our total debt as of March 31, 2020 does not include $62.7 million of unamortized debt issuance costs and $4.6 million of unamortized debt discount.

(4)	Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the offering price per share of our common stock would increase (decrease) our as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid in capital, stockholders’ equity and total capitalization and equity by $                .

 

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The foregoing table, except as otherwise indicated:

 

•

assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase                 additional shares of common stock in this offering;

 

•

does not reflect the issuance of up to                  shares of our common stock that may be issuable to an affiliate of ABRY pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Datapipe Merger Agreement;

 

•

does not reflect an additional                 shares of common stock reserved for future grant under the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. See “Executive Compensation—New Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2020 Incentive Plan” and “—Employee Stock Purchase Plan”; and

 

•

does not reflect                 shares of common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs outstanding as of the consummation of this offering under the 2017 Incentive Plan. The following table sets forth the outstanding stock options and RSUs under the 2017 Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2020 (giving effect to the Stock Split):

 

 

(1)

Upon a holder’s exercise of one option, we will issue to the holder one share of common stock.

 

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DILUTION

Purchasers of the common stock in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share of our common stock after this offering.

Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of March 31, 2020 was $(3,706.4) million, or $                 per share. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) represents the amount of our total tangible assets (total assets less goodwill and total intangible assets) less total liabilities. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share represents historical net tangible book value (deficit) divided by the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020.

Our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) as of March 31, 2020 was $                , or $                 per share of our common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share represents our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) divided by the total number of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, after giving effect to the sale of                shares of common stock in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $                per share (the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution per share of our common stock, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share						$
Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of March 31, 2020		$
Increase per share attributable to the pro forma adjustments described above
Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering
Dilution in net tangible book value (deficit) per share						$

Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering is determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering from the initial public offering price per share of common stock.

The dilution information discussed above is illustrative only and may change based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $                 per share of common stock, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share after this offering by $                 per share and increase (decrease) the dilution to new investors by $                 per share, in each case assuming the number of shares of common stock offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares of common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) by approximately $                 per share and decrease (increase) the dilution to new investors by approximately $                 per share, in each case assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $                 per share of common stock remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.

To the extent the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares

 

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of common stock in full, the pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share would be $                 per share, and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share to new investors in this offering would be $                 per share.

The following table summarizes, as of March 31, 2020, on a pro forma basis as described above, the total number of shares of common stock owned by existing stockholders and to be owned by new investors, the total consideration paid, and the average price per share paid by our existing stockholders and to be paid by new investors in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $          per share, calculated before deduction of estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

		Shares Purchased								Total Consideration								Average Price per Share
		Number				Percent				Amount				Percent
Existing stockholders								%		$						%		$
Investors in the offering								%								%
Total							100	%		$					100	%		$

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price would increase (decrease) total consideration paid by new investors, total consideration paid by all stockholders and average price per share paid by new investors by $                , $                 and $                 per share, respectively.

If the underwriters were to fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, the percentage of common stock held by existing investors would be      %, and the percentage of shares of common stock held by new investors would be     %.

The foregoing tables and calculations, except as otherwise indicated:

 

•

give effect to the Stock Split;

 

•

assume an initial public offering price of $                  per share of common stock, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover of this prospectus;

 

•

assume no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase                  additional shares of common stock in this offering;

 

•

do not reflect the issuance of up to                  shares of our common stock that may be issuable to an affiliate of ABRY pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Datapipe Merger Agreement;

 

•

do not reflect an additional                  shares of common stock reserved for future grant under the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. See “Executive Compensation—New Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2020 Incentive Plan” and “—Employee Stock Purchase Plan”; and

 

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•

do not reflect                  shares of common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options and RSUs outstanding as of the consummation of this offering under the 2017 Incentive Plan. The following table sets forth the outstanding stock options and RSUs under the 2017 Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2020 (giving effect to the Stock Split):

 

 

(1)

Upon a holder’s exercise of one option, we will issue to the holder one share of common stock.

We may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders. To the extent that any outstanding options to purchase our common stock are exercised or RSUs vest, or new awards are granted under our equity compensation plans, or we are required to issue additional shares of our common stock pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables present our selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. Periods before November 3, 2016 reflect the financial position and results of operations of Rackspace Technology Global, which we acquired on that date (such periods, the “Predecessor Periods”), and periods beginning and after November 3, 2016 reflect our financial position and results of operations, including the push-down accounting effects of the acquisition (such periods, the “Successor Periods”).

We have derived our selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the periods from January 1, 2016 to November 2, 2016 and from November 3, 2016 to December 31, 2016 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. We have derived our selected historical consolidated financial data as of March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of March 31, 2019 has been derived from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus.

We adopted Accounting Standards Codification No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), effective January 1, 2019, using the full retrospective method. As the financial data for Rackspace Technology Global before its acquisition is presented on a different accounting basis from our financial data following the acquisition, ASC 606 was only applied to the Successor Periods. In addition, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification No. 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective method. Only the selected historical consolidated financial data subsequent to January 1, 2019 reflects the adoption of ASC 842. For a description of ASC 606 and ASC 842, refer to Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

We acquired 100% of TriCore Solutions, LLC (“TriCore”), Datapipe Parent, Inc. (“Datapipe”), RelationEdge, LLC (“RelationEdge”) and Onica Holdings LLC (“Onica”) on June 19, 2017, November 15, 2017, May 14, 2018 and November 15, 2019, respectively. These acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and are described in more detail in Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated financial data includes the results of operations for these acquisitions subsequent to their respective acquisition dates.

 

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Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

(In millions, except per share data)		Predecessor								Successor
		Year Ended December 31, 2015				January 1, 2016 to November 2, 2016				November 3, 2016 to December 31, 2016				Year Ended December 31,												Three Months Ended March 31,
														2017				2018				2019				2019				2020
Consolidated Statement of Operations data:
Revenue		$	2,001.3			$	1,743.1			$	334.5			$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1			$	606.9			$	652.7
Cost of revenue			(1,031.4	)			(912.4	)			(232.8	)			(1,354.1	)			(1,445.7	)			(1,426.9	)			(356.0	)			(403.4	)
Gross profit			969.9				830.7				101.7				790.6				1,007.1				1,011.2				250.9				249.3
Selling, general and administrative			(769.9	)			(643.2	)			(284.2	)			(942.2	)			(949.3	)			(911.7	)			(231.7	)			(227.8	)
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				—				—				(295.0	)			—				—				—
Gain on sales, net			—				36.7				—				5.2				—				2.1				2.1				—
Gain on settlement of contract			—				—				—				28.8				—				—				—				—
Income (loss) from operations			200.0				224.2				(182.5	)			(117.6	)			(237.2	)			101.6				21.3				21.5
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(10.8	)			(32.7	)			(31.4	)			(223.4	)			(281.1	)			(329.9	)			(89.0	)			(72.0	)
Gain (loss) on investments, net			—				—				—				4.6				4.6				99.5				0.1				(0.1	)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt			—				—				(3.7	)			(16.9	)			0.5				9.8				4.5				—
Other income (expense)			(1.7	)			(2.7	)			1.2				(7.4	)			12.7				(3.3	)			(4.0	)			(0.6	)
Total other expense			(12.5	)			(35.4	)			(33.9	)			(243.1	)			(263.3	)			(223.9	)			(88.4	)			(72.7	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			187.5				188.8				(216.4	)			(360.7	)			(500.5	)			(122.3	)			(67.1	)			(51.2	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes			(65.1	)			(82.9	)			75.8				300.8				29.9				20.0				9.6				3.0
Net income (loss)		$	122.4			$	105.9			$	(140.6	)		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)		$	(57.5	)		$	(48.2	)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic		$	0.88			$	0.83			$	(11.16	)		$	(4.67	)		$	(34.19	)		$	(7.43	)		$	(4.18	)		$	(3.50	)
Diluted		$	0.87			$	0.82			$	(11.16	)		$	(4.67	)		$	(34.19	)		$	(7.43	)		$	(4.18	)		$	(3.50	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic			139.0				127.4				12.6				12.8				13.8				13.8				13.8				13.8
Diluted			141.0				128.7				12.6				12.8				13.8				13.8				13.8				13.8
Consolidated Balance Sheet data (at end of period):
Cash and cash equivalents		$	487.7							$	298.2			$	230.9			$	254.3			$	83.8			$	194.3			$	125.2
Total assets		$	2,014.2							$	5,517.2			$	6,551.3			$	6,111.4			$	6,272.4			$	6,209.0			$	6,254.0
Non-current liabilities		$	809.2							$	4,012.1			$	4,708.0			$	4,638.1			$	4,701.7			$	4,720.3			$	4,770.0
Total liabilities		$	1,046.1							$	4,396.4			$	5,178.3			$	5,203.6			$	5,373.6			$	5,286.3			$	5,457.4
Total stockholders’ equity		$	968.1							$	1,120.8			$	1,373.0			$	907.8			$	898.8			$	922.7			$	796.6
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows data:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	583.6			$	517.5			$	41.7			$	291.7			$	429.8			$	292.9			$	23.1			$	24.8
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(479.4	)		$	(234.6	)		$	(3,993.0	)		$	(1,226.2	)		$	(348.3	)		$	(386.5	)		$	(43.8	)		$	(32.4	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		$	171.5			$	(80.1	)		$	4,249.7			$	867.5			$	(53.7	)		$	(79.2	)		$	(41.3	)		$	50.6

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risk, assumptions and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and forecasts. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section of this prospectus titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a leading end-to-end multicloud technology services company. We design, build and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies. We serve our customers with a unique combination of proprietary technology resulting from over $1 billion of investment and services expertise from a team of highly skilled consultants and engineers. And we provide our customers with unbiased expertise and technology solutions, delivered over the world’s leading cloud services, all wrapped in a Fanatical Experience.

We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make fluid decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on customers’ unique objectives and workloads, irrespective of the underlying technology stack or deployment option. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the strength of the cloud.

Our customers are served by a family of approximately 6,800 Rackers, including over 2,500 cloud-certified professionals. Our team includes some of the most qualified architects and engineers in the world, with over 2,700 AWS certifications, over 1,000 Google Cloud certifications, over 700 Azure certifications and over 400 VMware certifications worldwide as of May 31, 2020. Our Rackers are at the center of the customer experience — they maintain a hyper-focus on customer experience and satisfaction and are available to our customers 24x7x365 by phone, chat, email or web portal.

We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions.

On November 3, 2016, Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., or “Rackspace Technology Global”) was acquired by Inception Parent, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Inception Parent”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2016, Rackspace Technology Global merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inception Parent, with Rackspace Technology Global surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inception Parent. Since the Rackspace Acquisition, we have made significant changes to our business model, including through acquisitions, divestitures, corporate transformation initiatives and significant investments to adapt to changing customer needs and competitive market dynamics. See “Prospectus Summary—Overview—Our Transformation.”

 

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We operate our business and report our results through three reportable segments: (1) Multicloud Services, (2) Apps & Cross Platform and (3) OpenStack Public Cloud. Our Multicloud Services segment includes our multicloud services offerings, as well as professional services related to designing and building multicloud solutions and cloud-native applications. Our Apps & Cross Platform segment includes managed applications, managed security and data services, as well as professional services related to designing and implementing application, security and data services. In early 2017, we determined that our OpenStack Public Cloud offering was not core to our go-forward operations and we ceased to incentivize our sales team to promote and sell the product by the end of that year. We continue to serve our existing OpenStack Public Cloud customer base while we focus our growth strategy and investments on our Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform offerings. See Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements for additional information about our segments. Accordingly, we refer in this prospectus to certain supplementary “Core” financial measures, which reflect the results or otherwise pertain to the performance of our Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform segments, in the aggregate. Our Core financial measures exclude the results and performance of our OpenStack Public Cloud segment.

We generate revenue primarily through the sale of consumption-based contracts for our services offerings, which are recurring in nature. We also generate revenue from the sale of professional services related to designing and building customer solutions, which are non-recurring in nature. Arrangements within our Multicloud Services offerings generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months, with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources provided to and utilized by the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Our other primary sources of revenue are for public cloud services within our Multicloud Services, our Apps & Cross Platform and our OpenStack Public Cloud offerings. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a month-to-month basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty.

We sell our services through direct sales teams, third-party channel partners and via online orders. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from technology partners, customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts. We offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of resources in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

We believe our combination of proprietary technology, automation capabilities and technical expertise creates a value proposition for our customers that is hard to replicate for both competitors and in-house IT departments. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to meet the challenges presented by our highly competitive and dynamic market, including the following key factors:

Differentiating Our Service Offerings in a Competitive Market Environment

Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to differentiate, expand and upgrade our service offerings in line with developing customer needs, while deepening our relationships with leading public cloud service providers and establishing new relationships, including with sales partners. We are a certified premier consulting and managed services partner to some of the largest cloud computing platforms, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, Salesforce, SAP and VMWare. We believe we are unique in our ability to serve customers across major technology stacks and deployment options, all while delivering a Fanatical Experience. Our existing and prospective customers are also under increasing pressure to move from on-premise or self-managed IT to the

 

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cloud to compete effectively in a digital economy and maximize the value of their cloud investments, which we believe presents an opportunity for professional services projects as well as new recurring business. See “Prospectus Summary—Overview—Our Transformation” and “—Our Opportunity.”

Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”), which we believe is an important indicator of our market differentiation and future revenue opportunity from recurring customer contracts, was $2,382.2 million and $2,482.1 million as of March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $2,262.5 million, $2,374.3 million and $2,411.6 million as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. See “—Key Operating Metrics—Annualized Recurring Revenue.” We also believe that many of our prospective customers will need external support for their cloud transformations, which are non-recurring projects excluded from ARR provided through our professional services, and that our hybrid, platform-neutral approach, and ability to deliver a Fanatical Experience to customers, will continue to be key to our success in attracting and retaining customers over time.

Customer Relationships and Retention

Our success greatly depends on our ability to retain and develop opportunities with our existing customers and to attract new customers. We operate in a growing but competitive and evolving market environment, requiring innovation to differentiate us from our competitors. We believe that our integrated cloud service portfolio and our differentiated customer experience and technology, is key to retaining and growing revenue from existing customers as well as acquiring new customers. For example, we believe that the Rackspace Fabric provides customers a unified experience across their entire cloud and security footprint, and that our Rackspace Service Blocks model provides for customizable services consumption, enabling us to deliver IT services in a recurring and scalable way. These offerings differentiate us from legacy IT service providers that operate under long-term fixed and project-based fee structures often tethered to their existing technologies with less automation.

Shift in Capital Intensity

In recent years, the mix of our revenues has shifted from high capital intensity service offerings to low capital intensity service offerings and we expect this mix shift to continue. Historically, we primarily offered dedicated hosting and OpenStack Public Cloud services to our customers, which required us to deploy servers and equipment to ensure adequate capacity for new customers and, in certain cases, on behalf of customers at the start or during the performance of a contract, resulting in a high level of anticipatory and success-based capital expenditures. Today, the vast majority of our revenue is derived from service offerings, such as multicloud services, application services and professional services, which have significantly lower success-based capital requirements because they allow us to leverage our partners’ infrastructure or technology because we are able to use technology to make our capital expenditures more efficient. In addition, our management team has instilled greater discipline on capital expenditures. As a result, we have recently experienced and expect to continue to experience changes in our capital expenditures requirements.

Our capital expenditures equaled approximately 9% and 12% of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and 9%, 14% and 9% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Our capital expenditures were higher in the three months ended March 31, 2020 in part due to higher success-based spend to deploy customer environments and the refresh of certain data center equipment within our normal maintenance cycle. Our capital expenditures were higher in 2018 in part due to the timing of upfront purchases of certain software licenses and equipment under installment payment arrangements, as well as incremental capital spend related to Datapipe customers, higher spend to deploy customer environments for products in our Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform segments, higher customer demand for new devices due to the launch of a new server line, investments in customer experience and product capabilities and integration efforts in certain data centers. Our 2017 capital expenditures were lower than usual due to cash conservation efforts following the Rackspace Acquisition.

 

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Business Transformation

Since the Rackspace Acquisition, we have invested in multiple high growth service offerings, including multicloud services, professional services, managed security and data services. In this process, we established one of the broadest partner ecosystems across the technology industry. We have also invested heavily in proprietary technology and automation tools for both us and our customers. We invested in a professional services-driven go-to-market, providing holistic multicloud solutions to meet our customers’ objectives which aim to evolve those solutions over the full lifecycle of their cloud journey. Several experienced professionals joined our management team in mid-2019, including Kevin Jones (CEO), Dustin Semach (CFO) and Subroto Mukerji (COO). Our efforts have enabled us to improve our underlying operating cost efficiencies and expand our revenue opportunities. This transformation has benefited our financial model as well. Today, we benefit from a subscription-based model (including both long-term and month-to-month subscriptions) that accounted for over 95% of our revenue in 2019. Over 85% of our revenue in that year came from our Core Segments, which we expect to continue to drive our growth. For example, on a constant currency basis, assuming the RelationEdge and Onica acquisitions were consummated on January 1, 2018, we estimate that our constant currency Core Revenue would have increased by 6% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019, and by 6% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Additionally, our capital intensity, which we define as total capital expenditures as a percentage of total revenue, has decreased from 16% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, to 9% for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We have completed and substantially integrated four acquisitions since 2017, including Onica, an AWS cloud services company that we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2019. See “—Significant Events and Transactions—Recent Mergers and Acquisitions.” We routinely evaluate potential acquisitions that align with our growth strategy. Our acquisitions in any period may impact the comparability of our results with prior and subsequent periods. The integration of acquisitions also requires dedication of substantial time and resources, and we may never fully realize synergies and other benefits that we expect. Acquisition purchase price accounting, which may require significant judgment, and amortization and depreciation of acquired assets, may result in our recording post-acquisition costs that are higher or lower than the underlying, steady state operating costs of the acquired business. Additionally, the terms of any such acquisition, particularly with respect to the treatment of deferred revenue, may adversely impact our post-acquisition recognition of revenue from the acquired business. Additionally, our acquired businesses or assets may not perform as we expect, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Significant Events and Transactions

Impact of COVID-19

The recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19, has spread globally, including within the United States and resulted in The World Health Organization declaring the outbreak a “pandemic” in March 2020. The effects of COVID-19 are rapidly evolving, and the full impact and duration of the virus are unknown. Managing COVID-19 has strained and is expected to severely impact healthcare systems and businesses worldwide. The effects of COVID-19 and the response to the virus have negatively impacted overall economic conditions. To date, COVID-19 has not adversely affected our results of operations or financial condition in any material respect; however, the ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on our customers, vendors and employees and its impact on our sales cycles as well as industry events, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the pandemic or the resulting economic downturn continues to worsen, we could experience service disruption, loss of customers or higher levels of doubtful trade

 

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accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. At this point, we are focused on the health and safety of our employees, customers and partners and, among other things, have implemented a work-from-home policy and are limiting contact between our employees and customers while continuing to deliver a Fanatical Experience. To date, the impact on our business has been limited as most of our services are already delivered remotely or capable of being delivered remotely and we have a diverse customer base. In addition, our mitigation efforts, including offering our customers contract extensions in exchange for better payment terms and obtaining improved payment terms from our vendors, have generally been successful since the start of the pandemic. The full extent to which COVID-19 may impact our financial condition or results of operations over the medium to long term, however, remains uncertain. Due to our recurring revenue business model, the effect of COVID-19 may not be fully reflected in our results of operations until future periods, if at all. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners, suppliers and stockholders.

Recent Mergers and Acquisitions

On June 19, 2017, we acquired TriCore, a leader in the management of enterprise applications, including those in the Oracle and SAP ecosystems, for a net cash purchase price of $335 million, of which approximately $112 million was allocated to amortizable intangible assets. TriCore was integrated into our Apps & Cross Platform segment and contributed $34 million in revenue to our results in 2017 for the six and a half months following its acquisition.

On November 15, 2017, we acquired Datapipe (the “Datapipe Acquisition”), a provider of managed services across public and private clouds, managed hosting and colocation, for total consideration of $1,039 million, of which $764 million was paid in cash (financed with an incremental $800 million in borrowings under our Term Loan Facility), and the remainder consisted of our common stock valued at approximately $174 million and contingent consideration payable in the form of our common stock valued at approximately $101 million at the time of the acquisition. Of the total purchase price, approximately $270 million was allocated to amortizable intangible assets. Datapipe was integrated into our Multicloud Services segment and contributed $43 million in revenue to our results in 2017 for the month and a half following its acquisition. The contingent consideration in the amount of up to                  shares of our common stock (subject to any equitable adjustments and reflecting the Stock Split) remains payable subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Datapipe Merger Agreement” elsewhere in this prospectus.

On May 14, 2018, we acquired RelationEdge (the “RelationEdge Acquisition”), a full-service Salesforce Platinum Consulting Partner and digital agency that helps clients engage with their customers from lead to loyalty by improving business processes, leveraging technology and integrating creative digital marketing, for net cash consideration of $65 million, with a majority of the purchase price allocated to goodwill. RelationEdge was integrated into our Apps & Cross Platform segment and contributed $16 million in revenue to our results in 2018 for the seven and a half months following its acquisition.

On November 15, 2019, we acquired Onica (the “Onica Acquisition”), an AWS managed service provider of cloud-native consulting and managed services, including strategic advisory, architecture and engineering and application development services, for net cash consideration of $316 million, of which approximately $62 million was preliminarily allocated to amortizable intangible assets. The purchase price allocation period remains open for the Onica Acquisition, and the preliminary asset allocation amounts are subject to change. Onica was integrated into our Multicloud Services segment and contributed $21 million in revenue to our results in 2019 for the month and a half following its acquisition.

 

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See Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information regarding the above acquisitions.

Impact of Accounting Change on Results of Operations

We adopted Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) No. 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) as of January 1, 2019 using the full retrospective method, which required us to restate each prior period presented. As the consolidated financial statements prior to the Rackspace Acquisition date were presented on a different accounting basis than the consolidated financial statements subsequent to the Rackspace Acquisition, ASC 606 was only applied to the periods subsequent to the Rackspace Acquisition date. Our results reflect the impact of the transition on our balance sheet as of January 1, 2017, the earliest period presented, and retrospective adjustments to our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. The most significant impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our results of operations is related to the capitalization of costs to obtain and fulfill a contract with a customer, such as sales commissions and implementation and set up related expenses, and their amortization over the period the related services are delivered to customers, whereas under previous guidance we expensed such costs as they were incurred. As a result, our loss before income taxes and Adjusted EBITDA were both positively impacted by $45.3 million, $32.8 million and $4.9 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. We also adopted ASC No. 842 (Leases) as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, recording the impact of the transition on our balance sheet as of January 1, 2019. The impact of our adoption of ASC 842 resulted in a positive $0.2 million and $1.9 million impact on our loss before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and full year 2019, respectively, and a negative $1.6 million and $8.9 million impact on our Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and full year 2019, respectively. See Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information on the adoption of these accounting standards. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for our presentation and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA.

Key Operating Metrics

The following table and discussion present and summarize our key operating performance indicators, which management uses as measures of our current and future business and financial performance.

 

		Year Ended December 31,												Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except %)		2017				2018				2019				2019				2020
Bookings		$	546.8			$	597.5			$	700.7			$	139.0			$	230.5
Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR)		$	2,262.5			$	2,374.3			$	2,411.6			$	2,382.2			$	2,482.1
Core Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate			99	%			99	%			99	%			99	%			98	%
Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate			98	%			98	%			98	%			98	%			98	%

Bookings

We calculate Bookings for a given period as the annualized monthly value of our recurring customer contracts entered into during the period from (i) new customers and (ii) net upgrades by existing customers within the same workload, plus the actual (not annualized) estimated value of professional services consulting, advisory or project-based orders received during the period. “Recurring customer contracts” are any contracts entered into on a multi-year or month-to-month basis, but excluding any professional services contracts for consulting, advisory or project-based work.

 

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Bookings for any period may reflect orders that we perform in the same period, orders that remain outstanding as of the end of the period and the annualized value of recurring month-to-month contracts entered into during the period, even if the terms of such contracts do not require the contract to be renewed. Bookings include net upgrades by existing customers within the same workload, but exclude net downgrades by such customers within that workload. Any customer that contracts for a new workload is considered a new customer and the entire value of the contract or upgrade is recorded in Bookings, irrespective of whether the same customer canceled or downgraded other workloads. Bookings also do not include the impact of any known contract non-renewals or service cancellations by our customers, except for positive net upgrades by existing customers. In cases where a new or upgrading customer enters into a multi-year contract, Bookings include only the annualized contract value. Bookings do not include usage-based fees in excess of contracted minimum commitments until actually incurred.

We use Bookings to measure the amount of new business generated in a period, which we believe is an important indicator of new customer acquisition and our ability to cross-sell new services to existing customers. Bookings are also used by management as a factor in determining performance-based compensation for our sales force. While we believe Bookings, in combination with other metrics, are an indicator of our near-term future revenue opportunity, it is not intended to be used as a projection of future revenue. Our calculation of Bookings may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.

In the past, our Bookings were primarily derived from up-sell and cross-sell opportunities with our existing customer base. However, over the last several years, we have transformed our go-to-market approach and increased the percentage of overall Bookings coming from new customers. Approximately 10% and 25% of our Bookings were derived from new customers for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in the last twelve months ended March 31, 2020, respectively.

Our Bookings were $139.0 million and $230.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $546.8 million, $597.5 million and $700.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The increase in Bookings between the first quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2019 as well as between 2019 and 2018 was attributable to the execution of several initiatives focused on enhancing growth, including an investment in sales, an improvement in sales productivity, an increase in the number of enterprise customers and an increase in the number of new deals with large contract values.

Annualized Recurring Revenue

We calculate Annualized Recurring Revenue, or ARR, by annualizing our actual revenue from existing recurring customer contracts (as defined under “—Bookings” above) for the most recently completed fiscal quarter. ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future customer cancellations, service upgrades or downgrades or price increases or decreases.

We use ARR as a measure of our revenue trend and an indicator of our future revenue opportunity from existing recurring customer contracts, assuming zero cancellations. The amount of actual revenue that we recognize over any 12-month period is likely to differ from ARR at the beginning of that period, sometimes significantly. This may occur due to new Bookings, higher or lower professional services revenue, subsequent changes in our pricing, service cancellations, upgrades or downgrades and acquisitions or divestitures. For the avoidance of doubt, ARR for any period ending December 31 is calculated by annualizing our actual revenue from existing recurring customer contracts for the fourth quarter in that year. Our calculation of ARR may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.

 

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Our ARR was $2,382.2 million and $2,482.1 million as of March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $2,262.5 million, $2,374.3 million and $2,411.6 million as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate

Our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate, which we use to measure our success in retaining and growing revenue from our existing customers, compares sequential quarterly revenue from the same cohort of customers. We calculate our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for a given quarterly period as the revenue from the cohort of customers for the latest reported fiscal quarter (the numerator), divided by revenue from such customers for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter (denominator). Existing customer revenue for the earlier of the two fiscal quarters is calculated on a constant currency basis, applying the average exchange rate for the latest reported fiscal quarter to the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, to eliminate the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The numerator and denominator only include revenue from customers that we served and from which we recognized revenue in the first month of the earliest of the two quarters being compared. Our calculation of Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for any fiscal quarter includes the positive revenue impacts of selling new services to existing customers and the negative revenue impacts of attrition among this cohort of customers. For annual periods and interim periods longer than three months, we report Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate as the arithmetic average of Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for all fiscal quarters included in the period. Our calculation of Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.

Throughout this prospectus, we present our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate on a consolidated and Core basis or “Core Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate,” as well as by segment.

Our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate was 98% for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 and 98% for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, despite our significant transformation activities through these years, including our shift away from OpenStack Public Cloud to our other service offerings. Accordingly, our Core Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate was 99% and 98% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and 99%, 99% and 99% for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, reflecting the stickiness of our subscription-based revenue model.

Key Components of Statement of Operations

Revenue.    A substantial amount of our revenue, particularly within our Multicloud Services segment, is generated pursuant to contracts that typically have a fixed term (typically from 12 to 36 months). Our customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing us with written notice prior to the end of the fixed term, though most of our contracts provide for termination fees in the event of cancellation prior to the end of their term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These contracts include a monthly recurring fee, which is determined based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Our public cloud services within the Multicloud Services segment and most of our Apps & Cross Platform and OpenStack Public Cloud services generate usage-based revenue invoiced on a month-to-month basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also generate revenue from usage-based fees and fees from professional services earned from customers using our hosting and other services. We typically recognize revenue on a daily basis, as services are provided, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for our services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include a variable consideration component, consisting of monthly utility fees, with a defined price and undefined quantity. Our customer contracts also typically

 

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contain service level guarantees, including with respect to network uptime requirements, that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and, with respect to certain products, we may offer volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for all of them as services are provided and earned.

Cost of revenue.    Cost of revenue consists primarily of depreciation of servers, software and other systems infrastructure and personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, benefits and share-based compensation) for engineers, developers and other employees involved in the delivery of services to our customers. Cost of revenue also includes data center rent and other infrastructure maintenance and support costs, including usage charges for third-party infrastructure, software license costs and utilities. Cost of revenue is driven mainly by demand for our services, our service mix and the cost of labor in a given geography.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A).    Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, bonuses, commissions, benefits and share-based compensation) for our sales force, executive team and corporate administrative and support employees, including our human resources, finance, accounting and legal functions. SG&A also includes research and development costs, repair and maintenance of corporate infrastructure, facilities rent, third-party advisory fees (including audit, legal and management consulting costs), marketing and advertising costs and insurance, as well as the amortization of related intangible assets and certain depreciation of fixed assets. Research and development costs were $18 million and $11 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $93 million, $75 million and $56 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Advertising costs were $10 million and $12 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $60 million, $42 million and $40 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

SG&A also includes transaction costs related to acquisitions and financings, costs related to integration and business transformation and management fees, which may impact the comparability of SG&A between periods. SG&A in the periods included in this prospectus also reflect the costs of our business transformation initiatives focused on cost savings, competitive positioning, technological developments and the scale of our business. Our existing equityholders have agreed to terminate the existing management consulting agreements effective as of the pricing of this offering, and therefore no management fees will accrue or be payable for periods after the pricing of this offering, thereby reducing our SG&A expense; however, we also expect certain of our other our recurring SG&A costs to increase on account of the expansion of accounting, legal, investor relations and other functions, incremental insurance coverage and other services needed to operate as a public company.

Income taxes. Our income tax benefit (expense) and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. To date, we have recorded consolidated tax benefits, reflecting our net losses, though certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries have incurred corporate tax expense according to the relevant taxing jurisdictions. In 2017, we recorded a $197 million tax benefit as a result of U.S. tax reform due to the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We believe we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions. See Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

We discuss our historical results of operations, and the key components of those results, below. Past financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
		2019								2020
(In millions, except %)		Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Change
Revenue		$	606.9				100.0	%		$	652.7				100.0	%		$	45.8				7.6	%
Cost of revenue			(356.0	)			(58.7	)%			(403.4	)			(61.8	)%			(47.4	)			13.3	%
Gross profit			250.9				41.3	%			249.3				38.2	%			(1.6	)			(0.6	)%
Selling, general and administrative			(231.7	)			(38.2	)%			(227.8	)			(34.9	)%			3.9				(1.7	)%
Gain on sale			2.1				0.3	%			—				—	%			(2.1	)			(100.0	)%
Income from operations			21.3				3.5	%			21.5				3.3	%			0.2				0.9	%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(89.0	)			(14.7	)%			(72.0	)			(11.0	)%			17.0				(19.1	)%
Gain (loss) on investments, net			0.1				0.0	%			(0.1	)			(0.0	)%			(0.2	)			NM
Gain on extinguishment of debt			4.5				0.7	%			—				—	%			(4.5	)			(100.0	)%
Other expense, net			(4.0	)			(0.6	)%			(0.6	)			(0.1	)%			3.4				(85.0	)%
Total other income (expense)			(88.4	)			(14.6	)%			(72.7	)			(11.1	)%			15.7				(17.8	)%
Loss before income taxes			(67.1	)			(11.1	)%			(51.2	)			(7.8	)%			15.9				(23.7	)%
Benefit for income taxes			9.6				1.6	%			3.0				0.5	%			(6.6	)			(68.8	)%
Net loss		$	(57.5	)			(9.5	)%		$	(48.2	)			(7.4	)%		$	9.3				(16.2	)%

NM = not meaningful.

Revenue

Revenue increased $46 million, or 7.6%, to $653 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $607 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Revenue was positively impacted by the acquisition of Onica in November 2019 as well as new customer acquisition and growing customer spend in our Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform segments, as discussed below. Our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate was 98% in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

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After removing the impact from foreign currency fluctuations, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 7.8% period-on-period. On a constant currency basis, assuming the Onica acquisition was consummated on January 1, 2019, we estimate that our constant currency revenue would have increased by 3.0% period-on-period. Although such estimate of constant currency revenue is based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable, it is not necessarily indicative of the constant currency revenue that would have been achieved had such acquisition occurred on January 1, 2019. The following table presents revenue growth by segment:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,								% Change
(In millions, except %)		2019				2020				Actual				Constant Currency(1)
Multicloud Services		$	452.8			$	507.9				12.2	%			12.5	%
Apps & Cross Platform			78.1				81.5				4.4	%			4.5	%
Core Revenue			530.9				589.4				11.0	%			11.3	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			76.0				63.3				(16.7	)%			(16.7	)%
Total		$	606.9			$	652.7				7.6	%			7.8	%

 

(1)	Refer to “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.

Multicloud Services revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2020 increased 12%, or 13% on a constant currency basis, from the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting the positive impact of the November 2019 acquisition of Onica. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Multicloud Services segment was 98% in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Apps & Cross Platform revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2020 increased 4%, or 5% on a constant currency basis, from the three months ended March 31, 2019, due to growth in our offerings for managed security, professional services, and management of productivity and collaboration applications. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Apps & Cross Platform segment was 99% in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

OpenStack Public Cloud revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 17% on an actual basis, and 17% on a constant currency basis, from the three months ended March 31, 2019 due to customer churn. While we expect revenue from this business to continue to decline, we also saw the quarterly year-over-year rate of decline decelerate as many large OpenStack Public Cloud customers have already terminated their OpenStack Public Cloud contracts with us and our remaining customer base for this offering is composed of smaller customers who tend to churn at lower rates.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue increased $47 million, or 13%, to $403 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $356 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to a $56 million increase in infrastructure expenses related to offerings on third-party clouds, partially offset by a $12 million decrease in depreciation expense. The increase in infrastructure expenses related to offerings on third-party clouds was due to growth in these offerings and the impact of an increased volume of larger, multi-year customer contracts which typically have a larger infrastructure component and lower margins. The decrease in depreciation expense was primarily due to certain property, equipment and software reaching the end of its useful life for depreciation purposes and a decrease in our overall depreciable asset base as a result of the shift towards faster-growing, value-added service

 

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offerings which have significantly lower capital requirements than our legacy capital-intensive revenue streams. The remaining cost of revenue variance was driven by a $10 million increase in employee-related expenses primarily due to the addition of former Onica employees, partially offset by initiatives to lower our cost structure, including the consolidation of data center facilities and reviewing and optimizing our vendor license spending, which resulted in year-over-year decreases in these expenses.

As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased 310 basis points in the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 61.8% from 58.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2019, driven by a 790 basis point increase in infrastructure expense, partially offset by a 280 basis point reduction in depreciation expense and a 210 basis point decrease related to data center and license expenses.

Gross Profit and Adjusted Consolidated and Segment Adjusted Gross Profit

Our consolidated gross profit was $249 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $2 million from $251 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit was $256 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $2 million from $258 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information. Our consolidated gross margin was 38.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of 310 basis points from 41.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The table below presents our segment adjusted gross profit and gross margin for the periods indicated, and the change in gross profit between periods.

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
(In millions, except %)		2019								2020
Adjusted gross profit by segment:		Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% Change
Multicloud Services		$	189.4				41.8	%		$	196.8				38.7	%		$	7.4				3.9	%
Apps & Cross Platform			28.9				37.0	%			30.1				36.9	%			1.2				4.2	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			39.8				52.4	%			29.3				46.3	%			(10.5	)			(26.4	)%
Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit			258.1								256.2								(1.9	)			(0.7	)%
Less:
Share-based compensation expense			(1.0	)							(1.8	)
Other compensation expense(1)			(0.5	)							(1.9	)
Purchase accounting impact on revenue(2)			0.1								—
Purchase accounting impact on expense(2)			(2.4	)							(1.9	)
Restructuring and transformation expenses(3)			(3.4	)							(1.3	)
Total consolidated gross profit		$	250.9							$	249.3

 

(1)	Adjustments for expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition, retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax.

(2)	Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on revenue and expenses.

(3)	Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses.

 

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Multicloud Services adjusted gross profit increased by 4% in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the three months ended March 31, 2019. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 310 basis points, reflecting an 18% increase in segment cost of revenue and a 12% increase in segment revenue. The increase in costs was mainly driven by higher third-party infrastructure costs and the addition of former Onica employees’ personnel costs. Partially offsetting the increase was lower depreciation and data center costs.

Apps & Cross Platform adjusted gross profit increased 4% in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the three months ended March 31, 2019. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue remained unchanged at 37%, reflecting proportional increases in segment revenue and cost of revenue. The increase in cost of revenue was driven by the segment’s higher business volume.

OpenStack Public Cloud adjusted gross profit decreased 26% in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the three months ended March 31, 2019 due to customer churn. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue decreased by 610 basis points, reflecting a 17% decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a 6% decrease in segment cost of revenue.

The aggregate amount of costs reflected in consolidated gross profit but excluded from segment adjusted gross profit was $6.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $0.3 million from $7.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting lower purchase accounting adjustments and restructuring and transformation expense, partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation and retention bonuses. For more information about our segment adjusted gross profit, see Note 14 to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $4 million, or 2%, to $228 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $232 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Contributing to this decrease was a $7 million decrease in expenses for research and development activities driven by a shift away from our historical, legacy offerings such as the OpenStack Public Cloud, which require more research and development. Additionally, employee-related expenses decreased $6 million in certain administrative functions due to a decrease in employee count, driven, in part, by outsourcing initiatives, and lower expense related to our obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in commissions expense driven by bookings growth, including the impact of the Onica acquisition, and higher non-equity incentive compensation expense, also mainly driven by Onica. There was also an increase in expenses related to business optimization initiatives and integrating Onica.

As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 330 basis points to 34.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from 38.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2019 for the reasons discussed above.

Gain on Sale

In March 2019, we recorded a $2 million gain related to the payment of a promissory note receivable that was issued in conjunction with the divestiture of our Mailgun business in 2017.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $17 million to $72 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $89 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to the January 2020

 

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designation of certain of our interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges, as further discussed in Note 10 to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recorded $19 million of interest expense related to the change in the fair value of interest rate swaps compared to $3 million recorded to interest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

We recorded a $5 million gain on debt extinguishment in the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the repurchase of $28 million principal amount of our 8.625% Senior Notes.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense decreased $3 million primarily related to changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives, as further discussed in Note 10 to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, partially offset by an increase in foreign currency transaction losses.

Benefit for Income Taxes

Our income tax benefit decreased by $7 million to $3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $10 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our effective tax rate decreased from 14.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2019 to 5.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease in the effective tax rate year-over-year and the difference between the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the statutory rate are primarily due to the geographic distribution of profits.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):

 

		Year Ended December 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
		2018								2019
(In millions, except %)		Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Change
Revenue		$	2,452.8				100.0	%		$	2,438.1				100.0	%		$	(14.7	)			(0.6	)%
Cost of revenue			(1,445.7	)			(58.9	)%			(1,426.9	)			(58.5	)%			18.8				(1.3	)%
Gross profit			1,007.1				41.1	%			1,011.2				41.5	%			4.1				0.4	%
Selling, general and administrative			(949.3	)			(38.7	)%			(911.7	)			(37.4	)%			37.6				(4.0	)%
Impairment of goodwill			(295.0	)			(12.0	)%			—				—				295.0				(100.0	)%
Gain on sale, net			—				—				2.1				0.1	%			2.1				NM
Income (loss) from operations			(237.2	)			(9.7	)%			101.6				4.2	%			338.8				142.8	%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(281.1	)			(11.5	)%			(329.9	)			(13.5	)%			(48.8	)			17.4	%
Gain on investments, net			4.6				0.2	%			99.5				4.1	%			94.9				NM
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt			0.5				0.0	%			9.8				0.4	%			9.3				NM
Other income (expense)			12.7				0.5	%			(3.3	)			(0.1	)%			(16.0	)			NM
Total other income (expense)			(263.3	)			(10.7	)%			(223.9	)			(9.2	)%			39.4				(15.0	)%
Loss before income taxes			(500.5	)			(20.4	)%			(122.3	)			(5.0	)%			378.2				(75.6	)%
Benefit for income taxes			29.9				1.2	%			20.0				0.8	%			(9.9	)			(33.1	)%
Net loss		$	(470.6	)			(19.2	)%		$	(102.3	)			(4.2	)%		$	368.3				(78.3	)%

NM = not meaningful.

Revenue

Revenue decreased $15 million, or 0.6%, to $2,438 million from $2,453 million in 2018. Revenue was negatively impacted by $22 million from foreign currency translation effects in 2019, due to a stronger U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies, primarily the British pound sterling. Conversely, revenue was positively impacted by the acquisitions of RelationEdge in May 2018 and Onica in November 2019. Our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate was 98% in 2019, reflecting new customer acquisition and growing customer spend in our Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform segments, as discussed below.

 

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After removing the impact from foreign currency fluctuations, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 0.3% period-on-period. On a constant currency basis, assuming the RelationEdge and Onica acquisitions were consummated on January 1, 2018, we estimate that our constant currency revenue would have increased by 1.6% period-on-period. Although such estimate of constant currency revenue is based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable, it is not necessarily indicative of operating results that would have been achieved had such acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2018. The following table presents 2019 revenue growth by segment:

 

		Year Ended December 31,								% Change
(In millions, except %)		2018				2019				Actual				Constant Currency(1)
Multicloud Services		$	1,803.4			$	1,832.6				1.6	%			2.6	%
Apps & Cross Platform			290.0				319.2				10.1	%			10.4	%
Core Revenue			2,093.4				2,151.8				2.8	%			3.7 %
OpenStack Public Cloud			359.4				286.3				(20.3	)%			(19.6	)%
Total		$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1				(0.6	)%			0.3	%

 

(1)	Refer to “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.

Multicloud Services revenue increased 2%, or 3% on a constant currency basis, from 2018, reflecting the positive impact of the November 2019 acquisition of Onica, which contributed $21 million to 2019 revenue. Underlying growth was driven by both the acquisition of new customers and increased spend by existing customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Multicloud Services segment was 98% in 2019.

Apps & Cross Platform revenue increased 10% on an actual, and 10% on a constant currency basis, from 2018 due to the favorable full year impact of RelationEdge, which we acquired in May 2018, and growth in our offerings for managed security, professional services and management of productivity and collaboration applications. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Apps & Cross Platform segment was 100% in 2019.

OpenStack Public Cloud revenue decreased 20% on an actual basis, and 20% on a constant currency basis, from 2018 due to customer churn. While we expect revenue from this business to continue to decline, we also saw the quarterly year-over-year rate of decline stabilize during 2019 as many large OpenStack Public Cloud customers terminated their OpenStack Public Cloud contracts with us and our remaining customer base for this offering was composed of smaller customers who tend to churn at lower rates.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue decreased $19 million, or 1%, to $1,427 million from $1,446 million in 2018, primarily driven by a $112 million decrease in depreciation expense, partially offset by a $109 million increase in infrastructure expenses related to offerings on third-party clouds. The decrease in depreciation expense was primarily due to certain property, equipment and software reaching the end of its useful life for depreciation purposes and a decrease in our overall depreciable asset base as a result of the shift towards faster-growing, value-added service offerings which have significantly lower capital requirements than our legacy capital-intensive revenue streams. The increase in infrastructure expenses related to offerings on third-party clouds was due to growth in these offerings and the impact of an increased volume of larger, multi-year customer contracts which typically have a larger infrastructure component and lower margins. The remaining decrease in cost of revenue was driven by

 

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the execution of various initiatives in 2019 to lower our cost structure, such as consolidating data center facilities and reviewing and optimizing our vendor license spending, which resulted in year-over-year decreases in these expenses. Employee-related expenses were largely flat as an increase in non-equity incentive compensation expense was offset by expense recorded in the prior year related to our obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition.

As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue decreased 40 basis points in 2019 to 58.5% from 58.9% in 2018, driven by a 450 basis point decrease related to depreciation expense, partially offset by a 410 basis point increase largely related to infrastructure expense.

Gross Profit and Adjusted Consolidated and Segment Adjusted Gross Profit

Our consolidated gross profit was $1,011 million in 2019, an increase of $4 million from $1,007 million in 2018. Our Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit was $1,039 million in 2019, an increase of $10 million from $1,029 million in 2018. Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information. Our consolidated gross margin was 41.5% in 2019, an increase of 40 basis points from 41.1% in 2018.

The table below presents our segment adjusted gross profit and gross margin for the periods indicated, and the change in gross profit between periods.

 

		Year Ended December 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
(In millions, except %)		2018								2019
Adjusted gross profit by segment:		Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% Change
Multicloud Services		$	736.6				40.8	%		$	774.7				42.3	%		$	38.1				5.2	%
Apps & Cross Platform			107.3				37.0	%			118.7				37.2	%			11.4				10.6	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			185.0				51.5	%			146.0				51.0	%			(39.0	)			(21.1	)%
Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit			1,028.9								1,039.4								10.5				1.0	%
Less:
Share-based compensation expense			(4.1	)							(5.7	)
Other compensation expense(1)			(7.3	)							(2.8	)
Purchase accounting impact on revenue(2)			(1.2	)							0.2
Purchase accounting impact on expense(2)			(6.9	)							(9.6	)
Restructuring and transformation expenses(3)			(2.3	)							(10.3	)
Total consolidated gross profit		$	1,007.1							$	1,011.2

 

(1)	Adjustments for expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition, retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax.

(2)	Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on revenue and expenses.

(3)	Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses.

Multicloud Services adjusted gross profit increased by 5% in 2019 from 2018. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue increased by 150 basis points, reflecting a 2%

 

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increase in segment revenue and a 1% decrease in segment cost of revenue. The decrease in costs reflects savings obtained as a result of lower personnel costs, reflecting our prior period integration and transformation efforts. The shift in capital intensity described above resulted in lower depreciation and data center costs, offset by higher third-party infrastructure costs.

Apps & Cross Platform adjusted gross profit increased 11% in 2019 from 2018. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue remained unchanged at 37%, reflecting proportional increases in segment revenue and cost of revenue. The increase in cost of revenue was driven by the segment’s higher business volume, reflecting the favorable full year impact of the RelationEdge Acquisition.

OpenStack Public Cloud adjusted gross profit decreased 21% in 2019 from 2018 due to customer churn. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue remained unchanged at 51%, reflecting proportional decreases in revenue and costs.

The aggregate amount of costs reflected in consolidated gross profit but excluded from segment adjusted gross profit was $28.2 million in 2019, an increase of $6.4 million from $21.8 million in 2018, reflecting higher restructuring and transformation costs that more than offset the decrease from cash-settled equity awards. For more information about our segment adjusted gross profit, see Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $38 million, or 4%, to $912 million from $949 million in 2018. Contributing to this decrease was a $19 million decline in expenses for research and development activities as our business shifts towards providing cloud-centric, value-added services, such as our offerings on third-party clouds, application management and professional services that require fewer research and development activities to develop and support as compared to our historical, legacy offerings such as the OpenStack Public Cloud. Additionally, employee-related expenses declined in certain administrative functions due to a decrease in employee count driven, in part, by transformation and outsourcing initiatives. We also incurred lower expense related to our obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, a reduction in marketing activity spend and a decrease in expenses related to cost savings initiatives and closing and integrating our recent acquisitions. These decreases were partially offset by incremental amortization expense in 2019 related to sales commissions capitalized in accordance with ASC 606 and higher severance and share-based compensation expense.

As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 130 basis points, from 38.7% in 2018 to 37.4% in 2019, for the reasons discussed above.

Impairment of Goodwill

As a result of our 2018 annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2018, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud Services reporting unit, which is a component of our Multicloud Services segment, exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $295 million. The impairment was driven by a significant decrease in forecasted revenue and cash flows and a lower long-term growth rate, as current and forecasted industry trends reflect lower demand for traditional managed hosting services. There was no such impairment in 2019.

Gain on Sale

In March 2019, we recorded a $2 million gain related to the payment of a promissory note receivable that was issued in conjunction with the divestiture of our Mailgun business in 2017. See Note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information on this transaction.

 

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Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $49 million to $330 million from $281 million in 2018, primarily due to changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps, as further discussed in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Gain on Investments, net

Gain on investments was $5 million in 2018 compared to $100 million in 2019, driven by a $97 million realized gain related to the sale of our CrowdStrike investment in 2019, as further discussed in Note 7 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

We recorded a $1 million and $10 million gain on debt extinguishment in 2018 and 2019, respectively, related to repurchases of $3 million and $77 million principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Other Income (Expense)

We had $13 million of other income in 2018 compared to $3 million of other expense in 2019 primarily related to changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives, as further discussed in Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, and to a lesser extent, an increase in foreign currency transaction losses.

Benefit for Income Taxes

Our income tax benefit decreased by $10 million to $20 million in 2019 from $30 million in 2018. Our effective tax rate increased from 6.0% in 2018 to 16.4% in 2019. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was impacted by the current year global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) inclusion, the impact of changes in income tax rates, changes in valuation allowances, research and development credits, changes to income tax reserves and other permanently nondeductible items.

For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate and further explanation of our provision for taxes, see Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the specified periods, as well as changes between periods and as a percentage of revenue for those same periods (totals in table may not foot due to rounding):

 

		Year Ended December 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
		2017								2018
(In millions, except %)		Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Revenue				Amount				% Change
Revenue		$	2,144.7				100.0	%		$	2,452.8				100.0	%		$	308.1				14.4	%
Cost of revenue			(1,354.1	)			(63.1	)%			(1,445.7	)			(58.9	)%			(91.6	)			6.8	%
Gross profit			790.6				36.9	%			1,007.1				41.1	%			216.5				27.4	%
Selling, general and administrative			(942.2	)			(43.9	)%			(949.3	)			(38.7	)%			(7.1	)			0.8	%
Impairment of goodwill			—				—	%			(295.0	)			(12.0	)%			(295.0	)			NM
Gain on sales, net			5.2				0.2	%			—				—				(5.2	)			(100.0	)%
Gain on settlement of contract			28.8				1.3	%			—				—				(28.8	)			(100.0	)%
Income (loss) from operations			(117.6	)			(5.5	)%			(237.2	)			(9.7	)%			(119.6	)			101.7	%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(223.4	)			(10.4	)%			(281.1	)			(11.5	)%			(57.7	)			25.8	%
Gain on investments, net			4.6				0.2	%			4.6				0.2	%			—				—
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt			(16.9	)			(0.8	)%			0.5				0.0	%			17.4				NM
Other income (expense)			(7.4	)			(0.3	)%			12.7				0.5	%			20.1				NM
Total other income (expense)			(243.1	)			(11.3	)%			(263.3	)			(10.7	)%			(20.2	)			8.3	%
Loss before income taxes			(360.7	)			(16.8	)%			(500.5	)			(20.4	)%			(139.8	)			38.8	%
Benefit for income taxes			300.8				14.0	%			29.9				1.2	%			(270.9	)			(90.1	)%
Net loss		$	(59.9	)			(2.8	)%		$	(470.6	)			(19.2	)%		$	(410.7	)			NM

NM = not meaningful.

Revenue

Revenue increased $308 million, or 14%, to $2,453 million from $2,145 million in 2017, primarily due to the acquisitions of Datapipe in November 2017, TriCore in June 2017 and RelationEdge in May 2018. The impact of a weaker U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies, primarily the British pound sterling, resulted in a $17 million favorable impact to revenue. Conversely, within the Other category in the table below, the early termination of a large, multi-year agreement and divestitures of certain product lines negatively impacted revenue when compared to 2017. Our Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate was 98% in 2018.

 

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After removing the impact from foreign currency fluctuations, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 14% from 2017. The following table presents 2018 revenue growth by segment:

 

		Year Ended December 31,								% Change
(In millions, except %)		2017				2018				Actual				Constant Currency(1)
Multicloud Services		$	1,470.0			$	1,803.4				22.7	%			21.8	%
Apps & Cross Platform			217.4				290.0				33.4	%			33.1	%
Core Revenue			1,687.4				2,093.4				24.1	%			23.2	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			422.8				359.4				(15.0	)%			(15.7	)%
Other(2)			34.5				—				NM				NM
Total		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8				14.4	%			13.6	%

 

(1)	Refer to “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this section for further explanation and reconciliation.

(2)	The Other product line includes historical data for product lines that we have divested, non-core business activities and the impact of a large multi-year agreement that was terminated in April 2017.

NM = Not Meaningful

Multicloud Services revenue increased 23%, or 22% on a constant currency basis, from 2017, due to increased spend by existing customers and the addition of new customers, partially offset by cancellations by existing customers. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Multicloud Services segment was 99% in 2018.

The acquisition of Datapipe also contributed to the growth in Multicloud Services revenue.

Apps & Cross Platform revenue increased 33% on an actual basis, and 33% on a constant currency basis, from 2017 primarily due to the acquisition of TriCore, and to a lesser extent, the acquisition of RelationEdge. Also contributing to the increase was the growth of our managed security offering, together with our offerings around email and other productivity applications. The Quarterly Net Revenue Retention Rate for our Apps & Cross Platform segment was 101% in 2018.

OpenStack Public Cloud revenue decreased 15%, or 16% on a constant currency basis, from 2017, due mainly to customer churn.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue increased $92 million, or 7%, to $1,446 million from $1,354 million in 2017, driven by our revenue growth. Infrastructure expenses related to offerings on third-party clouds increased $95 million, largely due to growth in our service offerings on third-party clouds and the impact of the acquired Datapipe operations. Data center expenses increased $59 million primarily due to increases in data center rent and utility expenses as a result of data centers added as part of the Datapipe Acquisition. Employee-related expenses increased $51 million primarily due to the addition of approximately 500 former Datapipe employees. License costs increased by a net $27 million, primarily due to higher utilization of third-party software licenses to support the larger business resulting from the acquisition of Datapipe, partially offset by an $8 million benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to the release of certain license accruals. These aggregate increases in cost of revenue were partially offset by a $149 million decrease in depreciation expense due to certain property, equipment and software reaching the end of its useful life for depreciation purposes. Cost of revenue in 2018 also included $21 million of accelerated depreciation resulting from a revision to the useful life of certain equipment assets primarily due to the deceleration of growth related to our legacy, capital-intensive businesses.

 

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As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue decreased 420 basis points, from 63.1% in 2017 to 58.9% in 2018, primarily due to a 920 basis point decrease in depreciation expense, partially offset by 350 and 140 basis point increases related to infrastructure expense and data center costs, respectively.

Gross Profit and Adjusted Consolidated and Segment Adjusted Gross Profit

Our consolidated gross profit was $1,007 million in 2018, an increase of $217 million, or 27%, from $791 million, in 2017. Our Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit was $1,029 million in 2018, an increase of $205 million from $824 million in 2017. Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit is a Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for more information. Our consolidated gross margin was 41.1% in 2018, an increase of 420 basis points from 36.9% in 2017.

The table below presents our segment adjusted gross profit for the periods indicated, and the change in gross profit between periods.

 

		Year Ended December 31,																Year-Over-Year Comparison
(In millions, except %)		2017								2018
Adjusted gross profit by segment:		Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% of Segment Revenue				Amount				% Change
Multicloud Services		$	540.5				36.8	%		$	736.6				40.8	%		$	196.1				36.3	%
Apps & Cross Platform			71.1				32.7	%			107.3				37.0	%			36.2				50.9	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			198.9				47.0	%			185.0				51.5	%			(13.9	)			(7.0	)%
Other(1)			13.6				39.4	%			—				NM				NM				NM
Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit			824.1								1,028.9								204.8				24.9	%
Less:
Share-based compensation expense			(1.5	)							(4.1	)
Other compensation expense(2)			(14.4	)							(7.3	)
Purchase accounting impact on revenue(3)			(4.7	)							(1.2	)
Purchase accounting impact on expense(3)			(7.9	)							(6.9	)
Restructuring and transformation expenses(4)			(5.0	)							(2.3	)
Total consolidated gross profit		$	790.6							$	1,007.1

 

(1)	Other includes product lines that we have divested and the impact of a large multi-year agreement that was terminated in April 2017.

(2)	Adjustments for expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition, retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax.

(3)	Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on revenue and expenses.

(4)	Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses.

NM = Not meaningful

Multicloud Services adjusted gross profit increased by 36% in 2018 from 2017. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue increased by 400 basis points, as the increase in segment revenue outpaced the increase in segment cost of revenue by 790 basis points. The increase

 

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in segment cost of revenue was driven mainly by higher third-party infrastructure, data center and personnel costs, reflecting the incremental infrastructure, network and engineering requirements driven by segment customer growth, as discussed above. These cost increases were partially offset by a decrease in depreciation, reflecting a decrease in our average depreciable property, equipment and software between periods, reflecting mainly amortization related to the Rackspace Acquisition.

Apps & Cross Platform adjusted gross profit increased by 51% in 2018 from 2017. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue increased by 430 basis points, as the increase in segment revenue outpaced the increase in segment cost of revenue by 850 basis points. The increase in segment cost of revenue was driven mainly by increased headcount from the RelationEdge and TriCore acquisitions.

OpenStack Public Cloud adjusted gross profit decreased 7% in 2018 from 2017 due to customer churn. Segment adjusted gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue increased by 450 basis points, as the decrease in costs outpaced the decrease in revenue by 710 basis points.

The aggregate amount of costs reflected in consolidated gross profit but excluded from segment adjusted gross profit was $21.8 million in 2018, a decrease of $11.7 million from $33.5 million in 2017, reflecting mainly decreases in cash-settled equity awards, net purchase accounting impacts and restructuring and transformation costs. For more information about our segment adjusted gross profit, see Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7 million, or 1%, to $949 million from $942 million in 2017. A $17 million increase in employee-related expenses was driven by incremental amortization expense in 2018 related to commissions capitalized in accordance with ASC 606 and an increase in employee count driven by the Datapipe Acquisition, partially offset by lower expense related to our obligation to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, an increase in capitalized payroll resulting from research and development activities and lower research and development expense. Also contributing to the increase was an additional $16 million in expenses related to identifying and executing cost saving initiatives and Datapipe integration activities, and incremental expenses for office rent, internal software support and maintenance, and travel and entertainment, due to the Datapipe Acquisition. The impact of these increases was partially offset by an $18 million decrease in marketing spend and a $10 million decrease in transaction-related costs as the prior year included expenses related to the Datapipe Acquisition completed in November 2017.

As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 520 basis points, from 43.9% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2018, for the reasons discussed above.

Impairment of Goodwill

As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2018, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud Services reporting unit, which is a component of our Multicloud Services segment, exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $295 million, resulting in a decrease of approximately 16% in the goodwill allocated to this reporting unit. The impairment was driven by a significant decrease in forecasted revenue and cash flows and a lower long-term growth rate, as current and forecasted industry trends reflected lower demand for traditional managed hosting services. There was no such impairment in 2017.

Gain on Sales, net

The $5.2 million net gain on sales is comprised of a $7 million pre-tax gain related to the August 2017 termination of a transition services agreement entered into between Rackspace US, Inc. and the

 

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buyer of our Cloud Sites business in August 2016, partially offset by a $2 million pre-tax loss from the sale of our Mailgun business in February 2017.

Gain on Settlement of Contract

In July 2017, we reached a settlement agreement with a customer to terminate a large, multi-year agreement in advance of its contractual term that would have expired in June 2018 in exchange for a cash payment of $29 million, received in August 2017.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $58 million, or 26%, to $281 million from $223 million in 2017, primarily due to an increase in LIBOR rates, incremental Term Loan Facility borrowings and changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps.

Gain on Investments, net

In 2017 and 2018, we recognized net gains on investment activity of $5 million, of which $1 million and $4 million, respectively, related to the sale of our remaining interest in Mailgun Technologies, Inc. As part of the overall consideration received from the sale of our Mailgun business in February 2017, we obtained an equity interest in the new entity, Mailgun Technologies, Inc., which we accounted for under the cost method.

Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt

We incurred an aggregate $17 million loss on debt extinguishment in 2017 related to the June 2017 and November 2017 Term Loan Facility amendments, compared to a $1 million gain in 2018 related to the December 2018 repurchase of $3 million principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes.

Other Income (Expense)

We had $7 million of other expense in 2017 compared to $13 million of other income in 2018 primarily due to changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives.

Benefit for Income Taxes

Our income tax benefit decreased by $271 million, to $30 million in 2018 from $301 million in 2017. Our effective tax rate changed from 83.4% in 2017 to 6.0% in 2018. In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) was enacted. The TCJA, among other things, reduced the U.S. federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, eliminated certain deductions, imposed a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries and changed how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. In 2017, we recorded a provisional income tax benefit of $197 million, which is the primary reason for the 83% effective tax rate. This amount is primarily comprised of the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%.

Also in December 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to provide guidance in situations when a public company does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA. As we completed our analysis of the TCJA during 2018, we adjusted the provisional income tax benefit related to the TCJA by $11 million for a total income tax benefit of $186 million in accordance with SAB 118.

 

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The difference between the effective tax rate of 6% in 2018 and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% was primarily due to new provisions for foreign earnings, specifically GILTI, as well as the tax impact associated with the goodwill impairment.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We track several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and manage our underlying financial performance. The following discussion includes the presentation of constant currency revenue, Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA, Pro Forma Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) and Pro Forma Adjusted EPS, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of certain costs, losses and gains that are required to be included in our profit and loss measures under GAAP. Although we believe these measures are useful to investors and analysts for the same reasons they are useful to management, as discussed below, these measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, U.S. GAAP financial measures or disclosures. Other companies may calculate similarly-titled non-GAAP measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. We have reconciled each of these non-GAAP measures to the applicable most comparable GAAP measure throughout this prospectus.

Constant Currency Revenue

We use constant currency revenue as an additional metric for understanding and assessing our growth excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on our international business operations. Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period and is calculated by translating the non-U.S. dollar income statement balances for the most current period to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate from the comparative period rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective period. We also believe this is an important metric to help investors evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods.

The following tables present, by segment, actual and constant currency revenue and constant currency revenue growth rates, for and between the periods indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019				Three Months Ended March 31, 2020												% Change
(In millions, except %)		Revenue				Revenue				Foreign Currency Translation(a)				Revenue in Constant Currency				Actual				Constant Currency
Multicloud Services		$	452.8			$	507.9			$	1.5			$	509.4				12.2	%			12.5	%
Apps & Cross Platform			78.1				81.5				0.1				81.6				4.4	%			4.5	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			76.0				63.3				—				63.3				(16.7	)%			(16.7	)%
Total		$	606.9			$	652.7			$	1.6			$	654.3				7.6	%			7.8	%

 

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		Year Ended December 31, 2018				Year Ended December 31, 2019												% Change
(In millions, except %)		Revenue				Revenue				Foreign Currency Translation(a)				Revenue in Constant Currency				Actual				Constant Currency
Multicloud Services		$	1,803.4			$	1,832.6			$	18.4			$	1,851.0				1.6	%			2.6	%
Apps & Cross Platform			290.0				319.2				1.1				320.3				10.1	%			10.4	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			359.4				286.3				2.7				289.0				(20.3	)%			(19.6	)%
Total		$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1			$	22.2			$	2,460.3				(0.6	)%			0.3	%

 

		Year Ended December 31, 2017				Year Ended December 31, 2018												% Change
(In millions, except %)		Revenue				Revenue				Foreign Currency Translation(a)				Revenue in Constant Currency				Actual				Constant Currency
Multicloud Services		$	1,470.0			$	1,803.4			$	(13.4	)		$	1,790.0				22.7	%			21.8	%
Apps & Cross Platform			217.4				290.0				(0.7	)			289.3				33.4	%			33.1	%
OpenStack Public Cloud			422.8				359.4				(3.1	)			356.3				(15.0	)%			(15.7	)%
Other			34.5				—				—				—				NM				NM
Total		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	(17.2	)		$	2,435.6				14.4	%			13.6	%

 

(a)	The effect of foreign currency is calculated by translating current period results using the average exchange rate from the prior comparative period.

NM = not meaningful.

Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit

Our principal measure of segment profitability is segment adjusted gross profit. We also present Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit in this prospectus, which is the aggregate of segment adjusted gross profit, because we believe the measure is useful in analyzing trends in our underlying, recurring gross margins. We define Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit as our consolidated gross profit, adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense and other non-recurring or unusual compensation items, purchase accounting-related effects, and certain business transformation-related costs. For a reconciliation of our Adjusted Consolidated Gross Profit to our total consolidated gross profit, see the sections titled “Gross Profit and Adjusted Consolidated and Segment Adjusted Gross Profit” earlier in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA

We present Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA because they are a basis upon which management assesses our performance and we believe they are useful to evaluating our financial performance. We believe that excluding items from net income that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, our core operating results, and that may vary in frequency or magnitude, enhances the comparability of our results and provides a better baseline for analyzing trends in our business.

The Rackspace Acquisition was structured as a leveraged buyout of Rackspace Technology Global, our Predecessor, and resulted in several accounting and capital structure impacts. For

 

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example, the revaluation of our assets and liabilities resulted in a significant increase in our amortizable intangible assets and goodwill, the incurrence of a significant amount of debt to partially finance the Rackspace Acquisition resulted in interest payments that reflect our high leverage and cost of debt capital, and the conversion of Rackspace Technology Global’s unvested equity compensation into a cash-settled bonus plan and obligation to pay management fees to our equityholders resulted in new cash commitments. In addition, the change in ownership and management resulting from the Rackspace Acquisition led to a strategic realignment in our operations that had a significant impact on our financial results. As discussed above under “—Significant Events and Transactions—Recent Mergers and Acquisitions,” following the Rackspace Acquisition, we acquired several businesses, sold businesses and investments that we deemed to be non-core and launched multiple integration and business transformation initiatives intended to improve the efficiency of people and operations and identify recurring cost savings and new revenue growth opportunities. We believe that these transactions and activities resulted in costs, which have historically been substantial, that may not be indicative of, or are not related to, our core operating results, including interest related to the incurrence of additional debt to finance acquisitions and third party legal, advisory and consulting fees and severance, retention bonus and other internal costs that we believe would not have been incurred in the absence of these transactions and activities and are also may not be indicative of, or related to, our core operating results.

We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation and cash charges related to the settlement of our Predecessor’s equity plan, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, management fees, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, as well as the tax effects of these non-GAAP adjustments.

We define Adjusted EBIT as net income (loss), plus interest expense and income taxes, further adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation and cash charges related to the settlement of our Predecessor’s equity plan, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, management fees, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted EBIT plus depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA are management’s principal metrics for measuring our underlying financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, along with other quantitative and qualitative information, is also the principal financial measure used by management and our board of directors in determining performance-based compensation for our management and key employees.

These non-GAAP measures are not intended to imply that we would have generated higher income or avoided net losses if the Rackspace Acquisition and the subsequent transactions and initiatives had not occurred. In the future we may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT or Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items. Other companies, including our peer companies, may calculate similarly-titled measures in a different manner from us, and therefore, our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-tiled measures of other companies. Investors are cautioned against using these measures to the exclusion of our results in accordance with GAAP.

 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA to our net loss for the periods indicated (totals in table may not foot due to rounding).

 

		Year Ended December 31,												Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019				2019				2020
Net loss		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)		$	(57.5	)		$	(48.2	)
Share-based compensation expense			10.2				20.0				30.2				5.9				7.5
Cash settled equity and special bonuses(a)			66.2				36.1				24.1				5.5				8.3
Transaction-related adjustments, net(b)			36.7				31.5				22.5				4.8				8.4
Restructuring and transformation expenses(c)			31.7				44.8				54.3				13.8				15.0
Management fees(d)			18.9				15.9				16.2				2.9				3.6
Legal contingency(e)			4.4				—				—				—				—
Impairment of goodwill			—				295.0				—				—				—
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments(f)			(9.8	)			(4.6	)			(101.6	)			(2.1	)			0.1
Gain on contractual settlement(g)			(28.8	)			—				—				—				—
Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt(h)			16.9				(0.5	)			(9.8	)			(4.5	)			—
Other (income) expense(i)			7.5				(12.7	)			3.3				3.8				0.6
Amortization of intangible assets(j)			126.6				164.2				167.5				42.4				44.2
Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments(k)			(276.7	)			(53.9	)			(42.0	)			(11.0	)			(12.5	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)		$	(56.1	)		$	65.2			$	62.4			$	4.0			$	27.0
Interest expense			223.4				281.1				329.9				89.0				72.0
Benefit for income taxes			(300.8	)			(29.9	)			(20.0	)			(9.6	)			(3.0	)
Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments(k)			276.7				53.9				42.0				11.0				12.5
Adjusted EBIT			143.2				370.3				414.3				94.4				108.5
Depreciation and amortization			756.9				609.7				496.0				133.6				121.3
Amortization of intangible assets(j)			(126.6	)			(164.2	)			(167.5	)			(42.4	)			(44.2	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	773.5			$	815.8			$	742.8			$	185.6			$	185.6

 

(a)

Includes expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition (amounting to $58 million, $26 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and $3 million and zero for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively), retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and, beginning in the second quarter of 2019, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs.

(b)

Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to completed acquisitions (including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016 and the acquisitions of TriCore and Datapipe in 2017, RelationEdge in 2018 and Onica in the fourth quarter of 2019), integration costs of acquired businesses, purchase accounting adjustments (including deferred revenue fair value discount), payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.

(c)

Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses. We assessed these activities and determined that they did not qualify under the scope of ASC 420 (Exit or Disposal costs).

(d)

Represents historical management fees pursuant to our existing management consulting agreements. The existing management consulting agreements will be terminated effective as of the pricing of this offering and therefore no management fees will accrue or be payable for periods after the pricing of this offering. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Consulting Agreements” elsewhere in this prospectus.

(e)	Includes patent-related settlement costs, which our management determined were not related to our recurring, underlying operations.

 

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(f)	Includes gains from the disposition of our Mailgun business and, in 2019, the sale of our investment in CrowdStrike.

(g)	Represents a gain on the cash settlement with a customer to terminate a multi-year agreement in advance of its scheduled expiry date (in June 2018).

(h)	Includes losses related to two Term Loan Facility amendments in 2017 and gains on our repurchases of 8.625% Senior Notes in 2018 and 2019.

(i)	Reflects mainly changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives.

(j)	All of our intangible assets are attributable to acquisitions, including the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016.

(k)

We utilize an estimated structural long-term non-GAAP tax rate in order to provide consistency across reporting periods, removing the effect of non-recurring tax adjustments, which include but are not limited to tax rate changes, U.S. tax reform, share-based compensation, audit conclusions and changes to valuation allowances. When computing this long-term rate for 2019 and the 2020 interim period, we based it on an average of the 2019 and estimated 2020 tax rates, recomputed to remove the tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments and non-recurring tax adjustments, resulting in a structural non-GAAP tax rate of 26%. For 2017 and 2018, we used a structural non-GAAP tax rate of 30% and 27%, respectively, which reflects the removal of the tax effect of non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments and non-recurring tax adjustments on a year-by-year basis. The non-GAAP tax rate could be subject to change for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in our geographic earnings mix including due to acquisition activity, or other changes to our strategy or business operations. We will re-evaluate our long-term non-GAAP tax rate as appropriate. We believe that making these adjustments facilitates a better evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to prior periods.

Pro Forma Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Pro Forma Adjusted EPS

We define Pro Forma Diluted EPS as our GAAP net loss divided by our GAAP average number of shares outstanding for the period on a diluted basis, after giving effect to the Stock Split, and further adjusted for the issuance of          shares of common stock to be sold in this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock in this offering). We define Pro Forma Adjusted EPS as Adjusted Net Income (Loss) divided by the number of shares used to calculate our Pro Forma Diluted EPS. The following table reconciles Pro Forma Adjusted EPS to our Pro Forma Diluted EPS.

 

		Year Ended December 31,				Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
(In whole dollars)		2019
Pro Forma Diluted EPS(a)		$				$
Per share impacts of adjustments to net income (loss)(b)
Pro Forma Adjusted EPS		$				$

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average number of shares of our common stock outstanding for the period on a diluted basis, after giving effect to the Stock Split, and further adjusted for the issuance of                  shares of common stock to be sold in this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase                 additional shares of common stock in this offering). Each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares of common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) our Pro Forma Adjusted EPS by approximately $                 for the year ended December 31, 2019 or $                 for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

(b)	Reflects the aggregate adjustments made to reconcile Adjusted Net Income (Loss) to our net income (loss), as noted in the above table, divided by the number of shares used to calculate Pro Forma Diluted EPS.

 

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Quarterly Results of Operations and Other Data

The following tables set forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly statement of operations data for each of the nine fiscal quarters through March 31, 2020, as well as the percentage of revenue that each line item represents for each quarter. The information for each of these quarters has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, except that the four fiscal quarters of 2018 have not been restated for the adoption of ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019. The information for each quarter presented, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the results of operations for these periods. This data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. These quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of our results of operations to be expected for any future period. Totals in tables may not foot due to rounding.

 

		Three Months Ended,
(In millions)		March 31, 2018				June 30, 2018				September 30, 2018				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019				June 30, 2019				September 30, 2019				December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Revenue
Multicloud Services		$	453.1			$	456.4			$	447.1			$	446.8			$	452.8			$	449.6			$	450.2			$	480.0			$	507.9
Apps & Cross Platform			67.3				71.0				75.7				76.0				78.1				79.0				81.1				81.0				81.5
Core Revenue			520.4				527.4				522.8				522.8				530.9				528.6				531.3				561.0				589.4
OpenStackPublic Cloud			98.8				92.2				87.0				81.4				76.0				73.8				70.4				66.1				63.3
Total Revenue:			619.2				619.6				609.8				604.2				606.9				602.4				601.7				627.1				652.7
Cost of revenue			(357.8	)			(357.0	)			(362.3	)			(368.6	)			(356.0	)			(350.3	)			(347.9	)			(372.7	)			(403.4	)
Gross Profit			261.4				262.6				247.5				235.6				250.9				252.1				253.8				254.4				249.3
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses			(242.5	)			(246.3	)			(221.0	)			(239.5	)			(231.7	)			(226.5	)			(221.7	)			(231.8	)			(227.8	)
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				—				(295.0	)			—				—				—				—				—
Gain on sale			—				—				—				—				2.1				—				—				—				—
Income (loss) from operations			18.9				16.3				26.5				(298.9	)			21.3				25.6				32.1				22.6				21.5
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(50.9	)			(65.0	)			(69.6	)			(95.6	)			(89.0	)			(100.8	)			(80.9	)			(59.2	)			(72.0	)
Gain (loss) on investments, net			1.3				—				3.4				(0.1	)			0.1				143.3				(22.0	)			(21.9	)			(0.1	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				0.5				4.5				5.0				—				0.3				—
Other income (expense)			(4.0	)			10.7				2.2				3.8				(4.0	)			1.7				1.1				(2.1	)			(0.6	)
Total other income (expense)			(53.6	)			(54.3	)			(64.0	)			(91.4	)			(88.4	)			49.2				(101.8	)			(82.9	)			(72.7	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(34.7	)			(38.0	)			(37.5	)			(390.3	)			(67.1	)			74.8				(69.7	)			(60.3	)			(51.2	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes			7.6				7.2				(0.8	)			15.9				9.6				(12.3	)			9.2				13.5				3.0
Net income (loss)		$	(27.1	)		$	(30.8	)		$	(38.3	)		$	(374.4	)		$	(57.5	)		$	62.5			$	(60.5	)		$	(46.8	)		$	(48.2	)

 

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		Three Months Ended,
(Percent of revenue)		March 31, 2018				June 30, 2018				September 30, 2018				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019				June 30, 2019				September 30, 2019				December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Revenue
Multicloud Services			73.2	%			73.7	%			73.3	%			73.9	%			74.6	%			74.6	%			74.8	%			76.5	%			77.8	%
Apps & Cross Platform			10.9				11.5				12.4				12.6				12.9				13.1				13.5				12.9				12.5
Core Revenue			84.0				85.1				85.7				86.5				87.5				87.7				88.3				89.5				90.3
OpenStackPublic Cloud			16.0				14.9				14.3				13.5				12.5				12.3				11.7				10.5				9.7
Total Revenue:			100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0
Cost of revenue			(57.8	)			(57.6	)			(59.4	)			(61.0	)			(58.7	)			(58.2	)			(57.8	)			(59.4	)			(61.8	)
Gross Profit			42.2				42.4				40.6				39.0				41.3				41.8				42.2				40.6				38.2
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses			(39.2	)			(39.8	)			(36.2	)			(39.6	)			(38.2	)			(37.6	)			(36.8	)			(37.0	)			(34.9	)
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				—				(48.8	)			—				—				—				—				—
Gain on sale			—				—				—				—				0.3				—				—				—				—
Income (loss) from operations			3.1				2.6				4.3				(49.4	)			3.5				4.3				5.3				3.6				3.3
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(8.2	)			(10.5	)			(11.4	)			(15.8	)			(14.7	)			(16.7	)			(13.4	)			(9.4	)			(11.0	)
Gain (loss) on investments, net			0.2				—				0.6				(0.0	)			0.0				23.8				(3.7	)			(3.5	)			(0.0	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				0.1				0.7				0.8				—				—				—
Other income (expense)			(0.6	)			1.7				0.3				0.6				(0.6	)			0.3				0.2				(0.3	)			(0.1	)
Total other income (expense)			(8.7	)			(8.8	)			(10.5	)			(15.1	)			(14.6	)			8.2				(16.9	)			(13.2	)			(11.1	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(5.6	)			(6.1	)			(6.2	)			(64.6	)			(11.1	)			12.4				(11.6	)			(9.6	)			(7.8	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes			1.2				1.2				(0.1	)			2.6				1.6				(2.0	)			1.5				2.2				0.5
Net income (loss)			(4.4	)			(5.0	)			(6.3	)			(61.9	)			(9.5	)			10.4				(10.1	)			(7.5	)			(7.4	)

The following table shows selected operating metrics for the nine fiscal quarters indicated. For definitions of our key operating metrics, see “—Key Operating Metrics” above.

 

		Three Months Ended,
(In millions, except %)		March 31, 2018		June 30, 2018		September 30, 2018		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2019		June 30, 2019		September 30, 2019		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2020
Bookings		$138.9		$142.1		$150.8		$165.7		$139.0		$138.8		$192.1		$230.8		$230.5
Core Quarterly Net Retention Rate		100%		99%		99%		99%		99%		98%		99%		98%		98%
Quarterly Net Retention Rate		98%		98%		98%		98%		98%		98%		99%		98%		98%
ARR		$2,450.6		$2,448.5		$2,394.7		$2,374.3		$2,382.2		$2,355.8		$2,346.2		$2,411.6		$2,482.1
Capital Expenditures		$95.1		$102.8		$85.8		$64.4		$56.0		$40.7		$55.3		$57.7		$75.4
Capital Expenditures as % of revenue		15.4%		16.6%		14.1%		10.7%		9.2%		6.8%		9.2%		9.2%		11.6%

Summary of Quarterly Revenue and Expense Trends

In 2019, after our CEO and CFO joined the Company, we implemented a comprehensive new day-to-day management system, reduced our number of corporate priorities from ten to three, and began

 

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executing a series of transformation programs designed to transform our business. The initial 12 transformation programs included over 85 transformation projects, split roughly equally between programs designed to accelerate revenue growth and programs designed to address costs. Examples of such programs included initiatives to enhance our sales force productivity, increase our enterprise focus, improve revenue retention, and rationalize our data center footprint. These programs have reinforced best practices with our employees, and today are part of our day-to-day culture.

The initiatives have produced strong results and have meaningfully enhanced our growth:

 

•

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Bookings increased 66% over the three months ended March 31, 2019. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, Bookings increased 39% over the three months ended December 31, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, Bookings increased 27% over the three months ended September 30, 2018. This compares to the three months ended June 30, 2019, for which Bookings declined 2% over the three months ended June 30, 2018.

 

•

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Core Revenue increased 11% over the three months ended March 31, 2019, or 6%, on a constant currency basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of Onica as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, Core Revenue increased 7% over the three months ended December 31, 2018, or 6% on a constant currency basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of Onica as if it had occurred on January 1, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, revenue from our Core Segments increased 2% over the three months ended September 30, 2018, or 5% on a constant currency basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of Onica as it had occurred on January 1, 2018. This compares to the three months ended June 30, 2019, for which Core Revenue was flat as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA

The following table presents our Adjusted EBITDA and its reconciliation to our net income (loss) for each of the nine fiscal quarters through March 31, 2020. For important information regarding our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above.

 

		Three Months Ended,
(In millions)		March 31, 2018				June 30, 2018				September 30, 2018				December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019				June 30, 2019				September 30, 2019				December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Net income (loss)		$	(27.1	)		$	(30.8	)		$	(38.3	)		$	(374.4	)		$	(57.5	)		$	62.5			$	(60.5	)		$	(46.8	)		$	(48.2	)
Interest expense			50.9				65.0				69.6				95.6				89.0				100.8				80.9				59.2				72.0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			(7.6	)			(7.2	)			0.8				(15.9	)			(9.6	)			12.3				(9.2	)			(13.5	)			(3.0	)
Depreciation and amortization			152.8				150.7				149.5				156.7				133.6				124.3				114.4				123.7				121.3
Share-based compensation expense			2.9				4.6				6.6				5.9				5.9				6.4				10.5				7.4				7.5
Cash settled equity and special bonuses(a)			11.1				9.8				7.7				7.5				5.5				6.2				5.9				6.5				8.3
Transaction-related adjustments, net(b)			11.4				9.9				7.4				2.8				4.8				4.6				4.3				8.8				8.4
Restructuring and transformation expenses(c)			9.1				11.2				6.5				18.0				13.8				12.5				16.1				11.9				15.0
Management fees(d)			3.9				4.7				3.9				3.4				2.9				3.0				3.7				6.6				3.6
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				—				295.0				—				—				—				—				—
Net (gain) loss on divestiture and investments(e)			(1.2	)			—				(3.5	)			0.1				(2.1	)			(143.4	)			22.1				21.8				0.1
Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt			—				—				—				(0.5	)			(4.5	)			(5.0	)			—				(0.3	)			—
Other (income) expense(f)			3.8				(10.8	)			(2.0	)			(3.7	)			3.8				(1.5	)			(1.3	)			2.3				0.6
Adjusted EBITDA		$	210.0			$	207.1			$	208.2			$	190.5			$	185.6			$	182.7			$	186.9			$	187.6			$	185.6

 

(a)

Includes expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition (the final vesting was in the first quarter of 2019), retention bonuses, mainly relating to restructuring and integration projects, and, in 2019 and 2020, senior executive signing bonuses and relocation costs.

(b)

Includes legal, professional, accounting and other advisory fees related to completed acquisitions (mostly Onica, consummated in the fourth quarter of 2019), and integration costs of acquired businesses (mainly Datapipe and Onica), purchase accounting adjustments (including deferred revenue fair value discount), payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to supporting these projects and exploratory acquisition and divestiture costs and expenses related to financing activities.

(c)

Includes consulting and advisory fees related to business transformation and optimization activities, payroll costs for employees that dedicate significant time to these projects, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses. We assessed these activities and determined that they did not qualify under the scope of ASC 420 (Exit or Disposal costs).

(d)

Represents historical management fees pursuant to our existing management consulting agreements. The existing management consulting agreements will be terminated effective as of the pricing of this offering and therefore no management fees will accrue or be payable for periods after the pricing of this offering. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Management Consulting Agreements” elsewhere in this prospectus.

(e)	Includes activity related to our investments in Mailgun and CrowdStrike.

(f)	Reflects mainly changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We primarily finance our operations and capital expenditures with internally-generated cash from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, which provides for up to

 

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$225 million of borrowings (which amount is expected to be increased to $375 million in connection with the increase to the size of our Revolving Credit Facility in connection with this offering), none of which was drawn as of March 31, 2020, borrowings under our Receivables Financing Facility, which had a total borrowing capacity of $80 million and $50 million was borrowed and outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and other sources of financing as described below. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Based on our current level of operations and available cash, we believe our sources, together with the proceeds of this offering, will provide sufficient liquidity over at least the next twelve months. We cannot provide assurance, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Receivables Financing Facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Our ability to do so depends on prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change of control, we could be required to repay or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the Senior Facilities and 8.625% Senior Notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any future acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions will likely require additional capital, and there can be no assurance that any such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.

From time to time, depending upon market and other conditions, as well as upon our cash balances and liquidity, we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may acquire (and have acquired) our outstanding debt securities or our other indebtedness through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, redemption or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we, our subsidiaries or our affiliates may determine (or as may be provided for in the Indenture, if applicable), for cash or other consideration.

See “—Debt—8.625% Senior Notes” below for more information on repurchases of debt completed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019.

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we held $125 million and $84 million in cash and cash equivalents, respectively (not including $3 million in restricted cash as of those dates, which is included in “Other non-current assets”), of which $53 million and $29 million, respectively, was held by foreign entities. In connection with the TCJA that was passed on December 22, 2017, the one-time mandatory transition tax effectively eliminated the federal tax recorded for undistributed foreign earnings.

We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors, along with sale-leaseback arrangements for equipment and certain property leases that are considered financing obligations. We had $156 million and $129 million outstanding with respect to these arrangements as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We may choose to utilize these various sources of funding in future periods. Refer to Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information regarding our financing obligations.

We also lease certain equipment and real estate under operating and finance lease agreements. We had $401 million and $412 million outstanding with respect to these agreements as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We may choose to utilize such leasing arrangements in future periods. Refer to Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information regarding our operating and finance leases.

As of March 31, 2020, we had $3,938 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility and 8.625% Senior Notes, with $225 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Facility. In connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to increase the size of our Revolving Credit Facility to $375 million, and, after giving effect to such increase, we would have had $375 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020. Additionally,

 

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at March 31, 2020, we had $50 million principal outstanding with $30 million in incremental borrowing capacity under the Receivables Financing Facility. As of December 31, 2019, we had $3,945 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Term Loan Facility and 8.625% Senior Notes, with $225 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Credit Facility. Our liquidity requirements are significant, primarily due to debt service requirements.

Debt

Senior Facilities

On November 3, 2016, in conjunction with the Rackspace Acquisition, we entered into the First Lien Credit Agreement with Citibank, N.A. (“Citi”) as the administrative agent. The Senior Facilities originally included the Term Loan Facility in the amount of $2,000 million, which was fully drawn at closing of the Rackspace Acquisition, and an undrawn Revolving Credit Facility of $225 million. We may request additional Term Loan Facility commitments or Revolving Credit Facility commitments up to a specified dollar amount plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with applicable leverage ratios and certain terms and conditions. The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility were used to partially finance the Rackspace Acquisition. The Term Loan Facility matures on November 3, 2023 and the Revolving Credit Facility was originally set to mature on November 3, 2021. In connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $375 million and extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility until the fifth year anniversary of the closing of this offering, subject to certain exceptions, as described further below.

On June 21, 2017, we amended the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement to reprice the Term Loan Facility, decreasing the applicable margin to 3.00% for “LIBOR” loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. We also raised an additional $100 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility on the same terms as the repriced Term Loan Facility. The proceeds of the $100 million incremental term loans were used for general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and transaction costs.

On November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe Acquisition, we raised an additional $800 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. The proceeds of the $800 million incremental term loans were used to finance a portion of the Datapipe Acquisition, repay certain of Datapipe’s existing debt obligations and pay related fees and expenses.

Borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for Eurodollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, adjusted for certain additional costs, subject to a 1.00% floor in the case of the Term Loan Facility (and, effective upon the closing of this offering, also in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility), or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) the one-month adjusted LIBOR plus 1.00%. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for LIBOR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans. We are required to make quarterly amortization payments on the Term Loan Facility in an annual amount equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount, including incremental borrowings since the Rackspace Acquisition, or $7 million per quarter, with the balance due at maturity.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 4.76% and 4.90%, respectively.

The Revolving Credit Facility has historically had an applicable margin of 4.00% for LIBOR loans and 3.00% for base rate loans and is subject to step-downs based on the net first lien leverage ratio. In

 

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connection with the closing of this offering, we expect to reduce the applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility to 3.00% for LIBOR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This fee is also subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio. We recorded $9 million of debt issuance costs when we entered into this debt instrument. As of March 31, 2020, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, our Senior Facilities require us to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. We can make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, subject to customary breakage costs.

Rackspace Technology Global, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions.

We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk associated with interest payments on the Term Loan Facility that result from fluctuations in the LIBOR rate. See Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information on the interest rate swap agreements.

We expect to enter into an amendment to the First Lien Credit Agreement modifying the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility effective upon the closing of this offering to, among other things, (i) increase the amount of the commitments available under our Revolving Credit Facility from $225 million to $375 million, (ii) reduce the applicable margin with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility to 3.00% for LIBOR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans, but include a 1.00% LIBOR “floor” applicable to LIBOR loans, and (iii) extend the maturity date with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility from November 3, 2021 to the date that is five years from the closing date of this offering; however, if 91 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of (A) the Term Loan Facility, more than $50 million aggregate principal amount of loans remains outstanding under the Term Loan Facility, or (B) the 8.625% Senior Notes, more than $50 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes remains outstanding, in either such case, the Revolving Credit Facility will mature on such earlier date. Effective upon the closing of this offering, the amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility will modify the financial maintenance covenant applicable to the Revolving Credit Facility that limits the borrower’s net first lien leverage ratio to be a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00 (as compared to 3.50 to 1.00 prior to giving effect to the amendment). This financial maintenance covenant will only be applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) as the last day of a fiscal quarter is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. Other than described in this paragraph, the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Facility will remain the same, and the amendment described in this paragraph will not amend or otherwise modify the terms of the Term Loan Facility.

 

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8.625% Senior Notes

On November 3, 2016, in conjunction with the Rackspace Acquisition, we completed the issuance of $1,200 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 8.625% Senior Notes will mature on November 15, 2024 and bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.625% per year, payable semi-annually on each May 15 and November 15 through maturity. The proceeds of the 8.625% Senior Notes were used to partially finance the Rackspace Acquisition. The 8.625% Senior Notes are not subject to registration rights.

Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 8.625% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 8.625% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 8.625% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities, to the extent of the collateral securing the Senior Facilities. The Indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 8.625% Senior Notes.

Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 8.625% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: prior to November 15, 2020, at a redemption price equal to 106.469% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from November 15, 2020 to November 15, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 104.313% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from November 15, 2021 to November 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 102.156% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from November 15, 2022 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.

In December 2018, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $3 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes for $2 million, including accrued interest and excluding related fees and expenses. During 2019, we repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $77 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes for $67 million, including accrued interest of $1 million and excluding related fees and expenses. The outstanding principal balance of the 8.625% Senior Notes was $1,120 million as of March 31, 2020.

Debt covenants

Our Term Loan Facility is not subject to a financial maintenance covenant. Effective as of the closing of this offering, our Revolving Credit Facility will include a financial maintenance covenant that limits the borrower’s net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 5.00 to 1.00. The net first lien leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of (x) the total amount of the borrower’s first lien debt for borrowed money (which is currently identical to the total amount outstanding under the Senior Facilities), less the borrower’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, to (y) consolidated EBITDA (as defined under the First Lien Credit Agreement governing the Senior Facilities). However, this financial maintenance covenant will only be applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and letters of credit issued thereunder (excluding $25 million of undrawn letters of credit and cash collateralized letters of credit) as of the last day of a fiscal quarter is equal to or greater than 35% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments as of the last day of such fiscal quarter. Additional covenants in the Senior Facilities limit our ability to, among other things, incur certain additional debt and liens, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

 

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The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain additional debt, incur certain liens securing debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain investments, make certain asset sales and enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

Our “consolidated EBITDA,” as defined under our debt instruments, is calculated in the same manner as our Adjusted EBITDA, presented elsewhere in this prospectus, except that our debt instruments allow us to adjust for additional items, including certain start-up costs, and to give pro forma effect to acquisitions, including resulting synergies, and internal cost savings initiatives. In addition, under the Indenture, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA does not take account of substantially any changes in GAAP subsequent to the date of issuance, whereas under the Senior Facilities the calculation of this measure is inclusive of the impact of certain changes in GAAP other than with respect to capital leases.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities and the Indenture.

Receivables Financing Facility

On March 19, 2020, Rackspace US, Inc. (“Rackspace US”), a Delaware corporation and our wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, entered into the Receivables Financing Facility. Under the Receivables Financing Facility, (i) certain of our subsidiaries sell or otherwise convey certain trade receivables and related rights (the “Conveyed Receivables”) to Rackspace US and (ii) Rackspace US then sells, contributes or otherwise conveys certain Conveyed Receivables to our wholly owned bankruptcy-remote subsidiary (the “SPV”).

The SPV may thereafter make borrowings from the lenders under the Receivables Financing Facility, which borrowings will be secured by the Conveyed Receivables. An affiliate of the administrative agent under the Receivables Financing Facility, in its capacity as a lender, has committed an amount up to $100 million under the Receivables Financing Facility. Rackspace US services and administers the Conveyed Receivables on behalf of the SPV. Rackspace Technology Global provides a performance guaranty to the administrative agent on behalf of the secured parties in respect of the obligations of the subsidiaries originating the receivables and Rackspace US, as servicer, including, without limitation, obligations to pay the purchase price and indemnity obligations.

The scheduled termination date of the Receivables Financing Facility is March 21, 2022, subject to earlier termination due to a termination event described in the agreement governing the Receivables Financing Facility.

Advances bear interest based on an index rate plus a margin. The SPV is also required to pay a monthly commitment fee to each lender based on the amount of such lender’s outstanding commitment. The Receivables Financing Facility contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are customary for financings of this type.

As of March 31, 2020, our total borrowing capacity under the Receivables Financing Facility was $80.3 million and $50 million was borrowed and outstanding. The Receivables Financing Facility requires us to comply with a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants under the Receivables Financing Facility as of March 31, 2020.

 

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Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth a summary of our capital expenditures for the periods indicated:

 

		Year Ended December 31,												Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019				2019				2020
Customer gear(1)		$	114.9			$	225.7			$	138.1			$	31.6			$	53.5
Data center build-outs(2)			16.3				29.1				9.0				1.3				0.9
Office build-outs(3)			9.5				2.1				4.6				1.5				0.3
Capitalized software and other projects(4)			52.1				91.2				58.0				21.6				20.7
Total capital expenditures			192.8				348.1				209.7				56.0				75.4
Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software (5)			(3.3	)			(53.8	)			(11.7	)			5.0				(41.0	)
Cash purchases of property, equipment and software		$	189.5			$	294.3			$	198.0			$	61.0			$	34.4

 

(1)	Includes servers, firewalls, load balancers, cabinets, backup libraries, storage arrays and drives and certain software that is essential to the functionality of customer gear, which we provide.

(2)	Includes generators, uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, mechanical and electrical plants, chillers, raised floor, network cabling, other infrastructure gear and other data center building improvements.

(3)	Includes building improvements, raised floor, furniture and equipment.

(4)	Includes salaries and payroll-related costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects, purchased software licenses and other projects that meet the criteria for capitalization.

(5)	Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software includes amounts financed under various financing arrangements and changes in amounts accrued but not yet paid.

Capital expenditures were $75 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $56 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $19 million. The majority of the increase is due to higher success-based spend to deploy customer environments and the refresh of certain data center equipment within our normal maintenance cycle.

Capital expenditures were $210 million in 2019, compared to $348 million in 2018, a decrease of $138 million, primarily due to the non-recurrence in 2019 of several other factors driving higher capital expenditures in 2018, as discussed below.

Capital expenditures were $348 million in 2018, compared to $193 million in 2017, an increase of $155 million driven by incremental capital spend related to Datapipe customers, higher spend to deploy customer environments, reflecting the changed mix of Bookings, higher customer demand for new devices due to the launch of a new server line, investments in customer experience and product capabilities and integration efforts in certain data centers. This increase included $61 million of capital expenditures in 2018 related to upfront purchases of certain software licenses and equipment under installment payment arrangements. In addition, our capital expenditures were lower than normal in 2017, reflecting cash conservation efforts immediately following the Rackspace Acquisition as well as depressed Bookings in the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

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Cash Flows

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

		Year Ended December 31,												Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019				2019				2020
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	291.7			$	429.8			$	292.9			$	23.1			$	24.8
Net cash (used in) investing activities		$	(1,226.2	)		$	(348.3	)		$	(386.5	)		$	(43.8	)		$	(32.4	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		$	867.5			$	(53.7	)		$	(79.2	)		$	(41.3	)		$	50.6

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 increased $2 million, or 7%, from the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was largely driven by higher cash collections of $57 million, primarily reflecting higher revenue levels resulting from the acquisition of Onica, and a $19 million decrease in obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, as the final payment was made during the three months ended March 31, 2019. These variances were partially offset by an increase in operating expense payments and employee-related payments of $61 million and $13 million, respectively, mainly due to the acquisition of Onica.

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2019 decreased $137 million, or 32%, from 2018. This decrease was driven by lower cash collections in 2019 due to lower revenue, coupled with higher cash payments for operating expenses. These higher cash payments were primarily due to increased infrastructure expense for third-party clouds reflecting growth in offerings utilizing those third-party clouds. Other significant changes between periods included a $43 million decrease in employee-related payments due to a decline in headcount and a $27 million decrease in payments related to our obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition.

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2018 increased $138 million, or 47%, from 2017. Cash collected from customers increased $378 million in 2018, primarily due to higher revenue levels resulting from our acquisitions. This increase was mostly offset by higher cash outflows for operating expenses, such as payroll, data center costs and license expense to support the larger business. Other changes between periods included a $71 million decrease in payments related to our obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, $52 million in additional interest payments on our long-term debt obligations, and the receipt of a $29 million cash payment in 2017 related to the settlement of a contract.

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2017 was $292 million, primarily driven by a contribution of $433 million to cash after our net loss is adjusted for non-cash items. This was partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities, which reduced operating cash flow by $142 million. The primary drivers of the change in operating assets and liabilities are an increase in accounts receivable, due, in part, to the impact of our acquisitions and a higher mix of larger enterprise customer balances, and a decrease in accrued compensation and benefits mainly due to cash paid during 2017 related to obligations to settle share-based awards in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition that were accrued at the end of 2016.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities primarily consists of acquisitions and capital expenditures to support our customer base and our strategic initiatives. The largest outlays of cash are for purchases of customer gear, data center and office build-outs and capitalized payroll costs related to internal-use software development.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased $11 million, or 26%, from the three months ended March 31, 2019. This change was mainly due to a $27 million decrease in cash purchases of property, equipment and software, as we increased our usage of financing arrangements in place of upfront cash payments to procure capital assets. The impact of this decrease was offset by the receipt of $17 million in proceeds during the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the repayment of a promissory note receivable in conjunction with the 2017 sale of our Mailgun business.

Net cash used in investing activities for 2019 increased $38 million, or 11%, from 2018, mainly due to higher cash payments for acquisitions. Cash paid for the acquisition of RelationEdge in 2018 was $65 million compared to $316 million paid for the acquisition of Onica in 2019. This was partially offset by a $96 million decrease in cash purchases of property, equipment and software and the receipt of $110 million in proceeds related to the sale of equity investments in 2019, including $107 million from the sale of our CrowdStrike investment. In addition, we received $17 million in proceeds in 2019 related to the repayment of a promissory note receivable issued in conjunction with the 2017 sale of our Mailgun business.

Net cash used in investing activities for 2018 decreased $878 million, or 72%, from 2017, mainly due to lower cash payments for acquisitions. Cash outflows for the acquisitions of TriCore and Datapipe in 2017 were an aggregate $1,087 million compared to outflows of $65 million for the acquisition of RelationEdge in 2018. This was partially offset by a $105 million increase in cash purchases of property, equipment and software. In addition, we received $28 million in proceeds from the sale of our Mailgun business and final payments related to the sale of our Cloud Sites business in 2017. Finally, there was a decrease of $9 million on sales of equity investments between periods.

Net cash used in investing activities for 2017 was $1,226 million, primarily comprised of cash outflows, net of cash acquired, of $335 million and $752 million for the acquisitions of TriCore and Datapipe, respectively. Cash purchases of property, equipment and software were $190 million. These investing outflows were offset by $28 million in proceeds related to the sale of our Mailgun business and final payments related to the sale of our Cloud Sites business, as well as $18 million in proceeds related to the sale of equity investments.

Net Cash Provided by or Used in Financing Activities

Financing activities primarily include cash activity related to debt and other long-term financing arrangements (for example, finance lease obligations), including proceeds from and repayments of borrowings and cash activity related to the issuance and repurchase of equity.

Net cash used in financing activities was $41 million for three months ended March 31, 2019 while net cash provided by financing activities was $51 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The change was primarily driven by net borrowings of $50 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which remained outstanding under the Receivables Financing Facility at March 31, 2020. Debt repayment activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included a $23 million cash outflow for the repurchase and cancellation of a portion of our 8.625% Senior Notes. Additionally, we received $21 million in proceeds during the three months ended March 31, 2020 in conjunction with financing obligations related to equipment sale-leaseback arrangements.

Net cash used in financing activities for 2019 increased $26 million, or 47%, from 2018. The change was primarily driven by $66 million in repurchases of our 8.625% Senior Notes in 2019, an increase of $20 million in principal payments for financing obligations, and equity-related cash activity, which included $3 million of proceeds in 2018 compared to $5 million of payments in 2019. This was partially offset by $63 million in proceeds received in 2019 in conjunction with financing obligations

 

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related to equipment sale-leaseback arrangements. Additionally, we borrowed a total gross amount of $225 million under the Revolving Credit Facility over the course of the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily in connection with the closing of the Onica Acquisition. As of December 31, 2019, we had fully repaid these borrowings with a combination of the proceeds received from financing obligations, proceeds received from the sale of our CrowdStrike investment and internally-generated cash.

Net cash provided by financing activities for 2018 decreased $921 million, or 106%, from 2017. The change was primarily driven by $950 million in incremental borrowings from the issuance of debt in 2017, offset by a $37 million decrease in repayments on our long-term debt. Additionally, other changes in cash flows from financing activities included $10 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock in 2017 compared to $3 million received in 2018.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was $868 million, primarily resulting from $900 million in incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:

 

(In millions)		Total				2020				2021-2022				2023-2024				2025 and Beyond
Long term debt principal(1)		$	3,944.8			$	29.0			$	58.0			$	3,857.8			$	—
Long term debt interest(2)			1,062.1				239.0				482.3				340.8				—
Revolving Credit Facility(3)			2.3				1.1				1.2				—				—
Operating leases(4)			499.6				89.7				129.7				85.2				195.0
Finance leases(5)			182.8				16.8				28.3				18.6				119.1
Financing obligations(6)			150.9				50.9				58.5				7.2				34.3
Purchase obligations(7)			493.0				155.9				197.6				55.3				84.2
Asset retirement obligations(8)			8.6				3.9				0.4				0.3				4.0
Total contractual obligations		$	6,344.1			$	586.3			$	956.0			$	4,365.2			$	436.6

 

(1)	Our Term Loan Facility has provisions which may result in prepayments; however, those amounts are not determinable until the fiscal years have been concluded. The Term Loan Facility matures in 2023 and the principal balance on our 8.625% Senior Notes is due in 2024.

(2)

Future quarterly interest payments on our Term Loan Facility are calculated at the December 31, 2019 interest rate of 4.90% (which includes an applicable margin of 3.00% over LIBOR) and include the impact of our interest rate swap agreements, which are for a notional amount of $1.4 billion. The 8.625% Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.625% per year, payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.

(3)	Revolving Credit Facility obligations are related to our 0.50% per annum commitment fee for the undrawn portion of the facility. These amounts assume that the commitment fee will remain 0.50%; however, it is subject to one step-down based on the net first lien leverage ratio.

(4)	Operating lease obligations represent minimum payments on our operating leases primarily for data center facilities and office space.

(5)	Finance lease obligations include principal and interest on our finance lease agreements for a certain data center facility and equipment.

(6)	Financing obligations include principal and interest payable to lenders for sale-leaseback arrangements for certain properties and equipment, as well as amounts owed to certain equipment and software vendors under installment payment arrangements.

(7)	Non-cancelable purchase obligations primarily relate to minimum commitments for certain software licenses, hardware purchases, third-party infrastructure purchases and costs associated with our data centers, such as bandwidth and electricity.

 

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(8)	Asset retirement obligations represent our best estimate of commitments to return leased property to its original condition upon lease termination.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we entered into contractual obligations totaling $104 million, of which: (i) $54 million is due to operating and finance lease obligations and financing obligations related to the purchase of equipment; and (ii) $50 million is due to borrowings under our Receivables Financing Facility. The table above excludes $53 million of uncertain tax positions, as we do not anticipate payment in the foreseeable future.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities. These entities are typically established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

We have entered into various indemnification arrangements with third parties, including vendors, customers, landlords, our officers and directors, stockholders of acquired companies and third parties to whom and from whom we license technology. Generally, these indemnification agreements require us to reimburse losses suffered by third parties due to various events, such as lawsuits arising from patent or copyright infringement or our negligence. Certain of these agreements require us to indemnify the other party against certain claims relating to property damage, personal injury or the acts or omissions by us, our employees, agents or representatives. These indemnification obligations are considered off-balance sheet arrangements. To date, we have not incurred material costs as a result of such obligations and have not accrued any material liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information related to these indemnification arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We consider accounting policies that require significant management judgment and estimates to be critical accounting policies. We review our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to business combinations, revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, contingencies, share-based compensation and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities. In many instances, we could have reasonably used different accounting estimates, and in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period-to-period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected.

Business Combinations

Mergers and acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method, in accordance with accounting guidance for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, we allocate the fair

 

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value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired (“identifiable assets”) and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration when applicable, management makes significant estimates and assumptions.

Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to discount rates and future expected cash flows from customer relationships and developed technology. The fair value of equity and contingent consideration includes estimates and judgments related to the discount rates and future discounted cash flows based on management’s internal forecasts, timing of achievement of milestones and probability-weighted scenarios. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, may differ from estimates.

Other estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 606 using the full retrospective method. We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services.

Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain products may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned.

Our largest source of revenue relates to fees associated with certain arrangements within our Multicloud Services offerings that generally have a fixed term, typically from 12 to 36 months with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure and the level of support we provide. Contracts for our service offerings falling within our Apps & Cross Platform and OpenStack Public Cloud segments and public cloud service offerings within our Multicloud Services segment typically operate on a month-to-month basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty.

We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider our professional services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and we recognize revenue as the services are performed.

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manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their standalone selling price (“SSP”). Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP. We determine the range of prices for estimating SSP for all our performance obligations using observable inputs, such as standalone sales and historical contract pricing. Our estimates of SSP are updated quarterly.

In addition, our customer agreements provide that we will achieve certain service levels related primarily to network uptime, critical infrastructure availability and hardware replacement. We may be obligated to provide service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers to the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed. Credit memos are recognized in the period of service to which they relate.

Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third-party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third-party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third-party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third-party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third-party infrastructure.

Valuation of Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness and specifically identified customer risks. If actual collections of customer receivables differ from our estimates, additional allowances may be required which could have an impact on our results of operations.

Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

In providing services to our customers, we utilize significant amounts of property, equipment and software, which we depreciate on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition-date fair value less accumulated amortization. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Property and equipment under operating and finance leases are included within “Operating right-of-use assets” and “Property, equipment and software, net,” respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating right-of-use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term whereas finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. We routinely review the estimated useful lives of our property, equipment and software and definite-lived intangible assets (“long-lived assets”). A change in the useful life of a long-lived asset is treated as a change in accounting estimate in the period of change and future periods.

Long-lived assets, including operating right-of-use assets and finance lease assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may

 

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not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level and if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value.

We capitalize the salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants who devote time to the development of certain internal-use software projects. Judgment is required in determining whether an enhancement to previously developed software is significant and creates additional functionality to the software, thus resulting in capitalization. All other software development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over the expected useful life of the software, which is generally three years; however, we evaluate the nature and utility of each project which can result in a useful life ranging between one and five years on certain projects.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition.

Application of the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. We test goodwill and our indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Rackspace trade name, for impairment on an annual basis on October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue. We have four reporting units: Private Cloud Services, Managed Public Cloud Services (each of which are a part of the Multicloud Services segment), Apps & Cross Platform and OpenStack Public Cloud.

We estimate the fair values of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name using the discounted cash flow method and relief-from-royalty method, respectively. These calculations require the use of significant estimates and assumptions, such as: (i) the forecasted royalty rate; (ii) the estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal cash flow forecasts; (iii) estimation of the terminal growth rate; (iv) capital spending; (v) estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur; and (vi) determination of our discount rate. The discount rate used is based on our weighted average cost of capital and may be adjusted for risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and in our estimation of future cash flows. The estimates and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name vary from year to year based on operating results, market conditions and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results.

As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2018, we determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud Services reporting unit, which is a component

 

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of our Multicloud Services segment, exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $295 million, resulting in a decrease of approximately 16% in the goodwill allocated to this reporting unit. The impairment was driven by a significant decrease in forecasted revenue and cash flows and a lower long-term growth rate, as current and forecasted industry trends reflected lower demand for traditional managed hosting services. The results of our goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2019 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.

As a result of the annual impairment test, it was determined that the excess of fair value over carrying amount for the Managed Public Cloud Services reporting unit was 10% as of October 1, 2019. Goodwill, net attributed to the Managed Public Cloud Services reporting unit was $812 million as of December 31, 2019.

Contingencies

We accrue for contingent obligations when the obligation is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. As facts concerning contingencies become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to the recorded accrual. Estimates that are particularly sensitive to future changes include those related to tax, legal and other regulatory matters, changes in the interpretation and enforcement of international laws, and the impact of local economic conditions and practices, which are all subject to change as events evolve and as additional information becomes available during the administrative and litigation process. Changes in our estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for share-based awards under the recognition and measurement provisions of ASC 718 (Compensation—Stock Compensation). Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the underlying common stock and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. Determining the grant date fair value of share-based awards with performance vesting conditions and the probability of such awards vesting requires judgment.

As there has been no public market for our common stock since the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016, the estimated fair value of our common stock has been determined by our board of directors as of the grant date of each option grant, with input from management, including consideration of our most recent third-party valuations of our common stock, which are completed periodically throughout the fiscal year.

The third-party valuation specialists use the Income Approach to estimate the value of our equity. Within the Income Approach, the valuation specialists rely upon the Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method, which focuses on our estimated expected cash flow available for distribution to the equityholders. The DCF calculation is prepared based on detailed revenue and expense projections prepared by management as part of its annual budgeting process and reflects the financial and operational facts and circumstances specific to our Company. Significant assumptions impacting the DCF calculation also include expected future capital expenditures, our long-term growth rate, and the applicable discount rate. For purposes of capturing the dilution from outstanding options, the valuation utilizes the Option-Pricing Method (“OPM”). The OPM depends on key assumptions regarding the volatility and time to a liquidity event but does not require explicit estimates of the possible future outcomes. The input and assumptions used in this calculation are total equity value, time to liquidity, expected volatility, dividends, which are all determined by management. A discount for lack of marketability was not applied as its impact was already reflected in the equity value through the

 

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discount rate, given that there were no differential rights attributable to different shareholders (as we have only one class of shares). These estimates are complex, involve a number of variables, uncertainties and assumptions and the application of management’s judgment, as they are inherently subjective. If any assumptions change, the share-based compensation expense for equity awards we may grant in the future could be materially different.

Once a public trading market for our common stock has been established in connection with the completion of this offering, it will no longer be necessary for us to estimate the fair value of our common stock in connection with our accounting for equity awards we may grant, as the fair value of our common stock will be its public market trading price.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

Our effective tax rates may differ from the statutory rate for various reasons, including differences due to the tax impact of foreign operations, research and development tax credits, state taxes, contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions, certain benefits realized related to share-based compensation, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, or from changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customer and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. The assumptions about future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.

Recent Changes in Accounting Standards and Pronouncements

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 606 using the full retrospective method, which requires us to restate each prior period presented. The 2017 and 2018 financial information presented in this prospectus reflects the restated amounts.

We adopted ASC 842, which requires balance sheet recognition for all operating and finance leases, with an effective date of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, whereby a cumulative-effect adjustment was recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the January 1, 2019 adoption date and prior periods presented have not been retrospectively adjusted. As a result, our opening balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 reflected a net addition of $247 million in total assets, mainly due to the recording of right of use assets relating to our operating leases, and a corresponding $191 million increase in total liabilities, mainly reflecting the recording of operating lease liabilities.

 

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On January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12 (Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities), which improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The guidance applies to any existing hedges or new derivative instruments that are designated as hedges for derivative accounting purposes in future periods. We have historically not designated our interest rate swaps or foreign currency hedging contracts as hedges for derivative accounting purposes. However, on January 9, 2020, we designated certain of our interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges. Refer to Note 10 to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included elsewhere in this prospectus for the cash flow hedge disclosures required by the provisions of this guidance.

On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2016-13 (Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments), which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected using an allowance for expected credit losses, to be estimated by management based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. We adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-15 (Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The adoption of this guidance primarily resulted in changes to the presentation of certain implementation costs within our consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

For a more detailed description of ASC 606 and ASC 842 and other accounting pronouncements recently adopted and issued, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Power Prices.    We are a large consumer of power. During 2019, we expensed approximately $42 million that was paid to utility companies to power our data centers, representing approximately 2% of our revenue. Power costs vary by geography, the source of power generation and seasonal fluctuations and are subject to certain proposed legislation that may increase our exposure to increased power costs. We have fixed price power contracts for data centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Jose and London areas that allow us to procure power either on a fixed price or on a variable price basis.

Interest Rates.    We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on our floating-rate debt under our Senior Facilities, which includes a $225 million Revolving Credit Facility (which is expected to be increased to $375 million in connection with this offering) and $2,817 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and therefore our only variable-rate debt outstanding was the $2,817 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. As of the closing of this offering, assuming the Revolving Credit Facility is fully drawn, each 0.125% change in assumed blended interest rates would result in a $4 million change in annual interest expense on indebtedness under the Senior Facilities.

In December 2016, we entered into several floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage our risk from interest rate fluctuations associated with our floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The

 

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remaining three swap agreements in effect as of March 31, 2020 have an aggregate notional amount of $1.05 billion and mature over the next two years. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 1.7625% to 1.9040%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

In December 2018, we entered into four additional floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.35 billion and a maturity date of November 3, 2023. These swaps are forward-starting. As of March 31, 2020, two interest rate swaps agreements, with a notional amount of $300 million, were effective. The remaining agreements become effective each year thereafter to coincide with the maturity dates of the outstanding December 2016 swap agreements. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 2.7350% to 2.7490%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

Foreign Currencies.    We are subject to foreign currency translation risk due to the translation of the results of our subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies to the U.S. dollar, our functional currency. As a result, we discuss our revenue on a constant currency as well as actual basis, highlighting our sensitivity to changes in foreign exchange rates. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Constant Currency Revenue.” While the majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in their respective functional currencies, we also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. During 2019, we recognized foreign currency transaction losses of $1.8 million within “Other income (expense)” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. As we grow our international operations, our exposure to foreign currency translation and transaction risk could become more significant.

We have in the past and may in the future enter into foreign currency hedging instruments to limit our exposure to foreign currency risk.

In November 2017, we entered into three forward contracts. Under the terms of these contracts, we sold a total of £120 million at an average rate of 1.34378 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $161 million. These contracts settled on November 30, 2018 and we received a final net payment of $8 million.

In November 2018, we entered into one forward contract. Under the terms of the contract, we sold £75 million at a rate of 1.3002 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $98 million. This contract settled on November 29, 2019 and we received a final net payment of $1 million.

In November 2019, we entered into two foreign currency net-zero cost collar contracts with an aggregate notional amount of £100 million and a maturity date of November 30, 2020. Under the terms of the contracts, the British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate floats between 1.2375 and 1.3475. On March 26, 2020, we settled one of these contracts, with an aggregate notional amount of £50 million, and we received a final net payment of $1.9 million.

In March 2020, we entered into three forward contracts to manage our exposure to movements in the British pound sterling, Euro, and Mexican peso. All three contracts have a maturity date of June 30, 2020. On the maturity date, the following will occur:

 

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We will sell £32 million at a rate of 1.1902 British pound to U.S. dollar and receive $38.1 million.

 

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We will sell €6 million at a rate of 1.0921 Euro to U.S. dollar and receive $6.6 million.

 

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•

We will sell $2.1 million at a rate of 24.2040 U.S. dollar to Mexican peso and receive MXN$50 million.

See Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information on fixed power contracts, interest rate swaps and foreign currency hedging contracts.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

Our Mission

Embrace technology. Empower customers. Deliver the future.

Our Business

We are a leading end-to-end multicloud technology services company. We design, build and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies. We serve our customers with a unique combination of proprietary technology resulting from over $1 billion of investment and services expertise from a team of highly skilled consultants and engineers. And we provide our customers with unbiased expertise and technology solutions, delivered over the world’s leading cloud services, all wrapped in a Fanatical Experience.

Cloud technology — the on-demand availability of compute, storage and networking — has revolutionized how companies manage their infrastructure and applications, providing businesses with greater flexibility and lower costs compared to legacy technologies. Over the past several years, businesses have adopted cloud solutions not only to drive cost, scale and reliability benefits, but also to create new revenue opportunities, increase their speed of innovation and compete with digital natives. At the same time, businesses are increasingly turning to the use of more than one cloud solution at a time (which we refer to as multicloud) to enhance performance, ensure redundancy and resilience and provide for increased security, compliance and governance. These trends have accelerated in recent periods as businesses create and adapt to new economic and labor models and are increasingly looking for technologies that enable digital transformation and enhance productivity.

The cloud has become the driver of innovation in the enterprise. At the same time, the number of cloud platforms, the diversity of services offered by each platform and the need to adapt to new paradigms create complexity that requires specialized expertise. Many companies lack the in-house resources to navigate this complexity, thereby limiting their ability to realize the full potential of the cloud. We believe this creates an opportunity for a services partner that enables businesses to fully embrace the power of multicloud technologies and, together, deliver incredible customer experiences.

We aim to be our customers’ most trusted advisor and services partner in their path to cloud transformation and to accelerate the value of their cloud investments. We give customers the ability to make fluid decisions when choosing the right technologies, and we recommend solutions based on customers’ unique objectives and workloads, irrespective of the underlying technology stack or deployment option. In this way, we empower our customers to harness the strength of the cloud.

Over the past eight years, we have invested over $1 billion and 12 million hours to develop a robust and proprietary suite of over 200 technology tools, branded solutions and accelerators for our customers. Our proprietary technology includes automation that ranges from service delivery to self-healing infrastructure, giving us the ability to anticipate and proactively respond to opportunities and threats. This toolset ensures consistency in our customers’ experience and allows our Rackers to automate key service and application management processes, freeing up resources to focus on strategic, high-value business opportunities. This drives an efficient business model that has generated revenue per employee of over $372,000 and $375,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, which we believe is ahead of our competitors and in line with leading software-as-a-service companies.

 

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Our customers are served by a family of approximately 6,800 Rackers, including over 2,500 cloud-certified professionals. Our team includes some of the most qualified architects and engineers in the world, with over 2,700 AWS certifications, over 1,000 Google Cloud certifications, over 700 Azure certifications and over 400 VMware certifications worldwide as of May 31, 2020. Our Rackers are at the center of the customer experience — they maintain a hyper-focus on customer experience and satisfaction and are available to our customers 24x7x365 by phone, chat, email or web portal.

We have a culture of innovation that permeates all that we do. Our Rackers gather insights from customers, cloud partners and each other to design, implement and operate some of the most advanced cloud environments. With our deep technical expertise, we build alongside our customers to solve their most complex business challenges and explore their most promising business opportunities. Rackers are on the front lines of cloud technology and are often among the first to utilize the latest capabilities of the cloud when launching new solutions with our cloud partners. Our partnerships, Rackers and culture combine to ensure that we are at the forefront of major trends in technology, including cloud native application development, Internet of Things and containers. This expertise—and our ability to deliver it effectively—enables our customers to innovate faster and stay ahead of their competition.

Our business benefits from a highly efficient go-to-market strategy given our large installed base of recurring revenue. Our sales efforts are led primarily by a team of over 900 quota-bearing representatives and customer success managers. Our ecosystem of over 3,000 partners serves as an extension of our direct sales force, providing a source of additional new business opportunities. Our customer engagement model begins with our professional services, where we partner with a customer to assess its objectives and design the best cloud strategy to meet its needs, and continues with our flexible recurring service offerings.

We deliver our services to a global customer base through an integrated service delivery model. We have a presence in more than 60 cities around the world. This footprint allows us to better serve customers based in various countries, especially multinational companies requiring cross-border solutions.

Our success has been recognized by third parties and customers alike. We served over 120,000 customers across 120 countries as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, including more than half of the Fortune 100. Gartner has recognized us as a Leader in its 2020 report, Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure Professional and Managed Services, Worldwide, for the fourth year in a row. We have received several industry awards, including VMware’s Global Partner of the Year Award for Social Impact in 2020, Google Cloud’s Specialization Partner of the Year for Infrastructure in 2019 and the Red Hat Innovation Award in 2017. Additionally, we believe we are one of the leading consulting partners for Amazon Web Services, with 14 competencies as of March 31, 2020.

Our Transformation

Our predecessor company was founded in 1998. Historically, we focused on providing outsourced, dedicated IT infrastructure. Since the Rackspace Acquisition, we have transformed our business in several ways:

 

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Core offerings and service expertise. We have invested in multiple high growth service offerings, including multicloud services, professional services, managed security and data services. In this process, we established one of the broadest partner ecosystems across the technology industry, including infrastructure partners such as AWS, Google, Microsoft and VMware, and application leaders such as Oracle, Salesforce, SAP and others. Additionally, we have made a series of transformative acquisitions to expand our cloud services capabilities and increase our geographic reach.

 

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Go-to-market. In 2016, our sales process was focused on the sale of a narrow group of point products, most notably our OpenStack Public Cloud and Single Tenant (managed hosting) offerings. Today, our sales process uses a professional services-driven approach, providing holistic multicloud solutions to meet our customers’ objectives and evolving those solutions over the full lifecycle of their cloud journey. We also have increased our focus on serving enterprise customers, which we define as companies that generate $1 billion or more in revenue per year.

 

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Investment in proprietary technology and automation capabilities. We have made significant investments to develop proprietary internal systems and tools for our customers. These include automation, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and proprietary tools that make our services even more reliable and easier to use and extend our advantage over both our competitors and our customers’ ability to replicate these efficiencies on their own.

 

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Management team. In April 2019, we announced the hiring of our new CEO, Kevin Jones, and, in July 2019, we announced the hiring of our new CFO, Dustin Semach, and our new COO, Subroto Mukerji. In addition to these executives, we have made additional new hires across the executive leadership team, bringing in new talent with relevant experience across the IT services and technology landscape. Collectively, our executive leadership team benefits from over 150 years of cumulative experience at large technology companies, many with direct experience leading businesses through major transformation initiatives including product introductions and M&A.

Today, we are a trusted partner to the cloud ecosystem. We maintain close relationships with major cloud infrastructure and application vendors, enabling us to provide our customers with complete, unbiased multicloud services, all through our single customer interface. We no longer actively market our OpenStack Public Cloud service, which once was competitive with hyperscale public cloud platforms and was highly capital intensive, in order to focus our resources on growing our multicloud services portfolio.

Our transformation has also benefited our financial model in several key ways:

 

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We have increased the percentage of our revenue from segments which we believe benefit from attractive growth dynamics. In 2019, over 85% of our revenues came from our Core Segments. In contrast, in the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, less than 10% of our revenue came from our Cloud Office and Managed Cloud Services service offerings.

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Core Revenue was $589.4 million, representing a 6% increase, on a constant currency basis, and a 5% increase, on an actual basis, over the three months ended March 31, 2019, giving effect to our acquisition of Onica in November 2019 as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019. This compares to year-over-year revenue growth of 3%, on a constant currency basis, and 0%, on an actual basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 our last completed fiscal quarter as a public company prior to the closing of the Rackspace Acquisition, based on the public company’s core service offerings at such time, which were Single Tenant (managed hosting) and OpenStack Public Cloud, and excluding Cloud Office and Managed Cloud Services.

 

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We have decreased our capital intensity, which we define as total capital expenditures as a percentage of total revenue, from 16% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, to 9% for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020.

 

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The Rise of Multicloud

Adoption of cloud solutions has occurred in waves over the last decade:

 

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Early (early 2010s): Early adopters of cloud solutions included various technology leaders and cloud-native businesses. These businesses embraced the novelty of cloud architectures, shifting away from their historical use of legacy on-premises infrastructure and building entire operations and revenue streams on cloud services.

 

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Mainstream (mid-2010s): Motivated by the value that cloud technologies unlocked for early adopters, more technology-focused mid-market and enterprise businesses turned to the cloud. Many of these businesses focused on reducing costs and enhancing scale and reliability, but did not embrace the people, process and technology changes required to create new revenue streams and enhance customer experiences.

 

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Modern (Present day): Today, businesses are adopting cloud-native principles, embracing agile techniques and adapting their business practices to maximize the benefits of the modern cloud. In addition, more businesses are turning to multicloud solutions to match individual workloads with the best cloud technology stack and the best deployment model; in the Gartner Multicloud: Why It Matters report, “81% of survey respondents who use public cloud were currently working with two or more external public service providers.” In response to this need for multicloud solutions, cloud technology vendors that have historically focused on public cloud solutions are offering private cloud solutions to provide maximum flexibility for their customers. Similarly, several technology vendors that have historically focused on private cloud technologies are offering public cloud alternatives.

As more businesses adopt multicloud technologies, they are faced with an increasing number of complexities, including migration to and between clouds, siloed workloads and defending against increasing security threats. Moreover, more businesses are looking into ways to use their cloud technologies to enhance commercial opportunities and customer experiences and create new avenues for growth. We believe this creates a large and growing opportunity for services partners that are able to offer multicloud services in a way which offers customers the best technologies for their workloads, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model, and enables customers to maximize the value of their cloud investments.

Our Opportunity

We believe that a paradigm shift is underway; today’s businesses are increasingly under pressure to move away from self-managed IT solutions and utilize multicloud technologies to compete effectively in a digital economy, resulting in a tailwind for technology and service providers that possess deep expertise in these areas. Our market opportunity represents the demand for cloud technology services. According to the Gartner Forecast: IT Services, Worldwide, 2018-2024, 2Q20 Update, the managed services and cloud infrastructure services market worldwide is estimated to be $410 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow 7% annually to $502 billion in 2023.

Our existing customer base represents a large opportunity for further penetration and revenue expansion. As of March 31, 2020, we served over 120,000 customers across all sizes, including enterprises with greater than $1 billion of revenue, mid-market businesses with between $300 million and $1 billion of revenue, and small and medium businesses (“SMBs”) with less than $300 million of revenue. We estimate our market opportunity with only existing customers to be potentially over $80 billion today, including over $38 billion for enterprise customers, over $24 billion for mid-market customers, and over $18 billion for SMB customers. We arrive at these figures by multiplying our customers’ revenues by our estimate of IT spend as a percentage of their revenues.

 

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We believe a significant portion of our market opportunity remains unpenetrated today, and is expected to increase as businesses increase their spend on multicloud technologies and the services associated with them. According to the Gartner Forecast Analysis: Infrastructure Services, Worldwide report, “by 2021, 75% of enterprise customers seeking cloud managed infrastructure will require multicloud capabilities from a cloud managed services provider (MSP), up from 30% in 2018.” As this trend continues, we believe there is an opportunity to increase our revenue as businesses increase the scope of their cloud investments and increase their spend with cloud services partners. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from this trend, as we have introduced new technologies and business models to the IT services industry, replacing traditional approaches to IT services and disrupting various well-established IT services and technology vendors.

Our Integrated Services Portfolio

We serve our customers through an integrated services portfolio organized in two segments — Multicloud Services and Apps & Cross Platform. The services across these two segments are described in more detail below:

 

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Multicloud Services: Our Multicloud Services segment includes our public and private cloud managed services offerings, as well as professional services related to designing and building multicloud solutions and cloud-native applications. We offer an integrated suite of managed services offerings across our private cloud, the leading public clouds and colocation. Our managed cloud services help customers determine, manage and optimize the right infrastructure, platforms and services on which to deploy their applications to achieve the best performance, agility, security and cost efficiency. We also help customers establish governance, operational and architectural frameworks to mitigate risks and reduce inefficiencies, so they can manage costs, achieve industry-specific compliance objectives and improve security.

Within our Multicloud Services segment, we offer the following services:

 

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Private cloud: These service offerings provide compute, storage and applications accessed by a specific customer, either with a cloud management layer (in managed private cloud) or without one (in managed hosting). We offer managed private clouds powered by leading technologies like VMware, Microsoft and OpenStack in our data centers as well as in those owned by customers or by third parties such as colocation providers. We also offer managed VMware on AWS, delivering an increasingly popular hybrid combination. We offer managed hosting in our own data centers, on Linux or Windows servers. Our private cloud offerings can be used with or without virtualization software. Some applications, including high-intensity databases and video games, typically achieve higher performance and cost-efficiency on bare-metal servers. Other applications run better on virtualized servers. Customers who run legacy applications or larger scale modern enterprise applications, and/or have high requirements for security, compliance and control, typically find that private cloud solutions are preferable to do-it-yourself public or private cloud alternatives.

 

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Managed public cloud: These offerings address the challenges of managing applications and data on the AWS, Azure and Google Cloud public clouds. We bundle the underlying public cloud infrastructure with our expertise and experience, managed services and proprietary tools. While the infrastructure providers are responsible for their data centers, servers, storage, networking and operating system software, we help customers navigate, migrate, architect and deploy their applications on those leading public cloud platforms. After a migration, we manage, secure and optimize the customer’s environments on an ongoing basis using our tools, automation and expertise, while supporting the customer with robust service level agreements. These offerings do not require us to commit significant capital expenditures given that third parties provide the infrastructure.

 

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Apps & Cross Platform: Our Apps & Cross Platform segment includes managed applications, managed security and data services, as well as professional services related to designing and implementing application, security and data services.

 

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Managed applications: Our managed application services include running large-scale software-as-a-services (SaaS) applications for customers on our and public cloud infrastructure, such as Oracle, Salesforce, SAP and Office 365. This includes key functions such as: managing a customer’s applications and performing key functions such as account management and scaling up or down of required cloud resources. Additionally, we manage productivity and collaboration applications such as email and hosted Microsoft SharePoint.

 

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Managed security: We provide fully-integrated security solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with our in-house Security Operations Center to provide customers with threat detection, analysis and remediation capabilities. Additionally, we have integrated security platforms into our management tools to give our customers one view of their organization’s vulnerability and threats.

We offer additional managed security services to customers in the areas of (i) security threat assessment and prevention, (ii) proactive threat detection and response, (iii) rapid remediation, (iv) governance, risk and compliance assistance across multiple cloud platforms and (v) Privacy and Data Protection services, including detailed access restrictions and reporting. Our 24x7x365 Customer Security Operations Center is staffed by experienced Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security analysts.

 

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Data services: We help customers use their data to further innovate by providing services and expertise for data extraction, transformation, ingestion, storage and analysis. We utilize both traditional analytics platforms and new, machine learning approaches to build repeatable, scalable and automated platforms that extract meaningful insights. Our developers, administrators and cloud and data analytics architects are skilled across a full range of database services, including managed relational databases (Oracle, SAP, SQL Server and MySQL), big data (Hadoop), managed NoSQL (MongoDB) and managed SAP HANA. Our data services are offered both through our managed services subscriptions and through our professional services offerings.

We deliver professional services across our entire portfolio, including multicloud solutions, applications, security and data. As part of our professional services process, we meet customers at every stage of their cloud journey and design solutions focused on modernizing their infrastructure and applications to enhance the value of their cloud technologies. This process often serves as the starting point for new business opportunities; following our initial professional services engagement, a customer will typically use any combination of our managed services under long-term contracts, and will often use our professional services multiple times as their technology needs continue to evolve.

In addition to our integrated services portfolio described above, we also offer our customers our OpenStack Public Cloud solution, our third reporting segment. This offering appeals to customers who (i) want to run applications on a public cloud that is built on open-source technology with no risk of vendor lock-in; (ii) value the expertise and exceptional customer service for which we are renowned; and (iii) want their public cloud and managed hosting platforms to work smoothly together, through technologies such as our proprietary RackConnect tool. While we expect to continue to offer our OpenStack Public Cloud solution, we ceased to actively market it to customers in 2017.

 

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Our Technology Platform

Our technology platform is at the center of the Fanatical Experience that we deliver to customers. Our technologies focus on removing the complexities of multicloud deployments, unifying compelling aspects of the experience for our customers and enabling us to deliver scalable solutions.

 

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Innovative automation drives efficiency for us and our customers, enabling us to rapidly and consistently deliver our solutions across multiple products and clouds at scale. Rackspace Business Automation is a custom platform developed to handle over 8 million events and over 1 billion actions per month across physical devices, virtual devices, systems and tools; data center automation provides services and applications to automate provisioning, configuring and the decommissioning of data center infrastructure; and UIPath Robotic Process Automation is deployed across our business to automate repetitive tasks. We can automate 62% of customer support workloads and we have automated over 6,000 unique processes.

 

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AIOps is a new field of software that combines monitoring, machine learning and automation to enhance IT operations. Our AIOps platform correlates monitoring events across our customers’ physical and virtual devices into a single incident or problem, significantly reducing the time to resolution for complex incidents. We developed a first of its kind multi-tenant AIOps solution that processes millions of compliance-related events each month.

 

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Predictive operations enables our data scientists to build sophisticated models to provide actionable insights to our business leaders, increasing our agility and ability to identify opportunities that enhance our customer relationships.

 

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Self-service APIs enable our customers to access data and resources programmatically, extending our automation and service delivery into their native tools and processes. We support integration with our ticketing systems to enable two-way integrated support workflows, and billing system integration to enable access to consolidated billing data in multicloud environments. Additionally, our pre-built integration with ServiceNow enables enterprise customers to simplify connectivity between our tools and ServiceNow.

 

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MyRackspace and other portals and associated mobile apps service over 200,000 active monthly users and support product specific self-service, insights, account management, security management, ticketing and billing. The portals are unified with our custom framework and design language, Pilot and Helix, providing a consistent experience and integrated navigation between our product lines and features. Our custom identity management system authenticates access to our user interfaces and APIs, handling over 1 billion requests per month. This includes federation capabilities to integrate with our customers’ identity providers.

 

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Unified billing enables us to deliver an integrated single invoice for customers across all multicloud deployments. Our systems extract and rerate bills from public cloud hyperscalers and merge data from our products and services to generate a single invoice each month, while applying sophisticated billing and discount models.

 

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Service management applications ensure scale, speed, quality and consistency in our service delivery. These applications, including our custom CORE and Encore tools, support configurable rules and routing engines, integrated escalation management, detailed queue management and management visibility and reporting. These tools are augmented with sophisticated workforce management solutions to manage work shifts by utilizing historical data and trends across ticketing, chat and telephony, to maintain and appropriately staff our 24x7x365 operations.

 

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Our Differentiation

We offer solutions that are differentiated from our peers and drive a continuous cycle of product innovation and product development, while delivering a Fanatical Experience. These solutions both enable and are enabled by several key factors:

Focus on delivering strategic outcomes: Our value proposition to customers includes a focus on solving strategic business problems, rather than selling a product or group of products in a point sale. Our customers are able to use our services to drive new revenue streams and enhance the value of their cloud investments, which may include collecting data to create new product offerings and applications, connecting workloads between clouds or automatically scaling cloud usage to match demand. This has resulted in a growth opportunity within our customer base; the number of customers that contributed over $1 million to our revenue in a given fiscal year increased at a compound annual growth rate of 24% between 2017 and 2019.

Unified service experience for the multicloud: We have developed Rackspace Fabric, a multi-tenant, end-to-end service management platform enabling our customers to access all of our supported clouds and all of our managed services from a single, web-based interface. This technology provides customers with a toolkit to including unified billing, a central security model, unified ticketing and support interactions. This technology provides our customers with a consistent experience across all clouds and enables us to deliver a scalable and efficient means of offering our Fanatical Experience to over 120,000 customers worldwide.

Unparalleled service expertise: Our business benefits from a family of approximately 6,800 Rackers, including over 2,500 cloud-certified professionals. This group’s qualifications span across all of the major technology stacks and cloud solutions used by our customers, including over 2,700 AWS certifications, over 1,000 for Google Cloud, over 700 for Azure and over 400 for VMware as of May 31, 2020. This expertise provides our clients with services expertise at a level we believe to be unmatched by our peers and allows us to sustain our competitive advantage over competing technology vendors.

Efficient go-to-market enabled by close customer relationships: Our go-to-market model includes an integrated direct sales platform led by our team of over 300 sales representatives and over 600 service delivery managers. Following an initial deployment, we are constantly engaged with our customers, proactively looking for opportunities to enhance the value of their cloud investments and evolving our solutions with their needs over time. This approach provides customers with a single trusted advisor across all cloud environments, irrespective of technology stack or deployment option. Our close customer and partner relationships drive an efficient go-to-market strategy, with sales efficiencies we believe are unmatched by competing companies. Recurring revenue comprised more than 95% of our revenue in 2019. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019, among our customers with Annual Recurring Revenue of over $100,000 (a group which comprised over 75% of our revenue), over 50% were using multiple services.

Differentiated relationships with technology partners: We benefit from differentiated partnerships with major public and private cloud vendors, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and VMware. We work with our partners’ sales teams to offer bundled solutions through a single go-to-market effort. Additionally, we have insight into our partners’ product roadmaps (and vice versa), providing critical inputs for both sides to develop complementary services and technology. We believe these relationships are beneficial to us, our customers and our partners; we and our partners both receive critical inputs for further innovation and benefit from joint go-to-market initiatives, while our customers are able to maximize their use of innovative technologies more efficiently, reduce time-to-market and remain competitive.

 

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Customizable consumption of services: Our service model enables customers to adapt their consumption of our services with the evolving needs of their businesses. Rackspace Service Blocks are packages of services tailored to address specific cloud use cases and enable a customized consumption model whereby customers can match their cloud needs with the associated spend. Rackspace Service Blocks allow our customers to maintain greater agility, performance and cost-efficiency as compared to traditional IT services contracts. Additionally, this structure provides us with a platform for cross-sell and up-sell opportunities with customers over time, resulting in a land-and-expand model in which customers increase their use of our services as their cloud needs evolve.

Fanatical Experience: The Fanatical Experience that we deliver to our customers is the foundation of the trust our customers place in us when they choose us to build, manage and operate their cloud environments. That process encompasses everything from the way we recruit, interview and test prospective employees; to the way we continuously train new and veteran employees in the latest technologies; to the way we make the specialized expertise of global Rackers available to customers 24x7x365 by phone, chat, email or web portal; to the way we empower Rackers to invest in new research and development projects; to our hyperfocus on customer experience and satisfaction; and to the way we leverage automation and proprietary tools and processes to make our services highly reliable and easy for our customers to use. We use monitoring tools to perform over 5 million checks of our customers’ cloud environments every five minutes to proactively identify issues and take action, and we receive over 500,000 monthly customer knowledge-based visits to our website. This has resulted in compelling metrics for us, including an average NPS of 44 for the three month period ended May 31, 2020, indicative of the quality of our customer experience.

Our Growth Strategies

In order to continue to drive growth and capture our large market opportunity, key elements of our growth strategies include:

Continue to innovate: We are a leader in cloud services across multicloud environments and will continue to invest in and grow our expertise and service offerings in major technology ecosystems such as cybersecurity, big data, containers, serverless computing and the Internet of Things. However, our market share within the overall cloud industry remains relatively low, providing us with significant opportunity to increase wallet share from both new and existing customers. We intend to continue to add new technology capabilities and professional services expertise in order to best serve our customers and increase revenue from new and existing customers.

Drive sales execution: We plan to continue executing on several sales initiatives that are designed to drive continued growth in our business. These include investment in our sales force productivity measures, greater focus on opportunities with enterprise customers and larger deal sizes.

Expand geographic reach: We believe there is significant need for our solutions on a global basis and, accordingly, opportunity for us to grow our business through further international expansion as these markets increase their use of multicloud solutions. As a result, we have made significant investments in expanding our presence in Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia Pacific and Japan (“APJ”). As of December 31, 2019, over 1,100 and 1,200 of our employees were based in EMEA and APJ, respectively. We intend to add international sales team members to take advantage of this market opportunity while refining our go-to-market approach based on local market dynamics.

Leverage and expand our partner ecosystem: We benefit from close relationships with our cloud partners, allowing us to provide comprehensive multicloud services to our customers, and providing us with a source of new business opportunities and inputs for future product roadmaps. Additionally, we maintain the highest levels of partner status with the leading cloud partners. We intend to expand relationships with existing partners and build on new ones.

 

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Pursue strategic acquisitions: We benefit from a strong platform for integrating complementary capabilities and service offerings. We have a disciplined and selective approach for evaluating new acquisition opportunities, and our management team has significant experience integrating acquired targets. We intend to continue to explore potential transactions that could enhance our capabilities, increase the scope of our technology footprint or expand our geographic reach.

Our Competition

We believe our technology and services expertise positions us well to compete with other technology and services providers. We face competition primarily from:

 

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In-house IT departments of our customers and potential customers provide services for their respective organizations, but typically need help scaling large technology environments and maximizing the value from their cloud investments, especially when speed, cost and innovation are key constraints.

 

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Traditional global IT systems integrators, such as Accenture, Atos, CapGemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, DXC Technology and IBM, offer consulting and outsourcing, in a labor intensive model, for large enterprise customers. Many of these businesses largely support legacy technologies and, where cloud capabilities exist, legacy revenue streams disincentivize these companies from fully embracing cloud technologies.

 

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Cloud service providers and digital systems integrators provide either consultation and implementation services for digital workflows or cloud services for a single cloud vendor. The solutions offered by these companies are often narrow in scope, and are not well suited for companies with complex multicloud objectives.

 

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Regional managed services providers use a local go-to-market approach, and provide cloud services within a single region or few regions. These companies are unable to serve the full needs of multinational customers.

 

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Colocation providers, such as Equinix, CyrusOne and QTS, provide secure environments for hardware and access to network connectivity. We believe that these companies provide limited services differentiation, and their customers do not benefit from the economics of cloud-based technologies.

We believe the principal competitive factors in our market include, but are not limited to:

 

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Focus on the cloud

 

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Technology and services expertise

 

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Customer experience

 

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Speed of innovation

 

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Strength of relationships with technology partners

 

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Automation and scalability

 

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Standardized operational processes

 

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Geographic reach

 

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Brand recognition and reputation

 

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Price

We believe that we compare favorably on the basis of the factors listed above. However, many of our competitors have: substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; relationships

 

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with large vendor partners; larger global presence; larger customer bases; longer operating histories; greater brand recognition; and more established relationships in the industry than we do. Furthermore, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships or strategic relationships.

Our Customers

We serve a wide range of customers across geography, size and industry.

 

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Geography. We serve a global customer base. As of March 31, 2020, we served over 120,000 customers in over 120 countries.

 

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Size. We have a strong presence with customers of all sizes, including large global enterprises, mid-market businesses and SMBs, which we define to be made up of customers with total revenue in excess of $1 billion, between $300 million and $1 billion and less than $300 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, our customer base included approximately 1,500 enterprises, 1,750 mid-market businesses and 120,000 SMBs.

 

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Industry. We serve customers across all sectors, including highly regulated industries with firm technology requirements across security, compliance and governance.

We have low customer concentration; no customer represented 2% or more of our total revenue in 2019. We benefit from strong customer satisfaction as evidenced by our average NPS score of 44 for the three month period ended May 31, 2020, which we believe to be well ahead of many of our peers.

Representative customers by industry vertical are listed below:

 

Financial Services		Healthcare & Public Sector		Media & Technology		Retail, Consumer & Leisure
Banwire Charles River Equis GoCompare Metro Bank Trading Point		British Heart Foundation Feeding America National Kidney Registry Oxfam Teva		Envizi Invotra LiveNation Synchronoss		Dominos HK Express Payless ReviewPro Under Armour Wyndham

Customer Case Studies

The following are representative examples of how some of our customers have benefited from using our Company:

Envizi

Industry: Technology

Geography: APJ

Situation: Based in Australia, Envizi is a market leader in data and analytics software and has been a Rackspace Technology customer for over nine years. Envizi began working with Rackspace Technology when it sought an experienced cloud partner to support the migration of its on-premise IT environment to AWS.

Solution: Rackspace Technology started with a cloud readiness assessment and developed an overall application modernization strategy for Envizi. This included creating a multi-tenant architecture

 

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design as part of the cloud migration, including Service Blocks to support scalability. Post-migration, Envizi retained Rackspace Technology to provide ongoing managed services across three areas: (1) ongoing managed cloud services for its AWS environment, (2) ongoing managed security services and (3) ongoing managed database services. In addition, Rackspace Technology is developing analytics solutions using Rackspace Technology’s machine learning and AI capabilities.

Result: By partnering with Rackspace Technology, Envizi has been able to maintain a geographically-dispersed infrastructure under one common framework provided by Rackspace Fabric. As Envizi brings more customers on to its platform and its data grows, the solution Rackspace Technology helped design provides Envizi with a simple scalable approach with predictable costs. This allows Envizi to better meet clients’ data and privacy compliance requirements as it scales its business globally.

Metro Bank

Industry: Financial Services

Geography: EMEA

Situation: Metro Bank is a retail and commercial bank operating in the United Kingdom, founded in 2010. Beginning in 2015, Metro Bank was looking to transition its IT operations to a more robust, agile and scalable managed environment as it doubled its number of stores in the UK.

Solution: Rackspace Technology helped Metro Bank transition off of its on-premise IT system to a VMware managed private cloud, leveraging Rackspace Technology’s professional services, data services, and security services to support Metro Bank’s continual growth and the demanding regulatory requirements of the financial services industry. Aligning culture, processes, governance, and strategic objectives were fundamental to Metro Bank recognizing Rackspace Technology as a true extension of its internal IT capability and trusted partner in their future.

Result: After the initial 12-month migration project was delivered on time, on budget and without any downtime to customers, close of business processes were 50% quicker and vital reports that used to take hours could now be produced in just 20 minutes. Today, Rackspace Technology also assists Metro Bank with cloud transition objectives through Managed Public Cloud services and advising on the digital transformation that Metro Bank is undertaking to continually evolve the service it provides its customers as it further disrupts the banking sector.

Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

Industry: Retail

Geography: AMER

Situation: Payless ShoeSource (“Payless”) is an international footwear chain with a global presence spanning over 30 countries. Payless began working with Rackspace Technology in 2017 to migrate several on-premise applications to the cloud. Following a recent corporate restructuring, Payless partnered with Rackspace Technology to continue their cloud transformation and to support the development of an entirely new IT environment in the cloud. Payless expects to complete this transformation in early 2021.

Solution: Payless turned to Rackspace Technology to provide cloud transformation services that included developing a strategy and plan to put Payless into a new client-native environment. The multicloud services engagement consisted of three phases: (1) cloud readiness assessment, (2) cloud migration, and (3) application modernization and ongoing management. Enabled by Rackspace

 

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Technology, Payless has successfully re-factored applications and migrated them from its legacy system into a mutlicloud environment. Underpinning this effort was Rackspace Fabric, which helped simplify ongoing management of the new environment. Because of this effort’s success, Payless continues to leverage data and other application services from Rackspace Technology.

Result: Rackspace Technology’s solution is expected to lead to a 40% reduction in monthly datacenter and hosting fees for Payless. In addition, Rackspace Technology’s focus on Fanatical Experience led to a flexible commercial arrangement that reflects Payless’ recent restructuring. This will help accelerate Payless’ overall cloud transformation journey and help refocus internal efforts on its core business.

Synchronoss Technologies

Industry: Technology

Geography: Americas

Situation: Synchronoss Technologies is a global leader in SaaS-based cloud solutions and messaging platforms for major telecommunications companies. Prior to engaging Rackspace Technology in 2018, Synchronoss was spending a disproportionate amount of its time and resources to manage over 60,000 terabytes of subscriber data, which was incidental to its core software business. In an effort to optimize the management of this incidental data and to enable it to better focus on its core business, Synchronoss looked for a partner to help it structure its optimal cloud, data, and application strategies.

Solution: Synchronoss selected Rackspace Technology to implement its strategy to migrate workloads to a multicloud environment, which included a mix of on-premise, AWS public cloud solutions, and Rackspace Technology’s private cloud solutions. Rackspace Technology assisted Synchronoss in successfully migrating and optimizing thousands of terabytes of storage with no interruptions or down time. As a result, Rackspace Technology continues to support Synchronoss’ cloud journey by providing ongoing private cloud services and professional services.

Result: Rackspace Technology’s solutions have allowed Synchronoss to focus on its core software business while building a platform to scale. As of today, only 18 months after beginning to work together, Synchronoss is processing orders of magnitude more data than it previously processed in the public cloud. As a result of the partnership Synchronoss is able to consume that data more quickly, more efficiently, and with a superior cost structure, enhancing its customers’ experience and driving overall growth.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

Industry: Hospitality & Travel

Geography: Americas

Situation: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (Wyndham) is an international hotel and resort company with a portfolio of 20 brands, 9,300 hotels, and a presence in 90 countries. Prior to its initial engagement with Rackspace Technology in December 2017, Wyndham was operating an outdated IT infrastructure, and sought to overcome 30 years of technical debt by transitioning to the cloud without any disruptions to its operations.

Solution: Wyndham chose Rackspace Technology’s solutions in part for their industry expertise and deep relationships with partners. Rackspace Technology did an assessment of Wyndham’s business and IT transformation objectives and helped Wyndham with its migration to a multicloud

 

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environment. Rackspace Technology helped Wyndham identify a private cloud solution through VMware and co-location and managed public cloud through AWS. This includes automated scaling of cloud resources and performance updates. Additionally, Wyndham engaged Rackspace Technology’s managed security and other application services to support its ongoing operations.

Outcome: A year into the transition, Wyndham estimates that it has realized a significant return on investment with cost savings of 45%. Stability, a key goal for Wyndham, has improved from roughly 98.5% to more than 99.9% and it is on track to reach “five nines”. Improved stability has translated to a jump in IT service desk performance as well. Issues that took as long as six days before Wyndham Hotels spun off now take a little over a day to resolve. Despite a 14% increase in volume, the service desk has seen a 47% decrease in resolution time year over year with the overall cloud strategy. With full integration into Rackspace Technology’s monitoring solutions, the service desk also receives real-time alerts on system health further improving stability with faster response times.

Our Approach to Partnerships

We benefit from differentiated partnerships with all major public and private cloud vendors, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and VMware. These partnerships provide us with a competitive advantage unmatched by our competitors, spanning across multiple disciplines, including:

 

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Comprehensive Alignment: We work with major technology partners through a systematic engagement model across six key areas of our business: executive, alliances, solutions, marketing, sales and service delivery, to ensure alignment on key initiatives. We operate strategic programs that include solutions milestones, performance reviews and long-term strategic initiatives.

 

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New business opportunities. Our sales teams and pre-sales engineering experts work with sales teams at technology partners to offer bundled solutions through a combined go-to-market effort. This results in a more compelling value proposition and greater value for our mutual customer. We believe our partners view us as a top services partner for their cloud technologies, as we are often cited as a ‘go-to’ services vendor for new business opportunities.

 

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Innovative Solutions. We work closely with our partners’ product engineering teams as the baseline for our roadmap development and to provide input into our partners’ development plan. This critical input allows both us and our partners to develop complementary services and technology. This has enabled us to stay at the forefront of innovation well before our competitors and develop services and tools around emerging technologies such as cloud-native application development, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

We believe these relationships are beneficial to us, our partners and our customers. We and our partners both receive critical inputs for further innovation and benefit from joint go-to-market initiatives, while our customers are able to maximize their use of innovative technologies more efficiently, reduce time-to-market and remain competitive.

Sales and Marketing

Our services are sold via a global direct sales teams of over 300 sales representatives and over 600 service delivery managers as of March 31, 2020, through third-party channel partners and through online orders on our website. Our sales model is based on both distributed and centralized sales teams with leads generated from customer referrals, channel partners and corporate marketing efforts.

Professional services are at the core of our consultative sales model and often serve as the gateway to our platform. For new business opportunities, our professional services organization engages

 

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closely with a customer to assess and design the best cloud solution for that customer. This is often the first step toward a long-term services agreement with a customer where we manage a customer’s cloud operations and give them the flexibility to evolve their spend with us as their needs change over time.

Our network of 3,000 channel and technology partners as of March 31, 2020 also plays an important role in our sales efforts. Our channel partners, including management and technical consultancies, technology integrators, software application providers, value-added resellers and web developers, serve as a source of new business opportunities, primarily for small and medium-sized customers. Our technology partners serve as an extension of our sales force, often leading to new business opportunities as their customers recognize the need for a services partner to make the best use of their technology investments. In some cases, we collaborate directly with these partners on go-to-market efforts.

Our Customer Success team includes over 600 Rackers and engages in client relationship, contract management, managing deliverables, client retention, and growth of our install base. This team is responsible for understanding the existing customers’ changing business needs and translating them into IT requirements, resulting in successful project execution or alignment of our other service offerings.

We have a full life cycle marketing plan that leverages a mix of initiatives. Our goal is market awareness of the unique value we bring to our customers in an ever-changing multicloud world. Through a series of automation and digital experiences, we provide awareness of our multicloud expertise, vast partner network, proven leadership and customer success-driven culture that thrives on Fanatical Experience. We leverage customer success stories to best describe how we work with customers and partners to produce compelling content. Our global brand marketing, Solving Together, is focused on thought leadership, media and public relations, virtual and in-person event marketing, an interactive social media plan, search engine optimization and digital advertising to drive awareness and credibility. Our global website is published in four languages across 18 regions and serves as our window to the market. For our solution marketing initiatives, we have a mix of digital display advertising, nurture automation, content syndication, social media and webinars to nurture our vast customer base for cross sell/upsell opportunities. Our experts participate in worldwide speaking engagements and contribute to several media outlets, always alongside our customers and partners.

Our Culture

At the heart of our customers’ Fanatical Experience is our unique culture.

At Rackspace Technology, we invest in the recruitment, development and retention of our Rackers. Inclusion and diversity is a top priority for our company; we cultivate top talent from around the world with diverse backgrounds and a range of expertise.

We offer Rackers’ various professional development opportunities through Rackspace University, along with award winning Onboarding and Leadership development programs, enabling them to enhance their capabilities across technologies and further their professional growth. Additionally, we are regularly recognized as a best place to work by Great Place to Work Institute, Fortune, Forbes, Glassdoor, Military Times, and the Human Rights Foundation Best Places to Work for LGBTQ and more.

Our Rackers are passionate about serving our communities as well. Rackspace Technology provides 24 hours of paid time for each Racker to volunteer, averaging a total of over 27,000 volunteer hours annually. The Rackspace Foundation, a Racker-funded nonprofit organization, has contributed over $5 million to date in support of education improvements in local schools.

 

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Our Employees

As of May 31, 2020, we employed approximately 6,800 Rackers in 15 countries, including 4,400 Rackers in North America, 1,200 Rackers in EMEA, 1,100 in APJ and 100 Rackers in Australia and New Zealand. Of our North American Rackers, approximately 2,100 work from our corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. As of May 31, 2020, approximately 20% of all Rackers were classified as work-from-home. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor have we experienced any work stoppages.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, service mark and trade secret laws in the U.S., the European Union, the U.K. and various countries in Asia and South America, along with contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including with respect to our data offerings and services. However, these laws and contractual restrictions provide only limited protection. For example, we do not have any patent rights related to our proprietary tools, technology, processes and systems, including Rackspace Fabric, and rely on confidentiality agreements to protect such proprietary rights.

We have trademarks registered or pending in the U.S., the European Union and various countries in Asia and South America for our name and certain words and phrases that we use in our business, and we rely on copyright laws and licenses to use and protect software and certain other elements of our proprietary technologies. We also enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and consultants and confidentiality agreements with other third parties, and we actively monitor access to our proprietary technologies. In addition, we license third-party software, open source software and other technologies that are used in the provision of or incorporated into some elements of our services. Many parts of our business are significantly reliant on proprietary technology and/or licensed technology, including open source software.

We have patents issued as well as patent applications pending in the U.S. and the European Union, primarily related to our historical, legacy offerings such as OpenStack Public Cloud. We cannot assure you that any of our patent applications will result in the issuance of a patent or whether the examination process will require us to narrow the scope of the claims sought. Our issued patents, and any future patents issued to us, may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, may not provide sufficiently broad protection and may not prove to be enforceable in actions against alleged infringers.

Although we take steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will be sufficient or effective to prevent the unauthorized access, use, copying or the reverse engineering of our technology and other proprietary information, including by third parties who may use our technology or other proprietary information to develop services that compete with ours. Moreover, others may independently develop technologies or services that are competitive with ours or that infringe on, misappropriate or otherwise violate our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Policing the unauthorized use of our intellectual property and proprietary rights can be difficult. The enforcement of our intellectual property and proprietary rights also depends on any legal actions we may bring against any such parties being successful, but these actions are costly, time-consuming and may not be successful, even when our rights have been infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated. Our use of open source software, and participation in open source projects, may also limit our ability to assert certain of our intellectual property and proprietary rights against third parties, including competitors, who access or use software or technology that we have contributed to such open source projects.

Furthermore, effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our services are available, as the laws of some countries do not

 

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protect intellectual property and proprietary rights to as great an extent as the laws of the United States. In addition, the legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property and proprietary rights are uncertain and still evolving.

Companies in the software industry or non-practicing entities may own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property and proprietary rights, and these companies and entities may in the future request license agreements, threaten litigation or file suit against us based on allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of their intellectual property and proprietary rights. Any significant impairment of, or third-party claim against, our intellectual property and proprietary rights could harm our business or our ability to compete.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business” for a more comprehensive description of risks related to our intellectual property and proprietary rights, including our use of open source software.

Seasonality

Our business is not materially affected by seasonal trends.

Properties

Office Space

We lease our corporate headquarters facility in Windcrest, Texas, which is in the San Antonio, Texas area and consists of a 1.2 million square foot facility located on 67 acres of land. We are currently using approximately 0.7 million square feet of office space. In addition to our corporate headquarters, we lease office locations throughout the U.S., Europe, the Asia Pacific Region, Mexico and other locations throughout the world. To retain operational flexibility, we are increasingly utilizing shorter-term shared office facilities rather than entering into traditional longer-term office leases.

Data Centers

As of December 31, 2019, we leased data centers located across the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia and other locations throughout the world.

We believe that our existing office space and data center facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional or alternative space will be available in the future to meet our anticipated needs.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, from time to time, third parties may bring intellectual property claims against us asserting that certain of our offerings, services and technologies infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others. We are not a party to any litigation, the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers and directors as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Name		Age				Position
Kevin Jones			52			Director & Chief Executive Officer
Dustin Semach			39			Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Subroto Mukerji			59			Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Holly Windham			54			Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and People Officer & Corporate Secretary
Sandeep Bhargava			47			Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Japan
Martin Blackburn			53			Managing Director, EMEA
Amanda Samuels			49			Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Matt Stoyka			47			Chief Solutions Officer
Tolga Tarhan			38			Chief Technology Officer
Stephen Mills			33			Senior Vice President & General Manager – Americas
Thomas Wolf			36			Senior Vice President, Global Sales Strategy & Operations
Susan Arthur			54			Director
Jeffrey Benjamin			58			Director
Timothy Campos			47			Director
Dhiren Fonseca			55			Director
Mitch Garber			55			Director
Darren Glatt			44			Director
Brian St. Jean			47			Director
David Sambur			40			Director (Chairman)
Aaron Sobel			34			Director

The following are brief biographies describing the backgrounds of the executive officers and directors of the Company.

Executive Officers

Kevin Jones has served as a Director and our Chief Executive Officer since April 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Jones served as Chief Executive Officer since October 2017 and Director since 2018 of MV Transportation, Inc., a passenger transportation contracting service. Mr. Jones served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Americas at DXC Technology Company, a multinational end-to-end IT services and solutions company, from April 2017 until October 2017. He served as Senior Vice President and General Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (“HPE”) from August 2014 until March 2017. He served as the Chief Customer and Sales Officer for Dell Services at Dell Inc. from 2011 until 2014, where he led go-to-market functions for applications, business process outsourcing, infrastructure services and cloud computing businesses. Before joining Dell, he spent 21 years at Hewlett Packard (“HP”) and Electronic Data Systems (“EDS”), where he held executive positions in both Europe and Asia. He has served as Executive Sponsor of three employee resource groups at HPE: the Black Employee Network, Young Employee Network and PRIDE. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for the North Texas Food Bank, the World Affairs Council of Dallas and Tech Titans. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and is a Certified Management Accountant. We believe Mr. Jones is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of his experience building and leading our business, his insight into corporate matters as our Chief Executive Officer and his extensive leadership experience in the technology industry.

 

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Dustin Semach has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2019. Mr. Semach has extensive experience in all aspects of corporate finance, including public and private equity and debt markets, along with strategic investments, acquisitions, divestitures and mergers. From February 2017 until he joined the Company, Mr. Semach served as Vice President—Global FP&A at DXC Technology Company and from January 2013 until February 2017, Mr. Semach held a number of finance leadership roles at Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), including Director, Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis from November 2014 to February 2017. Mr. Semach holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University.

Subroto Mukerji has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2019. From April 2017 until he joined the Company, Mr. Mukerji served as Vice President and General Manager at DXC Technology Company. Prior to that, he held a number of global leadership roles including Vice President and General Manager at HPE from January 2015 to March 2017 and Vice President at HP from 2006 to 2014. Mr. Mukerji earned his Master of Management Studies in 1982 from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani Rajasthan, India.

Holly Windham has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary since April 2017 and Chief People Officer since October 2019. Before joining the Company, from September 2016 to March 2017, Ms. Windham worked for Axiom Global, where she led a team to help Google Cloud develop its offerings. From September 1997 to October 2015, Ms. Windham served in a number of different legal roles at HP, including Deputy General Counsel leading legal support for several HP businesses, including its cloud and software units. She began her legal career with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in 1991, based out of its Dallas office but with extended assignments in New York City and Honolulu, working closely with client companies on their financial reorganizations. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a JD from Pepperdine University School of Law. In addition, Ms. Windham serves as the chair of the board of directors of the Internet Association.

Sandeep Bhargava has served as our Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Japan since September 2019. Mr. Bhargava served as General Manager, Healthcare and Lifesciences business, ASEAN at DXC Technology from December 2017 to May 2018, and as Managing Director from April 2017 to November 2017. Mr. Bhargava’s tenure with HP included roles as Director, Graphics Solutions Business, Asia Pacific Japan since June 2018, General Manager, Enterprise Services, South East Asia, Taiwan from February 2015 to March 2017, Senior Director, Infrastructure Outsourcing, Asia from October 2010 to January 2015, and various management positions from November 2003 to November 2009. Mr. Bhargava holds an MBA in marketing and marketing management from the Indian Institute of Management and earned a degree in electronics and communication from the Delhi College of Engineering.

Martin Blackburn has served as our Managing Director, EMEA since January 2020. From December 2016 until he joined the Company, Mr. Blackburn served as an Operating Partner of Marlin Equity Partners. Mr. Blackburn brings expertise in outsourcing, service delivery and business transformation through his experience as General Manager of Global Technology Services, UKI with IBM from February 2011 to January 2017, Chief Operating Officer Europe with HP / EDS from January 2008 to February 2011, and Chief Executive Officer, Global Outsourcing Services with Logica from March 1997 to January 2008. In addition, Mr. Blackburn serves as Non-Executive Chairman on the board of Innovation Group Western Europe and as Non-Executive Director on the board of sales-i.

Amanda Samuels has served as our Chief Communications and Marketing Officer since August 2019. Ms. Samuels brings more than 20 years of corporate and consulting experience in marketing and communications. From May 2018 until she joined the Company, Ms. Samuels served as Principal

 

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at Strategy Muse. Prior to that time, she served as Chief Communications Officer at the Kellogg School of Management from March 2013 to January 2018 and Managing Director of Internal Communications at United Airlines from September 2009 to August 2011. Ms. Samuels also has over ten years of consulting experience with Gagen MacDonald, a strategy execution firm that specializes in employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. Ms. Samuels is a graduate of the Michigan State University.

Matthew Stoyka has served as our Chief Solutions Officer since August 2019 after his tenure as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Application Services. Mr. Stoyka has 20 years of leadership in regional and global businesses with extensive experience in starting, growing and selling technology services. Prior to joining the Company in May 2018, Mr. Stoyka founded and was the CEO of RelationEdge, a Salesforce Platinum partner, and led the sale of RelationEdge to the Company. Prior to founding RelationEdge in 2013, Mr. Stoyka was Executive Vice President, Sales & Technical Operations at CenterBeam and Vice President, Operations for Network Insight. He also serves on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. Mr. Stoyka holds an MBA in international business and supply chain management from the University of San Diego, which included study at City University in Hong Kong, and a degree in manufacturing systems engineering from Kettering University.

Tolga Tarhan was promoted in June 2020 to our Chief Technology Officer after having served as our Senior Vice President & General Manager, AWS Services since November 2019 when we acquired Onica. A software engineer and entrepreneur by trade, Mr. Tarhan has over eighteen years of successive experience in executive roles including as Chief Technology Officer at Onica from December 2017 until November 2019, Chief Executive Officer of Sturdy Networks, LLC from January 2013 to December 2017, Chief Executive Officer at NetBrains, Inc. from September 2009 to December 2017 and Vice President of Technology at DelTel, Inc. from October 2002 to September 2009. Mr. Tarhan holds an MBA in business administration and management from the George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.

Stephen Mills was promoted in May 2020 to our Senior Vice President & General Manager – Americas after having served as Vice President, US Commercial since April 2019, Senior Director of Sales from December 2017 until March 2019, Sales Director from October 2015 to December 2017, and Senior Manager – Commercial Sales from May 2014 to October 2015. Steve joined the Company in 2006 as an intern and has held a number of leadership roles within the Company, spanning across IT, Supply Chain and Sales and has led multiple teams and implemented growth strategies through enterprise, mid-market and commercial segments including channel sales, demand generation, and inside sales functions.

Thomas Wolf has served as our Senior Vice President, Global Sales Strategy and Operations since December 2019. From January 2017 until joining the Company, Mr. Wolf held a number of positions at Trintech, including Vice President of Global Strategic Operations where he led sales operations and enablement and strategy, and Vice President of Sales Operations. Mr. Wolf spent the majority of his career at CSC where he served as Director, Global Sales Operations from July 2014 to January 2017, and in sales and operations management positions from June 2009 to June 2014. Prior to joining CSC, he worked in various consulting positions across Italy and Austria. Mr. Wolf received his Master of Social and Economic Sciences from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Non-Employee Directors

Susan Arthur became a member of our board of directors in April 2020. Ms. Arthur currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of OptumInsight, a health services innovation company. Prior to

 

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joining OptumInsight in September 2019, Ms. Arthur served in a number of leadership roles at technology service companies, including as Group President at NTT Data from March 2018 to September 2019, Vice President and General Manager at DXC Technology from April 2017 to March 2018, Vice President and General Manager—Regulated Industries at Hewlett Packard Enterprise from November 2015 to March 2017, and a number of Vice President and General Manager positions at HP from 2008 until October 2015. We believe that Ms. Arthur is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of her extensive leadership experience in the technology services industry.

Jeffrey Benjamin became a member of our board of directors in November 2016. Mr. Benjamin has 25 years of investment banking, investment management and directorial board experience. He has been a senior advisor to Cyrus Capital Partners since June 2008. He serves as Chairman of the board of A-Mark Precious Metals and as a member of the board of American Airlines. In addition, Mr. Benjamin also serves on the following private company boards: a parent company of Shutterfly, Hexion, Involta LLC, ImOn Communications LLC and NRG Radio. Mr. Benjamin served on the board of directors of Chemtura Corporation from 2012 to 2017, Caesars Entertainment from 2008 to 2017 and Exco Resources from 2007 to 2016. He holds both an M.S. in management from the Sloan School of Management at MIT and a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University. We believe that Mr. Benjamin is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his extensive investment management and financial services experience and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Timothy Campos became a member of our board of directors in December 2016. Since December 2016, Mr. Campos has been the CEO of Woven—an enterprise software company applying machine learning and natural language processing to workforce productivity. Before founding Woven and from August 2010 until November 2016, Mr. Campos served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Facebook. Prior to Facebook, Mr. Campos was Chief Information Officer for KLA-Tencor. He has deep expertise in enterprise software development, large scale distributed systems and data services and analytics. Mr. Campos sits on the board of directors for Viavi Solutions, Inc. as well as at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Campos has an MBA from both Columbia University and the University of California at Berkeley and a degree in electrical engineering and computer science also from the University of California at Berkeley. We believe that Mr. Campos is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his extensive experience and expertise in the enterprise software and technology industry.

Dhiren Fonseca became a member of our board of directors in December 2016. Mr. Fonseca is an Advisor at the private equity partnership Certares, LP since April 2014 and previously served as Chief Commercial Officer for Expedia, Inc., an online travel company, from 2012 until April 2014. Prior to his role as Chief Commercial Officer, he served as Expedia’s Co-President, Partner Services Group, as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, and as Vice President, Corporate Development Strategy. Prior to Expedia, Mr. Fonseca was a longtime employee of Microsoft Corporation, a provider of software, services and solutions, and a member of the management team responsible for creating Expedia.com in 1996, while still part of Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Fonseca serves on the board of directors of Alaska Air Group, Diamond Resorts, Redbox and RentPath, Inc., a digital marketing company, and previously served on the board of directors of Caesars Acquisition Company and HotelTonight. We believe that Mr. Fonseca is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his experience as a company executive and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Mitch Garber became a member of our board of directors in November 2016. Mr. Garber is currently chairman of the board of directors of Invest in Canada, the Canadian government federal agency responsible for foreign direct investment in Canada. He is also currently a co-investor and chairman of the board of directors of Cirque du Soleil, co-investor and a member of the board of

 

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directors of both French fashion house Lanvin and a parent company of Shutterfly, and is a minority owner of the NHL Seattle hockey team controlled by David Bonderman. From 2013 until 2017, Mr. Garber was the CEO of Caesars Acquisition Company and, under his leadership, built an Israeli based mobile games business which was sold in 2016 to a Chinese consortium including Giant Interactive and Jack Ma for approximately $4.4 billion. He sits on the board and leads a number of philanthropic activities in Canada and Israel. He has a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University, a JD and honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa and was awarded the Order of Canada in 2019. We believe that Mr. Garber is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his experience in building and leading businesses and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Darren Glatt became a member of our board of directors in November 2016. Mr. Glatt is a Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure Investing at Searchlight Capital Partners. Prior to joining Searchlight in 2013, Mr. Glatt worked as a Partner in the Private Equity Group at Apollo Management, L.P., where he focused on both equity and credit investing in a range of industries that included Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Consumer, Leisure and Shipping, among others. Mr. Glatt also held positions at Apax Partners and The Cypress Group. He started his career at Bear Stearns in 1998 in New York. Mr. Glatt is currently a member of the board of directors of Bezeq, B Communications Ltd. and PatientPoint, and formerly a member of the board of directors of Charter Communications, MediaMath, Ocean Outdoor, 160over90, PlayPower, Veritable Maritime and Core Media. Mr. Glatt received a Bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. We believe that Mr. Glatt is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his extensive financial services experience and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Brian St. Jean became a member of our board of directors in November 2017. Mr. St. Jean is a Partner at ABRY Partners II, LLC having joined in 2005. Mr. St. Jean has experience in financing, analyzing, investing in and/or advising public and private companies and his areas of focus have included data centers, software, cybersecurity, business services and human capital management. He has also served, and is currently serving, on the board of directors of several private companies. Prior to joining ABRY, Mr. St. Jean was a manager in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ mergers and acquisitions group focusing on the entertainment, media and telecommunications industries. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with high distinction and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. We believe that Mr. St. Jean is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his extensive financial services experience and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

David Sambur became a member of our board of directors in November 2016 and is the chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Sambur is a Co-Lead Partner of Apollo Global Management, Inc. having joined in 2004. Mr. Sambur has experience in financing, analyzing, investing in and/or advising public and private companies and their board of directors. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Sambur was a member of the Leveraged Finance Group of Salomon Smith Barney Inc. Mr. Sambur currently serves on the board of directors of Sherwood Holdings I, Inc. (parent of Shutterfly), Nugs.net Enterprises, Inc., PlayAGS, Inc., Camaro Parent, LLC (parent of CareerBuilder), Aspen Holdco, LLC (parent of Coinstar, LLC), Constellation Club Holdings, Inc. (parent of ClubCorp), Dakota Holdings, Inc. (parent of Diamond Resorts International, Inc.), EcoATM Parent, LLC, Gamenet Group S.p.A, Redwood Holdco, LLC (parent of Redbox Automated Retail LLC), Mood Media Corporation, Terrier Media Holdings, Inc. (d/b/a Cox Media Group) and Terrier Gamut Holdings, Inc. Mr. Sambur also served on the boards of Caesars Entertainment Corporation from November 2010 to April 2019, Hexion Holdings LLC from 2010 to 2016, MPM Holdings Inc. from 2014 to 2016 and Verso Corporation from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Sambur graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University with a Bachelor’s degree in economics. We believe that Mr. Sambur is qualified to serve as

 

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member of our board of directors because of his extensive financial services experience and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Aaron Sobel became a member of our board of directors in November 2016. Mr. Sobel is a Principal of Apollo Global Management, Inc. having joined in 2011. Mr. Sobel has experience in financing, analyzing, investing in and/or advising public and private companies and their board of directors. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Sobel was a member of the Financial Sponsors Group in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Sobel currently serves on the board of directors of AP NMT JV Newco (Endemol Shine Group) B.V., Terrier Media Holdings, Inc. (d/b/a Cox Media Group) and Terrier Gamut Holdings, Inc. Mr. Sobel graduated with Highest Honors from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. We believe that Mr. Sobel is qualified to serve as member of our board of directors because of his extensive financial services experience and because of his experience serving on the boards of multiple companies.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.

Controlled Company

We have applied to list the shares of our common stock offered in this offering on Nasdaq. As the Apollo Funds will continue to control more than 50% of our combined voting power upon the completion of this offering, we will be considered a “controlled company” for the purposes of that exchange’s rules and corporate governance standards. As a “controlled company,” we will be permitted to, and we intend to, elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including (1) those that would otherwise require our board of directors to have a majority of independent directors, (2) those that would require that we establish a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors and (3) those that would require we have a nominating and corporate governance committee comprised entirely of independent directors or otherwise ensure that the nominees for directors are determined or recommended to our board of directors by the independent members of our board of directors pursuant to a formal resolution addressing the nominations process and such related matters as may be required under the federal securities laws. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. In the event that we cease to be a “controlled company” and our shares of common stock continue to be listed on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the applicable transition periods.

Director Independence

While we are a “controlled company” we are not required to have a majority of independent directors. As allowed under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, we intend to phase in compliance with the heightened independence requirements prior to the end of the one-year transition period after we cease to be a “controlled company.” Upon consummation of this offering, we expect our independent directors, as such term is defined by the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq, will be Ms. Arthur, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Campos, Mr. Fonseca and Mr. Garber.

Board Composition

Upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will consist of 10 members. We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the Nasdaq rules, which

 

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eliminates the requirements that we have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors and that we have a compensation committee and a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. We will be required, however, to have an audit committee with one independent director during the 90-day period beginning on the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. After such 90-day period and until one year from the date of effectiveness of the registration statement, we will be required to have a majority of independent directors on our audit committee. Thereafter, we will be required to have an audit committee comprised entirely of independent directors.

If at any time we cease to be a “controlled company” under the Nasdaq rules, the board of directors will take all action necessary to comply with the applicable Nasdaq rules, including appointing a majority of independent directors to the board of directors and establishing certain committees composed entirely of independent directors, subject to a permitted “phase-in” period.

Upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes. The members of each class will serve staggered, three-year terms (other than with respect to the initial terms of the Class I and Class II directors, which will be one and two years, respectively). Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors in that class will be elected for three-year terms at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which their term expires. Upon consummation of this offering:

 

•

Ms. Arthur, Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Sobel will be Class I directors, whose initial terms will expire at the fiscal 2021 annual meeting of stockholders;

 

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Mr. Campos, Mr. Fonseca and Mr. Garber will be Class II directors, whose initial terms will expire at the fiscal 2022 annual meeting of stockholders; and

 

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Mr. Glatt, Mr. Jones, Mr. St. Jean and Mr. Sambur will be Class III directors, whose initial terms will expire at the fiscal 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of our directors. This classification of our board of directors may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control. At each annual meeting, our stockholders will elect the successors to one class of our directors.

The authorized number of directors may be increased or decreased by our board of directors in accordance with our certificate of incorporation. At any meeting of the board of directors, except as otherwise required by law, a majority of the total number of directors then in office will constitute a quorum for all purposes.

The Apollo Funds have the right, at any time until Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, no longer beneficially own at least 5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, to nominate a number of directors (the “Apollo Board Nominees”) comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of the voting power of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number). As long as Searchlight Capital II, L.P. and Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. (together with Searchlight Capital II, L.P., “Searchlight”) and their affiliates continue to hold an amount of shares of our common stock equal to at least 50% of the shares of our common stock Searchlight originally received in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, which are                  shares of our common stock (subject to any equitable adjustments), Searchlight will have the right to (a) nominate one director to our board of directors (the “Searchlight Board Nominee”) and (b) designate one director to the boards of directors of certain of our subsidiaries so long as Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) appoint any director to such company’s board of directors (or similar body). In addition, as long as affiliates of ABRY Partners, LLC (“ABRY”) continue to hold an amount of shares

 

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of our common stock equal to at least 50% of the shares of our common stock that affiliates of ABRY held at the closing of the acquisition of Datapipe, which are                  shares of our common stock (subject to any equitable adjustments), ABRY Partners VIII, L.P., an affiliate of ABRY (“ABRY VIII”), will have the right to nominate one director to our board of directors (the “ABRY Board Nominee”).

As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Campos, Mr. Fonseca, Mr. Garber, Mr. Sambur and Mr. Sobel are the Apollo Board Nominees, Mr. Glatt is the Searchlight Board Nominee and Mr. St. Jean is the ABRY Board Nominee.

Board Committees

Following the consummation of this offering, the board committees will include an executive committee, an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Each committee of our board will consist of at least two directors, and for so long as Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, beneficially own at least 5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, each committee of our board of directors, other than the audit committee, will include at least one Apollo Board Nominee, subject to compliance with applicable law and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.

Executive Committee

Following the consummation of this offering, our executive committee will consist of Mr. Sambur (Chair), Mr. Jones and Mr. Sobel. Subject to certain exceptions, the executive committee generally may exercise all of the powers of the board of directors when the board of directors is not in session. The executive committee serves at the pleasure of our board of directors. This committee and any of its members may continue or be changed once the Apollo Funds no longer own a controlling interest in us.

Audit Committee

Following the consummation of this offering, our audit committee will consist of Mr. Benjamin (Chair), Ms. Arthur and Mr. Fonseca. Under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and regulations, we are entitled to phase in an independent audit committee. We are required to have an audit committee with one independent director during the 90-day period beginning on the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. After such 90-day period and until one year from the date of effectiveness of the registration statement, we are required to have a majority of independent directors on our audit committee. Thereafter, we are required to have an audit committee comprised entirely of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Benjamin qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K and that each of Mr. Benjamin, Ms. Arthur and Mr. Fonseca is independent as independence is defined in Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The principal duties and responsibilities of our audit committee will be as follows:

 

•

to prepare the annual audit committee report to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

•

to oversee and monitor our accounting and financial reporting processes;

 

•

to oversee and monitor the integrity of our financial statements and internal control system;

 

•

to oversee and monitor the independence, retention, performance and compensation of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•

to oversee and monitor the performance, appointment and retention of our internal audit department;

 

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•

to discuss, oversee and monitor policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management; and

 

•

to oversee and monitor our compliance with legal and regulatory matters.

The audit committee will also have the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties and to form and delegate authority to subcommittees.

Compensation Committee

Following the consummation of this offering, our compensation committee will consist of Mr. Sambur (Chair), Mr. Glatt and Mr. Sobel. The principal duties and responsibilities of the compensation committee will be as follows:

 

•

to review, evaluate and make recommendations to the full board of directors regarding our compensation policies and programs;

 

•

to review and approve the compensation of our chief executive officer, other executive officers and key employees, including all material benefits, option or stock award grants and perquisites and all material employment agreements;

 

•

to review and make recommendations to the board of directors with respect to our incentive compensation plans, equity-based compensation plans and pension plans;

 

•

to administer incentive compensation and equity-related plans and pension plans;

 

•

to review and make recommendations to the board of directors with respect to the financial and other performance targets that must be met; and

 

•

to prepare an annual compensation committee report and take such other actions as are necessary and consistent with the governing law and our organizational documents.

We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the Nasdaq rules which exempts us from the requirement that we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Following the consummation of this offering, our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Mr. Sambur (Chair), Mr. Garber and Mr. Sobel. The principal duties and responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee will be as follows:

 

•

to identify candidates qualified to become directors of the Company, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors;

 

•

to recommend to our board of directors nominees for election as directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders or a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, as well as to recommend directors to serve on the other committees of the board;

 

•

to recommend to our board of directors candidates to fill vacancies and newly created directorships on the board of directors;

 

•

to identify best practices and recommend corporate governance principles, including giving proper attention and making effective responses to stockholder concerns regarding corporate governance;

 

•

to set and review the compensation of the non-executive members of the board of directors;

 

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•

to develop and recommend to our board of directors guidelines setting forth corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and

 

•

to oversee the evaluation of our board of directors.

We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the Nasdaq rules which exempts us from the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.

Code of Conduct

Our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees and is intended to comply with the relevant listing requirements for a code of conduct as well as qualify as a “code of ethics” as defined by the rules of the SEC. The code of conduct contains general guidelines for conducting our business consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of conduct, or waivers of such provisions applicable to any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller or persons performing similar functions, and our directors, on our website at https://www.rackspace.com. Following the consummation of this offering, the code of conduct will be available on our website.

Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The board of directors has an oversight role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of its risks. The board of directors regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. Following the completion of this offering, the compensation committee of the board of directors will be responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to employee compensation plans and arrangements and the audit committee of the board of directors will oversee the management of financial risks. While each committee will be responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire board of directors will be regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following discussion describes our process of determining the compensation and benefits provided to our “named executive officers” (“NEOs”) in fiscal year 2019.

Our NEOs for fiscal year 2019 are:

 

•

Kevin Jones, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) commencing April 24, 2019;

 

•

Dustin Semach, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Rackspace US, Inc. (“Rackspace US”) commencing July 22, 2019;

 

•

Subroto Mukerji, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rackspace US commencing July 1, 2019;

 

•

Joseph Eazor, former CEO through April 24, 2019;

 

•

Louis Alterman, former CFO of Rackspace US through July 22, 2019;

 

•

Sid Nair, former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas of Rackspace US commencing July 29, 2019 through May 29, 2020;

 

•

Vikas Gurugunti, former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace US Solutions and Services of Rackspace US commencing August 12, 2019 through March 29, 2020; and

 

•

Sandy Hogan, former Executive Vice President and Americas Managing Director of Rackspace US through August 16, 2019.

In compliance with SEC rules, the information described herein is largely historical but we expect to adopt a public company compensation structure for our executive officers following the completion of this offering. Our executive compensation program has historically been determined by the Executive Committee of the board of directors (the “Executive Committee”), whose members were David Sambur and Aaron Sobel, two designees of the Apollo Funds. We expect that the compensation committee of our board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”) will work with our board of directors and management to develop and maintain a compensation framework following this offering that is appropriate and competitive for a public company, and will establish compensation objectives and programs that are appropriate for executive officers of a public company.

We implemented a series of changes to our management team in 2019, including hiring a new CEO in April 2019 and a new CFO in July 2019. We believe Messrs. Jones and Semach and other additions to our management team have the skills and experience necessary to successfully carry the Company forward as a public company.

Executive Compensation Program

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Company’s executive compensation programs are guided by the following principles, which make up our executive compensation philosophy:

 

•

Pay for Performance.     Compensation opportunities are designed to align executives’ pay with the Company’s performance and are focused on producing sustainable long-term growth.

 

•

Attract and Retain Talented Management Team.     We compete for talent with other companies of similar size in our market. In order to attract and retain executives with the experience necessary to achieve our business goals, compensation must be competitive and appropriately balanced between fixed compensation and at-risk compensation.

 

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•

Align Interests with Interests of Stockholders.     We believe that management should have a significant financial stake in the Company to align their interests with those of the stockholders and to encourage the creation of long-term value. Therefore, equity awards make up a substantial component of executive compensation.

Our executive compensation program has three key elements, which are designed to give effect to our guiding principles: base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and long-term equity compensation.

Prior to this offering, we have balanced our executive compensation program toward equity compensation that promoted direct ownership in the business, alignment of the interests of management with our equityholders and a focus on long-term success. We have also ensured that the base salary and target annual incentive level of each NEO is competitive in order to appropriately retain and reward the NEOs for their ongoing service and achievements.

We believe that the design of our executive compensation program and our compensation practices support our compensation philosophy. We expect that, following this offering, our Compensation Committee will evaluate our compensation philosophy to determine whether it should be adjusted to take into account our status as a publicly traded company, as well as each of the elements of our compensation program, and may make changes as it deems appropriate.

Role of the Executive Committee in the Compensation Process

Our Executive Committee has historically established and overseen compensation for our executive, managerial and other personnel that is competitive and rewarding to the degree that it will attract, hold and inspire performance of a quality and nature that will enhance our growth and value. Among other responsibilities, the Executive Committee has historically (1) established, implemented and overseen the administration of our compensation philosophies, (2) reviewed and approved the design and payout formula used for the allocation of annual bonus payments to our NEOs, subject to the approved bonus budgets, and (3) approved salary adjustments, subject to the approved annual salary budgets.

Following this offering, our Compensation Committee will be responsible for making all determinations with respect to our executive compensation programs and the compensation of our NEOs.

Role of Executive Officers in the Compensation Process

In making determinations with respect to executive compensation for executive officers, in 2019 the Executive Committee considered input from the then-current CEO. Our CEO provides insight to the Executive Committee on specific decisions and recommendations related to the compensation of the executive officers other than our CEO. The Executive Committee believes that the input of our CEO with respect to the assessment of individual performance, succession planning and retention is a key component of the process.

Role of Compensation Consultants in the Compensation Process

In connection with this offering, we engaged Meridian Compensation Partners LLC (“Meridian”) to perform an analysis of our executive compensation programs and to provide recommendations with respect to any changes that should be made to our executive compensation programs following this

 

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offering. Meridian was engaged by the Company and not by our Executive Committee. Meridian does not provide any services to the Company other than those it has been engaged to provide in connection with this offering.

Compensation Program

The Company’s total direct compensation program consists of three main elements: base salary, annual cash incentives and equity-based long-term incentives. A significant majority of our NEOs’ total direct compensation is performance-based and at risk. The Company also provides various benefit and retirement programs, as well as relocation packages. The table below provides an overview of the elements of the Company’s executive compensation program, a brief description of each compensation element and the reason for inclusion in the executive compensation program.

 

Compensation Element		Brief Description		Objectives
Base Salary		Fixed compensation		Provide a competitive, fixed level of cash compensation to attract and retain the most talented and skilled executives
Annual Incentive Plan		Variable cash compensation earned based on achieving pre-established annual goals		Motivate and reward executives to achieve or exceed the Company’s current-year goals
Equity Awards		Non-qualified stock option and restricted stock unit awards made to senior leaders. A significant portion of these awards are tied to performance metrics		Align performance of our key talent with the Company’s stockholders
Perquisites and Generally Available Benefit Programs		401(k) plan, relocation packages, commuting expenses, home sale assistance (in the case of Mr. Nair) and other generally available benefits		Provide benefits we believe are necessary for competitive compensation packages

Our executive compensation program also provides for cash severance payments and benefits tied to provisions within each NEO’s employment agreement, and accelerated vesting of equity awards in the event of certain terminations of employment, including following a change in ownership of our business.

The following discussion provides further details on our executive compensation program.

 

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Base Salaries

Base salaries provide a fixed amount of cash compensation on which our NEOs can rely. Base salary levels are determined taking into consideration all elements of compensation as a whole, and based on individual position, experience and competitive market-based salaries for similar positions. As of December 31, 2019, the annual base salaries for our NEOs were as follows:

 

Executive		Annual Base Salary ($)
Kevin Jones, CEO			825,000
Dustin Semach, Executive Vice President and CFO			485,000
Subroto Mukerji, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			460,000
Sid Nair, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas			650,000
Vikas Gurugunti, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services			450,000

As described above, Mr. Eazor terminated his employment with us on April 22, 2019. Mr. Alterman terminated his role as CFO on July 22, 2019 when he became advisor to the CEO, and he terminated his employment with us on August 30, 2019. Ms. Hogan terminated her employment with us on August 16, 2019. Prior to termination, Mr. Eazor’s annual base salary was $825,000, Mr. Alterman’s annual base salary was $550,000 and Ms. Hogan’s annual base salary was $465,000.

2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan

The second component of executive officer compensation is an annual cash incentive based on Company performance. Tying a portion of total compensation to annual company performance permits us to adjust the performance metrics each year to reflect changing objectives and those that may be of special importance for a particular year. Through the 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan, we seek to provide an appropriate amount of short-term cash compensation that is at risk and tied to the achievement of certain short-term performance goals. The target annual incentive as a percentage of base salary was initially specified in each NEO’s employment agreement.

The 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan is based on achievement of Adjusted EBITDA, revenue and net debt targets. The individual bonuses granted under the 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan are not determined based on discretionary performance.

 

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For 2019, the target bonus opportunities for our NEOs were as follows:

 

Executive		Percentage of Base Salary (%)
Kevin Jones(1), CEO			125
Dustin Semach, Executive Vice President and CFO			75
Subroto Mukerji, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			80
Sid Nair, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas			90
Vikas Gurugunti, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services			80

 

(1)

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Jones’s 2019 annual bonus of $1,031,250 was a prorated portion of the target amount based on his start date, irrespective of performance. The Company determined not to prorate his annual bonus based on his start date due to Mr. Jones’s performance exceeding expectations.

Prior to their termination of employment, Mr. Eazor had an annual target bonus set forth in his employment agreement with Rackspace US of $1,031,250 (125% of base salary), Mr. Alterman had an annual target bonus set forth in his employment agreement with Rackspace US of $495,500 (90% of base salary), and Ms. Hogan had an annual target bonus set forth in her employment agreement with Rackspace US of $372,000 (80% of base salary).

The metrics utilized for the 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan, and their respective weightings, are set forth below.

 

Performance Metric		Weighting (%)				Performance Target ($) (In millions)				Actual Performance ($) (In millions)				Bonus Payout Percentage (%)				Overall Weighted Payout of Target Bonus (%)
Adjusted Revenue			25				2,479				2,426				80				20
Adjusted EBITDA			55				720				750				110				61
Adjusted Net Debt			20				3,713				3,695				99				20
Total																			100

Adjusted EBITDA

For purposes of our incentive plans, Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash charges for share-based compensation and cash charges related to the settlement of our Predecessor’s equity plan, transaction-related costs and adjustments, restructuring and transformation charges, management fees, certain other non-operating, non-recurring or non-core gains and losses, the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, and presented under prior accounting standards for revenue and lease accounting.

 

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The following table summarizes the calculation of bonuses for fiscal year 2019 paid to each of the NEOs.

 

Executive		Base Salary ($)				Bonus Target (%)				Bonus Target ($)				Actual Bonus Paid for Fiscal 2019 ($)
Kevin Jones, CEO			825,000				125				1,031,250				1,031,250	(a)
Dustin Semach, Executive Vice President and CFO			485,000				75				363,750				162,442
Subroto Mukerji, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			460,000				80				368,000				277,260	(b)
Joseph Eazor, Former CEO			825,000				125				585,000				—
Louis Alterman(c), Former CFO			550,000				90				495,000				484,829
Sid Nair, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas			650,000				90				585,000				585,000	(d)
Vikas Gurugunti, Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services			450,000				80				360,000				140,055
Sandy Hogan, Former Executive Vice President and Americas Managing Director of Rackspace			465,000				80				372,000				—

 

(a)

Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Jones’s 2019 annual bonus of $1,031,250 was a prorated portion of the target amount based on his start date, irrespective of performance. The Company determined not to prorate his annual bonus based on his start date due to Mr. Jones’s performance exceeding expectations.

(b)	Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Mukerji’s 2019 annual bonus was based on a hypothetical employment date of April 1, 2019, resulting in an additional three months of proration.

(c)	As of June 15, 2019, Mr. Alterman’s employment agreement was amended to increase his annual base salary from $525,000 to $550,000. Prior to such salary increase, his target annual bonus was $472,500.

(d)	Under the terms of Mr. Nair’s employment agreement, his annual bonus was not reduced to a pro rata amount as of his start date of July 29, 2019.

Jones Sign-On Bonus

In connection with his commencement of employment with us, Mr. Jones received a sign-on bonus of $10 million, paid out semi-annually in four equal installments of $2.5 million over an 18-month period; provided, that, if Mr. Jones voluntarily resigns without good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), he is not entitled to payment of any additional installments of the sign-on bonus.

Nair Sign-On Bonus

In connection with his commencement of employment with us, Mr. Nair received a sign-on bonus of $1,037,500 paid within 30 days of the start of employment and an additional bonus equal to

 

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$1,500,000 paid out in three equal installments of $500,000 with the first installment paid on August 16, 2019, the second and third installments paid on the second payroll date in April 2020 and the second payroll date in January 2021, respectively; provided, that, if Mr. Nair resigns without good reason or is terminated for cause (as defined in his employment agreement) within one year of commencing employment, he is required to repay to the Company any portion of the sign-on bonus paid within such one-year period.

Gurugunti Sign-On Bonus

In connection with his commencement of employment with us, Mr. Gurugunti received a sign-on bonus of $40,000 paid on the first reasonable payroll date following commencement of employment; provided, that, if Mr. Gurugunti resigns without good reason or is terminated for cause prior to the one-year anniversary of commencing employment, he is required to repay to the Company any portion of the sign-on bonus paid within such one-year period.

Equity Program

We established the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”) in fiscal year 2017 as a platform to grant equity awards to our key employees, including our NEOs. The 2017 Incentive Plan was designed to align the interests of our most senior leaders with those of the Company’s stockholders.

For our NEOs, we have historically granted awards of options to acquire common stock of the Company, with a per share exercise price not less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock as of the date of the grant. For NEOs other than our CEO, one-third of each of the NEO’s option awards vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period (subject to accelerated vesting upon the six-month anniversary of a “change in control” or an earlier qualifying termination following such “change in control”) based on continued service. The remaining two-thirds of the options vest upon any date on which the Apollo Funds receive cash consideration for shares in respect of their invested capital, or, following an initial public offering of shares of our common stock, any date the Apollo Funds hold shares of our common stock that are listed on a national securities exchange, such shares are not subject to any lock-up restrictions and the Company is eligible to file an S-3 registration statement (“marketable securities”), if the Apollo Funds achieve pre-established performance targets based on a multiple of their invested capital, or MOIC (the “performance tranche”). MOIC is determined by dividing (a) the total cash consideration received by the Apollo Funds on or prior to any measurement date (whether by sale proceeds or distributions) plus the value of any marketable securities as of such date, by (b) their invested capital as of such measurement date. If, upon a change in control, the Apollo Funds receive any non-cash consideration, then the measurement date will include such change in control and the Apollo Funds may either treat such non-cash consideration as cash consideration (and any portion of the performance tranche that does not vest will be forfeited) or, if the Apollo Funds do not elect to treat such non-cash consideration in that manner, the performance tranche will remain outstanding and eligible to vest on a later measurement date following such change in control. Fifty percent (50%) of the performance tranche is scheduled to vest on a measurement date if the Apollo Funds have achieved a MOIC of 1.75, and 50% of the performance tranche is scheduled to vest on a measurement date if the Apollo Funds have achieved a MOIC of 2.25, with prorated vesting between a MOIC achievement of 1.75 and 2.25, based on linear interpolation.

Mr. Jones received an option grant consistent with the terms above (except that his service-based portion vests on the three-month anniversary of a change in control), and he also received two restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards upon his hiring: the first award vests in equal annual installments over a three-year period (subject to accelerated vesting upon the three-month anniversary of a change

 

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in control) and a second grant vests based on the date of the Executive Committee’s certification of EBITDA CAGR, which is defined as the percentage of compound annual growth in EBITDA from March 31, 2019 through March 31, 2022. The performance-based RSU award will vest on the date of determination, as follows: (i) if EBITDA CAGR is less than 5%, no portion of the RSU award will vest, (ii) if EBITDA CAGR is greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10%, the number of RSUs with an aggregate fair market value of $5 million will vest as of such date of determination, (iii) if the EBITDA CAGR is greater than or equal to 10% but less than 15%, the number of RSUs with an aggregate fair market value of $10 million will vest and (iv) if the EBITDA CAGR is greater than or equal to 15%, the number of RSUs with an aggregate fair market value of $20 million will vest.

The following table sets forth the equity granted by the Company during 2019.

 

Award		Description
Service-based Options		One-third of each of the NEOs’ option awards vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period (subject to accelerated vesting within six months (three months for the CEO) following a “change in control” (or upon an earlier qualifying termination following a change in control))
Performance-based Options		Two-thirds vest upon any measurement date the Apollo Funds achieve pre-established performance targets based on a multiple on their invested capital or MOIC: 50% of the performance tranche is scheduled to vest on a measurement date if the Apollo Funds have achieved a MOIC of 1.75, and 50% of the performance tranche is scheduled to vest on a measurement date if the Apollo Funds have achieved a MOIC of 2.25, with prorated vesting between a MOIC achievement of 1.75 and 2.25, based on linear interpolation
Time-based RSUs (CEO only)		Vests in equal annual installments over a three-year period (subject to accelerated vesting upon the three-month anniversary of a change in control)
Performance-based RSUs (CEO only)		Vests based on the date of the Executive Committee’s certification of EBITDA CAGR

In determining the size of the option awards and RSU awards granted to our NEOs, the Executive Committee took into account each NEO’s level of responsibility within the Company and potential to improve the long-term, overall value of the business. The majority of equity grants are made in the form of options upon commencement of employment; however, the Company occasionally grants RSUs for retention purposes.

The 2017 Incentive Plan (and each NEO’s employment agreement) contains non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenants. The duration of the non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for all NEOs extends for one year (other than in the case of Mr. Jones, whose non-solicitation covenant extends for 18 months) following termination of employment.

Severance Benefits

We are obligated to pay severance or other enhanced benefits to our NEOs upon certain terminations of their employment pursuant to their employment agreements. Our severance arrangements are designed to promote loyalty and to provide executives with security and reasonable compensation upon an involuntary termination of employment. Further details regarding the severance benefits provided to our NEOs can be found below under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

 

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Employment Agreements

Each of our NEOs is party to an employment agreement with one of our operating subsidiaries, which specifies the terms of the executive’s employment including certain compensation levels, and is intended to assure us of the executive’s continued employment and to provide stability in our senior management team.

Retirement Benefits

Each NEO participates in our 401(k) plan, which is a qualified defined contribution plan available to our employees generally.

Perquisites

Our NEOs are eligible for certain executive perquisites, including housing expenses and relocation benefits so our NEOs can seamlessly fulfill their obligations to the Company. These perquisites are common within our industry, are important for recruiting and retaining key talent and comprise an important component of our total compensation package.

Health and Welfare Benefits

Our NEOs participate in our health and welfare benefit plans, which are available to our employees generally. Our health and welfare benefit plans include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and short-term and long-term disability insurance. The Company also supplements its primary compensation program by providing retirement benefits under a 401(k) plan with a Company matching contribution. We provide these benefits in order to provide our workforce with a reasonable level of financial support in the event of illness or injury, to enhance productivity and job satisfaction, and to remain competitive.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

For income tax purposes, public companies may not deduct any portion of compensation that is in excess of $1 million paid in a taxable year to certain ‘‘covered employees,’’ including our NEOs, under Section 162(m) of the Code. Even if Section 162(m) of the Code were to apply to compensation paid to our NEOs, our board of directors believes that it should not be constrained by the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code if those requirements would impair flexibility in compensating our NEOs in a manner that can best promote our corporate objectives. We intend to continue to compensate our executive officers in a manner consistent with the best interests of our stockholders and reserve the right to award compensation that may not be deductible under Section 162(m) where the Company believes it is appropriate to do so.

Risk Mitigation in Compensation Program Design

Our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Our annual incentive programs and long-term equity incentives provide an effective and appropriate balance of short-term and long-term incentives to ensure that our executive compensation program is aligned with the Company’s strategic goals without encouraging or rewarding excessive risk.

 

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Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid or awarded to our NEOs by the Company and its affiliates for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its affiliates in fiscal year 2019:

Summary Compensation Table

 

Executive		Year				Salary ($)				Bonus ($)(1)				Stock Awards ($)(2)				Option Awards ($)(2)				Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)				All Other Compensation ($)(4)				Total ($)
Kevin Jones,
CEO(5)			2019				555,288				6,031,250				5,499,891				16,058,005				—				33,920				28,178,354
Dustin Semach,
Executive Vice President and CFO(6)			2019				205,192				—				—				3,994,671				162,442				169,078				4,531,383
Subroto Mukerji,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			2019				221,154				—				—				5,592,529				277,260				132,760				6,223,703
Joseph Eazor,
Former CEO(7)			2019				428,365				—				—				—				—				4,550,000				4,978,365
Louis Alterman,
Former CFO(8)			2019				368,750				—				711,164	(9)			1,278,154	(10)			—				1,638,520				3,996,588
Sid Nair,
Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas			2019				262,500				1,837,500				—				6,391,471				585,000				69,619				9,146,090
Vikas Gurugunti,
Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services			2019				164,423				40,000				—				4,777,200				140,055				113,659				5,235,337
Sandy Hogan,
Former Executive Vice President and Managing Director(11)			2019				196,731				110,000				—				4,817,400				—				365,513				5,489,644

 

(1)

Mr. Jones is eligible to receive a $10 million cash sign-on bonus in 2019 per the terms of his employment agreement, paid semi-annually in four equal installments of $2.5 million over an 18-month period commencing on June 6, 2019 (i.e., $5,000,000 paid during 2019). Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Jones’s 2019 annual bonus of $1,031,250 was to equal the target amount irrespective of performance, prorated based on his start date, but the Company determined not to prorate this bonus. Mr. Nair received a sign-on bonus of $1,037,500, and $500,000 of an additional sign-on bonus of $1,500,000 on August 16, 2019, with the remaining amount to be paid in equal installments on each of the second payroll date in April 2020 and the second payroll date in January 2021, subject to his continued employment on each such date. The Company, in its discretion, also paid Mr. Nair a $300,000 bonus, tying his payout to his leaders’ attainment of sales-related objectives. The Company did not set metrics for Mr. Nair in connection with this bonus payout. Mr. Gurugunti received a sign-on bonus of $40,000. Pursuant to her employment agreement, Ms. Hogan’s 2019 regional sales bonus was to equal $110,000 for the second and third quarters of 2019, irrespective of performance.

(2)

The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of each stock option and RSU computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For service-based options, the value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for service-based option awards and the Monte Carlo simulation model for performance-based option awards to estimate the fair value of stock options granted to its employees. The expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of the stock prices for a group of identified peer companies for the expected term of the stock options on the grant date due to the lack of historical trading prices of the Company’s common stock. For service-based option awards, the average expected option life represented the period of time the stock options were expected to be outstanding at the issuance date based on management’s estimate. The expected term of the performance-based options was based on the expected time until a liquidity event, such as a “change in control” event. The risk-free interest rate is calculated based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield, with a remaining term that approximates the expected option life assumed at the date of issuance. The expected annual dividend per share is 0% based on the Company’s expected dividend rate. With respect to the performance-based RSUs granted to Mr. Jones, no value is included in this table because the achievement of the vesting conditions was not deemed probable as of the date of the grant. If the performance-based RSUs are earned at maximum achievement, Mr. Jones

 

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would be entitled to a number of vested RSUs equal to $20 million as of such date. For a discussion of the valuation assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts referred to above, please see the discussion contained in Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(3)	For 2019, this column includes amounts paid out pursuant to the 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan.

(4)	“All Other Compensation” for 2019 is reflected in the table below.

 

Name		401(k) Company Match ($)				Relocation Expenses ($)				Severance ($)(a)				Other ($)				Total ($)
Kevin Jones			229				33,691				—				—				33,920
Dustin Semach			—				160,204	(b)			—				8,874	(c)			169,078
Subroto Mukerji			—				132,760	(d)			—				—				132,760
Joseph Eazor			—				—				4,550,000	(e)			—				4,550,000
Louis Alterman			2,040				—				1,518,260	(f)			118,220	(g)			1,638,520
Sid Nair			—				38,100				—				31,519	(h)			69,619
Vikas Gurugunti			—				105,386	(i)			—				8,273	(j)			113,659
Sandy Hogan			386				—				365,127	(k)			—				365,513

 

(a)

See the discussion below under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” for a description of Mr. Eazor’s, Mr. Alterman’s and Ms. Hogan’s severance payments.

(b)

Mr. Semach received a $117,475 payment for relocation expenses and a $42,729 gross-up for taxes for such payment.

(c)

Mr. Semach received an $8,874 payment for out-of-pocket commuting expenses.

(d)

Mr. Mukerji received a $95,990 payment for relocation expenses and a $36,769 gross-up for taxes for such payment.

(e)

Mr. Eazor received a severance payment per the terms of his separation agreement consisting of (i) his target bonus for fiscal 2019 in the amount of $1,031,250, (ii) a transition assistance payment in the amount of $1,143,750, (iii) a severance payment of $825,000, (iv) a housing lease payment of $50,000, and (v) $1,500,000 in consideration for the cancellation of his outstanding equity awards.

(f)

Mr. Alterman received a severance payment per the terms of his separation agreement consisting of: (i) $962,500 severance payment (of which $160,417 was paid to Mr. Alterman in 2019); (ii) transition payment of $250,000; (iii) a pro rata portion of his retention bonus of $216,364; (iv) his annual performance bonus of $484,829, which is the annual performance bonus he would have been entitled to receive if he had been employed at the ordinary time of payout; (v) a pro rata portion of his RSUs vested in connection with his termination for a value of $401,211; and (vi) a pro rata portion of his options vested in connection with his termination for a value of $5,439. As of June 15, 2019, Mr. Alterman’s annual base salary increased from $525,000 to $550,000, with a target annual bonus of $495,000. Prior to such salary increase, his target annual bonus was $472,500.

(g)

Mr. Alterman received a lump sum commuting allowance of $118,220.

(h)

This amount includes a $29,419 gross-up for taxes relating to Mr. Nair’s commuting expenses and $2,100 the Company paid to a third party to assist with the sale of Mr. Nair’s residence.

(i)

Mr. Gurugunti received a lump sum relocation payment in the amount of $75,000 and a $30,386 gross-up for taxes for such payment.

(j)

Mr. Gurugunti received an $8,273 payment for out-of-pocket commuting expenses.

(k)

This figure reflects the portion of Ms. Hogan’s $892,000 severance payment that was paid in 2019 and includes $30,627 in paid-time-off Ms. Hogan had accrued upon termination.

 

(5)	Mr. Jones’s employment commenced on April 24, 2019.

(6)	Mr. Semach’s employment commenced on July 22, 2019.

(7)	Mr. Eazor’s employment with the Company terminated effective as of April 24, 2019.

(8)	Mr. Alterman’s employment with the Company terminated effective as of August 30, 2019.

(9)	The vesting of an additional portion of Mr. Alterman’s stock awards was accelerated in connection with his termination of employment, which resulted in an incremental value of $711,164.

(10)	The vesting of an additional portion of Mr. Alterman’s option awards accelerated in connection with his termination of employment, which resulted in an incremental value of $638,516. Additionally, his vested options received an exercise extension period with an incremental value of $639,638.

(11)	Ms. Hogan’s employment with the Company terminated effective as of August 16, 2019.

 

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Fiscal Year 2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table includes each grant of an award made to the NEOs in fiscal year 2019 under the 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan and the 2017 Incentive Plan.

2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

Name		Grant Date				Type of Award		Estimated Future Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)								Estimated Future Payouts under Equity Incentive Plan Awards																								All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)				All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)				Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/ share)				Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(2)
								Target ($)				Maximum ($)				Threshold (#)				Target (#)				Maximum (#)				Threshold ($)				Target ($)				Maximum Target ($)
Kevin Jones						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			4/22/19			Time-Based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				66,667				154.50				5,972,697
			4/22/19			Performance-Based Options(4)			—				—				66,667				—				133,333				—				—				—				—				—				154.50				10,085,308
			4/22/19			Time-Based RSUs(5)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				35,598				—				—				5,499,891
			4/22/19			Performance-Based RSUs(6)			—				—				—				—				—				5,000,000				10,000,000				20,000,000				—				—				—				—
Dustin Semach						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			363,750				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			7/29/19			Time-Based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				16,667				154.49				1,473,363
			7/29/19			Performance-Based Options(4)			—				—				16,667				—				33,333				—				—				—				—				—				154.49				2,521,308
Subroto Mukerji						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			368,000				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			7/29/19			Time-Based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				23,333				154.49				2,062,637
			7/29/19			Performance-Based Options(4)			—				—				23,333				—				46,667				—				—				—				—				—				154.49				3,529,892
Joseph Eazor						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			1,031,250				1,650,000				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Louis Alterman						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Sid Nair						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			585,000				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			7/29/19			Time-Based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				26,667				154.49				2,357,363
			7/29/19			Performance-Based Options(4)			—				—				26,667				—				53,333				—				—				—				—				—				—				4,034,108
Vikas Gurugunti						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			360,000				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			8/12/19			Time-based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				20,000				154.49				1,751,600
			8/12/19			Performance-based Options(4)			—				—				20,000				—				40,000				—				—				—				—				—				154.49				3,025,600
Sandy Hogan						2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan			372,000				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
						Commission-based bonus			—	(7)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
			5/24/19			Time-Based Options(3)			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				20,000				154.50				1,791,800
			5/24/19			Performance-Based Options(4)			—				—				20,000				—				40,000				—				—				—				—				—				154.50				3,025,600

 

(1)

Represents annual bonus targets provided in Messrs. Semach’s, Mukerji’s, Gurugunti’s and Nair’s employment agreements. Under the terms of Mr. Nair’s employment agreement, his annual bonus is not reduced to a pro rata amount as of his start date of July 29, 2019. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Mukerji’s 2019 annual bonus was based on a hypothetical start date of April 1, 2019, resulting in an additional three months of proration.

(2)	Amounts were calculated in accordance with FASB Topic 718 and represent the aggregate grant date fair value. See footnotes (2) and (3) to the “Option Awards” and “Stock Awards” columns of the “Summary Compensation Table” above for additional information.

(3)	These awards vest 20% over five years, subject to continued employment.

(4)	These awards are subject to performance-based vesting conditions as described above under “—Equity Program.”

(5)	These awards vest 33% over three years, subject to continued employment.

(6)

These awards vest based on the Company’s achievement of EBITDA CAGR, subject to continued employment. On the determination date, a number of RSUs will vest equal to the dollar value achieved (based on performance) divided by the fair market value of a share of common stock as of the determination date.

(7)	Ms. Hogan’s employment terminated prior to implementation of sales objectives for the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

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Employment Agreements

In 2019, Rackspace US entered into new employment agreements with Messrs. Jones, Semach, Mukerji, Gurugunti and Nair, which we collectively refer to as the “NEO Employment Agreements.” Each of the NEO Employment Agreements provides for compensation and benefits under specified circumstances in connection with the termination of the NEO’s employment, as described below under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Employment Agreement with Kevin Jones

Rackspace US entered into an employment agreement with Kevin Jones on March 13, 2019, pursuant to which he serves as our Chief Executive Officer and receives a base salary of $825,000. In connection with his commencement of employment with Rackspace US, Mr. Jones is eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of $10 million, paid out semi-annually in four equal installments of $2.5 million over an 18-month period. Each installment payment is subject to Mr. Jones not voluntarily resigning without good reason prior to the date the installment payment is due.

Mr. Jones is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus, with a target bonus amount equal to 125% of his annual base salary and a maximum amount equal to 200% of his annual base salary. Mr. Jones’s actual annual bonus for a given year, if any, is determined on the basis of his and/or the Company’s attainment of objective financial and/or other subjective or objective criteria established by the Executive Committee. Mr. Jones’s annual bonus for 2019 was to be equal to a prorated portion of his target bonus, determined based on the number of days worked in such calendar year beginning on the effective date (although the Company determined not to prorate his annual bonus based on his start date due to Mr. Jones’s performance exceeding expectations). Mr. Jones’s employment agreement provides for an additional cash bonus to be paid within ten (10) days of the effective date in the event his prior employer does not pay him all or any portion of his accrued and earned annual bonus in respect of calendar year 2018. In such an event, the Company will pay Mr. Jones an additional cash bonus of $1,281,993.57 less any amount paid by Mr. Jones’s prior employer. The Company was not required to pay any portion of this bonus to Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones is entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies. During the term of employment, the Company will reimburse Mr. Jones for all reasonable travel (including first-class airfare) and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company.

Employment Agreement with Dustin Semach

Rackspace US entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Semach on July 8, 2019, pursuant to which he serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and receives a base salary of $485,000. Mr. Semach is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 75% of annual salary.

If, prior to any reimbursement payment, the Company’s tax advisor determines Mr. Semach is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a reimbursement payment, or if at any later time the Internal Revenue Service asserts that Mr. Semach is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a reimbursement payment, the Company will pay Mr. Semach an additional gross-up amount for taxes so that the net amount paid to or on behalf of Mr. Semach after paying applicable withholdings or taxes will be equal to the amount that would have been paid had such payments not been subject to tax plus penalties and interest.

 

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Employment Agreement with Subroto Mukerji

Rackspace US entered into an employment agreement with Subroto Mukerji on July 1, 2019, pursuant to which he serves as our Chief Operating Officer and receives a base salary of $460,000. Mr. Mukerji is eligible for an annual target bonus of 80% of base salary. With respect to calendar year 2019, Mr. Mukerji was eligible to receive a bonus based on an April 1, 2019 employment commencement date if he was otherwise eligible for a bonus under the achievement requirements and other terms of the bonus program.

Employment Agreement with Sid Nair

Rackspace US entered into an employment agreement with Sid Nair on July 29, 2019, pursuant to which he serves as our Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas and receives a base salary of $650,000. Mr. Nair is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 90% of base salary. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Nair’s potential 2019 bonus, if earned and approved under the bonus plan, will not be reduced to a pro rata amount on account of his start date in 2019. Mr. Nair is also eligible for an annual regional sales performance incentive bonus of up to $300,000 per year based on the organization attaining sales-related objectives relating to bookings, revenue and growth, to be paid at the same time as the annual corporate bonus which follows year-end financial reconciliations in the first quarter of the following calendar year. For the 2019 year, Mr. Nair’s commission bonus will not be prorated. In addition, Mr. Nair will be paid a signing bonus of $1,037,500 within 30 days of the start of employment. Mr. Nair will be paid an additional $1,500,000 payable in three equal installments of $500,000 each on the following dates, subject to his continued employment: August 16, 2019, the second payroll date in April 2020 and the second payroll date in January 2021. If Mr. Nair resigns without good reason or is terminated for cause prior to the one-year anniversary of employment, he will repay to the Company any signing bonuses that were paid within the prior one-year period. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, the Company directed Relocation Synergy Group (“RSG”) to purchase Mr. Nair’s residence under RSG’s guaranteed buy-out process in connection with Mr. Nair’s relocation to San Antonio, Texas.

If, prior to any reimbursement payment, the Company’s tax advisor determines Mr. Nair is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a reimbursement payment, or if at any later time the Internal Revenue Service asserts that Mr. Nair is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a reimbursement payment, the Company will pay Mr. Nair an additional gross-up amount for taxes, not to exceed $900,000, so that the net amount paid to or on behalf of Mr. Nair after paying applicable withholdings, tax or penalties will be equal to the amount that would have been paid had such payments not been subject to tax.

Employment Agreement with Vikas Gurugunti

Rackspace US entered into an employment agreement with Vikas Gurugunti, effective on August 12, 2019, pursuant to which he serves as our Executive Vice President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services and receives a base salary of $450,000. Mr. Gurugunti is eligible for an annual target bonus equal to 80% of base salary. Mr. Gurugunti received a signing bonus of $40,000, paid in a cash lump sum on the first reasonable payroll date following commencement of his employment.

In addition, each of the NEO Employment Agreements includes restrictions, for a period of one and one-half years with respect to Mr. Jones and one year with respect to Mr. Semach, Mr. Mukerji, Mr. Nair and Mr. Gurugunti following the termination of employment, on the NEO’s ability to solicit employees or certain other business relations of the Company to terminate their relationships with the Company, as well as restrictions against competing with the Company that survive for a period of one year following termination. Each NEO Employment Agreement also includes customary confidentiality covenants.

 

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In connection with their terminations of employment with us, Mr. Eazor, Mr. Alterman and Ms. Hogan entered into separation agreements with us that provided certain payments and benefits in accordance with their pre-existing employment agreements, as described below under “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

2019 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table lists each NEO’s outstanding equity awards at the end of fiscal 2019.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2019 Year-End

 

		Option Awards																				Stock Awards
Name		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable(1)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)(2)				Option Exercise Price ($)				Option Expiration Date				Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)(3)				Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
Kevin Jones
Service-based Options			—				66,667				—				154.50				4/22/2029				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				133,333				154.50				4/22/2029				—				—				—				—
Time-based RSUs			—				—				—				—				—				35,598				5,539,405				—				—
Performance-based RSUs			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				32,132				5,000,000
Dustin Semach
Service-based Options			—				16,667				—				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				33,333				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Subroto Mukerji
Service-based Options			—				23,333				—				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				46,667				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Louis Alterman(5)
Service-based Options			16,964				—				—				117.24				6/28/2027				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Sid Nair
Service-based Options			—				26,667				—				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				53,333				154.49				7/29/2029				—				—				—				—
Vikas Gurugunti
Service-based Options			—				20,000				—				154.49				8/12/2029				—				—				—				—
Performance-based Options			—				—				40,000				154.49				8/12/2029				—				—				—				—

 

(1)	Represents unvested service-based options subject to service-based vesting requirements. See footnote 4 to this table for service-based option vesting dates.

(2)	Represents unvested performance-based options subject to performance-based vesting requirements. The amount shown reflects the maximum number of shares that would vest if the highest MOIC had been achieved as of such date.

(3)	Represents unvested service-based RSUs subject to service-based vesting requirements. See footnote 4 to this table for service-based RSU vesting dates.

 

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(4)

Represents unvested performance-based RSUs subject to performance-based vesting requirements. These performance-based RSUs will vest based on the date of the Executive Committee’s certification of EBITDA CAGR. The amount shown reflects the threshold number of RSUs that would vest if the service-based vesting requirements had been achieved as of such date.

The vesting schedules for the service-based options and RSUs are as follows (subject to the NEO’s continued employment through each applicable vesting date):

 

Name		Grant Date		Award Type		Vesting Schedule
Kevin Jones		4/22/2019		Options		Vests 20% over five years. Approximately 13,333 options are scheduled to vest on each of April 22, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
		4/22/2019		RSUs		Vests 33% over three years. Approximately 11,866 units are scheduled to vest on each of April 22, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Dustin Semach		7/29/2019		Options		Vests 20% over five years. Approximately 3,333 options are scheduled to vest on each of July 29, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Subroto Mukerji		7/29/2019		Options		Vests 20% over five years. Approximately 4,666 options are scheduled to vest on each of July 29, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Sid Nair		7/29/2019		Options		Vests 20% over five years. Approximately 5,333 options are scheduled to vest on each of July 29, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Vikas Gurugunti		8/12/2019		Options		Vests 20% over five years. 4,000 options are scheduled to vest on each of August 12, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

(5)	Mr. Alterman’s employment with the Company terminated on August 30, 2019. In connection with his termination, he vested in an additional portion of his time-based options and his time-based options remain exercisable until the expiration date.

In connection with Mr. Eazor’s termination of employment, all of his outstanding equity awards, whether vested or unvested, were immediately cancelled and ceased to be outstanding. Pursuant to the terms of his separation agreement, the Company paid Mr. Eazor an aggregate amount of $1,500,000 on the first payroll date coincident with or immediately following May 17, 2019. In connection with Ms. Hogan’s termination of employment, all of her outstanding equity awards were forfeited.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested during Fiscal 2019 Table

 

		Option Awards								Stock Awards
Name		Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)				Value Realized on Exercise ($)				Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)				Valued Realized on Vesting ($)
Kevin Jones			—				—				—				—
Dustin Semach			—				—				—				—
Subroto Mukerji			—				—				—				—
Joseph Eazor			—				—				—				—
Louis Alterman			—				—				7,200	(1)			1,112,328
Sid Nair			—				—				—				—
Vikas Gurugunti			—				—				—				—

 

(1)	3,247 shares were withheld to cover taxes.

 

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Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The NEO Employment Agreements provide for compensation and benefits under specified circumstances in connection with the termination of the NEO’s employment:

Kevin Jones

 

•

In the event Mr. Jones’s employment is terminated by the Company for “cause” or due to his resignation other than for “good reason,” Mr. Jones would be entitled to receive his accrued base salary and benefits through the effective date of termination. Mr. Jones would be eligible to receive any then-remaining unpaid installments of his $10 million sign-on cash bonus upon a termination by the Company for cause but not if he resigns without good reason. Mr. Jones’s accrued base salary, benefits and the remaining unpaid installments of the sign-on cash bonus are referred to as “accrued obligations.”

 

•

In the event Mr. Jones’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, subject to execution of an effective release, he would be entitled to receive, in addition to the accrued obligations, a prorated portion of his annual bonus for the year of termination, paid if and when annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company but no later than March 15 of the year immediately following the year of termination.

 

•

In the event Mr. Jones’s employment is terminated without cause (including a non-renewal of his employment agreement by the Company) or Mr. Jones resigns for good reason, subject to his execution of an effective release, Mr. Jones would be entitled to receive, in addition to the accrued obligations, continuation of his base salary for 12 months paid in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices, payment of an amount equal to his target bonus within 60 days following termination of employment and reimbursement for continued coverage under COBRA for up to 12 months following termination.

Dustin Semach

 

•

In the event Mr. Semach’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, Mr. Semach would be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

•

In the event Mr. Semach’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement or Mr. Semach resigns for good reason, subject to his execution of an effective release, Mr. Semach would be entitled to receive, in addition to any accrued obligations, (1) the greater of Mr. Semach’s base salary for 12 months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on Mr. Semach’s location, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions; and (2) other than following a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus based on actual level of achievement, to be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees.

 

•

If Mr. Semach gives notice of non-renewal of his employment agreement, he would be entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the Company determines a termination date that is prior to the end of the employment period, and Mr. Semach signs a general release, the Company will pay Mr. Semach an amount equal to his pro rata base salary through the end of the employment period, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions.

 

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Subroto Mukerji

 

•

In the event Mr. Mukerji’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, Mr. Mukerji would be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

•

If Mr. Mukerji gives notice of non-renewal of his employment agreement, he would be entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the Company determines a termination date that is prior to the end of the employment period, and Mr. Mukerji signs an effective general release, the Company will pay Mr. Mukerji an amount equal to his pro rata base salary through the end of the employment period (June 30, 2021 or any one-year anniversary thereafter), to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions.

 

•

In the event Mr. Mukerji’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement or Mr. Mukerji terminates for good reason, he would be entitled to the accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, upon signing an effective general release, Mr. Mukerji would be entitled to (i) the greater of his current base salary for 12 months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on Mr. Mukerji’s location, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions; and (ii) other than following a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Mr. Mukerji would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which his termination occurs. The bonus amount will be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees.

Sid Nair

 

•

In the event Mr. Nair’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, Mr. Nair would be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

•

If Mr. Nair gives notice of non-renewal of his employment agreement, he would be entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the Company determines a termination date that is prior to the end of the employment period, and Mr. Nair signs a general release, the Company will pay Mr. Nair an amount equal to his pro rata base salary through the end of the employment period, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions.

 

•

In the event Mr. Nair’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, or Mr. Nair resigns for good reason, he would be entitled to the accrued and unpaid base salary and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, upon signing an effective general release, Mr. Nair will be entitled to (i) the greater of his current base salary for 12 months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on Mr. Nair’s location, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions; and (ii) other than upon a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro rata portion of

 

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the actual annual performance bonus that Mr. Nair would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual annual performance bonus that he would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which his termination occurs. The bonus amount will be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees.

Vikas Gurugunti

 

•

In the event Mr. Gurugunti’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, Mr. Gurugunti would be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

•

If Mr. Gurugunti gives notice of non-renewal of his employment agreement, he would be entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the Company determines a termination date that is prior to the end of the employment period, and Mr. Gurugunti signs an effective general release, the Company will pay Mr. Gurugunti an amount equal to his pro rata base salary through the end of the employment period (August 13, 2021 or any one-year anniversary thereafter), to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions.

 

•

In the event Mr. Gurugunti’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, or by Mr. Gurugunti for good reason, he would be entitled to receive accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, upon signing an effective general release, Mr. Gurugunti would be entitled to (i) the greater of his current base salary for 12 months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on Mr. Gurugunti’s location, to be paid in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions; and (ii) other than following a Company non-renewal of his employment agreement, a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Mr. Gurugunti would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which his termination occurs. The bonus amount will be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees.

The equity award agreements provide for the following treatment upon a termination of the NEO’s employment:

Kevin Jones

Stock Options

 

•

Mr. Jones would be entitled to accelerated vesting of his time-based options on the three-month anniversary of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2017 Incentive Plan), subject to his continued employment as of such date or if during the three-month period following a change in control he is terminated by the Company without cause, due to his death, serious illness or disability or due to his resignation for good reason.

 

•

Mr. Jones would be entitled to accelerated vesting of a prorated portion of his time-based options if, prior to a change in control, he is terminated by the Company without cause, due to his death, serious illness or disability or due to his resignation for good reason. If there is a change in control during the 90 days following any of the foregoing events, then he would be entitled to accelerated vesting of his entire time-based option.

 

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•

His performance-based stock options are eligible to vest upon a change in control based on achievement of the applicable performance metrics. However, if the Apollo Funds receive non-cash consideration in connection with such change in control, then the Apollo Funds can elect to treat the non-cash consideration as cash consideration (and determine its fair value) or not treat the non-cash consideration as such and permit the option to remain outstanding eligible to vest upon a future measurement date.

 

•

If, prior to the occurrence of a change in control, Mr. Jones’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, due to death, serious illness or disability or by Mr. Jones for good reason, his performance-based options would stay outstanding for 90 days and remain eligible to vest based on achievement of the applicable performance metrics during such period.

 

•

If, following the occurrence of a change in control, Mr. Jones’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, due to his death, serious illness or disability or Mr. Jones for good reason, the Apollo Funds can elect to either treat the date of termination as a measurement date and determine the fair value of non-cash consideration received in connection with the change in control in order to determine whether the applicable performance metrics had been achieved or permit the option to remain outstanding and eligible to vest upon a future measurement date.

Time-Based RSUs

 

•

Mr. Jones would be entitled to full accelerated vesting of his time-based RSUs on either (1) the three-month anniversary of a change in control or (2) upon a termination of employment other than by Mr. Jones without good reason.

Performance-Based RSUs

 

•

His performance-based RSUs are eligible to vest upon the following scenarios:

 

(i)

subject to Mr. Jones’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company through March 31, 2022, a number of RSUs will vest as of the determination date (which will be the date of the Executive Committee’s certification of EBITDA CAGR);

 

(ii)

if a termination occurs after March 31, 2022, but prior to the determination date, the RSUs will remain eligible to vest as of the determination date. To the extent the RSUs do not become vested RSUs, the RSUs will terminate and become null and void as of the determination date;

 

(iii)

if a change in control occurs prior to March 31, 2022, then, for purposes of determining the EBITDA CAGR, the EBITDA for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the calendar quarter ended immediately prior to such change in control will be used in lieu of the LTM EBITDA for the period ending March 31, 2022. Following the occurrence of a change in control, any RSUs (other than vested change in control RSUs) will immediately be forfeited; and

 

(iv)

except as otherwise provided, the RSUs will cease vesting as of the date of Mr. Jones’s termination with the Company for any reason and the portion of RSUs that are not vested RSUs will be forfeited immediately; provided, that, in the event that Mr. Jones experiences a termination for cause, all RSUs then held by Mr. Jones (whether vested or unvested) will immediately be forfeited.

Dustin Semach, Subroto Mukerji, Sid Nair, Vikas Gurugunti

Stock Options

 

•

Each of the above NEOs would be entitled to accelerated vesting of his time-based options on the six-month anniversary of a change in control, subject to his continued employment as of the

 

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date of such change in control or if during the six-month period following a change in control he is terminated by the Company without cause, due to his death, serious illness or disability.

 

•

Each NEO would be entitled to accelerated vesting of a prorated portion of his time-based options if, prior to a change in control, he is terminated by the Company without cause or due to his death, serious illness or disability. If there is a change in control during the 90 days following any of the foregoing events, then he would be entitled to accelerated vesting of his entire time-based option.

 

•

Each NEO’s performance-based stock options are eligible to vest upon a change in control based on achievement of the applicable performance metrics. However, if the Apollo investors receive non-cash consideration in connection with such change in control, then the Apollo investors can elect to treat the non-cash consideration as cash consideration (and determine its fair value) or not treat the non-cash consideration as such and permit the option to remain outstanding eligible to vest upon a future measurement date.

 

•

If, prior to the occurrence of a change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to death, serious illness or disability, his performance-based options would stay outstanding for 90 days and remain eligible to vest based on achievement of the applicable performance metrics during such period.

 

•

If, following the occurrence of a change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or due to his death, serious illness or disability, the Apollo investors can elect to either treat the date of termination as a measurement date and determine the fair value of non-cash consideration received in connection with the change in control in order to determine whether the applicable performance metrics had been achieved or permit the option to remain outstanding and eligible to vest upon a future measurement date.

Under Mr. Jones’s employment agreement, “cause” means any of the following: (i) Mr. Jones’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or other crime involving either fraud or a breach of his duty of loyalty; (ii) substantial and repeated failure to perform lawful duties as reasonably directed by our board of directors (other than as a consequence of disability) after written notice and failure to cure within 15 days; (iii) fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or material misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company; (iv) violation of the written policies of the Company, or other willful misconduct in connection with the performance of Mr. Jones’s duties that in either case results in material injury to the Company, after written notice and failure to cure within 15 days; (v) breach of this employment agreement that results in material injury to the Company, and failure to cure such breach within 15 days after written notice; or (vi) breach of the confidentiality or non-disparagement provisions (excluding unintentional breaches that are cured within 15 days after Mr. Jones becomes aware of such breaches) or the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the employment agreement; provided, that any such event under sub-parts (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) above does not constitute cause unless the Company provides Mr. Jones with written notice no later than 30 days following the initial occurrence of such event or omission and Mr. Jones fails to cure such event or omission within 15 days of receipt of such notice.

Under Messrs. Semach’s and Nair’s employment agreement, “cause” means any of the following: (i) willful misconduct, including, without limitation, violation of sexual or other harassment policy, gross negligence, misappropriation of or material misrepresentation regarding property of Company, other than customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, or failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent material injury to the financial condition, business or reputation of the Company; (ii) abandonment of duties (other than by reason of disability) (and, in the case of Mr. Semach, following a written warning and opportunity to cure for two business days); (iii) failure to follow lawful directives of the Company, or failure to meet reasonable performance objectives following a written warning and opportunity to cure for 30 days; (iv) a felony conviction or indictment, a

 

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plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the NEO, or other conduct that would result in material injury to the Company’s reputation, including indictment or conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement or a crime involving moral turpitude; (v) a material breach of the employment agreement; or (vi) a significant violation of the Company’s employment and management policies.

Under Messrs. Jones’s and Semach’s employment agreements, “good reason” means any of the following without Mr. Jones’s or Mr. Semach’s (as applicable) written consent: (1) a material reduction of duties, responsibilities or authority; (ii) Mr. Jones’s being required to work solely or substantially at a location more than 50 miles from a location where he has been permitted to work as of the date of beginning employment; (iii) a reduction in base salary, or, in the case of Mr. Jones, a reduction in his target bonus; (iv) in the case of Mr. Jones, any requirement that Mr. Jones report to someone other than our board of directors; or (v) any material breach by the Company of any term or provision of the employment agreement; in the case of Mr. Semach, he must provide written notice to the Company of such breach.

Under Messrs. Mukerji’s and Nair’s employment agreement, “good reason” means any of the following: (i) the Company’s repeated failure to comply with a material term of the employment agreement after written notice by the NEO specifying the alleged failure; or (ii) a substantial and unusual reduction in responsibilities and authority. If the NEO elects to terminate the NEO’s employment for good reason, the NEO must first provide the Company with written notice within 30 days, after which the Company will have 60 days to cure. If the Company has not cured and the NEO elects to terminate employment, the NEO must do so within 10 days after the end of the cure period.

Joseph Eazor Separation Agreement

In connection with the termination of his employment with us, Mr. Eazor entered into a separation agreement, which provided for a severance payment consisting of (i) his base salary of $825,000 paid in equal bi-weekly installments for a six-month period, (ii) his target bonus for fiscal 2019 in the amount of $1,031,250 paid in a lump sum, (iii) a $1,500,000 payment in connection with the cancellation of his outstanding equity awards and (iv) continued coverage under the Company’s health and welfare plans (which he elected not to receive). In addition, Mr. Eazor’s separation agreement provided for a transition assistance payment in the amount of $1,143,750 for Mr. Eazor’s provision of transition services. In connection with the execution of his separation from the Company, Mr. Eazor executed a release.

Louis Alterman Separation Agreement

Mr. Alterman entered into a separation agreement with us upon his departure on August 30, 2019, which provided for a cash severance payment $962,000, payable in 24 equal biweekly installments (which is reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2019), plus payment of Mr. Alterman’s annual performance bonus in respect of fiscal 2019 based on actual performance (paid in March 2020) and a pro rata portion of his retention bonus in the amount of $216,364 (paid on the second payroll after the effective date of the separation agreement). In addition, Mr. Alterman’s separation agreement provided for a transition payment in the amount of $250,000 for services provided by Mr. Alterman to assist with the transition of his duties. In connection with his separation agreement with us, Mr. Alterman entered into an equity acceleration agreement. Under the terms of the equity acceleration agreement, as of August 30, 2019 (the “employment end date”), the Company accelerated an additional tranche of Mr. Alterman’s service-based options and service-based RSUs and extended the option exercise period. In addition, the Company extended the period for which a portion of performance-based RSUs and performance-based options were eligible to vest for up to an additional six months.

 

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Sandy Hogan Separation Agreement

Ms. Hogan entered into a separation agreement with us upon her departure, which provided for a cash severance payment of $892,000, payable in 24 equal, biweekly installments of $37,167 each.

Pursuant to their separation agreements with us, Mr. Eazor, Mr. Alterman and Ms. Hogan are bound by one-year post-employment non-competes and one year post-employment non-solicits (18 months with respect to Mr. Eazor) of our customers, suppliers, business relations and employees, and perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality covenants. Each separation agreement is subject to execution of a general release.

The following table provides a summary of the compensation that the NEOs (other than Mr. Eazor, Mr. Alterman and Ms. Hogan) would be eligible to receive in each of the scenarios described above, assuming that the relevant termination and, if applicable, “change in control,” occurred on December 31, 2019:

Summary of Termination and Change in Control Benefits

 

Name		Benefit		Termination for Cause ($)				Termination without Cause/with Good Reason ($)				Death or Disability ($)				Change in Control ($)(1)
Kevin Jones		Severance(2)			—				1,856,250				—				—
		Prorated Annual Bonus			—				—				709,161				—
		Sign-on Bonus(3)			5,000,000				5,000,000				5,000,000				—
		Benefit Continuation			—				18,643				—				—
		Acceleration of Time-based Options(4)			—				10,259				10,259				74,000
		Acceleration of Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—
		Acceleration of Time-based RSUs(4)(5)			5,539,405				5,539,405				5,539,405				5,539,405
		Acceleration of Performance-based RSUs(4)(6)			—				—				—				—
		Total			10,539,405				12,424,557				11,258,825				5,613,405
Dustin Semach		Severance(2)			—				485,000				—				—
		Prorated Annual Bonus			—				162,442				—				—
		Accrued Bonus(7)			—				—				162,442				—
		Acceleration of Time-based Options(4)			—				1,585				1,585				18,667
		Acceleration of Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—
		Total			—				649,027				164,027				18,667
Subroto Mukerji		Severance(2)			—				460,000				—				—
		Prorated Annual Bonus			—				277,260				—				—
		Accrued Bonus(7)			—				—				277,260				—
		Acceleration of Time-based Options(4)			—				2,220				2,220				26,133
		Acceleration of Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—
		Total			—				739,480				279,480				26,133
Sid Nair		Severance(2)			—				650,000				—				—
		Prorated Annual Bonus			—				885,000				—				—

 

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Name		Benefit		Termination for Cause ($)				Termination without Cause/with Good Reason ($)				Death or Disability ($)				Change in Control ($)(1)
		Accrued Bonus(7)			—				—				885,000				—
		Acceleration of Time-based Options(4)			—				2,537				2,537				29,867
		Acceleration of Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—
		Total			—				1,537,537				887,537				29,867
Vikas Gurugunti		Severance(2)			—				450,000				—				—
		Prorated Annual Bonus			—				140,055				—				—
		Accrued Bonus(7)			—				—				140,055				—
		Acceleration of Time-based Options(4)			—				1,731				1,731				22,400
		Acceleration of Performance-based Options			—				—				—				—
		Total			—				591,786				141,786				22,400

 

(1)

The value attributed to the accelerated vesting of the time-based options is reflected in the table above, even though such time-based options will not actually vest until the six-month anniversary of a change in control (three months in the case of the CEO), subject to the NEO’s continued employment as of such date. The NEO is entitled to accelerated vesting of his performance-based options upon a change in control, contingent upon satisfying required performance metrics. Based on the value of the Company’s business as of December 31, 2019, the performance metrics are assumed to not have been achieved.

(2)	In the case of Mr. Jones, this payment includes 12 months’ annual base salary and target annual bonus. In the cases of Messrs. Semach, Mukerji, Gurugunti and Nair, this payment includes 12 months’ annual base salary.

(3)	Upon termination by the Company for cause, termination by the Company without cause, termination by Mr. Jones with good reason or termination due to death or disability, Mr. Jones is entitled to receive any then-unpaid installments of his sign-on bonus.

(4)

The NEO (other than Mr. Jones) would be entitled to accelerated vesting of a prorated portion of his time-based options if, prior to a change in control, he is terminated by the Company without cause or due to his death, serious illness or disability. Mr. Jones would be entitled to accelerated vesting of a prorated portion of his time-based options if, prior to a change in control, he is terminated by the Company without cause, due to his death, serious illness or disability or due to his resignation for good reason. All option and RSU values are calculated using a fair market value of an underlying share of common stock on December 31, 2019, of $155.61.

(5)	Mr. Jones would be entitled to full accelerated vesting of his time-based RSUs on either (1) the three-month anniversary of a change in control or (2) upon a termination of employment other than by Mr. Jones without good reason.

(6)

For purposes of determining the EBITDA CAGR with respect to Mr. Jones’s performance-based RSUs upon a change in control as of December 31, 2019, the EBITDA for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the calendar quarter ended immediately prior to such change in control will be used in lieu of the LTM EBITDA for the period ending March 31, 2022. Following the occurrence of a change in control, Mr. Jones’s RSUs (other than vested change in control RSUs) will immediately be forfeited.

(7)	Messrs. Semach, Mukerji, Gurugunti and Nair are entitled to receive their accrued but unpaid bonus upon a termination due to death or disability.

 

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In the event that the payment of the severance benefits described above (together with any other payments or benefits) will result in an NEO being subject to the excise tax imposed on certain “golden parachute” arrangements under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the NEO Employment Agreements provide that such payments and benefits will be reduced to the largest amount which can be paid to the NEO without the imposition of such excise tax, but only if such reduction would result in the NEO retaining a larger after-tax benefit than if he had received all payments and been subject to the excise tax.

Fiscal Year 2019 Director Compensation

Four members of our board of directors who served in fiscal year 2019 received compensation for services as directors. All other members of our board of directors who served in fiscal year 2019 were either an employee of the Company (in the case of Mr. Jones) or employees of affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY and did not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors.

Director Compensation

 

Name		Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)				Stock Awards ($)(1)				Option Award ($)(1)				Total ($)
Dhiren Fonseca			—				150,000				—				150,000
Jeffrey Benjamin			100,000				75,000				—				175,000
Mitch Garber			—				—				105,707				105,707
Timothy Campos			100,000				75,000				—				175,000

 

(1)

The amounts in these columns reflect the fair value of the restricted stock, RSU and option awards granted to our independent non-employee directors calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding estimated forfeitures. Restricted stock, RSUs and options granted to independent non-employee directors generally vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service. As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Garber held 2,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $100.00 per share, all of which have vested; 1,162 options to purchase shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $172.05 per share, all of which have vested; and 1,294 options to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $154.50, none of which have vested. As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Fonseca and Mr. Benjamin held 970 shares of restricted stock and 485 RSUs, respectively. Mr. Campos deferred receipt of his 2019 RSU award until 2020.

Under the terms of the engagement letters, during each year of service on our board of directors, each director can elect to receive their annual compensation in: (i) a cash payment of $100,000 and a number of RSUs equal to $75,000 divided by fair market value; (ii) a cash payment of $100,000 and options equal to $100,000 divided by fair market value; (iii) a number of RSUs or restricted stock only (no cash) equal to $150,000 divided by fair market value; or (iv) options only (no cash) equal to $200,000 divided by fair market value.

New Employee Benefit and Stock Plans

2020 Incentive Plan

Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors expects to adopt, and we expect our stockholders to approve, the 2020 Incentive Plan to become effective in connection with the consummation of this offering. The 2020 Incentive Plan is intended to remain effective until the tenth anniversary of its effective date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms. Following the adoption of the 2020 Incentive Plan, we do not expect to issue additional awards under the 2017

 

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Incentive Plan. The following summary of the 2020 Incentive Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2020 Incentive Plan that is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and is ultimately adopted by our board of directors.

Administration. The 2020 Incentive Plan will generally be administered by the Compensation Committee, unless otherwise determined by our board of directors. However, the Compensation Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of our board of directors or one or more of our officers the authority to grant or amend awards to participants other than our senior executives who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, the full board of directors will administer the 2020 Incentive Plan with respect to awards made to non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee and our board of directors, as applicable, are sometimes referred to herein as the “Administrator.” The Administrator has authority to interpret the 2020 Incentive Plan and all award agreements, and to adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the 2020 Incentive Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend the 2020 Incentive Plan or any award agreement, subject to certain limits set forth in the 2020 Incentive Plan.

Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in the 2020 Incentive Plan include all non-employee members of our board of directors, as well as employees and consultants of the Company and its parents and subsidiaries, as determined by the Administrator. Only our employees or an employee of a parent or subsidiary may receive incentive stock options (“ISOs”) under the 2020 Incentive Plan.

Number of Shares Authorized. The maximum number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Incentive Plan will be no more than              shares, all of which may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs. The shares may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market.

If any shares subject to an award under the 2020 Incentive Plan are (i) forfeited or expire, (ii) settled for cash, (iii) converted to shares of another person in connection with a corporate transaction, (iv) tendered by the participant or withheld in payment of the exercise price of a stock option, (v) tendered by the participant or withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to any award, (vi) subject to stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR upon exercise, or (vii) purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds received from the exercise of stock options, then such shares may be used again for new grants under the 2020 Incentive Plan.

Awards granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by an entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock (“Substitute Awards”) will not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the 2020 Incentive Plan and shares subject to such Substitute Awards may not be added to the 2020 Incentive Plan’s share reserve if such awards are forfeited or expire.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. Notwithstanding any other provision in the 2020 Incentive Plan or in any policy of ours regarding non-employee director compensation, the maximum amount of total compensation payable to a non-employee director for services in any fiscal year may not exceed $            , calculated as the sum of (i) the grant date fair value of all awards payable in shares and the maximum cash value of any other award granted under the 2020 Incentive Plan, plus (ii) cash compensation in the form of our board of directors and committee retainers and meeting or similar fees. However, the foregoing limit will not apply in respect of any compensation payable in the year of a non-employee director’s initial appointment or election to our board of directors.

Change in Capitalization. The Administrator has broad discretion to take action under the 2020 Incentive Plan, as well as to make adjustments to the number and kind of shares issuable under the 2020

 

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Incentive Plan and the terms, conditions and exercise price (if any) of existing and future awards, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits and facilitate necessary or desirable changes in the event of certain transactions and events affecting our common stock, such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and other corporate transactions. In addition, in the event of certain non-reciprocal transactions with our stockholders known as “equity restructurings,” the Administrator will make equitable adjustments to the 2020 Incentive Plan and outstanding awards.

Awards Available for Grant. The 2020 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including ISOs, and nonqualified stock options (“NSOs”), SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, other stock-based incentive awards, dividend equivalents, and cash-based incentive awards. All awards under the 2020 Incentive Plan will be set forth in award agreements, which will detail all terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms, performance criteria, and post-termination exercise limitations. Awards other than cash-based incentive awards generally will be settled in shares of our common stock, but the Administrator may provide for cash settlement of any award. A brief description of each award type follows.

Stock Options and SARs. Stock options provide for the purchase of shares of our common stock in the future at an exercise price set on the grant date. ISOs, by contrast to NSOs, may provide tax deferral beyond exercise and favorable capital gains tax treatment to their holders if certain holding period and other requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), are satisfied. SARs entitle their holder, upon exercise, to receive from us an amount equal to the appreciation of the shares subject to the award between the grant date and the exercise date, payable in shares, cash or a combination of shares and cash. The exercise price of all stock options and SARs granted pursuant to the 2020 Incentive Plan will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, with the exception of Substitute Awards. The exercise price of a stock option may be paid by the participant in any form permitted by the Administrator, as described below under “Payment for Awards.” Stock options and SARs may be exercised as determined by the Administrator, but in no event may have a term extending beyond the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. ISOs granted to any person who owns, as of the date of grant, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock or any of our parents or subsidiaries, however, shall have an exercise price that is not less than 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and may not have a term extending beyond the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of ISOs that are first exercisable by an eligible individual during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the options will be treated as NSOs to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The period during which a participant may have a right to vest in and exercise an option or SAR will be set by the Administrator. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of an option, provided that no option may vest following its expiration, termination, or forfeiture.

Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or set forth in an award agreement, an option or SAR that is unexercisable upon a participant’s termination of service may not become exercisable thereafter, and such unexercisable portion will expire upon the participant’s termination of service. Unless we determine otherwise, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an option (other than an ISO) or a SAR (i) the exercise of the option or SAR is prohibited by applicable law, or (ii) shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable participant due to any insider trading policy of ours (including blackout periods), the term of the option or SAR shall be extended until the date that is 30 days after the end of the legal prohibition or black-out period; provided, in no event will the extension last beyond the ten-year (or shorter) term of the applicable option or SAR.

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is an award of nontransferable shares of our common stock that remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met, and which may be subject to a purchase price. Upon the issuance of restricted stock, a participant will have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to receive dividends and other distributions, subject to the

 

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Administrator’s discretion. The vesting period will be set by the Administrator. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of restricted stock by removing any and all restrictions imposed on the award. Also, the Administrator may provide that vesting will not cease upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in control or termination of service. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, in the event a participant’s service is terminated during the applicable restriction period and such participant holds an award of restricted stock, then (i) if such participant paid no price for the restricted stock award, the unvested portion of such restricted stock award shall be forfeited and cancelled for no consideration on the participant’s date of termination, or (ii) if such participant paid a price for the restricted stock award, then we will have the right to repurchase the unvested portion of such restricted stock award at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the participant for such restricted stock award or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable award agreement.

RSU Awards. RSUs are contractual promises to deliver shares of our common stock in the future, which may also remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met. A participant will have no stockholder rights unless and until the RSUs vest and shares are delivered to the participant. Delivery of the shares underlying RSUs may be deferred under the terms of the award or at the election of the participant, if the Administrator permits such a deferral. The vesting period will be set by the Administrator. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of restricted stock by removing any and all restrictions imposed on the award. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, RSUs will be settled and paid in the form of fully transferable shares, but may also be settled in cash or in a combination of shares and cash. Also, the Administrator may provide that vesting will not cease upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in control or termination of service.

Other Stock or Cash-Based Awards. Other stock or cash-based awards are awards linked to or derived from shares of our common stock or value metrics related to our shares, and may remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met. Such awards will be paid in stock, cash, or a combination of stock and cash. These stock or cash-based awards may, but need not, be made in lieu of compensation to which a participant is otherwise entitled.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards other than stock options or SARs. Dividend equivalents are credited as of dividend record dates during the period between the date an award is granted and the date such award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Administrator. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, dividend equivalents that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of an award will be paid out to the participant only to the extent that the award vests and in no event may any award provide for a participant’s receipt of any other dividends prior to the vesting of such award.

Vesting and Performance Criteria. Vesting conditions determined by the Administrator may apply to each award and may include continued service, achievement of performance goals which may be based on the performance criteria set forth in the 2020 Incentive Plan or such other criteria as determined by the Administrator, and/or other conditions.

Payment for Awards. To the extent that a participant is required to pay for any award or the shares issuable pursuant to such award, such as upon the exercise of a stock option, such payment may be made in a manner permitted by the Administrator which may include by cash, wire transfer or check, by shares (including shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of an award), by delivery of a written or electronic notice that the participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to our with respect to shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to us, by having our withhold from the shares otherwise issuable or deliverable with respect to the exercise or settlement of an award a number of shares with a fair market value equal to the aggregate payments required, by

 

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any other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion, or any combination of such permitted forms of payment.

Effect of a Change in Control. In the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the 2020 Incentive Plan), outstanding awards under the 2020 Incentive Plan will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement, the agreement evidencing the change in control transaction, or treated as otherwise determined in the Administrator’s discretion without the participant’s consent, and such treatment need not apply to all outstanding award in an identical manner. The Administrator’s determination as to the treatment of outstanding awards upon a change in control will be final, binding, and conclusive.

Non-U.S. Participants. The Administrator may determine which subsidiaries will be covered by the 2020 Incentive Plan and which individuals outside of the U.S. will be eligible to participate in the 2020 Incentive Plan and may modify award terms, establish subplans and/or adjust other terms and conditions of awards, subject to the share limits described above, in order to facilitate grants of awards subject to the laws and/or stock exchange rules of countries outside of the United States.

Nontransferability. With limited exceptions for estate planning, certain beneficiary designations, the laws of descent and distribution, and transfers to permitted family member transferees under the Form S-8 rules (in the Administrator’s discretion), awards under the 2020 Incentive Plan are generally non-transferable and are exercisable only by the participant.

Plan Amendment and Termination. The 2020 Incentive Plan will have a term of ten years. Our board of directors may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2020 Incentive Plan at any time; however, except in connection with certain changes in our capital structure, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that increases the number of shares available under the 2020 Incentive Plan, “reprices” any stock option or SAR, or cancels any stock option or SAR in exchange for cash or another award when the option or SAR price per share exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares. No amendment, suspension, or termination of the 2020 Incentive Plan may materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any award previously granted or awarded without the consent of the participant, unless the award agreement expressly provides otherwise.

Clawback/Forfeiture. All awards will be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by us to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable award agreement, as well as to any claw-back required by applicable law or stock exchange listing rule.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors expects to adopt, and we expect our stockholders to approve, our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) to become effective on the date immediately preceding, and contingent upon, this offering, and to remain effective until terminated by our board of directors. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide an opportunity for our eligible employees and employees of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of ours that has been designated by the Compensation Committee to purchase shares at a discount through voluntary deductions from such employees’ eligible pay. The rights granted under the ESPP are intended to be treated as either (i) purchase rights granted under an “employee stock purchase plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423 of the Code (a “423 Offering”), or (ii) purchase rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan that is not subject to the requirements of Section 423 of the Code (a “Non-423 Offering”). The following summary of the ESPP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the ESPP that is ultimately adopted by our board of directors.

Administration. The ESPP will be administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will have, among other authority, the authority to interpret the ESPP,

 

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determine eligibility and adjudicate disputed claims under the ESPP, determine the terms and conditions of purchase rights under the ESPP, and to make any other determination and take any other action desirable for the administration of the ESPP. To the extent not prohibited by applicable laws, the Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to a subcommittee, to one or more of our officers or to other persons or groups of persons, including to assist with the day-to-day administration of the ESPP.

Eligibility. Generally, any individual in an employee-employer relationship with us or a designated company for income tax and employment tax withholding and reporting purposes is eligible to participate in the ESPP and may participate by submitting an enrollment form or appropriate online form to the Company under procedures specified by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may determine on a uniform basis for an offering that employees will not be eligible to participate if the employee has not met certain conditions prescribed in the ESPP. No employee is eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the ESPP if, immediately after such grant, the employee would own shares possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of our common stock or shares of any subsidiary or parent of ours (including any shares which such employee may purchase under all outstanding purchase rights), nor will any employee be granted purchase rights to buy more than $25,000 worth of shares (determined based on the fair market value of the shares on the date the purchase rights are granted) under the ESPP in any calendar year such purchase rights are outstanding. Eligible employees who are citizens or resident of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be excluded from participation in the ESPP if their participation is prohibited under local laws or if complying with local laws would cause a 423 Offering to fail to qualify under Section 423 of the Code. In the case of a Non-423 Offering, eligible employees may be excluded from participation in the ESPP or an offering if the Compensation Committee has determined that participation of such eligible employees is not advisable or practicable for any reason.

Number of shares Authorized. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP will be no more than              shares. The shares may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market. In the event of any change affecting the number, class, value, or terms of the shares resulting from a recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, spinoff, split up, combination, reclassification or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, separation, reorganization or liquidation or any other change in the corporate structure or shares, including any extraordinary dividend or extraordinary distribution (but excluding any regular cash dividend), then the Compensation Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the ESPP, will, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and class of shares that may be delivered under the ESPP, the purchase price per share and the number of shares covered by each right under the ESPP that has not yet been exercised.

Non-U.S. Sub-Plans. The Compensation Committee will also have the authority to adopt such sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the ESPP by employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States. Such sub-plans may vary the terms of the ESPP, other than with respect to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP, to accommodate the requirements of local laws, customs and procedures for non-U.S. jurisdictions.

Offering Periods. The ESPP will be implemented by consecutive offering periods with a new offering period commencing on the first trading day of the relevant offering period and terminating on the last trading day of the relevant offering period. Unless and until the Compensation Committee determines otherwise in its discretion, each offering period will consist of one approximately six-month purchase period, which will run simultaneously with the offering period. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, offering periods will run from July 1st (or the first trading day thereafter)

 

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through December 31st (or the first trading day prior to such date) and from January 1st (or the first trading day thereafter) through June 30th (or the first trading day prior to such date). However, the initial offering period will run from the date of this offering until December 31, 2020. The Compensation Committee has the authority to establish additional or alternative sequential or overlapping offering periods, a different number of purchase periods within an offering period, or a different duration for one or more offering periods or purchase periods or different commencement or ending dates for such offering periods with respect to future offerings, provided that no offering period may have a duration that exceeds 27 months.

Payroll Deductions, Purchase Price and Purchase of shares. Except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, up to a maximum of 15% of an employee’s “eligible pay” (as defined in the ESPP) may be contributed by payroll deductions toward the purchase of shares in each purchase period. An employee may elect to decrease the rate of payroll deductions twice during the offering period but may increase the rate of such payroll deductions only during an enrollment period to the ESPP. The purchase price per share at which shares are sold in an offering period under the ESPP will be equal to the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of the shares (i) on the first trading day of the offering period, or (ii) on the purchase date (i.e., the last trading day of the purchase period). For this purpose, “fair market value” generally means the closing price of the shares on the applicable date. However, for the initial offering period, the fair market value will be based on the initial price to the public as set forth in this prospectus.

Each purchase right will be automatically exercised on the applicable purchase date, and shares will be purchased on behalf of each employee by applying the employee’s contributions for the applicable purchase period to the purchase of whole shares at the purchase price in effect for that purchase date. The maximum number of shares purchasable per employee during any single offering period may not exceed 500 shares, or such other amount as may be designated by the Compensation Committee.

Withdrawals and Termination of Employment. An employee may withdraw from an offering period and receive a refund of contributions by following the procedures prescribed by the Compensation Committee. Upon receipt of a notice of withdrawal, deductions of contributions on behalf of the employee will be discontinued commencing with the payroll period immediately following the effective date of the notice of withdrawal, and such employee will not be eligible to participate in the ESPP until the next enrollment period. Amounts credited to the account of any employee who withdraws will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable. Upon termination of employment or other loss of eligible employee status for any reason, ESPP participation is immediately terminated, payroll deductions will be discontinued and any amounts then credited to the employee’s contribution account will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable

Change in Control. In the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the ESPP but excluding a liquidation or dissolution of the Company), each outstanding purchase right will be equitably adjusted and assumed or an equivalent purchase right substituted by the successor company or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute the purchase right or is not a publicly traded corporation, the offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date before the date of the proposed Change in Control, after which the offering period will end. Our board of directors or Compensation Committee has the right to determine the treatment of outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP in the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Amendment and Termination of ESPP. Our board of directors or the Compensation Committee may amend the ESPP at any time, provided that if stockholder approval is required pursuant to the Code, securities laws or regulations, or the rules or regulations of the securities exchange on which our

 

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shares are listed or traded, then no such amendment will be effective unless approved by our stockholders within such time period as may be required. Our board of directors may suspend the ESPP or discontinue the ESPP at any time, including shortening an offering period in connection with a spin-off or similar corporate event. Upon termination of the ESPP, all contributions will cease, all amounts credited to an employee’s account will be equitably applied to the purchase of whole shares then available for sale, and any remaining amounts will be promptly refunded, without interest, to the employees.

Tax Consequences

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the grant, exercise and vesting of awards under the 2020 Incentive Plan, the purchase of shares under the ESPP and the disposition of shares so acquired and is intended to reflect the current provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder. This summary is not intended to be a complete statement of applicable law, nor does it address foreign, state, local or payroll tax considerations. This summary assumes that all awards described in the summary are exempt from, or comply with, the requirement of Section 409A of the Code. Moreover, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular participant may differ from those described herein by reason of, among other things, the particular circumstances of such participant.

Stock Options under the 2020 Incentive Plan. Holders of ISOs will generally incur no federal income tax liability at the time of grant or upon vesting or exercise of those options. However, the spread at exercise will be an “item of tax preference,” which may give rise to “alternative minimum tax” liability for the taxable year in which the exercise occurs. If the holder does not dispose of the shares before the later of two years following the date of grant and one year following the date of exercise, the difference between the exercise price and the amount realized upon disposition of the shares will constitute long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be. Assuming the holding period is satisfied, no deduction will be allowed to us for federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or exercise of the incentive stock option. If, within two years following the date of grant or within one year following the date of exercise, the holder of shares acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option disposes of those shares, the participant will generally realize taxable compensation at the time of such disposition equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lesser of the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise or the amount realized on the subsequent disposition of the shares, and that amount will generally be deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, subject to the possible limitations on deductibility under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to executives designated in those Sections. Finally, if an incentive stock option becomes first exercisable in any one year for shares having an aggregate value in excess of $100,000 (based on the grant date value), the portion of the incentive stock option in respect of those excess shares will be treated as a non-qualified stock option for federal income tax purposes.

No income will be realized by a participant upon grant or vesting of an option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option (“a non-qualified stock option”). Upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying exercised shares over the option exercise price paid at the time of exercise, and the participant’s tax basis will equal the sum of the compensation income recognized and the exercise price. We will be able to deduct this same excess amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections. In the event of a sale of shares received upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, any appreciation or depreciation after the exercise date generally will be taxed as capital gain or loss and will be long-term gain or loss if the holding period for such shares is more than one year.

 

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SARs under the 2020 Incentive Plan. No income will be realized by a participant upon grant or vesting of a SAR. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the payment received in respect of the SAR. We will be able to deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.

Restricted Stock under the 2020 Incentive Plan. A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of an award of restricted stock unless the participant otherwise elects to be taxed at the time of grant pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. On the date an award of restricted stock becomes transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (i.e., the vesting date), the participant will have taxable compensation equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on that date over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any, unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. If the participant made an election under Section 83(b), the participant will have taxable compensation at the time of grant equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. If the election is made, the participant will not be allowed a deduction for amounts subsequently required to be returned to us. Special rules apply to the receipt and disposition of restricted shares received by officers and directors who are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. We will be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized by the participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.

RSUs under the 2020 Incentive Plan. A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant or vesting of an RSU award. Rather, upon the delivery of shares or cash pursuant to an RSU award, the participant will have taxable compensation equal to the fair market value of the number of shares (or the amount of cash) the participant actually receives with respect to the award. We will be able to deduct the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but the deduction may be limited under Sections 280G and 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated in those Sections.

Other Stock or Cash-Based Awards under the 2020 Incentive Plan. A recipient of a payment in stock or in cash pursuant to another stock-based or cash-based award will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the common stock or cash received. If required, income tax must be withheld on the income recognized by the participant. We will receive a deduction for federal income tax purposes equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to the limits of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Dividend Equivalents under the 2020 Incentive Plan. A participant does not realize taxable income at the time of the grant of dividend equivalents, and we are not entitled to a deduction at that time. When a dividend equivalent is paid, the participant recognizes ordinary income and we are entitled to a corresponding deduction, subject to the limits of Section 162(m) of the Code.

423 Offerings under the ESPP. Rights to purchase shares granted under a 423 Offering are intended to qualify for favorable federal income tax treatment available to purchase rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan which qualifies under the provisions of Section 423(b) of the Code. Under these provisions, no income will be taxable to a participant until the shares purchased under the ESPP are sold or otherwise disposed of. If the shares are disposed of within two years from the purchase right grant date (i.e., the beginning of the offering period) or within one year from the purchase date of the shares, a transaction referred to as a “disqualifying disposition,” the participant will realize ordinary income in the year of such disposition equal to the difference between the fair

 

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market value of the shares on the purchase date and the purchase price. The amount of such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than one year after the purchase date.

If the shares purchased under the ESPP are sold (or otherwise disposed of) more than two years after the purchase right grant date and more than one year after the shares are transferred to the participant, then the lesser of (i) the excess of the sale price of the shares at the time of disposition over the purchase price, and (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the shares as of the purchase right grant date over the purchase price (determined as of the first day of the offering period) will be treated as ordinary income. If the sale price is less than the purchase price, no ordinary income will be reported. The amount of any such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be long-term capital gain or loss.

We generally will be entitled to a deduction in the year of a disqualifying disposition equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant as a result of such disposition, subject to the satisfaction of any tax reporting obligations and applicable limitations under the Code. In other cases, no deduction is allowed.

Non-423 Offerings under the ESPP. If the purchase right is granted under a Non-423 Offering, then the amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date and the purchase price will be treated as ordinary income at the time of such purchase. In such instances, the amount of such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than one year after the purchase date.

We generally will be entitled to a deduction in the year of purchase equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant as a result of such disposition, subject to the satisfaction of any tax-reporting obligations and applicable limitations under the Code. For U.S. participants, FICA/FUTA taxes will generally be due in relation to ordinary income earned as a result of participation in a Non-423 Offering.

Annual Incentive Plan

In connection with this offering, the Compensation Committee expects to adopt the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan (the “AIP”). The following summary briefly describes the principal features of the AIP and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the AIP.

The AIP is an annual incentive plan that provides opportunities for cash awards to eligible officers, including named executive officers, and other employees of ours and our subsidiaries, as selected by our Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee. Under the AIP, we may award cash incentives to participants based upon the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the AIP, which may be based on our performance, including any of our divisions, business units, subsidiaries or lines of business, and/or the individual performance of the participant. The AIP will become effective on January 1, 2021.

The AIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee, with authority to delegate its administrative powers, subject to applicable laws and stock exchange rules. Before April 1 of each calendar year (the “plan year”), the Compensation Committee will establish (i) the potential award

 

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amounts expressed as a percentage of the participant’s annual base salary (the “award levels”), including, if applicable, the threshold, target and maximum award level associated with corresponding levels of performance, (ii) the applicable performance goals, and (iii) the weighting of those performance goals, in each case, for the Chief Executive Officer and all other officers whose compensation is approved by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis (such individuals are described in the AIP as “executive officers”). With respect to all other participants, the Compensation Committee will approve the award levels and our performance goals, while the individual performance goals, if any, and the weighting of the performance goals will be established by the Chief Executive Officer or the participant’s supervisor with approval of the Chief Executive Officer.

Our performance goals may be based upon the achievement of certain financial or operational criteria established by the Compensation Committee for each plan year as described in the AIP. As soon as practicable after our audited financial statements are available for each plan year with respect to which awards are outstanding, the Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which our performance goals have been attained for such plan year. The Compensation Committee may make adjustments to the method of calculating the attainment of our performance goals, including adjustments that take into account events such as acquisitions or dispositions, restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges, currency exchange rate effects, changes in accounting principles, statutory adjustments to corporate taxes, unusual or nonrecurring items, changes in our capitalization due to certain corporate transactions, other extraordinary items and other facts, circumstances or considerations deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee.

The determination of whether an executive officer has achieved his or her personal performance goals established for a plan year will be made by the Compensation Committee. The determination of whether a participant, other than an executive officer, has achieved his or her personal performance goals will be made by the Chief Executive Officer, subject to the final approval of the Compensation Committee. In addition to such personal performance goals, the Compensation Committee and/or the Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, may apply an individual performance modifier to an award which gives the Compensation Committee and/or the Chief Executive Officer, respectively, the discretion to modify, positively or negatively, (or eliminate) the award payable to any participant based on the participant’s individual performance, subject to a maximum percentage increase above the target award level as established by the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, for each plan year.

Awards for any plan year will be paid in cash, generally as soon as practicable after the Compensation Committee and/or Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, determines that the applicable performance goals were satisfied. A participant must generally be employed on the date an award is paid in order to receive a payment under the AIP for a plan year, subject to certain limited exceptions in the case of a participant’s retirement, death, disability or job elimination as set forth in the AIP or unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between a participant and us or any of our subsidiaries.

Awards are subject to forfeiture and/or repayment to us to the extent required by applicable law, rules or regulations and any policy, guideline or committee charter adopted by us for reasons related to fraud prevention, governance, avoidance of monetary or reputational damage to us and our affiliates or similar considerations.

The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend or terminate the AIP at any time.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will approve the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Compensation Policy”), to become

 

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effective in connection with the consummation of this offering. The Compensation Policy may be subject to review, amendment, or modification by our board of directors, in its discretion. Director compensation under the Compensation Policy is as described below.

Compensation for our non-employee directors consists of a mix of cash and equity-based compensation. Kevin Jones, who serves as an employee director, will not receive any additional compensation for his service as a member of our board of directors. Also, Mr. Sambur and Mr. Sobel, who are employed by an affiliate of Apollo, Mr. Glatt, who is employed by an affiliate of Searchlight, and Mr. St. Jean, who is employed by an affiliate of ABRY, each a stockholder of ours prior to the consummation of this offering, and also serve as directors on our board of directors, will not receive any additional compensation for their service as members of our board of directors.

Annual Compensation

The table below describes the components of compensation for non-employee directors:

 

Compensation Element		Amount
Annual Cash Retainer		$	100,000
Annual Equity Award (Restricted Stock Units Granted Following Each Annual Meeting of Stockholders)(1)		$	200,000
Non-Executive Chair Annual Equity Award		$	100,000
Additional Annual Retainers(2)
Lead Director Fee (if our CEO of is Chair of our board of directors)		$	30,000
Audit Committee Member Fee		$	20,000
Compensation Committee Member Fee		$	15,000
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member Fee		$	15,000

 

(1)	A non-employee director who joins our board of directors after the date of the Annual Equity Award for the relevant year, will be eligible for a prorated annual equity award following the director’s initial appointment to our board of directors, as provided under the Compensation Policy.

(2)	A non-employee director may only receive one Additional Annual Retainer, regardless of the director’s service on multiple committees or in multiple roles. The Additional Annual Retainer received will be the highest Additional Annual Retainer for which the director is eligible.

Stock Ownership Guideline

Within a period of five years from the date of a non-employee director’s initial appointment or election as a member of our board of directors (other than non-employee directors that are employees of affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY), such non-employee director is required to attain ownership of an amount of our common stock with a value equal to at least $350,000 and must maintain such ownership until retirement from our board of directors.

Director Compensation Limit

Under the Compensation Policy and 2020 Incentive Plan, the sum of the grant date value of all equity awards granted and all cash compensation paid by us to each non-employee director as compensation for services as a non-employee director may not exceed $                 in any calendar year, provided that such limitation does not apply to any compensation payable in the year of a non-employee director’s initial appointment or election to our board of directors.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Other than compensation arrangements for our executive officers and directors (see “Executive Compensation” for a discussion of compensation arrangements for our named executive officers and directors) and the transactions discussed below, there were no transactions, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which:

 

•

the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

 

•

any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Upon the consummation of this offering, we will adopt a written Related Person Transactions Policy (the “policy”), which will set forth our policy with respect to the review, approval, ratification and disclosure of all material related person transactions by our audit committee. In accordance with the policy, our audit committee will have overall responsibility for implementation of and compliance with the policy.

For purposes of the policy, a “related person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we were, are or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeded, exceeds or will exceed $120,000 and in which any related person (as defined in the policy) had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “related person transaction” does not include any employment relationship or transaction involving an executive officer and any related compensation resulting solely from that employment relationship that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors or audit committee.

The policy will require that notice of a proposed related person transaction be provided to our legal department prior to entry into such transaction. If our legal department determines that such transaction is a related person transaction, the proposed transaction will be submitted to our audit committee for consideration. Under the policy, our audit committee may approve only those related person transactions that are in, or not inconsistent with, our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. In the event that we become aware of a related person transaction that has not been previously reviewed, approved or ratified under the policy and that is ongoing or is completed, the transaction will be submitted to the audit committee so that it may determine whether to ratify, rescind or terminate the related person transaction.

The policy will also provide that the audit committee review certain previously approved or ratified related person transactions that are ongoing to determine whether the related person transaction remains in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. Additionally, we will make periodic inquiries of directors and executive officers with respect to any potential related person transaction of which they may be a party or of which they may be aware.

Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors

In April 2017, Messrs. Benjamin, Campos, Fonseca and Garber, directors of the Company, and certain former executive officers purchased from the Company a total of 60,000 shares of common stock for an aggregate of approximately $6.0 million.

In May 2017, certain current and former executive officers purchased from the Company a total of 12,500 shares of common stock for an aggregate of approximately $1.3 million.

 

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Rackspace US, entered into a relocation services agreement with RSG in June 2009, pursuant to which RSG provides management services to Rackspace US for purposes of facilitating the relocation of its employees. In June 2019, Rackspace US and RSG entered into an addendum to the relocation services agreement, pursuant to which RSG agreed to purchase Mr. Nair’s home in connection with his relocation to San Antonio, Texas. Rackspace US agreed to provide funds to RSG to cover the amount of equity payments to be disbursed to Mr. Nair, as well as costs associated with acquiring the property. Pursuant to the relocation services agreement, in February 2020, Rackspace US paid RSG approximately $0.3 million with respect to the loss on RSG’s subsequent sale of the home.

Investor Rights Agreements

On November 3, 2016, in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, we entered into an investor rights agreement with Searchlight and one of the Apollo Funds. Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we intend to amend and restate such investor rights agreement (as amended and restated, the “SCP Investor Rights Agreement”). The SCP Investor Rights Agreement will provide that, as long as Searchlight and its affiliates continue to hold at an amount of shares of our common stock equal to least 50% of the shares of our common stock that Searchlight originally received in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition (subject to any equitable adjustments), Searchlight will have the right to (a) nominate one director to our board of directors and (b) designate one director to the boards of directors of certain subsidiaries of the Company so long as Apollo, the Apollo Funds and their respective affiliates appoint any director to such company’s board of directors (or similar body). Searchlight has initially nominated Mr. Glatt, as the Searchlight Board Nominee, to our board of directors, who will serve as a Class III director.

On November 3, 2016, in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, we entered into an investor rights agreement with an affiliate of ABRY and one of the Apollo Funds (the “Original ABRY Investor Rights Agreement”) and, on November 15, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of Datapipe, we entered into a separate investor rights agreement with an affiliate of ABRY and one of the Apollo Funds (the “Original Datapipe Investor Rights Agreement”). Concurrently with the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into a new investor rights agreement with one of the Apollo Funds and the affiliates of ABRY that will supersede both of the Original ABRY Investor Rights Agreement and the Original Datapipe Investor Rights Agreement (such new investor rights agreement, the “ABRY Investor Rights Agreement”, and together with the SCP Investor Rights Agreement, the “Investor Rights Agreements”). Pursuant to the ABRY Investor Rights Agreement, as long as affiliates of ABRY continue to hold an amount of shares of our common stock equal to at least 50% of the shares of our common stock that ABRY and certain of its affiliates held at the closing of the acquisition of Datapipe (subject to any equitable adjustments), ABRY VIII will have the right to nominate one director to our board of directors. ABRY VIII has initially nominated Mr. St. Jean, as the ABRY Board Nominee, to our board of directors, who will serve as a Class III director.

Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreements, Apollo and its affiliates will have the right, at any time until Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, no longer beneficially own at least 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock, to nominate a number of directors comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number).

Any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee will be filled only by individuals designated by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, for so long as they beneficially own at least 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of the Searchlight Board Nominee or the ABRY Board Nominee will be filled only by an individual designated by Searchlight or ABRY VIII, as applicable, for so long as the ownership of

 

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Searchlight and its affiliates or ABRY and its affiliates, as applicable, exceeds the applicable minimum specified common stock ownership threshold.

In the event that Apollo and its affiliates have nominated less than the total number of Apollo Board Nominees that Apollo and its affiliates are entitled to nominate, Searchlight has not nominated the Searchlight Board Nominee that Searchlight is entitled to nominate or ABRY VIII has not nominated the ABRY Board Nominee that ABRY VIII is entitled to nominate, Apollo and its affiliates, Searchlight or ABRY, as applicable, will have the right, at any time, to nominate such additional nominee(s), and our board of directors will take all necessary actions, whether by increasing the size of our board of directors or otherwise, to effect the election of such additional nominee(s) to fill any existing vacancy or newly-created directorship. To the extent any Apollo Board Nominee, Searchlight Board Nominee or ABRY Board Nominee is not elected as a director at a meeting of our stockholders, Apollo and its affiliates, Searchlight or ABRY VIII, as applicable, will continue to have the right to nominate the Apollo Board Nominee, the Searchlight Board Nominee or the ABRY Board Nominee, as applicable, and our board of directors will take all necessary actions, whether by increasing the size of our board of directors or otherwise, to effect the election of such additional nominee(s) to fill any existing vacancy or newly-created directorship. The Investor Rights Agreements also set forth certain information rights granted to Apollo, Searchlight and ABRY and their respective affiliates.

The Investor Rights Agreements provide that until Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, no longer beneficially own at least 33% of our issued and outstanding common stock, we will not take certain significant actions specified therein without the prior consent of Apollo and its affiliates, including:

 

•

a change in size of our board of directors;

 

•

the incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, aggregating to more than $100 million, except for (i) debt under a revolving credit facility that has previously been approved or is in existence on the date of closing of this offering or (ii) intercompany indebtedness;

 

•

the issuance of additional shares of any class of our capital stock or equity securities exceeding $50 million in any single issuance or an aggregate amount of $100 million during a calendar year (other than any award under any stockholder approved equity compensation plan or intracompany issuance among us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries);

 

•

other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, the acquisition of equity interests or assets of any other entity, or any business, properties, assets or entities, exceeding $50 million in any single transaction or $100 million in the aggregate in any series of transactions during a calendar year;

 

•

other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, the disposition of any of our or our subsidiaries’ assets or equity interests, exceeding $50 million in any single transaction or $100 million in the aggregate in any series of transactions during a calendar year;

 

•

hiring or terminating our Chief Executive Officer or our Chief Financial Officer or designating any new Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;

 

•

merging or consolidating with or into any other entity, or transferring all or substantially all of our or our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another entity, or undertaking any transaction that would constitute a “change of control” as defined in our or our subsidiaries’ credit facilities or note indentures (other than transactions among us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries);

 

•

undertaking any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

 

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•

effecting any material change in the nature of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

 

•

amending, modifying or repealing (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) any provision of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of our subsidiaries in a manner that adversely affects Apollo and its affiliates.

On November 3, 2016, in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, the Company and certain affiliates of Apollo entered into an institutional investor rights agreement (the “Co-Invest Investor Rights Agreement”). The Co-Invest Investor Rights Agreement provides an affiliate of Apollo with preemptive rights with respect to certain equity and debt securities issuances and the right to appoint one or more non-voting observers of to the board of directors of the Company. The parties to the Co-Invest Investor Rights Agreement have agreed to terminate such agreement effective as of the pricing of this offering.

Management Investor Rights Agreement

On April 7, 2017, we entered into a management investor rights agreement with one of the Apollo Funds and certain members of management that co-invested in the Company. When and as employees acquire stock in the Company pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan or by co-investment, they are required to become parties to the management investor rights agreement. The management investor rights agreement includes customary provisions which, among other things, in certain cases, (a) provide the Company with repurchase rights and rights of first refusal on sale of shares by management, (b) provide Apollo with “drag-along” rights and (c) provide, as it relates to the non-Apollo stockholders, restrictions on transfer, certain piggy-back registration rights, “tag-along” rights and preemptive rights with respect to certain equity securities issuances. We and the requisite parties to the agreement amended the management investor rights agreement so that the agreement will terminate effective as of the pricing of this offering.

Management Consulting Agreements

In connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, an affiliate of Apollo and Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight LP”) (each, a “Management Service Provider,” and together, the “Management Service Providers”) entered into a management consulting agreement with the Company (the “Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement”) relating to the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services by the Management Service Providers to us following the Rackspace Acquisition. In exchange for the provision of such services, we are required to pay a non-refundable quarterly management fee of 1.5% of EBITDA (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) for our prior fiscal quarter to such Management Service Providers, which is divided between them on a pro rata basis in proportion to the respective ownership of shares of the Company by, on the one hand, the Apollo Funds and their affiliates (together with any co-invest vehicle controlled by Apollo), and, on the other hand, Searchlight LP and its affiliates. Each Management Service Provider may, at its sole discretion, waive or defer, in full or in part, the Company’s payment of the management fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded $2.9 million, and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we recorded $12.0 million, $13.1 million and $11.1 million, respectively, of management fees for Apollo. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded $0.3 million, and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, $1.1 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of management fees for Searchlight LP. The parties to the Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement have agreed to terminate such agreement effective as of the pricing of this offering, and therefore no management fees will accrue or be payable under the Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement for periods subsequent to the pricing of this offering.

 

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On November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe Acquisition, ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC (together, the “ABRY Service Provider”) entered into a management consulting agreement (the “ABRY Management Consulting Agreement”) with the Company relating to the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services by the ABRY Service Provider to us following the Datapipe Acquisition. In exchange for the provision of such services, we are required to pay to the ABRY Service Provider a non-refundable quarterly management fee equal to a specified percentage (which is initially 7%, the “Fee Percentage”) of 1.5% of EBITDA (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) for our prior fiscal quarter. The Fee Percentage will increase from 7% to up to 13% upon the occurrence of certain events resulting in the ABRY Service Provider receiving additional shares of Company common stock in accordance with the Datapipe Merger Agreement as further described under “—Datapipe Merger Agreement.” The ABRY Service Provider may, at its sole discretion, waive or defer, in full or in part, the Company’s payment of the management fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded $0.4 million, and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we recorded $0.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of management fees with respect to the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement. The parties to the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement have agreed to terminate such agreement effective as of the pricing of this offering and therefore no management fees will accrue or be payable under the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement for periods after the pricing of this offering.

Registration Rights Agreement

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Apollo Funds and affiliates of each of Searchlight and ABRY. Subject to several exceptions, including our right to defer a demand registration, shelf registration or underwritten offering under certain circumstances, the Apollo Funds, the Searchlight affiliates and DPH 123, LLC, an ABRY affiliate, may require that we register for public resale under the Securities Act all shares of common stock that they request to be registered at any time following this offering, subject to the restrictions in the lock-up agreements entered into by each of those parties in connection with this offering, so long as the securities being registered in each registration statement or sold in any underwritten offering are reasonably expected to produce aggregate proceeds of at least $66.0 million.

If we become eligible to register the sale of our securities on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, which will not be until at least twelve calendar months after the date of this prospectus, the Apollo Funds and the Searchlight affiliates have the right to require us to register the sale of the common stock held by them on Form S-3, subject to offering size and other restrictions. The Apollo Funds and the Searchlight affiliates also have the right to request marketed and non-marketed underwritten offerings using a shelf registration statement, and DPH 123, LLC, the ABRY affiliate, has the right to participate in these underwritten offerings.

We will not be obligated under the Registration Rights Agreement to effectuate more than three demand registrations and underwritten offerings under a shelf registration statement, in the aggregate, for the Searchlight affiliates and more than one demand registration for DPH 123, LLC, the ABRY affiliate, and, without our consent, the Searchlight affiliates and ABRY affiliate will not be able to exercise a demand registration until following the one-year anniversary of this offering.

If we propose to file certain types of registration statements under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities (including for sale by us or at the request of the Apollo Funds, Searchlight affiliates or ABRY affiliates), we will be required to use our reasonable best efforts to offer the parties to the Registration Rights Agreement the opportunity to register the sale of all or part of their shares on the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement (customarily known as “piggyback rights”).

 

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All expenses of registration under the Registration Rights Agreement, including the legal fees of counsel chosen by stockholders participating in a registration, will be paid by us.

The registration rights granted in the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to customary restrictions including blackout periods and, if a registration is underwritten, any limitations on the number of shares to be included in the underwritten offering as reasonably advised by the managing underwriter or underwriters. The Registration Rights Agreement also contains customary indemnification and contribution provisions. The Registration Rights Agreement is governed by New York law.

Any sales in the public market of any common stock registrable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of our Common Stock—Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

Transaction Fee Agreements

In connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, an affiliate of Apollo, entered into a transaction fee agreement (the “Transaction Fee Agreement”) with the Company relating to the provision of certain transaction services in support of the Rackspace Acquisition and future acquisitions. The Transaction Fee Agreement will be terminated automatically upon the termination of the Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement.

The Transaction Fee Agreement and the Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement together provide that in the event of any acquisition (including of assets or equity interests) of any business or entity by any of us, our direct or indirect subsidiaries, parent entities or controlled affiliates (collectively, the “Company Group”), we are required to pay a fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate enterprise value paid by the Company Group (or otherwise indicated by the acquisition) to the affiliate of Apollo and Searchlight LP, which will be divided between them on a pro rata basis in proportion to the respective ownership of shares of the Company by, on the one hand, the Apollo Funds and their affiliates (together with any co-invest vehicle controlled by Apollo), on the other hand, Searchlight LP and its affiliates. Each of the affiliate of Apollo and Searchlight LP may, at its sole discretion, waive or defer, in full or in part, payment of any such transaction fee due to it, respectively.

Further, the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement described above provides that in the event of any acquisition (including of assets or equity interests) of any business or entity by any member of the Company Group, we will pay to ABRY a fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate enterprise value paid by the Company Group (or otherwise indicated by the acquisition).

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we recorded $8.9 million, $0.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of fees with respect to the transaction fee agreements. The parties to each of the Transaction Fee Agreement, the Apollo and SCP Management Consulting Agreement and the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement have agreed to terminate each of the agreements effective as of the pricing of this offering and therefore no transaction fees will be payable under any of these agreements after the pricing of this offering.

Datapipe Merger Agreement

On September 6, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Datapipe Merger Agreement”) with certain of our direct and indirect subsidiaries, DPH 123, LLC (formerly known as

 

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Datapipe Holdings, LLC), Datapipe Parent, Inc. and certain key stockholders, pursuant to which we acquired Datapipe.

In addition, the Datapipe Merger Agreement provides that we will be required to issue additional shares of our common stock to an affiliate of ABRY if certain conditions are satisfied on any “Measurement Date,” as defined in the Datapipe Merger Agreement. A Measurement Date is (i) each date following the occurrence of either (a) a “change of control” of the Company or (b) the closing date of our initial public offering on which Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) receive cash distributions, cash proceeds and/or marketable securities of the Company on which our common stock is listed on Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange or another exchange reasonably acceptable to Apollo and is freely tradeable (without violating the lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering, other contractual restrictions and federal, state or local securities laws). For this purpose, a “change of control” means (i) that a person, entity or group, other than Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds), becomes the beneficial owner of at least 35% of the voting power of securities of the Company and beneficially owns more than the voting power beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

The number of shares that we may be obligated to issue to an affiliate of ABRY on a Measurement Date (the “Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration”) is equal to, without duplication:

 

•

if the multiple of invested capital on such Measurement Date (the “MOIC”) exceeds 2.0x,             shares of our common stock;

 

•

if the MOIC exceeds 3.0x,             shares of our common stock;

 

•

if the MOIC exceeds 4.0x,             shares of our common stock; and

 

•

if the MOIC exceeds 4.5x,             shares of our common stock;

reduced, in each case, by the number of shares of common stock previously issued as Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration, and subject, in each case, to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recombinations, reclassifications and similar equitable adjustments. The maximum number of shares of common stock issuable as Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration will not exceed shares in the aggregate, subject to the adjustments described above.

For the purpose of calculating the Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration, the MOIC is defined as the ratio of (A) the value of all cash proceeds, cash distributions or shares of our common stock received by Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) in respect of their ownership in the Company to (B) the invested capital of Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) in the Company. The value of our shares of common stock received by Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) is determined by taking the volume weighted average trading price of our common stock over the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding any such Measurement Date, adjusted for dilution as a result of (i) the issuance of any Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration upon the satisfaction of the applicable MOIC condition and (ii) shares of our common stock subject to options (as determined based on the treasury stock method) and restricted stock units. As of the date of this prospectus, Apollo and its affiliates (including the Apollo Funds) have invested capital of approximately $1.08 billion in the Company and have not received any cash proceeds or cash distributions in respect of their ownership in the Company.

To the extent any shares issuable as Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration on a Measurement Date would have been entitled to any cash dividends if delivered as of the closing of the Datapipe Acquisition, we would also be obligated to pay the equivalent dividends (in the form of either cash or additional shares of our common stock) on shares. We have not paid any cash dividends in

 

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respect of our common stock since the closing of the Datapipe Acquisition. As of the date of this prospectus, no Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration or dividends have been issued or paid to the ABRY affiliate.

Subject to the limitations described above, the Additional Datapipe Equity Consideration may become issuable in the future based on the trading price of our common stock, regardless of whether the Apollo Funds sell any shares of our common stock or whether we declare or pay any dividends.

Arranger Fees

On June 21, 2017, we raised an additional $100.0 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. In connection with the $100.0 million of incremental borrowings, we paid an affiliate of Apollo approximately $0.1 million in arranger fees.

On November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe Acquisition, we raised an additional $800.0 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. In connection with the $800.0 million of incremental borrowings, we paid an affiliate of Apollo approximately $0.9 million in arranger fees.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of                     , 2020, after giving effect to the Stock Split, by:

 

•

each person, or group of affiliated persons, who we know to beneficially own more than 5% of either class of our common stock;

 

•

each of our named executive officers at the end of fiscal year 2019;

 

•

each of our current directors; and

 

•

all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to such securities. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person or entity named in the table below is 1 Fanatical Place, City of Windcrest, San Antonio, TX 78218.

 

Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Before the Offering

Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering assuming underwriters’ option is not exercised

Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering assuming underwriters’ option is exercised

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

5% Stockholders

Apollo Funds(1)

Searchlight(2)

DPH 123, LLC(3)

ACE Investment Holdings, LLC(4)

Named Executive Officers and Directors

Kevin Jones

Dustin Semach

Subroto Mukerji

Sid Nair

Vikas Gurugunti

Susan Arthur

Jeffrey Benjamin

Timothy Campos

Dhiren Fonseca

Mitch Garber

Darren Glatt(5)

Brian St. Jean(6)

David Sambur(7)

Aaron Sobel(7)

All current directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons)

 

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*	Less than 1%.

(1)

Represents             shares of our common stock held of record by AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P. and             shares of our common stock held of record by AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. (the “Apollo Funds”). The Apollo Funds are investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P. (“Apollo Management”), an investment adviser registered with the SEC. Apollo Management GP, LLC (“Management GP”) is the general partner of Apollo Management. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (“Management Holdings”) is the sole member and manager of Management GP. Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (“Management Holdings GP”) is the general partner of Management Holdings. Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the managers, as well as executive officers, of Management Holdings GP, and as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive control of the shares of common stock held of record by the Apollo Funds. The address of the Apollo Funds is One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201, Purchase, New York 10577. The address of each of Apollo Management, Management GP, Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, is 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

(2)

Consists of          shares of common stock held by Searchlight Capital II, L.P. and          shares of common stock held by Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. As members of the board of managers of Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, LLC, which have the power to vote or dispose of the securities indirectly held by Searchlight Capital II, L.P. and Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P., Erol Uzumeri, Eric Zinterhofer and Oliver Haarmann may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power with respect to such securities. The address for Searchlight is 745 Fifth Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10151.

(3)

DPH 123, LLC is the record holder of the common stock reported herein. Representatives of ABRY Partners VII, L.P., ABRY Partners VII Co-Investment Fund, L.P., ABRY Senior Equity III, L.P., ABRY Senior Equity III Co-Investment Fund, L.P., ABRY Advanced Securities Fund, L.P., ABRY Advanced Securities Fund II, L.P. and ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P. (collectively the “ABRY Funds”) are entitled to a majority of the votes at any meeting of the board of directors of DPH 123, LLC. The ABRY Funds are investment funds managed by ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC (collectively “ABRY”), investment advisors registered with the SEC. Royce Yudkoff, as managing member of ABRY Partners, LLC, has the right to exercise investment and voting power on behalf of ABRY Senior Equity III, L.P., ABRY Senior Equity III Co-Investment Fund, L.P., Advanced Securities Fund, L.P., ABRY Advanced Securities Fund II, L.P. and ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P. Peggy Koenig and Jay Grossman, as equal members of ABRY Partners II, LLC, have the right to exercise investment and voting power on behalf of ABRY Partners VII, L.P., and ABRY Partners VII Co-Investment Fund, L.P. The address of ABRY is 888 Boylston Street, Suite 1600, Boston, Massachusetts 02199.

(4)

ACE Investment Holdings, LLC is the record holder of the common stock reported herein. The board of directors of ACE Investment Holdings, LLC consists of representatives of ABRY Partners VIII, L.P., ABRY Partners VIII Co-Investment Fund, L.P., and ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P. These investment funds are also managed by ABRY. Royce Yudkoff, as managing member of ABRY Partners, LLC, has the right to exercise investment and voting power on behalf of ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P. Peggy Koenig and Jay Grossman, as equal members of ABRY Partners II, LLC, have the right to exercise investment and voting power on behalf of ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. and ABRY Partners VIII Co-Investment Fund, L.P. The address of ABRY is 888 Boylston Street, Suite 1600, Boston, Massachusetts 02199.

(5)	Darren Glatt is a partner of Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. Mr. Glatt disclaims beneficial ownership of any of the common stock held by Searchlight Capital II, L.P. and Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. The address of Mr. Glatt is 745 Fifth Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10151.

(6)

Brian St. Jean is affiliated with ABRY or its affiliated investment managers and advisors. Mr. St. Jean disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by DPH 123, LLC and ACE Investment Holdings, LLC, which are controlled by investment funds that are managed by ABRY. The address of Mr. St. Jean is c/o ABRY Partners, LLC, 888 Boylston Street, Suite 1600, Boston, Massachusetts 02199.

 

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(7)

David Sambur and Aaron Sobel are each affiliated with Apollo or its affiliated investment managers and advisors. Messrs. Sambur and Sobel each disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by the Apollo Funds. The address of Messrs. Sambur and Sobel is c/o Apollo Global Management, Inc., 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each of which will become effective prior to the consummation of this offering, and of specific provisions of Delaware law. The following description is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL.

General

Upon the closing of this offering and the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our capital stock will consist of              authorized shares, of which              shares, par value $0.01 per share, will be designated as “common stock” and              shares, par value $0.01 per share, will be designated as “preferred stock.” As of March 31, 2020, there were 13,784,173.81 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock

Voting Rights.    The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by the stockholders generally.

Dividend Rights.    Subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends our board of directors may declare from legally available sources.

Liquidation Rights.    Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to holders of any the outstanding preferred stock, all shares of our common stock are entitled to share equally in the assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment of all of our prior obligations.

Other Matters.    Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and our common stock is not subject to further calls or assessments by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, shares of preferred stock are issuable from time to time, in one or more series, with the designations, voting rights (full, limited or no voting rights), powers, preferences, participating, optional or other special rights (if any) and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each series as our board of directors from time to time may adopt by resolution (and without further stockholder approval). Each series of preferred stock will consist of an authorized number of shares as will be stated and expressed in the certificate of designations providing for the creation of the series.

Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors

In accordance with our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, the number of directors comprising our board of directors is determined from time to time exclusively by our board of directors;

 

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provided that the number of directors shall not be less than three and shall not exceed 15. Our certificate of incorporation will provide for a board of directors divided into three classes (each as nearly as equal as possible and with directors in each class serving staggered three-year terms), initially consisting of three directors in Class I, three directors in Class II and four directors in Class III. See “Description of Capital Stock—Certain Corporate Anti-takeover Provisions—Classified Board of Directors.”

Under our Investor Rights Agreements, Apollo and its affiliates have the right, but not the obligation, at any time until Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, no longer beneficially own at least 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock, to nominate a number of directors comprising a percentage of our board of directors in accordance with their beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number). We refer to the directors nominated by Apollo and its affiliates based on such percentage ownership as the “Apollo Board Nominees.” Under the SCP Investor Rights Agreement, Searchlight has the right, but not the obligation, to nominate one person to serve as a director as long as Searchlight and its affiliates’ ownership of our common stock exceeds a specified threshold. We refer to the director nominated by Searchlight based on such threshold as the “Searchlight Board Nominee.” Under the ABRY Investor Rights Agreement, ABRY VIII has the right, but not the obligation, to nominate one person to serve as a director as long as ABRY and its affiliates’ ownership of our common stock exceeds a specified threshold. We refer to the director nominated by ABRY based on such threshold as the “ABRY Board Nominee.” See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Investor Rights Agreements.”

Each director is to hold office for a three year term and until the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of the class of directors to which such director has been elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Any vacancy on our board of directors (other than in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee, the Searchlight Board Nominee or the ABRY Board Nominee) will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum. Any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee will be filled only by individuals designated by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, for so long as they beneficially own at least 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of the Searchlight Board Nominee or the ABRY Board Nominee will be filled only by an individual designated by Searchlight or ABRY VIII, as applicable, for so long as the ownership of Searchlight and its affiliates or ABRY and its affiliates, as applicable, exceeds the applicable common stock ownership threshold. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Investor Rights Agreements.”

At any meeting of our board of directors, except as otherwise required by law, a majority of the total number of directors then in office will constitute a quorum for all purposes, except that if Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, beneficially own at least 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock and there is at least one member of our board of directors who is an Apollo Board Nominee, then at least one director that is an Apollo Board Nominee must be present for there to be a quorum unless each Apollo Board Nominee waives his or her right to be included in the quorum at such meeting.

Certain Corporate Anti-takeover Provisions

Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Investor Rights Agreements summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

 

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Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that permit our board of directors to issue, without any further vote or action by stockholders, shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designation of the series, the voting rights (if any) of the shares of the series, the powers, preference, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions, of the shares of such series.

Classified Board of Directors

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and with the directors in each class serving staggered three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. The classification of directors will have the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by our board of directors, as described above in “—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation, directors serving on a classified board may be removed by the stockholders only for cause. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that from and after the time Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class. For so long as at least 5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of an Apollo Board Nominee will only be filled by individuals designated by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds. For so long as Searchlight and its affiliates continue to hold an amount of shares of our common stock equal to at least 50% of the shares of our common stock that Searchlight originally received in connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of the Searchlight Board Nominee will only be filled by an individual designated by Searchlight. For so long as affiliates of ABRY continue to hold an amount of shares of our common stock equal to at least 50% of the shares of our common stock ABRY and certain of its affiliates held at the closing of the acquisition of Datapipe, any vacancy on our board of directors in respect of the ABRY Board Nominee will only be filled by an individual designated by ABRY VIII. Any other vacancy on our board of directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, as described above in “—Composition of Board of Directors; Election and Removal of Directors.”

No Cumulative Voting

Under our certificate of incorporation, stockholders do not have the right to cumulative votes in the election of directors.

 

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Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation provides that if less than 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors or by the secretary at the direction of a majority of the directors then in office. For so long as at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is beneficially owned by Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, special meetings may also be called by the secretary at the written request of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding common stock. The business transacted at any special meeting will be limited to the proposal or proposals included in the notice of the meeting.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of our preferred stock then outstanding, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders; provided, that prior to the time at which Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the voting power our outstanding common stock, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of our stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by or on behalf of the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and are delivered in accordance with applicable Delaware law.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Our bylaws provide that stockholders who are seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders and stockholders (other than Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, Searchlight and ABRY) who are seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice thereof in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice generally must be delivered to and received at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business of the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of our stockholders; provided, that in the event that the date of such meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to, or delayed by more than 60 days after, the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of our stockholders, a stockholder’s notice to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Our bylaws specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

All of the foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change in control. These same provisions may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest. In addition, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our

 

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shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.

Delaware Takeover Statute

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we are not governed by Section 203 of the DGCL which, in the absence of such provisions, would have imposed additional requirements regarding mergers and other business combinations.

However, our certificate of incorporation will include a provision that restricts us from engaging in any business combination with an interested stockholder for three years following the date that person becomes an interested stockholder. Such restrictions will not apply to any business combination between Apollo and any affiliate thereof, including the Apollo Funds, or their direct and indirect transferees, on the one hand, and us, on the other. In addition, such restrictions will not apply if:

 

•

a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that it ceases to be an interested stockholder and (ii) within the three-year period immediately prior to the business combination between the Company and such stockholder, would not have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

 

•

the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of, and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required under the certificate of incorporation of, a proposed transaction that (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the proviso of this sentence, (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of our board of directors and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors; provided that the proposed transactions are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Company (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Company is required), (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company (other than to any wholly owned subsidiary or to the Company) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either that aggregate market value of all the assets of the Company determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Company or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; provided further that the Company will give not less than 20 days’ notice to all interested stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) above.

Additionally, we would be able to enter into a business combination with an interested stockholder if:

 

•

before that person became an interested stockholder, our board of directors approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;

 

•

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the

 

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voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) stock held by directors who are also officers of our Company and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

•

following the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, a “business combination” is defined to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder and an “interested stockholder” is any person who, together with affiliates and associates, is the owner of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or is our affiliate or associate and was the owner of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock at any time within the three-year period immediately before the date of determination. Under our certificate of incorporation, an “interested stockholder” generally does not include Apollo and any affiliate thereof or their direct and indirect transferees.

This provision of our certificate of incorporation could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

Amendment of Our Certificate of Incorporation

Under Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation may be amended only with the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, our certificate of incorporation provides that, from and after the time Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of our outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, is required to alter, amend or repeal the following provisions of our certificate of incorporation:

 

•

the provision authorizing the board of directors to designate one or more series of preferred stock and, by resolution, to provide the rights, powers and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of any series of preferred stock;

 

•

the provisions providing for a classified board of directors and the number of the directors, establishing the term of office of directors, setting forth the quorum of any meeting of the board of directors, relating to the removal of directors, specifying the manner in which vacancies on the board of directors and newly created directorships may be filled and relating to any voting rights of preferred stock;

 

•

the provisions authorizing our board of directors to make, alter, amend or repeal our bylaws;

 

•

the provisions regarding the calling of special meetings and stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting;

 

•

the provisions eliminating monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty by a director;

 

•

the provisions providing for indemnification and advance of expenses of our directors and officers;

 

•

the provisions regarding competition and corporate opportunities;

 

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•

the provision specifying that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for intra-corporate disputes and the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for causes of actions arising under the Securities Act;

 

•

the provisions regarding entering into business combinations with interested stockholders;

 

•

the provision requiring that, from and after the time Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, amendments to specified provisions of our certificate of incorporation require the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% in voting power of our outstanding stock, voting as a single class; and

 

•

the provision requiring that, from and after the time Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, amendments by the stockholders to our bylaws require the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% in voting power of our outstanding stock, voting as a single class.

Amendment of Our Bylaws

Our bylaws provide that they can be amended by the vote of the holders of shares constituting a majority of the voting power or by the vote of a majority of the board of directors. However, our certificate of incorporation provides that, from and after the time Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, in addition to any vote required under our certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class, is required for the stockholders to alter, amend or repeal any provision of our bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

Certain Matters that Require Consent of Our Stockholders

The Investor Rights Agreements provide that until Apollo and its affiliates, including the Apollo Funds, no longer beneficially own at least 33% of our issued and outstanding common stock, we will not take certain significant actions specified therein without the prior consent of Apollo and its affiliates, including, but not limited to:

 

•

other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, acquisition of equity interests or assets of any other entity, or any business, properties, assets or entities, exceeding $50 million in any single transaction or $100 million in the aggregate in any series of transactions during a calendar year;

 

•

other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, disposition of any of our or our subsidiaries’ assets or equity interests, exceeding $50 million in any single transaction or $100 million in the aggregate in any series of transactions during a calendar year; and

 

•

merging or consolidating with or into any other entity, or transferring all or substantially all of the Company’s or our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another entity, or undertaking any transaction that would constitute a “change of control” as defined in our or our subsidiaries’ credit facilities or note indentures (other than transactions among us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries). See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Investor Rights Agreements.”

The provisions of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and our Investor Rights Agreements could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a

 

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consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Corporate Opportunity

Under Delaware law, officers and directors generally have an obligation to present to the corporation they serve business opportunities which the corporation is financially able to undertake and which falls within the corporation’s business line and are of practical advantage to the corporation, or in which the corporation has an actual or expectant interest. A corollary of this general rule is that when a business opportunity comes to an officer or director that is not one in which the corporation has an actual or expectant interest, the officer is generally not obligated to present it to the corporation. Certain of our officers and directors may serve as officers, directors or fiduciaries of other entities and, therefore, may have legal obligations relating to presenting available business opportunities to us and to other entities. Potential conflicts of interest may arise when our officers and directors learn of business opportunities (e.g., the opportunity to acquire an asset or portfolio of assets, to make a specific investment, to effect a sale transaction, etc.) that would be of material advantage to us and to one or more other entities of which they serve as officers, directors or other fiduciaries.

Section 122(17) of the DGCL permits a corporation to renounce, in advance, in its certificate of incorporation or by action of its board of directors, any interest or expectancy of a corporation in certain classes or categories of business opportunities. Where business opportunities are so renounced, certain of our officers and directors will not be obligated to present any such business opportunities to us. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no officer or director of ours who is also an officer, director, principal, partner, member, manager, employee, agent, or other representative of Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY or their respective affiliates will be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY or their respective affiliates and representatives, as applicable, instead of us, or does not communicate information regarding a corporate opportunity to us that such individual has directed to Apollo, Searchlight or ABRY or their respective affiliates and representatives, as applicable. As of the date of this prospectus, this provision of our certificate of incorporation relates only to the directors nominated by the Apollo Funds, Searchlight or ABRY.

Exclusive Forum Selection

Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for:

 

•

any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;

 

•

any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders;

 

•

any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; or

 

•

any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine,

in each such case subject to the Delaware Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of the foregoing paragraph will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction. For instance, the provision would not apply to actions arising under federal securities laws, including suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that the federal district courts of the United States shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have consented to the foregoing forum selection provisions. However, the enforceability of similar forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be unenforceable.

We recognize that the forum selection clause in our certificate of incorporation may impose additional litigation costs on stockholders in pursuing any such claims, particularly if the stockholders do not reside in or near the State of Delaware. Additionally, the forum selection clause in our certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments may be more or less favorable to us than our stockholders.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL. The DGCL provides that directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability:

 

•

for any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

•

for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of laws;

 

•

under Section 174 of the DGCL (governing distributions to stockholders); or

 

•

for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

However, if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. The modification or repeal of this provision of our certificate of incorporation will not adversely affect any right or protection of a director existing at the time of such modification or repeal.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will, to the fullest extent from time to time permitted by law, indemnify our directors and officers against all liabilities and expenses in any suit or proceeding, arising out of their status as an officer or director or their activities in these capacities. We will also indemnify any person who, at our request, is or was serving as a director, officer or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. We may, by action of our board of directors, provide indemnification to our employees and agents within the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

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The right to be indemnified will include the right of an officer or a director to be paid expenses in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding, provided that, if required by law, we receive an undertaking to repay such amount if it will be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified.

Our board of directors may take such action as it deems necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions, including adopting procedures for determining and enforcing indemnification rights and purchasing insurance policies. Our board of directors may also adopt bylaws, resolutions or contracts implementing indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of these indemnification provisions, nor any provision of our certificate of incorporation that is inconsistent with these indemnification provisions, will eliminate or reduce any rights to indemnification relating to their status or any activities prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

We believe these provisions will assist in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.

Listing

We have applied to list our shares of common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “RXT.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is             .

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. As described below, only a limited number of shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market after such restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity-related capital at a time and price we deem appropriate. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of our Common Stock—Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception in the public market that such sales may occur, could reduce our stock price.”

Sale of Restricted Shares

Upon the completion of this offering, we will have an aggregate of              shares of common stock (or              shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) outstanding, excluding              shares of common stock underlying outstanding options and RSUs. Of these shares,                  shares of common stock, including all of the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering (or              shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), will be freely tradable without restriction unless the shares are held by any of our “affiliates,” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All remaining shares of common stock will be deemed “restricted securities,” as such term is defined under Rule 144.

Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which is summarized below, or any other applicable exemption under the Securities Act, or pursuant to a registration statement that is effective under the Securities Act. Immediately following the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately              shares of our common stock will be entitled to dispose of their shares following the expiration of an initial 180-day underwriter “lock-up” period, subject to the holding period, volume and other restrictions of Rule 144. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is entitled to waive these lock-up provisions in its discretion prior to the expiration date of such lock-up agreements.

Lock-up Agreements

We, the Apollo Funds, Searchlight, affiliates of ABRY and all of our directors and executive officers, who collectively hold substantially all of our issued and outstanding common stock, have agreed not to sell any common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions. Please see “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest)” for a description of these lock-up provisions. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in its sole discretion, may at any time release all or any portion of the shares from the restrictions in such agreements, subject to applicable notice requirements.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the six months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.

 

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A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the average weekly trading volume of our common stock reported by Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of notice of the sale. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchases shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of this offering is entitled to sell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to comply with the holding period requirement of Rule 144 and, in the case of non-affiliates, without having to comply with the public information, volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144. The SEC has indicated that Rule 701 will apply to typical stock options granted by an issuer before it becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, along with the shares acquired upon exercise of such options, including exercises after the date of this prospectus.

Stock Options

Upon the completion of this offering, we will have              options to purchase an aggregate of              shares of our common stock outstanding, of which options to purchase              shares will have met the time-based requirements of the applicable vesting schedule. During the period the options are outstanding, we will reserve from our authorized and unissued common stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of shares of common stock underlying the options upon the exercise of the options.

Restricted Stock Units

Upon the completion of this offering, there will be              shares of our common stock issuable upon the vesting of outstanding RSUs. During the period the RSUs are outstanding, we will reserve from our authorized and unissued common stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of shares of common stock underlying the RSUs.

Stock Issued Under Employee Plans

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register our common stock issuable under the 2017 Incentive Plan, the 2020 Incentive Plan and the ESPP. This registration statement on Form S-8 is expected to be filed following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and will be effective upon filing. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following the effective date, unless such shares are subject to vesting restrictions with us, Rule 144 restrictions applicable to our affiliates or the lock-up restrictions described above. For the avoidance of doubt, unless such shares held by the Apollo Funds, Searchlight, affiliates of ABRY or our directors and executive officers, such shares are not subject to the lock-up restrictions described above.

 

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Registration Rights

Following this offering and subject to the lock-up agreements, the Apollo Funds, Searchlight and affiliates of ABRY will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the sale of their shares of common stock under the Securities Act. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.” After such registration, these shares of common stock will become freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares purchased by affiliates.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined herein) with respect to the ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering. The following discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, U.S. judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements and existing and proposed Treasury regulations, all as in effect as of the date hereof. All of the preceding authorities are subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested, and will not request, a ruling from the IRS with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and as a result there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions we have reached and describe herein.

This discussion only addresses beneficial owners of our common stock that hold such common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a Non-U.S. Holder in light of such Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances or that may be applicable to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (including, for example, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, Non-U.S. Holders who acquire our common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for their services, Non-U.S. Holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States, and Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction). In addition, this discussion does not address U.S. federal tax laws other than those pertaining to U.S. federal income tax (such as U.S. federal estate or gift tax or the Medicare contribution tax on certain net investment income), nor does it address any aspects of U.S. state, local or non-U.S. taxes. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of these taxes.

For purposes of this discussion, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust, other than:

 

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

•

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust if: (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a person treated as a partner of such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Persons that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are treated as partners in a partnership holding shares of our common stock are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

 

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Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the particular consequences to them under U.S. federal, state and local, and applicable foreign tax laws of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Distributions

Distributions of cash or property that we pay in respect of our common stock will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Subject to the discussions below under “—U.S. Trade or Business Income,” “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—FATCA,” you generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or at a reduced rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, on any dividends received in respect of our common stock. If the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our common stock, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain. However, except to the extent that we elect (or the paying agent or other intermediary through which you hold your common stock elects) otherwise, we (or the intermediary) must generally withhold at the applicable rate on the entire distribution, in which case you would be entitled to a refund from the IRS for the withholding tax on the portion, if any, of the distribution that exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

In order to obtain a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or, in each case, a successor form) certifying your entitlement to benefits under the treaty. Special certifications and other requirements apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your possible entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below under “—U.S. Trade or Business Income,” “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “—FATCA,” you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of any gain on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

•

the gain is U.S. trade or business income, in which case, such gain will be taxed as described in “—U.S. Trade or Business Income” below;

 

•

you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which certain capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed certain capital losses allocable to U.S. sources; or

 

•

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) under Section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and your holding period for the common stock, in which case, subject to the exception set forth in the second sentence of the next paragraph, such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described in “—U.S. Trade or Business Income” below.

In general, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property

 

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interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. In the event that we are determined to be a USRPHC, gain will, nonetheless, not be subject to tax as U.S. trade or business income if your holdings (direct and indirect, taking into account certain constructive ownership rules) at all times during the applicable period described in the third bullet point above constituted 5% or less of our common stock, provided that our common stock was regularly traded on an established securities market during such period. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming in the future, a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Trade or Business Income

For purposes of this discussion, dividend income and gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock will be considered to be “U.S. trade or business income” if (A)(i) such income or gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States and (ii) if you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States and such treaty requires, such income or gain is attributable to a permanent establishment (or, if you are an individual, a fixed base) that you maintain in the United States or (B) with respect to gain, we are or have been a USRPHC at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of our common stock and your holding period for our common stock (subject to the exception set forth above in the second paragraph of “—Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock”). Generally, U.S. trade or business income is not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (provided that you comply with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, including providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form)); instead, you are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at regular U.S. federal income tax rates (generally in the same manner as a U.S. person) on your U.S. trade or business income. If you are a corporation, any U.S. trade or business income that you receive may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, or at a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must annually report to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder any dividend income that is subject to U.S. federal withholding tax or that is exempt from such withholding pursuant to an income tax treaty. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides. Under certain circumstances, the Code imposes a backup withholding obligation on certain reportable payments. Dividends paid to you will generally be exempt from backup withholding if you provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or, in each case, a successor form) or otherwise establish an exemption and the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person or that the conditions of such other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of any broker (U.S. or non-U.S.) will be subject to information reporting and possible backup withholding unless you certify as to your non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption and the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-U.S. broker has certain types of relationships with the United States (a “U.S. related financial intermediary”). In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a U.S. person or a U.S. related financial intermediary, the Treasury regulations require information reporting (but not backup withholding) on the payment unless the broker has

 

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documentary evidence in its files that the owner is not a U.S. person and the broker has no knowledge to the contrary. You are urged to consult your tax advisor on the application of information reporting and backup withholding in light of your particular circumstances.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you will be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Pursuant to Section 1471 through 1474 of the Code, commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), foreign financial institutions (which include most foreign hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, securitization vehicles and any other investment vehicles) and certain other foreign entities that do not otherwise qualify for an exemption must comply with information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or be subject to a withholding tax on U.S. source payments made to them (whether received as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary for another party).

More specifically, a foreign financial institution or other foreign entity that does not comply with the FATCA reporting requirements or otherwise qualify for an exemption will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax with respect to any “withholdable payments.” For this purpose, withholdable payments generally include U.S.-source payments otherwise subject to nonresident withholding tax (e.g., U.S.-source dividends). The FATCA withholding tax will apply even if the payment would otherwise not be subject to U.S. nonresident withholding tax (e.g., because it is capital gain). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

FATCA currently applies to dividends made in respect of our common stock. Proposed Treasury regulations, the preamble to which states that they can be relied upon until final regulations are issued, exempt from FATCA proceeds on dispositions of stock. To avoid withholding on dividends, Non-U.S. Holders may be required to provide the Company (or its withholding agents) with applicable tax forms or other information. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA provisions to them based on their particular circumstances.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:

 

Name		Number of Shares
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Evercore Group L.L.C.
Barclays Capital Inc.
BMO Capital Markets Corp.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
LionTree Advisors LLC
Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC
Drexel Hamilton, LLC
Apollo Global Securities, LLC
Total

The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representatives,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $         per share. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to              additional shares of common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of common stock as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of common stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

 

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We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of our common stock offered by them.

Commissions and Discounts

The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional              shares of common stock.

 

Total

Per Share

No Exercise

Full Exercise

Public offering price

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us

$

$

$

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

$

$

$

The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $        . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for expense relating to clearance of this offering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) up to $        .

Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on Nasdaq under the trading symbol “RXT.”

Lock-Up Agreements

We, the Apollo Funds, Searchlight, affiliates of ABRY and all of our directors and executive officers, who collectively hold substantially all of our issued and outstanding common stock, have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus (the “restricted period”):

 

•

offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of common stock;

 

•

file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; or

 

•

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock,

or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

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The lock-up agreement applicable to the Company is subject to certain specified exceptions, including: (i) shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, (ii) issuances of common stock by the Company upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities existing on the date of such agreement, (iii) any issuance of options by the Company to purchase shares of common stock and other equity incentive compensation, including restricted stock or restricted stock units, pursuant to equity plans or similar plans described herein, (iv) any issuances of common stock upon the exercise of options or the settlement of restricted stock units granted under such equity plans or similar plans described herein, or under equity plans or similar plans of companies acquired by the Company in effect on the date of acquisition, (v) the filing by the Company of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the offering of securities pursuant to the terms of such equity plans or similar plans, (vi) issuances of common stock by the Company or securities convertible into shares of common stock in connection with an acquisition or business combination, provided that the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to this clause (vi) during the lock-up period shall not exceed 5% of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the closing date of this offering and (vii) the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Datapipe Merger Agreement, provided that, in the case of any issuance pursuant to (vi) and (vii), the transferee or distribute agrees in writing to be bound by the lock-up restrictions.

The lock-up agreement applicable to the Apollo Funds, Searchlight, affiliates of ABRY and all of our directors and executive officers is subject to certain specified exceptions, including: (i) bona fide gifts; (ii) transfers to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up signatory or the immediate family of the lock-up signatory; (iii) transfers by will or intestacy; (iv) transfers to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the lock-up party and the immediate family of the lock-up party are the legal and beneficial owner of all the outstanding equity securities or similar interests; (v) transfers by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement; (vi) open market transactions after the completion of the offering or transfers to the underwriters of this offering; (vii) (A) the exercise of stock options solely with cash granted pursuant to equity incentive plans described herein, and the receipt by the lock-up signatory from the Company of shares of common stock upon such exercise; (B) transfers to the Company upon the “net” or “cashless” exercise of stock options or other equity awards granted pursuant to equity incentive plans described herein; (C) transfers for the primary purpose of satisfying any tax or other governmental withholding obligation with respect to any award of equity-based compensation granted pursuant to our equity incentive plans; or (D) forfeitures to the Company to satisfy tax withholding requirements of the lock-up party or the Company upon the vesting, during the lock-up period, of equity based awards granted under equity incentive plans or pursuant to other stock purchase arrangements, in each case as described herein; (viii) a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of our common stock; (ix) transfers to the Company in connection with the repurchase by the Company of shares of common stock or other securities pursuant to a repurchase right arising upon the termination of a lock-up signatory’s employment with the Company; (x) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act; (xi) if the holder is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, (A) distributions to partners, limited liability company members, stockholders or holders of similar interests or (B) transfers to affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act); (xii) transfers to any third-party pledgee in a bona fide transaction as collateral to secure obligations pursuant to lending or other similar arrangement relating to a financing arrangement between such third parties (or their affiliates or designees) and the lock-up party and/or its affiliates; (xiii) transfers pursuant to a bona fide loan or pledge and as a grant or maintenance of a bona fide lien, security interest, pledge or other similar encumbrance in connection with a loan to the lock-up party, including those that are in effect on the date of such agreement and has been disclosed to Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, subject to certain restrictions; and (xiv) transfers to the

 

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lock-up party’s employer or any affiliate of the lock-up party’s employer as compensation in his or her capacity as a member of the Company’s board of directors; provided that, in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to (i) through (v), (vii), (xi) and (xiv), the transferee or distribute agrees in writing to be bound by the lock-up restrictions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in its sole discretion, may release our common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time, subject to applicable notice requirements.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In order to facilitate the offering of our common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of our common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of our common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of our common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of our common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us and the Apollo Funds, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own

 

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account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments. In addition, certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates are lenders under our Term Loan Facility. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may own, or manage accounts that own, our 8.625% Senior Notes. As a result, certain of the underwriters or their affiliates may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering as a result of us repaying, redeeming, retiring or repurchasing a portion of our Term Loan Facility or the 8.625% Senior Notes.

Conflict of Interest

Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo, is an underwriter in this offering. Affiliates of Apollo beneficially own in excess of 10% of our issued and outstanding common stock. As a result,

Apollo Global Securities, LLC is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under FINRA Rule 5121, and this offering will be conducted in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering as the members primarily responsible for managing the public offering do not have a conflict of interest, are not affiliates of any member that has a conflict of interest and meet the requirements of paragraph (f)(12)(E) of Rule 5121. Apollo Global Securities, LLC will not confirm sales of the securities to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the account holder.

Pricing of the Offering

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities, and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published, in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

European Economic Area and United Kingdom

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each, a “Relevant State”), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State other than:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

 

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(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any of our representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

Each person in a Relevant State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the representatives and us that it is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5 of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a nondiscretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of shares to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares of our common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

(b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares of our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Switzerland

This prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the shares of common stock. The shares may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the shares to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Canada

The shares of common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106

 

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Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares of common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Hong Kong

Shares of our common stock may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to shares of our common stock may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares of our common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares of our common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares of our common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where shares of our common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

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(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired shares of our common stock under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

(1)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA;

 

(2)

where no consideration is given for the transfer; or

 

(3)

where the transfer is by operation of law.

Solely for purposes of the notification requirements under Section 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons, that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Japan

No registration pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “FIEL”) has been made or will be made with respect to the solicitation of the application for the acquisition of the shares of common stock.

Accordingly, the shares of common stock have not been, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not be, directly or indirectly, offered or sold in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or re-sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and the other applicable laws and regulations of Japan.

For Qualified Institutional Investors (“QII”)

Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the shares of common stock constitutes either a “QII only private placement” or a “QII only secondary distribution” (each as described in Paragraph 1, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the shares of common stock. The shares of common stock may only be transferred to QIIs.

For Non-QII Investors

Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the shares of common stock constitutes either a “small number private placement” or a “small number private secondary distribution” (each as is described in Paragraph 4, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the shares of

 

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common stock. The shares of common stock may only be transferred en bloc without subdivision to a single investor.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York. The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (formerly known as Rackspace Corp.) as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

In connection with this offering, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) completed an independence assessment to evaluate the services and relationships with the Company and its affiliates that may bear on PwC’s independence under the SEC and the PCAOB (United States) independence rules for the audit period commencing January 1, 2017.

PwC informed the Company’s Audit Committee that from January 2017 to March 2020 its U.S. member firm and certain member firms within PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity, had performed non-audit services for Apollo and for certain foreign subsidiaries of companies owned by funds affiliated with Apollo (“Apollo PortCo Subs”). PwC identified independence violations as follows, relating to certain activities undertaken in connection with: (i) non-audit services provided to Apollo and four Apollo PortCo Subs deemed to be prohibited management functions pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X under the SEC’s auditor independence rules, (ii) non-audit services provided to two Apollo PortCo Subs deemed to be prohibited expert services for the purpose of advocating an audit client’s interest in an administrative proceeding in violation of Rule 2-01(c)(4)(x) of Regulation S-X, and (iii) non-audit services provided to one Apollo PortCo Sub deemed to be prohibited legal services in violation of Rule 2-01(c)(4)(ix) of Regulation S-X.

PwC informed the Audit Committee that PwC maintained objectivity and impartiality on all issues encompassed within its audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in consideration of the mitigating factors, including:

 

•

the non-audit services provided to Apollo and the applicable Apollo PortCo Subs are immaterial to Apollo (considering both qualitative and quantitative factors) and unrelated to the Company (other than being owned by funds affiliated with Apollo);

 

•

the non-audit services had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and were not subject to PwC’s audits;

 

•

PwC’s audit team for the Company had not been previously aware of the non-audit services and was not involved in the provision of such services;

 

•

the non-audit services were all terminated prior to the commencement of the PCAOB professional engagement period of March 10, 2020; and

 

•

the fees associated with the non-audit services were not material to Apollo, the Company or PwC.

 

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After considering the facts and circumstances, the Audit Committee concurred with PwC’s conclusion that, for the reasons described above, the impermissible services did not impair PwC’s objectivity and impartiality with respect to the planning and execution of the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and that no reasonable investor would conclude otherwise.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 with respect to the common stock being sold in this offering. This prospectus constitutes a part of that registration statement. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, because some parts have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our common stock being sold in this offering, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement, contract or other document referred to herein are not necessarily complete; reference is made in each instance to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each statement is qualified by reference to the exhibit.

The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov.

After we have completed this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We intend to make these filings available on our website (www.rackspace.com) once this offering is completed. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus. You can also request copies of these documents, for a copying fee, by writing to the SEC, or you can review these documents on the SEC’s website, as described above. In addition, we will provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request.

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019			F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December  31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019			F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019			F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019			F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-8
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020			F-59
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020			F-60
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020			F-61
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020			F-63
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements			F-64

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Rackspace Technology, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (formerly known as Rackspace Corp.) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Changes in Accounting Principles

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for revenues from contracts with customers and the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Austin, Texas

May 6, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In millions, except per share data)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	254.3			$	83.8
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and accrued customer credits of $10.5 and $17.0, respectively			260.5				350.3
Prepaid expenses			55.0				76.2
Other current assets			44.5				33.4
Total current assets			614.3				543.7
Property, equipment and software, net			927.0				727.8
Goodwill, net			2,474.7				2,745.8
Intangible assets, net			1,930.9				1,817.4
Operating right-of-use assets			—				308.3
Other non-current assets			164.5				129.4
Total assets		$	6,111.4			$	6,272.4
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	233.5			$	260.4
Accrued compensation and benefits			129.3				128.5
Deferred revenue			57.4				66.6
Debt			34.0				29.0
Accrued interest			40.0				36.0
Operating lease liabilities			—				58.3
Financing obligations			26.0				42.9
Capital lease obligations			17.0				—
Other current liabilities			28.3				50.2
Total current liabilities			565.5				671.9
Non-current liabilities:
Debt			3,927.6				3,844.3
Operating lease liabilities			—				256.5
Financing obligations			290.0				86.4
Capital lease obligations			4.3				—
Deferred income taxes			362.4				326.9
Other non-current liabilities			53.8				187.6
Total liabilities			5,203.6				5,373.6
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1.0 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 19.0 shares authorized; 13.8 shares issued and outstanding			0.1				0.1
Additional paid-in capital			1,578.8				1,604.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income			—				12.0
Accumulated deficit			(671.1	)			(717.5	)
Total stockholders’ equity			907.8				898.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	6,111.4			$	6,272.4

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)		2017				2018				2019
Revenue		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1
Cost of revenue			(1,354.1	)			(1,445.7	)			(1,426.9	)
Gross profit			790.6				1,007.1				1,011.2
Selling, general and administrative			(942.2	)			(949.3	)			(911.7	)
Impairment of goodwill			—				(295.0	)			—
Gain on sales, net			5.2				—				2.1
Gain on settlement of contract			28.8				—				—
Income (loss) from operations			(117.6	)			(237.2	)			101.6
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(223.4	)			(281.1	)			(329.9	)
Gain on investments, net			4.6				4.6				99.5
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt			(16.9	)			0.5				9.8
Other income (expense)			(7.4	)			12.7				(3.3	)
Total other income (expense)			(243.1	)			(263.3	)			(223.9	)
Loss before income taxes			(360.7	)			(500.5	)			(122.3	)
Benefit for income taxes			300.8				29.9				20.0
Net loss		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$	17.8			$	(17.8	)		$	12.0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			17.8				(17.8	)			12.0
Comprehensive loss		$	(42.1	)		$	(488.4	)		$	(90.3	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(4.67	)		$	(34.19	)		$	(7.43	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			12.8				13.8				13.8

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			757.9				611.0				496.0
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets			—				—				70.5
Deferred income taxes			(306.9	)			(24.6	)			(40.7	)
Share-based compensation expense			10.2				20.0				30.2
Impairment of goodwill			—				295.0				—
Gain on sales, net			(5.2	)			—				(2.1	)
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt			16.9				(0.5	)			(9.8	)
(Gain) loss on derivative contracts			(5.6	)			(4.6	)			54.0
Gain on investments, net			(4.6	)			(4.6	)			(99.5	)
Provision for bad debts and accrued customer credits			13.8				12.6				17.8
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount			16.4				18.0				18.3
Other operating activities			0.4				0.3				(0.4	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable			(42.9	)			(32.3	)			(42.2	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(13.8	)			(1.4	)			(10.2	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities			(20.1	)			51.2				(32.7	)
Deferred revenue			(13.0	)			9.8				11.6
Other non-current assets and liabilities			(51.9	)			(49.5	)			(65.6	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			291.7				429.8				292.9
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property, equipment and software			(189.5	)			(294.3	)			(198.0	)
Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired			(1,087.2	)			(65.3	)			(316.1	)
Proceeds from sales			28.0				0.1				16.8
Proceeds from sales of investments			18.0				8.8				109.5
Other investing activities			4.5				2.4				1.3
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,226.2	)			(348.3	)			(386.5	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			9.7				3.2				—
Shares of common stock withheld for employee taxes			—				—				(1.1	)
Repurchase of common stock			—				—				(2.2	)
Cash settlement of share-based awards			—				—				(1.5	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of discount			948.0				—				225.0
Repayments of debt			(67.5	)			(30.9	)			(320.0	)
Payments for debt issuance costs			(19.9	)			—				—
Principal payments of capital leases			(2.6	)			(21.0	)			—
Principal payments of finance lease liabilities			—				—				(19.9	)
Proceeds from financing obligations			—				—				62.6
Principal payments of financing obligations			(0.2	)			(5.0	)			(22.1	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			867.5				(53.7	)			(79.2	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			3.7				(4.5	)			1.7
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(63.3	)			23.3				(171.1	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period			298.2				234.9				258.2
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period		$	234.9			$	258.2			$	87.1

 

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		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments for interest, net of amount capitalized		$	201.3			$	262.5			$	265.3
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds		$	0.1			$	13.9			$	7.2
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Acquisition of property and equipment by capital leases		$	—			$	0.3			$	—
Acquisition of property and equipment by finance leases			—				—				12.6
Increase (decrease) in property, equipment and software accrued in liabilities			3.3				53.5				(0.9	)
Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software		$	3.3			$	53.8			$	11.7
Non-cash consideration from sale of Mailgun		$	19.7			$	—			$	—
Non-cash consideration for Datapipe acquisition		$	274.4			$	—			$	—
Additional finance obligations for build-to-suit leases and other(1)		$	6.8			$	2.5			$	1.2

 

(1)	Represents additional finance obligations for build-to-suit arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 only, and other non-cash investing and financing activities for all years presented.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of such amounts shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Cash and cash equivalents		$	230.9			$	254.3			$	83.8
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets			4.0				3.9				3.3
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows		$	234.9			$	258.2			$	87.1

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

		Common Stock								Additional Paid-In Capital				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income				Accumulated Deficit				Total Stockholders’ Equity
(in millions)		Shares				Amount
Balance at December 31, 2016			12.6			$	0.1			$	1,261.3			$	—			$	(147.9	)		$	1,113.5
Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606			—				—				—				—				7.3				7.3
Issuance of common stock			1.2				—				183.5				—				—				183.5
Contingent consideration for Datapipe acquisition			—				—				100.6				—				—				100.6
Share-based compensation expense			—				—				10.2				—				—				10.2
Net loss			—				—				—				—				(59.9	)			(59.9	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				17.8				—				17.8
Balance at December 31, 2017			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,555.6			$	17.8			$	(200.5	)		$	1,373.0
Issuance of common stock			—				—				3.2				—				—				3.2
Share-based compensation expense			—				—				20.0				—				—				20.0
Net loss			—				—				—				—				(470.6	)			(470.6	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				(17.8	)			—				(17.8	)
Balance at December 31, 2018			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,578.8			$	—			$	(671.1	)		$	907.8
Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 842			—				—				—				—				55.9				55.9
Exercise of stock options and release of stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes			—				—				(1.1	)			—				—				(1.1	)
Repurchase of common stock			—				—				(2.2	)			—				—				(2.2	)
Cash settlement of share-based awards			—				—				(1.5	)			—				—				(1.5	)
Share-based compensation expense			—				—				30.2				—				—				30.2
Net loss			—				—				—				—				(102.3	)			(102.3	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				12.0				—				12.0
Balance at December 31, 2019			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,604.2			$	12.0			$	(717.5	)		$	898.8

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Rackspace Technology, Inc. (formerly known as Rackspace Corp. until its legal name change on June 11, 2020 and formerly known as Inception Topco, Inc. until its legal name change on March 31, 2020), is a Delaware corporation controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Apollo”) and certain co-investors, including Searchlight Capital Partners L.P (“Searchlight”), ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC (collectively, “ABRY”), and current and former employees. Rackspace Technology, Inc. was formed on July 21, 2016 but had no assets, liabilities or operating results until November 3, 2016 (the “Closing Date”) when Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., or “Rackspace Technology Global”), a global provider of modern information technology-as-a-service, was acquired by Inception Parent, Inc., a wholly-owned entity indirectly owned by Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Rackspace Acquisition”).

Rackspace Technology Global commenced operations in 1998 as a limited partnership, and was incorporated in Delaware in March 2000. Rackspace Technology, Inc. serves as the holding company for Rackspace Technology Global and does not engage in any material business or operations other than those related to its indirect ownership of the capital stock of Rackspace Technology Global and its subsidiaries or business or operations otherwise customarily undertaken by a holding company.

For ease of reference, the terms “we,” “our company,” “the company,” “us,” or “our” as used in this report refer to Rackspace Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

On June 19, 2017, we acquired 100% of TriCore Solutions, LLC (“TriCore”) and on November 15, 2017, we acquired 100% of Datapipe Parent, Inc. (“Datapipe”). TriCore and Datapipe’s results of operations subsequent to the respective acquisition dates are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On May 14, 2018, we acquired 100% of RelationEdge, LLC (“RelationEdge”). RelationEdge’s results of operations subsequent to the May 14, 2018 acquisition date are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On November 15, 2019, we acquired 100% of Onica Holdings LLC (“Onica”). The preliminary estimate of fair values of Onica’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed, together with Onica’s results of operations subsequent to the November 15, 2019 acquisition date, are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” for more information regarding the above acquisitions.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the

 

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allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property, equipment and software, software capitalization, incremental borrowing rates for lease liability measurement, fair values of intangible assets and reporting units, useful lives of intangible assets, share-based compensation, contingencies, and income taxes, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Our cash is comprised of bank deposits, overnight sweep accounts and money market funds and is held with high-credit quality U.S. and foreign financial institutions. We consider all highly liquid investments, such as money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.

Restricted cash, included in “Other non-current assets” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents collateral for letters of credit. Restricted cash was $3.9 million and $3.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Property, Equipment and Software and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

Property, equipment and software is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Included in property, equipment and software are capitalized costs related to computer software developed or acquired for internal use. Capitalized computer software costs consist of purchased software licenses, implementation costs, and salaries and related compensation costs of employees and consultants for certain projects that qualify for capitalization. For cloud computing arrangements that include a software license, the software license element of the arrangement is accounted for in a manner consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. For cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license, the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract and is expensed as the services are provided.

Replacements and major improvements to property, equipment and software are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. We also capitalize interest costs incurred during the acquisition, development and construction of certain assets until the asset is ready for its intended use. We capitalized interest of $2.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Property, equipment and software is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term. Depreciation expense is recorded within “Cost of revenue” and “Selling, general and administrative” expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

The following table shows the estimated useful lives used for property, equipment and software:

 

Classification		Estimated Useful Lives
Computers and equipment			3 to 5 years
Software			3 years
Furniture and fixtures			7 years
Buildings and leasehold improvements			2 to 39 years

The cost of assets and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are written off upon retirement or disposal and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income or expense.

 

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Definite-lived intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and are stated at their acquisition date fair value less accumulated amortization. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as this method best approximates the economic benefit derived from such assets. Amortization expense is recorded within “Selling, general and administrative” expense on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. See Note 4, “Acquisitions” for information on the useful lives of recently acquired definite-lived intangible assets.

Long-lived assets, including operating and finance lease assets (see “Leases” below for more information) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured at the asset group level. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized in the amount that an asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Our indefinite-lived intangible asset consists of our Rackspace trade name, which was recorded at fair value on our balance sheet at the date of the Rackspace Acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis on October 1st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business plans, operating performance indicators or competition.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). We allocate goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting unit expected to benefit from the business combination. Assets and liabilities are assigned to each of our reporting units if they are employed by a reporting unit and are considered in the determination of the reporting unit fair value. Certain assets and liabilities are shared by multiple reporting units, and thus, are allocated to each reporting unit based on the relative size of a reporting unit, primarily based on revenue. We have four reporting units: Private Cloud Services, Managed Public Cloud Services, Apps & Cross Platform and OpenStack Public Cloud.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we performed our goodwill impairment tests using a two-step process. The first step compared the fair values of each of our reporting units to their respective carrying amounts to determine any potential impairment. The fair values of each of our reporting units were derived using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit had exceeded its respective fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test would have been performed. The second step compared the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its respective carrying amount and the excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value, if any, would have been recognized as an impairment charge.

Beginning in 2018, we early adopted new accounting guidance that eliminated the second step from the goodwill impairment test. For the goodwill impairment tests completed during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, we compared the fair values of each of our reporting units to their respective carrying amounts. The fair values of each of our reporting units were derived using the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. Under the new guidance, goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit.

The results of our goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2017, did not indicate any impairments of goodwill. The results of our goodwill impairment test for the year ended

 

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December 31, 2018, indicated an impairment of goodwill within our Private Cloud Services reporting unit, and we recorded a charge of $295.0 million within “Impairment of goodwill” in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. See Note 6, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for more information. The results of our goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2019 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill.

In evaluating the recoverability of the Rackspace trade name, we compare the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount to determine potential impairment. Our estimate of the fair value of the Rackspace trade name is derived using the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method. The results of our indefinite-lived asset impairment tests for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 did not indicate any impairments of the Rackspace trade name.

The evaluation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimation of the royalty rate, estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal cash flow forecasts, estimation of the terminal growth rate, capital spending, and determination of our discount rate. The discount rate used is based on our weighted average cost of capital and may be adjusted for risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and in our estimation of future cash flows. The estimates and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our reporting units and the Rackspace trade name from year to year are based on operating results, market conditions, and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results.

Business Combinations

Mergers and acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method, in accordance with accounting guidance for business combinations. Under the acquisition method, we allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets (“identifiable assets”) acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration when applicable, we make significant estimates and assumptions based on historical data, estimated discounted future cash flows, expected royalty rates for trade names, as well as certain other information. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.

Investments

We have equity investments in entities in which we do not exercise significant influence. Investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net loss. Investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are measured at cost less any impairments, adjusted for observable pricing changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We perform a qualitative assessment on these investments at each reporting period to determine whether any indicators of impairment exist. If an impairment exists, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount in which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. This determination depends on whether the arrangement conveys to us the right to control the use of an explicitly or implicitly identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is

 

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conveyed to us if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from using the underlying asset.

We classify leases with contractual terms greater than 12 months as either operating or finance. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow us to substantially utilize an asset over its estimated life. Our finance leases primarily consist of equipment and a certain data center facility. All other leases are categorized as operating leases, which primarily consist of certain data centers and office space. Our leases generally have terms ranging from 1 to 21 years for data centers, 2 to 5 years for equipment and 1 to 10 years for office space.

Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments, reduced by lease incentives, at the lease commencement date. We use an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments as the interest rate implicit in most of our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments, on a collateralized basis and in a similar economic environment over a similar term. The rate is dependent on several factors, including the lease term, currency of the lease payments and the company’s credit rating. Operating and finance lease liabilities are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as current and non-current liabilities.

Lease assets are recognized based on the related lease liabilities, plus any prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs from executing the leasing arrangement. Our lease terms include the base, non-cancelable lease term, and any options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain at commencement that we will exercise such options. Some of our data center and office space leases contain such extension and termination options. Operating and finance lease assets are included in “Operating right-of-use assets” and “Property, equipment and software, net,” respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in “Interest expense” and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term. Leases with terms of less than 12 months at commencement are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with the short-term lease practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification No. 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). We have also elected the practical expedient under ASC 842 to not separate lease and non-lease components within a leasing arrangement. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We have elected to apply both of these practical expedients to all classes of underlying assets.

Variable payments related to a lease are expensed as incurred. These costs often relate to payments for a proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and other operating costs in addition to base rent.

We lease certain data center facilities that are build-to-suit arrangements, for which construction had been completed prior to or was in process upon the adoption of ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019. For purposes of applying ASC 842’s transition provisions, we elected to first assess lease classification for each applicable build-to-suit lease arrangement at lease inception under previous lease accounting guidance (“ASC 840”), and then apply ASC 842’s transition provisions based on those assessments. We derecognized the assets and liabilities associated with these arrangements for transitional purposes and recognized lease assets and lease liabilities for either operating or finance leases corresponding to the operating or capital lease classification designations determined in our ASC 840 reassessments. In addition, we lease certain properties that were deemed failed sale-

 

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leasebacks under ASC 840. We continue to account for these arrangements as failed sale-leasebacks under ASC 842. Refer to the “Financing Obligations” section below for further discussion.

We are the intermediate lessor in certain sublease arrangements and account for both the head lease and the associated sublease as separate operating leases. We offset rental income against head lease operating costs within “Cost of revenue” or “Selling, general and administrative” expenses, depending on whether the head lease is a data center or office space lease.

We are deemed a lessor in certain hosting arrangements where our equipment is located in a customer’s data center. We account for these arrangements as either sales-type or direct finance leases.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs such as underwriting, financial advisory, professional fees and other similar fees are deferred and recognized in interest expense over the estimated life of the related debt instrument using the effective interest method or the straight-line method, as applicable. Debt issuance costs related to our debt instruments are classified as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the long-term debt liability or as an asset within “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Financing Obligations

From time to time, we enter into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. These arrangements are generally non-interest bearing, and require the calculation of an imputed interest rate.

We also may enter into sale-leaseback arrangements for certain equipment in which we sell the assets to a third party and concurrently lease the assets back for a specified term. These arrangements generally do not qualify as asset sales because they include a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise and therefore they are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. In addition, we lease properties that were deemed failed sale-leasebacks upon the adoption of ASC 842 due to options to purchase the underlying assets at an exercise price that is not at fair value or due to the present value of the future minimum lease payments exceeding the fair value of the underlying assets.

See Note 10, “Financing Obligations” for disclosure of future minimum payments under vendor financing and failed sale-leaseback arrangements.

Revenue Recognition

All our revenue is from contracts with customers. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from all parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectibility of consideration is probable. We provide cloud computing to customers, which is broadly defined as the delivery of computing, storage and applications over the Internet. Cloud computing is a service transaction under which the services we provide vary on a daily basis. The totality of services provided represent a single integrated solution tailored to the customer’s specific needs. As such, our performance obligations to our customers consist of a single integrated solution delivered as a series of distinct daily services. We recognize revenue on a daily basis as services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services. Our usage-based arrangements generally include variable consideration components consisting of monthly utility fees with a defined price and undefined quantity. Additionally, our contracts contain service level guarantees that provide

 

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discounts when we fail to meet specific obligations and certain services may include volume discounts based on usage. As these variable consideration components consist of a single distinct daily service provided on a single performance obligation, we account for this consideration as services are provided and earned. In accordance with the series guidance within Accounting Standards Codification No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), regarding modification to a single performance obligation, when contracts are modified to add, remove or change existing services, the modification will only affect the accounting for the remaining distinct goods and services provided. As such, our contract modifications are accounted for prospectively.

Our largest source of revenue relates to fees associated with certain arrangements within our Multicloud Services offerings that generally have a fixed term usually not exceeding 36 months with a monthly recurring fee based on the computing resources utilized and provided to the customer, the complexity of the underlying infrastructure, and the level of support we provide. Customers generally have the right to cancel their contracts by providing prior written notice to us of their intent to cancel the remainder of the contract term. Many of our contracts require our customers to pay early termination fees in the event they cancel a contract prior to the end of its term, typically amounting to the outstanding value of the contract. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period of contract termination as we have no further obligation to perform.

Our other primary sources of revenue are for public cloud services within our Multicloud Services offering, and our OpenStack Public Cloud and Apps & Cross Platform offerings. Customers are generally invoiced monthly based on usage. Contracts for these arrangements typically operate on a month-to-month basis and can be canceled at any time without penalty. We also provide customers with professional services for the design and implementation of application, security and data services. Professional service contracts are either fixed-fee or time-and-materials based. We typically consider these services to be a separate performance obligation from other integrated solutions being provided to the same customer. Our performance obligations under these arrangements are typically to provide the services on a daily basis over a period of time and recognize revenue as the services are performed.

We also offer customers the flexibility to select the best combination of offerings in order to meet the requirements of their unique applications and provide the technology to seamlessly operate and manage multiple cloud computing environments. Judgment is required in assessing whether a service is distinct, including determination of whether the customer could benefit from the service on its own or in conjunction with other readily available resources and whether certain services are highly integrated into a bundle of services that represent the combined output specified by the customer. Arrangements can contain multiple performance obligations that are distinct, which are accounted for separately. Each performance obligation is recognized as services are provided based on their standalone selling price (“SSP”). Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each of our distinct performance obligations. We utilize a range of prices when developing our estimates of SSP.

Revenue recognition for revenue generated from arrangements in which we resell third party infrastructure bundled with our managed services, requires judgment to determine whether revenue can be recorded at the gross sales price or net of third party fees. Typically, revenue is recognized on a gross basis when it is determined that we are the principal in the relationship. We are considered the principal in the relationship when we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the contract and obtain control of the third party infrastructure before transferring it as an integral part of our performance obligation to provide services to the customer. Revenue is recognized net of third party fees when we determine that our obligation is only to facilitate the customers’ purchase of third party infrastructure.

Revenue is reported net of customer credits and sales and use tax.

 

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Contract Balances

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Invoiced amounts and accrued unbilled usage are recorded in accounts receivable and either deferred revenue or revenue.

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. Our accounts receivable balance also includes unbilled amounts representing revenue recorded for usage-based services provided in the period but which are invoiced in arrears. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible receivables. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider historical bad debt write-offs and all known facts and circumstances such as current economic conditions and trends, customer creditworthiness, and specifically identified customer risks.

Our arrangements contain service level commitments with our customers. To the extent that such service levels are not achieved or are otherwise disputed, we are required to issue service credits for a portion of the service fees paid by our customers. At each reporting period, we accrue for credits which are due to customers, but not yet issued.

We recognize revenue for certain fixed term contracts in which services are provided in advance of the first invoice. This revenue is recognized as a contract asset, separate from accounts receivable. A contract liability, presented as deferred revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recognized when services are invoiced prior to being provided.

Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract

We recognize assets for the incremental costs to obtain and fulfill a contract with a customer. Costs to obtain a contract include sales commissions on the initial contract while costs to fulfill a contract include implementation and set-up related expenses. These costs are capitalized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized as expense over the period the related services are expected to be delivered to the customer, which is approximately thirty months including expected renewals. If such period is less than 12 months, we have elected to apply the practical expedient under ASC 606 and expense costs as incurred. Sales commissions paid on renewals are not material and not commensurate with sales commissions paid on the initial contract. Sales commissions expense is recorded within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses and implementation and set-up costs are recorded within “Cost of revenue” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. These capitalized costs are included in “Other non-current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of expenses related to personnel, software licenses, the costs to operate our data center facilities, including depreciation expense, and infrastructure expense related to our service offerings bundled with third party clouds. Personnel expenses include the salaries, non-equity incentive compensation and related expenses of our support teams and data center employees. Data center facility costs include rent, utility costs, maintenance fees, and bandwidth.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of: (i) employee-related costs for functions such as executive management, sales and marketing, research and development, finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and legal; (ii) costs for advertising and promoting our services and to generate customer demand; (iii) general costs such as professional fees, office facilities, software, and equipment expenses, including the related depreciation, and other overhead costs; and (iv) definite-lived intangibles amortization expense.

 

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Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expense was $59.5 million, $41.9 million and $39.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Research and development expense was $92.9 million, $74.7 million, and $56.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in recognizing certain income, expense, and credit items for financial reporting purposes and tax reporting purposes. Such deferred income taxes primarily relate to the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

We are under certain domestic and foreign tax audits. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, there is the possibility that the various taxing authorities may disagree with certain tax positions filed on our income tax returns. We have considered all relevant facts and circumstances and believe that we have made adequate provision for all uncertain tax positions.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy below prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three categories:

Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, which require management judgment or estimation. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques, including discounted cash flow models.

Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily consist of money market funds, a certain equity investment, and derivative instruments. The fair values of money market funds and a certain equity investment are measured using Level 1 inputs, which are based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. Money market funds, which are included within “Cash and cash equivalents” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $32.8 million and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Gains and losses attributable to money market funds were immaterial for all periods presented. See Note 7, “Investments” for more information on the inputs used to fair value a certain equity investment. The fair values of derivative instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See “Derivative Instruments” below for more information on the inputs used to fair value our derivative instruments.

 

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The fair values of our long-term debt instruments are measured using Level 2 inputs. See Note 8, “Debt” for more information on the inputs used to fair value our long-term debt instruments.

The fair values of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions accounted for as business combinations are measured using Level 3 inputs. Refer to “Business Combinations” above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our identifiable assets and liabilities assumed in acquisitions.

The fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets are measured using Level 3 inputs. As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test, during the year ended December 31, 2018, we reduced the carrying value of one of our reporting units by $295.0 million to its implied fair value. See “Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets” above for more information on the inputs used to fair value our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Foreign Currency

We have assessed the functional currency of each of our international subsidiaries and have generally designated the local currency to be their respective functional currencies. The assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries are translated to the U.S. dollar at the end-of-period exchange rates. Capital accounts are determined to be of a permanent nature and are therefore translated using historical exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates.

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from differences in exchange rates from period to period are the only components recorded within “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no income taxes allocated to foreign currency translation during the year ended December 31, 2017. The income tax expense allocated to foreign currency translation adjustments was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The income tax benefit allocated to foreign currency translation was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Transaction gains or losses in currencies other than the functional currency are included as a component of “Other income (expense)” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Derivative Instruments

We utilize derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, fixed price power contracts and foreign currency hedging contracts, to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, commodity price risk and foreign currency fluctuations. We currently hold such instruments for economic hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes. Our derivative instruments are transacted only with highly-rated institutions, which reduces our exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance.

Interest Rate Swaps

We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

Our interest rate swaps are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as yield curve data, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated any of our swap agreements as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in

 

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fair value of the swaps are recorded to “Interest expense” on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Fixed Price Power Contracts

We consume a large quantity of power to operate our data centers and as such are exposed to risk associated with fluctuations in the price of power. The objective of our fixed price power contracts is to manage our exposure to the price of power. The fixed price power contracts, which we enter into from time to time to manage the risk related to the uncertainty of future power prices, allow for the purchase of a set volume of power at a fixed rate.

We evaluate every fixed price power contract to determine if the contract meets the definition of a derivative, which requires recognizing the contract at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in the fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Power contracts accounted for as derivatives are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current power prices, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated any contract as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes, therefore, any changes in fair value are recorded in “Cost of revenue.” If a contract is deemed to be a derivative, we also determine if it qualifies for the normal purchases normal sales scope exception to derivative accounting, which would result in expensing electricity usage as incurred.

Foreign Currency Hedging Contracts

The majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. We also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The objective of our foreign currency hedging contracts is to manage our exposure to foreign currency movements, specifically related to the operations of British pound sterling denominated entities that are translated to the U.S dollar. To accomplish this objective, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts and collars. A forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a quantity of a currency at a predetermined future date and at a predetermined exchange rate. A collar is a strategy that uses a combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option with equal premiums to hedge a portion of anticipated cash flows, or to limit possible gains or losses on an underlying asset or liability to a specific range. The put and call options have identical notional amounts and settlement dates.

These contracts are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current exchange rates, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value are recorded in “Other income (expense).”

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events through May 6, 2020, the date the financial statements were issued, and determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition or disclosure except for the following.

On March 19, 2020, the company entered into an accounts receivable financing agreement (the “Financing”). Pursuant to the agreements evidencing the Financing, Rackspace Receivables, LLC, a wholly owned bankruptcy-remote special purpose vehicle (“SPV”), has granted a security interest in all of its current and future receivables and related assets in exchange for a credit facility permitting borrowings of up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100.0 million. Such borrowings are used by the

 

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SPV to finance purchases of accounts receivable. The last date on which advances may be made is March 21, 2022, unless the maturity of the Financing is otherwise accelerated. Advances bear interest based on an index rate plus a margin. The SPV is also required to pay a monthly commitment fee based on the unused amount of the facility. The agreements evidencing the Financing contain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The effects of COVID-19 are rapidly evolving, and the full impact and duration of the virus are unknown. Currently, COVID-19 has not had a significant impact on our operations or financial performance; however, the ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on our customers, vendors and employees and its impact on our sales cycles as well as industry events, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

During the period from January 1, 2020 through May 6, 2020, we granted 0.7 million stock options under the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $83.45. The majority of the options were granted as part of our annual compensation award process. Total future compensation cost related to these options is $55.0 million, of which $8.5 million is related to options that will vest based on performance, market, and service conditions all tied to a change in control for which expense will not be recorded until a change in control event is consummated.

Events Subsequent to Original Issuance of Financial Statements (unaudited)

We have evaluated subsequent events from the original issuance date through July 10, 2020, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be reissued, and determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition or disclosure.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 606 using the full retrospective method, which required us to restate each prior period presented. As the consolidated financial statements prior to the Rackspace Acquisition date were presented on a different accounting basis than the consolidated financial statements subsequent to the Rackspace Acquisition date, ASC 606 was only applied to the periods subsequent to the Rackspace Acquisition date.

The adoption of this standard impacted the timing of revenue recognition related to certain private cloud arrangements. Under ASC 606, we recognize revenue earlier for certain fixed term contracts in which services are provided in advance of invoicing. This also results in the recognition of a contract asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the standard impacted the reclassification of balances representing receivables, from unbilled accounts receivable to accounts receivable, net.

The adoption of this standard also impacted the way we account for costs incurred to obtain and fulfill a contract, such as sales commissions and implementation and set-up costs. Previously, these costs were expensed as incurred. Under ASC 606, these costs are capitalized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized over the period that the related services are delivered to the customer, resulting in a change in the timing of expense recognition.

 

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The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in a $7.3 million increase to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2017, the earliest period presented in our consolidated financial statements.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases, and requires lessees to classify leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. ASC 842 also requires additional disclosures to help financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. We adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the January 1, 2019 adoption date. We also elected the transition option under ASC 842 whereby prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted in the consolidated financial statements.

We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within ASC 842, which allowed us to not reassess prior conclusions related to: (i) historical lease classifications, (ii) determination of initial direct costs of existing leases, or (iii) whether any expired or existing contracts were or contain leases. In addition, for all underlying classes of assets, we elected to apply practical expedients as a lessee that allow us to (i) combine lease and non-lease components and treat them as a single component and (ii) not recognize lease assets and liabilities for leasing arrangements with lease terms of 12 months or less.

The adoption of ASC 842 primarily resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities and finance lease assets and liabilities. In addition, assets and liabilities related to certain build-to-suit arrangements were derecognized upon adoption, resulting in a credit adjustment to accumulated deficit. Following derecognition of these assets and liabilities, we recognized respective operating lease right-of use assets and liabilities and finance lease assets and liabilities.

Subsequent to adoption of ASC 842, for certain hosting arrangements where our equipment is located in a customer’s data center, we are deemed a lessor. This resulted in a change in the pattern of revenue recognition for these arrangements in accordance with sales-type or direct finance lease guidance, as applicable. These arrangements are not material to our consolidated financial statements.

 

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See below for more information on the impact of the adoption of ASC 842 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of the January 1, 2019 adoption date.

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2018				ASC 842 Adjustments				January 1, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	254.3			$	—			$	254.3
Accounts receivable, net			260.5				—				260.5
Prepaid expenses			55.0				(0.8	)(a)			54.2
Other current assets			44.5				—				44.5
Total current assets			614.3				(0.8	)			613.5
Property, equipment and software, net			927.0				(81.4	)(b)			845.6
Goodwill, net			2,474.7				—				2,474.7
Intangible assets, net			1,930.9				(11.2	)(c)			1,919.7
Operating right-of-use assets			—				351.8	(d)			351.8
Other non-current assets			164.5				(11.5	)(e)			153.0
Total assets		$	6,111.4			$	246.9			$	6,358.3
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	233.5			$	(0.7	)(f)		$	232.8
Accrued compensation and benefits			129.3				—				129.3
Deferred revenue			57.4				—				57.4
Debt			34.0				—				34.0
Accrued interest			40.0				—				40.0
Operating lease liabilities			—				64.6	(g)			64.6
Financing obligations			26.0				(3.8	)(h)			22.2
Capital lease obligations			17.0				(17.0	)(i)			—
Other current liabilities			28.3				19.4	(j)			47.7
Total current liabilities			565.5				62.5				628.0
Non-current liabilities:
Debt			3,927.6				—				3,927.6
Operating lease liabilities			—				290.7	(k)			290.7
Financing obligations			290.0				(228.1	)(l)			61.9
Capital lease obligations			4.3				(4.3	)(m)			—
Deferred income taxes			362.4				(0.1	)(e)			362.3
Other non-current liabilities			53.8				70.3	(n)			124.1
Total liabilities			5,203.6				191.0				5,394.6
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock			—				—				—
Common stock			0.1				—				0.1
Additional paid-in capital			1,578.8				—				1,578.8
Accumulated other comprehensive income			—				—				—
Accumulated deficit			(671.1	)			55.9	(o)			(615.2	)
Total stockholders’ equity			907.8				55.9				963.7
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	6,111.4			$	246.9			$	6,358.3

 

(a)	Represents reclassification of prepaid rent balances to Operating right-of-use assets.

(b)	Represents the derecognition of the net book value of properties that were accounted for under previously existing build-to-suit accounting rules, partially offset by the remeasurement of certain of those properties that are accounted for as finance leases under ASC 842.

 

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(c)	Represents reclassification of the net book value of favorable lease assets to Operating right-of-use assets.

(d)	Represents recognition of operating lease assets and reclassification of prepaid rent, deferred rent, favorable lease assets, and unfavorable lease liabilities.

(e)	Represents the tax impact of adoption.

(f)	Represents the reclassification of accrued rent to Other current liabilities.

(g)	Represents recognition of the current portion of operating lease liabilities.

(h)	Represents the derecognition of the current portion of finance obligations for build-to-suit leases.

(i)	Represents reclassification of the current portion of capital lease obligations to current portion of finance lease liabilities within Other current liabilities.

(j)	Represents reclassification of deferred rent balances to Operating right-of-use assets and derecognition of the current portion of finance obligations for build-to-suit leases, partially offset by the recognition of the current portion of finance lease liabilities under ASC 842.

(k)	Represents recognition of the non-current portion of operating lease liabilities.

(l)	Represents derecognition of the non-current portion of finance obligations for build-to-suit leases.

(m)	Represents reclassification of the non-current portion of capital lease obligations to the non-current portion of finance lease liabilities included in Other non-current liabilities.

(n)	Represents reclassification of the non-current deferred rent and unfavorable lease liability balances to Operating right-of-use assets, partially offset by the recognition of the non-current portion of finance lease liabilities under ASC 842.

(o)

Represents the difference between the net book value and the carrying value of fixed assets and liability balances, respectively, derecognized at the transition date, related to properties that were accounted for under previously existing build-to-suit accounting rules, partially offset by the tax impact of adoption.

Financial Instruments-Recognition, Measurement, Presentation and Disclosure

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financials Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires an entity to measure equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of an investee, at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in net income. For investments that do not have readily determinable fair values, the guidance allows an entity to elect a practicability exception and measure an equity investment at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes. Under prior guidance, we accounted for equity investments in entities in which we do not exercise significant influence under the cost method.

We adopted ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2019 and elected the measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and now include the identification of observable price changes in our quarterly impairment assessments for these investments. We did not record a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2018 in connection with the adoption of this guidance as our equity investments in entities in which we do not exercise significant influence continued to be measured at cost due to the election of the measurement alternative.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows an entity to make reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2019 and we have not elected to make this reclassification.

 

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Not Yet Adopted

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected using an allowance for expected credit losses, to be estimated by management based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. We will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective approach. The movement from an incurred loss model to an expected credit loss model will result in earlier recording of expected credit losses for our accounts receivable. However, due to the relatively short term nature of our accounts receivable, the impact of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements is expected to be immaterial.

Derivatives and Hedging-Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The guidance expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedged items in the financial statements. The guidance also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how entities assess hedge effectiveness.

We will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2020. We have historically not designated our existing interest rate swaps, foreign currency hedging contracts or fixed price power contracts as hedges for derivative accounting purposes. However, this guidance will apply to any existing or new derivative instruments that are designated as hedges for derivative accounting purposes in future periods. As such, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. These costs would be recognized as prepaid assets on the balance sheet and expensed ratably over the term of the hosting arrangement, which includes periods covered by renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised. Additionally, the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs would be presented in the same line item in the income statement as the fees associated with the hosting arrangement. We will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption will primarily result in changes to the presentation of certain implementation costs within our consolidated financial statements. Currently, these costs are capitalized as part of “Property, equipment and software, net” and amortized over the useful life of the related software or hosting arrangement. Subsequent to adoption, eligible costs incurred will be recorded within “Prepaid expenses” and “Other non-current assets”. In addition, the cash flow presentation of these costs will change from investing cash flows under previous guidance to operating cash flows under the new guidance.

 

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Fair Value Measurement Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which removes, modifies or adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurement disclosures. Any new disclosure requirements must be applied on a prospective basis in the interim and annual periods of initial adoption, and all removed or modified requirements must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We will adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis and do not expect any material impact to our consolidated financial statements as a result of this adoption.

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. This guidance applies only when LIBOR or another reference rate is expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the guidance as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020. Once elected, the guidance must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

2. Customer Contracts

Contract Balances

The following table presents the balances related to customer contracts as of December 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

(In millions)		Consolidated Balance Sheet Account		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable, net		Accounts receivable, net(1)		$	260.5			$	350.3
Current portion of contract asset		Other current assets			7.4				7.8
Non-current portion of contract asset		Other non-current assets			5.7				7.2
Current portion of deferred revenue		Deferred revenue			57.4				66.6
Non-current portion of deferred revenue		Other non-current liabilities			3.0				14.2

 

(1)	Allowance for doubtful accounts and accrued customer credits was $10.5 million and $17.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

 

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The following table sets forth the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019:

 

(In millions)		Beginning Balance				Additions(1)				Write-offs of Accounts Receivable, Net of Recoveries				Ending Balance
For the years ending December 31,
2017		$	2.1			$	11.7			$	(8.2	)		$	5.6
2018		$	5.6			$	12.7			$	(10.8	)		$	7.5
2019		$	7.5			$	13.3			$	(11.3	)		$	9.5

 

(1)	Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are charged to bad debt within selling, general and administrative expense.

Amounts recognized in revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, which were included in deferred revenue as of the beginning of the period, totaled $35.1 million and $47.6 million, respectively.

Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the balances of capitalized costs to obtain a contract were $52.2 million and $55.1 million, respectively, and the balances of capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $18.4 million and $21.7 million, respectively.

Amortization of capitalized sales commissions was $10.1 million, $27.2 million and $40.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and amortization of capitalized implementation and set-up costs were $3.4 million, $9.5 million and $14.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $838.2 million, of which 59% is expected to be recognized as revenue in 2020 and the remainder thereafter. These remaining performance obligations primarily relate to our fixed-term arrangements. Our other revenue arrangements are usage-based, and as such, we recognize revenues based on the right to invoice for the services performed.

3. Net Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is based on the weighted-average effect of all common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)		2017				2018				2019
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Common stock			12.8				13.8				13.8
Number of shares used in per share computations			12.8				13.8				13.8
Net loss per share		$	(4.67	)		$	(34.19	)		$	(7.43	)

 

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Since we were in a net loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share for all periods as the inclusion of all potential common shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive. In addition, we excluded 1.4 million, 1.8 million and 1.7 million potential common shares from the computation of dilutive net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

4. Acquisitions

TriCore

On June 19, 2017, we acquired 100% of TriCore, a leading cross platform application services provider for enterprise applications for total consideration of $347.6 million, net of cash acquired of $13.1 million, for a net cash purchase price of $334.5 million. This acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. This acquisition allows us to provide expertise and support for enterprise applications that companies use to manage core functions such as manufacturing, logistics, procurement, supply chain management, customer service, HR, and financial operations.

Goodwill primarily consisted of assembled workforce and certain synergies expected to arise after the acquisition. The total amount of goodwill deductible for tax purposes associated with this acquisition is $210.9 million. Goodwill was allocated to the Apps & Cross Platform reportable segment.

The allocation of the purchase price as of the June 19, 2017 closing date was as follows:

 

(In millions)		June 19, 2017
TriCore Acquisition Consideration		$	347.6
Allocated to:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	13.1
Property, equipment and software			7.4
Intangible assets			112.4
Liabilities assumed, net of other assets acquired			(8.2	)
Net assets acquired		$	124.7
Goodwill		$	222.9

Identifiable intangible assets acquired consisted entirely of customer relationships with a weighted average amortization period of approximately 11.8 years as of the date of the acquisition.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded $6.8 million of costs, including legal, professional, and other fees, related to the TriCore acquisition, within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

TriCore’s results of operations from the June 19, 2017 acquisition date through December 31, 2017 were not material to our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, pro forma impacts of the TriCore acquisition were not material to our consolidated revenue or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Datapipe

On November 15, 2017, we acquired 100% of Datapipe, a provider of managed services across public and private clouds, managed hosting and colocation. We acquired Datapipe for $764.4 million in

 

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cash as well as shares equal to approximately 7% of our common stock (the “Equity Consideration”), with the right to receive up to an additional 6% of our common stock subject to the satisfaction of certain market-based metrics on certain measurement dates (the “Contingent Consideration”). Payment of the Contingent Consideration may be triggered upon a change of control event or initial public offering. To fund this acquisition, we borrowed an incremental $800.0 million under the existing Term Loan Facility as further described in Note 8, “Debt,” with the proceeds from this borrowing used to (i) pay the cash consideration for the acquisition, (ii) pay certain fees and expenses, and (iii) satisfy and discharge Datapipe’s existing indebtedness under Datapipe’s existing credit facilities (the “Datapipe Credit Facilities”) as of the acquisition date.

This acquisition brought new capabilities to us and has enabled us to better serve customers, globally and at scale. More specifically, Datapipe’s capabilities include experience in the public sector, data centers and offices in markets where we had little or no presence, more robust professional services for customers and colocation services.

Goodwill primarily consisted of assembled workforce and certain synergies expected to arise after the acquisition. None of the goodwill recorded as part of the Datapipe acquisition is deductible for tax purposes except for an immaterial amount assumed as a result of historical acquisitions made by Datapipe. Goodwill was allocated to the Multicloud Services reportable segment.

Total consideration for the Datapipe acquisition was $1,038.8 million, comprised of the following components:

 

(In millions)
Cash consideration(1)		$	22.5
Redemption of seller’s preferred equity(2)			174.8
Cash to repay Datapipe Credit Facilities, including accrued interest			567.1
Fair value of Equity Consideration(3)			173.8
Fair value of Contingent Consideration(4)			100.6
Datapipe acquisition consideration		$	1,038.8

 

(1)	Represents cash consideration paid to the seller to complete the acquisition, including the seller’s closing date selling expenses.

(2)

The seller’s preferred equity was redeemed by issuing promissory notes, which were issued in place of direct cash payments as the amount needed for redemption of the seller’s preferred equity could not be calculated definitively until the closing of the acquisition. Note that all common stock held by the seller was redeemed for our equity. Substantially all the promissory notes were repaid two days after the closing date and the remainder of less than $0.1 million was repaid in January 2018.

(3)

Comprised of approximately 1.0 million common shares of the company issued in relation to this acquisition. The fair value of the shares of common stock issued was valued using the income approach to determine the total invested capital of the company divided by shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of the acquisition.

(4)

The fair value of the Contingent Consideration at the acquisition date was determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation model, utilizing a weighted average probability of the future equity value of the company, and a discounted payout analysis based on probabilities and timing of achieving prescribed targets. The Contingent Consideration is recorded as equity and is not subject to remeasurement.

 

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The allocation of the purchase price as of the November 15, 2017 closing date was as follows:

 

(In millions)		November 15, 2017
Datapipe acquisition consideration		$	1,038.8
Allocated to:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	10.3
Property, equipment and software			181.0
Intangible assets			270.2
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(47.9	)
Deferred revenue			(23.0	)
Capital lease obligations			(44.1	)
Finance obligations for build-to-suit arrangements			(40.6	)
Other assets acquired, net of other liabilities assumed			31.1
Net assets acquired		$	337.0
Goodwill		$	701.8

The following provides the fair value of property, equipment and software acquired:

 

(In millions)		November 15, 2017
Computers and equipment		$	102.2
Software			18.5
Furniture and fixtures			3.0
Buildings and leasehold improvements			55.5
Work in process			1.8
Total property, equipment and software		$	181.0

The following provides the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired:

 

(In millions)		November 15, 2017				Weighted Average Amortization Period
Customer relationships		$	269.1				7.7 years
Favorable lease agreements(1)			1.1				4.3 years
Total intangible assets		$	270.2

 

(1)	See discussion in Note 6, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” regarding the adoption of ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019, and the resulting impact on favorable and unfavorable lease agreements.

In addition to the acquired intangible assets above, we assumed unfavorable lease liabilities with a fair value of $4.7 million. The weighted-average amortization period for these liabilities is approximately 5.7 years as of the date of the acquisition.

We recorded $10.9 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, of costs, including legal, professional, and other fees, related to the Datapipe acquisition, within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

 

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The amount of Datapipe’s revenue and loss from operations included in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $43.0 million and $11.5 million, respectively.

Pro Forma Results

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated financial information for the year ended December 31, 2017 as if the Datapipe acquisition had been completed as of January 1, 2017. This pro forma presentation does not include any impact of transaction synergies. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisition of Datapipe been consummated as of January 1, 2017:

 

(In millions)		Year Ended December 31, 2017
Revenue		$	2,429.7
Net loss		$	(109.9	)

RelationEdge

On May 14, 2018, we acquired 100% of RelationEdge, a full-service Salesforce Platinum Consulting Partner and digital agency that helps clients engage with their customers from lead to loyalty by improving business process, leveraging technology and integrating creative digital marketing. The acquisition was completed for total consideration of $65.7 million, net of cash acquired of $0.4 million, for a net cash purchase price of $65.3 million. We funded the acquisition and the related fees and expenses with cash on hand. With this acquisition, we expanded our ability to be a preferred partner for managing a customer’s complete application portfolio through continuous transition to modern technologies, including software-as-a- service (“SaaS”) applications.

The allocation of the purchase price as of the May 14, 2018 closing date was as follows

 

(In millions)		May 14, 2018
RelationEdge Acquisition Consideration		$	65.7
Allocated to:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	0.4
Intangible assets			22.1
Liabilities assumed, net of other assets acquired			(1.1	)
Net assets acquired		$	21.4
Goodwill		$	44.3

Goodwill primarily consisted of assembled workforce and is deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired includes $18.0 million for the relationship with Salesforce, and is recorded within “Other” in the intangible assets table disclosed in Note 6, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.” The weighted average amortization period of identifiable intangible assets is approximately 4.6 years as of the date of the acquisition.

We recorded $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 of costs, including legal, professional, and other fees, related to the RelationEdge acquisition, within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

RelationEdge’s results of operations from the May 14, 2018 acquisition date through December 31, 2018 were not material to our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, pro forma

 

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impacts of the RelationEdge acquisition were not material to our consolidated revenue or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Onica

On November 15, 2019, we acquired 100% of Onica, an Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) Partner Network (“APN”) Premier Consulting Partner and AWS Managed Service Provider providing cloud-native consulting and managed services, including strategic advisory, architecture and engineering and application development services. Total consideration to acquire Onica was $323.6 million, net of cash acquired of $7.5 million, for a net cash purchase price of $316.1 million. The acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand and revolving credit facility borrowings, which were repaid by December 31, 2019. This acquisition allows us to expand our portfolio of managed public cloud and professional services solutions and further enhance our existing partnership with AWS.

The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the acquired company’s assets and liabilities based upon estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition (pending the final valuation of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including deferred tax liabilities). Goodwill primarily consisted of assembled workforce. None of the goodwill recorded as part of the Onica acquisition is deductible for tax purposes except for approximately $18 million assumed as a result of historical acquisitions made by Onica.

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of the November 15, 2019 closing date is as follows:

 

(In millions)		November 15, 2019
Onica Acquisition Consideration		$	323.6
Allocated to:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	7.5
Intangible assets			61.8
Liabilities assumed, net of other assets acquired			(11.0	)
Net assets acquired		$	58.3
Goodwill		$	265.3

Included in the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired was $41.3 million of customer relationships and $17.2 million for the relationship with AWS, with an amortization period of seven and four years, respectively. The AWS relationship is recorded within “Other” in the intangible assets table disclosed in Note 6, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded $7.7 million of costs, including legal, professional, and other fees, related to the Onica acquisition, within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Onica’s results of operations from the November 15, 2019 acquisition date through December 31, 2019 were not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Pro Forma Results

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 as if the Onica acquisition had been completed as of

 

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January 1, 2018. This pro forma presentation does not include any impact of transaction synergies. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisition of Onica been consummated as of January 1, 2018:

 

(In millions)		Year Ended December 31, 2018				Year Ended December 31, 2019
Revenue		$	2,520.7			$	2,551.1
Net loss		$	(493.4	)		$	(106.3	)

5. Property, Equipment and Software, net

Property, equipment and software, net, at December 31, 2018 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
Computers and equipment		$	1,124.8			$	1,155.9
Software			429.1				441.6
Furniture and fixtures			34.3				31.3
Buildings and leasehold improvements			377.4				303.7
Land			31.8				32.2
Property, equipment and software, at cost			1,997.4				1,964.7
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(1,091.2	)			(1,255.2	)
Work in process			20.8				18.3
Property, equipment and software, net		$	927.0			$	727.8

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, equipment and software was $630.3 million, $445.5 million and $328.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes $20.9 million of accelerated depreciation resulting from a revision to the useful life of certain equipment assets.

Included in the balance of property, equipment, and software as of December 31, 2019 are assets recorded under finance leases. See Note 9, “Leases” for a discussion of the lease arrangements and the amounts within property, equipment and software as of December 31, 2019.

 

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6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

(In millions)		Multicloud Services				Apps & Cross Platform				OpenStack Public Cloud				Total Consolidated
Balance as of December 31, 2017		$	2,397.4			$	278.5			$	52.1			$	2,728.0
RelationEdge acquisition			—				44.3				—				44.3
Datapipe measurement period adjustments			4.6				—				—				4.6
Impairment of goodwill			(295.0	)			—				—				(295.0	)
Foreign currency translation			(5.9	)			(0.8	)			(0.5	)			(7.2	)
Balance as of December 31, 2018		$	2,101.1			$	322.0			$	51.6			$	2,474.7
Onica acquisition			265.3				—				—				265.3
Foreign currency translation			5.2				0.2				0.4				5.8
Balance as of December 31, 2019		$	2,371.6			$	322.2			$	52.0			$	2,745.8
Gross goodwill		$	2,666.6			$	322.2			$	52.0			$	3,040.8
Less: Accumulated impairment charges			(295.0	)			—				—				(295.0	)
Goodwill, net as of December 31, 2019		$	2,371.6			$	322.2			$	52.0			$	2,745.8

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test. We determined that the carrying amount of our Private Cloud Services reporting unit, a component of the Multicloud Services reportable segment, exceeded its fair value and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $295.0 million. The impairment was driven by a significant decrease in forecasted revenue and cash flows and a lower long-term growth rate, as current and forecasted industry trends reflect lower demand for traditional managed hosting services. Prior to calculating the goodwill impairment loss, we assessed the recoverability of long-lived assets other than goodwill and concluded such assets were not impaired.

The results of our goodwill impairment test for the year ended December 31, 2019 did not indicate any impairments of goodwill. As a result of the annual impairment test, it was determined that the excess of fair value over carrying amount was less than 20% for the Managed Public Cloud Services reporting unit, a component of the Multicloud Services reportable segment, which had an excess of fair value over carrying amount of 10% as of October 1, 2019. Goodwill, net attributed to the Managed Public Cloud Services reporting unit was $811.5 million as of December 31, 2019.

Management exercised significant judgment related to the determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit was estimated using the discounted cash flow method. The discounted cash flow methodology requires significant judgment, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, current and anticipated economic conditions and trends, the estimation of the long-term growth rate of the company’s business, and the determination of the company’s weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the fair value of the reporting unit, potentially resulting in a non-cash impairment charge. Management will continue to monitor the Managed Public Cloud Services reporting unit and consider potential impacts to the impairment assessment.

 

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The following tables provide information regarding intangible assets other than goodwill:

 

		December 31, 2018
(In millions)		Gross carrying amount				Accumulated amortization				Net carrying amount
Customer relationships		$	1,940.3			$	(299.3	)		$	1,641.0
Property tax abatement			16.0				(3.9	)			12.1
Favorable lease agreements(1)			13.8				(2.6	)			11.2
Other			22.9				(6.3	)			16.6
Total definite-lived intangible assets		$	1,993.0			$	(312.1	)		$	1,680.9
Trade name (indefinite-lived)			250.0				—				250.0
Total intangible assets other than goodwill		$	2,243.0			$	(312.1	)		$	1,930.9

 

(1)	See discussion below regarding the adoption of ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019, and the resulting impact on favorable and unfavorable lease agreements.

 

		December 31, 2019
(In millions)		Gross carrying amount				Accumulated amortization				Net carrying amount
Customer relationships		$	1,983.7			$	(459.9	)		$	1,523.8
Property tax abatement			16.0				(5.6	)			10.4
Other			43.8				(10.6	)			33.2
Total definite-lived intangible assets		$	2,043.5			$	(476.1	)		$	1,567.4
Trade name (indefinite-lived)			250.0				—				250.0
Total intangible assets other than goodwill		$	2,293.5			$	(476.1	)		$	1,817.4

In connection with the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, as discussed in Note 1, “Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” favorable lease agreements included in “Intangible assets, net” and unfavorable lease agreements included in “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 are now recorded within “Operating right-of-use assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2019.

Amortization expense related to intangibles, not including favorable and unfavorable lease agreements, was $126.6 million, $164.2 million and $167.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, amortization of intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows:

 

(In millions)		Intangible Assets
Year ending:
2020		$	176.6
2021			173.1
2022			171.7
2023			168.0
2024			159.7
Thereafter			718.3
Total		$	1,567.4

 

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7. Investments

We hold equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The aggregate carrying value of these equity investments was $10.1 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

In June 2019, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (“CrowdStrike”), an entity in which Rackspace US, Inc. held an equity investment, completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) and became a publicly-traded company. Prior to the IPO date, our investment in CrowdStrike had a carrying value of $10.0 million and was accounted for as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value. With the availability of observable price changes following the completion of the IPO, our investment in CrowdStrike was measured at fair value on a prospective basis using the end of period quoted stock price, which is classified as a Level 1 input within the fair value hierarchy. In December 2019, Rackspace US, Inc. sold the investment in CrowdStrike for $106.9 million in cash proceeds.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, we recognized net gains on investment activity of $4.6 million, of which $1.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively, related to the sale of shares in Mailgun Technologies, Inc. (“Mailgun Technologies”). See Note 14, “Divestitures” for more information. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized a net gain on investment activity of $99.5 million, which was primarily comprised of a $96.9 million realized gain related to the sale of the CrowdStrike investment.

8. Debt

Debt consisted of the following:

 

		December 31, 2018
(In millions)		Term Loan Facility				8.625% Senior Notes				Total
Principal balance		$	2,853.5			$	1,197.5			$	4,051.0
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(60.2	)			(23.1	)			(83.3	)
Unamortized debt discount			(6.1	)			—				(6.1	)
Total debt			2,787.2				1,174.4				3,961.6
Less: current portion of debt			(29.0	)			(5.0	)			(34.0	)
Debt, excluding current portion		$	2,758.2			$	1,169.4			$	3,927.6

 

		December 31, 2019
(In millions)		Term Loan Facility				8.625% Senior Notes				Total
Principal balance		$	2,824.6			$	1,120.2			$	3,944.8
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(48.6	)			(18.0	)			(66.6	)
Unamortized debt discount			(4.9	)			—				(4.9	)
Total debt			2,771.1				1,102.2				3,873.3
Less: current portion of debt			(29.0	)			—				(29.0	)
Debt, excluding current portion		$	2,742.1			$	1,102.2			$	3,844.3

Senior Facilities

On November 3, 2016, in conjunction with the Rackspace Acquisition, Rackspace Technology Global entered into a secured First Lien Credit Agreement with Citibank, N.A. (“Citi”) as the administrative agent. The First Lien Credit Agreement includes the Term Loan Facility originally in the

 

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amount of $2,000.0 million, which was fully drawn at closing of the Rackspace Acquisition, and an undrawn revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) of $225.0 million (together, the “Senior Facilities”). Rackspace Technology Global may request additional Term Loan Facility commitments or Revolving Credit Facility commitments up to a specified dollar amount plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with applicable leverage ratios and certain terms and conditions. The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility were used to fund the transactions associated with the Rackspace Acquisition. The Term Loan Facility has a maturity date of November 3, 2023 and the Revolving Credit Facility matures on November 3, 2021.

On June 21, 2017, Rackspace Technology Global amended the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement to reprice the Term Loan Facility, decreasing the applicable margin to 3.00% for LIBOR loans and 2.00% for base rate loans. Rackspace Technology Global also raised an additional $100.0 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility on the same terms as the repriced Term Loan Facility. The proceeds of the $100.0 million incremental term loans were used for general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and transaction costs.

In connection with this amendment, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $9.6 million in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2017. The loss represents a write-off of a portion of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount. In addition, we recorded $0.2 million of fees and expenses related to the amendment as debt issuance costs. All other terms under the original First Lien Credit Agreement remained unchanged.

On November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe acquisition, Rackspace Technology Global raised an additional $800.0 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. The proceeds of the $800.0 million incremental term loans were used to finance a portion of the Datapipe acquisition, repay certain of Datapipe’s existing debt obligations and pay related fees and expenses.

In connection with this incremental borrowing, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.3 million in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2017. The loss represents a write-off of a portion of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount, along with a portion of the fees and expenses related to the incremental borrowing. In addition, we recorded $13.7 million of fees and expenses as debt issuance costs. All other terms under the original First Lien Credit Agreement remained unchanged.

Borrowings under the Senior Facilities bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for Eurodollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, adjusted for certain additional costs, subject to a 1.00% floor in the case of term loans, or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate of Citi and (iii) the one-month adjusted LIBOR plus 1.00%. Interest is due at the end of each interest period elected, not exceeding 90 days, for LIBOR loans and at the end of every calendar quarter for base rate loans. Rackspace Technology Global is required to make quarterly amortization payments on the Term Loan Facility in an annual amount equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount, including incremental borrowings since the Rackspace Acquisition, or $7.2 million per quarter, with the balance due at maturity.

As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 4.90%.

The Revolving Credit Facility has an applicable margin of 4.00% for LIBOR loans and 3.00% for base rate loans and is subject to step-downs based on the net first lien leverage ratio. The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.50% per annum in respect of the unused commitments that is due quarterly. This fee is also subject to one step-down based on the net first lien

 

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leverage ratio. We recorded $8.8 million of debt issuance costs when Rackspace Technology Global entered into this debt instrument. As of December 31, 2019, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In addition to the quarterly amortization payments discussed above, the Senior Facilities requires Rackspace Technology Global to make certain mandatory prepayments, including using (i) a portion of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the agreement, to prepay the Term Loan Facility, (ii) net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary assets sales or dispositions of property to prepay the Term Loan Facility, and (iii) net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt not permitted under the Senior Facilities to prepay the Term Loan Facility. Rackspace Technology Global can make voluntary prepayments at any time without penalty, subject to customary breakage costs.

Rackspace Technology Global is the borrower under the Senior Facilities, and all obligations under the Senior Facilities are (i) guaranteed by Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology Global’s immediate parent company, on a limited recourse basis and secured by the equity interests of Rackspace Technology Global held by Inception Parent, Inc. and (ii) guaranteed by Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and secured by substantially all material owned assets of Rackspace Technology Global and the subsidiary guarantors, including the equity interests held by each, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The only financial covenant is with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility which limits the net first lien leverage ratio to a maximum of 3.50 to 1.00; however, this covenant is only applicable and tested if the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is equal to or greater than 30% of the Revolving Credit Facility commitments at the end of a fiscal quarter. Other covenants include limitations on restricted payments, indebtedness, investments, liens, asset sales and transactions with affiliates. As of December 31, 2019, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities.

The fair value of the Term Loan Facility as of December 31, 2019 was $2,725.7 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the Term Loan Facility is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to manage the interest rate risk associated with interest payments on the Term Loan Facility that result from fluctuations in the LIBOR rate. See Note 15, “Derivatives” for more information on the interest rate swap agreements.

8.625% Senior Notes due 2024

On November 3, 2016, in conjunction with the Rackspace Acquisition, Rackspace Technology Global completed the issuance of $1,200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 8.625% Senior Notes will mature on November 15, 2024 and bear interest at a rate of 8.625% per year, payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. The proceeds of the 8.625% Senior Notes were used to fund the transactions associated with the Rackspace Acquisition, including consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition and payment of related fees and expenses.

Rackspace Technology Global is the issuer of the 8.625% Senior Notes, and obligations under the 8.625% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of Rackspace Technology Global’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (as subsidiary guarantors) that guarantee the Senior Facilities. The 8.625% Senior Notes are junior to the indebtedness under the Senior Facilities

 

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and the indenture describes certain terms and conditions under which other current and future domestic subsidiaries are required to become guarantors of the 8.625% Senior Notes.

Rackspace Technology Global may redeem the 8.625% Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices: prior to November 15, 2020, at a redemption price equal to 106.469% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from November 15, 2020 to November 15, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 104.313% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; from November 15, 2021 to November 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 102.156% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date; and from November 15, 2022 and thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the redemption date.

The 8.625% Senior Notes indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit Rackspace Technology Global’s ability to incur additional debt, pay certain dividends or make other restricted payments, make certain asset sales, incur certain liens securing debt, engage in certain

transactions with affiliates and make certain investments. As of December 31, 2019, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the indenture.

We recorded $31.7 million of debt issuance costs related to the Rackspace Technology Global’s issuance of the 8.625% Senior Notes.

In December 2018, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $2.5 million of principal amount for $2.0 million, including accrued interest. In connection with this repurchase, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $0.5 million in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $77.3 million of principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes for $66.9 million, including accrued interest of $0.8 million. In connection with these repurchases, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $9.8 million in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The fair value of the 8.625% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2019 was $1,089.4 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 8.625% Senior Notes is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Debt Maturities

The maturities of debt obligations for the next five years at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(In millions)		Amount
Year ending:
2020		$	29.0
2021			29.0
2022			29.0
2023			2,737.6
2024			1,120.2
Total		$	3,944.8

 

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9. Leases

Assets recorded as property and equipment under finance leases, and the related accumulated depreciation balance as of December 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2019
Computers and equipment		$	21.6
Buildings			105.3
Less: Accumulated depreciation			(21.3	)
Net book value of property and equipment under finance leases		$	105.6

The current and non-current balances of finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2019
Finance lease liability balances included in:
Other current liabilities		$	9.2
Other non-current liabilities			88.4
Total finance lease liability		$	97.6

The components of operating and finance lease expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

(In millions)		Amount
Operating lease expense:
Fixed lease expense		$	107.6
Variable lease expense			13.9
Short-term lease expense			4.3
Sublease income			(2.5	)
Total operating lease expense		$	123.3
Finance lease expense:
Depreciation of finance lease assets		$	7.9
Interest expense on finance lease liabilities			8.2
Total finance lease expense		$	16.1

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating and finance leases for the year ended December 31, 2019, was as follows:

 

(In millions)		Operating leases				Finance leases
Cash payments for lease liabilities included within:
Cash flows from operating activities		$	(101.6	)		$	(9.0	)
Cash flows from financing activities			—				(19.9	)
New lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities		$	33.7			$	12.6

As of December 31, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate of our operating and finance leases, respectively, were as follows:

 

		Operating leases				Finance leases
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)			8				14
Weighted average discount rate			11.5	%			9.4	%

 

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Future lease payments under operating and finance leases as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(In millions)		Operating leases				Finance leases
Year ending:
2020		$	89.7			$	16.8
2021			72.5				14.5
2022			57.2				13.8
2023			46.0				9.2
2024			39.2				9.4
Thereafter			195.0				119.1
Total future lease payments			499.6				182.8
Less amount representing interest			(184.8	)			(85.2	)
Total lease liability		$	314.8			$	97.6

As of December 31, 2019, we had additional operating leases that had not yet commenced with aggregate fixed lease payments of $1.9 million. These operating leases will commence in 2020 with lease terms of approximately 3 to 5 years.

Prior period disclosures under previous lease accounting guidance

Operating and Capital Leases

Rent expense under non-cancelable operating lease agreements was $91.0 million and $128.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under operating and capital leases were as follows:

 

(In millions)		Operating leases				Capital leases
Year ending:
2019		$	96.8			$	18.0
2020			88.4				3.0
2021			75.8				1.1
2022			59.2				0.3
2023			48.6				—
Thereafter			291.3				0.1
Total minimum lease payments		$	660.1				22.5
Less amount representing interest							(1.2	)
Present value of net minimum lease payments						$	21.3

 

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Build-to-Suit Leases

As of December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under build-to-suit leases were as follows:

 

(In millions)		Amount
Year ending:
2019		$	16.8
2020			14.9
2021			16.8
2022			17.4
2023			17.7
Thereafter			188.6
Total minimum build-to-suit lease payments			272.2
Plus amount representing residual asset balance			129.9
Less amount representing executory costs			(0.5	)
Less amount representing interest			(169.7	)
Financing obligations for build-to-suit leases			231.9
Less current portion of financing obligations for build-to-suit leases			(3.8	)
Non-current portion of financing obligations for build-to-suit leases		$	228.1

10. Financing Obligations

We have entered into installment payment arrangements with certain equipment and software vendors. In addition, we have entered into certain sale-leaseback agreements that do not qualify as asset sales and are accounted for as failed sale-leasebacks. These arrangements include the sale and leaseback of equipment with third party financial institutions, which we entered into in 2019, and certain property leases we assumed upon the acquisition of Datapipe.

The weighted average imputed interest rate for our financing obligations was 7.5% as of December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, future payments under financing obligations were as follows:

 

(In millions)		Amount
Year ending:
2020		$	50.9
2021			32.9
2022			25.6
2023			3.6
2024			3.6
Thereafter			34.3
Total future payments			150.9
Plus amount representing residual asset balance			14.3
Less amount representing interest			(35.9	)
Total financing obligations		$	129.3

 

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11. Commitments and Contingencies

Purchase Commitments

Non-cancelable purchase commitments primarily consist of commitments for certain software licenses, hardware purchases, third party infrastructure purchases, and costs associated with our data centers, such as bandwidth and electricity. The agreements provide for either penalties for early termination or may require minimum commitments for the remaining term. The minimum commitments for all of these agreements, as of December 31, 2019, approximated $155.9 million, $120.2 million, $77.4 million, $30.8 million, $24.5 million and $84.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and thereafter, respectively.

We also have purchase orders and construction contracts primarily related to data center equipment and facility build-outs. We generally have the right to cancel these open purchase orders prior to delivery or terminate the contracts without cause.

Contingencies

We have contingencies that arise from various litigation, claims and commitments.

From time to time, we are a party to various claims asserting that certain of our services and technologies infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenue for us or otherwise harm our business.

We record an accrual for a loss contingency when a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable. As additional facts concerning a loss contingency become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to a recorded accrual. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to a matter may differ from the recorded accrual, and the timing of such payments, if any, may be uncertain.

We cannot predict the impact, if any, that any current matter will have on our business, results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Because of the inherent uncertainties of these matters, including the early stage and lack of specific damage claims in many of them, we cannot estimate a range of possible losses from them at this time.

In July 2017, we reached a settlement agreement with a customer to early terminate a large, multi-year agreement with a contractual term that would have expired in June 2018 in exchange for a cash payment of $28.8 million. The cash payment was received during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and is recorded within “Gain on settlement of contract” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Indemnifications

As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. In addition, from time to time we may enter into indemnification agreements with certain of our employees so that such employees will agree to serve as directors or officers of our foreign subsidiaries. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification

 

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agreements is unlimited; however, we have a director and officer insurance policy that limits our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of the insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2018 or 2019.

In connection with the Rackspace Acquisition, an affiliate of Apollo and Searchlight (the “Affiliated Service Providers”) each entered into a management consulting agreement with Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Apollo/Searchlight Management Consulting Agreement”) relating to the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services following the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition. In addition, on November 3, 2016, an affiliate of Apollo entered into a transaction fee agreement (the “Transaction Fee Agreement”) with Rackspace Technology, Inc. relating to the provision of certain preparation services in support of the Rackspace Acquisition.

On November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe acquisition, ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC entered into a management consulting agreement (the “ABRY Management Consulting Agreement”) with Rackspace Technology, Inc. relating to the provision of certain management consulting and advisory services.

Under the terms of the Transaction Fee Agreement, the Apollo/Searchlight Management Consulting Agreement and the ABRY Management Consulting Agreement, the company has obligations to indemnify affiliates and representatives of Apollo, Searchlight and ABRY, as applicable, for any losses or liabilities that they may incur as a result of their provision of services under those agreements (unless the losses or liabilities have resulted from the willful misconduct of the person seeking indemnification). We had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2018 or 2019.

Additionally, in the normal course of business, we indemnify certain parties, including customers, vendors and lessors, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold certain parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants or out of intellectual property infringement or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. We had no material liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2018 or 2019.

12. Share-Based Compensation, Settlement of Share-based Awards, and Employee Benefit Plans

Issuances and Repurchases of Common Stock

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, we issued 95,057 and 16,728 shares of our common stock, respectively, to certain executives and independent board members and received proceeds of $9.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively. As a result, we recorded a $9.7 million and $3.2 million increase to “Additional paid-in-capital” for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we repurchased $2.2 million, or 14,500 shares, of our common stock. These shares were subsequently retired. As a result, we recorded a $2.2 million decrease to “Additional paid-in-capital” for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Settlement of Share-Based Awards

As a result of the Rackspace Acquisition, Rackspace Technology Global had obligations related to the settlement of restricted stock units that were outstanding at the Closing Date. These obligations

 

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required installment payments that began in November 2016 and ended in the first quarter of 2019. We made cash payments of $117.0 million, $46.3 million and $19.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Compensation expense recognized related to these payments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Cost of revenue		$	13.6			$	6.5			$	—
Selling, general and administrative			44.8				19.8				2.7
Total cash settled equity compensation expense		$	58.4			$	26.3			$	2.7

In addition, in connection with an employee’s departure, we settled options and restricted stock for a one-time cash payment of $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Stock Plan

In April 2017, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the company to adopt the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). Under the Incentive Plan, incentive and non-qualified stock options or rights to purchase common stock of the company may be granted to eligible participants. In addition to stock options, we may grant restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, collectively referred to as “restricted stock.” All awards, excluding incentive stock options, may be granted under the plan to persons or entities that are employees or directors of, or consultants to, the company or any of its subsidiaries on the date of grant. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the company or a subsidiary. The exercise price of a stock option granted under the Incentive Plan is determined by the Executive Committee at the time the option is granted and, in the case of incentive stock options, may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of the company’s common stock as of the date of grant.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the company granted stock options and restricted stock under the Incentive Plan. Collectively, all such grants are referred to as “awards.” The company issues new shares of its common stock to satisfy vesting of restricted stock and exercise of stock options under the Incentive Plan.

All awards deduct one share from the Incentive Plan shares available for issuance for each share granted. To the extent awards granted under the Incentive Plan terminate, expire or lapse, shares subject to such awards generally will again be available for future grant. The Incentive Plan began with 1.0 million shares authorized for grant and contains an evergreen feature whereby shares available increase each grant date based on the quantity of certain types of awards granted. As of December 31, 2019, the total number of shares authorized, outstanding and available for future grants under the Incentive Plan was as follows:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2019
Shares Authorized			2.6
Shares Outstanding			1.7
Shares Available for Future Grants			0.9

 

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The composition of the equity awards outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
Restricted stock			0.2				0.1
Stock options			1.6				1.6
Total outstanding awards			1.8				1.7

Stock Options

Stock options have been granted for a term of ten years and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Certain executives have received stock options that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

		Number of Shares (in millions)				Weighted- Average Exercise Price				Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life				Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018			1.6			$	129.40				8.55			$	83.6
Granted			1.1			$	154.56
Exercised(1)			0.0			$	100.98
Forfeited			(0.9	)		$	132.29
Expired			(0.2	)		$	121.24
Outstanding at December 31, 2019			1.6			$	146.51				8.64			$	21.7
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2019			0.3			$	126.45				6.72			$	11.1
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2019 and expected to vest thereafter(2)			1.6			$	146.51				8.64			$	21.7

 

(1)	32,828 stock options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(2)	Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was $0.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. There were no stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2017.

We have granted stock options that include vesting terms dependent upon a service, performance and/or market condition. The fair value of stock options with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of stock options with either solely a service requirement or with the combination of service and performance requirements is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires us to make assumptions and judgments about variables related to our common stock and the related awards. The fair value of stock options is based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the underlying common stock includes estimates and judgments related to the discount rates and future discounted cash flows of the company based on management’s internal forecasts. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period or over our best estimate of the period over which the performance condition will be met, as

 

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applicable. The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the stock options granted in the periods presented:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2017		2018		2019
Expected stock volatility(1)		63% - 70%		63% - 72%		58%
Expected dividend yield(2)		—  %		—  %		—  %
Risk-free interest rate(3)		1.64% - 2.25%		2.63% - 2.92%		1.54% - 2.47%
Expected life(4)		5.2 - 6.5 years		5.5 - 6.5 years		5.7 - 6.5 years

 

(1)	Management estimates volatility based on the historical trading volatility of a public company peer group and the implied volatility of our assets and current leverage.

(2)	We have not issued dividends to date and do not anticipate issuing dividends.

(3)	Based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent expected term.

(4)	Represents the period that our share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Management uses the simplified method for our estimation of the expected life as we do not have adequate historical data.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was $67.52, $116.32 and $81.76, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, there was $57.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which will be recognized using the straight-line method over a weighted average period of 2.6 years. This does not include $46.3 million fair value related to unvested options that will vest based on performance, market, and service conditions all tied to a change in control. In accordance with accounting guidance for share-based compensation, the associated expense will not be recorded until a change in control event is consummated.

Restricted Stock

Certain non-executive board members elected to receive a portion of their annual compensation in the form of restricted stock. The fair value of these service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the one-year service period.

In addition, restricted stock has been granted to certain executives that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a three or five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions. The fair value of the service-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the three or five-year service period. The fair value of restricted stock with vesting conditions dependent upon market performance is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation.

Additionally, we have granted certain awards with vesting dependent upon the attainment of predetermined financial performance results over the next three years. The fair value of these performance-vesting awards is measured based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and share-based compensation expense is recognized when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved.

 

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The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

		Number of Units or Shares (in millions)				Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2018			0.2			$	172.79
Granted(1)			0.0			$	154.50
Released(2)			0.0			$	181.11
Cancelled			(0.1	)		$	171.91
Outstanding at December 31, 2019			0.1			$	159.12
Expected to vest after December 31, 2019(3)			0.1			$	159.12

 

(1)	37,053 restricted stock were granted during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(2)	20,979 restricted stock were released during the year ended December 31, 2019.

(3)	Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, rather than estimated.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 was $100.00 and $172.79, respectively.

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of the restricted stock released during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2019 was $0.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively. There was no restricted stock released during the year ended December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2019, there was $5.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock, which will be recognized using the straight-line method over a weighted average period of 2.5 years. This does not include $3.8 million fair value related to restricted stock that will vest based on performance, market, and service conditions all tied to a change in control. In accordance with accounting guidance for share-based compensation, the associated expense will not be recorded until a change in control event is consummated.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

In connection with the departure of certain executives during the year ended December 31, 2019, we accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock for awards with service-only vesting conditions. In addition, the post termination option exercise period was extended. These modifications resulted in $3.5 million of incremental expense during the year ended December 31, 2019.

In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, modifications were made to the performance and/or market condition of awards for certain employees. As these awards vest based on a change in control event, these modifications resulted in no incremental expense.

 

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Share-based compensation expense recognized under the Incentive Plan for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Cost of revenue		$	1.5			$	4.1			$	5.7
Selling, general and administrative			8.7				15.9				24.5
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense			10.2				20.0				30.2
Less: Income tax benefit			(3.6	)			(4.2	)			(6.3	)
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	6.6			$	15.8			$	23.9

Employee Benefit Plans

We sponsor defined contribution plans whereby employees may elect to contribute a portion of their annual compensation to the plans, after complying with certain limitations. The plans also include a discretionary employer contribution. Contribution expense recognized for these plans was $13.1 million, $14.8 million and $14.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

13. Taxes

The benefit for income taxes consisted of the following:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Federal		$	3.6			$	(6.0	)		$	5.1
Foreign			6.5				15.6				12.1
State			1.2				(16.8	)			3.5
Total current			11.3				(7.2	)			20.7
Deferred:
Federal			(283.4	)			(22.5	)			(32.4	)
Foreign			(12.3	)			(3.4	)			2.0
State			(16.4	)			3.2				(10.3	)
Total deferred			(312.1	)			(22.7	)			(40.7	)
Total benefit for income taxes		$	(300.8	)		$	(29.9	)		$	(20.0	)

Loss before income taxes from U.S. and foreign operations were as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
U.S.		$	(338.9	)		$	(515.5	)		$	(143.2	)
Foreign			(21.8	)			15.0				20.9
Total loss before income taxes		$	(360.7	)		$	(500.5	)		$	(122.3	)

 

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A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2017				2018				2019
Statutory federal tax rate			35.0	%			21.0	%			21.0	%
State taxes, net of federal benefit			2.7	%			2.2	%			6.1	%
Tax rate differentials for international jurisdictions			(10.3	)%			(2.7	)%			(2.7	)%
Research and development credit			0.8	%			0.1	%			2.4	%
U.S. Tax Reform			56.0	%			(1.9	)%			—	%
Tax impact of goodwill impairment			—	%			(12.3	)%			—	%
Effects of other enacted tax law and rate changes			—	%			—	%			(3.9	)%
Valuation allowance			—	%			(0.3	)%			(2.0	)%
Share-based compensation			—	%			—	%			(2.1	)%
Other, net			(0.8	)%			(0.1	)%			(2.4	)%
Effective tax rate			83.4	%			6.0	%			16.4	%

Deferred Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reversed. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Share-based compensation		$	7.6			$	10.9
Accruals not currently deductible			18.3				30.0
Net operating loss carryforwards			77.1				51.7
Foreign tax credit			34.6				34.0
Research and development credits			20.6				23.2
Depreciation and amortization			20.7				9.5
Disallowed interest carryforward			28.1				40.2
Operating lease liabilities			—				74.8
Other			7.5				12.1
Total gross deferred tax assets			214.5				286.4
Valuation allowance			(51.5	)			(53.3	)
Total net deferred tax assets			163.0				233.1
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization			462.6				448.9
Prepaids			6.6				7.3
Deferred revenue			5.1				—
Capitalized costs			12.0				12.7
Unremitted foreign earnings			1.7				0.1
Debt related			12.0				9.9
Operating right-of-use assets			—				70.8
Other			3.6				1.1
Total gross deferred tax liabilities			503.6				550.8
Net deferred tax liabilities		$	340.6			$	317.7

 

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As of December 31, 2019, we have $129.9 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards, $55.4 million of which expire at various dates through 2036, and $74.5 million of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Additionally, we have $68.7 million of federal tax credit carryforwards expiring at various dates through 2039. We have $105.9 million of foreign net operating losses, $5.8 million of which have carryforward periods ranging from 5 to 10 years, and $100.1 million of which have an indefinite carryforward period. Certain federal and foreign net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable statutory foreign tax laws. We have disallowed interest expense carryforwards in the U.S. of $167.3 million that can be carried forward indefinitely.

We’ve recorded a valuation allowance with respect to certain of our deferred tax assets relating primarily to operating losses in certain U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions and federal foreign tax credits that we believe are not likely to be realized. For the rest of the deferred tax assets, valuation allowances were not deemed necessary based upon the determination that future profits are anticipated to utilize deferred tax assets prior to the expiration of any applicable carryforward periods.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act, among other things, reduced the U.S. federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, eliminated certain deductions, imposed a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries and changed how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. As of December 31, 2017, we had not completed our accounting for the effects of the Act; however, we made a reasonable estimate of those effects. Accordingly, we recognized a provisional income tax benefit of $196.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was included within “Benefit for income taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. This amount was primarily comprised of the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%.

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to provide guidance in situations when a public company does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. As we completed our analysis of the Act during 2018, we adjusted the previously recorded provisional amounts as determined in accordance with SAB 118. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed our accounting for the Act with the filing of the 2017 federal income tax return. Our final income tax benefit related to the Act was a net $186.3 million, which was comprised of the recognition of the transition tax imposed on undistributed earnings from non-US subsidiaries and the remeasurement of deferred income taxes using the newly enacted statutory rate of 21%.

The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily impacted by the Act. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily impacted by new provisions for foreign earnings, specifically global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), as well as the tax impact associated with a goodwill impairment. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations and we have elected to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was impacted by the current year GILTI inclusion, the impact of changes in income tax rates, changes in valuation allowances, R&D credits, changes to income tax reserves and other permanently nondeductible items.

As a result of the Rackspace Acquisition in 2016, we decided not to permanently reinvest our foreign earnings due to the debt service requirements of our new capital structure. As of December 31, 2016, we accrued $10.1 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the tax on undistributed foreign earnings. During the subsequent year, there was a mandatory one-time federal tax on undistributed foreign earnings under the Act and the federal portion of the deferred tax liability was recognized in

 

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2017. During the current year the company has engaged in internal tax restructuring that has led us to recognize the state portion of the deferred tax liability. The remaining deferred tax liability for undistributed foreign earnings generated, subsequent to the restructuring, is $0.1 million of state taxes.

Uncertain Tax Positions

We file income tax returns in each jurisdiction in which we operate, both domestically and internationally. Due to the complexity involved with certain tax matters, we have considered all relevant facts and circumstances for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. We believe that there are no other jurisdictions in which the outcome of uncertain tax matters is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties.

A rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 is as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Balance, beginning of period		$	45.3			$	67.2			$	47.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year			1.5				2.7				4.1
Additions for tax positions assumed in a business combination			22.8				—				—
Additions for tax positions of prior years			0.7				3.3				11.7
Reduction for statute expiration			—				(17.9	)			(2.7	)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(2.9	)			(3.9	)			(6.2	)
Settlements			(0.2	)			(4.4	)			(0.7	)
Balance, end of period(1)		$	67.2			$	47.0			$	53.2

 

(1)	Included within non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, $54.8 million, $36.0 million and $47.4 million, respectively, if recognized, would favorably impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits disclosed above to change significantly over the next 12 months.

We recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters within “Benefit for income taxes” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2017 were $4.0 million and were reversed in the year ended December 31, 2018 due to statute expiration. Accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2019 were $2.1 million.

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local, and international income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Our domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenue and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenue and expenses. As such, our effective tax rate is impacted by the geographical distribution of income and mix of profits in the various jurisdictions. Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file.

We currently file income tax returns in the U.S. and all foreign jurisdictions in which we have entities, which are periodically under audit by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. These audits can involve complex matters that may require an extended period of time for resolution. We remain subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations for the tax years 2009 through 2019 and in

 

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the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate for varying periods from 2008 through 2019. In February 2019, the Internal Revenue Service opened a federal tax audit into the pre-Rackspace Acquisition period ended November 2, 2016. We currently have income tax examinations open in Texas for tax years 2014 through 2017 and Oregon for tax years 2016 through 2018. Additionally, we are currently under tax audit in India for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

Although the outcome of open tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Differences between actual results and assumptions or changes in assumptions in future periods are recorded in the period they become known. To the extent additional information becomes available prior to resolution, such accruals are adjusted to reflect probable outcomes.

Other

On July 27, 2015, the U.S. Tax Court (“Tax Court”) issued an opinion in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner (“Tax Court Opinion”), which concluded that related parties in a cost sharing arrangement are not required to share expenses related to share-based compensation. The Tax Court Opinion was appealed by the Commissioner to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (“Ninth Circuit”). On June 7, 2019, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion that reversed the Tax Court Opinion. On July 22, 2019, the taxpayer requested a rehearing before the full Ninth Circuit, which the Ninth Circuit subsequently denied. On February 10, 2020, Altera Corp. submitted a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. Given the status of the case, we continue to treat our share-based compensation expense in accordance with the Tax Court Opinion for the period. We will continue to monitor developments in this case and any impact the final opinion could have on our consolidated financial statements.

In a referendum held on May 19, 2019, Switzerland passed the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (“TRAF”), effective January 1, 2020. On October 25, 2019, the Zurich Canton published the amended cantonal tax law in the official cantonal tax law register. The intent of these tax law changes was to replace certain preferential tax regimes with a new set of internationally accepted measures. Based on these Federal/Cantonal events, our position is the enactment of Swiss tax reform for U.S. GAAP purposes occurred during the fourth quarter of 2019, and we recorded a charge of $4.4 million due to a remeasurement of our deferred tax balances for the year ended December 31, 2019. The future rate impacts of these Swiss tax reform law changes are effective starting January 1, 2020. We will continue to monitor Swiss tax reform for any additional interpretative guidance that could result in changes to the amounts we have recorded.

14. Divestitures

In 2016, we completed the sale of certain assets of our Cloud Sites business, consisting primarily of intellectual property with an immaterial remaining net book value, and entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer. Under the transition services agreement, we provided certain services, mainly hosting and email services, over a transition period and agreed to sell specified data center equipment to the buyer at the conclusion of the transition period. In August 2017, the buyer terminated the transition services agreement approximately six months ahead of the anticipated end date and we received final payments totaling $7.5 million for escrow funds and the sale of data center equipment. We recorded an additional pre-tax gain of $7.2 million within “Gain on sales, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily resulting from the adjustment of the remaining deferred revenue balance.

On February 1, 2017, we completed the sale of assets of our Mailgun business for an initial cash payment of $20.5 million and a promissory note receivable with a principal amount of $20.0 million to

 

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be paid in annual installments over four years. We also obtained an 18.99% equity interest in the new entity, Mailgun Technologies. The promissory note had a fair value of $14.8 million, reflecting an imputed interest rate of 10% for interest income that was recognized over the term of the note. The fair value of the equity interest in Mailgun Technologies was $4.9 million and was accounted for at cost. Total consideration, comprised of the initial cash payment and the fair values of the promissory note and the equity interest, was $40.2 million. After adjustments for the net book value of the net assets disposed and transaction costs, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $2.0 million within “Gain on sales, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to transaction costs.

In October 2017, Mailgun Technologies exercised call rights to repurchase a portion of shares, which reduced our equity interest to 12.06% and resulted in a gain of $1.2 million. During 2018, Mailgun Technologies exercised call rights and repurchased additional shares in multiple transactions throughout the year, which resulted in a total gain of $3.8 million. The gains associated with these share repurchases are included within “Gain on investments, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we no longer had an equity interest in Mailgun Technologies.

In March 2019, we received $18.0 million in cash from Mailgun Technologies as repayment for the promissory note balance of $15.9 million, which included accrued interest of $1.2 million. As such, we recorded a gain of $2.1 million, which is reflected within “Gain on sales, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2019.

15. Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps

In December 2016, we entered into seven floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage our risk from interest rate fluctuations associated with the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The swap agreements became effective on February 3, 2017 with an aggregate notional amount of $1.5 billion. Two swap agreements matured in 2018 and one agreement matured in February 2019. The remaining four swap agreements in effect as of December 31, 2019 have an aggregate notional amount of $1.2 billion and mature over the next three years. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 1.5975% to 1.9040%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

In December 2018, we entered into four additional floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.35 billion and a maturity date of November 3, 2023. These swaps are forward-starting, beginning with the first swap agreement, which has a notional amount of $150 million and became effective on February 3, 2019. The remaining agreements become effective each year thereafter to coincide with the maturity dates of the December 2016 swap agreements. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 2.7350% to 2.7800%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

Fixed Price Power Contracts

We entered into a fixed price power contract for a London data center in September 2015 as part of our price risk management strategy and accounted for it as a derivative that did not qualify for the normal purchases normal sales exception. The contract ended in September 2018 and we executed a new contract with a term of October 2018 through September 2021 that met the normal purchases

 

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normal sales exception. Therefore, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, we do not have any power contracts recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Currency Hedging Contracts

In January 2017, we entered into two forward contracts to manage our exposure to British pound sterling exchange rate fluctuations. Under the terms of these contracts, we sold a total of £80 million at a rate of 1.2717 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $101.8 million. Both contracts settled on November 30, 2017 and we made a final net payment of $4.5 million.

In November 2017, we entered into three forward contracts. Under the terms of these contracts, we sold a total of £120 million at an average rate of 1.34378 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $161.3 million. These contracts settled on November 30, 2018 and we received a final net payment of $7.9 million.

In November 2018, we entered into one forward contract. Under the terms of the contract, we sold £75 million at a rate of 1.3002 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $97.5 million. This contract settled on November 29, 2019 and we received a final net payment of $0.8 million.

In November 2019, we entered into two foreign currency net-zero cost collar contracts with an aggregate notional amount of £100 million and a maturity date of November 30, 2020. Under the terms of the contracts, the British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate floats between 1.2375 and 1.3475.

Fair Values of Derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

The fair values of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

				December 31, 2018								December 31, 2019
(In millions)				Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps		Other current assets		$	8.7			$	—			$	—			$	—
Interest rate swaps		Other non-current assets			13.0				—				—				—
Interest rate swaps		Other current liabilities			—				—				—				3.5
Interest rate swaps		Other non-current liabilities			—				6.7				—				33.1
Foreign currency contracts		Other current assets			0.9				—				1.4				—
Foreign currency contracts		Other current liabilities			—				—				—				2.9
Total				$	22.6			$	6.7			$	1.4			$	39.5

For financial statement presentation purposes, we do not offset assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements and all amounts above are presented on a gross basis.

 

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Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss

The effect of our derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

				Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)				2017				2018				2019
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps		Interest expense		$	9.2			$	1.8			$	(51.6	)
Power contracts		Cost of revenue			(1.2	)			(0.5	)			—
Foreign currency contracts		Other income (expense)			(6.9	)			11.2				(1.6	)

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

We have agreements with interest rate swap counterparties that contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our material indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default of our interest rate swap agreements. As of December 31, 2019, certain of our interest rate swaps with an aggregate fair value of $36.6 million were in a net liability position.

16. Related Party Transactions

On November 3, 2016, we entered into management consulting agreements with affiliates of Apollo and Searchlight and on November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe acquisition, we entered into a management consulting agreement with ABRY. Under these agreements, we are required to pay them a quarterly, nonrefundable fee for consulting services in areas such as finance, strategy, investment, and acquisitions based on EBITDA, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement. For Apollo and Searchlight, the consulting fee is equal to 1.5% of EBITDA, or a minimum annual consulting fee of $10.0 million. Under the ABRY agreement, the consulting fee is equal to a specified percentage of 1.5% of EBITDA. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we recorded $13.2 million, $15.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively, of consulting fees within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

In addition, we are required to pay a fee related to acquisitions. In connection with the 2017 acquisitions of TriCore and Datapipe, we recorded $8.9 million in fees to affiliates of Apollo and Searchlight, including $5.6 million recorded within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss and $3.3 million recorded as debt issuance costs. In connection with the 2018 acquisition of RelationEdge, we recorded $0.7 million in fees to affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight, and ABRY within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. In connection with the 2019 acquisition of Onica, we recorded $3.3 million in fees to affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight, and ABRY within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded $0.9 million in arranger fees to Apollo Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo, in connection with the $800.0 million of incremental borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, as debt issuance costs.

Affiliates of ABRY are also Term Loan Facility lenders under the First Lien Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility was $2,824.6 million, of which $39.1 million, or 1.4%, is due to ABRY affiliates.

We may pay additional fees to affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight, and ABRY associated with future transactions.

 

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17. Segment Reporting

We have organized our operations into the following three operating segments, which correspond directly to our reportable segments: Multicloud Services, Apps & Cross Platform, and OpenStack Public Cloud. Our segments are based upon a number of factors, including, the basis for our budgets and forecasts, organizational and management structure and the financial information regularly used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make key decisions and to assess performance. We assess financial performance of our segments on the basis of revenue and adjusted gross profit, which is a non-GAAP measure of profitability. For the calculation of adjusted gross profit, we allocate certain costs, such as data center operating costs, customer support costs, license expense, and depreciation, to our segments generally based on segment revenue.

The table below presents a reconciliation of revenue by reportable segment to consolidated revenue and a reconciliation of segment adjusted gross profit to total consolidated gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Revenue by segment:
Multicloud Services		$	1,470.0			$	1,803.4			$	1,832.6
Apps & Cross Platform			217.4				290.0				319.2
OpenStack Public Cloud			422.8				359.4				286.3
Other(1)			34.5				—				—
Total consolidated revenue		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1
Adjusted gross profit by segment:
Multicloud Services		$	540.5			$	736.6			$	774.7
Apps & Cross Platform			71.1				107.3				118.7
OpenStack Public Cloud			198.9				185.0				146.0
Other(1)			13.6				—				—
Less:
Share-based compensation expense			(1.5	)			(4.1	)			(5.7	)
Other compensation expense(2)			(14.4	)			(7.3	)			(2.8	)
Purchase accounting impact on revenue(3)			(4.7	)			(1.2	)			0.2
Purchase accounting impact on expense(3)			(7.9	)			(6.9	)			(9.6	)
Restructuring and transformation expenses(4)			(5.0	)			(2.3	)			(10.3	)
Total consolidated gross profit		$	790.6			$	1,007.1			$	1,011.2

 

(1)	Other includes product lines that we have divested and the impact of a large multi-year agreement that was terminated in April 2017.

(2)	Adjustments for expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition, retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax.

(3)	Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on revenue and expenses.

(4)	Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses.

Management does not use total assets by segment to evaluate segment performance or allocate resources. As such, total assets by segment are not disclosed.

 

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Geographic Information

The tables below present revenue by geographic region and by country for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Revenue amounts are based upon location of the our support function servicing the customer.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
Americas		$	1,595.7			$	1,785.1			$	1,787.5
EMEA			468.7				582.7				564.6
APJ			80.3				85.0				86.0
Total revenue		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2017				2018				2019
United States		$	1,541.9			$	1,734.0			$	1,735.3
United Kingdom			468.4				582.0				564.6
Other foreign countries(1)			134.4				136.8				138.2
Total revenue		$	2,144.7			$	2,452.8			$	2,438.1

 

(1)	No other foreign country had revenue that exceeded 10% of total consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The table below presents property, equipment and software, net by country, based on the physical location of the assets, as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
United States		$	622.1			$	517.0
United Kingdom			275.9				180.0
Other foreign countries(1)			29.0				30.8
Total property, equipment and software, net		$	927.0			$	727.8

 

(1)	No other foreign country had property, equipment and software, net that exceed 10% of total consolidated property, equipment and software, net as of December 31, 2018 and 2019.

 

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18. Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

 

 

		Quarters Ended
(In millions, except per share amounts)		March 31, 2018				June 30, 2018				September 30, 2018				December 31, 2018
Revenue		$	619.2			$	619.6			$	609.8			$	604.2
Gross profit		$	261.4			$	262.6			$	247.5			$	235.6
Income (loss) from operations		$	18.9			$	16.3			$	26.5			$	(298.9	)
Loss before income taxes		$	(34.7	)		$	(38.0	)		$	(37.5	)		$	(390.3	)
Net loss		$	(27.1	)		$	(30.8	)		$	(38.3	)		$	(374.4	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(1.97	)		$	(2.24	)		$	(2.78	)		$	(27.18	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			13.8				13.8				13.8				13.8

 

		Quarters Ended
(In millions, except per share amounts)		March 31, 2019				June 30, 2019				September 30, 2019				December 31, 2019
Revenue		$	606.9			$	602.4			$	601.7			$	627.1
Gross profit		$	250.9			$	252.1			$	253.8			$	254.4
Income from operations		$	21.3			$	25.6			$	32.1			$	22.6
Income (loss) before income taxes		$	(67.1	)		$	74.8			$	(69.7	)		$	(60.3	)
Net income (loss)		$	(57.5	)		$	62.5			$	(60.5	)		$	(46.8	)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic		$	(4.18	)		$	4.54			$	(4.40	)		$	(3.40	)
Diluted		$	(4.18	)		$	4.52			$	(4.40	)		$	(3.40	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic			13.8				13.8				13.8				13.8
Diluted			13.8				13.8				13.8				13.8

19. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In millions, except per share data)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Investment in subsidiaries of Parent		$	907.8			$	898.8
Total assets		$	907.8			$	898.8
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1.0 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 19.0 shares authorized; 13.8 shares issued and outstanding			0.1				0.1
Additional paid-in capital			1,578.8				1,604.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income			—				12.0
Accumulated deficit			(671.1	)			(717.5	)
Total stockholders’ equity			907.8				898.8
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	907.8			$	898.8

The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Parent Company Only)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

		Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)		2017				2018				2019
Equity in net losses in Parent’s subsidiaries		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)
Net loss and total comprehensive loss		$	(59.9	)		$	(470.6	)		$	(102.3	)
Net loss per share
Basic and diluted		$	(4.67	)		$	(34.19	)		$	(7.43	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			12.8				13.8				13.8

The accompanying note is an integral part of these condensed financial statements

A condensed statement of cash flows has not been presented as Rackspace Technology, Inc. did not have any cash as of, or at any point in time during, the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2019.

NOTE TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF REGISTRANT (Parent Company Only)

Basis of Presentation

These condensed parent company-only financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X, as the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (“Parent”) (as defined in Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X) exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Parent. The ability of Parent’s operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to the terms of the subsidiaries’ First Lien Credit Agreement and the Indenture governing the 8.625% Senior Notes, as described in Note 8, “Debt” to the audited consolidated financial statements.

These condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared using the same accounting principles and policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, with the only exception being that the parent company accounts for its subsidiaries using the equity method. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions, except per share data)		December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	83.8			$	125.2
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and accrued customer credits of $17.0 and $16.7, respectively			350.3				379.5
Prepaid expenses			76.2				73.1
Other current assets			33.4				36.1
Total current assets			543.7				613.9
Property, equipment and software, net			727.8				713.6
Goodwill, net			2,745.8				2,732.8
Intangible assets, net			1,817.4				1,770.2
Operating right-of-use assets			308.3				301.0
Other non-current assets			129.4				122.5
Total assets		$	6,272.4			$	6,254.0
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	260.4			$	280.7
Accrued compensation and benefits			128.5				74.7
Deferred revenue			66.6				73.6
Debt			29.0				29.0
Accrued interest			36.0				61.7
Operating lease liabilities			58.3				58.6
Financing obligations			42.9				55.7
Other current liabilities			50.2				53.4
Total current liabilities			671.9				687.4
Non-current liabilities:
Debt			3,844.3				3,891.2
Operating lease liabilities			256.5				250.2
Financing obligations			86.4				100.1
Deferred income taxes			326.9				305.2
Other non-current liabilities			187.6				223.3
Total liabilities			5,373.6				5,457.4
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share: 1.0 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 19.0 shares authorized; 13.8 shares issued and outstanding			0.1				0.1
Additional paid-in capital			1,604.2				1,611.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			12.0				(49.5	)
Accumulated deficit			(717.5	)			(765.7	)
Total stockholders’ equity			898.8				796.6
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	6,272.4			$	6,254.0

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except per share data)		2019				2020
Revenue		$	606.9			$	652.7
Cost of revenue			(356.0	)			(403.4	)
Gross profit			250.9				249.3
Selling, general and administrative			(231.7	)			(227.8	)
Gain on sale			2.1				—
Income from operations			21.3				21.5
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(89.0	)			(72.0	)
Gain (loss) on investments, net			0.1				(0.1	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt			4.5				—
Other expense, net			(4.0	)			(0.6	)
Total other income (expense)			(88.4	)			(72.7	)
Loss before income taxes			(67.1	)			(51.2	)
Benefit for income taxes			9.6				3.0
Net loss		$	(57.5	)		$	(48.2	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$	10.6			$	(20.4	)
Unrealized losses on derivative contracts			—				(40.7	)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings			—				(0.4	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			10.6				(61.5	)
Comprehensive loss		$	(46.9	)		$	(109.7	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(4.18	)		$	(3.50	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			13.8				13.8

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2019				2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss		$	(57.5	)		$	(48.2	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			133.6				121.3
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets			19.7				17.1
Deferred income taxes			(11.1	)			(5.8	)
Share-based compensation expense			5.9				7.5
Gain on sale			(2.1	)			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(4.5	)			—
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts			20.9				0.7
(Gain) loss on investments, net			(0.1	)			0.1
Provision for bad debts and accrued customer credits			5.7				2.6
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount			4.6				4.6
Other operating activities			0.7				(0.8	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(18.4	)			(34.1	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			15.1				(1.7	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities			(56.8	)			(32.3	)
Deferred revenue			(2.4	)			3.0
Other non-current assets and liabilities			(30.2	)			(9.2	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			23.1				24.8
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property, equipment and software			(61.0	)			(34.4	)
Proceeds from sale			16.8				—
Other investing activities			0.4				2.0
Net cash used in investing activities			(43.8	)			(32.4	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings under long-term debt arrangements			—				295.0
Repayments of debt			(30.4	)			(252.2	)
Payments for debt issuance costs			—				(0.7	)
Principal payments of finance lease liabilities			(9.0	)			(2.4	)
Proceeds from financing obligations			—				20.9
Principal payments of financing obligations			(1.9	)			(10.0	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(41.3	)			50.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			2.6				(1.6	)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(59.4	)			41.4
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period			258.2				87.1
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period		$	198.8			$	128.5
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments for interest, net of amount capitalized		$	43.9			$	39.3
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds		$	5.6			$	6.8
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by finance leases		$	—			$	0.4
Acquisition of property, equipment and software by financing obligations			1.9				18.0
Increase (decrease) in property, equipment and software accrued in liabilities			(6.9	)			22.6
Non-cash purchases of property, equipment and software		$	(5.0	)		$	41.0
Other non-cash investing and financing activities		$	0.1			$	0.1

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the total of such amounts shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2019				2020
Cash and cash equivalents		$	194.3			$	125.2
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets			4.5				3.3
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows		$	198.8			$	128.5

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

										Additional Paid-In Capital				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income				Accumulated Deficit				Total Stockholders’ Equity
(in millions)		Common Stock
		Shares				Amount
Balance at December 31, 2018			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,578.8			$	—			$	(671.1	)		$	907.8
Cumulative effect of adopting ASC 842			—				—				—				—				55.9				55.9
Share-based compensation expense			—				—				5.9				—				—				5.9
Net loss			—				—				—				—				(57.5	)			(57.5	)
Other comprehensive income			—				—				—				10.6				—				10.6
Balance at March 31, 2019			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,584.7			$	10.6			$	(672.7	)		$	922.7

 

										Additional Paid-In Capital				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				Accumulated Deficit				Total Stockholders’ Equity
(in millions)		Common Stock
		Shares				Amount
Balance at December 31, 2019			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,604.2			$	12.0			$	(717.5	)		$	898.8
Share-based compensation expense			—				—				7.5				—				—				7.5
Net loss			—				—				—				—				(48.2	)			(48.2	)
Other comprehensive loss			—				—				—				(61.5	)			—				(61.5	)
Balance at March 31, 2020			13.8			$	0.1			$	1,611.7			$	(49.5	)		$	(765.7	)		$	796.6

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(formerly known as Rackspace Corp.)

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Company Overview, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Rackspace Technology, Inc. (formerly known as Rackspace Corp. until its legal name change on June 11, 2020 and formerly known as Inception Topco Inc. until its legal name change on March 31, 2020), is a Delaware corporation controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Apollo”) and certain co-investors, including Searchlight Capital Partners L.P (“Searchlight”), ABRY Partners, LLC and ABRY Partners II, LLC (collectively, “ABRY”), and current and former employees. Rackspace Technology, Inc. was formed on July 21, 2016 but had no assets, liabilities or operating results until November 3, 2016 (the “Closing Date”) when Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (now named Rackspace Technology Global, Inc., or “Rackspace Technology Global”), a global provider of modern information technology-as-a-service, was acquired by Inception Parent, Inc., a wholly-owned entity indirectly owned by Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Rackspace Acquisition”).

Rackspace Technology Global commenced operations in 1998 as a limited partnership, and was incorporated in Delaware in March 2000. Rackspace Technology, Inc. serves as the holding company for Rackspace Technology Global and does not engage in any material business or operations other than those related to its indirect ownership of the capital stock of Rackspace Technology Global and its subsidiaries or business or operations otherwise customarily undertaken by a holding company.

For ease of reference, the terms “we,” “our company,” “the company,” “us,” or “our” as used in this report refer to Rackspace Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

On November 15, 2019, we acquired 100% of Onica Holdings LLC (“Onica”). The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated (pending the final valuation of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including deferred taxes) to the acquired assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The preliminary estimate of fair values of Onica’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed, together with Onica’s results of operations subsequent to the November 15, 2019 acquisition date, are included in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we did not record any measurement period adjustments related to Onica.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The unaudited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020, and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all financial information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto as of December 31, 2019, included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of our

 

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financial position as of March 31, 2020, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, and our stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020.

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, or for any other interim period, or for any other future year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property, equipment and software, software capitalization, incremental borrowing rates for lease liability measurement, fair values of intangible assets and reporting units, useful lives of intangible assets, share-based compensation, contingencies, and income taxes, among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Impact of COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The effects of COVID-19 are rapidly evolving, and the full impact and duration of the virus are unknown. Currently, COVID-19 has not had a significant impact on our operations or financial performance; however, the ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on our customers, vendors and employees and its impact on our sales cycles as well as industry events, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. In addition, we face a greater degree of uncertainty in making estimates and assumptions needed to prepare our consolidated financial statements and footnotes.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events through June 18, 2020, the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition or disclosure.

Events Subsequent to Original Issuance of Financial Statements

We have evaluated subsequent events from the original issuance date through July 10, 2020, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be reissued, and determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition or disclosure.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus include an additional discussion of the significant accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. There were no material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2020, except for the adoptions of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) to: (i) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging; (ii) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses; (iii) and Subtopic 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. Refer to “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” below for more information.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected using an allowance for expected credit losses, to be estimated by management based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging-Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The guidance expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedged items in the financial statements. The guidance also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how entities assess hedge effectiveness.

We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2020. The guidance applies to any existing hedges or new derivative instruments that are designated as hedges for derivative accounting purposes in future periods. We have historically not designated our interest rate swaps or foreign currency hedging contracts as hedges for derivative accounting purposes. However, on January 9, 2020, we designated certain of our interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges. Refer to Note 10, “Derivatives,” for the cash flow hedge disclosures required by the provisions of this guidance.

Fair Value Measurement Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which removes, modifies or adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurement disclosures. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance primarily resulted in changes to the presentation of certain implementation costs within our consolidated financial statements. Historically, these costs were capitalized as part of “Property, equipment and software, net” and amortized over the useful life of the related software or hosting arrangement. Upon adoption, eligible costs incurred are now recorded within “Prepaid expenses” and “Other non-current assets” and amortized to either “Cost of revenue” or “Selling, general and administrative” expense over the useful life of the related software or hosting arrangement. In addition, the cash flow presentation of these costs changed from investing cash flows under previous guidance to operating cash flows under the new guidance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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2. Customer Contracts

The following table presents the balances related to customer contracts as of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020:

 

(in millions)		Consolidated Balance Sheets Account		December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Accounts receivable, net		Accounts receivable, net(1)		$	350.3			$	379.5
Current portion of contract asset		Other current assets			7.8				11.7
Non-current portion of contract asset		Other non-current assets			7.2				4.6
Current portion of deferred revenue		Current portion of deferred revenue			66.6				73.6
Non-current portion of deferred revenue		Other non-current liabilities			14.2				9.8

 

(1)	Allowance for doubtful accounts and accrued customer credits was $17.0 million and $16.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively.

Amounts recognized in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, which were included in deferred revenue as of the beginning of the period, totaled $31.4 million and $35.2 million, respectively.

Cost Incurred to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract

As of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, the balances of capitalized costs to obtain a contract were $55.1 million and $56.2 million, respectively, and the balances of capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $21.7 million and $22.2 million, respectively. These capitalized costs are included in “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Amortization of capitalized sales commissions was $9.4 million and $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and amortization of capitalized implementation and set-up costs was $3.3 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $868.7 million, of which 49% is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2020 and the remainder thereafter. These remaining performance obligations primarily relate to our fixed-term arrangements. Our other revenue arrangements are usage-based, and as such, we recognize revenues based on the right to invoice for the services performed.

3. Net Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is based on the weighted-average effect of all common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.

 

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

		Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share data)		March 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(57.5	)		$	(48.2	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Common stock			13.8				13.8
Number of shares used in per share computations			13.8				13.8
Net loss per share		$	(4.18	)		$	(3.50	)

Since we were in a net loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share for all periods as the inclusion of all potential common shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive. In addition, we excluded 1.6 million and 2.1 million potential common shares from the computation of dilutive net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2020, respectively, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

4. Property, Equipment and Software, net

Property, equipment and software, net, at December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 consisted of the following:

 

(In millions)		December 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Computers and equipment		$	1,155.9			$	1,177.4
Software			441.6				454.9
Furniture and fixtures			31.3				29.3
Buildings and leasehold improvements			303.7				286.6
Land			32.2				31.6
Property, equipment and software, at cost			1,964.7				1,979.8
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(1,255.2	)			(1,281.7	)
Work in process			18.3				15.5
Property, equipment and software, net		$	727.8			$	713.6

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

(In millions)		Multicloud Services				Apps & Cross Platform				OpenStack Public Cloud				Total Consolidated
Balance as of December 31, 2019			2,371.6				322.2				52.0			$	2,745.8
Foreign currency translation			(11.5	)			(0.8	)			(0.7	)			(13.0	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020		$	2,360.1			$	321.4			$	51.3			$	2,732.8
Gross goodwill		$	2,655.1			$	321.4			$	51.3			$	3,027.8
Less: Accumulated impairment charges			(295.0	)			—				—				(295.0	)
Goodwill, net as of March 31, 2020		$	2,360.1			$	321.4			$	51.3			$	2,732.8

 

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The following tables provide information regarding our intangible assets other than goodwill:

 

		December 31, 2019
(In millions)		Gross carrying amount				Accumulated amortization				Net carrying amount
Customer relationships		$	1,983.7			$	(459.9	)		$	1,523.8
Property tax abatement			16.0				(5.6	)			10.4
Other			43.8				(10.6	)			33.2
Total definite-lived intangible assets			2,043.5				(476.1	)			1,567.4
Trade name (indefinite-lived)			250.0				—				250.0
Total intangible assets other than goodwill		$	2,293.5			$	(476.1	)		$	1,817.4

 

		March 31, 2020
(In millions)		Gross carrying amount				Accumulated amortization				Net carrying amount
Customer relationships		$	1,979.7			$	(499.6	)		$	1,480.1
Property tax abatement			16.0				(6.1	)			9.9
Other			43.6				(13.4	)			30.2
Total definite-lived intangible assets			2,039.3				(519.1	)			1,520.2
Trade name (indefinite-lived)			250.0				—				250.0
Total intangible assets other than goodwill		$	2,289.3			$	(519.1	)		$	1,770.2

6. Debt

Debt consisted of the following:

 

		December 31, 2019
(In millions)		Term Loan Facility				8.625% Senior Notes due 2024				Total
Principal balance		$	2,824.6			$	1,120.2			$	3,944.8
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(48.6	)			(18.0	)			(66.6	)
Unamortized debt discount			(4.9	)			—				(4.9	)
Total debt			2,771.1				1,102.2				3,873.3
Less: current portion of debt			(29.0	)			—				(29.0	)
Debt, excluding current portion		$	2,742.1			$	1,102.2			$	3,844.3

 

		March 31, 2020
(In millions)		Term Loan Facility				8.625% Senior Notes due 2024				Accounts Receivable Financing Agreement				Total
Principal balance		$	2,817.3			$	1,120.2			$	50.0			$	3,987.5
Unamortized debt issuance costs			(45.7	)			(17.0	)			—				(62.7	)
Unamortized debt discount			(4.6	)			—				—				(4.6	)
Total debt			2,767.0				1,103.2				50.0				3,920.2
Less: current portion of debt			(29.0	)			—				—				(29.0	)
Debt, excluding current portion		$	2,738.0			$	1,103.2			$	50.0			$	3,891.2

 

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Senior Facilities

The First Lien Credit Agreement includes a first lien term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”) and a revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) (together, the “Senior Facilities”).

The Revolving Credit Facility has a total commitment of $225.0 million and matures on November 3, 2021. Over the course of the three months ended March 31, 2020, Rackspace Technology Global borrowed and repaid an aggregate $245.0 million. As of March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Term Loan Facility matures on November 3, 2023 and, as of March 31, 2020, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 4.76%. Rackspace Technology Global makes quarterly principal payments of $7.2 million. See Note 10, “Derivatives” for information on interest rate swap agreements we utilize to manage the interest rate risk on the Term Loan Facility.

The fair value of the Term Loan Facility as of March 31, 2020 was $2,225.7 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the Term Loan Facility is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2020, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Facilities.

8.625% Senior Notes due 2024

The 8.625% Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2024 (“8.625% Senior Notes”) and, as of March 31, 2020, Rackspace Technology Global was in compliance with all covenants under the indenture governing the 8.625% Senior Notes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Rackspace Technology Global repurchased and surrendered for cancellation $28.3 million of principal amount of 8.625% Senior Notes for $23.7 million, including accrued interest of $0.5 million. In connection with these repurchases, we recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $4.5 million in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The fair value of the 8.625% Senior Notes as of March 31, 2020 was $980.2 million, based on quoted market prices for identical assets that are traded in over-the-counter secondary markets that are not considered active. The fair value of the 8.625% Senior Notes is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Accounts Receivable Financing Agreement

On March 19, 2020, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company entered into an accounts receivable financing agreement (the “Receivables Financing Facility”). Pursuant to the agreements evidencing the Receivables Financing Facility, Rackspace Receivables, LLC, a bankruptcy-remote special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) wholly owned by Rackspace Technology Global, has granted a security interest in all of its current and future receivables and related assets in exchange for a credit facility permitting borrowings of up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100.0 million from time to time. Such borrowings are used by the SPV to finance purchases of accounts receivable. We recorded $1.0 million of fees and expenses related to the Receivables Financing Facility as debt issuance costs, which are included in “Other non-current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

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The amount of advances available will be determined based on advance rates relating to the eligibility of the receivables held by the SPV at that time. Advances bear interest based on LIBOR plus a margin. The last date on which advances may be made is March 21, 2022, unless the maturity of the Receivables Financing Facility is otherwise accelerated. In addition to other customary fees associated with financings of this type, the SPV is required to pay a monthly commitment fee based on the unused amount of the facility.

As of March 31, 2020, the total borrowing capacity under the Receivables Financing Facility was $80.3 million and $50.0 million was borrowed and outstanding. The interest rate on the Receivables Financing Facility was 3.74% as of March 31, 2020.

The agreements evidencing the Receivables Financing Facility contain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. As of March 31, 2020, the company was in compliance with all covenants under the Receivables Financing Facility.

7. Commitments and Contingencies

We have contingencies that arise from various litigation, claims and commitments, none of which we consider to be material.

From time to time, we are a party to various claims asserting that certain of our services and technologies infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenue for us or otherwise harm our business.

We record an accrual for a loss contingency when a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable. As additional facts concerning a loss contingency become known, we reassess our position and make appropriate adjustments to a recorded accrual. The amount that will ultimately be paid related to a matter may differ from the recorded accrual, and the timing of such payments, if any, may be uncertain.

We cannot predict the impact, if any, that any current matter will have on our business, results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Because of the inherent uncertainties of these matters, including the early stage and lack of specific damage claims in many of them, we cannot estimate a range of possible losses from them at this time.

8. Share-Based Compensation and Settlement of Share-Based Awards

Settlement of Share-Based Awards

As a result of the Rackspace Acquisition, Rackspace Technology Global had obligations related to the settlement of restricted stock units that were outstanding at the Closing Date. These obligations required installment payments that began in November 2016 and ended in the first quarter of 2019. We made cash payments of $19.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and recognized compensation expense of $2.7 million within “Selling, general and administrative” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we granted 0.5 million stock options under the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) with a weighted-average grant

 

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date fair value of $87.31. The majority of the options were granted as part of our annual compensation award process and vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to continued service. Also included in the 0.5 million stock options granted were 0.1 million stock options granted to certain executives that vest in part subject to continued service ratably over a five-year period and in part based upon the attainment of performance and market conditions.

Share-based compensation expense recognized under the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 was as follows:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2019				2020
Cost of revenue		$	1.0			$	1.8
Selling, general and administrative			4.9				5.7
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense			5.9				7.5
Less: Income tax benefit			(1.2	)			(1.6	)
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	4.7			$	5.9

As of March 31, 2020, there was $86.5 million and $5.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and restricted stock units, respectively, which will be recognized using the straight-line method over a weighted average period of 2.6 years and 2.2 years, respectively. This does not include $45.1 million and $3.2 million fair value related to unvested options and restricted stock units, respectively, that will vest based on performance, market, and service conditions all tied to a change in control. In accordance with accounting guidance for share-based compensation, the associated expense will not be recorded until a change in control event is consummated.

9. Taxes

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax and various state, local, and international income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. The differences between our effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% generally result from various factors, including the geographical distribution of taxable income, tax credits, contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions, and permanent differences between the book and tax treatment of certain items. Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, our effective tax rate has been impacted by the application of the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions that were implemented with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) that was passed on December 22, 2017. The Act also introduced a new Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (the “BEAT”) that targeted payments made to related foreign parties. The BEAT is not expected to apply to Rackspace Technology, Inc. in 2020.

On July 27, 2015, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner (“Tax Court Opinion”), which concluded that related parties in a cost sharing arrangement are not required to share expenses related to share-based compensation. The Tax Court Opinion was appealed by the Commissioner to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (“Ninth Circuit”). On June 7, 2019, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion that reversed the Tax Court Opinion. On July 22, 2019, the taxpayer requested a rehearing before the full Ninth Circuit, which the Ninth Circuit subsequently denied. On February 10, 2020, Altera Corp. submitted a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. Given the status of the case, we continue to treat our share-based compensation expense in accordance with the Tax Court Opinion for the period. We will continue to monitor developments in this case and any impact the final opinion could have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted and signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act contains modifications on the limitation of business interest for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020. The modifications to Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code increase the allowable business interest deduction from 30% of adjusted taxable income to 50% of adjusted taxable income. This modification significantly increases our allowable interest expense deduction resulting in less utilization of prior year net operating losses in that year. The change in the interest expense limitation pursuant to the CARES Act did not have an impact on the three months ended March 31, 2020 as it is not expected to impact our net deferred tax liability for 2020. As a result of the CARES Act, it is anticipated that we will fully deduct interest expense incurred in 2020 and may be able to deduct previously disallowed interest expense carrying forward from 2018.

10. Derivatives

We utilize derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency hedging contracts, to manage our exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency fluctuations. We only hold such instruments for economic hedging purposes, not for speculative or trading purposes. Our derivative instruments are transacted only with highly-rated institutions, which reduces our exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance.

Interest Rate Swaps

We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates on the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

In December 2016, we entered into seven floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage our risk from interest rate fluctuations associated with the floating-rate Term Loan Facility. The swap agreements became effective on February 3, 2017 with an aggregate notional amount of $1.5 billion. Two swap agreements matured in 2018, one agreement matured during the three months ended March 31, 2019, and another agreement matured during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The remaining three swap agreements in effect as of March 31, 2020 have an aggregate notional amount of $1.05 billion and mature over the next two years. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 1.7625% to 1.9040%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

In December 2018, we entered into four additional floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.35 billion and a maturity date of November 3, 2023. These swap agreements are forward-starting, and as of March 31, 2020, two swap agreements, with a notional amount of $300 million, were effective. The remaining swap agreements become effective each year thereafter to coincide with the maturity dates of the December 2016 swap agreements. On a quarterly basis, we net settle with the counterparty for the difference between the fixed rate specified in each swap agreement, ranging from 2.7350% to 2.7490%, and the variable rate based upon the three-month LIBOR as applied to the notional amount of the swap.

As of December 31, 2019, none of our interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in the fair value of the swaps were recorded to “Interest expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

 

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On January 9, 2020, we designated certain of our swaps as cash flow hedges. On the designation date, the cash flow hedges were in a $39.9 million liability position (“off-market swap value”). The cash flow hedges were expected to be highly effective on the designation date and, on a quarterly basis, we perform retrospective and prospective assessments to determine whether the cash flow hedges continue to be highly effective, which we have deemed to be a dollar-offset ratio between 80% to 125%. As long as the cash flow hedges are highly effective, changes in fair value are recorded to “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified to “Interest expense” in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. The off-market swap value will be amortized as a reduction to “Interest expense” on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of each cash flow hedge. The income tax effects of cash flow hedges are released from “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the period when the underlying transaction affects earnings. Any stranded income tax effects are released from “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” into “Provision (benefit) for income taxes” under the portfolio approach. As of March 31, 2020, all of our cash flow hedges were highly effective.

Our interest rate swap agreements are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as yield curve data, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign Currency Hedging Contracts

The majority of our customers are invoiced, and the majority of our expenses are paid, by us or our subsidiaries in the functional currency of our company or our subsidiaries, respectively. We also have exposure to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as the result of certain receivables due from our foreign subsidiaries. As such, the results of operations and cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The objective of our foreign currency hedging contracts is to manage our exposure to foreign currency movements. To accomplish this objective, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts and collars. A forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a quantity of a currency at a predetermined future date and at a predetermined exchange rate. A collar is a strategy that uses a combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option with equal premiums to hedge a portion of anticipated cash flows, or to limit possible gains or losses on an underlying asset or liability to a specific range. The put and call options have identical notional amounts and settlement dates.

In November 2018, we entered into a foreign currency forward contract. Under the terms of the contract, we sold £75 million at a rate of 1.3002 British pound sterling to U.S. dollar and received $97.5 million. This contract settled on November 29, 2019 and we received a final net payment of $0.8 million.

In November 2019, we entered into two foreign currency net-zero cost collar contracts with an aggregate notional amount of £100 million and a maturity date of November 30, 2020. Under the terms of the contracts, the British pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate floats between 1.2375 and 1.3475. On March 26, 2020, we settled one of these contracts, with an aggregate notional amount of £50 million, and we received a final net payment of $1.9 million.

In March 2020, we entered into three foreign currency forward contracts to manage our exposure to movements in the British pound sterling, Euro, and Mexican peso. All three contracts have a maturity date of June 30, 2020. On the maturity date, the following will occur:

 

•

We will sell £32 million at a rate of 1.1902 British pound to U.S. dollar and receive $38.1 million.

 

•

We will sell €6 million at a rate of 1.0921 Euro to U.S. dollar and receive $6.6 million.

 

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•

We will sell $2.1 million at a rate of 24.2040 U.S. dollar to Mexican peso and receive MXN$50 million.

These contracts are recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued using pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as current exchange rates, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. We have not designated these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, therefore, all changes in fair value are recorded in “Other expense, net.”

Fair Values of Derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

The fair values of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

				December 31, 2019								March 31, 2020
(In millions)				Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps		Other current liabilities		$	—			$	3.5			$	—			$	—
Interest rate swaps		Other non-current liabilities			—				33.1				—				—
Foreign currency contracts		Other current assets			1.4				—				2.2				—
Foreign currency contracts		Other current liabilities			—				2.9				—				2.3
Total				$	1.4			$	39.5			$	2.2			$	2.3
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps		Other current liabilities		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	15.4
Interest rate swaps		Other non-current liabilities			—				—				—				78.4
Total				$	—			$	—			$	—			$	93.8

For financial statement presentation purposes, we do not offset assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements and all amounts above are presented on a gross basis. The following table, however, is presented on a net asset and net liability basis:

 

		December 31, 2019												March 31, 2020
(In millions)		Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet				Effect of Counter- Party Netting				Net Amounts				Gross Amounts on Balance Sheet				Effect of Counter- Party Netting				Net Amounts
Assets
Foreign currency contracts		$	1.4			$	(1.4	)		$	—			$	2.2			$	(0.6	)		$	1.6
Total		$	1.4			$	(1.4	)		$	—			$	2.2			$	(0.6	)		$	1.6
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps		$	36.6			$	—			$	36.6			$	93.8			$	—			$	93.8
Foreign currency contracts			2.9				(1.4	)			1.5				2.3				(0.6	)			1.7
Total		$	39.5			$	(1.4	)		$	38.1			$	96.1			$	(0.6	)		$	95.5

 

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Effect of Derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

The effect of our derivatives and their location on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 was as follows:

 

				Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions)				2019				2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps		Interest expense		$	(18.8	)		$	(3.2	)
Foreign currency contracts		Other expense, net			(2.1	)			3.3
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments		Location
Interest rate swaps(1)		Interest expense		$	—			$	0.5

 

(1)	Includes amortization of off-market swap value of $1.2 million, partially offset by interest expense recognized of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Interest expense was $89.0 million and $72.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, the amount of cash flow hedge losses included within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” that is expected to be reclassified as an increase to “Interest expense” over the next 12 months is approximately $13.1 million. See Note 12, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),” for information regarding changes in fair value of our derivatives designated as hedging instruments.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

We have agreements with interest rate swap counterparties that contain a provision whereby if we default on any of our material indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default of our interest rate swap agreements. As of March 31, 2020, certain of our interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate fair value of $93.8 million were in a net liability position.

11. Divestitures

On February 1, 2017, we completed the sale of assets of our Mailgun business for total consideration of $40.2 million, which was comprised of an initial cash payment of $20.5 million, a promissory note with a fair value of $14.8 million, and an equity interest in the new entity, Mailgun Technologies, Inc. (“Mailgun Technologies”) with a fair value of $4.9 million.

In March 2019, we received $18.0 million in cash from Mailgun Technologies as repayment for the promissory note balance of $15.9 million, which included accrued interest of $1.2 million. As such, we recorded a gain of $2.1 million, which is reflected within “Gain on sale” in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 

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12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:

 

(In millions)		Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Accumulated Gains (Losses) on Derivative Contracts				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at December 31, 2018		$	—			$	—			$	—
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense of $0.7			10.6				—				10.6
Balance at March 31, 2019		$	10.6			$	—			$	10.6

 

(In millions)		Accumulated Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Accumulated Losses on Derivative Contracts				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2019		$	12.0			$	—			$	12.0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $1.2			(20.4	)			—				(20.4	)
Unrealized losses on derivative contracts, net of tax benefit of $14.0			—				(40.7	)			(40.7	)
Amount reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, net of tax benefit of $0.1(1)			—				(0.4	)			(0.4	)
Balance at March 31, 2020		$	(8.4	)		$	(41.1	)		$	(49.5	)

 

(1)	Includes amortization of off-market swap value of $1.2 million, partially offset by interest expense recognized of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

13. Related Party Transactions

On November 3, 2016, we entered into management consulting agreements with affiliates of Apollo and Searchlight and on November 15, 2017, in connection with the Datapipe acquisition, we entered into a management consulting agreement with ABRY. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, we recorded $2.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of consulting fees within “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss.

Affiliates of ABRY are also Term Loan Facility lenders under the First Lien Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility was $2,817.3 million, of which $53.0 million, or 1.9%, is due to ABRY affiliates.

We may pay additional fees to affiliates of Apollo, Searchlight, and ABRY associated with future transactions.

14. Segment Reporting

We have organized our operations into the following three operating segments, which correspond directly to our reportable segments: Multicloud Services, Apps & Cross Platform, and OpenStack Public Cloud. Our segments are based upon a number of factors, including, the basis for our budgets

 

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and forecasts, organizational and management structure and the financial information regularly used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to make key decisions and to assess performance. We assess financial performance of our segments on the basis of revenue and adjusted gross profit, which is a non-GAAP measure of profitability. For the calculation of adjusted gross profit, we allocate certain costs, such as data center operating costs, customer support costs, license expense, and depreciation, to our segments generally based on segment revenue.

The table below presents a reconciliation of revenue by reportable segment to consolidated revenue and a reconciliation of segment adjusted gross profit to total consolidated gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020.

 

		Three Months Ended
(In millions)		March 31, 2019				March 31, 2020
Revenue by segment:
Multicloud Services		$	452.8			$	507.9
Apps & Cross Platform			78.1				81.5
OpenStack Public Cloud			76.0				63.3
Total consolidated revenue		$	606.9			$	652.7
Adjusted gross profit by segment:
Multicloud Services		$	189.4			$	196.8
Apps & Cross Platform			28.9				30.1
OpenStack Public Cloud			39.8				29.3
Less:
Share-based compensation expense			(1.0	)			(1.8	)
Other compensation expense(1)			(0.5	)			(1.9	)
Purchase accounting impact on revenue(2)			0.1				—
Purchase accounting impact on expense(2)			(2.4	)			(1.9	)
Restructuring and transformation expenses(3)			(3.4	)			(1.3	)
Total consolidated gross profit		$	250.9			$	249.3

 

(1)	Adjustments for expense related to the cash settlement of unvested equity awards that were outstanding at the consummation of the Rackspace Acquisition, retention bonuses, mainly in connection with restructuring and transformation projects, and the related payroll tax.

(2)	Adjustment for the impact of purchase accounting from the Rackspace Acquisition on revenue and expenses.

(3)	Adjustment for the impact of business transformation and optimization activities, as well as associated severance, facility closure costs and lease termination expenses.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

Set forth below is a table of the registration fee for the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the stock exchange listing fee, the filing fee for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and estimates of all other expenses to be paid by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities described in the registration statement:

 

SEC registration fee		$	12,980
Stock exchange listing fee			*
FINRA filing fee		$	15,500
Printing expenses			*
Legal fees and expenses			*
Accounting fees and expenses			*
Blue Sky fees and expenses			*
Transfer agent and registrar fees			*
Miscellaneous			*
Total		$	*

 

*	To be completed by amendment.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to the registrant. The DGCL provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The registrant’s certificate of incorporation provide for indemnification by the registrant of its directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides for such limitation of liability.

The registrant maintains standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (b) to the registrant with respect to payments which may be made by the registrant to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

The proposed form of underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of common stock being registered will provide for indemnification of directors and officers of the registrant by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

 

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We expect to enter into customary indemnification agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Set forth below is information regarding securities sold or granted by us within the past three years that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Also included is the consideration, if any, received by us for such securities and information relating to the section of the Securities Act, or rule of the SEC, under which exemption from registration was claimed for such sales and grants. Such information is rounded to the nearest whole number.

Common Stock

 

•

On April 10, 2017, we issued an aggregate of 60,500 shares of our common stock to board members and employees for total proceeds of $6.1 million.

 

•

On April 11, 2017, we issued 2,500 shares of our common stock to AP Inception Co-invest, L.P. for total proceeds of $0.3 million.

 

•

On April 12, 2017, we issued an aggregate of 3,000 shares of our common stock to employees for total proceeds of $0.3 million.

 

•

On April 14, 2017, we issued 2,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.2 million.

 

•

On April 18, 2017, we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.1 million.

 

•

On April 20, 2017, we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.1 million.

 

•

On May 1, 2017, we issued 2,500 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.3 million.

 

•

On May 3, 2017, we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.1 million.

 

•

On May 9, 2017, we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.1 million.

 

•

On May 23, 2017, we issued 10,000 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $1.0 million.

 

•

On May 31, 2017, we issued 750 shares of our common stock to an employee for total proceeds of $0.1 million.

 

•

On June 25 and June 26, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of TriCore, we issued an aggregate of 9,807 shares of our common stock to employees for total proceeds of $1.1 million.

 

•

On November 17, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of Datapipe, we issued 1,037,752 shares of our common stock to an ABRY affiliate in exchange for its equity interest in Datapipe.

 

•

On May 15, 2018, in connection with the acquisition of RelationEdge, we issued an aggregate of 16,728 shares of our common stock to employees for total proceeds of $3.1 million.

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act

 

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(“Section 4(a)(2)”) or Rule 506 of Regulation D (“Rule 506”) promulgated thereunder as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

2017 Incentive Plan-Related Issuances

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, we granted to our directors, employees, consultants and other service providers options to purchase                  shares of our common stock with per share exercise prices ranging from $                 to $                 under the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”).

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, we issued to our directors, employees, consultants and other service providers an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock at a per share purchase price ranging from $                 to $                 pursuant to exercises of options granted under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, we granted to our directors and employees restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, our directors and employees received an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock upon the vesting of RSUs under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, we granted to our directors restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) for an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

 

•

From January 1, 2017 through the date of the prospectus, our directors received an aggregate of                  shares of our common stock upon the vesting of RSAs under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in the immediately preceding section were deemed to be exempt from registration either under Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, in that the transactions were under compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation, or under Section 4(a)(2) in that the transactions were by an issuer and did not involve any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2). The recipients of such securities were our employees, directors, consultants or other service providers and received the securities under the 2017 Incentive Plan.

In connection with the Stock Split, the Company issued                  shares of common stock.

None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions or any public offering. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us. The offers, sales and issuances of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1		Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rackspace Technology, Inc., to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
3.2		Form of Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rackspace Technology, Inc., to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
4.1		Indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Merger Sub, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.2		Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.3		Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of July 18, 2017, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.4		Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of December  14, 2017, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.5		Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of July 30, 2018, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantor named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.6		Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of October 3, 2019, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.7		Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of December  13, 2019, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
5.1*		Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as to the validity of the securities being offered
10.1		First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Inception Merger Sub, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.2		Joinder to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, by Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.)
10.3		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent

 

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Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
10.4		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2, dated as of June 21, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.5		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 3, dated as of November 15, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.6		Form of Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc., Searchlight Capital II, L.P., Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. and AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P.
10.7		Form of Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc., DPH 123, LLC, ACE Investment Holdings, LLC, AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. and solely for the purposes of Section 4.1 thereof, ABRY Partners VIII, L.P.
10.8		Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Holders party thereto
10.9		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September  6, 2017, among Rackspace Technology, Inc. (f.k.a. Inception Topco, Inc.), Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, Inception Intermediate, Inc., Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), Datapipe Holdings, LLC, Datapipe Parent, Inc. and the key stockholders party thereto
10.10		Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March  19, 2020, among Rackspace Receivables LLC, as borrower, the persons from time to time party thereto, as lenders and as group agents, BMO Capital Markets, as administrative agent and as arranger, and Rackspace US, Inc. as initial servicer
10.11†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Kevin Jones, effective as of March 13, 2019
10.12†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Dustin Semach, effective as of July 22, 2019, as amended
10.13†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Sid Nair, effective as of July 29, 2019
10.14†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Subroto Mukerji, effective as of July 1, 2019
10.15†		First Amendment to the Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Subroto Mukerji, dated as of September 11, 2019
10.16†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Vikas Gurugunti, effective as of July 2, 2019
10.17†		Separation Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Joseph F. Eazor, effective as of April 23, 2019
10.18†		Separation Agreement and Release, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Louis Alterman, dated as of August 30, 2019

 

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Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
10.19†		Separation Agreement and Release, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Sandy Hogan, dated as of August 2, 2019
10.20†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and each of the named executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer)
10.21†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer
10.22†		Form of Service-Based RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer
10.23†		Form of Performance-Based RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer
10.24†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.25†		Form of RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.26†		Form of RSA Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.27†		Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, dated as of April 7, 2017
10.28†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan
10.29†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.30†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. Annual Cash Incentive Plan
10.31†		Rackspace Technology, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
21.1		Subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.2*		Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Powers of Attorney (included in signature page)

 

*	To be filed by amendment.

†	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

(b) Financial Statement Schedule

See “Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included on page F-1 for a list of the financial statements included in this registration statement. All schedules not identified above have been omitted because they are not required, are inapplicable, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the related notes contained in this registration statement.

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of

 

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the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
1.1*		Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1		Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rackspace Technology, Inc., to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
3.2		Form of Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rackspace Technology, Inc., to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering
4.1		Indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Merger Sub, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.2		Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.3		Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of July 18, 2017, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.4		Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of December  14, 2017, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.5		Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of July 30, 2018, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantor named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.6		Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of October 3, 2019, among Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
4.7		Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of December  13, 2019, among Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
5.1*		Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as to the validity of the securities being offered
10.1		First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Inception Merger Sub, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.2		Joinder to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, by Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.)
10.3		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2016, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.4		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2, dated as of June 21, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent

 

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Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
10.5		Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 3, dated as of November 15, 2017, among Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), the subsidiary loan parties, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent
10.6		Form of Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc., Searchlight Capital II, L.P., Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. and AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P.
10.7		Form of Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc., DPH 123, LLC, ACE Investment Holdings, LLC, AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. and solely for the purposes of Section 4.1 thereof, ABRY Partners VIII, L.P.
10.8		Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Holders party thereto
10.9		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September  6, 2017, among Rackspace Technology, Inc. (f.k.a. Inception Topco, Inc.), Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, Inception Intermediate, Inc., Inception Parent, Inc., Rackspace Technology  Global, Inc. (f.k.a. Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), Datapipe Holdings, LLC, Datapipe Parent, Inc. and the key stockholders party thereto
10.10		Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March  19, 2020, among Rackspace Receivables LLC, as borrower, the persons from time to time party thereto, as lenders and as group agents, BMO Capital Markets, as administrative agent and as arranger, and Rackspace US, Inc. as initial servicer
10.11†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Kevin Jones, effective as of March 13, 2019
10.12†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Dustin Semach, effective as of July 22, 2019, as amended
10.13†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Sid Nair, effective as of July 29, 2019
10.14†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Subroto Mukerji, effective as of July 1, 2019
10.15†		First Amendment to the Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Subroto Mukerji, dated as of September 11, 2019
10.16†		Employment Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Vikas Gurugunti, effective as of July 2, 2019
10.17†		Separation Agreement, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Joseph F. Eazor, effective as of April 23, 2019
10.18†		Separation Agreement and Release, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Louis Alterman, dated as of August 30, 2019
10.19†		Separation Agreement and Release, between Rackspace US, Inc. and Sandy Hogan, dated as of August 2, 2019
10.20†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and each of the named executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer)
10.21†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
10.22†		Form of Service-Based RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer
10.23†		Form of Performance-Based RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and the Chief Executive Officer
10.24†		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.25†		Form of RSU Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.26†		Form of RSA Award Agreement between Rackspace Technology, Inc. and certain of the Directors
10.27†		Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, dated as of April 7, 2017
10.28†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan
10.29†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.30†		Form of Rackspace Technology, Inc. Annual Cash Incentive Plan
10.31†		Rackspace Technology, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
21.1		Subsidiaries of the registrant
23.1		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm
23.2*		Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Powers of Attorney (included in signature page)

 

*	To be filed by amendment.

†	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in San Antonio, Texas, on the 10th day of July, 2020.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Dustin Semach and Holly Windham, his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (iii) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this registration statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iv) take any and all actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact or any of their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Kevin Jones Kevin Jones		Chief Executive Officer; Director (Principal Executive Officer)		July 10, 2020
/s/ Dustin Semach Dustin Semach		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		July 10, 2020
/s/ Susan Arthur Susan Arthur		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Jeffrey Benjamin Jeffrey Benjamin		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Timothy Campos Timothy Campos		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Dhiren Fonseca Dhiren Fonseca		Director		July 10, 2020

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Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Mitch Garber Mitch Garber		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Darren Glatt Darren Glatt		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Brian St. Jean Brian St. Jean		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ David Sambur David Sambur		Director		July 10, 2020
/s/ Aaron Sobel Aaron Sobel		Director		July 10, 2020

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Rackspace Technology, Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”). The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 21, 2016, under the name “Inception TopCo, Inc.” This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be further amended and/or restated, this “Charter”), which further amends and restates the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as heretofore amended, in its entirety, has been duly adopted by all necessary action of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) and the stockholders of the Corporation, pursuant to Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the “DGCL”), to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation (hereinafter the “Corporation”) is Rackspace Technology, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.01 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is                (                ) shares of capital stock, of which                shares shall be common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and                shares shall be preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of authorized shares of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any successor provision thereof, and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

Section 4.02 Common Stock. The terms of the Common Stock set forth below shall be subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding.

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(a) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or this Charter, the holders of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the Corporation’s stockholders generally.

(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or distributions, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, as, if and when declared by the Board out of the funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, such dividends (payable in cash, shares of stock of the Corporation, property or assets of the Corporation or otherwise) as the Board may from time to time in its sole discretion determine.

(c) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after the payment or provision for the payment of any debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed among and paid to the holders of Common Stock ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.

Section 4.03 Preferred Stock. The Board is authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide, out of the authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for the issuance from time to time of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and, by filing a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation”) pursuant to the applicable provisions of the DGCL, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, with such powers (including voting powers, if any), designations, preferences, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, as are stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance thereof adopted by the Board, including, but not limited to, determination of any of the following:

(a) the distinctive designation of the series, whether by number, letter or title, and the number of shares which will constitute the series;

(b) the dividend rate, if any, and the times of payment of dividends, if any, on the shares of the series, whether such dividends will be cumulative and, if so, from what date or dates, and the relation which such dividends, if any, shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock;

(c) the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of a specified event;

 

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(d) whether or not the shares of the series will be entitled to the benefit of a retirement or sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares and, if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

(e) the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of the shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation or upon the happening of any other specified event;

(f) whether or not the shares of the series will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, at the option of either the holder or the Corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, shares of any other class or classes or series of stock of the Corporation and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the conversion price or prices, or the rates of exchange, and any adjustments thereof, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

(g) whether or not the shares of the series will have priority over or be on a parity with or be junior to the shares of any other class or classes or series of stock of the Corporation in any respect, or will be entitled to the benefit of limitations restricting the issuance of shares of any other class or classes or series of stock of the Corporation, restricting the payment of dividends on or the making of other distributions in respect of shares of any other class or classes or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the shares of the series as to dividends or distributions, or restricting the purchase or redemption of the shares of any such junior class or classes or series of stock of the Corporation, and the terms of any such restriction;

(h) whether or not the shares of the series will have voting rights or powers and, if so, the terms of such voting rights and powers; and

(i) any other powers, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the series.

Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting rights and powers, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Charter. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Charter, no vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any series of the Preferred Stock so authorized in accordance with this Charter. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Charter that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately as a class or together with the holders of one or more other such series as a separate class, to vote thereon pursuant to this Charter or pursuant to the DGCL. Unless otherwise provided by this Charter, the Board may, by resolution or resolutions, increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock established by a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation pursuant to this Article IV and the DGCL and, if the number of shares of such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

 

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ARTICLE V

Section 5.01 General Powers. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or this Charter, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

Section 5.02 Number of Directors. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to Article IV and this Article V (relating to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors), and subject to the terms of each of (i) the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated on or about the date of the effectiveness of the filing of this Charter, by and among the Corporation, Searchlight Capital II, L.P. and Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P. (collectively, “SCP”) and certain affiliates of Apollo (as defined below) (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “SCP Stockholders Agreement”), and (ii) the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated on or about the date of the effectiveness of the filing of this Charter, by and among the Corporation, Datapipe Holdings, LLC and Ace Investment Holdings, LLC. (collectively “ABRY”) and certain affiliates of Apollo (as defined below) (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ABRY Stockholders Agreement” and, together with the SCP Stockholders Agreement, the “Stockholders Agreements”), the total number of directors shall be as determined from time to time exclusively by the Board; provided, that in no event shall the total number of directors be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15). Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws (as defined below) shall so require.

Section 5.03 Classified Board; Term of Office. The directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date the Common Stock is first publicly traded (the “IPO Date”), Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date. At each succeeding annual meeting, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director. Each director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to their respective class.

 

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Section 5.04 Quorum. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Charter, the Bylaws or applicable law, but in addition to any requirements set forth in this Charter, the Bylaws and applicable law, if Apollo Global Management, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo”), investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo, including Apollo Management VIII, L.P., and their respective affiliates, including AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P. (the “Apollo Stockholder” and, collectively, the “Apollo Entities” and, each, an “Apollo Entity”), own, beneficially or of record, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation and there is at least one member of the Board who is an Apollo Board Nominee (as defined in each of the Stockholders Agreements), a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board shall include at least one Apollo Board Nominee unless each Apollo Board Nominee provides notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation waiving his or her right to be included in the quorum at such meeting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, but in addition to any other vote required by this Charter, the Bylaws or applicable law, at any time that the Apollo Entities own, beneficially or of record, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, the Corporation shall not (directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation or otherwise) amend, alter or repeal this Section 5.04, or adopt any provision inconsistent herewith, without the prior written consent of the Apollo Stockholder.

Section 5.05 Vacancies; Newly Created Directorships. Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, and subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreements, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of a director or other cause, or any newly created directorship in the Board, shall be filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, that, (i) for so long as the Apollo Entities own, beneficially or of record, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of any Apollo Board Nominee, including the failure of any Apollo Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled only by the Apollo Stockholder, (ii) for so long as the SCP Nomination Condition (as defined in the SCP Stockholders Agreement) is satisfied, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of the SCP Board Nominee (as defined in the SCP Stockholders Agreement), including the failure of the SCP Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled in the manner set forth in the SCP Stockholders Agreement, and (iii) for so long as the ABRY Nomination Condition (as defined in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement) is satisfied, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of the ABRY Board Nominee (as defined in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement), including the failure of the ABRY Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled in the manner set forth in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement. Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the class to which he or she has been appointed and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification.

 

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Section 5.06 Removal of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, any Stockholders Agreement or this Charter, directors may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that, from and after the Trigger Event (as defined in Article VII hereof) any such director or all such directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3rds or 66 2/3%) of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

Section 5.07 Voting Rights of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series of Preferred Stock, to elect directors, the election, term of office, removal, filling of vacancies (including filling any newly created directorships) any and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the other provisions of this Charter (including any Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, during any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to such provisions, and (ii) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate, and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.

ARTICLE VI

In furtherance and not in limitation of the rights, powers, privileges and discretionary authority granted or conferred by the DGCL or other statutes or laws of the State of Delaware, the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”), without any action on the part of the stockholders.

ARTICLE VII

Except as otherwise required by law, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by (i) the Chairman of the Board, at any time, (ii) the Secretary of the Corporation at the direction of a majority of the directors then in office, at any time, or (iii) until such time as the

 

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Apollo Entities cease to beneficially own at least 50.1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Trigger Event”), the Secretary of the Corporation at the written request of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock, and special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice.

ARTICLE VIII

To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders. Any repeal or amendment or modification of this Article VIII (including by changes in applicable law), or the adoption of any provision of this Charter inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide a broader limitation on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment or modification or adoption of such inconsistent provision. If any provision of the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

ARTICLE IX

Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding to act by written consent as provided in any Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders; provided, that prior to the Trigger Event, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by or on behalf of the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the DGCL.

ARTICLE X

Section 10.01 Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this Charter is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or payment of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was at any such time serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee,

 

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employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (hereinafter, an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 10.04 of this Article X, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the first instance by the Board.

Section 10.02 Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification conferred upon Indemnitees in this Article X shall include the right, without the need for any action by the Board, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article X or otherwise.

Section 10.03 Nature of Rights; Other Sources. The rights conferred upon Indemnitees in this Article X shall be contract rights between the Corporation and each Indemnitee to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such person’s service to or at the request of the Corporation and all such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased to serve at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Corporation hereby acknowledges that certain Indemnitees may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance (other than directors’ and officers’ liability insurance or similar insurance obtained or

 

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maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation, its affiliates or any of the foregoing’s respective subsidiaries) from persons or entities other than the Corporation (collectively, the “Other Indemnitors”). The Corporation hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort of the Indemnitees (i.e., its obligations to an Indemnitee hereunder are primary and any obligation of the Other Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnitee are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms hereof, without regard to any rights an Indemnitee may have against the Other Indemnitors, and (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Other Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Other Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Other Indemnitors on behalf of an Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Corporation hereunder shall affect the foregoing and the Other Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Indemnitee against the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, no person or entity providing directors’ or officers’ liability insurance or similar insurance obtained or maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation, any of its affiliates or any of the foregoing’s respective subsidiaries, including any person or entity providing such insurance obtained or maintained as contemplated by Section 10.08, shall be an Other Indemnitor.

Section 10.04 Claims. To obtain indemnification under this Article X, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 10.04, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) if requested by the claimant, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined), or (ii) if no request is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (a) by a majority vote of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum, (b) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority of the Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (c) if a majority of Disinterested Directors so directs, by a majority of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

Section 10.05 Enforcement. If a claim under Section 10.01 of this Article X is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim pursuant to Section 10.04 of this Article X has been received by the Corporation, or if a claim under Section 10.02 of this Article X is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a written claim therefor has been made, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the

 

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Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. It shall be a defense to any such action that in the case of a claim for indemnification, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board, Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board, Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 10.06 Procedures. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10.04 of this Article X that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 10.05 of this Article X. The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 10.05 of this Article X that the procedures and presumptions of this Article X are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article X.

Section 10.07 Non-Exclusive Rights. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article X: (i) shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Charter, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise and (ii) cannot be terminated by the Corporation, the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation with respect to any act or omission that is the subject of the Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought prior to the date of such termination. Any amendment, modification, alteration or repeal of this Article X (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) that in any way diminishes, limits, restricts, adversely affects or eliminates any right of an Indemnitee or his or her successors to indemnification, advancement of expenses or otherwise shall be prospective only and shall not, without the written consent of the Indemnitee, in any way diminish, limit, restrict, adversely affect or eliminate any such right with respect to any actual or alleged state of facts, occurrence, action or omission then or previously existing, or any action, suit or proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such actual or alleged state of facts, occurrence, action or omission.

Section 10.08 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Section 10.09 Additional Rights. The Board may grant rights to indemnification, and rights to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any current or former employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article X with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of current or former directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

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Section 10.10 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article X shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Article X containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each such portion of any Section of this Article X containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

Section 10.11 Definitions; Construction. For purposes of this Article X: “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant; and “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporate law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this Article X. Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article X shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the officers appointed as such pursuant to the Bylaws by the Board or by an officer to whom the Board has delegated the power to appoint officers, and any reference to an officer of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “vice president” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for purposes of this Article X.

Section 10.12 Notices. Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article X shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, fax, email, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

 

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ARTICLE XI

Section 11.01 Recognition of Corporate Opportunities. In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain directors, officers, principals, partners, members, managers, employees, agents and/or other representatives of the Apollo Entities, SCP, ABRY and their respective Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation and its Affiliates, and (ii) the Apollo Entities, SCP, ABRY and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation and Affiliates, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation and its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article XI are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation and its Affiliates with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve the Apollo Entities, SCP, ABRY and their respective Affiliates and any person or entity who, while a stockholder, director, officer or agent of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, is a director, officer, principal, partner, member, manager, employee, agent and/or other representative of the Apollo Entities, SCP, ABRY and their respective Affiliates (each, an “Identified Person”), on the one hand, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its Affiliates and its and their respective stockholders, directors, officers, and agents in connection therewith, on the other. To the fullest extent permitted by law (including, without limitation, the DGCL), and notwithstanding any other duty (contractual, fiduciary or otherwise, whether at law or in equity), each Identified Person (i) shall have the right to, directly or indirectly, engage in and possess interests in other business ventures of every type and description, including those engaged in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or deemed to be competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, on its own account, or in partnership with, or as a direct or indirect equity holder, controlling person, stockholder, director, officer, employee, agent, Affiliate (including any portfolio company), member, financing source, investor, director or indirect manager, general or limited partner or assignee of any other person or entity with no obligation to offer to the Corporation or its subsidiaries or other Affiliates the right to participate therein and (ii) shall have the right to invest in, or provide services to, any person that is engaged in the same or similar business activities as the Corporation or its Affiliates or directly or indirectly competes with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates.

Section 11.02 Competitive Opportunities. In the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be an investment, corporate or business opportunity or prospective economic or competitive advantage in which the Corporation or its Affiliates could have an interest or expectancy (contractual, equitable or otherwise) (a “Competitive Opportunity”) or otherwise is then exploiting any Competitive Opportunity, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL and notwithstanding any other duty existing at law or in equity, the Corporation and its Affiliates will have no interest in, and no expectation (contractual, equitable or otherwise) that such Competitive Opportunity be offered to it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any such interest or expectation (contractual, equitable or otherwise) is hereby renounced so that such Identified Person shall (i) have no duty to communicate or present such Competitive Opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliates, (ii) have the right to either hold any such Competitive Opportunity for such Identified Person’s own account and benefit or the account of the former, current or future direct or indirect equity

 

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holders, controlling persons, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, Affiliates, members, financing sources, investors, direct or indirect managers, general or limited partners or assignees of any Identified Person or to direct, recommend, assign or otherwise transfer such Competitive Opportunity to persons or entities other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, Affiliates or direct or indirect equity holders and (iii) notwithstanding any provision in this Charter to the contrary, not be obligated or liable to the Corporation, any stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation or any other person or entity by reason of the fact that such Identified Person, directly or indirectly, took any of the actions noted in the immediately preceding clause (ii), pursued or acquired such Competitive Opportunity for itself or any other person or entity or failed to communicate or present such Competitive Opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliates.

Section 11.03 Acknowledgement. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation or any other interest in the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XI.

Section 11.04 Interpretation; Duties. In the event of a conflict or other inconsistency between this Article XI and any other Article or provision of this Charter, this Article XI shall prevail under all circumstances. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, under no circumstances shall the provisions of this Article XI (other than this Section 11.04 of this Article XI) apply to (or result in or be deemed to result in a limitation or elimination of any duty (contractual, fiduciary or otherwise, whether at law or in equity)) owed by any employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, irrespective of whether such employee otherwise would be an Identified Person, and any Competitive Opportunity waived or renounced by any person or entity pursuant to such other provisions of this Article XI shall be expressly reserved and maintained by such person or entity, as applicable (and shall not be waived or renounced) as to any such employee.

Section 11.05 Section 122(17) of the DGCL. For the avoidance of doubt, subject to Section 11.04 of this Article XI, this Article XI is intended to constitute, with respect to the Identified Persons, a disclaimer and renunciation, to the fullest extent permitted under Section 122(17) of the DGCL, of any right of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates with respect to the matters set forth in this Article XI, and this Article XI shall be construed to effect such disclaimer and renunciation to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL.

Section 11.06 Definitions. Solely for purposes of this Article XI, “Affiliate” shall mean (a) with respect to the Apollo Entities, any person or entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by an Apollo Entity, controls an Apollo Entity, or is under common control with an Apollo Entity, (b) with respect to an SCP entity, any person or entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by an SCP entity, controls an SCP entity, or is under common control with an SCP entity, (c) with respect to an ABRY entity, any person or entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by an ABRY entity, controls an ABRY entity, or is under common control with an ABRY entity, but in each case in clauses (a) through (c), excluding (i) the Corporation, and (ii) any entity that is controlled by the Corporation (including its direct and indirect subsidiaries), and (d) in respect of the Corporation, any person or entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE XII

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or of this Charter or the Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, but subject to the foregoing provisions of this Article XII, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The provisions of this Article XII do not apply to claims arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

ARTICLE XIII

Section 13.01 Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

Section 13.02 Interested Stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

(a) prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (a) by persons who are directors and also officers and (b) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

(c) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

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Section 13.03 Certain Exceptions. The restrictions contained in this Article XIII shall not apply if:

(a) a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder and (ii) would not, at any time, within the three-year period immediately prior to the business combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership, or

(b) the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this Section 13.03(b), (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of the Board and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Corporation is required), (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (other than to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary or to the Corporation ) having an aggregate market value equal to fifty percent or more of either that aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all interested stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this Section 13.03.

Section 13.04 Definitions. For purposes of this Article XIII only, references to:

(a) “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

(b) “Apollo Direct Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from an Apollo Entity or any of its affiliates or successors or any “group”, or any member of any such group, of which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.

 

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(c) “Apollo Indirect Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from any Apollo Direct Transferee or any other Apollo Indirect Transferee beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.

(d) “associate”, when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

(e) “business combination”, when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (a) with the interested stockholder, or (b) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 13.02 of this Article XIII is not applicable to the surviving entity;

(ii) (any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

(iii) any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (a) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (b) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (c) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (d) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (e) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (c)-(e) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

 

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(iv) any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

(v) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (i)-(iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

(f) “control”, including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Section, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

(g) “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three (3) year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; but “interested stockholder” shall not include (A) the Apollo Entities, any Apollo Direct Transferee, any Apollo Indirect Transferee or any of their respective affiliates or successors or any “group”, or any member of any such group, of which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, or (B) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation, provided that, in the case of clause (B), such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

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(h) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:

(i) beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

(i) has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more persons; or

(ii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (B) of subsection (i) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

(j) “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

(k) “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

(l) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall refer to such percentages of the votes of such voting stock.

ARTICLE XIV

If any provision or provisions of this Charter shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Charter (including, without limitation, each portion of any Article (or section or subsection thereof) of this Charter containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Charter (including, without limitation, each such portion of any Article (or any section or

 

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subsection thereof) of this Charter containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE XV

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Charter, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Charter and the DGCL, and all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon stockholders by and pursuant to this Charter in its current form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XV. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the occurrence of the Trigger Event, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to greater or additional vote or consent required hereunder (including any vote of the holders of any particular class or classes or series of stock required by law or by this Charter), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Section 4.03 of Article IV, Articles V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIII, and this Article XV.

From and after the occurrence of the Trigger Event, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any additional or greater vote or consent required hereunder (including any vote of the holders of any particular class or classes or series of stock required by law or by this Charter), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend or repeal, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Charter to be signed by a duly authorized officer as of this                date of                ,                .

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:

Rackspace Technology, Inc. — CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Exhibit 3.2

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Adopted as of                 )

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.01 Registered Office. The address of the registered office of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (hereinafter the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

Section 1.02 Other Offices. The Corporation may have a principal or other office or offices at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as shall be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Corporation.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01 Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, or solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 2.13 of these Bylaws and applicable law, as may be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.02 Annual Meetings. If required by applicable law, an annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.07 of these Bylaws shall be held on such day and at such hour, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and designated in the notice of meeting. The Corporation may postpone, adjourn, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.03 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may only be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held on such day and at such hour, as shall be designated in the notice of meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. Except in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called at the request of the stockholders pursuant to the express terms of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation may postpone, adjourn, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.

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Section 2.04 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, notice, stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders not physically present may be deemed to be present and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Notice may be given either personally, by courier service, by electronic mail, by other form of electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or by mail. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. If delivered by courier service, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address. If notice is given by electronic mail or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the times provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law.

Section 2.05 Quorum; Adjournment of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series or classes or series of stock voting as a separate class, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or series or classes or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series or classes or series with respect to the vote on such business. The chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. No notice of an adjourned meeting need be given except as required by law. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Section 2.06 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy in any manner provided by applicable law, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.

 

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Section 2.07 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

(a) Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

(i) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and only other business shall be considered or conducted, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 2.04 of these Bylaws, (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Bylaw and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Bylaw as to such business or nomination or (D) as provided in the SCP Stockholders Agreement (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) or the ABRY Stockholders Agreement (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation, and, together with the SCP Stockholders Agreement, the “Stockholders Agreements”). Subject to the Stockholders Agreements, clause (C) of this Section 2.07(a)(i) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(ii) Without qualification or limitation, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(C) of this Bylaw, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Common Stock are first publicly traded, be deemed to have occurred on                         ,         ); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. In addition, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices

 

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of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after such record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (a)(ii) or paragraph (b)) to the Secretary must: (a) set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (ii) (A) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard of whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (D) any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such stockholder or beneficial owner, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to any class or series of the shares of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any security of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Short Interest”), (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or beneficial owner that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such

 

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stockholder or beneficial owner is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership, (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or beneficial owner is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household, (H) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the Corporation held by such stockholder or beneficial owner, and (I) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder or beneficial owner in any contract with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), and (iii) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (b) if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such proposal is made in such business, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration, and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws, the text of such proposed amendment) and (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; (c) set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors (i) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected and (iii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and (d) with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.08 of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be required by the Corporation, including, without limitation, such information as may be requested to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(ii) of this Bylaw to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Bylaw and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Bylaw shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new directorships created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (A) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, (B) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Bylaw and at the time of the special meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Bylaw as to such nomination, or (C) as provided in the Stockholders Agreements. The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations before a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected or appointed. In the event that the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, other than with respect to any nomination made in the manner provided in the Stockholders Agreements, any stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting only if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Bylaw with respect to any nomination (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.08 of these Bylaws) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 10th day following the day on which the Corporation first makes a public announcement of the date of the special meeting at which directors are to be elected. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

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(c) General.

(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw or in the Stockholders Agreements shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Bylaw, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded; provided, that nothing herein shall limit the power and authority of the Board of Directors to make any such determinations in advance of any meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to make a nomination or present a proposal of other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Bylaw, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(ii) For purposes of this Bylaw, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bylaw, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Bylaw; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)(C) or paragraph (b) of this Bylaw. Nothing in this Bylaw shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Subject to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the Corporation’s proxy statement any nomination of director or directors or any other business proposal.

(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the nomination of any Apollo Board Nominee, SCP Board Nominee or ABRY Board Nominee (each as defined in the Stockholders Agreements) shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section 2.07.

 

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Section 2.08 Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement. To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation and qualified to serve as a director, a person must deliver (such delivery to be made, in the case of a person nominated for election as a director of the Corporation pursuant to pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(C) or paragraph (b) of Section 2.07 of these Bylaws, in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.07 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other persons or entities on whose behalf the nomination is being made pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(C) or paragraph (b) Section 2.07 of these Bylaws (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein and (C) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

Section 2.09 Required Vote. At all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected and a quorum is present, a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote for the election of such directors shall be sufficient to elect such directors. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any regulation applicable to the Corporation, its stockholders or its securities (in which case such vote as prescribed by applicable law shall be the applicable vote on the matter), in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

Section 2.10 Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation may, and to the extent required by applicable law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law.

 

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Section 2.11 Action Without a Meeting. Unless prohibited by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action permitted or required to be taken at a meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by or on behalf of the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law. Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than a unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of the holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.

Section 2.12 Conduct of Meetings. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 2.13 Remote Meetings. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

(a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

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(b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication; provided, that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01 General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.02 Number of Directors. The total number of directors shall be fixed from time to time in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation. No decrease in the total number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3.03 Quorum; Required Vote. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but in no event shall less than one-third of the total number of directors (including any vacancies or unfilled newly created directorships) constitute a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.04 Telephonic Participation. All or any one or more directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting pursuant to such communications equipment shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.05 Place of Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings at such place or places, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

Section 3.06 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. After there has been such determination, and notice thereof has been given to each member of the Board of Directors, regular meetings may be held without further notice being given.

Section 3.07 Special Meetings. Subject to the notice requirements of Section 3.08, special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the directors.

 

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Section 3.08 Notice. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at his or her business or residence in writing by hand delivery, overnight mail or courier service, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission, or orally in person or by telephone. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. If given orally in person or by telephone or by hand delivery, the notice shall be given at least twelve (12) hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting.

Section 3.09 Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission thereof to the Corporation. The resignation of any director shall be effective when the resignation is delivered, unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 3.10 Vacancies on Board of Directors; Newly Created Directorships. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreements, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of any director or other cause, or any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall be filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, that, (i) for so long as the Apollo Entities own, beneficially or of record, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of any Apollo Board Nominee, including the failure of any Apollo Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled only by the Apollo Stockholder (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), (ii) for so long as the SCP Nomination Condition (as defined in the SCP Stockholders Agreement) is satisfied, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of such SCP Board Nominee (as defined in the SCP Stockholders Agreement), including the failure of the SCP Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled in the manner set forth in the SCP Stockholders Agreement, and (iii) for so long as the ABRY Nomination Condition (as defined in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement) is satisfied, any vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause in respect of the ABRY Board Nominee (as defined in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement), including the failure of the ABRY Board Nominee to be elected, shall be filled in the manner set forth in the ABRY Stockholders Agreement. Except as otherwise provided by this Bylaw, a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the class to which he or she has been appointed and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification.

 

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Section 3.11 Executive and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees of the Board of Directors, including an Executive Committee to exercise, subject to applicable provisions of law, all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation when the Board of Directors is not in session. The Executive Committee and each such other committee shall consist of two (2) or more directors of the Corporation and, subject to applicable law and any other law, rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation (including the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on the which the Corporation’s shares are listed), at least one Apollo Board Nominee, for so long as the Apollo Entities (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) own, beneficially or of record, at least 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Except to the extent restricted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any such committee, to the extent provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, these Bylaws or the designating resolution, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors when required.

Each committee of the Board of Directors may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by in these Bylaws or by resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 3.08 of these Bylaws. Each committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee. Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Bylaws or the by resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee, every reference to a committee or to a member of a committee in these Bylaws shall apply to any subcommittee or member of a subcommittee mutatis mutandis.

Section 3.12 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.

 

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Section 3.13 Fees and Compensation. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees, reimbursement of expenses and equity compensation, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity, including for attendance of meetings of the Board of Directors or participation on any committees. Directors who are officers or employees of the Corporation may receive, if the Board of Directors desires, compensation for service as directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.01 Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and may include a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Presidents, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Secretary, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall be chosen from among the directors. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this ARTICLE IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. In addition, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Treasurers and Controllers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.

Section 4.02 Term of Office. The principal officers of the Corporation shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly chosen and shall qualify, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification.

Section 4.03 Removal. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, at any time, by the Board of Directors. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chief Executive Officer may also be removed by him or her whenever, in his or her judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor or his or her earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

Section 4.04 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission thereof to the Corporation. The resignation of any officer shall be effective when the resignation is delivered, unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

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Section 4.05 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office may be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for appointment to such office.

Section 4.06 Powers and Duties. Subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the officers shall each have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and as may be delegated by the Chief Executive Officer without limiting the foregoing:

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and he or she shall have and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence of a Chairman of the Board, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Unless there shall have been elected one or more Presidents of the Corporation, the Chief Executive Officer shall be the President of the Corporation.

(c) President. Each President shall have such general powers and duties of supervision and management as shall be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

(d) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or a President, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, each President and the Board of Directors at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, he or she shall give the Corporation a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. The Chief Executive Officer may direct the Treasurer or any assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and the Treasurer or any assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

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(e) Secretary. The Secretary, if present, shall act as secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof and of the stockholders and keep the minutes thereof in a book or books to be provided for that purpose. He or she shall see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; he or she shall have charge of the stock records of the Corporation; he or she shall see that all reports, statements and other documents required by law are properly kept and filed; and in general, he or she shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

Section 4.07 Salaries. The salaries of the principal officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof appointed for such purpose, and the salaries of any other officers may be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 5.01 Certificated and Uncertificated Stock; Transfers.

(a) Subject to clause (d) below, the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.

(b) The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. In the case of certificated shares of stock, transfers shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the holder thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender for cancellation of certificate(s) for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. In the case of uncertificated shares of stock, transfers shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

(c) Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers certifying the number and class of shares of stock of the Corporation owned by such holder. Unless the Board of Directors by resolution directs otherwise, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, any President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on such certificates may be an electronic signature. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose electronic signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, at all times that the Corporation’s stock is listed on a stock exchange, the shares of the stock of the Corporation shall comply with all direct registration system eligibility requirements established by such exchange, including any requirement that shares of the Corporation’s stock be eligible for issue in uncertificated or book-entry form. All issuances and transfers of shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be entered on the books of the Corporation with all information necessary to comply with such direct registration system eligibility requirements, including the name and address of the person to whom the shares of stock are issued, the number of shares of stock issued and the date of issue. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation in both the certificated and uncertificated form.

Section 5.02 Last, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Certificates. As a condition to the issue of a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued and alleged to have been lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Corporation may require the owner of any such certificate, or such owner’s legal representatives, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and in such form as it may direct or to otherwise indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft, mutilation or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares. Proper evidence of such loss, theft, mutilation or destruction shall be procured for the Corporation, if required. The Corporation may authorize the issuance of such new certificate without any bond when in its judgment it is proper to do so.

Section 5.03 Record Owners. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders of the Corporation and the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its stock ledger as the owner of shares to receive dividends, to vote and to receive notice, and otherwise to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner of such shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.

Section 5.04 Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.05 Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date, unless otherwise required by law, shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no such record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, then the record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of such meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, of for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting has been fixed by the Board of Directors (i) when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

Section 6.01 Amendments by Stockholders. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be added by the stockholders (i) prior to the Trigger Event (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereon and (ii) after the Trigger Event, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereon at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any special meeting thereof if notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, repeal or addition is contained in the notice of such special meeting.

Section 6.02 Amendments by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.02 Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. The Board of Directors may authorize any person on behalf of the Corporation to attend and vote at any meeting of security holders of any entity in which the Corporation holds securities and to exercise, on behalf of the Corporation, any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities, including the authority to execute and deliver proxies, powers of attorney and consents on behalf of the Corporation. Unless the Board of Directors directs otherwise, each of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and any President shall have the powers specified in the preceding provisions of this Section 7.02.

Section 7.03 Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may, out of funds legally available therefor, declare dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation as and when they deem expedient, in accordance with law. Before declaring any dividend there may be set apart out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time in their discretion may deem proper for working capital or as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for such other purposes as the directors may deem conducive to the interests of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may abolish any such reserve at any time.

Section 7.04 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 7.05 Contracts. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board of Directors may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, each President, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed for or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, each President, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Corporation may delegate contractual powers to others under his or her jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.

(to be merged with and into RACKSPACE HOSTING, Inc.)

as Issuer

and the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time

8.625% Senior Notes due 2024

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of November 3, 2016

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

as Trustee

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01		Definitions			1
SECTION 1.02		Other Definitions			49
SECTION 1.03		Rules of Construction			50
SECTION 1.04		No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act			51
ARTICLE II   THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01		Amount of Notes			51
SECTION 2.02		Form and Dating			52
SECTION 2.03		Execution and Authentication			52
SECTION 2.04		Registrar and Paying Agent			53
SECTION 2.05		Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust			53
SECTION 2.06		Holder Lists			54
SECTION 2.07		Transfer and Exchange			54
SECTION 2.08		Replacement Notes			55
SECTION 2.09		Outstanding Notes			55
SECTION 2.10		Cancellation			56
SECTION 2.11		Defaulted Interest			56
SECTION 2.12		CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc.			56
SECTION 2.13		Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes			56
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01		Redemption			57
SECTION 3.02		Applicability of Article			57
SECTION 3.03		Notices to Trustee			57
SECTION 3.04		Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed			57
SECTION 3.05		Notice of Optional Redemption			58
SECTION 3.06		Effect of Notice of Redemption			59
SECTION 3.07		Deposit of Redemption Price			59
SECTION 3.08		Notes Redeemed in Part			60
ARTICLE IV   COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01		Payment of Notes			60
SECTION 4.02		Reports and Other Information			60
SECTION 4.03		Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock			63
SECTION 4.04		Limitation on Restricted Payments			71

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

				Page
SECTION 4.05		Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries			79
SECTION 4.06		Asset Sales			81
SECTION 4.07		Transactions with Affiliates			84
SECTION 4.08		Change of Control			88
SECTION 4.09		Compliance Certificate			90
SECTION 4.10		Further Instruments and Acts			90
SECTION 4.11		Future Subsidiary Guarantors			90
SECTION 4.12		Liens			90
SECTION 4.13		[Intentionally Omitted]			91
SECTION 4.14		Maintenance of Office or Agency			91
SECTION 4.15		Covenant Suspension			92
ARTICLE V   SUCCESSOR COMPANY
SECTION 5.01		When Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets			93
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01		Events of Default			95
SECTION 6.02		Acceleration			97
SECTION 6.03		Other Remedies			98
SECTION 6.04		Waiver of Past Defaults			98
SECTION 6.05		Control by Majority			98
SECTION 6.06		Limitation on Suits			99
SECTION 6.07		Contractual Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment			99
SECTION 6.08		Collection Suit by Trustee			99
SECTION 6.09		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			99
SECTION 6.10		Priorities			100
SECTION 6.11		Undertaking for Costs			100
SECTION 6.12		Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws			100
SECTION 6.13		No Premium Payable as a Result of any Default or Event of Default			101
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01		Duties of Trustee			101
SECTION 7.02		Rights of Trustee			102
SECTION 7.03		Individual Rights of Trustee			104
SECTION 7.04		Trustee’s Disclaimer			104
SECTION 7.05		Notice of Default			104
SECTION 7.06		[Intentionally Omitted].			104

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

				Page
SECTION 7.07		Compensation and Indemnity			104
SECTION 7.08		Replacement of Trustee			106
SECTION 7.09		Successor Trustee by Merger			106
SECTION 7.10		Eligibility; Disqualification			107
SECTION 7.11		Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer			107
ARTICLE VIII   DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01		Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance			107
SECTION 8.02		Conditions to Defeasance			109
SECTION 8.03		Application of Trust Money			110
SECTION 8.04		Repayment to Issuer			110
SECTION 8.05		Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations			110
SECTION 8.06		Reinstatement			110
ARTICLE IX   AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01		Without Consent of the Holders			111
SECTION 9.02		With Consent of the Holders			112
SECTION 9.03		Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers			113
SECTION 9.04		Notation on or Exchange of Notes			113
SECTION 9.05		Trustee to Sign Amendments			114
SECTION 9.06		Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount			114
ARTICLE X
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE XI
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE XII
GUARANTEE
SECTION 12.01		Subsidiary Guarantee			114
SECTION 12.02		Limitation on Liability			117
SECTION 12.03		[Intentionally Omitted]			117
SECTION 12.04		Successors and Assigns			117
SECTION 12.05		No Waiver			118
SECTION 12.06		Modification			118
SECTION 12.07		Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors			118
SECTION 12.08		Non-Impairment			118

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(cont’d)

 

				Page
ARTICLE XIII   MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.01		[Intentionally Omitted]			118
SECTION 13.02		Notices			118
SECTION 13.03		[Intentionally Omitted]			120
SECTION 13.04		Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent			120
SECTION 13.05		Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion			120
SECTION 13.06		When Notes Disregarded			121
SECTION 13.07		Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar			121
SECTION 13.08		Legal Holidays			121
SECTION 13.09		GOVERNING LAW; Consent to Jurisdiction			121
SECTION 13.10		No Recourse Against Others			121
SECTION 13.11		Successors			121
SECTION 13.12		Multiple Originals			122
SECTION 13.13		Table of Contents; Headings			122
SECTION 13.14		Indenture Controls			122
SECTION 13.15		Severability			122
SECTION 13.16		Waiver of Jury Trial			122
SECTION 13.17		Calculations			122
SECTION 13.18		USA Patriot Act			122

Appendix A            –            Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A		–                Form of Initial Note
Exhibit B		–                Form of Transferee Letter of Representation
Exhibit C		–                Form of Supplemental Indenture (Future Guarantors)
Exhibit D		–                Form of Supplemental Indenture (Merger)

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of November 3, 2016, among Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto from time to time (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

On the Merger Completion Date (as defined below), Merger Sub will merge with and into Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, “Rackspace Hosting”), with Rackspace Hosting as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), and Rackspace Hosting will assume all obligations of Merger Sub under this Indenture and the Notes. In this Indenture, references to the “Issuer” mean, prior to the Merger, Merger Sub, and from and after the Merger, Rackspace Hosting.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) $1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 issued on the date hereof (the “Initial Notes”) and (ii) Additional Notes issued from time to time (together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”):

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01    Definitions.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

(2)    Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Acquired Indebtedness will be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of such assets.

“Acquisition Documents” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Holdings, Merger Sub and Rackspace Hosting (the “Merger Agreement”) and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Additional Notes” means the Notes issued under the terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date.

“Additional Refinancing Amount” means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees in respect thereof.

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“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuer, the greater of:

(1)    1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

(2)    the excess of:

(a)    the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note, at November 15, 2019 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through November 15, 2019 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

(b)    the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1)    the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Sale/Leaseback Transactions) outside the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(2)    the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),

in each case other than:

(a)    a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm or assets otherwise no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Issuer);

(b)    the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

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(c)    any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04;

(d)    any disposition of assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, which assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of less than $100 million;

(e)    any disposition of property or assets, or the issuance of securities, by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(f)    any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Issuer;

(g)    foreclosure or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(h)    any disposition of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(i)    the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(j)    any sale of inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(k)    any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license or sublicense of patents, trademarks, know-how or any other intellectual property;

(l)    any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Issuer;

(m)    any disposition (including by capital contribution), pledge, factoring, transfer or sale of (i) Securitization Assets to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or otherwise and (ii) any other Securitization Assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financings;

(n)    any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Indenture;

(o)    dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

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(p)    any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

(q)    the sale of any property in a Sale/Leaseback Transaction within twelve months of the acquisition of such property;

(r)    dispositions of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

(s)    any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

(t)    any disposition made pursuant to the Acquisition Documents (as in effect on the Issue Date) or in connection with the Transactions; and

(u)    to the extent constituting an Asset Sale, any termination, settlement or extinguishment of Hedging Obligations.

“Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Issuer whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Issuer to not be included in the definition of Bank Indebtedness) and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by the Issuer to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, securitization or receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

 

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“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.

“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers or other governing body, as applicable, of such Person or any direct or indirect parent of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)    in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2)    in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)    in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4)    any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer as capital lease obligations and were subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Issue Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Issue Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

“Capitalized Software Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and such Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)    U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such local currencies held by an entity from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(2)    securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

(3)    certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);

(4)    repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5)    commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

(6)    readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

(7)    Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

(8)    investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above;

(9)    instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (1) through (8) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction; and

 

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(10)    credit card receivables to the extent included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person.

“cash management services” means cash management services for collections, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), any demand deposit, payroll, trust or operating account relationships, commercial credit cards, merchant card, purchase or debit cards, non-card e-payables services, and other cash management services, including electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

“CFC” means a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of either of the following:

(1)    the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person other than any of the Permitted Holders; or

(2)    the Issuer becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing: (A) the transfer of assets between or among the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not itself constitute a Change of Control; and (B) a Person or group shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option agreement related thereto) prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Co-Investors” means (a) the Sponsors, (b) one or more investment funds affiliated with Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P., (c) any Related Party of any of the foregoing and (d) their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio company thereof.

“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including

 

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the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees, Capitalized Software Expenditures, development costs, capitalized customer acquisition costs, amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)    consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus

(2)    consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

(3)    commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing which are payable to Persons other than the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

(4)    interest income for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:

(1)    any net after-tax extraordinary, exceptional, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges, any severance expenses, relocation expenses, restructuring expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, any expenses related to any New Project or any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to closing costs, rebranding costs, acquisition integration costs, opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, recruiting costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or Incurrence, issuance, repayment, repurchase, refinancing, amendment or modification of

 

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Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions (including any costs relating to auditing prior periods, any transition-related expenses, and transaction expenses incurred before, on or after the Issue Date), in each case, shall be excluded;

(2)    effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries and including, without limitation, the effects of adjustments to (A) deferred rent, (B) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending funds with suppliers or (C) any other deferrals of revenue) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(3)    the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

(4)    any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

(5)    any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of the Issuer) shall be excluded;

(6)    any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment or buy-back of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

(7)    (a) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and (b) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent Person or a Subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent Person) from any Person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (a);

(8)    solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (1) of the definition of Cumulative Credit, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;

(9)    an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(xii) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

(10)    any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

(11)    any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

(12)    any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

(13)    accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

(14)    [reserved];

(15)    any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

(16)    (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing

 

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within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

(17)    Capitalized Software Expenditures and software development costs shall be excluded;

(18)    non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded;

(19)    [reserved];

(20)    any other costs, expenses or charges resulting from facility, branch, office or business unit closures or sales, including income (or losses) from such closures or sales, shall be excluded;

(21)    any deductions attributable to non-controlling interests shall be excluded; and

(22)    any gain, loss, income, expense or charge resulting from the application of any LIFO shall be excluded.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04 pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of Cumulative Credit.

“Consolidated Non-Cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

“Consolidated Taxes” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

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“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit) consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1)    to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(2)    to advance or supply funds:

(a)    for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

(b)    to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(3)    to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee in the United States of America specified in Section 13.02 at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Issuer).

“Credit Agreement” means (i) the First Lien Credit Agreement entered into on the Issue Date among the Issuer, Holdings, the financial institutions named therein, the other parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Issuer to not be included in the definition of Credit Agreement) and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Issuer to be included

 

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in the definition of Credit Agreement, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, securitization or receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Agreement Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Cumulative Credit” means the sum of (without duplication):

(1)    (a) $75 million plus (b) an amount, not less than zero in the aggregate, equal to 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the first day following the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

(2)    100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of property other than cash, received by the Issuer after the Issue Date (other than net proceeds to the extent such net proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer (excluding Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions, and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus

(3)    100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Issuer received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of property other than cash after the Issue Date (other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, and Disqualified Stock and other than contributions to the extent such contributions have been used to Incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xiii)), plus

(4)    100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (provided, in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus

 

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(5)    100% of the aggregate amount received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of property other than cash received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

(A)    the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)),

(B)    the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

(C)    a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

(6)    in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the Investment of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such Investment shall exceed $50 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Issuer) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii) or constituted a Permitted Investment).

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

“Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.

 

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“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:

(1)    matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

(2)    is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or

(3)    is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale),

in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided, further, that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

(1)    Consolidated Taxes; plus

(2)    Fixed Charges and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities; plus

(3)    Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense; plus

(4)    Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

(5)    any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, New Project, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the offering of the

 

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Notes or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness and (iii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Permitted Securitization Financing; plus

(6)    business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility, branch, office or business unit closures, facility, branch, office or business unit consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges) and Pre-Opening Expenses; plus

(7)    the amount of loss or discount in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing, including amortization of loan origination costs and amortization of portfolio discounts; plus

(8)    any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus

(9)    [reserved]; plus

(10)    the amount of any loss attributable to a New Project, until the date that is 12 months after the date of completing the construction, acquisition, assembling or creation of such New Project, as the case may be; provided that (a) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer and (b) losses attributable to such New Project after 12 months from the date of completing such construction, acquisition, assembling or creation, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (10); plus

(11)    the amount of any management, monitoring, consulting, transaction, advisory and similar fees and related expenses paid to the Co-Investors (or any accruals relating to such fees and related expenses) during such period to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 4.07, including, if applicable, the amount of termination fee paid pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(xx); plus

(12)    with respect to any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary and solely to the extent relating to any net income referred to in clause (7) of the definition of Consolidated Net Income, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (1) and (2) above relating to such joint venture corresponding

 

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to the Issuer’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Subsidiary); plus

(13)    one-time costs associated with commencing Public Company Compliance; plus

(14)    all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such period; and

less, without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

(15)    non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

(1)    public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(2)    issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(3)    any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

“Escrow Release Date” means (i) if the Merger is consummated on the Issue Date, the Issue Date and (ii) otherwise, the Merger Completion Date.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Contributions” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer) received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from:

(1)    contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

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(2)    the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary), (c) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited from guaranteeing the Notes by any requirement of law or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a governmental (including regulatory) authority to guarantee the Notes (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (d) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable contractual requirement from guaranteeing the Notes on the Escrow Release Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary (and in each case for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect), (e) any Foreign Subsidiary, (f) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that owns no material assets (directly or through its Subsidiaries) other than equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (ii) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, (g) any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary, (h) any Subsidiary (other than a Significant Subsidiary) that (i) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5% of total revenues of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (ii) taken together with all other such Subsidiaries being excluded pursuant to this clause (h), as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10% of the Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10% of total revenues of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date and (i) any Subsidiary for which providing a Subsidiary Guarantee could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Issuer.

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction, which, in the case of an Asset Sale, shall be determined either, at the option of the Issuer, at the time of the Asset Sale or as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale.

“First-Priority Obligations” means (i) all Secured Bank Indebtedness and (ii) if Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services have been secured in the collateral that secures the First-Priority Obligations, all other obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services in each case owing to a Person that is a holder of Secured Bank Indebtedness or an Affiliate of such holder on the Escrow Release Date or at the time of entry into such Hedging Obligations or obligations in respect of cash management services.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person

 

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for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Permitted Securitization Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed

 

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Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Issuer in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, in giving effect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during such period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Issuer in good faith.

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs, discounts or premiums) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

“guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. The amount of any guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such person in good faith.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)    currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements, currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

(2)    other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

“holder” or “noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

“Holdings” means Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Incur” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person:

(1)    the principal of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and (iii) liabilities accrued in the

 

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ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than twelve months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(2)    to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

(3)    to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of such asset at such date of Incurrence, and (b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings; (5) trade and other ordinary course payables, accrued expenses and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business; (6) obligations under the Acquisition Documents; (7) obligations in respect of Third Party Funds; (8) in the case of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (x) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (y) intercompany liabilities in connection with cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (9) any obligations under Hedging Obligations that are not incurred for speculative purposes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

 

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“Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

“Investment Grade Securities” means:

(1)    securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

(2)    securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries,

(3)    investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and

(4)    corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees of loans), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business and any assets or securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary and Section 4.04:

(1)    “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:

(a)    the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

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(b)    the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(2)    any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Initial Notes are originally issued.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof); provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Management Group” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as the case may be, on the Merger Completion Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Merger Completion Date after giving effect to the Transactions or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Merger Completion Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable.

“Market Capitalization” means an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer on the date of the declaration of the relevant dividend or repurchase multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such Capital Stock for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such dividend or repurchase.

“Merger Completion Date” means the date on which the Merger is consummated.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash

 

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received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction and payments made to holders of non-controlling interests in non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale.

“New Project” means (x) each plant, facility, branch, office or business unit which is either a new plant, facility, branch, office or business unit or an expansion, relocation, remodeling, refurbishment or substantial modernization of an existing plant, facility, branch, office or business unit owned by the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (y) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit, product line or information technology offering to the extent such business unit commences operations or such product line or information technology is offered or each expansion (in one or series of related transactions) of business into a new market or through a new distribution method or channel.

“Notes Obligations” means Obligations in respect of the Notes, this Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantees.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness (including interest, fees, expenses, indemnity claims and other monetary obligations accrued during the pendency of an insolvency proceeding, whether or not constituting an allowed claim in such proceeding); provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee.

“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated October 25, 2016, relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes.

 

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“Officer” means the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president, any executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president, the treasurer or the secretary of the Issuer.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer who is the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.

“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means: (a) with respect to the Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes; and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

“Permitted Holders” means, at any time, each of (i) the Co-Investors, (ii) the Management Group, (iii) any Person that has no material assets other than the Capital Stock of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer and other Permitted Holders and, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer, and of which no other Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), other than any of the other Permitted Holders, holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof and (iv) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) the members of which include any of the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the Voting Stock of the Issuer (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member (or more favorable voting rights, in the case of any Permitted Holder) and (2) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the Voting Stock held by the Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)    any Investment in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(2)    any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3)    any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(4)    any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5)    any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Escrow Release Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Escrow Release Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Escrow Release Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(6)    loans and advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (i) in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued in good faith by the Issuer at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) not to exceed $20 million, (ii) in respect of payroll payments and expenses in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in connection with such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer solely to the extent that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Issuer in cash as common equity;

(7)    any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the Issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(8)    Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(x);

(9)    any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued in good faith by the Issuer at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (x) the greater of (i) $225 million and (ii) 0.35 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment (with the value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(10)    additional Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued in good faith by the Issuer at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (x) the greater of (i) $225 million and (ii) 0.35 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment (with the value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(11)    loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(12)    Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of Cumulative Credit;

(13)    any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (ii), (iv), (vi), (ix)(B) and (xvi) of Section 4.07(b));

(14)    [reserved];

(15)    guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03 and Section 4.11 including, without limitation, any guarantee or other obligation issued or incurred under any Credit Agreement in connection with any letter of credit issued for the account of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the issuance of, or payments in respect of drawings under, such letters of credit);

 

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(16)    Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;

(17)    Investments consisting of Securitization Assets or arising as a result of, or in connection with, Permitted Securitization Financings, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing a Permitted Securitization Financing or any related Indebtedness;

(18)    any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells Securitization Assets pursuant to a Permitted Securitization Financing;

(19)    additional Investments in joint ventures (valued in good faith by the Issuer) not to exceed, at any one time in the aggregate outstanding under this clause (19), the sum of (x) the greater of (i) $150 million and (ii) 0.20 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment (with the value of each Investment being measured at the time such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may make additional Investments in joint ventures if the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such Investment is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment as if it had occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters; provided, further, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19) for so long as such Person continues to be the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(20)    Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(21)    Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;

 

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(22)    advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(23)    any Investment in any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;

(24)    guarantees of Indebtedness under customer financing lines of credit in the ordinary course of business;

(25)    Investments made pursuant to the Acquisition Documents or in connection with the Transactions; and

(26)    other Investments so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Investment, the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such Investment is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1)    pledges or deposits and other Liens granted by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(2)    Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;

(3)    Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(4)    Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5)    minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, trackage rights, special assessments, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way,

 

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sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6)       (A)    Liens on assets of a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;

(B)    Liens securing Obligations in respect of (x) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i) and (y) any other Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture if, as of the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, and after giving pro forma effect thereto and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the Secured Leverage Ratio of the Issuer does not exceed 3.00 to 1.00;

(C)    Liens securing Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause(iv), (xii) (or (xiv) to the extent it guarantees any such Indebtedness), (xvi) or (xx) of Section 4.03(b) (provided that (i) in the case of clause (xvi), such Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (xvi) shall only be permitted under this clause (C) if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and Liens, the Secured Leverage Ratio of the Issuer does not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 or the Secured Leverage Ratio of the Issuer would be no greater than immediately prior to such Incurrence and (ii) in the case of clause (xx), such Lien does not extend to the property or assets of any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

(D)    Liens securing the Notes Obligations.

(7)    (i) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement) and (ii) Liens on property and assets of Rackspace Hosting and its subsidiaries existing on the Merger Completion Date to the extent permitted under the Merger Agreement;

(8)    Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

 

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(9)    Liens on assets or property at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens (other than Liens to secure Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xvi)) are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);

(10)    Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

(11)    Liens securing Hedging Obligations not incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided that with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Lien extends only to the property securing such Indebtedness (other than Hedging Obligations constituting Secured Bank Indebtedness);

(12)    Liens on inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(13)    leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(14)    Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases or other obligations not constituting Indebtedness;

(15)    Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(16)    Liens in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings that extend only to the assets subject thereto and Liens on the Equity Interests of Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries;

(17)    pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(18)    Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(19)    leases or subleases, and licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to intellectual property) granted to others in the ordinary course of business;

(20)    Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or

 

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replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (15) and (25) of this definition; provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including any after acquired property to the extent it would have been subject to the original Lien) that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on and accessions to such property, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and any other assets pursuant to the after-acquired property clauses to the extent such assets secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (15) and (25) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, (B) unpaid accrued interest and premiums (including tender premiums), and (C) an amount necessary to pay any underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, commissions, fees and expenses related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided, further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B) or (6)(C), the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B) or (6)(C);

(21)    Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;

(22)    judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

(23)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(24)    Liens incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(25)    other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens incurred under this clause (25) and any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal in respect thereof incurred pursuant to clause (20) above, that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $350 million and 0.475 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters;

 

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(26)    any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement securing obligations of such joint venture or pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(27)    any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, under any indenture issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(28)    Liens (i) arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(29)    Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;

(30)    Liens disclosed by the title insurance policies delivered on (with respect to all mortgages delivered on the Escrow Release Date) or subsequent to the Escrow Release Date and pursuant to the Credit Agreement and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal; provided, further, that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted under this Indenture;

(31)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers, suppliers or service providers of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(32)    in the case of real property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;

(33)    Liens in respect of Third Party Funds;

(34)    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other prices arising from inventory consigned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(35)    Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Cash Equivalents under clause (4) of the definition thereof;

(36)    Liens securing insurance premium financing arrangements; provided that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

(37)    Liens (i) on inventory held by and granted to a local distribution company in the ordinary course of business and (ii) in accounts purchased and collected by and granted to a local distribution company that has agreed to make payments to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for such amounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(38)    Liens in respect of Indebtedness secured by mortgages on the corporate headquarters of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

“Permitted Securitization Documents” means all documents and agreements evidencing, relating to or otherwise governing a Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Permitted Securitization Financing” means one or more transactions pursuant to which (i) Securitization Assets or interests therein are sold or transferred to or financed by one or more Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries, and (ii) such Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries finance (or refinance) their acquisition of such Securitization Assets or interests therein, or the financing thereof, by selling or borrowing against Securitization Assets and any Hedging Obligations or hedging agreements entered into in connection with such Securitization Assets; provided that recourse to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in connection with such transactions shall be limited to the extent customary (as determined by the Issuer in good faith) for similar transactions in the applicable jurisdictions (including, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with the delivery of a “true sale”/“absolute transfer” opinion with respect to any transfer by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary)).

“Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred that are classified as “pre-opening rent,” “opening costs” or “pre-opening expenses” (or any similar or equivalent caption).

“Pro Forma EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the EBITDA of such Person for the full four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date, subject to the following adjustments. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems

 

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any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which Pro Forma EBITDA is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of Pro Forma EBITDA is made (the “Pro Forma EBITDA Calculation Date”), then Pro Forma EBITDA shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Pro Forma EBITDA Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then Pro Forma EBITDA shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then Pro Forma EBITDA shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related

 

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operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Issuer in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Pro Forma EBITDA Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, in giving effect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during such period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Issuer in good faith.

“Public Company Compliance” means compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules of national securities exchange listed companies (in each case, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), including procuring directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P (and their respective successors and assigns) and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

“Receivables Assets” means accounts receivable (including any bills of exchange) and related assets and property from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Issuer or any Subsidiary.

“Related Party” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any spouse, descendant or immediate family member of such Person, (2) any estate, trust, corporation, partnership or other

 

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entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners or owners of which consist solely of such Person and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1), or (3) any executor, administrator, trustee, manager, director or other similar fiduciary of such Person referred to in the immediately preceding clause (2), acting solely in such capacity.

“Record Date” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A hereto.

“Restricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents held by Restricted Subsidiaries that would appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the Issuer and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Secured Bank Indebtedness” means any Bank Indebtedness that is secured by a Permitted Lien incurred or deemed incurred pursuant to clause (6) of the definition of Permitted Liens, as designated by the Issuer to be included in this definition.

“Secured Indebtedness” means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

“Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and held by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Secured Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Secured Leverage Ratio is made (the “Secured Leverage Calculation Date”), then the Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated

 

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giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Secured Leverage Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Issuer in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant

 

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contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Secured Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, in giving effect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during such period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Issuer in good faith.

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Securitization Assets” means any of the following assets (or interests therein) from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has any rights or interests, in each case, without regard to where such assets or interests are located: (1) Receivables Assets, (2) franchise fee payments and other revenues related to franchise agreements, (3) royalty and other similar payments made related to the use of trade names and other intellectual property, business support, training and other services, (4) revenues related to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (5) rents, real estate taxes and other non-royalty amounts due from franchisees, (6) intellectual property rights relating to the generation of any of the foregoing types of assets, (7) parcels of or interests in real property, together with all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof, (8) any Equity Interests of any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary and any rights under any limited liability company agreement, trust

 

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agreement, shareholders agreement, organization or formation documents or other agreement entered into in furtherance of the organization of such entity, (9) any equipment, contractual rights with unaffiliated third parties, website domains and associated property and rights necessary for a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary to operate in accordance with its stated purposes, (10) any rights and obligations associated with gift card or similar programs and (11) any other assets and property (or proceeds of such assets or property) to the extent customarily included in securitization transactions of the relevant type in the applicable jurisdictions (as determined by the Issuer in good faith).

“Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting First-Priority Obligations as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and held by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is made (the “Senior Secured Leverage Calculation Date”), then the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Senior Secured Leverage Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization had occurred at the

 

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beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Issuer in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Senior Secured Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, in giving effect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during such period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Issuer in good faith.

 

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For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

“Similar Business” means any business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from (i) the business or activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries as of the Escrow Release Date, (ii) any business that is a natural outgrowth or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of any such business or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing or (iii) any business that in the Issuer’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of business conducted by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

“Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary” means (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer established in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing for the acquisition of Securitization Assets or interests therein and/or Equity Interests in other Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries, and which is organized in a manner (as determined by the Issuer in good faith) intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in the event the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code (or other insolvency law) and (ii) any subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

“Sponsors” means (i) one or more investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC and any of their respective Affiliates other than any portfolio companies (collectively, the “Apollo Sponsors”) and (ii) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with the Apollo Sponsors; provided that, collectively, the Apollo Sponsors control a majority of the voting power of such group.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% 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

 

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trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that Incurs a Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Suspension Period” means the period of time between a Covenant Suspension Event and the related Reversion Date.

“Tax Distributions” means any distributions described in Section 4.04(b)(xii).

“Third Party Funds” means any accounts or funds, or any portion thereof, received by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as agent on behalf of third parties in accordance with a written agreement that imposes a duty upon the Issuer or one or more of its Subsidiaries to collect and remit those funds to such third parties.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“Total Assets” means the total consolidated assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer, without giving effect to any impairment or amortization of the amount of intangible assets since June 30, 2016, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any subsequent acquisition or disposition of a Person or business.

“Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and held by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation

 

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of the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is made (the “Total Indebtedness Leverage Calculation Date”), then the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has determined to make and/or made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Total Indebtedness Leverage Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, New Projects, restructurings or reorganizations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation, discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, New Project, restructuring or reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from the applicable event, (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in footnote 1 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good

 

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faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Issuer in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Total Indebtedness Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, in giving effect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during such period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Issuer in good faith.

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Transactions” means the transactions described under “Summary—The Transactions” in the Offering Memorandum.

“Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Issuer, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to November 15, 2019; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to November 15, 2019 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

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“Trust Officer” means any officer:

(1)    within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and

(2)    who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Issuer that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in the manner provided below; and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless at the time of such designation such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated, in each case at the time of such designation; provided, however, that (i) the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries unless otherwise permitted under Section 4.04 and (ii) the Issuer may not designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary during any Suspension Period; provided, further, however, that either:

(a)    the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

(b)    if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

(x)    (1) the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be no less than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and

 

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(y)    no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Any such designation by the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

(1)    direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

(2)    obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.

“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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SECTION 1.02    Other Definitions.

 

Term		Section
$		1.03(j)
Affiliate Transaction		4.07(a)
Agent Members		Appendix A
Asset Sale Offer		4.06(b)
Bankruptcy Law		6.01(i)
Change of Control Offer		4.08(b)
Clearstream		Appendix A
covenant defeasance option		8.01(b)
Covenant Suspension Event		4.15
Custodian		6.01(i)
Deemed Date		4.03(c)(3)
Definitive Note		Appendix A
Depository		Appendix A
Euroclear		Appendix A
Event of Default		6.01
Excess Proceeds		4.06(b)
Global Notes		Appendix A
Global Notes Legend		Appendix A
Guaranteed Obligations		12.01(a)
IAI		Appendix A
Increased Amount		4.12(c)
Incurrence Clauses		4.04(c)
Initial Notes		Preamble
Issuer		Preamble
legal defeasance option		8.01(b)
Merger		Preamble
Merger Sub		Preamble
Notes		Preamble
Notes Custodian		Appendix A
Notice of Default		6.01
Offer Period		4.06(d)
Paying Agent		2.04(a)
Permitted Jurisdictions		5.01(a)
protected purchaser		2.08
QIB		Appendix A
Rackspace Hosting		Preamble
Refinancing Indebtedness		4.03(b)(xv)
Refunding Capital Stock		4.04(b)(ii)
Registrar		2.04(a)
Regulation S		Appendix A
Regulation S Global Notes		Appendix A
Regulation S Notes		Appendix A
Regulation S Permanent Global Note		Appendix A

 

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Term		Section
Regulation S Temporary Global Note		Appendix A
Reporting Entity		4.02(b)
Restricted Notes Legend		Appendix A
Restricted Payments		4.04(a)
Restricted Period		Appendix A
Retired Capital Stock		4.04(b)(ii)
Reversion Date		4.15
Rule 144A		Appendix A
Rule 144A Global Notes		Appendix A
Rule 144A Notes		Appendix A
Rule 501		Appendix A
Second Commitment		4.06(b)
Successor Company		5.01(a)(i)
Successor Subsidiary Guarantor		5.01(b)(i)
Suspended Covenants		4.15
Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes		Appendix A
Transfer Restricted Global Notes		Appendix A
Transfer Restricted Notes		Appendix A
Trustee		Preamble
U.S. dollars		1.03(j)
Unrestricted Definitive Notes		Appendix A
Unrestricted Global Notes		Appendix A

SECTION 1.03    Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)    a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b)    an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c)    “or” is not exclusive;

(d)    “including” means including without limitation;

(e)    words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

(f)    unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

(g)    the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(h)    the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater;

(i)    unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(j)    “$” and “U.S. dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

SECTION 1.04    No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is not qualified under the TIA, and the TIA shall not apply to or in any way govern the terms of this Indenture. As a result, no provisions of the TIA are incorporated into this Indenture unless expressly incorporated pursuant to this Indenture.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01    Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $1,200,000,000.

The Issuer may from time to time after the Issue Date issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited principal amount, so long as (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 4.03 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.08, 4.06(e), 4.08(c) or Appendix A), there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer and (b) (i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officer’s Certificate or (ii) established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:

(1)    the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;

(2)    the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue; and

(3)    if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.2 of

 

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Appendix A in which any such Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof.

If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.

The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes may, at the Issuer’s option, be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number, if applicable.

SECTION 2.02    Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Initial Notes are set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that Notes may be issued in denominations of less than $2,000 solely to accommodate book-entry positions that have been created by participants of the Depository in denominations of less than $2,000.

SECTION 2.03    Execution and Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer of the Issuer (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000 and (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein. Such order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

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If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuer. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

SECTION 2.04    Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a)    The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The term “Paying Agent” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and the Notes Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

(b)    The Issuer may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Issuer or any of its domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(c)    The Issuer may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuer and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

SECTION 2.05    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuer shall deposit with each Paying Agent

 

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(or if the Issuer or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.05, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.06    Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.

SECTION 2.07    Transfer and Exchange. The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A. When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Issuer shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

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All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

None of the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.

SECTION 2.08    Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Issuer and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuer and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Issuer and the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee, with respect to the Trustee, and the Issuer, with respect to the Issuer, to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar, as applicable, from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer.

The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

SECTION 2.09    Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 13.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.

 

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If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.10    Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 2.11    Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuer shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.12    CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall advise the Trustee of any change in any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers.

SECTION 2.13    Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so

 

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consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 13.06 of this Indenture. Any calculation of the Applicable Premium made pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes shall be made by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01    Redemption. The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

SECTION 3.02    Applicability of Article. Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuer or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article III.

SECTION 3.03    Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraph 5 of the Note, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in an Officer’s Certificate of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. The Issuer shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is a redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note. The Issuer may also include a request in such Officer’s Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05. Any such notice may be canceled if written notice from the Issuer of such cancellation is actually received by the Trustee on the Business Day immediately prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository and shall thereby be void and of no effect. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.04.

SECTION 3.04    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (and the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of any such listing), or if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in

 

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amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

SECTION 3.05    Notice of Optional Redemption.

(a)    At least 30 but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note, the Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail at its registered address, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII.

Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(i)    the redemption date;

(ii)    the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;

(iii)    the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(iv)    that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any;

(v)    if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption;

(vi)    that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(vii)    the CUSIP number, ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed;

(viii)    that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes;

(ix)    if the redemption is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the notice thereof shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed; and

 

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(x)    at the Issuer’s option, that the payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Notice of any redemption upon any corporate transaction or other event (including any Equity Offering, incurrence of Indebtedness, Change of Control or other transaction) may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any redemption or notice thereof may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction or other event. For the avoidance of doubt, if any redemption date shall be delayed as contemplated by this Section 3.05 and the terms of the applicable notice of redemption, such redemption date as so delayed may occur at any time after the original redemption date set forth in the applicable notice of redemption and after the satisfaction of any applicable conditions precedent, including, without limitation, on a date that is less than 30 days after the original redemption date or more than 60 days after the date of the applicable notice of redemption. To the extent that the redemption date will occur on a date other than the original redemption date set forth in the applicable notice of redemption, the Issuer shall notify the holders and the Trustee of the final redemption date prior to such date; provided that the failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of any redemption under this Article III.

(b)    At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall deliver the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense. In such event, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of such request at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders.

SECTION 3.06    Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, except as provided in the final paragraph of Paragraph 5 of the Note or Section 3.05(a). Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided, however, that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the next Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.

SECTION 3.07    Deposit of Redemption Price. With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or

 

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portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuer has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.08    Notes Redeemed in Part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender and cancellation of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder (at the Issuer’s expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered and cancelled.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01    Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 12:00 p.m. New York City time money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

SECTION 4.02    Reports and Other Information.

(a)    For so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a copy of all of the information and reports referred to below:

(i)    within 15 days after the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports of the Reporting Entity (as defined below) for such fiscal year containing the information that would have been required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) if the Reporting Entity had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

(ii)    within 15 days after the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, quarterly reports of the Reporting Entity for such fiscal quarter containing the information that would have been required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) if the Reporting Entity had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC; and

 

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(iii)    within 15 days after the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for filing current reports on Form 8-K, current reports of the Reporting Entity containing substantially all of the information that would be required to be filed in a current report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act on the Issue Date pursuant to Sections 1, 2 and 4, Items 5.01, 5.02(a), (b) and (c) and Item 9.01(a) and (b) (only to the extent relating to any of the foregoing) of Form 8-K if the Reporting Entity had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no such current reports (or Items thereof or all or a portion of the financial statements that would have otherwise been required thereby) will be required to be delivered (or included) if the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that such event (or information) is not material to holders or the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

In addition to providing such information and reports to the Trustee, the Issuer shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses(i), (ii) and (iii), by posting such information to its website (or the website of any of the Issuer’s parent companies, including the Reporting Entity) or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website. If at any time the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer has made a good faith determination to file a registration statement with the SEC with respect to an initial public offering of such entity’s Capital Stock, the Issuer will not be required to disclose any information or take any actions that, in the good faith view of the Issuer, would violate the securities laws or the SEC’s “gun jumping” rules or otherwise have an adverse effect on such initial public offering.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) neither the Issuer nor another Reporting Entity will be required to deliver any information, certificates or reports that would otherwise be required by (i) Section 302 or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K or (ii) Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC with respect to any non-generally accepted accounting principles financial measures contained therein, (B) such reports will not be required to contain financial information required by Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X or include any exhibits or certifications required by Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable forms) or related rules under Regulation S-K and (C) such reports shall be subject to exceptions, exclusions and other differences consistent with the presentation of financial and other information in the Offering Memorandum and shall not be required to present compensation or beneficial ownership information.

(b)    The financial statements, information and other documents required to be provided as described in this Section 4.02 may be those of (i) the Issuer or (ii) any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (any such entity described in clause (i) or (ii), a “Reporting Entity”), so long as in the case of clause (ii) either (1) such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer shall not conduct, transact or otherwise engage, or commit to conduct, transact or otherwise engage, in any business or operations other than its direct or indirect ownership of all of the Equity Interests in, and its management of, the Issuer or (2) if otherwise, the financial information so delivered shall be accompanied by a reasonably detailed description of the quantitative differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

 

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(c)    The Issuer will make such information and reports available to prospective investors upon request. The Issuer shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when neither it nor another Reporting Entity is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have delivered such reports and information referred to in this Section 4.02 to the holders, prospective investors, market makers, securities analysts and the Trustee for all purposes of this Indenture if the Issuer or another Reporting Entity has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor system) and such reports are publicly available. In addition, the requirements of this Section 4.02 shall be deemed satisfied and the Issuer will be deemed to have delivered such reports and information referred to this Section 4.02 to the Trustee, holders, prospective investors, market makers and securities analysts for all purposes of this Indenture by the posting of reports and information that would be required to be provided on the Issuer’s website (or that of any of the Issuer’s parent companies, including the Reporting Entity).

(e)    The Issuer will also hold quarterly conference calls, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Escrow Release Date, for all holders of the Notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts to discuss such financial information no later than ten Business Days after the distribution of such information required by clauses (i) or (ii) of Section 4.02(a) and, prior to the date of each such conference call, will announce the time and date of such conference call and either include all information necessary to access the call or inform holders of the Notes, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts how they can obtain such information, including, without limitation, the applicable password or login information (if applicable).

(f)    Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee is under no duty to examine such reports, information or documents to ensure compliance with the provision of this Indenture or to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the information or the statements contained therein.

 

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SECTION 4.03    Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a)    (i) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (ii) the Issuer shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, further, that any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may not Incur Indebtedness or issue shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in excess of a principal amount or liquidation preference at the time of Incurrence, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Section 4.03(a), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(xv), equal to, after giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence (including pro forma effect to the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the greater of $100 million and 0.15 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).

(b)    The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:

(i)    the Incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness (including under any Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at the time of Incurrence that does not exceed an amount equal to the sum of (x) $2,925 million plus (y) an additional aggregate principal amount of Consolidated Total Indebtedness that at the time of Incurrence does not cause the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee, determined on a pro forma basis, to exceed 2.50 to 1.00; provided that for purposes of determining the amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred under this clause (i)(y), all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (i)(y) shall be treated as Secured Indebtedness constituting First-Priority Obligations;

 

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(ii)    the Incurrence by the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness, including Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at the time of Incurrence that does not exceed $1,200 million;

(iii)    (i) Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.03(b)) and (ii) Indebtedness of Rackspace Hosting and its subsidiaries existing on the Merger Completion Date to the extent permitted under the Merger Agreement;

(iv)    (1) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv)(1), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $225 million and 0.35 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount); and

(2)    (x) Capitalized Lease Obligations attributable to capital spending or in connection with any sale and leaseback arrangements or finance lease obligations not in violation of this Indenture and (y) Capitalized Lease Obligations Incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of computer equipment (including servers), storage equipment, networking equipment and other equipment and similar assets related to the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v)    Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

 

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(vi)    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of acquisition or purchase price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the Transactions, any Investments or any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(vii)    Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii);

(viii)    shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);

(ix)    Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause(ix);

(x)    Hedging Obligations that are not incurred for speculative purposes;

(xi)    obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts and similar instruments) in respect of

 

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performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds, completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

(xii)    Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) below, does not exceed the greater of $350 million and 0.475 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

(xiii)    Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference outstanding at the time of Incurrence, together with Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) hereof, not greater than an amount equal to 100% of the amount of net cash proceeds received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer (which proceeds are contributed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to, or contributions received from, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied to increase the calculation of the Cumulative Credit pursuant to clauses (2) or (3) of the definition thereof or applied to make Restricted Payments specified in Section 4.04(b)(ix) or to make Permitted Investments specified in clause (12) of the definition thereof (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

(xiv)    any guarantee by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and (B) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of the Issuer, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 4.11 solely to the extent Section 4.11 is applicable;

 

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(xv)    the Incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses(i)(y), (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv), (xvi), (xx) and (xxiii) of this Section 4.03(b) up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if applicable, the liquidation preference, face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence and was deemed Incurred at such time for the purposes of this Section 4.03) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or clauses (i)(y), (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xv), (xvi), (xx) and (xxiii) of this Section 4.03(b), or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, plus any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), accrued and unpaid interest, expenses, defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(1)    has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date (provided that this subclause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness);

(2)    to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and

(3)    shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(xvi)    Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (A) the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance an acquisition or (B) Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:

 

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(1)    the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

(2)    the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer would be no less than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors Incurred under this clause (xvi) (solely if Incurred in contemplation of such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation) and outstanding at the time of Incurrence, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) hereof, shall not exceed the greater of $100 million and 0.15 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

(xvii)    Indebtedness in connection with Permitted Securitization Financings;

(xviii)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;

(xix)    Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(xx)    Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xx), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xx), together with Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) hereof, does not exceed the greater of $100 million and 0.15 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

(xxi)    Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(xxii)    Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or

 

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any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to the extent permitted by Section 4.04;

(xxiii)    Indebtedness of, Incurred on behalf of, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures of the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xxiii), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xxiii) at the time of Incurrence, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xv) hereof, does not exceed the greater of $125 million and 0.175 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);

(xxiv)    guarantees by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under customer financing lines of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xxv)    Indebtedness in respect of Obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money or any Hedging Obligations; and

(xxvi)    Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to or on behalf of any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(c)    For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:

(1)    in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses(i) through (xxvi) of Section 4.03(b) above or is entitled to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a), then the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if Incurred at such later time), such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03; provided that Indebtedness outstanding under (x) the Credit Agreement on the Escrow Release Date shall be Incurred under clause (i)(x) of Section 4.03(b) above and may not be reclassified and (y) the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees on the Issue Date shall be Incurred under clause (ii) above and may not be reclassified;

 

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(2)    at the time of Incurrence, classification or reclassification, the Issuer will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(a) or clauses(i) through (xxvi) of Section 4.03(b) (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause or paragraph of Section 4.03 (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any such clause or paragraph (or any portion thereof) at such time; and

(3)    in connection with the Incurrence or issuance, as applicable, of (x) revolving loan Indebtedness under this Section 4.03 or (y) any commitment relating to the Incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under this Section 4.03 and the granting of any Lien to secure such Indebtedness, the Issuer or applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such Incurrence or issuance and the granting of any Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first Incurrence of such revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual Incurrence or issuance and granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to have been Incurred or issued and granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable), the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and EBITDA (and all such calculations on and after the Deemed Date until the termination or funding of such commitment shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect to the deemed Incurrence or issuance, the granting of any Lien therefor and related transactions in connection therewith).

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount or deferred financing costs, the accretion of original issue discount or deferred financing costs or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt. However, if the Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and the refinancing would cause the applicable

 

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U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of the refinancing, the U.S. dollar-denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of the refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, will be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which the respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of the refinancing.

SECTION 4.04    Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a)    The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i)    declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of the Issuer’s or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Issuer (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

(ii)    purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(iii)    make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (ix) of Section 4.03(b)); or

(iv)    make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

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(1)    no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(2)    immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); and

(3)    such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (vi)(C), (viii) and (xiii)(B) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:

(i)    the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving notice thereof, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or the giving notice of such redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii)    (A)     the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Retired Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or contributions to the equity capital of the Issuer (other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) (collectively, including any such contributions, “Refunding Capital Stock”),

(B)    the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of Refunding Capital Stock, and

(C)    if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.04(b) and not made pursuant to clause(ii)(B), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(iii)    the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as:

 

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(A)    the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith),

(B)    such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the related Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value,

(C)    such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding, and

(D)    such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Subordinated Indebtedness being redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired that were due on or after the date that is one year following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date;

(iv)    a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer or consultant of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed $20 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $40 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer), with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $40 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $80 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering of Capital Stock); provided, further, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A)    the cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer) to employees, directors, officers or consultants of the Issuer and the

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer that occurs after the Issue Date (provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of Cumulative Credit), plus

(B)    the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;

provided that the Issuer may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of the Issuer, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of the Issuer in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.04 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v)    the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;

(vi)      (A)    the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;

(B)    a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer issued after the Issue Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Issuer from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date; and

(C)    the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(ii);

provided, however, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (C) above of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions and treating such Designated Preferred Stock as Indebtedness for borrowed money for such purpose) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the Issuer would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

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(vii)    Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (a) the greater of $100 million and 0.15 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters and (b) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (vii) is made in any Person that is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Investments and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (vii) for so long as such Person continues to be the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(viii)    (a) the payment of dividends after a public offering of Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer on the Issuer’s Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer of dividends on such entity’s Capital Stock) of up to 6% per annum of the Market Capitalization or (b) in lieu of all or a portion of the dividends permitted by sub-clause (a), repurchases of the Issuer’s Capital Stock (or a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to fund the repurchase by such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer of such entity’s Capital Stock) for aggregate consideration that, when taken together with dividends permitted by sub-clause (a) in such year, does not exceed the amount otherwise permitted by sub-clause (a);

(ix)    Restricted Payments that are made with (or in an aggregate amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of) Excluded Contributions;

(x)    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (x) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $250 million and 0.315 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such event and giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters;

(xi)    the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary whose principal assets consist of

 

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cash and Cash Equivalents to the extent such cash and Cash Equivalents were invested in such Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to an Investment made pursuant to clause (vii) above or a Permitted Investment);

(xii)    with respect to any taxable period for which the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer is the common parent, or for which the Issuer is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes, Restricted Payments to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes that the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group;

(xiii)    any Restricted Payment, if applicable:

(A)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) in connection with the maintenance of its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers, employees and consultants of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer and general corporate operating and overhead, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries (which (x) with respect to Holdings shall be 100% at any time that Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Issuer and assets incidental to such equity ownership, (y) with respect to any parent entity shall be 100% at any time that such parent entity owns directly or indirectly no material assets other than Equity Interests of Holdings (with Holdings owning no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Issuer and assets incidental to such equity ownership) and any other parent entity and assets incidental to such equity ownership and (z) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by the Issuer);

(B)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Issuer Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and

(C)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to pay fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering or Incurrence of such parent (whether or not successful);

 

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(xiv)    repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(xv)    any consideration, payment, dividend, distribution or other transfer in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing;

(xvi)    Restricted Payments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person;

(xvii)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Preferred Stock or any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(xviii)    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders or stockholders exercising appraisal rights pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with the Transactions or a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, the Issuer shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(xix)    any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses Incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.07;

(xx)    any Restricted Payment made under the Acquisition Documents (as in effect on the Issue Date); and

(xxi)    other Restricted Payments so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Total Indebtedness Leverage Ratio for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding such Restricted Payment is not greater than 2.75 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis.

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B), (vii), (x), (xi), (xiii)(B) and (xxi) of this Section 4.04(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

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provided, further, that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of such property.

(c)    For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.04, (i) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.04 and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof. In the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under clause (xxi) above, the first proviso of clause (19) of the definition of Permitted Investments or clause (26) of the definition of Permitted Investments (such clauses, the “Incurrence Clauses”), the determination of the amount of such Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that may be made pursuant to the Incurrence Clauses shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent Incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses or the definitions thereof other than an Incurrence Clause.

(d)    The Issuer will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated on such date of designation will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of Investments. Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(e)    For all purposes of this Indenture, any equity contribution or purchase of Capital Stock by the Co-Investors to fund shares that have selected appraisal rights (including any settlement in respect thereof) shall be deemed to have been made on the Issue Date, and any payment to the holders of such shares shall be deemed to have been made on the Issue Date, in each case, as part of the Transactions. For all purposes of this Indenture, any equity contribution or purchase of Capital Stock by the Co-Investors to fund the Transactions as part of the Equity Contribution (as defined in the Offering Memorandum) shall be deemed to have been made on the Issue Date as part of the Transactions.

 

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SECTION 4.05    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(a)    (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(b)    make loans or advances to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(c)    sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)    (A) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, (B) if the Issue Date occurs prior to the Merger Completion Date, contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Merger Completion Date which are permitted under the Merger Agreement and (C) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances or restrictions or any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;

(2)    this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(3)    applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(4)    any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

(5)    contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

(6)    Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03 and Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(7)    restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(8)    customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(9)    purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in Section 4.05(c) above on the property so acquired;

(10)    customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm;

(11)    in the case of Section 4.05(c) above, any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease, license (including without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;

(12)    any encumbrances or restrictions contained in any Permitted Securitization Document with respect to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary;

(13)    other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Issuer’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.03;

(14)    any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 4.04 and any Permitted Investment; or

(15)    any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.05(a), (b) or (c) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (14) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances

 

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made to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

SECTION 4.06    Asset Sales.

(a)    The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(i)    any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,

(ii)    any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),

(iii)    Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that the Issuer and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with the Asset Sale,

(iv)    consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) received after the Issue Date from Persons who are not the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and

(v)    any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.06(a)(v) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $150 million and 0.20 multiplied by the Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee immediately preceding the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such event occurred at the beginning of such four fiscal quarters (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),

shall in each case be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).

 

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(b)    Within 365 days after the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:

(i)    to repay (A) Indebtedness constituting Bank Indebtedness and other Pari Passu Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien permitted hereunder (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (B) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, (C) Obligations under the Notes or (D) other Pari Passu Indebtedness (provided that if the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under unsecured Pari Passu Indebtedness under this clause (D) (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include Indebtedness described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) even if such Indebtedness may also constitute Pari Passu Indebtedness), the Issuer will equally and ratably reduce Notes Obligations pursuant to Section 3.01, through open-market purchases (provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase a pro rata principal amount of Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any); or

(ii)    to make an investment in any one or more businesses (provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or in an increase in the percentage ownership by the Issuer (or a Restricted Subsidiary) in such Restricted Subsidiary), assets, or property or capital expenditures, in each case (A) used or useful in a Similar Business or (B) that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale or, in each case, to reimburse the cost of any of the foregoing incurred on or after the date on which the Asset Sale giving rise to such Net Proceeds was contractually committed.

In the case of Section 4.06(b)(ii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason after the 365^th day after the receipt of such Net Proceeds but before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds unless the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another binding commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within six months of such cancellation or termination of the prior binding commitment; provided, further, that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may only enter into a Second Commitment under the foregoing provision one time with respect to each Asset Sale and to the extent such Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or are not applied within 180 days of such Second Commitment, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

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Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the two immediately preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase Notes, as described in clause (i) of this Section 4.06(b), shall be deemed to have been so applied whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150 million, the Issuer shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Issuer, to holders of any other Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Notes or such other Pari Passu Indebtedness were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or, in respect of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.06. The Issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150 million by mailing, or delivering electronically if held by the Depository, the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuer shall select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(e). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(c)    The Issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(d)    Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). On such date, the Issuer shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer or a Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by the Issuer and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the

 

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expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the “Offer Period”), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuer. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee are greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuer immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.

(e)    Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender such Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the holder for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Offer Period more Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuer is required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made by the Issuer in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed (and the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of any such listing), or if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, by lot or by such other method (and in such manner as complies with the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be made pursuant to the terms of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness.

(f)    Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by the Issuer by first class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by the Depository, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of Notes at such holder’s registered address. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.

SECTION 4.07    Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)    The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25 million, unless:

(i)    such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

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(ii)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50 million, the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:

(i)    transactions between or among the Issuer and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Issuer and any direct parent of the Issuer; provided that such parent shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Issuer and such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

(ii)    Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04 and Permitted Investments;

(iii)    the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(iv)    transactions in which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) of Section 4.07(a);

(v)    payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants which are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer in good faith;

(vi)    any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date, as determined in good faith by the Issuer) or any transaction contemplated thereby;

(vii)    the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders or other agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction,

 

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agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date or described in the Offering Memorandum, as determined in good faith by the Issuer;

(viii)    the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related to the Transactions, including fees to the Co-Investors;

(ix)    (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Issuer, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm;

(x)    any transaction pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing;

(xi)    the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any Person;

(xii)    the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

(xiii)    the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with Section 4.04(b)(xii) and the performance under any such agreement or arrangement;

(xiv)    any contribution to the capital of the Issuer;

(xv)    transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01;

(xvi)    transactions between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Issuer or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

(xvii)    pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(xviii)    the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

(xix)    any employment agreements entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xx)    (a) the entering into of any agreement (and any amendment or modification of any such agreement so long as, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, any such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to holders in any material respect as compared to the agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or Escrow Release Date) to pay, and the payment of, monitoring, consulting, management, transaction, advisory or similar fees payable to the Co-Investors (A) in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed the sum of (1) the greater of $10 million and 2% of Pro Forma EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered to the Trustee, plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith and unpaid amounts accrued for prior periods; plus (2) any deferred fees (to the extent such fees were within such amount in clause (1) above originally) plus (B) in an amount not to exceed 1% of transaction value with respect to any transaction in which any Co-Investor provides any transaction, advisory or other services, including any fee payable in connection with the Transactions, and (b) the payment of the present value of all amounts payable pursuant to any agreement described in clause(xx)(a) in connection with the termination of such agreement;

(xxi)    payments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Co-Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer in good faith;

(xxii)    transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer in an Officer’s Certificate) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture; and

(xxiii)    investments by the Co-Investors in securities of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Co-Investors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being generally offered to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

(c)    Notwithstanding Section 4.07(a), the Co-Investors and any portfolio company that is an Affiliate of the Co-Investors shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries with respect to any transaction, so long as such transaction is in the ordinary course of business.

 

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SECTION 4.08    Change of Control.

(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in this Section 4.08; provided, however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall not be obligated to purchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event that it has previously or concurrently elected to redeem such Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture. In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of any Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08, then within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall: (i) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the purchase of Notes, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer; or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in Section 4.08(b).

(b)    Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture, the Issuer shall mail to each holder’s registered address, or deliver electronically if held by the Depository, with a copy to the Trustee a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) stating:

(i)    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Issuer to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

(ii)    the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

(iii)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or delivered electronically); and

(iv)    the instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

(c)    Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders

 

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whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.

(d)    On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the holders entitled thereto.

(e)    A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(f)    Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(g)    Notes repurchased by the Issuer pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Issuer. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(h)    At the time the Issuer delivers Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Issuer shall also deliver an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Issuer pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.

(i)    Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuer to make such offer have been complied with.

(j)    The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.08 by virtue thereof.

(k)    If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Issuer, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Issuer as described above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Issuer or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase

 

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at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any such redemption shall be effected pursuant to Article III.

SECTION 4.09    Compliance Certificate. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, beginning with the fiscal year ending in December 31, 2017, an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signer of his or her duties as an Officer of the Issuer he or she would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signer knows of any Default that occurred during such period. If such Officer does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officer’s Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.09, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Issuer’s compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

SECTION 4.10    Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

SECTION 4.11    Future Subsidiary Guarantors. The Issuer shall cause each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary and not an Excluded Subsidiary and that guarantees or becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement or that guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and this Indenture.

SECTION 4.12    Liens.

(a)    The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien. Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee under this Section 4.12(a) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee.

(b)    For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (i) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of Permitted Liens or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of Permitted Liens or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), the Issuer

 

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may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if Incurred at such later time), such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.12 and at the time of Incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of Permitted Liens or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) and, in such event, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Liens or Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to any other clause or paragraph (or portion thereof) at such time. In addition, with respect to any revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment relating to the Incurrence of Indebtedness that is designated to be Incurred on any date pursuant to Section 4.03(c)(3), any Lien that does or that shall secure such Indebtedness may also be designated by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to be Incurred on such date and, in such event, any related subsequent actual Incurrence of such Lien shall be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to be Incurred on such prior date, including for purposes of calculating usage of any Permitted Lien.

(c)    With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount or deferred financing costs, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of the Issuer, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or deferred financing costs or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (3) of the definition of Indebtedness.

SECTION 4.13    [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 4.14    Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a)    The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 13.02.

(b)    The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no

 

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such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c)    The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.04.

SECTION 4.15    Covenant Suspension. If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(iv) (collectively the “Suspended Covenants”).

In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.

The Issuer shall provide the Trustee with notice of each Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date within five Business Days of the occurrence thereof. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or provide notice to the holders of the Notes of any such Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date.

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) or (b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) or (b), such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(iii). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a). As described above, however, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Issuer must comply with the terms of Section 4.11.

 

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For purposes of Section 4.06, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

SECTION 5.01    When Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets.

(a)    The Issuer may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i)    the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding up or conversion (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the event that the Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(ii)    the Successor Company (if other than the Issuer) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures or other applicable documents or instruments;

(iii)    immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(iv)    immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either

(1)    the Successor Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or

(2)    the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be no less than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

 

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(v)    if the Issuer is not the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(vi)    the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with this Indenture.

The Successor Company (if other than the Issuer) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event the Issuer will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01(a), (A) the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) the Issuer may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Issuer in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States (collectively, “Permitted Jurisdictions”) or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby. This Section 5.01(a) will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, including, for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to Permitted Securitization Financings.

Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 5.01(a), Merger Sub may merge with and into Rackspace Hosting and the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) shall not apply to such merger. Upon the consummation of the Merger, Rackspace Hosting and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall immediately execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which Rackspace Hosting will expressly assume all the obligations of Merger Sub under this Indenture and each Subsidiary Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee in respect of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 4.11, this Section 5.01, Section 9.05 or Section 12.07 will be required for the Trustee to execute a supplemental indenture to this Indenture in connection with the Merger.

(b)    Subject to the provisions of Section 12.02(b), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

(i)    either (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the

 

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United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Subsidiary Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Subsidiary Guarantor”) and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a supplemental indenture or other applicable documents or instruments, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 4.06; and

(ii)    the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, and such Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and its Subsidiary Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing such Subsidiary Guarantor in a Permitted Jurisdiction or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any Permitted Jurisdiction so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01    Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs with respect to Notes if:

(a)    there is a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days,

(b)    there is a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise,

 

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(c)    there is a failure by the Issuer for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements in Section 4.02,

(d)    there is a failure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with its other obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above) contained in the Notes or this Indenture,

(e)    there is a failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Securitization Financing) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100 million or its foreign currency equivalent,

(f)    the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i)    commences a voluntary case;

(ii)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(iii)    consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(iv)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,

(g)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i)    is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(ii)    appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

(iii)    orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

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or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days,

(h)    there is a failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, other than any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $100 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days, or

(i)    the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) and such Default continues for 10 days.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

However, a default under clauses (c) or (d) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Issuer or the holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Issuer, with a copy to the Trustee, of the default and the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (c) or (d) above after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.” The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 6.02    Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer or the holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuer (with a copy to the Trustee) may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

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In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Issuer delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

SECTION 6.03    Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

SECTION 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults. Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Issuer, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 6.05    Control by Majority. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which it is not adequately indemnified, or subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

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SECTION 6.06    Limitation on Suits.

(a)    Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(i)    such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,

(ii)    holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,

(iii)    such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense,

(iv)    the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and

(v)    the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

(b)    A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder.

SECTION 6.07    Contractual Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Note held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates thereof, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

SECTION 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

SECTION 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a

 

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member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10    Priorities. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Issuer’s or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due hereunder;

SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Subsidiary Guarantor, to such Subsidiary Guarantor.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

SECTION 6.11    Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Article VI does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

SECTION 6.12    Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. Neither the Issuer nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors (to

 

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the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 6.13    No Premium Payable as a Result of any Default or Event of Default. For the avoidance of doubt, no premium in respect of the Notes shall be payable as a result of any Default or Event of Default.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)    Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i)    the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

(ii)    in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the form of certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c)    The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i)    this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(ii)    the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

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(iii)    the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

(iv)    no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

(d)    Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e)    The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.

(f)    Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g)    Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

SECTION 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c)    The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d)    The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

(e)    The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f)    The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,

 

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request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuer and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(g)    The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(h)    The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(i)    The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(j)    Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

(k)    The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(l)    The Trustee may request that the Issuer delivers an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(m)    The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

(n)    The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

 

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(o)    The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

(p)    Any discretion, permissive right or privilege of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation to do so.

SECTION 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04    Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Issuer having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

SECTION 7.05    Notice of Default. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail, or deliver electronically if held by the Depository, to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within the later of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Issuer also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

SECTION 7.06    [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and its services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee upon

 

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request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their directors, officers, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee)) incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Subsidiary Guarantee against the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any holder or any other Person). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuer’s expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Issuer and such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no actual or potential conflict of interest between the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

To secure the Issuer’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

The Issuer’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.

 

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SECTION 7.08    Replacement of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee upon 30 days advance written notice and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:

(i)    the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(ii)    the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(iii)    a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(iv)    the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

(b)    If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

(c)    A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.

(d)    If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuer any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e)    If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)    Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

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In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

SECTION 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01    Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a)    This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of registration or transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:

(i)    either (A) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (3) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited

 

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with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit (in the case of Notes that have become due and payable) or to the date of maturity or redemption, as applicable, together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuer directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the date of the redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of the redemption;

(ii)    the Issuer and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors have paid all other sums due and payable under this Indenture; and

(iii)    the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

(b)    Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuer at any time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the holders of the Notes (“legal defeasance option”), and (ii) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.15 and the operation of Section 5.01 for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, and Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (in the case of Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuer terminates all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.

If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g) (in the case of Sections 6.01(f) and (g), with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), 6.01(h) or 6.01(i) or because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with Section 5.01(a)(iv).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminated.

(c)    Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 and Article VII, including, without limitation, Sections 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article VIII and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the

 

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Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 8.02    Conditions to Defeasance.

(a)    The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(i)    the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount that is sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(ii)    the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(iii)    no Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Issuer shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit;

(iv)    the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Issuer;

(v)    in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the date of the redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of the redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;

 

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(vi)    such exercise does not impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

(vii)    in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

(viii)    the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

(b)    Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article III.

SECTION 8.03    Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.

SECTION 8.04    Repayment to Issuer. Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII that, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VIII.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

SECTION 8.05    Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

SECTION 8.06    Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or

 

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governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided, however, that, if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, or interest on, any such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01    Without Consent of the Holders.

(a)    The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and/or the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or the consent of any holder:

(i)    to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(ii)    to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Issuer) of the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes;

(iii)    to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and its Subsidiary Guarantee;

(iv)    to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

(v)    to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees was intended by the Issuer to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officer’s Certificate;

(vi)    to add a Subsidiary Guarantee or collateral with respect to the Notes;

(vii)    to secure the Notes;

(viii)    to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer;

 

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(ix)    to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA (if the Issuer elects to qualify this Indenture under the TIA);

(x)    to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect (as determined in good faith by the Issuer);

(xi)    to effect any provision of this Indenture; or

(xii)    to make changes to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes, as a single issue of securities.

(b)    After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.

SECTION 9.02    With Consent of the Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees with the consent of the Issuer and the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class and any past default or compliance with any provisions hereof may be waived with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (in each case, including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, an amendment may not:

(1)    reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment,

(2)    reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note,

(3)    reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note,

(4)    reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the dates on which any such premium is payable upon redemption pursuant to Article III,

(5)    make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note,

(6)    expressly subordinate the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

(7)    impair the contractual right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Note on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Note, or

 

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(8)    make any change in the amendment provisions or in the waiver provisions which require each holder’s consent.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.

SECTION 9.03    Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.

(a)    A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Issuer or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of securities, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

(b)    The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 9.04    Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Issuer may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determine, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue and, upon written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.05    Trustee to Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (i) an Officer’s Certificate, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof, (iii) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iv) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the holders required to consent thereto.

SECTION 9.06    Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount. All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article IX and Section 2.13.

ARTICLE X

[Intentionally Omitted]

ARTICLE XI

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE XII

GUARANTEE

SECTION 12.01    Subsidiary Guarantee.

(a)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuer whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in

 

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part, without notice or further assent from any Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article XII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or each Subsidiary Guarantor; (v) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of each Subsidiary Guarantor, except as provided in Section 12.02(b). Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed.

(c)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuer first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuer’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuer be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e)    The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Subsidiary Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article XII, equal in right of payment to all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness, senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(f)    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 12.02 and 12.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by

 

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any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(g)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.

(h)    In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuer to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Issuer to the holders and the Trustee.

(i)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article VI, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 12.01.

(j)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee or any holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 12.01.

(k)    Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 12.02    Limitation on Liability.

(a)    Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or capital maintenance or corporate benefit rules applicable to guarantees for obligations of affiliates.

(b)    A Subsidiary Guarantee as to any Restricted Subsidiary that is (or becomes) a party hereto on the date hereof or that executes a supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 4.11 hereof and provides a guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be deemed to be automatically released from all obligations under this Article XII upon any of the following:

(i)    the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Indenture;

(ii)    the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 and the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(iii)    the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or any other Indebtedness which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes;

(iv)    the Issuer’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under Article VIII or if the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(v)    such Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Secured Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof; and

(vi)    the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event.

SECTION 12.03    [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 12.04    Successors and Assigns. This Article XII shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 12.05    No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XII shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XII at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

SECTION 12.06    Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article XII, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

SECTION 12.07    Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit C hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article XII and shall guarantee the Notes. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

SECTION 12.08    Non-Impairment. The failure to endorse a Subsidiary Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01    [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 13.02    Notices.

(a)    Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

 

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if to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

c/o Rackspace Hosting

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, TX 78218

Attention: General Counsel

Fax:    (210) 312-4848

with copies to:

c/o Apollo Management VIII, L.P.

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Fax:    646-417-6651

and

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Gregory A. Ezring

Brian M. Janson

Fax:    212-757-3990

if to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

150 E. 42^nd Street, Floor 40

New York, NY 10017-5612

Attention: Corporate, Municipal & Escrow Services

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(b)    Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

(c)    Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.

The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or

 

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instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as long as the Notes are in the form of a Global Note, notice to the holders may be made electronically in accordance with procedures of the Depository.

SECTION 13.03    [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

(a)    an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b)    an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:

(a)    a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c)    a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)    a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

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SECTION 13.06    When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

SECTION 13.07    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 13.08    Legal Holidays. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

SECTION 13.09    GOVERNING LAW; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a)    THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b)    The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each party irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 13.10    No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 13.11    Successors. All agreements of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind such person’s successors, including, without limitation, Rackspace Hosting in the case of Merger Sub. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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SECTION 13.12    Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

SECTION 13.13    Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 13.14    Indenture Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.

SECTION 13.15    Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

SECTION 13.16    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 13.17    Calculations. The Issuer will be responsible for making all calculations called for under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer will make all such calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on holders. The Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will deliver a copy of such schedule to any holder upon the written request of such holder.

SECTION 13.18    USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.
By:		/s/ Laurie D. Medley
		Name:  Laurie D. Medley Title:    Vice President, Assistant Secretary

[Signature Page to Indenture]

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Stefan Victory
		Name:  Stefan Victory
		Title:    Vice President

[Signature Page to Indenture]

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APPENDIX A

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES AND ADDITIONAL NOTES

1.    Definitions.

1.1    Definitions.

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note or Additional Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

“Global Notes Legend” means the legend set forth under that caption in the applicable Exhibit to this Indenture.

“IAI” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

“Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Notes” means all Initial Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.

“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.2(f)(i) herein.

“Restricted Period,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Issuer to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date, and with respect to any Additional Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A Notes” means all Initial Notes initially offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Appendix A-1

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“Rule 501” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

“Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes” means Definitive Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Transfer Restricted Global Notes” means Global Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Transfer Restricted Notes” means the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and Transfer Restricted Global Notes.

“Unrestricted Definitive Notes” means Definitive Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Notes” means Global Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.

1.2    Other Definitions.

 

Term:		Defined in Section:
Agent Members		2.1(b)
Global Notes		2.1(b)
Regulation S Global Notes		2.1(b)
Regulation S Permanent Global Note		2.1(b)
Regulation S Temporary Global Note		2.1(b)
Rule 144A Global Notes		2.1(b)

2.    The Notes.

2.1    Form and Dating; Global Notes.

(a)    The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) privately placed by the Issuer pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and (ii) sold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and, except as set forth below, IAIs in accordance with Rule 501. One or more Rule 144A Notes may be issued with a separate CUSIP number for purposes of transfers of Notes to IAIs in accordance with Rule 501. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Issuer from time to time pursuant to one or more agreements in accordance with applicable law.

(b)    Global Notes. (i) Except as provided in clause (d) of Section 2.2 below, Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in definitive, fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Notes”).

Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Regulation S Temporary

 

Appendix A-2

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Global Note” and, together with the Regulation S Permanent Global Note (defined below), the “Regulation S Global Notes”), which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme (“Clearstream”).

Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a permanent Global Note (the “Regulation S Permanent Global Note”) pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository. Simultaneously with the authentication of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note that are held by participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

The term “Global Notes” means the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes. The Global Notes shall bear the Global Note Legend. The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Notes. The Depository may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository, or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

(ii)    Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.2. In addition, a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes if (x) the Depository (1) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note and the Issuer thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or (y) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such

 

Appendix A-3

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Global Note and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with its customary procedures.

(iii)    In connection with the transfer of a Global Note as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (i) of this Section 2.1(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall execute, and, upon written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.

(iv)    Any Transfer Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

(v)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2.2.

(vi)    The holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

2.2    Transfer and Exchange.

(a)    Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 2.1(b). Global Notes will not be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 of this Indenture. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.2(b).

(b)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the

 

Appendix A-4

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Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.2(b)(i).

(ii)    All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Note that is not subject to Section 2.2(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depository in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2(g).

(iii)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

(B)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

(iv)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes

 

Appendix A-5

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delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

(B)    if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

and, in each such case, if the Issuer or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

(v)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

(c)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). In any case, beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for Definitive Notes.

(d)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

(i)    Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes. If any holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to

 

Appendix A-6

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a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(B)    if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(C)    if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(D)    if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(E)    if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable; or

(F)    if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;

the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Note.

(ii)    Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

 

Appendix A-7

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(B)    if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

and, in each such case, if the Issuer or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Note transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).

(iii)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Unrestricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Definitive Note transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).

(iv)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes. An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.

(e)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.2(e).

 

Appendix A-8

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(i)    Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes. A Transfer Restricted Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(B)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(C)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;

(D)    if the transfer will be made to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (A) through (C) above, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and

(E)    if such transfer will be made to the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.

(ii)    Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or

(B)    if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,

and, in each such case, if the Issuer or the Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Appendix A-9

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(iii)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.

(iv)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes. An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note.

At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(f)    Legend.

(i)    Except as permitted by the following paragraph (iii) or (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and any Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR THE ACCOUNT OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH

 

Appendix A-10

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REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

Each Regulation S Note shall bear the following additional legend:

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend:

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

Appendix A-11

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(ii)    Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Note).

(iii)    Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Initial Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

(iv)    Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

(g)    Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(h)    Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

(i)    To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

(ii)    No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06, 4.08 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

(iii)    Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes

 

Appendix A-12

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whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(iv)    All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

(i)    No Obligation of the Trustee.

(i)    The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to the holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(ii)    The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Appendix A-13

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EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE]

[Global Notes Legend]

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

[Restricted Notes Legend]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR THE ACCOUNT OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY

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PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

[Definitive Notes Legend]

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

A-2

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[FORM OF INITIAL NOTE]

INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.

(to be merged with and into Rackspace Hosting, Inc.)

 

No. [    ]		144A CUSIP No. 45332J AA0
		144A ISIN No. US45332JAA07
		REG S CUSIP No. U45083 AA7
		REG S ISIN No. USU45083AA71
		$[    ]

8.625% Senior Note due 2024

Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns under the Indenture, including, without limitation, Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation), promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on November 15, 2024.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15, commencing [                ]¹

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

1	To be May 15, 2017 for Notes issued on November 3, 2016.

 

A-3

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Dated:

 

A-4

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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.
By:
		Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

 

*/	If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit A captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES—SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

A-5

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE]

8.625% Senior Note Due 2024

1.    Interest

Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture, including, without limitation, Rackspace Hosting, Inc., hereinafter referred to, being herein called, the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Issuer shall pay interest semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing [                ] ². Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from November 3, 2016, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

2.    Method of Payment

The Issuer shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on May 1 or November 1 (each a “Record Date”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuer shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuer, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America if such holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

 

2	To be May 15, 2017 for Notes issued on November 3, 2016.

 

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3.    Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuer or any of its domestically incorporated Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

4.    Indenture

The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 3, 2016 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of certain capital stock of the Issuer and such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantor that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations on a senior unsecured basis, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

5.    Redemption

On or after November 15, 2019, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by the Issuer by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive

 

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interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on November 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Period		Redemption Price
2019		106.469%
2020		104.313%
2021		102.156%
2022 and thereafter		100.000%

In addition, prior to November 15, 2019, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by the Issuer by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2019, the Issuer may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) in an amount equal to the amount of net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the Issuer or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Issuer or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 108.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed by the Issuer to each holder of Notes being redeemed, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

Notice of any redemption upon any corporate transaction or other event (including any Equity Offering, incurrence of Indebtedness, Change of Control or other transaction) may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any redemption described above or notice thereof may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction or other event.

6.    Mandatory Redemption

The Issuer will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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7.    Notice of Redemption

Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee) or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

8.	Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuer to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuer will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.

9.    [Intentionally Omitted]

10.    Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

11.    Persons Deemed Owners

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

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12.    Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuer at its written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

13.    Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuer at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuer deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

14.    Amendment; Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuer and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes and/or the Subsidiary Guarantees (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Issuer) of the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, the Notes and its Subsidiary Guarantee; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee or the Notes was intended by the Issuer to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officer’s Certificate; (vi) to add a Subsidiary Guarantee or collateral with respect to the Notes; (vii) to secure the Notes; (viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA (if the Issuer elects to qualify the Indenture under the TIA); (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect (as determined in good faith by the Issuer); (xi) to effect any provision of the Indenture; or (xii) to make changes to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes, as a single issue of securities.

 

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15.    Defaults and Remedies

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer or the holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuer, with a copy to the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

For the avoidance of doubt, no premium in respect of the Notes shall be payable as a result of any Default or Event of Default.

16.    Trustee Dealings with the Issuer

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

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17.    No Recourse Against Others

No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

18.    Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

19.    Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

20.    Governing Law

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

21.    CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

The Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuer will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint                      agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                                                        Your Signature:                                                                                                           

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee		Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

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CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

This certificate relates to $                 principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)              book-entry or              definitive form by the undersigned.

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

☐

has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above);

 

☐	has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)		☐		to the Issuer; or
(2)		☐		to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or
(3)		☐		pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(4)		☐		inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(5)		☐		outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or
(6)		☐		to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or
(7)		☐		pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Issuer or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuer or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

Date:                                                        Your Signature:                                                                                                           

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee		Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:
		NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $                        . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange		Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase		Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Notes Custodian

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sales) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

Asset Sale ☐                     Change of Control ☐

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sales) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

$

 

Date:		Your Signature:
				(Sign exactly as your name appears on the    other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:		Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee

 

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EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.

c/o Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

150 East 42^nd Street, 40^th Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[                ] principal amount of the 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”) of Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (collectively with its successors and assigns, the “Issuer”).

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

Name:                                              

Address:                                              

Taxpayer ID Number:                                              

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

1.    We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $100,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

2.    We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either of the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (b) outside the United States in an offshore

 

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transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) or (d) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (d) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Note evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made to an institutional “accredited investor” prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuer and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuer and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee.

 

Dated:
				TRANSFEREE:
				By:

 

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EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of [                ], among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), [SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

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3.    Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

4.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

7.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

C-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
[NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:
		Name: [    ]
		Title: [    ]
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but
solely as Trustee
By:
		Name: [    ]
		Title: [    ]

 

C-3

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of [        ], 2016, among Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Rackspace Hosting”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS Inception Merger Sub, Inc. (to be merged with and into Rackspace Hosting), a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Section 5.01(a) of the Indenture provides that upon the consummation of the Merger, Rackspace Hosting and each Guarantor shall immediately execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which (a) Rackspace Hosting will expressly assume all the obligations of Merger Sub under the Indenture, and (b) each Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee in respect of Rackspace Hosting’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, Rackspace Hosting and the Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Rackspace Hosting, the Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Assume Obligations. Rackspace Hosting hereby agrees to unconditionally assume Merger Sub’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Notes and the Indenture on the terms provided for therein and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of Merger Sub under the Indenture.

 

D-1

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3.    Agreement to Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees, jointly and severally, to unconditionally guarantee Rackspace Hosting’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

4.    Notices. All notices or other communications to Rackspace Hosting and each of the Guarantors shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

5.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

6.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

7.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or to statements made in the recitals.

8.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

9.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

D-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.z
By:
		Name:
		Title:
MACRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE US, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE DAL1DC MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE MOBILITY, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-3

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RENO ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OVERSTIMULATE, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
MAILGUN, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OPENSTACK, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OBJECTROCKET, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
BOARDMAN ACQUISITION LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-4

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GEEKSPACE, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OPEN CLOUD ACADEMY, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
LITESTACK, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE VENTURES, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE RENO ACQUISITION, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-5

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RACKSPACE LAND HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-6

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-7

Exhibit 4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of November 3, 2016, among Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Rackspace Hosting”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS Inception Merger Sub, Inc. (to be merged with and into Rackspace Hosting), a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Section 5.01(a) of the Indenture provides that upon the consummation of the Merger, Rackspace Hosting and each Guarantor shall immediately execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which (a) Rackspace Hosting will expressly assume all the obligations of Merger Sub under the Indenture, and (b) each Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee in respect of Rackspace Hosting’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, Rackspace Hosting and the Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Rackspace Hosting, the Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2. Agreement to Assume Obligations. Rackspace Hosting hereby agrees to unconditionally assume Merger Sub’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Notes and the Indenture on the terms provided for therein and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of Merger Sub under the Indenture.

3. Agreement to Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees, jointly and severally, to unconditionally guarantee Rackspace Hosting’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

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4. Notices. All notices or other communications to Rackspace Hosting and each of the Guarantors shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

5. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

6. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

7. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or to statements made in the recitals.

8. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

9. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

2

---

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

MACRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

RACKSPACE US, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

RACKSPACE DAL1DC MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

RACKSPACE MOBILITY, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

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RENO ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

OVERSTIMULATE, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

MAILGUN, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

OPENSTACK, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

OBJECTROCKET, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

BOARDMAN ACQUISITION LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

 

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GEEKSPACE, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

OPEN CLOUD ACADEMY, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

LITESTACK, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: Senior Vice President

 

RACKSPACE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

RACKSPACE VENTURES, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

 

RACKSPACE RENO ACQUISITION, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

 

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RACKSPACE LAND HOLDINGS, LLC
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Stefan Victory
		Name: Stefan Victory
		Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 2

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 2 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of July 18, 2017, among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), TRICORE SOLUTIONS, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company, GROUP BASIS, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, TRICORE SOLUTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation, and DATABASE SPECIALISTS, INC., a California corporation (collectively, the “New Subsidiary Guarantors”), each a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantors shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

1

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3.    Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantors shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

4.     Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5.     Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6.     Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, or for the recitals contained herein.

7.     Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8.     Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

2

---

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Louis Alterman
		Name: Louis Alterman
		Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice       President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 2]

 

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TRICORE SOLUTIONS, LLC GROUP BASIS, LLC TRICORE SOLUTIONS, INC. DATABASE SPECIALISTS, INC., each as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher Rosas
		Title: Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 2]

 

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Raymond Delli Colli
		Name: Raymond Delli Colli
		Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 2]

Exhibit 4.4

EXECUTION VERSION

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 3

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 3 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of December 14, 2017, among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), DRAKE MERGER SUB II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, DATAPIPE HOLDING COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation, DATAPIPE, INC., a Delaware corporation, DATAPIPE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation, DUALSPARK PARTNERS LLC, a California limited liability company, and GOGRID, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “New Subsidiary Guarantors”), each a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantors to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantors shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.     Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.     Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

1

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3. Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantors shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

4. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, or for the recitals contained herein.

7. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Louis Alterman
		Name: Louis Alterman
		Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 3]

 

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DRAKE MERGER SUB II, LLC, AS A SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher Rosas
		Title: Assistant Treasurer

 

DATAPIPE HOLDING COMPANY, INC. DATAPIPE, INC. DATAPIPE GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. DUALSPARK PARTNERS LLC GOGRID, LLC, each as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher Rosas
		Title: Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 3]

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Raymond Delli Colli
		Name: Raymond Delli Colli
		Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 3]

Exhibit 4.5

EXECUTION VERSION

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 4 (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of July 30, 2018, among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), RelationEdge, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

3.    Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

4.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all

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the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, or for the recitals contained herein.

7.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

2

---

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Louis Alterman
		Name: Louis Alterman
		Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

RELATIONEDGE, LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher J. Rosas
		Title: Treasurer & Secretary

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		Raymond Delli Colli
		Name: Raymond Delli Colli
		Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 4]

Exhibit 4.6

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 5

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 5 (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of October 3, 2019, among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), RACKSPACE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation, SPINUP CLOUD, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, RACKSPACE CLOUD OFFICE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (each, a “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), each a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause each New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which each New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. Each New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

3.    Notices. All notices or other communications to each New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

 

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4.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, or the recitals contained herein.

7.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Dustin Semach
Name:		Dustin Semach
Title:		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
RACKSPACE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC., as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Treasurer
SPINUP CLOUD, LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Treasurer
RACKSPACE CLOUD OFFICE, LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Treasurer
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Raymond Delli Colli
Name:		Raymond Delli Colli
Title:		Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 5]

 

Exhibit 4.7

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 6

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 6 (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of December 13, 2019, among RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), ONICA HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ONICA GROUP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, NETBRAINS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and STURDY NETWORKS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (each, a “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), each a subsidiary of the Issuer, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Issuer, certain Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $1,200,000,000;

WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer is required to cause each New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which each New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. Each New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Subsidiary Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

3.    Notices. All notices or other communications to each New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

 

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4.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, or the recitals contained herein.

7.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Dustin Semach
Name:		Dustin Semach
Title:		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
ONICA HOLDINGS LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Vice President & Treasurer
ONICA GROUP LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Vice President & Treasurer
NETBRAINS, LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Vice President & Treasurer
STURDY NETWORKS, LLC, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:		/s/ Christopher J. Rosas
Name:		Christopher J. Rosas
Title:		Vice President & Treasurer

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 6]

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee
By:		/s/ Raymond Delli Colli
Name:		Raymond Delli Colli
Title:		Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture No. 6]

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of November 3, 2016

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.

(to be merged on the Closing Date with and into RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.),

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS AND ISSUING BANKS PARTY HERETO,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agents,

and

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Documentation Agents

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I Definitions					1
Section 1.01		Defined Terms			1
Section 1.02		Terms Generally			61
Section 1.03		Effectuation of Transactions			62
Section 1.04		Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents			62
Section 1.05		Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans			62
Section 1.06		Change of Currency			63
Section 1.07		Timing of Payment or Performance			63
Section 1.08		Times of Day			63
Section 1.09		Holdings			63
ARTICLE II The Credits					64
Section 2.01		Commitments			64
Section 2.02		Loans and Borrowings			64
Section 2.03		Requests for Borrowings			65
Section 2.04		Swingline Loans			66
Section 2.05		Letters of Credit			67
Section 2.06		Funding of Borrowings			72
Section 2.07		Interest Elections			73
Section 2.08		Termination and Reduction of Commitments			74
Section 2.09		Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt			75
Section 2.10		Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans			75
Section 2.11		Prepayment of Loans			77
Section 2.12		Fees			79
Section 2.13		Interest			80
Section 2.14		Alternate Rate of Interest			81
Section 2.15		Increased Costs			81
Section 2.16		Break Funding Payments			82
Section 2.17		Taxes			82
Section 2.18		Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs			86
Section 2.19		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			87
Section 2.20		Illegality			89
Section 2.21		Incremental Commitments			89
Section 2.22		Defaulting Lender			98
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties					100
Section 3.01		Organization; Powers			100
Section 3.02		Authorization			100
Section 3.03		Enforceability			100
Section 3.04		Governmental Approvals			101
Section 3.05		Financial Statements			101
Section 3.06		No Material Adverse Effect			101
Section 3.07		Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases			101
Section 3.08		Subsidiaries			102
Section 3.09		Litigation; Compliance with Laws			102
Section 3.10		Federal Reserve Regulations			102

 

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Section 3.11		Investment Company Act			102
Section 3.12		Use of Proceeds			103
Section 3.13		Tax Returns			103
Section 3.14		No Material Misstatements			103
Section 3.15		Employee Benefit Plans			104
Section 3.16		Environmental Matters			104
Section 3.17		Security Documents			104
Section 3.18		Location of Real Property			105
Section 3.19		Solvency			105
Section 3.20		Labor Matters			106
Section 3.21		Insurance			106
Section 3.22		No Default			106
Section 3.23		Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.			106
Section 3.24		Senior Debt			106
Section 3.25		USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC			107
Section 3.26		Foreign Corrupt Practices Act			107
ARTICLE IV Conditions of Lending					107
Section 4.01		All Credit Events			107
Section 4.02		First Credit Event			108
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants					111
Section 5.01		Existence; Business and Properties			111
Section 5.02		Insurance			111
Section 5.03		Taxes			112
Section 5.04		Financial Statements, Reports, etc.			113
Section 5.05		Litigation and Other Notices			115
Section 5.06		Compliance with Laws			115
Section 5.07		Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections			115
Section 5.08		Use of Proceeds			115
Section 5.09		Compliance with Environmental Laws			115
Section 5.10		Further Assurances; Additional Security			116
Section 5.11		Rating			119
Section 5.12		Post-Closing			119
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants					119
Section 6.01		Indebtedness			119
Section 6.02		Liens			125
Section 6.03		Sale and Lease-Back Transactions			131
Section 6.04		Investments, Loans and Advances			131
Section 6.05		Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions			136
Section 6.06		Dividends and Distributions			139
Section 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates			142
Section 6.08		Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries			145
Section 6.09		Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.			145
Section 6.10		Fiscal Year			148
Section 6.11		Financial Covenant			148

 

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ARTICLE VII Events of Default					148
Section 7.01		Events of Default			148
Section 7.02		Treatment of Certain Payments			151
Section 7.03		Right to Cure			151
ARTICLE VIII The Agents					152
Section 8.01		Appointment			152
Section 8.02		Delegation of Duties			153
Section 8.03		Exculpatory Provisions			153
Section 8.04		Reliance by Agents			154
Section 8.05		Notice of Default			154
Section 8.06		Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders			155
Section 8.07		Indemnification			155
Section 8.08		Agent in Its Individual Capacity			156
Section 8.09		Successor Administrative Agent			156
Section 8.10		Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager			156
Section 8.11		Security Documents and Collateral Agent			157
Section 8.12		Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees			157
Section 8.13		Withholding Tax			158
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous					158
Section 9.01		Notices; Communications			158
Section 9.02		Survival of Agreement			159
Section 9.03		Binding Effect			160
Section 9.04		Successors and Assigns			160
Section 9.05		Expenses; Indemnity			165
Section 9.06		Right of Set-off			167
Section 9.07		Applicable Law			167
Section 9.08		Waivers; Amendment			167
Section 9.09		Interest Rate Limitation			171
Section 9.10		Entire Agreement			171
Section 9.11		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			171
Section 9.12		Severability			171
Section 9.13		Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents			171
Section 9.14		Headings			172
Section 9.15		Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process			172
Section 9.16		Confidentiality			173
Section 9.17		Platform; Borrower Materials			173
Section 9.18		Release of Liens and Guarantees			174
Section 9.19		Judgment Currency			175
Section 9.20		USA PATRIOT Act Notice			176
Section 9.21		Affiliate Lenders			176
Section 9.22		Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties			177
Section 9.23		No Liability of the Issuing Banks			177
Section 9.24		Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions			178

 

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Exhibits and Schedules
Exhibit A		Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B		Form of Administrative Questionnaire
Exhibit C		Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit D-1		Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit D-2		Form of Swingline Borrowing Request
Exhibit E		Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit F		Form of Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit G		Form of First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit H		Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit I		Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate
Exhibit J		Form of Intercompany Subordination Terms
Schedule 1.01(A)		Certain Excluded Equity Interests
Schedule 1.01(B)		[Reserved]
Schedule 1.01(C)		Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(D)		Closing Date Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Schedule 1.01(E)		Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.01(F)		Specified L/C Sublimit
Schedule 1.01(G)		Cash Management Banks and Hedge Banks
Schedule 2.01		Commitments
Schedule 3.01		Organization and Good Standing
Schedule 3.04		Governmental Approvals
Schedule 3.05		Financial Statements
Schedule 3.07(c)		Notices of Condemnation
Schedule 3.08(a)		Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.08(b)		Subscriptions
Schedule 3.13		Taxes
Schedule 3.21		Insurance
Schedule 3.23		Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.12		Post-Closing Items
Schedule 6.01		Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02(a)		Liens
Schedule 6.04		Investments
Schedule 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 9.01		Notice Information

 

 

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FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 3, 2016 (this “Agreement”), among INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders and Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS, Holdings, Merger Sub and Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), have entered into the Merger Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit as set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

“ABR” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect for such day plus 0.50%, (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00%; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates). Any change in such rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, as the case may be.

“ABR Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

“ABR Loan” shall mean any ABR Term Loan, ABR Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan.

“ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Revolving Loans.

“ABR Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“ABR Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

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“Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) (a) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) one minus the Statutory Reserves applicable to such Eurocurrency Borrowing, if any; provided that if the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be less than zero pursuant to this clause (x), such interest rate shall be deemed to be zero and (y) in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings composed of Eurocurrency Term Loans, 1.00%.

“Adjustment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Pricing Grid.”

“Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.

“Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).

“Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit B or such other form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified.

“Affiliate Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21(a).

“Agents” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Agreement Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“All-in Yield” shall mean, as to any Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable), the yield thereon payable to all Lenders (or other lenders, as applicable) providing such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable) in the primary syndication thereof, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, up-front fees, rate floors or otherwise; provided, that original issue discount and up-front fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a 4-year life to maturity (or, if less, the life of such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable)); and provided, further, that “All-in Yield” shall not include arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring or similar fees and customary consent fees for an amendment paid generally to consenting lenders.

“Alternate Currency” shall mean (i) with respect to any Letter of Credit, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling, Swiss Francs, Mexican Pesos, Australian Dollars and any other currency other than Dollars as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect thereto in their sole discretion and (ii) with respect to any Loan, any currency other than Dollars that is approved in accordance with Section 1.05.

“Alternate Currency Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternate Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternate Currency with Dollars.

 

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“Alternate Currency Letter of Credit” shall mean any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Alternate Currency Loan” shall mean any Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.26.

“Applicable Commitment Fee” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Revolving Facility Commitments relating to Initial Revolving Loans, 0.50% per annum; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; or (ii) with respect to any Other Revolving Facility Commitments, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Applicable Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Applicable Margin” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Term B Loan, 4.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 3.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; (ii) with respect to any Initial Revolving Loan, 4.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 3.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Margin” with respect to an Initial Revolving Loan will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; and (iii) with respect to any Other Term Loan or Other Revolving Loan, the “Applicable Margin” set forth in the Incremental Assumption Agreement relating thereto.

“Applicable Period” shall mean an Excess Cash Flow Period or an Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, as the case may be.

“Approved Fund” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(ii).

“Arrangers” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets¹ and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Asset Sale” shall mean any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any Disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of, any asset or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Assignee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(i).

“Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (if required by Section 9.04), in the form of Exhibit A or such other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

 

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“Assignor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Availability Period” shall mean, with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date (or, if later, the effective date for such Class of Revolving Facility Commitments) to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and, in the case of each of the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving Facility Borrowings, Swingline Loans, Swingline Borrowings and Letters of Credit, the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

“Available Unused Commitment” shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender under any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments at any time, an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount by which (a) the applicable Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds (b) the applicable Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time.

“Bail-In Action” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

“Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Cumulative Credit”.

“Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

“Board of Directors” shall mean, as to any person, the board of directors or other governing body of such person, or if such person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

“Borrower” shall mean (a) Merger Sub prior to the consummation of the Merger, and (b) the Company from and after the consummation of the Merger.

“Borrower Materials” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Borrowing” shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under a single Facility, and made on a single date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

“Borrowing Minimum” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $1,000,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $500,000.

“Borrowing Multiple” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $500,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $250,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $100,000.

“Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 or another form approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent).

 

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“Budget” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04(e).

“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank market.

“Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any person in respect of any period, the aggregate of all expenditures incurred by such person during such period that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “additions to property, plant or equipment” or similar items reflected in the statement of cash flows of such person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either existing on the Closing Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and were subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Closing Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Closing Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

“Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a person during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in accordance with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such person and its subsidiaries.

“Cash Collateralize” shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Banks or Lenders, as collateral for Revolving L/C Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of Revolving L/C Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” and “Cash Collateralization” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Interest Expense for such period to the extent such amounts are paid in cash for such period, excluding, without duplication, in any event (a) pay-in-kind Interest Expense or other non-cash Interest Expense (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting), (b) to the extent included in Interest Expense, the amortization of any financing fees paid by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including such fees paid in connection with the Transactions or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing, and (c) the amortization of debt discounts, if any, or fees in respect of Hedging Agreements; provided, that Cash Interest Expense shall exclude any one time financing fees, including those paid in connection with the Transactions, or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing or any amendment of this Agreement.

 

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“Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any agreement to provide to Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary cash management services for collections, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), any demand deposit, payroll, trust or operating account relationships, commercial credit cards, merchant card, purchase or debit cards, non-card e-payables services, and other cash management services, including electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

“Cash Management Bank” shall mean any person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement (or on the Closing Date), is (a) an Agent, an Arranger, a Lender or an Affiliate of any such person, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G).

“CFC” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if:

(a)    (i) at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, (x) the Permitted Holders in the aggregate shall at any time cease to have, directly or indirectly, the power to vote or direct the voting of at least 35% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or (y) any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of a percentage of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower that is greater than the percentage of such voting power of such Voting Stock in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders or (ii) at any time on and after a Qualified IPO, any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders (or any holding company parent of the Borrower owned directly or indirectly by the Permitted Holders), shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower having more than 50.1% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Borrower, unless in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (a), the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; or

(b) a “Change of Control” (as defined in (i) the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, (ii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes constituting Material Indebtedness or (iii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of any Junior Financing constituting Material Indebtedness) shall have occurred; or

(c) Holdings shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than in connection with or after a Qualified IPO of the Borrower).

 

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“Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any Lending Office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives under or issued in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated under or in connection with, all interpretations and applications of, or any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating to International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case under clauses (x) and (y) be deemed to be a “Change in Law” but only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 2.15 generally on other borrowers of loans under United States of America cash flow term loan credit facilities.

“Charges” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Class” shall mean, (a) when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, whether such Loan or the Loans comprising such Borrowing are Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans. Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans; and (b) when used in respect of any Commitment, whether such Commitment is in respect of a commitment to make Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans. Other Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans that have different terms and conditions (together with the Commitments in respect thereof) from the Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, respectively, or from other Other Term Loans or other Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall each be construed to be in separate and distinct Classes.

“Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Closing Date” shall mean November 3, 2016.

“Co-Manager” shall mean Apollo Global Securities, LLC.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Co-Investors” shall mean (a) the Fund and Fund Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies), (b) one or more investment funds affiliated with Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. and their respective Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies) and (c) the Management Group.

“Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties and all other property that is subject to any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Subagent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to any Security Document.

“Collateral Agent” shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as collateral agent for the Secured Parties, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity.

 

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“Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, among the Borrower, each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall mean the requirement that (in each case subject to the last paragraph of Section 4.02, Sections 5.10(d), (e) and (g) and Schedule 5.12):

(a) on the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) from the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement and (ii) from each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (iii) from Holdings, a counterpart of the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, in each case duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person;

(b) on the Closing Date, (i)(x) all outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower and all other outstanding Equity Interests, in each case, directly owned by the Loan Parties, other than Excluded Securities, and (y) all Indebtedness owing to any Loan Party, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement or the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests (other than certificates or instruments issued by subsidiaries of the Company that are not received from the Company on or prior to the Closing Date after using commercially reasonable efforts) and any notes or other instruments required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Security Documents, together with stock powers, note powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c) in the case of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (ii) supplements to the other Security Documents, if applicable, in the form specified therefor or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Subsidiary Loan Party;

(d) after the Closing Date, (x) all outstanding Equity Interests of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date and (y) subject to Section 5.10(g), all Equity Interests directly acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (and any Equity Interests of the Borrower directly acquired by Holdings) after the Closing Date, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement (or the Holdings Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, as applicable), together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(e) except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Document, all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, and filings with the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (including those required by applicable Requirements of Law) to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents (in each case, including any supplements thereto) and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents, shall have been delivered, filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or the recording concurrently with, or promptly following, the execution and delivery of each such Security Document;

 

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(f) within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of each Mortgage to be entered into with respect to each such Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property and suitable for recording or filing in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and enforceable Lien subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, at the time of recordation thereof, (ii) with respect to the Mortgage encumbering each such Mortgaged Property, opinions of counsel regarding the enforceability, due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages and such other matters customarily covered in real estate counsel opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (iii) with respect to each such Mortgaged Property, the Flood Documentation and (iv) such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request that are available to the Borrower without material expense with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property;

(g) within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a policy or policies or marked up unconditional binder of title insurance with respect to properties located in the United States of America, or a date-down and modification endorsement, if available, paid for by the Borrower, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company insuring the Lien of each Mortgage as a valid Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except Permitted Liens, together with such customary endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and which are available at commercially reasonable rates in the jurisdiction where the applicable Mortgaged Property is located and (ii) a survey of each Mortgaged Property (including all improvements, easements and other customary matters thereon reasonably required by the Administrative Agent), as applicable, for which all necessary fees (where applicable) have been paid with respect to properties located in the United States of America, which is (A) complying in all material respects with the minimum detail requirements of the American Land Title Association and American Congress of Surveying and Mapping as such requirements are in effect on the date of preparation of such survey and (B) sufficient for such title insurance company to remove all standard survey exceptions from the title insurance policy relating to such Mortgaged Property and issue the customary survey related endorsements or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(h) the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence of the insurance required by the terms of Section 5.02 hereof; and

(i) after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) such other Security Documents as may be required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.10 or the Collateral Agreement, and (ii) upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence of compliance with any other requirements of Section 5.10.

“Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

“Commitments” shall mean (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and Term Facility Commitment and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment (it being understood that a Swingline Commitment does not increase the applicable Swingline Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment).

“Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

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“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Company Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, event, violation, inaccuracy, effect or circumstance that, individually or taken together with all other Effects that exist or have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of the Company Material Adverse Effect, (A) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial or other condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (B) would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or materially delay the consummation of the Merger. Solely with respect to clause (A), none of the following (by itself or when aggregated) to the extent occurring after the date of the Merger Agreement will be deemed to be or constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect or will be taken into account when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or may, would or could occur (subject to the limitations set forth below): (i) changes in general economic conditions in the United States or any other country or region in the world, or changes in conditions in the global economy generally (except to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (ii) changes in conditions in the financial markets, credit markets or capital markets in the United States or any other country or region in the world, including (A) changes in interest rates or credit ratings in the United States or any other country; (B) changes in exchange rates for the currencies of any country; or (C) any suspension of trading in securities (whether equity, debt, derivative or hybrid securities) generally on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market operating in the United States or any other country or region in the world (except, in each case, to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (iii) changes in conditions in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business (except to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (iv) changes in regulatory, legislative or political conditions in the United States or any other country or region in the world (except to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (v) any geopolitical conditions, outbreak of hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, terrorism or military actions (including any escalation or general worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, terrorism or military actions) in the United States or any other country or region in the world (except to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (vi) earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, wild fires or other natural disasters, weather conditions and other force majeure events in the United States or any other country or region in the world (except to the extent that such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether there has occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect); (vii) any Effect resulting from the public announcement of the Merger Agreement or the pendency of the Merger, including the impact thereof on the relationships,

 

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contractual or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries with employees, suppliers, customers, partners, vendors or any other third Person (it being understood that the exceptions in this clause (vii) will not apply with respect to references to Company Material Adverse Effect set forth in the representations contained in Section 3.5 of the Merger Agreement (and in Section 7.2(a) and Section 8.1(c) of the Merger Agreement to the extent related to such portions of such representations and warranties)); (viii) any action taken or refrained from being taken by the Company at the request or with the consent of Parent pursuant to the Merger Agreement, after disclosure to Parent and Merger Sub by the Company of all material and relevant facts and information to the Knowledge of the Company; (ix) any action taken or refrained from being taken, in each case to which Parent has expressly approved, consented to or requested in writing following the date of the Merger Agreement, after disclosure to Parent and Merger Sub by the Company of all material and relevant facts and information to the Knowledge of the Company; (x) changes or proposed changes in GAAP or other accounting standards or Law (or the enforcement or interpretation of any of the foregoing); (xi) changes in the price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or Indebtedness of the Company, in each case in and of itself (it being understood that any cause of such change may be deemed to constitute, in and of itself, a Company Material Adverse Effect and may be taken into consideration when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred); (xii) any failure, in and of itself, by the Company and its Subsidiaries to meet (A) any public estimates or expectations of the Company’s revenue, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations for any period; or (B) any internal budgets, plans, projections or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations (it being understood that any cause of any such failure may be deemed to constitute, in and of itself, a Company Material Adverse Effect and may be taken into consideration when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred) and (xiii) the availability or cost of equity, debt or other financing to Parent or Merger Sub; and the initiation or pendency of any Transaction Litigation or other Legal Proceeding threatened, made or brought by any of the current or former Company Stockholders (on their own behalf or on behalf of the Company) against the Company, any of its executive officers or other employees or any member of the Company Board arising out of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Capitalized terms used in this definition of “Company Material Adverse Effect,” other than the definition of “Merger Agreement”, shall have the same meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

“Conduit Lender” shall mean any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender; provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 or 9.05 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender unless the designation of such Conduit Lender is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which consent shall specify that it is being made pursuant to the proviso in the definition of “Conduit Lender” and provided that the designating Lender provides such information as the Borrower reasonably requests in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent or (b) be deemed to have any Commitment.

“Consolidated Debt” at any date shall mean the sum of (without duplication) all Indebtedness (other than letters of credit or bank guarantees, to the extent undrawn) consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money and Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date in accordance with GAAP.

 

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“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such person and its subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(i) any net after-tax extraordinary, exceptional, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses or income or expense or charge (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), any severance, relocation or other restructuring expenses (including any cost or expense related to employment of terminated employees), any expenses related to any New Project or any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to closing costs, rebranding costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, acquisition integration costs, opening costs, recruiting costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, and expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests or debt securities of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, any Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or incurrence, issuance, repayment, repurchase, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions (including any costs relating to auditing prior periods, any transition-related expenses, and Transaction Expenses incurred before, on or after the Closing Date), in each case, shall be excluded,

(ii) any net after-tax income or loss from Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gain or loss on the Dispositions of Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded,

(iii) any net after-tax gain or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business Dispositions or asset Dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower) shall be excluded,

(iv) any net after-tax income or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment or buy-back of indebtedness, Hedging Agreements or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(v)    (A) the Net Income for such period of any person that is not a subsidiary of such person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) in respect of such period and (B) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) from any person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (A),

(vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period shall be excluded,

(vii) effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such person and its subsidiaries and including the effects of adjustments to (A) deferred rent, (B) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending funds with suppliers or (C) any deferrals of revenue) in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

 

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(viii) any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP, shall be excluded,

(ix) any (a) non-cash compensation charge or (b) costs or expenses realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded,

(x) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded,

(xi) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretation shall be excluded,

(xii) any gain, loss, income, expense or charge resulting from the application of any LIFO method shall be excluded,

(xiii) any non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded,

(xiv) any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Agreements for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded,

(xv) any deductions attributable to minority interests shall be excluded,

(xvi) [reserved],

(xvii) (A) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (x) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (y) in fact reimbursed within 365 days following the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded; and (B) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period),

(xviii) without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 6.06(b)(v) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such person for such period, and

(xix) Capitalized Software Expenditures and software development costs shall be excluded.

 

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“Consolidated Total Assets” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries without giving effect to any impairment or amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Closing Date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g), 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as applicable, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any acquisition or Disposition of a person or assets that may have occurred on or after the last day of such fiscal quarter.

“Continuing Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

“Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

“Credit Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.

“Cumulative Credit” shall mean, at any date, an amount, not less than zero in the aggregate, determined on a cumulative basis equal to, without duplication:

(a) $75,000,000, plus

(b) the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount at such time, plus

(c) the aggregate amount of proceeds received after the Closing Date and prior to such time that would have constituted Net Proceeds pursuant to clause (a) of the definition thereof, except for the operation of clause (x), (y) or (z) of the second proviso thereof (the “Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds”), plus

(d) the aggregate amount of any Declined Proceeds, plus

(e) (i) the cumulative amount of proceeds (including cash and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) from the sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time (including upon exercise of warrants or options), which proceeds have been contributed as common equity to the capital of the Borrower, and (ii) common Equity Interests of Holdings, the Borrower or any Parent Entity issued upon conversion of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Loan Obligations in right of payment) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary owed to a person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary; provided, that this clause (e) shall exclude Permitted Cure Securities, sales of Equity Interests financed as contemplated by Section 6.04(e) or used as described in clause (ix) of the definition of “EBITDA”, any amount used to incur Indebtedness under Section 6.01(l)) and any amounts used to finance the payments or distributions in respect of any Junior Financing pursuant to Section 6.09(b), plus

(f) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions as common equity to the capital of the Borrower received in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) after the Closing Date (subject to the same exclusions as are applicable to clause (e) above); plus

 

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(g) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness (including the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof issued after the Closing Date (other than Indebtedness issued to a Subsidiary), which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) in the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, plus

(h) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary) after the Closing Date from:

(A) the issuance or sale (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary) of the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

(B) any dividend or other distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

(i) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Investments of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), plus

(j) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y), minus

(k) any amounts thereof used to make Investments pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) after the Closing Date prior to such time, minus

(l) the cumulative amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.06(e) prior to such time, minus

(m) any amount thereof used to make payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings pursuant to Section 6.09(b)(i)(E) (other than payments made with proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests that were excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit pursuant to clause (e) above);

provided, however, (A) for purposes of Section 6.06(e), the calculation of the Cumulative Credit shall not include any Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds except to the extent they are used as contemplated in clauses (k) and (m) above, and (B) Cumulative Credit shall only be increased pursuant to clause (a) above to the extent that Excess Cash Flow for any Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the ECF Threshold Amount (or, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, a pro rata portion of such amount).

“Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount” shall mean, at any date, an amount (which shall not be less than zero in the aggregate) determined on a cumulative basis equal to:

(a) the aggregate cumulative sum of the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Periods ending after the Closing Date and prior to such date, plus

 

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(b) for each Excess Cash Flow Interim Period ended prior to such date but as to which the corresponding Excess Cash Flow Period has not ended, an amount equal to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, minus

(c) the cumulative amount of all Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfundings as of such date.

“Cure Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Cure Right” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Current Assets” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, the sum of (a) all assets (other than cash and Permitted Investments or other cash equivalents) that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current assets at such date of determination, other than amounts related to current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, and (b) gross accounts receivable comprising part of the Securitization Assets subject to such Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Current Liabilities” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, all liabilities that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current liabilities at such date of determination, other than (a) the current portion of any Indebtedness, (b) accruals of Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense that is due and unpaid), (c) accruals for current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, (d) accruals, if any, of transaction costs resulting from the Transactions, (e) accruals of any costs or expenses related to (i) severance or termination of employees prior to the Closing Date or (ii) bonuses, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, and (f) accruals for add-backs to EBITDA included in clauses (a)(iv), (a)(v), and (a)(vii) of the definition of such term.

“Debt Fund Affiliate Lender” shall mean entities managed by the Fund or funds advised by its affiliated management companies that are primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course and for which no personnel making investment decisions in respect of any equity fund which has a direct or indirect equity investment in Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has the right to make any investment decisions.

“Debt Service” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Cash Interest Expense for such period, plus scheduled principal amortization of Consolidated Debt for such period.

“Debtor Relief Laws” shall mean the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Declined Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Declining Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Deemed Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

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“Default” shall mean any event or condition that upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” shall mean, subject to Section 2.22, any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing that it does not intend or expect to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower) or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided, that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.22) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each Lender.

“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” shall mean the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth such valuation, less the amount of cash or cash equivalents received in connection with a subsequent disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

“Disinterested Director” shall mean, with respect to any person and transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of such person who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction.

“Dispose” or “Disposed of” shall mean to convey, sell, lease, sell and leaseback, assign, farm-out, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property, business or asset. The term “Disposition” shall have a correlative meaning to the foregoing.

“Disqualified Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, any Equity Interests of such person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the

 

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holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Loan Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payment of dividends in cash or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance thereof (provided, that only the portion of the Equity Interests that so mature or are mandatorily redeemable, are so convertible or exchangeable or are so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock). Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any Equity Interests issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability and (ii) any class of Equity Interests of such person that by its terms authorizes such person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

“Documentation Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Dollar Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date or other applicable date of determination) for the purchase of Dollars with such currency.

“Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (xiii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income (and were not excluded therefrom) for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined):

(i) provision for Taxes based on income, profits or capital of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to taxes or arising from tax examinations),

(ii) Interest Expense (and to the extent not included in Interest Expense, (x) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period,

(iii) depreciation and amortization expenses of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees, original issue discount and Capitalized Software Expenditures, amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits,

 

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(iv) business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility, branch, office or business unit closures, facility, branch, office or business unit consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges) and Pre-Opening Expenses,

(v) any other non-cash charges; provided, that for purposes of this subclause (v) of this clause (a), any non-cash charges or losses shall be treated as cash charges or losses in any subsequent period during which cash disbursements attributable thereto are made (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

(vi) the amount of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction, advisory and similar fees and related expenses paid to the Co-Investors (or any accruals related to such fees and related expenses) during such period not in contravention of this Agreement,

(vii) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense as described in the preceding subclause (iii)) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, New Project, Disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Agreement (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (x) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Senior Unsecured Notes and this Agreement, (y) any amendment or other modification of the Obligations or other Indebtedness and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(viii) the amount of loss or discount in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing, including amortization of loan origination costs and amortization of portfolio discounts,

(ix) any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (other than contributions received from the Borrower or another Subsidiary Loan Party) or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock),

(x) [reserved],

(xi) the amount of any loss attributable to a New Project, until the date that is 12 months after the date of completing the construction, acquisition, assembling or creation of such New Project, as the case may be; provided, that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) losses attributable to such New Project after 12 months from the date of completing such construction, acquisition, assembling or creation, as the case may be, shall not be included in this subclause (xi),

(xii) with respect to any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary and solely to the extent relating to any net income referred to in clause (v) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in subclauses (i) and (ii) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Subsidiary), and

 

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(xiii) one-time costs associated with commencing Public Company Compliance;

minus (b) the sum of (without duplication and to the extent the amounts described in this clause (b) increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items (A) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or will be received in a future period or (B) which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period).

“ECF Threshold Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(c).

“EEA Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“EMU Legislation” shall mean the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

“Environment” shall mean ambient and indoor air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources such as flora and fauna, the workplace or as otherwise defined in any Environmental Law.

“Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable laws (including common law), rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, binding agreements, decrees or judgments, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the Environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the generation, use, transport, management, Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material or to public or employee health and safety matters (to the extent relating to the Environment or Hazardous Materials).

“Environmental Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.16.

“Equity Contribution” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(f).

“Equity Interests” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

 

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“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time and any final regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any Reportable Event or the requirements of Section 4043(b) of ERISA apply with respect to a Plan; (b) with respect to any Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (c) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the impending imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or in “endangered” or “critical” status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; or (j) the withdrawal of any of Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

“Euro” shall mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

“Eurocurrency Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Loans.

“Eurocurrency Loan” shall mean any Eurocurrency Term Loan or Eurocurrency Revolving Loan.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

 

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“Eurocurrency Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

“Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any Applicable Period, EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such Applicable Period, minus, without duplication, (A):

(a) Debt Service for such Applicable Period,

(b) the amount of any voluntary payment permitted hereunder of term Indebtedness during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(A)) and the amount of any voluntary payments of revolving Indebtedness to the extent accompanied by permanent reductions of any revolving facility commitments during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayments of the Revolving Facility Commitment, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(B)), so long as the amount of such prepayment is not already reflected in Debt Service,

(c)    (i) Capital Expenditures by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period that are paid in cash and (ii) the aggregate consideration paid in cash during the Applicable Period in respect of Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments, intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries and Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)) and payments in respect of restructuring activities,

(d) Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments (excluding Permitted Investments and intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries), or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities, that the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall, during such Applicable Period, become obligated to make or otherwise anticipated to make payments with respect thereto but that are not made during such Applicable Period; provided, that (i) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate to the Administrative Agent not later than the date required for the delivery of the certificate pursuant to Section 2.11(c), signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and certifying that payments in respect of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments or planned restructuring activities are expected to be made in the following Excess Cash Flow Period, and (ii) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period,

(e) Taxes paid in cash by Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period or that will be paid within six months after the close of such Applicable Period and the amount of any distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) and Section 6.06(b)(v) during such Applicable Period or that will be made within six months after the close of such Applicable Period; provided, that with respect to any such amounts to be paid or distributed after the close of such Applicable Period, (i) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period, and (ii) appropriate reserves shall have been established in accordance with GAAP,

(f) an amount equal to any increase in Working Capital (other than any increase arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon

 

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an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period and, at the Borrower’s option, any anticipated increase, estimated by the Borrower in good faith, for the following Excess Cash Flow Period,

(g) cash expenditures made in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period, to the extent not reflected in the computation of EBITDA or Interest Expense,

(h) permitted Restricted Payments paid in cash by the Borrower during such Applicable Period and permitted Restricted Payments paid by any Subsidiary to any person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries during such Applicable Period, in each case in accordance with Section 6.06 (other than Section 6.06(e) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)),

(i) amounts paid in cash during such Applicable Period on account of (A) items that were accounted for as non-cash reductions of Net Income in determining Consolidated Net Income or as non-cash reductions of Consolidated Net Income in determining EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in a prior Applicable Period and (B) reserves or accruals established in purchase accounting,

(j) to the extent not deducted in the computation of Net Proceeds in respect of any asset disposition or condemnation giving rise thereto, the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness created hereunder or under any other Loan Document), together with any interest, premium or penalties required to be paid (and actually paid) in connection therewith,

(k) the amount related to items that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income or were added to or not deducted from Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent such items represented a cash payment (other than in respect of Transaction Expenses) which had not reduced Excess Cash Flow upon the accrual thereof in a prior Applicable Period, or an accrual for a cash payment, by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or did not represent cash received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period, and

(l) the amount of (A) any deductions attributable to minority interests that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income and (B) EBITDA of joint ventures and minority investees added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA,

plus, without duplication, (B):

(a) an amount equal to any decrease in Working Capital (other than any decrease arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period,

(b) all amounts referred to in clauses (A)(b), (A)(c) and (A)(d) above to the extent funded with the proceeds of the issuance or the incurrence of Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness, but excluding proceeds of extensions of credit under any revolving credit facility), the sale or issuance of any Equity Interests (including any capital contributions) and any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of any asset or assets, in each case to the extent there is a corresponding deduction from Excess Cash Flow above,

 

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(c) to the extent any permitted Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities referred to in clause (A)(d) above do not occur in the following Applicable Period of the Borrower specified in the certificate of the Borrower provided pursuant to clause (A)(d) above, the amount of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities that were not so made in such following Applicable Period,

(d) cash payments received in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period to the extent (i) not included in the computation of EBITDA or (ii) such payments do not reduce Cash Interest Expense,

(e) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain realized in cash during such Applicable Period (except to the extent such gain consists of Net Proceeds subject to Section 2.11(b)), and

(f) the amount related to items that were deducted from or not added to Net Income in connection with calculating Consolidated Net Income or were deducted from or not added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent either (i) such items represented cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) such items do not represent cash paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period.

“Excess Cash Flow Interim Period” shall mean, (x) during any Excess Cash Flow Period, any one, two, or three-quarter period (a) commencing on the later of (i) the end of the immediately preceding Excess Cash Flow Period and (ii) if applicable, the end of any prior Excess Cash Flow Interim Period occurring during the same Excess Cash Flow Period and (b) ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (other than the last day of the fiscal year) during such Excess Cash Flow Period for which financial statements are available and (y) during the period from the Closing Date until the beginning of the first Excess Cash Flow Period, any period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

“Excess Cash Flow Period” shall mean each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 2017.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Excluded Contributions” shall mean the cash and the fair market value of assets other than cash (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) received by the Borrower after the Closing Date from: (a) contributions to its common Equity Interests, and (b) the sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower, in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interest is sold or issued, as the case may be.

“Excluded Indebtedness” shall mean all Indebtedness not incurred in violation of Section 6.01.

 

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“Excluded Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.10(g).

“Excluded Securities” shall mean any of the following:

(a) any Equity Interests or Indebtedness with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or Indebtedness in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby;

(b) in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(c) in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(d) any Equity Interests or Indebtedness to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

(e) any Equity Interests of any person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by (i) any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or (ii) any other contractual obligation with an unaffiliated third party not in violation of Section 6.09(c) binding on such Equity Interests to the extent in existence on the Closing Date or on the date of acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i)) (other than, in this subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (or other contractual obligation referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided, that this clause (B) shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent) and shall only apply for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests (or other contractual obligation referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than, in the case of other contractual obligations referred to in subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

(f) any Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary, any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary;

(g) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of, or other Equity Interests owned by, a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

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(h) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(i) any Equity Interests or Indebtedness that are set forth on Schedule 1.01(A) to this Agreement or that have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent;

(j)    (x) any Equity Interests owned by Holdings, other than Equity Interests of the Borrower, and (y) any Indebtedness owned by or owing to Holdings; and

(k) any Margin Stock.

“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean any of the following (except as otherwise provided in clause (b) of the definition of Subsidiary Loan Party):

(a) each Immaterial Subsidiary,

(b) each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary),

(c) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations by any Requirement of Law or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a Governmental Authority to Guarantee or grant Liens to secure the Obligations (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received),

(d) each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable contractual requirement from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations on the Closing Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary not in violation of Section 6.09(c) (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect),

(e) any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary,

(f) any Foreign Subsidiary,

(g) any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that is an FSHCO or (ii) that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC,

(h) any other Domestic Subsidiary with respect to which, (x) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of providing a Guarantee of or granting Liens to secure the Obligations are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby or (y) in the case of any person that becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, providing such a Guarantee or granting such Liens could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower,

(i) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, and

(j) with respect to any Swap Obligation, any Subsidiary that is not an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by

 

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such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation, unless otherwise agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable Lending Office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to a Lender (other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b) or 2.19(c)) pursuant to laws in force at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17, (iii) any withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(d) or (e) or (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

“Excluded Transaction Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Transactions consisting of, or incurred to fund the payment of, any original issue discount or upfront fees in respect of the Term B Loans, the Revolving Facility and/or the Senior Unsecured Notes, in each case, pursuant to the “market flex” provisions of the Fee Letter.

“Existing Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015 and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

“Existing Notes” shall mean, collectively, the 6.5% Senior Notes due 2024 of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of November 25, 2015, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

“Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit” shall mean those letters of credit or bank guarantees issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.01(C), which shall each be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date.

 

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“Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Revolving Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Term Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extending Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extension” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Facility” shall mean the respective facility and commitments utilized in making Loans and credit extensions hereunder, it being understood that, as of the Closing Date there are two Facilities (i.e., the Term B Facility and the Revolving Facility Commitments established on the Closing Date and the extensions of credit thereunder) and thereafter, the term “Facility” may include any other Class of Commitments and the extensions of credit thereunder.

“FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), or any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or official administrative interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1.00%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it and (c) if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero.

“Fee Letter” shall mean that certain Fee Letter dated as of August 26, 2016 (as supplemented by that certain Additional Lender Agreement dated as of September 9, 2016) by and among Holdings, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and the other parties thereto.

“Fees” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the L/C Participation Fees, the Issuing Bank Fees and the Administrative Agent Fees.

“Financial Covenant” shall mean the covenant of the Borrower set forth in Section 6.11.

“Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent financial officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such person.

 

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“First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Flood Documentation” shall mean, with respect to each Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America or any territory thereof, (i) a completed “life-of-loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency standard flood hazard determination (to the extent a Mortgaged Property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, together with a notice about Special Flood Hazard Area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and the applicable Loan Party relating thereto) and (ii) evidence of flood insurance as required by Section 5.02(c) hereof and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall (A) be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable or mortgagee endorsement (as applicable), (B) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as additional insured and loss payee/mortgagee, (C) identify the address of each property located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicable flood zone designation and the flood insurance coverage and deductible relating thereto and (D) be otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

“Flood Insurance Laws” shall mean, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

“Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Fronting Exposure” shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank other than such Revolving L/C Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.

“FSHCO” shall mean any Subsidiary that owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs and/or of one or more FSHCOs.

 

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“Fund” shall mean, collectively, investment funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC.

“Fund Affiliate” shall mean (i) each Affiliate of the Fund that is neither a “portfolio company” (which means a company actively engaged in providing goods or services to unaffiliated customers), whether or not controlled, nor a company controlled by a “portfolio company” and (ii) any individual who is a partner or employee of Apollo Management, L.P. or Apollo Management VIII, L.P.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis, subject to the provisions of Section 1.02; provided, that any reference to the application of GAAP in Sections 3.13(b), 3.20, 5.03, 5.07 and 6.02(e) to a Foreign Subsidiary (and not as a consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower) shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.

“Guarantee” of or by any person (the “guarantor”) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness or other obligation (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness or other obligation to be secured by such a Lien) of any other person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such person in good faith.

“guarantor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Guarantors” shall mean the Loan Parties other than the Borrower.

“Hazardous Materials” shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including, without limitation, explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum by products or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas or pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers or other agricultural chemicals, of any nature subject to regulation or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.

 

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“Hedge Bank” shall mean any person that is (or an Affiliate thereof is) (a) an Agent, an Arranger or a Lender on the Closing Date (or any person that becomes an Agent, Arranger or Lender or Affiliate thereof after the Closing Date) and that enters into a Hedging Agreement, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Hedging Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G).

“Hedging Agreement” shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed price physical delivery contracts, or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, in each case of the foregoing, whether or not exchange traded; provided, that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

“Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement” shall mean the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between Holdings and the Collateral Agent.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (a) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g), 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, and (b) taken together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10% of Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date; provided, that the Borrower may elect in its sole discretion to exclude as an Immaterial Subsidiary any Subsidiary that would otherwise meet the definition thereof.

“Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount or deferred financing fees, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness or in the form of Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, deferred financing fees or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

“Incremental Amount” shall mean, at the time of the establishment of the commitments in respect of the Indebtedness to be incurred utilizing this definition (or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness), the sum of:

(i) the excess (if any) of (a) $700,000,000 over (b) the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, in each case incurred or established after the Closing Date and outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 2.21 utilizing this clause (i) (other than Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in respect of Refinancing Term Loans, Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, respectively) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under Section 6.01(z) at such time that was incurred utilizing this clause (i); plus

 

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(ii) any amounts so long as immediately after giving effect to the establishment of the commitments in respect thereof utilizing this clause (ii) (and assuming any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments established at such time utilizing this clause (ii) are fully drawn unless such commitments have been drawn or have otherwise been terminated) (or, at the option of the Borrower, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) and the use of proceeds of the loans thereunder, (a) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 and (b) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans and the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided that, for purposes of this clause (ii), net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of Incremental Loans incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio at such time; plus

(iii) the aggregate amount of all voluntary prepayments of Term B Loans outstanding on the Closing Date and Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) (and accompanied by a reduction of Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08(b) in the case of a prepayment of Revolving Facility Loans) made prior to such time except to the extent funded with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness);

provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, (A) amounts may be established or incurred utilizing clause (ii) above prior to utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above and (B) any calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis pursuant to clause (ii) above may be determined, at the option of the Borrower, without giving effect to any simultaneous establishment or incurrence of any amounts utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above.

“Incremental Assumption Agreement” shall mean an Incremental Assumption Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and, if applicable, one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders.

“Incremental Commitment” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment.

“Incremental Loan” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan or an Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Revolving Loans.

“Incremental Revolving Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Revolving Loans to the Borrower.

 

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“Incremental Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Loan” shall mean (i) Revolving Facility Loans made by one or more Revolving Facility Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment to make additional Initial Revolving Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Revolving Loans (including in the form of Extended Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Incremental Term Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Term Loans.

“Incremental Term Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Term Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Term Loan.

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower.

“Incremental Term Loan Installment Date” shall have, with respect to any Class of Incremental Term Loans established pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement, the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(ii).

“Incremental Term Loans” shall mean (i) Term Loans made by one or more Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(c) consisting of additional Term B Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Term Loans (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (i)) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person, (d) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course), to the extent that the same would be required to be shown as a long term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such person, (f) all net payments that such person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Hedging Agreements, (g) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (h) the principal component of all obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (i) all Guarantees by such person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (h) above and (j) the amount of all obligations of such person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock (excluding accrued dividends that have not increased the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock); provided, that Indebtedness shall not include (A) trade and other ordinary-course payables, accrued expenses, and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) prepaid or deferred revenue, (C) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase prices of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of

 

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such asset, (D) Obligations under or in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings, (E) earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP, (F) obligations in respect of Third Party Funds, (G) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (I) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (II) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or (H) obligations under or in respect of the Merger Agreement. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness limits the liability of such person in respect thereof.

“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean all Taxes imposed on or with respect to or measured by any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

“Ineligible Institution” shall mean (i) the persons identified as “Disqualified Lenders” in writing to the Arrangers by Holdings or the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) the persons as may be identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time thereafter (in the case of this clause (ii)) in respect of bona fide business competitors of the Borrower (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), by delivery of a notice thereof to the Administrative Agent setting forth such person or persons (or the person or persons previously identified to the Administrative Agent that are to be no longer considered “Ineligible Institutions”); provided, that no such updates pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Ineligible Institutions.

“Information” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.14(a).

“Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum dated October 2016, as modified or supplemented prior to the Closing Date.

“Initial Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Facility Loan made (i) pursuant to the Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Closing Date (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement) or (ii) pursuant to any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment on the same terms as the Revolving Facility Loans referred to in clause (i) of this definition.

“Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Intercreditor Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.11.

“Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) Cash Interest Expense, in each case, for the Test Period most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Interest Election Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 and substantially in the form of Exhibit E or another form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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“Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the sum of (a) gross interest expense of such person for such period on a consolidated basis, including the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market of obligations in respect of Hedging Agreements or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP and (b) capitalized interest of such person, minus interest income for such period. For purposes of the foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with respect to Hedging Agreements, and interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

“Interest Payment Date” shall mean, (a) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing and (iii) in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type, (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid pursuant to Section 2.09(a).

“Interest Period” shall mean, as to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter (or 12 months, if at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all relevant Lenders make interest periods of such length available or, if agreed to by the Administrative Agent, any shorter period), as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

“Intermediate Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.09.

“Investment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Investment Incurrence Clauses” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.04.

“IPO Entity” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Qualified IPO”.

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

“Issuing Bank” shall mean (i) each of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch and, (ii) for purposes of the Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank set forth on Schedule 1.01(C), and (iii) each other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(l), in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity. An Issuing Bank

 

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may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such branch or Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such branch or Affiliate.

“Issuing Bank Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Joint Bookrunners” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Judgment Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“Junior Financing” shall mean any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

“Junior Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are junior to the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood that Junior Liens are not required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are senior in priority to, or pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

“L/C Disbursement” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“L/C Participation Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Latest Maturity Date” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest of the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the latest Term Facility Maturity Date, in each case then in effect on such date of determination.

“Lender” shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01 (other than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.04), as well as any person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04 or Section 2.21. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include any Swingline Lender.

“Lending Office” shall mean, as to any Lender, the applicable branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender designated by such Lender to make Loans.

“Letter of Credit” shall mean any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Section 2.05, including any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit. Each Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date for all purposes of the Loan Documents.

“Letter of Credit Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05.

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” shall mean the aggregate Letter of Credit Commitments of the Issuing Banks, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) or such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree.

 

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“LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making such rates available) for Dollar deposits (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or its successor) as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which Dollar deposits are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided, that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Loan Documents” shall mean (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, (iii) the Security Documents, (iv) each Incremental Assumption Agreement, (v) any Intercreditor Agreement, (vi) any Note issued under Section 2.09(e), (vii) the Letters of Credit and (viii) solely for the purposes of Sections 4.02 and 7.01 hereof, the Fee Letter.

“Loan Obligations” shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans made to the Borrower under this Agreement, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide Cash Collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower owed under or pursuant to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), and (b) the due and punctual payment of all obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents.

“Loan Parties” shall mean Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

“Loans” shall mean the Term Loans, the Revolving Facility Loans and the Swingline Loans.

“Local Time” shall mean New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable); provided that, with respect to any Alternate Currency Loan, “Local Time” shall mean the local time of the applicable Lending Office.

 

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“Majority Lenders” of any Facility shall mean, at any time, Lenders under such Facility having Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding under such Facility and unused Commitments under such Facility at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

“Management Group” shall mean the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with (a) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, then still in office who were either directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (b) executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, hired at a time when the directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be.

“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

“Market Capitalization” shall mean an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests of the IPO Entity on the date of the declaration of the relevant Restricted Payment multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of the common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on the business, property, operations or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

“Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Securitization Financing be considered Material Indebtedness.

“Material Real Property” shall mean any parcel or parcels of Real Property located in the United States now or hereafter owned in fee by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and having a fair market value (on a per-property basis) of at least $5,000,000 as of (x) the Closing Date, for Real Property now owned or (y) the date of acquisition, for Real Property acquired after the Closing Date, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith; provided, that “Material Real Property” shall not include (i) any Real Property in respect of which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party does not own the land in fee simple or (ii) any Real Property which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party leases to a third party.

“Material Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Merger” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Merger Agreement” shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 26, 2016, by and among Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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“Merger Sub” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Minimum L/C Collateral Amount” shall mean, at any time, in connection with any Letter of Credit, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 102% of the Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to such Letter of Credit at such time and (ii) otherwise, an amount sufficient to provide credit support with respect to such Revolving L/C Exposure as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks in their sole discretion.

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Mortgaged Properties” shall mean each Material Real Property encumbered by a Mortgage pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Mortgages” shall mean, collectively, the mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents (including amendments to any of the foregoing) delivered with respect to Mortgaged Properties in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower, Holdings or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate (other than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Code Section 414) is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding six plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

“Net First Lien Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt and other than Loan Obligations secured only by Junior Liens) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person, the net income (loss) of such person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

“Net Proceeds” shall mean:

(a) 100% of the cash proceeds actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any Asset Sale under Section 6.05(g) (or Sale-Leaseback Transactions under Section 6.03(b)(x)), net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance

 

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premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset to the extent such debt or obligations are secured by a Lien permitted hereunder (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents) on such asset, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, (ii) Taxes paid or payable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) as a result thereof (including the amount of any distributions in respect thereof pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) or Section 6.06(b)(v)), (iii) the amount of any reasonable reserve established in accordance with GAAP against any adjustment to the sale price or any liabilities (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above) (x) related to any of the applicable assets and (y) retained by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction (however, the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be cash proceeds of such Asset Sale occurring on the date of such reduction) and (iv) payments made on a ratable basis (or less than ratable basis) to holders of non-controlling interests in non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale; provided, that, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of any such proceeds setting forth Holdings’ or the Borrower’s intention to use any portion of such proceeds, within 12 months of such receipt, to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or to make Permitted Business Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments or intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries) or to reimburse the cost of any of the foregoing incurred on or after the date on which the Asset Sale giving rise to such proceeds was contractually committed, such portion of such proceeds shall not constitute Net Proceeds except to the extent not, within 12 months of such receipt, so used or contractually committed to be so used (it being understood that if any portion of such proceeds are not so used within such 12 month period but within such 12 month period are contractually committed to be used, then such remaining portion if not so used within six months following the end of such 12 month period shall constitute Net Proceeds as of such date without giving effect to this proviso); provided, further, that (x) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds unless such net cash proceeds shall exceed $25,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds), (y) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing shall constitute Net Proceeds in any fiscal year until the aggregate amount of all such net cash proceeds otherwise constituting Net Proceeds pursuant to the foregoing clause (x) in such fiscal year shall exceed $75,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds) and (z) if at the time of receipt of such net cash proceeds or at any time during the 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) reinvestment period contemplated by the immediately preceding proviso, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent certifying that on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to the Asset Sale and the application of the proceeds thereof or at the relevant time during such 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) period, (I) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, 50% of such net cash proceeds that would otherwise constitute Net Proceeds under this proviso shall not constitute Net Proceeds or (II) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, none of such net cash proceeds shall constitute Net Proceeds; and

(b) 100% of the cash proceeds from the incurrence, issuance or sale by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Indebtedness), net of all taxes and fees (including investment banking fees), commissions, costs and other expenses, in each case incurred in connection with such incurrence, issuance or sale.

 

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“Net Secured Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Secured Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Net Total Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) without duplication, the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“New Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“New Project” shall mean (x) each plant, facility, branch, office or business unit which is either a new plant, facility, branch, office or business unit or an expansion, relocation, remodeling, refurbishment or substantial modernization of an existing plant, facility, branch, office or business unit owned by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (y) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit, product line or information technology offering to the extent such business unit commences operations or such product line or information technology is offered or each expansion (in one or a series of related transactions) of business into a new market or through a new distribution method or channel.

“Non-Bank Tax Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e)(i).

“Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).

“Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Note” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(e).

“Obligations” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Loan Obligations, (b) obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (c) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement.

“OFAC” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.25(b).

“Other First Lien Debt” shall mean obligations secured by Other First Liens.

 

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“Other First Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are pari passu with the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

“Other Revolving Facility Commitments” shall mean Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments to make Other Revolving Loans.

“Other Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21.

“Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise, transfer, sales, property, intangible, mortgage recording or similar Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, registration, delivery or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, from the receipt or perfection of security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents (but excluding any Excluded Taxes).

“Other Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21 (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable).

“Parent Entity” shall mean any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.

“Pari Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Pari Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Participant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(i).

“Participant Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(ii).

“Participating Member State” shall mean each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

“Perfection Certificate” shall mean the Perfection Certificate with respect to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be supplemented from time to time to the extent required by Section 5.04(f).

“Permitted Business Acquisition” shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all or substantially all the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) not previously held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in, or merger, consolidation or amalgamation with, a person or division or line of business of a person (or any subsequent investment made in a person or division or line of business previously acquired in a Permitted Business Acquisition), if immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Event of Default under clause (b), (c), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, provided, however, that with respect to a proposed acquisition pursuant to an executed acquisition agreement, at the option of the Borrower, the determination of whether such an Event of Default shall exist shall be made solely at the time of the execution of the acquisition agreement related to such Permitted Business Acquisition; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; (iii) with respect to any such acquisition or investment with cash consideration in excess of $50,000,000, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance immediately after giving effect to such acquisition or investment and any related

 

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transaction; (iv) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary shall not be liable for any Indebtedness except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; (v) to the extent required by Section 5.10, any person acquired in such acquisition, if acquired by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, shall be merged into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party or become upon consummation of such acquisition a Subsidiary Loan Party; and (vi) the aggregate cash consideration in respect of such acquisitions and investments by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party in assets that are not owned by the Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Parties or in Equity Interests of persons that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties or do not become Subsidiary Loan Parties, in each case upon consummation of such acquisition, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $225,000,000 and (y) 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this clause (vi), (A) any such assets or Equity Interests that are not directly owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (B) acquisitions and investments made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which acquisitions and investments shall be permitted under this clause (v) without regard to such calculation).

“Permitted Cure Securities” shall mean any Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity issued pursuant to the Cure Right other than Disqualified Stock.

“Permitted Holder Group” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Holders.”

“Permitted Holders” shall mean (i) the Co-Investors (and each other person that owns Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions), (ii) any person that has no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and that, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires beneficial ownership of 100% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower, and of which no other person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than any of the other Permitted Holders, beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests thereof and (iii) any “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) the members of which include any of the other Permitted Holders and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member (or more favorable voting rights, in the case of any Permitted Holders specified in clause (i) or (ii)) and (2) no person or other “group” (other than the other Permitted Holders) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests held by the Permitted Holder Group.

“Permitted Investments” shall mean:

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding company’s long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

 

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(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;

(d) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P 1 (or higher) according to Moody’s, F 1 (or higher) according to Fitch, or A 1 (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(e) securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition, issued or fully guaranteed by any State, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P, A by Moody’s or A by Fitch (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(f) shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds’ investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;

(g) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a 7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated by any two of (1) AAA by S&P, (2) Aaa by Moody’s or (3) AAA by Fitch and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

(h) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 0.5% of the total assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year; and

(i) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction.

“Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be junior to any Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, junior Liens pursuant to Section 2.21(b)(ii) or (v)), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement if such Liens secure “Second Lien Obligations” (as defined therein), (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such junior Liens than the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

 

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“Permitted Loan Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender as an Assignor and Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as an Assignee, as accepted by the Administrative Agent (if required by Section 9.04) in the form of Exhibit F or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

“Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be pari passu with the Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such pari passu Liens than the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a pari passu basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions, expenses, plus an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized thereunder and letters of credit undrawn thereunder), (b) except with respect to Section 6.01(i), (i) the final maturity date of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is on or after the earlier of (x) the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence thereof and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to the lesser of (i) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans then outstanding with the greatest remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity, (c) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Loan Obligations on terms in the aggregate not materially less favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have obligors that are not (or would not have been) obligated with respect to the Indebtedness being so Refinanced (except that a Loan Party may be added as an additional obligor) and (e) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by Liens on any Collateral (whether senior to, equally and ratably with, or junior to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Loan Obligations or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such Collateral (including any Collateral pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent any such Collateral secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced) on terms in the aggregate that are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Secured Parties than, the Indebtedness being refinanced or on terms otherwise permitted by Section 6.02.

“Permitted Securitization Documents” shall mean all documents and agreements evidencing, relating to or otherwise governing a Permitted Securitization Financing.

 

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“Permitted Securitization Financing” shall mean one or more transactions pursuant to which (i) Securitization Assets or interests therein are sold or transferred to or financed by one or more Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries, and (ii) such Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries finance (or refinance) their acquisition of such Securitization Assets or interests therein, or the financing thereof, by selling or borrowing against Securitization Assets (including conduit and warehouse financings) and any Hedging Agreements entered into in connection with such Securitization Assets; provided, that recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in connection with such transactions shall be limited to the extent customary (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) for similar transactions in the applicable jurisdictions (including, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with the delivery of a “true sale”/“absolute transfer” opinion with respect to any transfer by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary).

“person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company or government, individual or family trusts, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is (i) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (ii) sponsored or maintained (at the time of determination or at any time within the five years prior thereto) by Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate, and (iii) in respect of which Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Platform” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Pledged Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” shall mean, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred that are classified as “pre-opening rent”, “pre-opening expenses” or “opening costs” (or any similar or equivalent caption).

“Pricing Grid” shall mean, with respect to the Loans and Revolving Facility Commitments, the table set forth below:

 

Pricing Grid for Revolving Loans
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Margin for ABR Loans		Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Loans
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		3.00%		4.00%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but greater than 1.00 to 1.00		2.75%		3.75%
Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00		2.50%		3.50%

 

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Pricing Grid for Revolving Facility Commitments
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Commitment Fee
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		0.50%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00		0.375%

For the purposes of the Pricing Grid, changes in the Applicable Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee resulting from changes in the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “Adjustment Date”) that is three Business Days after the date on which the relevant financial statements are delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.04 for each fiscal quarter beginning with the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended after the Closing Date, and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements referred to in the preceding sentence are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 5.04, then, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the pricing level that is one pricing level higher than the pricing level theretofore in effect shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such financial statements were to have been delivered but were not delivered. Each determination of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 6.11.

“primary obligor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum as announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City.

“Pro Forma Basis” shall mean, as to any person, for any events as described below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the “Reference Period”): (i) pro forma effect shall be given to any Disposition, any acquisition, Investment, capital expenditure, construction, repair, replacement, improvement, development, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation (including the Transactions) (or any similar transaction or transactions not otherwise permitted under Section 6.04 or 6.05 that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders and such waiver or consent has been obtained), any dividend, distribution or other similar payment, any designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Subsidiary Redesignation, New Project, and any restructurings of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries has determined to make and/or made and in the good faith determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower are expected to have a continuing impact and are factually supportable, which would include cost savings resulting from head count reduction, closure of facilities and similar operational and other cost savings, which adjustments the Borrower determines are reasonable as set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (the foregoing, together with any transactions related thereto or in connection therewith, the “relevant transactions”), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated), (ii) in making any determination

 

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on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, incurred or assumed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transactions and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and amounts outstanding under any Permitted Securitization Financing, in each case not to finance any acquisition) issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated) shall be deemed to have been issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in the preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods, and (z) in giving effect to clause (i) above with respect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during the Reference Period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Borrower in good faith, and (iii) (A) for any Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, effect shall be given to such Subsidiary Redesignation and all other Subsidiary Redesignations after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, collectively, and (B) for any designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, collectively.

In the event that EBITDA or any financial ratio is being calculated for purposes of determining whether Indebtedness or any Lien relating thereto may be incurred or whether any Investment may be made, the Borrower may elect pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent to treat all or any portion of the commitment relating thereto as being incurred at the time of such commitment, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis” shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and may include adjustments to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from any relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions), (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data” portion of the “Summary” section of the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such Reference Period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Borrower in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)). The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies and adjustments pursuant to clause (2) above, and information and calculations supporting them in reasonable detail.

 

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For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Pro Forma Compliance” shall mean, at any date of determination, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to the relevant transactions (including the assumption, the issuance, incurrence and permanent repayment of Indebtedness), with the Financial Covenant recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for which the financial statements and certificates required pursuant to Section 5.04 have been delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, Pro Forma Compliance shall be tested without regard to whether or not the Financial Covenant was or was required to be tested on the applicable quarter end date.

“Pro Rata Extension Offers” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Pro Rata Share” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Projections” shall mean the projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.

“Public Company Compliance” shall mean compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules of national securities exchange listed companies (in each case, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), including procuring directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

“Public Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

“Qualified Equity Interests” shall mean any Equity Interest other than Disqualified Stock.

“Qualified IPO” shall mean an underwritten public offering of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity (the “IPO Entity”) which generates (individually or in the aggregate together with any prior underwritten public offering) gross cash proceeds of at least $50,000,000.

“Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Type.”

“Real Property” shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by any Loan Party, whether by lease, license, or other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.

 

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“Receivables Assets” shall mean accounts receivable (including any bills of exchange) and related assets and property from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Reference Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis.”

“Refinance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,” and “Refinanced” and “Refinancings” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

“Refinancing Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Refinancing Notes” shall mean any secured or unsecured notes or loans issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party (whether under an indenture, a credit agreement or otherwise) and the Indebtedness represented thereby; provided, that (a) 100% of the Net Proceeds of such Refinancing Notes are used to permanently reduce Loans and/or replace Commitments substantially simultaneously with the issuance thereof; (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Notes does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the aggregate portion of the Loans so reduced and/or Commitments so replaced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses); (c) the final maturity date of such Refinancing Notes is on or after the Term Facility Maturity Date or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, as applicable, of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced; (d) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Notes is greater than or equal to the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable; (e) in the case of Refinancing Notes in the form of notes issued under an indenture, the terms thereof do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligations prior to the Term Facility Maturity Date of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date of the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayment provisions upon a change of control, asset sale or event of loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default); (f) the other terms of such Refinancing Notes (other than interest rates, fees, floors, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums and other pricing terms), taken as a whole, are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time such Refinancing Notes are issued or those that are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith (or, if more restrictive, the Loan Documents are amended to contain such more restrictive terms to the extent required to satisfy the foregoing standard); (g) there shall be no obligor in respect of such Refinancing Notes that is not a Loan Party; and (h) Refinancing Notes that are secured by Collateral shall be subject to the provisions of a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

“Refinancing Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).

“Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

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“Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Related Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit and is advised or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity (or an Affiliate of such entity) that administers, advises or manages such Lender.

“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified person, such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates and the respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such person and such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates.

“Related Sections” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, emanating or migrating in, into, onto or through the Environment.

“Replacement Revolving Facilities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Reportable Event” shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, with respect to a Plan (other than a Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate that is considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code).

“Required Amount of Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Required Lenders.”

“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposure and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that (i) the Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time and (ii) the portion of any Term Loans held by Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate in excess of 49.9% of the Required Amount of Loans shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time. For purposes of the foregoing, “Required Amount of Loans” shall mean, at any time, the amount of Loans required to be held by Lenders in order for such Lenders to constitute “Required Lenders” (without giving effect to the foregoing clause (ii)).

 

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“Required Percentage” shall mean, with respect to an Applicable Period, 50%; provided, that (a) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 25% and (b) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 0%.

“Required Prepayment Lenders” shall mean, at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

“Required Revolving Facility Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Revolving Facility Lenders having (a) Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposures and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Revolving Facility Lenders at any time.

“Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such person or any of its property or assets or to which such person or any of its property or assets is subject.

“Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement, or any other duly authorized employee or signatory of such person.

“Restricted Payments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06. The amount of any Restricted Payment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.06.

“Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfunding” shall mean, at any time, in respect of any Excess Cash Flow Period, the amount, if any, by which the portion of the Cumulative Credit attributable to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Interim Periods used in such Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the actual Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period.

“Retained Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period), (a) 100% minus (b) the Required Percentage with respect to such Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period).

“Revaluation Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance, extension or renewal of an Alternate Currency

 

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Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require and (b) with respect to any Alternate Currency Loans, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans denominated in an Alternate Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Revolving Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency pursuant to Section 2.07, and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Majority Lenders under the Revolving Facility shall require.

“Revolving Facility” shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class and, for purposes of Section 9.08(b), shall refer to all such Revolving Facility Commitments as a single Class.

“Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans of the same Class.

“Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(b), expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04, and (c) increased (or replaced) as provided under Section 2.21. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance or Incremental Assumption Agreement pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment (or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment), as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is $225,000,000. On the Closing Date, there is only one Class of Revolving Facility Commitments. After the Closing Date, additional Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments may be added or created pursuant to Incremental Assumption Agreements.

“Revolving Facility Credit Exposure” shall mean, at any time with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans of such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof), (b) the Swingline Exposure applicable to such Class at such time and (c) the Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time minus, for the purpose of Sections 6.11 and 7.03, the amount of Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount at such time. The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the product of (x) such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the applicable Class and (y) the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class of all Revolving Facility Lenders, collectively, at such time.

“Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender (including an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender) with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans.

“Revolving Facility Loan” shall mean a Loan made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(b). Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Revolving Facility Loans” shall include the Other Revolving Loans.

“Revolving Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Revolving Facility in effect on the Closing Date, November 3, 2021 and (b) with respect to any other Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

 

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“Revolving Facility Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender of any Class, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class represented by such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class. If the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages of such Class shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.

“Revolving Facility Termination Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

“Revolving L/C Exposure” of any Class shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit applicable to such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements applicable to such Class that have not yet been reimbursed at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Revolving L/C Exposure of any Class of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce No. 590, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

“Sanctions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“Sanctions Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

“Secured Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party of any Cash Management Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank, in each case to the extent that such Cash Management Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Cash Management Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Cash Management Agreement.

“Secured Hedge Agreement” shall mean any Hedging Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party

 

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of any Hedging Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, in each case to the extent that such Hedging Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Hedge Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Hedge Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of the Loan Documents, any Guarantee of, or grant of any Lien to secure, any obligations in respect of a Secured Hedge Agreement by a Guarantor shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.

“Secured Parties” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.02 by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Loan Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securitization Assets” shall mean any of the following assets (or interests therein) from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has any rights or interests, in each case, without regard to where such assets or interests are located: (a) Receivables Assets, (b) franchise fees, royalties and other similar payments made related to the use of trade names and other Intellectual Property, business support, training and other services, (c) revenues related to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (d) rents, real estate taxes and other non-royalty amounts due from franchisees, (e) Intellectual Property rights relating to the generation of any of the types of assets listed in this definition, (f) parcels of or interests in real property, together with all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof, (g) any Equity Interests of any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary and any rights under any limited liability company agreement, trust agreement, shareholders agreement, organization or formation documents or other agreement entered into in furtherance of the organization of such entity, (h) any equipment, contractual rights with unaffiliated third parties, website domains and associated property and rights necessary for a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary to operate in accordance with its stated purposes; (i) any rights and obligations associated with gift card or similar programs, and (j) other assets and property (or proceeds of such assets or property) to the extent customarily included in securitization transactions of the relevant type in the applicable jurisdictions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Security Documents” shall mean the Mortgages, the Collateral Agreement, the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreements (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Senior Unsecured Note Documents” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture and the other “Note Documents” under and as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, as each such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the $1,200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 issued pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture.

“Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, dated November 3, 2016, among the Borrower, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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“Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum” shall mean the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated October 17, 2016, as supplemented by the supplement dated October 24, 2016, as supplemented by the pricing supplement dated October 25, 2016, in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes.

“Similar Business” shall mean any business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from (i) business or activities conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, (ii) any business that is a natural outgrowth or reasonable extension, development or expansion of any such business or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing or (iii) any business that in the Borrower’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of businesses conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

“Special Flood Hazard Area” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(c).

“Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary” shall mean (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower established in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing for the acquisition of Securitization Assets or interests therein, and which is organized in a manner (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in the event Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any such Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or other insolvency law) and (ii) any subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

“Specified L/C Sublimit” shall mean, with respect to any Issuing Bank, the amounts set forth beside such Issuing Bank’s name on Schedule 1.01(F) hereto or, in each case, such other amount as specified in the agreement pursuant to which such person becomes an Issuing Bank hereunder or, in each case, such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree or, with respect to the Issuing Bank under an Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit, the additional amount of such Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit.

“Spot Rate” shall mean, with respect to any currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m., Local Time on the date three Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made or if such rate cannot be computed as of such date such other date as the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank shall reasonably determine is appropriate under the circumstances; provided, that the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank if the person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

“Standby Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Statutory Reserves” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject

 

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for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subagent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.02.

“subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

“Subsidiary” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing (and except for purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained herein) an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.

“Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Closing Date as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Subsidiary Loan Party” shall mean (a) each Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that may be designated by the Borrower (by way of delivering to the Collateral Agent a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and a supplement to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, in each case, duly executed by such Subsidiary) in its sole discretion from time to time to be a guarantor in respect of the Obligations and the obligations in respect of the Loan Documents, whereupon such Subsidiary shall be obligated to comply with the other requirements of Section 5.10(d) as if it were newly acquired.

“Subsidiary Redesignation” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained in this Section 1.01.

“Successor Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05(o).

“Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Swingline Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Swingline Loans.

“Swingline Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or such other form as shall be approved by the Swingline Lender.

“Swingline Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Swingline Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04. The aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitments on the Closing Date is $30,000,000. The Swingline Commitment is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

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“Swingline Exposure” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Borrowings at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Swingline Lender” shall mean (a) the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans, and (b) each Revolving Facility Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

“Swingline Loans” shall mean the swingline loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Syndication Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

“Term B Borrowing” shall mean any Borrowing comprised of Term B Loans.

“Term B Facility” shall mean the Term B Loan Commitments and the Term B Loans made hereunder.

“Term B Facility Maturity Date” shall mean November 3, 2023.

“Term B Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Term B Loans hereunder. The amount of each Lender’s Term B Loan Commitment as of the Closing Date is set forth on Schedule 2.01. The aggregate amount of the Term B Loan Commitments as of the Closing Date is $2,000,000,000.

“Term B Loan Installment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(i).

“Term B Loans” shall mean (a) the term loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a), and (b) any Incremental Term Loans in the form of Term B Loans made by the Incremental Term Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(c).

“Term Borrowing” shall mean any Term B Borrowing or any Incremental Term Borrowing.

“Term Facility” shall mean the Term B Facility and/or any or all of the Incremental Term Facilities.

“Term Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of a Lender to make Term Loans, including Term B Loans, Incremental Term Loans and/or Other Term Loans.

“Term Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Term B Facility in effect on the Closing Date, the Term B Facility Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any other Class of Term Loans, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

 

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“Term Loan Installment Date” shall mean any Term B Loan Installment Date or any Incremental Term Loan Installment Date.

“Term Loans” shall mean the Term B Loans and/or the Incremental Term Loans.

“Term Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(b)(vii).

“Termination Date” shall mean the date on which (a) all Commitments shall have been terminated, (b) the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document and all other Loan Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than in respect of contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement claims not then due) and (c) all Letters of Credit (other than those that have been Cash Collateralized) have been cancelled or have expired and all amounts drawn or paid thereunder have been reimbursed in full.

“Testing Condition” shall be satisfied at any time if as of such time (i) the sum of without duplication (x) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (y) the aggregate stated amount (based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) of Letters of Credit issued hereunder (other than $25,000,000 of undrawn Letters of Credit and any Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in accordance with Section 2.05(j)) exceeds (ii) an amount equal to 30% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments at such time.

“Test Period” shall mean, on any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then most recently ended (taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b); provided that prior to the first date financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), the Test Period in effect shall be the four fiscal quarter period ended June 30, 2016.

“Third Party Funds” shall mean any segregated accounts or funds, or any portion thereof, received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as agent on behalf of third parties in accordance with a written agreement that imposes a duty upon Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries to collect and remit those funds to such third parties.

“Total Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization of Holdings” shall mean, the sum of (x) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of funded Indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding, for purposes of this determination, Excluded Transaction Debt and any outstanding Letters of Credit (to the extent undrawn)) and (y) the total amount of Equity Interests of Holdings (including roll-over and contributed Equity Interests).

“Trade Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Transaction Documents” shall mean the Merger Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents.

“Transaction Expenses” shall mean any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates in connection with the Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Merger Agreement and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

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“Transactions” shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including (a) the consummation of the Merger; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Security Documents, and the initial borrowings hereunder; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Senior Unsecured Notes Documents; (d) the repayment in full of, and the termination of all obligations and commitments under, the Existing Credit Agreement; (e) the redemption and repayment in full, and discharge of, the Existing Notes and (f) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing.

“Type” shall mean, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall include the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the ABR.

“Uniform Commercial Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

“Unreimbursed Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(e).

“Unrestricted Cash” shall mean cash or cash equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (1) any Subsidiary of the Borrower identified on Schedule 1.01(D), (2) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether now owned or acquired or created after the Closing Date, that is designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower shall only be permitted to so designate a new Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (b) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the Financial Covenant as of the last day of the then most recently ended Test Period, (c) such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be capitalized (to the extent capitalized by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) through Investments as permitted by, and in compliance with, Section 6.04, and any prior or concurrent Investments in such Subsidiary by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been made under Section 6.04, and (d) without duplication of clause (c), any net assets owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of the initial designation thereof shall be treated as Investments pursuant to Section 6.04; and (3) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a “Subsidiary Redesignation”); provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, certifying to the best of such officer’s knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding clause (i).

“U.S. Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“U.S. Lender” shall mean any Lender other than a Foreign Lender.

 

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“USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, such person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such person under ordinary circumstances.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is also a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such person or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such person. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Working Capital” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, Current Assets at such date of determination minus Current Liabilities at such date of determination; provided, that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in Working Capital shall be calculated without regard to any changes in Current Assets or Current Liabilities as a result of (a) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (b) the effects of purchase accounting.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.02    Terms Generally. The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof

 

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on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any changes in GAAP after the Closing Date, any lease of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the time of its incurrence of such lease, that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect on the Closing Date (whether such lease is entered into before or after the Closing Date) shall not constitute Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of such changes in GAAP.

Section 1.03    Effectuation of Transactions. Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions as shall have taken place on or prior to the date of determination, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 1.04    Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents. (a) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Spot Rate as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit and Alternate Currency Loans. Such Spot Rate shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rate employed in converting any amounts between the Dollars and each Alternate Currency until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial ratios hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement. No Default or Event of Default shall arise as a result of any limitation or threshold set forth in Dollars in Article VI or clause (f) or (j) of Section 7.01 being exceeded solely as a result of changes in currency exchange rates from those rates applicable on the first day of the fiscal quarter in which such determination occurs or in respect of which such determination is being made.

(b)    Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternate Currency, such amount shall be the Alternate Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternate Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Section 1.05    Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans.

(a)    The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Revolving Loans be made in a currency other than Dollars; provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars. Such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent.

(b)    Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 20 Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Event (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Facility Lender thereof. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., 10 Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency.

 

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(c)    Any failure by a Revolving Facility Lender to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Revolving Facility Lender to permit Eurocurrency Revolving Loans to be made in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Revolving Facility Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternate Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.05, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

Section 1.06    Change of Currency.

(a)    Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b)    Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c)    Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

Section 1.07    Timing of Payment or Performance. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, when the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.08    Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified herein, all references herein to times of day shall be references to New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

Section 1.09    Holdings. From time to time after the Closing Date, Holdings may form one or more new Subsidiaries to become direct or indirect parent companies of the Borrower; provided that, prior to a Qualified IPO, contemporaneously with the formation of the new direct parent company of the Borrower (an “Intermediate Holdings”), such person enters into a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement (or, at the option of such person, a new Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement in substantially similar form or such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person. Immediately after any Intermediate

 

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Holdings complying with the proviso in the foregoing sentence, the Guarantee incurred by the then existing Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, the Borrower shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effective), and thereafter Intermediate Holdings shall be deemed to be Holdings for all purposes of this Agreement (until any additional Intermediate Holdings shall be formed in accordance with this Section 1.09).

ARTICLE II

The Credits

Section 2.01    Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

(a)    each Lender agrees to make Term B Loans in Dollars to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Term B Loan Commitment,

(b)    each Lender agrees to make Revolving Facility Loans of a Class in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans,

(c)    each Lender having an Incremental Term Loan Commitment agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Incremental Term Loan Commitment, and

(d)    amounts of Term B Loans borrowed under Section 2.01(a) or Section 2.01(c) that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.02    Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans under the same Facility and of the same Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments under the applicable Facility (or, in the case of Swingline Loans, in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments); provided, however, that Revolving Facility Loans of any Class shall be made by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided, that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing (other than a Swingline Borrowing) shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. ABR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars. Each Swingline Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. Each Lender at its option may make any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided, that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Lender shall not be entitled to any amounts payable under Section 2.15 or 2.17 solely in respect of increased costs resulting from such exercise and existing at the time of such exercise.

 

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(c)    At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided, that an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused available balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Borrowing shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than (i) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Term Facilities at any time and (ii) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Revolving Facilities at any time. Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing of any Class if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the Term Facility Maturity Date for such Class, as applicable.

Section 2.03    Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing and/or a Term Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request electronically (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m. Local Time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing; provided, that, (i) to request a Eurocurrency Borrowing or ABR Borrowing on the Closing Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone not later than 5:00 p.m., Local Time, one Business Day prior to the Closing Date (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree), (ii) any such notice of an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) may be given not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing and (iii) any such notice of an Incremental Revolving Borrowing or Incremental Term Borrowing may be given at such time as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable (other than in the case of any notice given in respect of the Closing Date, which may be conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger or, in the case of notice given in respect of Incremental Commitments, which may be conditioned as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement) and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    whether such Borrowing is to be a Borrowing of Term B Loans, Revolving Facility Loans, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans as applicable;

(ii)    the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(iii)    the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

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(iv)    whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

(vi)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, the currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated (which shall be Dollars or an Alternate Currency); and

(vii)    the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

If no election as to the currency of any Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, then the requested Borrowing shall be made in Dollars. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.04    Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Commitment or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the applicable Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Borrowing. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b)    To request a Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request by telephone (confirmed by a Swingline Borrowing Request by electronic means), not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Borrowing. Each such notice and Swingline Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the requested date of such Swingline Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (ii) the amount of the requested Swingline Borrowing. The Swingline Lender shall consult with the Administrative Agent as to whether the making of the Swingline Loan is in accordance with the terms of this Agreement prior to the Swingline Lender funding such Swingline Loan. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 3:00 p.m., Local Time, to the account of the Borrower (or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing made to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank).

(c)    The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Facility Lenders of the applicable Class to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans made by it. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans in which the Revolving Facility Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each such Lender, specifying in such notice such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.

 

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Each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its respective obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Facility Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph (c), and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Facility Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided, that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d)    The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Facility Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Facility Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Facility Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Facility Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Section 2.05    Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of one or more letters of credit or bank guarantees in Dollars or any Alternate Currency in the form of (x) trade letters of credit or bank guarantees in support of trade obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business (such letters of credit or bank guarantees issued for such purposes, “Trade Letters of Credit”) and (y) standby letters of credit issued for any other lawful purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (such letters of credit issued for such purposes, “Standby Letters of Credit”; each such letter of credit or bank guarantee, issued hereunder, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, the “Letters of Credit”) for its own account or for the account of any Subsidiary in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the applicable Availability Period and prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (x) Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch shall not be required to issue Trade Letters of Credit, (y) the Borrower shall remain primarily liable in the case of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Subsidiary and (z) the applicable Issuing

 

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Bank shall not be obligated to issue Letters of Credit if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any Requirements of Law binding upon such Issuing Bank or the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension: Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal (other than an automatic extension in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05) or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least three Business Days (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit where the Issuing Bank is Barclays Bank PLC, at least five Business Days) in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05), the amount and currency (which may be Dollars or any Alternate Currency) of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, whether such Letter of Credit constitutes a Standby Letter of Credit or a Trade Letter of Credit and such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit and (iii) with respect to the applicable Issuing Bank, the stated amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank shall not exceed the applicable Specified L/C Sublimit of such Issuing Bank then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit if such Issuing Bank does not otherwise issue letters of credit in such Alternate Currency.

(c)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension thereof, one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that any Letter of Credit with a one year tenor may provide for automatic renewal or extension thereof for additional one year periods (which, in no event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) of this paragraph (c)) so long as such Letter of Credit permits the applicable Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof within a time period during such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued; provided, further, that if such Issuing Bank consents in its sole discretion, the expiration date on any Letter of Credit may extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above, provided, that if any such Letter of Credit is outstanding or is issued under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class after the date that is

 

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five Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank in an amount equal to the face amount of each such Letter of Credit on or prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to such Revolving Facility Maturity Date or, if later, such date of issuance.

(d)    Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Facility Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Facility Lender under such Class, and each such Revolving Facility Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, in Dollars, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason (calculated, in the case of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments or the fact that, as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure at any time might exceed its Revolving Facility Commitment at such time (in which case Section 2.11(f) would apply), and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e)    Reimbursement. If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount in Dollars equal to such L/C Disbursement (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, the Dollar Equivalent thereof) not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the first Business Day after the Borrower receives notice under paragraph (g) of this Section 2.05 of such L/C Disbursement (or the second Business Day, if such notice is received after 12:00 noon, Local Time), together with accrued interest thereon from the date of such L/C Disbursement at the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Facility Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing of the applicable Class, as applicable, in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to reimburse any L/C Disbursement when due, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each other applicable Revolving Facility Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof (the “Unreimbursed Amount”) and, in the case of a Revolving Facility Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Facility Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment of the applicable Class shall pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars its Revolving Facility Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders), and the Administrative Agent

 

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shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Facility Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any L/C Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Revolving Loan or a Swingline Borrowing as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement.

(f)    Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank, or any of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first sentence; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are determined by final and binding decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g)    Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of any such demand for payment under a Letter of Credit and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.

 

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(h)    Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on the date such L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that, if such L/C Disbursement is not reimbursed by the Borrower when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05 to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Facility Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i)    Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of such Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j)    Cash Collateralization Following Certain Events. If and when the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize any Revolving L/C Exposure relating to any outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to any of Section 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g), 2.22(a)(v) or 7.01, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with or at the direction of the Collateral Agent, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash in Dollars equal to the Revolving L/C Exposure as of such date (or, in the case of Sections 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g) and 2.22(a)(v), the portion thereof required by such sections). Each deposit of Cash Collateral (x) made pursuant to this paragraph or (y) made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22(a)(ii), in each case, shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of (i) for so long as an Event of Default shall be continuing, the Collateral Agent and (ii) at any other time, the Borrower, in each case, in Permitted Investments and at the risk and expense of the Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for L/C Disbursements for which such Issuing Bank has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with Revolving L/C Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the

 

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occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender or the occurrence of a limit under Section 2.11(e), (f) or (g) being exceeded, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or the termination of the Defaulting Lender status or the limits under Sections 2.11(e), (f) and (g) no longer being exceeded, as applicable.

(k)    Cash Collateralization Following Termination of the Revolving Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event of the prepayment in full of all outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and the termination of all Revolving Facility Commitments (a “Revolving Facility Termination Event”) in connection with which the Borrower notifies any one or more Issuing Banks that it intends to maintain one or more Letters of Credit initially issued under this Agreement in effect after the date of such Revolving Facility Termination Event (each, a “Continuing Letter of Credit”), then the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral under the Security Documents may be terminated in accordance with Section 9.18 if each such Continuing Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount, which shall be deposited with or at the direction of each such Issuing Bank.

(l)    Additional Issuing Banks. From time to time, the Borrower may by notice to the Administrative Agent designate any Lender (in addition to the initial Issuing Banks) each of which agrees (in its sole discretion) to act in such capacity and is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as an Issuing Bank. Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.

(m)    Reporting. Unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall (i) provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any notice received from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b) no later than the next Business Day after receipt thereof and (ii) report in writing to the Administrative Agent (A) on or prior to each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment or extension, and the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension occurred (and whether the amount thereof changed), and such Issuing Bank shall be permitted to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit if the Administrative Agent shall not have advised such Issuing Bank that such issuance, amendment or extension would not be in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, (B) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any L/C Disbursement, the date of such L/C Disbursement and the amount of such L/C Disbursement and (C) on any other Business Day, such other information with respect to the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

Section 2.06    Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Local Time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided, that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account or accounts designated by the Borrower as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided, that ABR Revolving Loans and Swingline Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of a L/C Disbursement and reimbursements as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative

 

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Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 2.06 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of (A) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans at such time. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    The foregoing notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may from its own funds make a Revolving Facility Loan on behalf of the Lenders (including by means of Swingline Loans to the Borrower). In such event, the applicable Lenders on behalf of whom the Administrative Agent made the Revolving Facility Loan shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for all or any portion of such Revolving Facility Loan made on its behalf upon written notice given to each applicable Lender not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the Business Day such reimbursement is requested. The entire amount of interest attributable to such Revolving Facility Loan for the period from and including the date on which such Revolving Facility Loan was made on such Lender’s behalf to but excluding the date the Administrative Agent is reimbursed in respect of such Revolving Facility Loan by such Lender shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for its own account.

Section 2.07    Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.

(c)    Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions

 

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thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii)    the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii)    whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv)    if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall be in an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum and satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(c) regarding the maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type.

(d)    Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e)    If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.08    Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments of each Class shall terminate on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class. On the Closing Date (after giving effect to the funding of the Term B Loans to be made on such date), the Term B Loan Commitments of each Lender as of the Closing Date will terminate.

(b)    The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class; provided, that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $1,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class) and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans in accordance with Section 2.11 and any Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.05(j) or (k), the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class (excluding any Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit) would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

(c)    The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.08 at

 

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least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (or such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent), specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be irrevocable; provided, that a notice of termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

Section 2.09    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan to the Borrower on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date applicable to such Revolving Facility Loans, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan applicable to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments on the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least five Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided, that on each date that a Revolving Facility Borrowing is made by the Borrower, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b)    Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Facility and Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d)    The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of this Section 2.09 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e)    Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note (a “Note”). In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed to by the applicable Lender, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if requested by such payee, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.10    Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans. (a) Subject to the other clauses of this Section 2.10 and to Section 9.08(e),

 

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(i)    the Borrower shall repay Term B Loans incurred on the Closing Date on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year (commencing on the last day of the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date) and on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date or, if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (each such date being referred to as a “Term B Loan Installment Date”), in an aggregate principal amount of such Term B Loans equal to (A) in the case of quarterly payments due prior to the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of such Term B Loans outstanding immediately after the Closing Date, and (B) in the case of such payment due on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of such Term B Loans outstanding;

(ii)    in the event that any Incremental Term Loans are made, the Borrower shall repay such Incremental Term Loans on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the related Incremental Assumption Agreement (each such date being referred to as an “Incremental Term Loan Installment Date”); and

(iii)    to the extent not previously paid, outstanding Term Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date.

(b)    To the extent not previously paid, outstanding Revolving Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

(c)    Prepayment of the Loans from:

(i)    all Net Proceeds pursuant to Section 2.11(b) and Excess Cash Flow pursuant to Section 2.11(c) shall be allocated to the Class or Classes of Term Loans determined pursuant to Section 2.10(d), with the application thereof to reduce in direct order amounts due on the succeeding Term Loan Installment Dates under such Classes as provided in the remaining scheduled amortization payments under such Classes; provided, that any Lender, at its option, may elect to decline any such prepayment of any Term Loan held by it if it shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent thereof by 5:00 p.m. Local Time at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment (any such Lender, a “Declining Lender”) and on the date of any such prepayment, any amounts that would otherwise have been applied to prepay Term Loans owing to Declining Lenders (such amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) shall instead be retained by the Borrower for application for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement, and

(ii)    any optional prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) shall be applied to the remaining installments of the Term Loans under the applicable Class or Classes as the Borrower may in each case direct.

(d)    Any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or (c) shall be applied so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated among the Term B Loans and the Other Term Loans, if any, pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Term B Loans and Other Term Loans, if any; provided, that, subject to the pro rata application to Loans outstanding within any Class of Term Loans, the Borrower may allocate such prepayment in its discretion among the Class or Classes of Term Loans as the Borrower may specify (so long as such allocation complies with Section 2.21(b) or Section 2.21(f), as applicable). Prior to any prepayment of any Loan under any Facility hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings under the applicable Facility to be prepaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of such selection not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, at least one Business Day before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or in the case of a Swingline Loan, on the scheduled date of such prepayment) and (ii) in the case of a

 

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Eurocurrency Borrowing, at least three Business Days before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or, in each case such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided, that a notice of prepayment may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each repayment of a Borrowing (x) in the case of the Revolving Facility of any Class, shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class at the time of such repayment) and (y) in all other cases, shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. All repayments of Loans shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid to the extent required by Section 2.13(d).

Section 2.11    Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.12(d) and Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 2.10(d).

(b)    The Borrower shall apply all Net Proceeds promptly upon receipt thereof to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may use a portion of such Net Proceeds to prepay or repurchase any Other First Lien Debt, in each case in an amount not to exceed the product of (x) the amount of such Net Proceeds and (y) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and (B) the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and the outstanding principal amount of all Classes of Term Loans.

(c)    Not later than 5 Business Days after the date on which the annual financial statements are, or are required to be, delivered under Section 5.04(a) with respect to each Excess Cash Flow Period, the Borrower shall calculate Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period and the Borrower shall apply an amount equal to (i) the amount by which the Required Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow exceeds $5,000,000 (the “ECF Threshold Amount”) minus (ii) to the extent not financed using the proceeds of the incurrence of funded term Indebtedness, the sum of (A) the amount of any voluntary payments during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (A), the amount of any voluntary payments after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of (x) Term Loans (it being understood that the amount of any such payment constituting a below-par Permitted Loan Purchase shall be calculated to equal the amount of cash used and not the principal amount deemed prepaid therewith) and (y) Other First Lien Debt (provided that (i) in the case of the prepayment of any revolving Indebtedness, there was a corresponding reduction in commitments and (ii) the maximum amount of each such prepayment of Other First Lien Debt that may be counted for purposes of this clause (A)(y) shall not exceed the amount that would have been prepaid in respect of such Other First Lien Debt if such prepayment had been applied on a ratable basis among the Term Loans and such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt on the date of such prepayment)) and (B) the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (B), the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of Revolving Facility Commitments to the extent that an equal amount of Revolving Facility Loans was simultaneously repaid (I) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10 or (II) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of

 

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Section 2.10 and to prepay any Other First Lien Debt in accordance with the agreement(s) governing such Other First Lien Debt so long as the prepayments under this clause (II) are applied in a manner such that the Term Loans are prepaid on at least a ratable basis with such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt being prepaid under this clause (II) on the date of such prepayment). Such calculation will be set forth in a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent setting forth the amount, if any, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, the amount of any required prepayment in respect thereof and the calculation thereof in reasonable detail.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.11 to the contrary, (i) to the extent that any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Foreign Subsidiary or Excess Cash Flow attributable to a Foreign Subsidiary would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but is prohibited, restricted or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States of America, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt at the times provided in Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States of America, and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c), to the extent provided therein and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any or all of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) would have a material adverse tax consequence with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary (the Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Subsidiary to promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions within the reasonable control of the Borrower that are reasonably required to eliminate such tax effects).

(e)    In the event that the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings of such Class (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, provide Cash Collateral in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(f)    In the event that the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(g)    If as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, on any Revaluation Date, (i) the total Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class or (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of such Revaluation Date (A) prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings or (B) provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j), in an aggregate amount such that the applicable exposure does not exceed the applicable commitment sublimit or amount set forth above.

 

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Section 2.12    Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a “Commitment Fee”) on the daily amount of the applicable Available Unused Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter (or other period commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated) at a rate equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. For purposes of calculating any Lender’s Commitment Fee, the outstanding Swingline Loans during the period for which such Lender’s Commitment Fee is calculated shall be deemed to be zero. The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall commence to accrue on the Closing Date and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein.

(b)    The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay (i) to each Revolving Facility Lender of each Class (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee in Dollars (an “L/C Participation Fee”) on such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the daily aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed L/C Disbursements) of such Class, during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall be terminated) at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowings of such Class effective for each day in such period accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account (x) on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated, a fronting fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including the termination of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate equal to 1/8 of 1.00% per annum of the Dollar Equivalent of the daily stated amount of such Letter of Credit, plus (y) in connection with the issuance, amendment or transfer of any such Letter of Credit or any L/C Disbursement thereunder, such Issuing Bank’s customary documentary and processing fees and charges (collectively, “Issuing Bank Fees”). All L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

(c)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the “Senior Facilities Administration Fee” as set forth in the Fee Letter, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, at the times specified therein (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).

(d)    In the event that, on or prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall (x) make a prepayment of the Term B Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) with the proceeds of any new or replacement tranche of long-term secured term loans that are broadly syndicated to banks and other institutional investors in financings similar to the Term B Loans and have an All-in Yield that is less than the All-in Yield of such Term B Loans (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to securitizations) or (y) effect any amendment to this Agreement which reduces the All-in Yield of the Term B Loans (other than, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), in connection with a Qualified IPO, a Change in Control or a transformative acquisition referred to in the last sentence

 

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of this paragraph), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Loan Lenders, (A) in the case of clause (x), a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans so prepaid and (B) in the case of clause (y), a fee equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Term B Loans for which the All-in Yield has been reduced pursuant to such amendment. Such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of such prepayment or the effective date of such amendment, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 2.12(d), a “transformative acquisition” is any acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is (i) not permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition or (ii) if permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition, would not provide the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with adequate flexibility under the Loan Documents for the continuation and/or expansion of their combined operations following such consummation, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

(e)    All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 2.13    Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding clauses of this Section 2.13 or (ii) in the case of any other overdue amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in clause (a) of this Section; provided, that this clause (c) shall not apply to any Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.

(d)    Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears (i) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, (ii) in the case of Revolving Facility Loans, upon termination of the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments and (iii) in the case of the Term Loans, on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (A) interest accrued pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.13 shall be payable on demand, (B) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Loan that is an ABR Loan that is not made in conjunction with a permanent commitment reduction), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (C) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e)    All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the ABR at times when the ABR is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable ABR, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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Section 2.14    Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or electronic means as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to or continued as on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto an ABR Borrowing, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

Section 2.15    Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or Issuing Bank; or

(ii)    subject any Lender to any Tax with respect to any Loan Document (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 2.17 or (ii) Excluded Taxes); or

(iii)    impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements or liquidity has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c)    A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, that any such certificate claiming amounts described in clause (x) or (y) of the definition of “Change in Law” shall, in addition, state the basis upon which such amount has been calculated and certify that such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s demand for payment of such costs hereunder, and such method of allocation is not inconsistent with its treatment of other borrowers which, as a credit matter, are similarly situated to the Borrower and which are subject to similar provisions. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Promptly after any Lender or any Issuing Bank has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower thereof. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.15 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 2.16    Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow (other than due to the default of the relevant Lender), convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender (it being understood that the deemed amount shall not exceed the actual amount) to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurocurrency Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.17    Taxes. (a) Any and all payments made by or on behalf of a Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided, that if a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent

 

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or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirement of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time allowed and in accordance with applicable Requirement of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. Whenever any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by a Loan Party, as promptly as possible thereafter, such Loan Party shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of a Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an official receipt (or other evidence acceptable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender, acting reasonably) received by the Loan Party showing payment thereof. Without duplication, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.17, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by applicable Requirements of Law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(b)    The Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes.

(c)    The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender within 15 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)    Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to withholding of Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, any such withholding of Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

(e)    Without limiting the generality of Section 2.17(d), each Foreign Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

 

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(i)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to the date on which the first payment to the Foreign Lender is due hereunder, two copies of (A) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or any applicable successor form) (together with a certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, such certificate, the “Non-Bank Tax Certificate”) certifying that such Foreign Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a “10-percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower and is not a CFC related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code), and that the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States of America), (B) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Foreign Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) IRS Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in clauses (A) and (B) above, provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, the Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Foreign Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(ii)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

Any Foreign Lender that becomes legally ineligible to update any form or certification previously delivered shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such Foreign Lender’s inability to do so.

Each person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 9.04 or a Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 2.17(e); provided that a Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

In addition, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding or such other properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law certifying its entitlement to an available exemption from applicable U.S. federal withholding taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Agent by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document including, as applicable, an IRS Form W-8IMY certifying that the Agent is a U.S. branch and intends to be treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding under Chapter 3 of the Code pursuant to Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) of the

 

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Treasury Regulations, and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation.

(f)    If any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a payment has been made by a Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by such Loan Party, then the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Loan Party for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position (taking into account expenses or any Taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the Indemnified Tax or Other Tax giving rise to such refund had not been imposed in the first instance; provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Lender or the Administrative Agent agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender or the Administrative Agent in the event the Lender or the Administrative Agent is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender or the Administrative Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party in connection with this clause (f) or any other provision of this Section 2.17.

(g)    If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts or indemnification payments, each affected Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17(g). Nothing in this Section 2.17(g) shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such person.

(h)    Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two IRS Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Closing Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(i)    If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such

 

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Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(i), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(j)    The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable under any Loan Document.

For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the terms “applicable law” and “applicable Requirement of Law” include FATCA.

Section 2.18    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of L/C Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds. Each such payment shall be made without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments made under the Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars (or, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans or Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, in the applicable Alternate Currency). Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.

(b)    Subject to Section 7.02, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed L/C Disbursements, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (ii) second, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, and (iii) third, towards payment of principal then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

 

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(c)    If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of, or interest on, any of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements or Swingline Loans of a given Class resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender entitled to receive the same proportion of such payment, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase participations in the Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class of such other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders entitled thereto ratably in accordance with the principal amount of each such Lender’s respective Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this clause (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements to any assignee or participant. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e)    If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06 or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.19    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.20, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

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(b)    If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.20, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require any such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks), to the extent consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.20, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender. No action by or consent of the removed Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such removed Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04, provided, that if such removed Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

(c)    If any Lender (such Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) at its sole expense (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to (and any such Non-Consenting Lender agrees that it shall, upon the Borrower’s request) assign its Loans and its Commitments (or, at the Borrower’s option, the Loans and Commitments under the Facility that is the subject of the proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination) hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to (i) the Administrative Agent (unless such assignee is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) and (ii) if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks; provided, that: (a) all Loan Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, (b) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the replacement Lender or, at the option of the Borrower, the Borrower shall pay any amount required by Section 2.12(d)(y), if applicable, and (c) the replacement Lender shall grant its consent with respect to the applicable proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination. No action by or consent of the Non-Consenting Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately

 

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and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04; provided, that if such Non-Consenting Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

Section 2.20    Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make or maintain any Eurocurrency Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all Eurocurrency Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted.

Section 2.21    Incremental Commitments. (a) The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time, request Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, in an amount not to exceed the Incremental Amount available at the time such Incremental Commitments are established (or at the time any commitment relating thereto is entered into or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) from one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders (which may include any existing Lender) willing to provide such Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as the case may be, in their own discretion; provided, that each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender providing a commitment to make revolving loans shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and, to the extent the same would be required for an assignment under Section 9.04, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender is a Revolving Facility Lender. Such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $5,000,000 and a minimum amount of $10,000,000, or equal to the remaining Incremental Amount or, in each case, such lesser amount approved by the Administrative Agent), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are requested to become effective, (iii) in the case of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, whether such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make additional Revolving Facility Loans on the same terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) commitments to make revolving loans with pricing terms, final maturity dates, participation in mandatory prepayments or commitment reductions and/or other terms different from the Initial Revolving Loans (“Other Revolving Loans”) and (iv) in the case of Incremental Term Loan Commitments, whether such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make term loans with terms identical to Term B Loans or (y) commitments to make term loans with pricing, maturity, amortization, participation in mandatory prepayments and/or other terms different from the Term B Loans (“Other Term Loans”).

(b)    The Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental

 

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Revolving Facility Commitment of such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that:

(i)    any commitments to make additional Term B Loans and/or additional Initial Revolving Loans shall have the same terms as the Term B Loans or Initial Revolving Loans, respectively,

(ii)    the Other Term Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Term B Loans (provided, that if such Other Term Loans rank junior in right of security with the Term B Loans, such Other Term Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be subject to clause (vii) below),

(iii)    the final maturity date of any such Other Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date and, except as to pricing, amortization, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Term B Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(iv)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any such Other Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans,

(v)    the Other Revolving Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Initial Revolving Loans (provided, that if such Other Revolving Loans rank junior in right of security with the Initial Revolving Loans, such Other Revolving Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement),

(vi)    the final maturity date of any such Other Revolving Loans shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date with respect to the Initial Revolving Loans and, except as to pricing, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(vii)    with respect to any Other Term Loan incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Term B Loans, the All-in Yield shall be the same as that applicable to the Term B Loans on the Closing Date, except that the All-in Yield in respect of any such Other Term Loan may exceed the All-in Yield in respect of such Term B Loans on the Closing Date by no more than 0.50%, or if it does so exceed such All-in Yield by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Term Yield Differential”) then the Applicable Margin (or the “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Term Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Term Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Other Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Term Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted

 

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LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to the outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Other Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans then outstanding;

(viii)    (A) such Other Revolving Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in (x) any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (y) any Borrowing at the time such Borrowing is made and (B) such Other Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder; and

(ix)    there shall be no obligor in respect of any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

Each party hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 2.21 and any such collateral and other documentation shall be deemed “Loan Documents” hereunder and may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective under this Section 2.21 unless (i) on the date of such effectiveness, (A) to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, the conditions set forth in clause (c) of Section 4.01 shall be satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) if such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment is established for a purpose other than financing any Permitted Business Acquisition or any other acquisition that is permitted by this Agreement, no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received customary legal opinions, board resolutions and other customary closing certificates and documentation as required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement and, to the extent required by the Administrative Agent, consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.02 and such additional customary documents and filings (including amendments to the Mortgages and other Security Documents and title endorsement bringdowns) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to assure that the Incremental Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are secured by the Collateral ratably with (or, to the extent set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, junior to) one or more Classes of then-existing Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans.

(d)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) all Incremental Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the outstanding applicable Class of Term Loans on a pro rata basis, and (ii) all Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments (other than Revolving Facility Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the applicable Class of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans on a pro rata basis. The Borrower agrees that Section 2.16 shall apply to any conversion of Eurocurrency Loans to ABR Loans reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to effect the foregoing.

 

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(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (e) through (i) of this Section 2.21), pursuant to one or more offers made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of any Class of Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitments, on a pro rata basis (based, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, on the aggregate outstanding Term Loans of such Class and, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, on the aggregate outstanding Revolving Facility Commitments under such Revolving Facility, as applicable) and on the same terms (“Pro Rata Extension Offers”), the Borrower is hereby permitted to consummate transactions with individual Lenders from time to time to extend the maturity date of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class and to otherwise modify the terms of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class pursuant to the terms of the relevant Pro Rata Extension Offer (including, without limitation, increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Loans). For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to “on the same terms” in the preceding sentence shall mean, (i) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, that all of the Term Loans of such Class are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same and (ii) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, that all of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Facility are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same. Any such extension (an “Extension”) agreed to between the Borrower and any such Lender (an “Extending Lender”) will be established under this Agreement by implementing an Incremental Term Loan for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Term Loan (such extended Term Loan, an “Extended Term Loan”) or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Revolving Facility Commitment (such extended Revolving Facility Commitment, an “Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” and any Revolving Facility Loans made thereunder, “Extended Revolving Loans”). Each Pro Rata Extension Offer shall specify the date on which the Borrower proposes that the Extended Term Loan shall be made or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(f)    The Borrower and each Extending Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments of such Extending Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that (i) except as to interest rates, fees and any other pricing terms (which interest rates, fees and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)), and amortization, final maturity date and participation in prepayments and commitment reductions (which shall, subject to clauses (ii) and (iii) of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), the Extended Term Loans shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Term Loans or (y) such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) the final maturity date of any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the latest Term Facility Maturity Date in effect on the date of incurrence, (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans to which such offer relates, (iv) except as to interest rates, fees, any other pricing terms, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and final maturity (which shall be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension

 

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Offer), any Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Revolving Facility Commitments or (y) have such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in respect of any other terms that would affect the rights or duties of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, such terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, (v) any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (vi) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder. Upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any such deemed amendment may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto. If provided in any Incremental Assumption Agreement with respect to any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments, and with the consent of each Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be reallocated to lenders holding such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments in the manner specified in such Incremental Assumption Agreement, including upon effectiveness of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment or upon or prior to the maturity date for any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(g)    Upon the effectiveness of any such Extension, the applicable Extending Lender’s Term Loan will be automatically designated an Extended Term Loan and/or such Extending Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment will be automatically designated an Extended Revolving Facility Commitment. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if such Extending Lender is extending a Term Loan, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Extended Term Loan and (ii) if such Extending Lender is extending a Revolving Facility Commitment, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment.

(h)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) any Extending Lender may extend all or any portion of its Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to one or more Pro Rata Extension Offers (subject to applicable proration in the case of over participation) (including the extension of any Extended Term Loan and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment), (iv) there shall be no condition to any Extension of any Loan or Commitment at any time or from time to time other than notice to the Administrative Agent of such Extension and the terms of the Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment implemented thereby, (v) all Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Loan Obligations of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations relating to an existing Class of Term Loans of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (vi) no Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be obligated to provide Swingline Loans or issue Letters of Credit under such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments unless it shall have consented thereto and (vii) there shall be no obligor in respect of any such Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

 

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(i)    Each Extension shall be consummated pursuant to procedures set forth in the associated Pro Rata Extension Offer; provided, that the Borrower shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent prior to making any Pro Rata Extension Offer to establish reasonable procedures with respect to mechanical provisions relating to such Extension, including, without limitation, timing, rounding and other adjustments.

(j)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (j) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional tranches of term loans under this Agreement (such loans, “Refinancing Term Loans”), the net cash proceeds of which are used to Refinance in whole or in part any Class of Term Loans. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Refinancing Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Refinancing Term Loans shall be made, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided, that:

(i)    before and after giving effect to the borrowing of such Refinancing Term Loans on the Refinancing Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans;

(ii)    the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans,

(iii)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be no shorter than the then-remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the refinanced Term Loans;

(iv)    the aggregate principal amount of the Refinancing Term Loans shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the refinanced Term Loans plus amounts used to pay fees, premiums, costs and expenses (including original issue discount) and accrued interest associated therewith;

(v)    all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may establish Refinancing Term Loans to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Revolving Facility Commitment (regardless of whether Revolving Facility Loans are outstanding under such Revolving Facility Commitments at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Term Loans), so long as (1) the aggregate amount of such Refinancing Term Loans does not exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments terminated at the time of incurrence thereof, (2) if the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure outstanding on the Refinancing Effective Date would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding in each case after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall take one or more actions such that

 

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such Revolving Facility Credit Exposure does not exceed such aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Refinancing Effective Date after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments (it being understood that (x) such Refinancing Term Loans may be provided by the Lenders holding the Revolving Facility Commitments being terminated and/or by any other person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder and (y) the proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans shall not constitute Net Proceeds hereunder), (3) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Refinancing Term Loans (disregarding any customary amortization for this purpose) shall be no shorter than the remaining life to termination of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments, (4) the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the termination date of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments and (5) all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith;

(vi)    with respect to Refinancing Term Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu or junior in right of security to the Term B Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

(vii)    there shall be no obligor in respect of such Refinancing Term Loans that is not a Loan Party.

(k)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans; provided, that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Refinancing Term Loan. Any Refinancing Term Loans made on any Refinancing Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that any Refinancing Term Loans may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Term Loans made to the Borrower.

(l)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (l) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional Facilities providing for revolving commitments (“Replacement Revolving Facilities” and the commitments thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” and the revolving loans thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Loans”), which replace in whole or in part any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments under this Agreement. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall become effective, which shall be a date not less than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that:

 

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(i) before and after giving effect to the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; (ii) after giving effect to the establishment of any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and any concurrent reduction in the aggregate amount of any other Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding immediately prior to the applicable Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date; (iii) no Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall have a final maturity date (or require commitment reductions or amortizations) prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence for the Revolving Facility Commitments being replaced; (iv) all other terms applicable to such Replacement Revolving Facility (other than provisions relating to (x) fees, interest rates and other pricing terms and prepayment and commitment reduction and optional redemption terms which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and (y) the amount of any letter of credit sublimit and swingline commitment under such Replacement Revolving Facility, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower, the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, the Administrative Agent and the replacement issuing bank and replacement swingline lender, if any, under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Initial Revolving Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); and (v) there shall be no obligor in respect of such Replacement Revolving Facility that is not a Loan Party. In addition, the Borrower may establish Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Term Loan hereunder (regardless of whether such Term Loan is repaid with the proceeds of Replacement Revolving Loans or otherwise), so long as the aggregate amount of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments does not exceed the aggregate amount of Term Loans repaid at the time of establishment thereof (it being understood that such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment may be provided by the Lenders holding the Term Loans being repaid and/or by any other Person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder) so long as (i) before and after giving effect to the establishment such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the remaining life to termination of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity then applicable to the refinanced Term Loans, (iii) the final termination date of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans, (iv) with respect to Replacement Revolving Loans secured by Liens on Collateral that rank junior in right of security to the Initial Revolving Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (v) the requirement of clause (v) in the preceding sentence shall be satisfied mutatis mutandis. Solely to the extent that an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender is not a replacement issuing bank or replacement swingline lender, as the case may be, under a Replacement Revolving Facility, it is understood and agreed that such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall not be required to issue any letters of credit or swingline loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility and, to the extent it is necessary for such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender to withdraw as an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, at the time of the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility, such withdrawal shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in its sole discretion. The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in full upon demand, for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket cost or expense attributable to such withdrawal.

 

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(m)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee of a Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment made on any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Revolving Facility Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(n)    On any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each of the Lenders with Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall purchase from each of the other Lenders with Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class, at the principal amount thereof and in the applicable currencies, such interests in the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class then outstanding on such Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class will be held by the Lenders thereunder ratably in accordance with their Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments.

(o)    For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if a Lender is providing a Refinancing Term Loan, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Refinancing Term Loan and (ii) if a Lender is providing a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Refinancing Term Loans and Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) there shall be no condition to any incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment at any time or from time to time other than those set forth in clauses (j) or (l) above, as applicable, and (iv) all Refinancing Term Loans, Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(p)    Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, (i) for the purpose of determining the number of outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowings upon the incurrence of any Incremental Loans, (x) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Term Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (y) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Revolving Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) the initial Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing of Incremental Loans may, at the Borrower’s option, be of a duration of a number of Business Days that is less than one month, and the Adjusted LIBO Rate with respect to such initial Interest Period shall be the same as the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to any then-outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing as the Borrower may direct, so long as the last day of such initial Interest Period is the same as the last day of the Interest Period with respect to such outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing.

 

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Section 2.22    Defaulting Lender. (a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i)    Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Facility Lenders.”

(ii)    Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, following an Event of Default or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.06 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder, third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.05(j), fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.05(j), sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii)    Certain Fees. (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

(B)    Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive L/C Participation Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its pro rata share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral.

(C)    With respect to any Commitment Fee or L/C Participation Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing

 

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Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv)    Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective pro rata Commitments (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v)    Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, within three (3) Business Days following the written request of (i) the Administrative Agent or (ii) the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, as applicable (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j).

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Facility Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that, no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c)    New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

 

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ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

On the date of each Credit Event, the Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders that:

Section 3.01    Organization; Powers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01, each of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and each of the Material Subsidiaries (a) is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or, if applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, enjoys the equivalent status under the laws of any jurisdiction of organization outside the United States of America) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

Section 3.02    Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties and, in the case of Section 3.02(a) and 3.02(b)(i)(B), Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the borrowings hereunder (a) have been duly authorized by all corporate, stockholder, partnership or limited liability company action required to be obtained by Holdings, the Borrower and such Subsidiary Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Holdings, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited liability company or operating agreements) or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower, or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party or (D) any provision of any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (ii) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under any such indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.02(b), would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to (x) any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, or (y) any Equity Interests of the Borrower now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), other than Liens created by the Loan Documents or Liens permitted by Article VIA.

Section 3.03    Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party that is party thereto and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement when executed and delivered by Holdings will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against the Borrower, such Subsidiary Loan Party and Holdings, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a

 

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proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and (iv) any foreign laws, rules and regulations as they relate to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

Section 3.04    Governmental Approvals. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required for the execution, delivery or performance of each Loan Document to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party is a party, except for (a) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, (b) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office and comparable offices in foreign jurisdictions and equivalent filings in foreign jurisdictions, (c) recordation of the Mortgages, (d) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect, (e) such actions, consents and approvals the failure of which to be obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (f) filings or other actions listed on Schedule 3.04 and any other filings or registrations required by the Security Documents.

Section 3.05    Financial Statements. (a) The audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 and the statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flow as of and for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the notes thereto, if applicable, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods referred to therein and the results of operations and, if applicable, cash flows for the periods then ended, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.05, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except, in the case of interim period financial statements, for the absence of notes and for normal year-end adjustments and except as otherwise noted therein.

Section 3.06    No Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with other events or circumstances, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07    Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has valid title in fee simple or equivalent to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all its Real Properties (including all Mortgaged Properties) and has valid title to its personal property and assets, in each case, except for Permitted Liens and except for defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Permitted Liens or Liens arising by operation of law. The Equity Interests of the Borrower owned by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens permitted by Article VIA.

(b)    The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has complied with all material obligations under all leases to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the failure to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any pending or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting any material portion of the Mortgaged Properties or any sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation that remains unresolved as of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(c).

 

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(d)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is obligated under any right of first refusal, option or other contractual right to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property or any interest therein, except as permitted under Section 6.02 or 6.05 or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)    Schedule 1.01(E) lists each Material Real Property owned by any Loan Party as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.08    Subsidiaries. (a) Schedule 3.08(a) sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary.

(b)    As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors (or entities controlled by directors) and shares held by directors (or entities controlled by directors)) relating to any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(b).

Section 3.09    Litigation; Compliance with Laws. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such person (including those that involve any Loan Document) that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, except for any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration which has been disclosed in any of the Company’s or Merger Sub’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the Closing Date or which arises out of the same facts and circumstances, and alleges substantially the same complaints and damages, as any action, suit or proceeding so disclosed and in which there has been no material adverse change since the date of such disclosure.

(b)    None of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any law, rule or regulation (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permit, but excluding any Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.16) or any restriction of record or agreement affecting any Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.10    Federal Reserve Regulations. Neither the making of any Loan (or the extension of any Letter of Credit) hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

Section 3.11    Investment Company Act. None of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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Section 3.12    Use of Proceeds. (a) The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans, and may request the issuance of Letters of Credit, solely for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for the Transactions, Permitted Business Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures and Transaction Expenses and, in the case of Letters of Credit, for the back-up or replacement of existing letters of credit); provided the amount of Revolving Facility Loans incurred on the Closing Date shall not exceed the sum of (i) $35,000,000, (ii) the amount required to fund original issue discount or upfront fees in respect of Indebtedness incurred on the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions and (iii) the amount required to fund any ordinary course working capital requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date; provided, further, that the amounts drawn on the Closing Date under clauses (i) and (iii) above shall not exceed $35,000,000 and (b) the Borrower will use the proceeds of the Term B Loans made on the Closing Date to finance a portion of the Transactions and for the payment of Transaction Expenses.

Section 3.13    Tax Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13:

(a)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) and each such Tax return is true and correct;

(b)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable by it on the returns referred to in clause (a) and all other Taxes or assessments (or made adequate provision (in accordance with GAAP) for the payment of all Taxes due), except Taxes or assessments that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP; and

(c)    Other than as would not be, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the Closing Date, with respect to the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries, there are no claims being asserted in writing with respect to any Taxes.

Section 3.14    No Material Misstatements. (a) All written factual information (other than the Projections, forward looking information and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “Information”) concerning the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby included in the Information Memorandum or otherwise prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby (to the extent such Information relates to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, to the Company’s knowledge), when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Closing Date and did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made (giving effect to all supplements and updates provided thereto).

(b)    The Projections and other forward looking information and information of a general economic nature prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being understood that such Projections are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, such Projections are subject to

 

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significant uncertainties and contingencies and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ significantly from the projected results, and that no assurance can be given that the projected results will be realized), as of the date such Projections and information were furnished to the Lenders.

Section 3.15    Employee Benefit Plans. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no Reportable Event has occurred during the past five years as to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate was required to file a report with the PBGC, other than reports that have been filed; (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (iii) none of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has received any written notification that any Multiemployer Plan has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

Section 3.16    Environmental Matters. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no written notice, request for information, order, complaint or penalty has been received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial, administrative or other actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has all environmental permits, licenses and other approvals necessary for its operations to comply with all Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”) and is in compliance with the terms of such Environmental Permits and with all other Environmental Laws, (iii) no Hazardous Material is located at, on or under any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, and no Hazardous Material has been generated, used, treated, stored, handled, disposed of or controlled, transported or Released at any location in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, (iv) there are no agreements in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has expressly assumed or undertaken responsibility for any known or reasonably likely liability or obligation of any other person arising under or relating to Environmental Laws, which in any such case has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, and (v) there has been no material written environmental assessment or audit conducted (other than customary assessments not revealing anything that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned or leased by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date.

Section 3.17    Security Documents. (a) Each of the Collateral Agreement and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), in each case, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. As of the Closing Date, in the case of the Pledged Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement, when certificates or promissory notes, as applicable, representing such Pledged Collateral and required to be delivered under the applicable Security Document are delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement (other than the Intellectual Property), when financing statements and other filings specified in the Perfection Certificate are filed in the offices specified in the Perfection Certificate, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and, subject to Section 9-315 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person (except Permitted Liens).

 

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(b)    When the Collateral Agreement or an ancillary document thereunder is properly filed and recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and, with respect to Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected by such filings, upon the proper filing of the financing statements referred to in clause (a) above, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected (subject to exceptions arising from defects in the chain of title, which defects in the aggregate do not constitute a Material Adverse Effect hereunder) Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in the material United States Intellectual Property included in the Collateral (but, in the case of the United States registered copyrights included in the Collateral, only to the extent such United States registered copyrights are listed in such ancillary document filed with the United States Copyright Office) listed in such ancillary document, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on material registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Loan Parties after the Closing Date).

(c)    The Mortgages executed and delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.10 shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) legal, valid and enforceable Liens on all of the Loan Parties’ rights, titles and interests in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgages are filed or recorded in the proper real estate filing or recording offices, and all relevant mortgage taxes and recording charges are duly paid, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have valid Liens with record notice to third parties on, and security interests in, all rights, titles and interests of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and, to the extent applicable, subject to Section 9-315 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything herein (including this Section 3.17) or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, no Borrower or any other Loan Party makes any representation or warranty as to the effects of perfection or non-perfection, the priority or the enforceability of any pledge of or security interest in any Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, or as to the rights and remedies of the Agents or any Lender with respect thereto, under foreign law.

Section 3.18    Location of Real Property. The Perfection Certificate lists correctly, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date all Material Real Property owned by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties and the addresses thereof. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties own in fee all the Real Property set forth as being owned by them in the Perfection Certificate except to the extent set forth therein.

Section 3.19    Solvency. (a) As of the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions on the Closing Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct,

 

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subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

(b)    As of the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions on the Closing Date, the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

Section 3.20    Labor Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries; (b) the hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any material collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound.

Section 3.21    Insurance. Schedule 3.21 sets forth a true, complete and correct description, in all material respects, of all material insurance (excluding any title insurance) maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect.

Section 3.22    No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 3.23    Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Schedule 3.23, (a) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or possesses the right to use, all Intellectual Property used or held for use in or otherwise reasonably necessary for the present conduct of their respective businesses, (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not interfering with, infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating Intellectual Property of any person, and (c) (i) no claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened and (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim or litigation regarding any other Intellectual Property described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) is pending or threatened.

Section 3.24    Senior Debt. The Loan Obligations constitute “Senior Debt” (or the equivalent thereof) under the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party permitted to be incurred hereunder constituting Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

 

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Section 3.25    USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC.

(a)    The Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and, at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Loan Parties (including names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and mutually agreed to be required under “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(b)    None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Treasury Department, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union, the United Nations Security Council or Her Majesty’s Treasury (“Sanctions”). The Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any country that is the target of the Sanctions, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by sanctions laws and regulations administered by the United States, including OFAC and the U.S. State Department, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union (collectively, the “Sanctions Laws”), or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws applicable to any party hereto.

Section 3.26    Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their directors, officers, agents or employees, are in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject (“Anti-Corruption Laws”), in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used to make any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

The obligations of (a) the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Loans and (b) any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew Letters of Credit or increase the stated amounts of Letters of Credit hereunder (each, a “Credit Event”) are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 9.08) of the following conditions:

Section 4.01    All Credit Events. On the date of each Borrowing and on the date of each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (in each case, other than pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement):

(a)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or a Borrowing Request shall have been deemed given in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05(b).

 

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(b)    (i) In the case of each Credit Event that occurs on the Closing Date, the representations and warranties made by the Company (with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries) in the Merger Agreement that are material to the interests of the Lenders (in their capacities as such) (but only to the extent that Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations in the Merger Agreement) shall be true and correct in all material respects, and the representations and warranties made in respect of the Borrower, and, to the extent applicable, the Guarantors, in Sections 3.01(a) and (d), 3.02(a) and (b)(i)(B), 3.03, 3.10, 3.11, 3.17 (limited to creation, validity and perfection except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 4.02), 3.19, 3.25 and 3.26 shall be true and correct in all material respects; and (ii) in the case of each other Credit Event that occurs after the Closing Date (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), the representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

(c)    In the case of each Borrowing or other Credit Event that occurs after the Closing Date, at the time of and immediately after such Borrowing or issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d)    Each Borrowing and other Credit Event that occurs after the Closing Date shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing, issuance, amendment, extension or renewal as applicable, as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.

Section 4.02    First Credit Event. On or prior to the Closing Date:

(a)    The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each of Holdings, the Borrower, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include delivery of a signed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”)) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Lenders and each Issuing Bank, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, as special counsel for the Loan Parties (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to each Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the Closing Date and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Loan Party dated the Closing Date and certifying:

(i)    a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents, including all amendments thereto, of such Loan Party, (1) in the case of a corporation, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization, or (2) otherwise certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Loan Party or other person duly authorized by the constituent documents of such Loan Party,

 

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(ii)    a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official),

(iii)    that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (iv) below,

(iv)    that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents dated as of the Closing Date to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date,

(v)    as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party, and

(vi)    as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, and the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent), tax and judgment, United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are Permitted Liens or have been, or will be simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the closing under this Agreement, released (or arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for such release shall have been made).

(e)    The Merger shall have been consummated or shall be consummated simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the closing under this Agreement on the terms described in the Merger Agreement, without giving effect to any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification thereof by Holdings that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders (in their capacities as such) unless it is approved by the Arrangers (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

(f)    Prior to, simultaneously, or substantially concurrently with the closing under this Agreement, the Co-Investors shall have contributed, directly or indirectly, to Holdings an aggregate amount in cash in the form of common equity or other Equity Interests on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and which shall be further contributed in the form of common equity to the Borrower (the “Equity Contribution”), which will cause the Equity Interests of Holdings (including roll-over or contributed Equity Interests not to exceed 3.0% of the Total Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization of Holdings as of the Closing Date) to represent not less than 27.5% of the Total Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization of Holdings as of the Closing Date.

 

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(g)    The Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 3.05.

(h)    On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall have any third party Indebtedness of the type described in clause (a) of the definition thereof other than (i) the Loans and other extensions of credit under this Agreement (including the Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit, which shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued under and subject to this Agreement), (ii) the Senior Unsecured Notes, (iii) other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred or outstanding on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Merger Agreement and (iv) other Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 or approved by the Arrangers in their reasonable discretion.

(i)    The Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower confirming the solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Closing Date.

(j)    The Agents shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any Lender on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document on or prior to the Closing Date (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Loans).

(k)    Except as set forth in Schedule 5.12 (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall override the applicable clauses of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”) and subject to the grace periods and post-closing periods set forth in such definition, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall be satisfied (or waived) as of the Closing Date.

(l)    The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by Section 3.25(a), to the extent such information has been requested not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(m)    Since the date of the Merger Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Company Material Adverse Effect.

(n)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i) and Section 4.02(m) hereof.

For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.02, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Closing Date specifying its objection thereto and, in the case of a Borrowing, such Lender shall not have made available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion of the initial Borrowing.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, it is understood that to the extent any security interest in the intended Collateral or any deliverable (including those referred to in Sections 4.02(d) and (k)) related to the perfection of security interests in the intended Collateral (other than any Collateral the security interest in which may be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement or the possession of the stock certificates (if any) of the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary (to the extent, with respect to such Subsidiaries, such stock certificates are received from the Company on or prior to the Closing Date

 

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after using commercially reasonable efforts)) is not or cannot be provided and/or perfected on the Closing Date (1) without undue burden or expense or (2) after the Borrower has used commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then the provision and/or perfection of such security interest(s) or deliverable shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Commitments on the Closing Date but, to the extent otherwise required hereunder, shall be delivered after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 5.12.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 5.01    Existence; Business and Properties. (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Borrower, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of Subsidiaries if the assets of such Subsidiaries to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution; provided, that Subsidiary Loan Parties may not be liquidated into Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Domestic Subsidiaries may not be liquidated into Foreign Subsidiaries (except in each case as permitted under Section 6.05).

(b)    Except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) lawfully obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, Intellectual Property, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, and (ii) at all times maintain, protect and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as permitted by this Agreement).

Section 5.02    Insurance. (a) Maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, cause the Collateral Agent to be listed as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies with respect to Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America and as an additional insured on liability policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may self-insure with respect to such risks with respect to which companies of established reputation engaged in the same general line of business in the same general area usually self-insure.

(b)    Except as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause all such property and casualty insurance policies with respect to the Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable endorsement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, deliver a certificate of an insurance broker to the Collateral Agent; cause each

 

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such policy covered by this clause (b) to provide that it shall not be cancelled or not renewed upon less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent; deliver to the Collateral Agent, prior to or concurrently with the cancellation or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance covered by this clause (b), a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Collateral Agent), or insurance certificate with respect thereto, together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of payment of the premium therefor, in each case of the foregoing, to the extent customarily maintained, purchased or provided to, or at the request of, lenders by similarly situated companies in connection with credit facilities of this nature.

(c)    If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area (each a “Special Flood Hazard Area”) with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the Flood Insurance Laws, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including a copy of the flood insurance policy and declaration page relating thereto.

(d)    In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section 5.02, it is understood and agreed that:

(i)    the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.02, it being understood that (A) the Loan Parties shall look solely to their insurance companies or any other parties other than the aforesaid parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (B) such insurance companies shall have no rights of subrogation against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or their agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies, as a matter of the internal policy of such insurer, do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then each of Holdings and the Borrower, on behalf of itself and behalf of each of its Subsidiaries, hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to waive, and further agrees to cause each of their Subsidiaries to waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and their agents and employees;

(ii)    the designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by the Collateral Agent (including acting in the capacity as the Collateral Agent) under this Section 5.02 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or the protection of their properties; and

(iii)    the amount and type of insurance that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has in effect as of the Closing Date satisfies for all purposes the requirements of this Section 5.02.

Section 5.03    Taxes. Pay its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.04    Financial Statements, Reports, etc. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):

(a)    within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and, starting with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(a) to the extent such annual reports include the information specified herein);

(b)    within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016), a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and, starting with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be in reasonable detail, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(b) to the extent such quarterly reports include the information specified herein); provided, that with respect to the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, the requirements under this clause (b) shall be satisfied if the Borrower, at its option, delivers the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 substantially in the form of the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g);

(c)    (x) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.04(c) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) commencing with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenant and (iii) setting forth the calculation and uses of

 

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the Cumulative Credit for the fiscal period then ended if the Borrower shall have used the Cumulative Credit for any purpose during such fiscal period and (y) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, if the accounting firm is not restricted from providing such a certificate by its policies office, a certificate of the accounting firm opining on or certifying such statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such statements of any Default or Event of Default (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations);

(d)    promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other publicly available reports, proxy statements and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, other materials filed by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the SEC, or after an initial public offering, distributed to its stockholders generally, as applicable; provided, however, that such reports, proxy statements, filings and other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this clause (d) shall be deemed delivered for purposes of this Agreement when posted to the website of the Borrower (or Holdings or any Parent Entity referred to in Section 5.04(i)) or the website of the SEC and written notice of such posting has been delivered to the Administrative Agent;

(e)    within 90 days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017), a consolidated annual budget for such fiscal year consisting of a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income (collectively, the “Budget”), which Budget shall in each case be accompanied by the statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that the Budget is based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof;

(f)    upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent not more frequently than once a year, an updated Perfection Certificate (or, to the extent such request relates to specified information contained in the Perfection Certificate, such information) reflecting all changes since the date of the information most recently received pursuant to this clause (f) or Section 5.10(f);

(g)    promptly, from time to time, such other customary information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender);

(h)    no later than 10 Business Days after the delivery of the financial statements required pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04, commencing with the financial statements for the first full fiscal period ending after the Closing Date, upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall hold a customary conference call for Lenders; and

(i)    in the event that Holdings or any Parent Entity reports on a consolidated basis, such consolidated reporting at Holdings or such Parent Entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04 for the Borrower (together with a reconciliation showing the adjustments necessary to determine compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the Financial Covenant) will satisfy the requirements of such paragraphs.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that all financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (d) above are hereby deemed to be Borrower Materials suitable for distribution, and to be made available, to Public Lenders as contemplated by Section 9.17 and may be treated by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as if the same had been marked “PUBLIC” in accordance with such paragraph (unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent in writing on or prior to delivery thereof).

 

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Section 5.05    Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly thereafter furnish to the Lenders) written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof:

(a)    any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

(b)    the filing or commencement of, or any written threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination is reasonably probable and which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)    any other development specific to Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is not a matter of general public knowledge and that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(d)    the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.06    Compliance with Laws. Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions Laws.

Section 5.07    Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections. Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor (so long as the Borrower has the opportunity to participate in any such discussions with such accountants), in each case, subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract.

Section 5.08    Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans made and Letters of Credit issued in the manner contemplated by Section 3.12.

Section 5.09    Compliance with Environmental Laws. Comply, and make reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other persons occupying its properties to comply, with all Environmental

 

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Laws applicable to its operations and properties; and obtain and renew all material authorizations and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its operations and properties, in each case in accordance with Environmental Laws, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.10    Further Assurances; Additional Security.

(a)    Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages and other documents), that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (including, without limitation, those required by applicable law), to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and provide to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

(b)    If any asset (other than Real Property) that has an individual fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in an amount greater than $10,000,000 is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date or owned by an entity at the time it becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (in each case other than (x) assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien of such Security Document upon acquisition thereof and (y) assets constituting Excluded Property), the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Party, as applicable, will (i) notify the Collateral Agent of such acquisition or ownership and (ii) cause such asset to be subjected to a Lien (subject to any Permitted Liens) securing the Obligations by, and take, and cause the Subsidiary Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in clause (a) of this Section 5.10, all at the expense of the Loan Parties, subject to clause (g) below.

(c)    (i) Grant and cause each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties to grant to the Collateral Agent security interests in, and Mortgages on, any Material Real Property of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Parties, as applicable, that are acquired after the Closing Date, within 120 days after the acquisition thereof (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which security interest and mortgage shall constitute valid and enforceable Liens subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, (ii) record or file, and cause each such Subsidiary to record or file, the Mortgage or instruments related thereto in such manner and in such places as is required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) required to be granted pursuant to the Mortgages and pay, and cause each such Subsidiary to pay, in full, all Taxes, fees and other charges required to be paid in connection with such recording or filing, in each case subject to clause (g) below, and (iii) deliver to the Collateral Agent an updated Schedule 1.01(E) reflecting such Mortgaged Properties. Unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent, with respect to each such Mortgage, the Borrower shall cause the requirements set forth in clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” to be satisfied with respect to such Material Real Property.

(d)    If any additional direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable

 

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discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 20 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion (or, with respect to clauses (f), (g) and (h) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” within 120 days after such formation or acquisition or such longer period as set forth therein or as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, as applicable), cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(e)    If any additional Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a “first tier” Foreign Subsidiary of a Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 50 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to any Equity Interest in such Foreign Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(f)    Furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in any Loan Party’s corporate or organization name, (B) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (C) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number, (D) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or (E) in the location of the chief executive office of any Loan Party that is not a registered organization; provided, that the Borrower shall not effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made, or will have been made within 30 days following such change (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), under the Uniform Commercial Code that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by such filing, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(g)    The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the other provisions of this Section 5.10 and the other Loan Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to any of the following (collectively, the “Excluded Property”): (i) any Real Property other than Material Real Property, (ii) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, letter of credit rights (in each case, other than to the extent a Lien on such assets or such rights can be perfected by filing a UCC-1) and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $10,000,000, (iii) pledges and security interests prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contractual obligation (with respect to any such contractual obligation, only to the extent such restriction is permitted under Section 6.09(c) and such restriction is binding on such assets (1) on the Closing Date or (2) on the date of the acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i))) (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) or which could require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to be pledged (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (iv) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower, (v) any lease, license or other agreement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or create a right of termination in favor of any

 

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other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (vi) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequence of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the value afforded thereby, (vii) any governmental licenses or state or local licenses, franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (viii) any “intent-to-use” applications for trademark or service mark registrations filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051, unless and until an Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use under Section 1(c) or 1(d) of the Lanham Act has been filed, (ix) other customary exclusions under applicable local law or in applicable local jurisdictions set forth in any applicable Security Documents or otherwise separately agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (x) Securitization Assets sold to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or otherwise pledged, factored, transferred or sold in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing, and any other assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financings, (xi) any Excluded Securities, (xii) any Third Party Funds, (xiii) any equipment or other asset that is subject to a Lien permitted by any of clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa), (mm) or (oo) of Section 6.02 or is otherwise subject to a purchase money debt or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted by Section 6.01, if the contract or other agreement providing for such debt or Capitalized Lease Obligation prohibits or requires the consent of any person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted hereunder (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law), (xiv) all assets of Holdings other than, prior to a Qualified IPO, Equity Interests of the Borrower directly held by Holdings and pledged pursuant to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement and (xv) any other exceptions mutually agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower may in its sole discretion elect to exclude any property from the definition of “Excluded Property.” Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (A) the Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time or waiver of requirement for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of insurance (including title insurance) or surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond the Closing Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that perfection or obtaining of such items cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (B) no control agreement or control, lockbox or similar arrangement shall be required with respect to any deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts, (C) no landlord, mortgagee or bailee waivers shall be required, (D) no foreign-law governed security documents or perfection under foreign law shall be required, (E) no notice shall be required to be sent to account debtors or other contractual third parties prior to an Event of Default, (F) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to, or any other requirements of, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the Security Documents shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and (G) to the extent any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction with mortgage recording or similar tax, the amount secured by the Security Document with respect to such Mortgaged Property shall be limited to the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property as determined in good faith by the Borrower (subject to any applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction or such lesser amount agreed to by the Administrative Agent).

 

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Section 5.11    Rating. Exercise commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and to maintain (a) public ratings (but not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P for the Term B Loans and (b) public corporate credit ratings and corporate family ratings (but, in each case, not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P in respect of the Borrower.

Section 5.12    Post-Closing.    Take all necessary actions to satisfy the items described on Schedule 5.12 within the applicable period of time specified in such Schedule (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion).

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders (or, in the case of Section 6.11, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class) shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 6.01    Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)    (i) Indebtedness existing or committed on the Closing Date (provided, that any such Indebtedness that is (x) not intercompany Indebtedness and (y) in excess of $5,000,000 shall be set forth on Schedule 6.01) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

(b)    (i) Indebtedness created hereunder (including pursuant to Section 2.21) and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(c)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(d)    Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such person, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

(e)    Indebtedness of the Borrower to Holdings or any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided, that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party owing to the Loan Parties incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subordinated to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement on subordination terms described in the intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto or on substantially identical subordination terms or other subordination terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower;

(f)    Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

 

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(g)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    (i) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a person merged or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date and Indebtedness otherwise incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of assets or Equity Interests (including a Permitted Business Acquisition), where such acquisition, merger or consolidation is not prohibited by this Agreement; provided, that, (w) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (x) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net Secured Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (y) in the case of any other such Indebtedness, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not less than 2.00 to 1.00 or (II) no less than the Interest Coverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto and (z) in the case of any such Indebtedness incurred under this clause (h) by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party that is incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, further, that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (h)(i) incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence (but not assumption) of any such term loan Indebtedness that is secured by Other First Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02; and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness;

(i)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary prior to or within 270 days after the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of the respective property (real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interest of any person owning such property) permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement, in an aggregate principal amount that immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(i)(i), would not exceed the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations Incurred by the

 

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Borrower or any Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of computer equipment (including servers), storage equipment, networking equipment and other equipment and similar assets related to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any finance lease obligations not prohibited hereunder and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(j)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations and any other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising from any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(k)    (i) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k), would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(l)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than 100% of the amount of net cash proceeds received by the Borrower from (x) the issuance or sale of its Qualified Equity Interests or (y) a contribution to its common equity with the net cash proceeds from the issuance and sale by Holdings or a Parent Entity of its Qualified Equity Interests or a contribution to its common equity (in each case of (x) and (y), other than proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests to, or contributions from, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), to the extent such net cash proceeds do not constitute Excluded Contributions or Permitted Cure Securities;

(m)    Guarantees (i) by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party permitted to be incurred under this Agreement, (ii) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)), (iii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness of another Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, and (iv) by the Borrower of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties incurred for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(t) to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)); provided, that Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party under this Section 6.01(m) of any other Indebtedness of a person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such person shall be expressly subordinated to the Loan Obligations to at least the same extent as such underlying Indebtedness is subordinated;

(n)    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Business Acquisition, other Investments or the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Agreement;

(o)    Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued to support performance obligations and trade letters of credit (other than obligations in respect of other Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

 

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(p)    [reserved];

(q)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (q)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), this Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(r)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (r)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), this Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (r)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(s)    (i) other Indebtedness so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not less than 2.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (s)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and this Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (s)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(t)    (i) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount outstanding that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(t), would not exceed the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(u)    Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided, that such obligations are

 

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incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money or any Hedging Agreements;

(v)    Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors of the Borrower (or, to the extent such work is done for the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    Indebtedness in connection with Permitted Securitization Financings;

(x)    obligations in respect of Cash Management Agreements;

(y)    (i) Refinancing Notes and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect thereof;

(z)    (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed at the time of incurrence the Incremental Amount available at such time; provided that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (z)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens pursuant to this clause (z)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(aa)    [reserved];

(bb)    (i) Indebtedness of, incurred on behalf of, or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(bb), would not exceed the greater of $125,000,000 and 0.175 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(cc)    Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or of Holdings or any Parent Entity, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity permitted by Section 6.06;

(dd)    Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such person in connection with the Transactions and Permitted Business Acquisitions or any other Investment permitted hereunder;

(ee)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to or on behalf of any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(ff)    Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(gg)    Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit (or a letter of credit issued under any other revolving credit or letter of credit facility permitted by Section 6.01);

(hh)    (i) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(hh)(i) not to exceed $1,200,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(ii)    all premium (if any, including tender premiums) expenses, defeasance costs, interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (hh) above or refinancings thereof.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02, the amount of any Indebtedness denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on customary currency exchange rates in effect, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) on or prior to the Closing Date, on the Closing Date and, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) after the Closing Date, on the date on which such Indebtedness was incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness); provided, that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars (or in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced), and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount, as applicable, of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums), accrued interest, defeasance costs and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, (A) Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a) through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof, (B) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a) through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.01 and at the time of incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) shall be treated as having been incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or portion thereof) at such time; provided, that (x) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under this Agreement shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 6.01 and (y) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under the Senior Unsecured Notes shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (hh) of this Section 6.01, (C) in connection with (1) the incurrence of revolving loan Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 or (2) any commitment relating to the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 and the granting of any Lien to secure such Indebtedness, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary may

 

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designate the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the granting of such Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first incurrence of such revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual incurrence and the granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for purposes of this Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 of this Agreement to have been incurred or granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable), the Net Total Leverage Ratio, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and EBITDA (and all such calculations, without duplication, on the Deemed Date and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded without the incurrence thereby shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the deemed incurrence, the granting of any Lien therefor and related transactions in connection therewith) and (D) for purposes of calculating the Net Secured Leverage Ratio and the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio under Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z) on any date of incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to such Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z), the net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, as applicable, at such time. In addition, with respect to any Indebtedness that was permitted to be incurred hereunder on the date of such incurrence, any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness shall also be permitted hereunder after the date of such incurrence.

This Agreement will not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

With respect to any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred under Section 6.01(h)(i) (solely to the extent set forth therein), 6.01(q)(i), 6.01(r)(i), 6.01(s)(i) and 6.01(z)(i), (A) in the form of term Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (B) in the form of revolving Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Revolving Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred.

Section 6.02    Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any person) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

(a)    Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date (or created following the Closing Date pursuant to agreements in existence on the Closing Date requiring the creation of such Liens) and, to the extent securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided, that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such obligations permitted by Section 6.01) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, and (B) proceeds and products thereof;

 

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(b)    any Lien created under the Loan Documents (including Liens created under the Security Documents securing obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) or permitted in respect of any Mortgaged Property by the terms of the applicable Mortgage;

(c)    any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h); provided, that (i) in the case of Liens that do not extend to the Collateral, such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset and accessions and additions thereto and proceeds and products thereof (other than after-acquired property required to be subjected to such Lien pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness (and refinancings thereof)), (ii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) junior in priority to the Liens securing the Term B Loans, such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans, (x) such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02;

(d)    Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

(e)    Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, supplier’s, construction or other like Liens, securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

(f)    (i) pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations and (ii) pledges and deposits and other Liens securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g)    deposits and other Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, agreements with utilities, and other obligations of a like nature (including letters of credit in lieu of any such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    zoning restrictions, easements, survey exceptions, trackage rights, leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), licenses, special assessments, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and declarations on or with respect to the use of Real Property, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and title defects or irregularities that are of a minor nature and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

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(i)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) or (j); provided, that such Liens do not apply to any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired, leased, constructed, replaced, repaired or improved with such Indebtedness (or the Indebtedness Refinanced thereby) or sold in the applicable Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, and accessions and additions thereto, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and related property; provided, further, that individual financings provided by one lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings provided by such lender (and its Affiliates) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(j)    Liens arising out of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions and additions thereto or proceeds and products thereof and related property;

(k)    Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(l)    Liens disclosed by the title insurance policies delivered on or subsequent to the Closing Date and pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.10 or Schedule 5.12 and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided, that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal; provided, further, that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement;

(m)    any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(n)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (and related pledges) (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks and other financial institutions not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposits, sweep accounts, reserve accounts or similar accounts of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including with respect to credit card charge-backs and similar obligations, or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers, suppliers or service providers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(o)    Liens (i) arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (iv) in respect of Third Party Funds or (v) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith;

(p)    Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations permitted under Section 6.01(f), (k) or (o) and covering the property (or the documents of title in respect of such property) financed by such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

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(q)    leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to Intellectual Property) granted to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(r)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(s)    Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder;

(t)    (i) Liens with respect to property or assets of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party securing obligations of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted under Section 6.01 and (ii) Liens with respect to property or assets of the applicable joint venture or the Equity Interests of such joint venture securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(bb) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(u)    Liens on any amounts held by a trustee or agent under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(v)    the prior rights of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(x)    Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases or other obligations not constituting Indebtedness;

(y)    Liens (i) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, joint ventures (A) securing obligations of such joint venture or (B) pursuant to the relevant joint venture agreement or arrangement and (ii) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(z)    Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Investments under clause (c) of the definition thereof;

(aa)    Liens in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings that extend only to the assets subject thereto and Equity Interests of Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries;

(bb)    Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements; provided, that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

(cc)    in the case of Real Property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;

 

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(dd)    Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligation (i) of the Borrower or a Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and (ii) of any Subsidiary that is not Loan Party in favor of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(ee)    Liens (i) on not more than $15,000,000 of deposits securing Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes and (ii) on cash or Permitted Investments securing Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law;

(ff)    Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit, bank guarantee or bankers’ acceptance issued or created for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit, bank guarantee or banker’s acceptance to the extent permitted under Section 6.01;

(gg)    Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Junior Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00;

(hh)    Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Other First Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided that any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.02;

(ii)    (i) Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as such Other First Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(w), 6.01(q), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as such Junior Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(x), 6.01(i), 6.01(r), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) and (iii) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof);

(jj)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(kk)    Liens to secure any Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance (or successive Indebtedness issued or incurred for subsequent Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section 6.02; provided, however, that (v) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) shall also be Junior Liens, (w) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Other First Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) may also be Other First Liens or Junior Liens, (x) (other than Liens contemplated by the foregoing clauses (v) and (w)) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same type of property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on and accessions to such property, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and any other assets pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent such assets secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced), (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) or, if greater, committed

 

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amount of the applicable Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Lien permitted hereunder, (B) unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) and (C) an amount necessary to pay any associated underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses, and (z) on the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens, the grantors of any such Liens shall be no different from the grantors of the Liens securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced or grantors that would have been obligated to secure such Indebtedness or a Loan Party;

(ll)    other Liens with respect to property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing obligations in an aggregate outstanding principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Liens, would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period;

(mm)    Liens on property of, or on Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, any person existing at the time (A) such person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or (B) such person or property is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens do not extend to any other assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than accessions and additions thereto and proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property) and (ii) such Liens secure only those obligations which they secure on the date such person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such acquisition (and any extensions, renewals, replacements or refinancings thereof);

(nn)    Liens (i) on inventory held by and granted to a local distribution company in the ordinary course of business and (ii) in accounts purchased and collected by and grated to a local distribution company that has agreed to make payments to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for such amounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(oo)    Liens in respect of Indebtedness secured by mortgages on the corporate headquarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.02 and at the time of incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Liens or Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or any portion thereof) at such time. In addition, with respect to any revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment to incur Indebtedness that is designated to be incurred on any Deemed Date pursuant to clause (C) of the third paragraph of Section 6.01, any Lien that does or that shall secure such Indebtedness may also be designated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be incurred on such Deemed Date and, in such event, any related subsequent actual incurrence of such Lien shall be deemed for purposes of Section 6.01 and 6.02 of this Agreement, without duplication, to be incurred on such prior date (and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded), including for purposes of calculating usage of any Permitted Lien. In addition, with respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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With respect to (x) Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date in the form of term loans that are secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens incurred under Section 6.02(hh) or (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred (but not assumed) in the form of term loans pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i)(w) or any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i) or Section 6.01(z)(i), in each case, prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date that is secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (any such Indebtedness, “Pari Term Loans”), if the All-in Yield in respect of such Pari Term Loans exceeds the All-in Yield in respect of the Term B Loans on the Closing Date by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Pari Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin (or “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans on the Closing Date shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Pari Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Pari Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Pari Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Pari Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Pari Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans.

Section 6.03    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter, as part of such transaction, rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a “Sale and Lease-Back Transaction”); provided, that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted (a) with respect to (i) Excluded Property, (ii) property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party that is acquired after the Closing Date so long as such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is consummated within 365 days of the acquisition of such property or (iii) property owned by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party regardless of when such property was acquired, and (b) with respect to any other property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party, (x) if such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is of property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party as of the Closing Date, the Net Proceeds therefrom are used to prepay the Term Loans to the extent required by Section 2.11(b) and (y) with respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction pursuant to this clause (b) with Net Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $15,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, the requirements of the last paragraph of Section 6.05 shall apply to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to the extent provided therein.

Section 6.04    Investments, Loans and Advances. (i) Purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with a person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other person, (ii) make any loans or advances to or Guarantees of the Indebtedness of any other person (other than in respect of (A) intercompany liabilities incurred in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (B) intercompany loans, advances or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-overs or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practices), or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (x) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another person or (y) assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such person (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

 

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(a)    the Transactions;

(b)     (i) Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) intercompany loans from the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (iii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, that as at any date of determination, the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) of (A) Investments made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (i) in Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties, plus (B) net outstanding intercompany loans made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (ii), plus (C) outstanding Guarantees by the Loan Parties of Indebtedness after the Closing Date of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (iii) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment;

(c)    Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;

(d)    Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of non-cash consideration for the Disposition of assets permitted under Section 6.05;

(e)    loans and advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed $20,000,000, (ii) in respect of payroll payments and expenses in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in connection with such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) solely to the extent that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Borrower in cash as common equity;

(f)    accounts receivable, security deposits and prepayments arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any assets or securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

(g)    Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(h)    Investments existing on, or contractually committed as of, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 and any extensions, renewals, replacements or reinvestments thereof, so long as the aggregate amount of all Investments pursuant to this clause (h) is not increased at any time above the amount of such Investment existing or committed on the Closing Date (other than pursuant to an increase as required by the terms of any such Investment as in existence on the Closing Date or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04);

(i)    Investments resulting from pledges and deposits under Sections 6.02(f), (g), (o), (r), (s), (ee) and (ll);

(j)    other Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the

 

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EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) any portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.04(j)(Y), which such election shall (unless such Investment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied, and plus (Z) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment pursuant to clause (X); provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(j) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(j);

(k)    Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions;

(l)    intercompany loans between Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Guarantees by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties permitted by Section 6.01(m);

(m)    Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business or Investments acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investments or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(n)    Investments of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or of a person merged into the Borrower or merged into or consolidated with a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case, (i) to the extent such acquisition, merger or consolidation is permitted under this Section 6.04, (ii) in the case of any acquisition, merger or consolidation, in accordance with Section 6.05 and (iii) to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(o)    acquisitions by the Borrower of obligations of one or more officers or other employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with such officer’s or employee’s acquisition of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity, so long as no cash is actually advanced by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to such officers or employees in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;

(p)    Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of operating leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(q)    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(r)    Investments in the Equity Interests of one or more newly formed persons that are received in consideration of the contribution by Holdings, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary of assets (including Equity Interests and cash) to such person or persons; provided, that (i) the fair market value of such assets, determined in good faith by the Borrower, so contributed pursuant to this

 

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clause (r) shall not in the aggregate exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) in respect of each such contribution, a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall certify, in a form to be agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (x) immediately after giving effect to such contribution, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the assets so contributed and (z) that the requirements of clause (i) of this proviso remain satisfied;

(s)    Investments consisting of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06;

(t)    Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;

(u)    [reserved];

(v)    Guarantees permitted under Section 6.01 (except to the extent such Guarantee is expressly subject to this Section 6.04);

(w)    advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

(x)    Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including loans to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, if the Borrower or any other Subsidiary would otherwise be permitted to make a Restricted Payment in such amount (provided, that the amount of any such Investment shall also be deemed to be a Restricted Payment under the appropriate clause of Section 6.06 for all purposes of this Agreement);

(y)    Investments consisting of Securitization Assets or arising as a result of Permitted Securitization Financings;

(z)    [reserved];

(aa)    to the extent constituting Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of Intellectual Property in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(bb)    Investments received substantially contemporaneously in exchange for Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(cc)    Investments in joint ventures; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) of Investments made after the Closing Date pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this proviso any Investment made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which Investment shall be permitted under this Section 6.04(cc) without regard to such calculation) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) an aggregate amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at

 

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the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(cc);

(dd)    Investments in Similar Businesses in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(dd) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(dd);

(ee)    Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to the applicable Investments, in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(ee) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(ee);

(ff)    other Investments so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Investment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00; and

(gg)    Investments made pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

The amount of Investments that may be made at any time pursuant to Section 6.04(b), 6.04(j) or 6.04(dd) (such Sections, the “Related Sections”) may, at the election of the Borrower, be increased by the amount of Investments that could be made at such time under the other Related Section; provided, that the amount of each such increase in respect of one Related Section shall be treated as having been used under the other Related Section.

Any Investment in any person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party that is otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04 may be made through intermediate Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and such intermediate Investments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the outstanding amount of Investments pursuant to any clause set forth above. The amount of any Investment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) an Investment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Investments (or portion thereof) described

 

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in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Investment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.04(k), (cc) or (ff) (such clauses and related definitions, the “Investment Incurrence Clauses”), the determination of the amount of such Investment that may be made pursuant to the Investment Incurrence Clauses shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Investment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than an Investment Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.05    Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions. Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or Dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or Dispose of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all of the assets of any other person or division or line of business of a person, except that this Section 6.05 shall not prohibit:

(a)    (i) the purchase and Disposition of inventory, or the sale of receivables pursuant to non-recourse factoring arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) the acquisition or lease (pursuant to an operating lease) of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or, with respect to operating leases, otherwise for fair market value on market terms (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), (iii) the Disposition of surplus, obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or other property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm or determined in good faith by the Borrower to be no longer used or useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) assignments by the Borrower and any Subsidiary in connection with insurance arrangements of their rights and remedies under, and with respect to, the Merger Agreement in respect of any breach by the Company of its representations and warranties set forth therein or (v) the Disposition of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the survivor, (ii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into any Subsidiary Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is or becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party and, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), no person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party receives any consideration (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), (iii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party with or into any other Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, (iv) the liquidation or dissolution or change in form of entity of any Subsidiary if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, dissolution or change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, (v) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 so long as the continuing or surviving person shall be a Subsidiary (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), which shall be a Loan Party if the merging or consolidating Subsidiary was a Loan Party (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04) and which together with each of its Subsidiaries shall have complied with any applicable requirements of Section 5.10 or (vi) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Asset Sale otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.05;

 

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(c)    Dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided, that any Dispositions by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party in reliance on this clause (c) shall be made in compliance with Section 6.04;

(d)    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;

(e)    (i) Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Permitted Liens and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.06 and (ii) any Disposition made pursuant to the Merger Agreement or in connection with the Transactions;

(f)    Dispositions of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;

(g)    other Dispositions of assets; provided, that the Net Proceeds thereof, if any, are applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby;

(h)    Permitted Business Acquisitions (including any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in order to effect a Permitted Business Acquisition); provided, that following any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving entity or the requirements of Section 6.05(o) are otherwise complied with;

(i)    leases, licenses or subleases or sublicenses of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(j)    Dispositions of inventory or Dispositions or abandonment of Intellectual Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower to be no longer useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries;

(k)    acquisitions and purchases made with the proceeds of any Asset Sale pursuant to the first proviso of clause (a) of the definition of “Net Proceeds”;

(l)    the purchase and Disposition (including by capital contribution) of (i) Securitization Assets including pursuant to Permitted Securitization Financings and (ii) any other Securitization Assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financing;

(m)    to the extent constituting a Disposition, any termination, settlement or extinguishment of obligations in respect of any Hedging Agreement;

(n)    any exchange of assets for services and/or other assets used or useful in a Similar Business of comparable or greater value; provided, that (i) to the extent the consideration received consists of assets, at least 90% of the consideration received by the transferor consists of assets that will be used in a business or business activity permitted hereunder, (ii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $10,000,000, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower with respect to such fair market value and (iii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $15,000,000, such exchange shall have been approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Borrower; provided, further, that (A) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (B) the Net Proceeds, if any, thereof are

 

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applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby and (C) with respect to any exchange of assets for services, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance; and

(o)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, any Subsidiary or any other person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower, provided that (A) the Borrower shall be the surviving entity or (B) if the surviving entity is not the Borrower (such other person, the “Successor Borrower”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement or the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, as applicable, confirmed that its guarantee thereunder shall apply to any Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (4) each Subsidiary Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to any applicable Security Document affirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3), (5) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have affirmed that its obligations under the applicable Mortgage shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3) and (6) the Successor Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (x) an officer’s certificate stating that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and covering such other matters as are contemplated by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be covered in opinions of counsel (it being understood that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, no Disposition of assets under Section 6.05(g) or, solely with respect to Sale and Lease-Back Transactions referred to in clause (b)(y) of Section 6.03, under Section 6.05(d), shall be permitted unless (i) such Disposition is for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or if not for fair market value, the shortfall is permitted as an Investment under Section 6.04, and (ii) at least 75% of the proceeds of such Disposition (except to Loan Parties) consist of cash or Permitted Investments; provided, that the provisions of this clause (ii) shall not apply to any individual transaction or series of related transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of less than $15,000,000 or to other transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of not more than the greater of $50,000,000 and 0.075 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period in the aggregate for all such transactions during the term of this Agreement; provided, further, that for purposes of this clause (ii), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash: (a) the amount of any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or are otherwise cancelled in connection with such transaction, (b) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary into cash within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received), (c) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such Disposition having an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to

 

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the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), (d) the amount of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is no longer a Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that Holdings, the Borrower and each other Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with the Asset Sale and (e) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations) received from persons who are not Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale and that is cancelled. For purposes of this Section 6.05, the fair market value of any assets Disposed of by the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be determined in good faith by the Borrower and may be determined either, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of such Disposition or as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Disposition.

Section 6.06    Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value (or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire) any of the Borrower’s Equity Interests or set aside any amount for any such purpose (other than through the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person redeeming, purchasing, retiring or acquiring such shares) (all of the foregoing, “Restricted Payments”); provided, however, that:

(a)    Restricted Payments may be made to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (or, in the case of non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);

(b)    Restricted Payments may be made in respect of (i) general corporate operating and overhead, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of Holdings or any Parent Entity, (ii) fees and expenses related to any public offering or private placement of Equity Interests or Indebtedness of Holdings or any Parent Entity whether or not consummated, (iii) franchise and similar taxes and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of its (or any Parent Entity’s) existence and its (or any Parent Entity’s indirect) ownership of the Borrower, (iv) payments permitted by Section 6.07(b) (other than Section 6.07(b)(vii)), (v) in respect of any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is the common parent, or for which the Borrower is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes, Restricted Payments to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group and (vi) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings or any Parent Entity, in each case in order to permit Holdings or any Parent Entity to make such payments; provided, that in the case of subclauses (i) and (iii), the amount of such Restricted Payments shall not exceed the portion of any amounts referred to in such subclauses (i) and (iii) that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% at any time that, as the case may be, (1) Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower

 

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and assets incidental to such equity ownership or (2) any Parent Entity owns directly or indirectly no material assets other than Equity Interests of Holdings and any other Parent Entity and assets incidental to such equity ownership and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(c)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings, the proceeds of which are used to purchase or redeem the Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) held by then present or former directors, consultants, officers or employees of any Parent Entity, Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or by any Plan or any shareholders’ agreement then in effect upon such person’s death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or under the terms of any such Plan or any other agreement under which such shares of stock or related rights were issued; provided, that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions under this clause (c) shall not exceed in any fiscal year $20,000,000 (which shall increase to $40,000,000 subsequent to a Qualified IPO) (plus (x) the amount of net proceeds contributed to the Borrower that were (x) received by Holdings or any Parent Entity during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity to directors, consultants, officers or employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit, (y) the amount of net proceeds of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year, and (z) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests), which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary from members of management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 6.06;

(d)    any person may make non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;

(e)    Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount equal to a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.06(e), which such election shall (unless such Restricted Payment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied; provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) after giving effect thereto, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00;

(f)    Restricted Payments may be made in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders or stockholders exercising appraisal rights pursuant to applicable law;

(g)    Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holdings or any Parent Entity to make payments, in cash, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, upon the exercise of warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such person;

(h)    after a Qualified IPO, Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holding or any Parent Entity to pay, dividends and make distributions to, or repurchase or redeem shares from, its equity holders in an amount per annum no greater than 6.0% of the Market Capitalization; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

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(i)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings or any Parent Entity to finance any Investment that if made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly would be permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04; provided, that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation (to the extent permitted in Section 6.05) of the person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Subsidiary in order to consummate such Permitted Business Acquisition or Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.10;

(j)    other Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $200,000,000 and 0.30 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the date of such Restricted Payment; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(k)    Restricted Payments may be made under the Merger Agreement;

(l)    Restricted Payments may be made in an amount equal to Excluded Contributions;

(m)    other Restricted Payments may be made; provided that, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; and

(n)    any consideration, payment, dividend, distribution or other transfer in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the foregoing provisions of Section 6.06 will not prohibit the payment of any Restricted Payment or the consummation of any redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or the giving of such notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) solely for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any equity contribution or purchase of Equity Interests to fund shares that have selected appraisal rights (including any settlement in respect thereof) shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, and any payment to the holders of such shares shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, in each case, as part of the Transactions.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Restricted Payment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that a Restricted

 

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Payment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.06(m) (such clause, the “Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause”), the determination of the amount of such Restricted Payment that may be made pursuant to the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent Incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.07    Transactions with Affiliates. (a) Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower, Holdings, and the Subsidiaries or any person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000,000, unless such transaction is (i) otherwise permitted (or required) under this Agreement or (ii) upon terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in good faith.

(b)    The foregoing clause (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(i)    any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, equity purchase agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or of the Borrower,

(ii)    loans or advances to employees or consultants of Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.04(e),

(iii)    transactions among the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any entity that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction (including via merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the surviving entity),

(iv)    the payment of fees, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and indemnities to directors, officers, consultants and employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (limited, in the case of any Parent Entity, to the portion of such fees and expenses that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% for so long as Holdings or such Parent Entity, as the case may be, owns no assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and assets incidental to the ownership of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by management of the Borrower)),

(v)    subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.07(b)(xiv), if applicable, the Transactions and any transactions pursuant to the Transaction Documents and permitted transactions, agreements and arrangements in existence on the Closing Date and, to the extent involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.07 or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof or similar arrangement to the extent such amendment, replacement or arrangement is not adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole in any material respect (as determined by the Borrower in good faith),

(vi)    (A) any employment agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (B) any subscription agreement or similar agreement pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar

 

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rights with employees, officers or directors, and (C) any employee compensation, benefit plan or arrangement, any health, disability or similar insurance plan which covers employees, and any reasonable employment contract and transactions pursuant thereto,

(vii)    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06, including payments to Holdings (and any Parent Entity), and Investments permitted under Section 6.04,

(viii)    any purchase by Holdings of the Equity Interests of the Borrower; provided, that any Equity Interests of the Borrower purchased by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent (and deliver the relevant certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent) on behalf of the Lenders to the extent required by the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement,

(ix)    payments by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any Co-Investor made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith,

(x)    transactions for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business,

(xi)    any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of the Borrower from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter, which letter states that (i) such transaction is on terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate or (ii) such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, from a financial point of view,

(xii)    subject to subclause (xiv) below, if applicable, the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related to the Transactions, including fees to any Co-Investor,

(xiii)    transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm,

(xiv)    any agreement to pay, and the payment of, monitoring, consulting, management, transaction, advisory or similar fees payable to any Co-Investor (A) in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed the sum of (1) the greater of $10,000,000 and 2.00% of EBITDA for any such fiscal year, plus reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith in any fiscal year and unpaid amounts for any prior periods from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs; plus (2) any deferred, accrued or other fees in respect of any fiscal years from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs (to the extent such fees in the aggregate do not exceed the amounts described in clause (A)(1) above in respect of such fiscal years), plus (B) 1.00% of the value of transactions with respect to any Co-Investor provides any transaction, advisory or other services (including in connection with the Transactions), plus (C) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the present value of all future amounts payable pursuant to any agreement referred to in clause (A)(1) above in connection with the termination of such agreement with a Co-Investor; provided, that if any

 

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such payment pursuant to clause (C) is not permitted to be paid as a result of an Event of Default, such payment shall accrue and may be payable when no Events of Default are continuing to the extent that no further Event of Default would result therefrom,

(xv)    the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to Holdings (or any Parent Entity) and capital contributions by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary,

(xvi)    the issuance of Equity Interests to the management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions,

(xvii)    payments by Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to a tax sharing agreement or arrangement (whether written or as a matter of practice) that complies with clause (v) of Section 6.06(b),

(xviii)    transactions pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(xix)    payments, loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees or consultants that are (i) approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or the Borrower in good faith, (ii) made in compliance with applicable law and (iii) otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(xx)    transactions with customers, clients or suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are fair to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (in the good faith determination of the Borrower),

(xxi)    transactions between the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries and any person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower; provided, however, that (A) such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other person and (B) such person is not an Affiliate of the Borrower for any reason other than such director’s acting in such capacity,

(xxii)    transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Section 6.05,

(xxiii)    intercompany transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth herein, and

(xxiv)    Investments by any Co-Investor in securities of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries so long as (A) the Investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the Investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund, any portfolio company that is an Affiliate of the Fund or a Fund Affiliate shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries with respect to any transaction, so long as such transaction is in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Section 6.08    Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, engage at any time to any material respect in any business or business activity substantially different from any business or business activity conducted by any of them on the Closing Date or any Similar Business, and in the case of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary, Permitted Securitization Financings.

Section 6.09    Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.(a) Amend or modify in any manner materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner (if such granting or termination shall be materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)), the articles or certificate of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company operating agreement, partnership agreement or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

(b)    (i) Make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of, or in respect of, principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination in respect of any Junior Financing, except for:

(A)    Refinancings with any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01;

(B)    payments of regularly-scheduled interest and fees due thereunder, other non-principal payments thereunder, any mandatory prepayments of principal, interest and fees thereunder, scheduled payments thereon necessary to avoid the Junior Financing from constituting “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(l) of the Code, and, to the extent this Agreement is then in effect, principal on the scheduled maturity date of any Junior Financing (or within twelve months thereof);

(C)    payments or distributions in respect of all or any portion of the Junior Financing with the proceeds contributed to the Borrower by Holdings from the issuance, sale or exchange by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock made within eighteen months prior thereto; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(D)    the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity;

(E)    so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) after giving effect to such payments or distributions, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00, payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings prior to any scheduled maturity made, in an aggregate amount, not to exceed a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.09(b)(i)(E), which such election shall (unless such payment or distribution is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail of the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied;

 

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(F)    other payments and distributions in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(G)    other payments and distributions in respect of Junior Financing; provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and, after giving effect to such payment or distribution, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; or

(ii)    Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Junior Financing that constitutes Material Indebtedness, or any agreement, document or instrument evidencing or relating thereto, other than amendments or modifications that (A) are not materially adverse to Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) and that do not affect the subordination or payment provisions thereof (if any) in a manner adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) or (B) otherwise comply with the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.”

(c)    Permit any Material Subsidiary to enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary that is a Loan Party pursuant to the Security Documents, in each case other than those arising under any Loan Document, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:

(A)    restrictions imposed by applicable law;

(B)    contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, including under Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01, the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, any Refinancing Notes or any agreements related to any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any such Indebtedness and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances or restrictions and any amendment, modification, supplement, replacement or refinancing of such agreements or instruments that does not materially expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(C)    any restriction on a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Equity Interests or assets of a Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(D)    customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(E)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(F)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01 or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement or are market terms at the time of issuance (in each case as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

 

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(G)    customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of Intellectual Property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(H)    customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(I)    customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(J)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;

(K)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (1) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien, and (2) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 6.09;

(L)    customary net worth provisions contained in Real Property leases entered into by Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations;

(M)    any agreement in effect at the time such subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary;

(N)    restrictions in agreements representing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party;

(O)    customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or Equity Interests or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby as long as such restrictions relate to the Equity Interests and assets subject thereto;

(P)    restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(Q)    restrictions contained in any Permitted Securitization Document with respect to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary; and

(R)    any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 6.09(c)(i) and 6.09(c)(ii) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of or similar arrangements to the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (A) through (Q) above; provided, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, refinancings or similar arrangements are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions as contemplated by such provisions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement, refinancing or similar arrangement.

 

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Section 6.10    Fiscal Year. In the case of the Borrower, permit any change to its fiscal year without prior notice to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

Section 6.11    Financial Covenant. With respect to the Revolving Facility only, permit the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date), solely to the extent that on such date the Testing Condition is satisfied, to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.

ARTICLE VIA

Holdings Negative Covenants

Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) hereby covenants and agrees with each Lender that, from and after the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, (a) Holdings will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien other than (i) Liens created under the Loan Documents and (ii) Liens not prohibited by Section 6.02 on any of the Equity Interests issued by the Borrower held by Holdings and (b) Holdings shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence; provided, that so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Holdings may merge with any other person (and if it is not the survivor of such merger, the survivor shall assume Holdings’ obligations, as applicable, under the Loan Documents).

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

Section 7.01    Events of Default. In case of the happening of any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”):

(a)    any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed made and such false or misleading representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain false or misleading for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower; provided, that the failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party (other than the representations and warranties referred to in clause (i) of Section 4.01(b)) to be true and correct in any material respect on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(b)    default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

(c)    default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

 

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(d)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in, Section 5.01(a), 5.05(a) or 5.08 or in Article VI; provided, that any breach of the Financial Covenant shall not, by itself, constitute an Event of Default under any Term Facility and the Term Loans may not be accelerated as a result thereof unless there are Revolving Facility Loans outstanding that have been accelerated by the Required Revolving Facility Lenders pursuant to the penultimate sentence of this Section 7.01 as a result of such breach of the Financial Covenant;

(e)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) of Article VIA or by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days (or 60 days if such default results solely from the failure of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to duly observe or perform any such covenant, condition or agreement) after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(f)    (i) any event or condition occurs that (A) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Material Indebtedness with respect to Permitted Securitization Financings) or (B) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or (ii) the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided, that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

(g)    there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

(h)    an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary (except in a transaction permitted hereunder); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i)    the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (h) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable or admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

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(j)    the failure by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of $75,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

(k)    (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred, (ii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings (including giving notice of intent thereof) to terminate any Plan or Plans, (iii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(l)    (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower), the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto (other than in accordance with its terms), (ii) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document and to extend to assets that constitute a material portion of the Collateral shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be (other than, in each case, in accordance with its terms), a valid and perfected security interest (perfected as or having the priority required by this Agreement or the relevant Security Document and subject to such limitations and restrictions as are set forth herein and therein) in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the limitations of foreign laws, rules and regulations as they apply to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries or the application thereof, or from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Agreement or to file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements and except to the extent that such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the credit of such insurer, or (iii) a material portion of the Guarantees pursuant to the Security Documents by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or the Subsidiary Loan Parties guaranteeing the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof), or shall be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be in effect or not to be legal, valid and binding obligations (other than in accordance with the terms thereof); provided, that no Event of Default shall occur under this Section 7.01(l) if the Loan Parties cooperate with the Collateral Agent to replace or perfect such security interest and Lien, such security interest and Lien is replaced and the rights, powers and privileges of the Secured Parties are not materially adversely affected by such replacement;

then, and in every such event (other than (x) an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above and (y) an event described in clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document,

 

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shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding and (iii) if the Loans have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (ii) above, demand Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j); and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made a demand for Cash Collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.05(j), without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding. In the case of an Event of Default under clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, subject to Section 7.03, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) declare the Revolving Facility Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Revolving Facility Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder with respect to such Revolving Facility Loans, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding

For purposes of clauses (h), (i) and (j) of this Section 7.01, “Material Subsidiary” (1) shall mean any Subsidiary that would not be an Immaterial Subsidiary under clause (a) of the definition thereof and (2) shall exclude any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

Section 7.02    Treatment of Certain Payments. Subject to the terms of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, any amount received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from any Loan Party (or from proceeds of any Collateral) following any acceleration of the Obligations under this Agreement or any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in each case that is continuing, shall be applied: (i) first, ratably, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from the Borrower (other than in connection with any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement), (ii) second, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, (iv) fourth, towards payment of other Obligations (including Obligations of the Loan Parties owing under or in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement) then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such Obligations then due to such parties and (v) last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law.

Section 7.03    Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Borrower fails (or, but for the operation of this Section 7.03, would fail) to comply with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, from the last day of the applicable fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th Business Day subsequent to the date the certificate calculating such Financial Covenant is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(c), Holdings, the Borrower and

 

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any Parent Entity shall have the right to issue Permitted Cure Securities for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of such entities, and in each case, to contribute any such cash to the capital of the Borrower (collectively, the “Cure Right”), and upon the receipt by the Borrower of such cash (the “Cure Amount”), pursuant to the exercise of the Cure Right, the Financial Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to a pro forma adjustment by which EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable quarter and any four-quarter period that contains such quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; provided, that (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which a Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) a Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times during the term of the Revolving Facility, (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.03, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Covenant and (iv) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of the exercise of the Cure Right for determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Cure Right is exercised (either directly through prepayment or indirectly as a result of the netting of unrestricted cash). If, after giving effect to the adjustments in this Section 7.03, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

The Agents

Section 8.01    Appointment. (a) Each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including as the Collateral Agent for such Lender and the other Secured Parties under the Security Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Security Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

(b)    In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby appoints and authorizes the

 

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Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent (and any Subagents appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights or remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent) shall be entitled to the benefits of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, Section 8.07) as though the Collateral Agent (and any such Subagents) were an “Agent” under the Loan Documents, as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

Section 8.02    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may execute any of their respective duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof)) by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Each Agent may also from time to time, when it deems it to be necessary or desirable, appoint one or more trustees, co-trustees, collateral co-agents, collateral subagents or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “Subagent”) with respect to all or any part of the Collateral; provided, that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. Should any instrument in writing from the Borrower or any other Loan Party be required by any Subagent so appointed by an Agent to more fully or certainly vest in and confirm to such Subagent such rights, powers, privileges and duties, the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Loan Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by such Agent. If any Subagent, or successor thereto, shall become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, attorney-in-fact or Subagent that it selects with reasonable care.

Section 8.03    Exculpatory Provisions. None of the Agents, or their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party. No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (b) no Agent shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The

 

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Agents shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 7.02, any Guarantee or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guarantee or any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

Section 8.04    Reliance by Agents. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or conversation believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to any Credit Event, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or any Issuing Bank, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to such Credit Event. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to Holdings or the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with such Agent. Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Each Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

Section 8.05    Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless such Agent has received written notice

 

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from a Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders); provided, that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

Section 8.06    Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender and Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender and Issuing Bank represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of, and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of, the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

Section 8.07    Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent and the Revolving Facility Lenders agree to indemnify each Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, in each case, in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Holdings or the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Holdings or the Borrower to do so), in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure and, in the case of the indemnification of each Agent, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments hereunder; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline Lender and of L/C Disbursements owing to any Issuing Bank shall be considered to be owed to the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposure) (determined at the time such indemnity is sought), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent or such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s, Issuing Bank’s or Swingline

 

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Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The failure of any Lender to reimburse any Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any amount required to be paid by the Lenders to such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, as provided herein shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for its ratable share of such amount, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for such other Lender’s ratable share of such amount. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 8.08    Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued, or Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan participated in, by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

Section 8.09    Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Borrower shall have the right, subject to the reasonable consent of the Required Lenders (so long as no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case the Required Lenders shall have the right), to appoint a successor which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective (except in the case of the Collateral Agent holding collateral security on behalf of such Secured Parties, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed), and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Borrower (or the Required Lenders) appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8.09 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 8.10    Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the persons named on the cover page hereof as Joint Bookrunner, Joint Lead Arranger, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents or Co-Manager is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no rights, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except that each such person and its Affiliates shall be entitled to the rights expressly stated to be applicable to them in Sections 9.05 and 9.17 (subject to the applicable obligations and limitations as set forth therein).

 

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Section 8.11    Security Documents and Collateral Agent . The Lenders and the other Secured Parties authorize the Collateral Agent to release any Collateral or Guarantors in accordance with Section 9.18 or if approved, authorized or ratified in accordance with Section 9.08.

The Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize and instruct the Collateral Agent to, without any further consent of any Lender or any other Secured Party, enter into (or acknowledge and consent to) or amend, renew, extend, supplement, restate, replace, waive or otherwise modify any First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any other Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, any other Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is not prohibited (including with respect to priority) under this Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof (any of the foregoing, an “Intercreditor Agreement”). The Lenders and the other Secured Parties irrevocably agree that (x) the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are not prohibited and (y) any Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the Collateral Agent shall be binding on the Secured Parties, and each Lender and the other Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will take no actions contrary to the provisions of, if entered into and if applicable, any Intercreditor Agreement. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to any provider of any Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 6.01 hereof to extend credit to the Loan Parties and such persons are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions. Furthermore, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa) or (mm) of Section 6.02 or Section 6.02(a) (if the Liens thereunder are of a type that is contemplated by any of the foregoing clauses) in each case to the extent the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Liens on such property or (ii) that is or becomes Excluded Property; and the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall do so upon request of the Borrower; provided, that prior to any such request, the Borrower shall have in each case delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (x) that such Lien is permitted under this Agreement, (y) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence, that the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Lien on such property and (z) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (ii) of this sentence, that (A) such property is or has become Excluded Property and (B) if such property has become Excluded Property as a result of a contractual restriction, such restriction does not violate Section 6.09(c).

Section 8.12    Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, (i) the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise (A) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of any or all of the Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and any Subagents allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (B) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and (ii) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any

 

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amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party hereby agree that (a) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent, and (b) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other Disposition.

Section 8.13    Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If the IRS or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Loan Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, fines, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 8.13.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01    Notices; Communications. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 9.01(b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or other electronic means as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

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(i)    if to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks as of the Closing Date or the Swingline Lender to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such person on Schedule 9.01; and

(ii)    if to any other Lender or any other Issuing Bank, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

(b)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by them, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(c)    Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 9.01(b) above shall be effective as provided in such Section 9.01(b).

(d)    Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(e)    Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 may be delivered electronically (including as set forth in Section 9.17) and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.01, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender entitled to access thereto and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided, that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Except for such certificates required by Section 5.04(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 9.02    Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by such persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the Termination Date.

 

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Section 9.03    Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 9.04    Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as permitted by Section 6.05, the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 9.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (c) of this Section 9.04), and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

(b)    (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in subclause (ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A)    the Borrower, which consent, with respect to the assignment of a Term B Loan, will be deemed to have been given if the Borrower has not responded within ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of any request for such consent; provided, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment of a Term B Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below), or in the case of assignments during the primary syndication of the Commitments and Loans to persons identified to and agreed by the Borrower in writing prior to the Closing Date, or for an assignment of a Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan to a Revolving Facility Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Lender or Approved Fund with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender, or, in each case, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other person; and

(B)    the Administrative Agent; provided, that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund, the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower made in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21; and

(C)    the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender; provided, that no consent of the Issuing Banks and Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

(ii)    Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)    except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of

 

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the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than (x) $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Term Loans and (y) $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided, that such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds (with simultaneous assignments to or by two or more Related Funds shall be treated as one assignment), if any;

(B)    the parties to each assignment shall (1) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (2) if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, in each case together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent (and which the Administrative Agent agrees to waive for all parties to the Fee Letter));

(C)    the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.17; and

(D)    the Assignee shall not be the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries except in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04, “Approved Fund” shall mean any person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall be permitted to assign or transfer any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to (A) any Ineligible Institution, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (B), or (C) a natural person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment made to an Ineligible Institution. Any assigning Lender shall, in connection with any potential assignment, provide to the Borrower a copy of its request (including the name of the prospective assignee) concurrently with its delivery of the same request to the Administrative Agent irrespective of whether or not an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to subclause (v) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections)); provided, that an Assignee shall not be entitled to receive any

 

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greater payment pursuant to Section 2.17 than the applicable Assignor would have been entitled to receive had no such assignment occurred. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (d) of this Section 9.04 (except to the extent such participation is not permitted by such clause (d) of this Section 9.04, in which case such assignment or transfer shall be null and void).

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal and interest amounts of the Loans and Revolving L/C Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; provided, that no Lender shall, in such capacity, have access to, or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender.

(v)    Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.04, if applicable, and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b) of this Section 9.04 and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and promptly record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note, shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this subclause (v).

(c)    [Reserved].

(d)    (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations in Loans and Commitments to one or more banks or other entities other than (I) any Ineligible Institution (to the extent that the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders; provided, that regardless of whether the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders, no Lender may sell participations in Loans or Commitments to an Ineligible Institution without the consent of the Borrower if the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to such Lender) or (II) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (II) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided, that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to

 

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approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, that (x) such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that both (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (vi) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) and (2) directly adversely affects such Participant (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not any waiver of any Default or Event of Default) and (y) no other agreement with respect to amendment, modification or waiver may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to clause (d)(iii) of this Section 9.04, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Section 2.19) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 9.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender; provided, that such Participant shall be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Participant or potential Participant is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any participation made to an Ineligible Institution.

(ii)    Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts and interest amounts of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Without limitation of the requirements of this Section 9.04(d), no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of a Participant Register to any person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or other Loan Obligations under any Loan Document), except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other Loan Obligation is in registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes or is otherwise required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(iii)    A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent, which consent shall state that it is being given pursuant to this Section 9.04(d)(iii); provided, that each potential Participant shall provide such information as is reasonably requested by the Borrower in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent.

(e)    Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank and in the case of any Lender that is an Approved Fund, any pledge or assignment to any holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Lender, including to any trustee for, or any other representative of, such holders, and this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest;

 

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provided, that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(f)    The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in clause (e) above.

(g)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Each of Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto and each Loan Party for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.

(h)    If the Borrower wishes to replace the Loans or Commitments under any Facility with ones having different terms, it shall have the option, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and subject to at least three Business Days’ advance notice to the Lenders under such Facility, instead of prepaying the Loans or reducing or terminating the Commitments to be replaced, to (i) require the Lenders under such Facility to assign such Loans or Commitments to the Administrative Agent or its designees and (ii) amend the terms thereof in accordance with Section 9.08 (with such replacement, if applicable, being deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 9.08(d)). Pursuant to any such assignment, all Loans and Commitments to be replaced shall be purchased at par (allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Loans were being optionally prepaid or such Commitments were being optionally reduced or terminated by the Borrower), accompanied by payment of any accrued interest and fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Section 9.05(b). By receiving such purchase price, the Lenders under such Facility shall automatically be deemed to have assigned the Loans or Commitments under such Facility pursuant to the terms of the form of Assignment and Acceptance attached hereto as Exhibit A, and accordingly no other action by such Lenders shall be required in connection therewith. The provisions of this clause (h) are intended to facilitate the maintenance of the perfection and priority of existing security interests in the Collateral during any such replacement.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (i) or (j) of this Section 9.04), any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower, may purchase by way of assignment and become an Assignee with respect to Term Loans at any time and from time to time from Lenders in accordance with Section 9.04(b) hereof (each, a “Permitted Loan Purchase”); provided, that, in respect of any Permitted Loan Purchase, (A) no Permitted Loan Purchase shall be made from the proceeds of any extensions of credit under the Revolving Facility, (B) upon consummation of any such Permitted Loan Purchase, the Loans purchased pursuant thereto shall be deemed to be automatically and immediately cancelled and extinguished in accordance with Section 9.04(j), (C) in connection with any such Permitted Loan Purchase, any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower and such Lender that is the assignor (an “Assignor”) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance (and for the avoidance of doubt, (x) shall make the representations and warranties set forth in the Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance and (y) shall not be required to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) and shall otherwise comply with the conditions to assignments under this Section 9.04 and (D) no Default or Event of Default would exist immediately after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to such Permitted Loan Purchase.

 

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(j)    Each Permitted Loan Purchase shall, for purposes of this Agreement be deemed to be an automatic and immediate cancellation and extinguishment of such Term Loans and the Borrower shall, upon consummation of any Permitted Loan Purchase, notify the Administrative Agent that the Register be updated to record such event as if it were a prepayment of such Loans.

(k)    In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender or any other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Section 9.05    Expenses; Indemnity. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay(i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Arrangers and the Co-Manager, and, if necessary, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one local counsel per jurisdiction, and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Agents, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement of their rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with the Loans made or the Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the fees, charges and disbursements of a single counsel for all such persons, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such persons, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where such person affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected person).

(b)    The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arrangers, the Joint Bookrunners, the Co-Manager, each Issuing Bank, each Lender, the Syndication Agents, the Documentation Agents, each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assignors, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and members (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (excluding the allocated costs of in house counsel and limited to not more than one counsel for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local

 

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counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any violation of or liability under Environmental Laws by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials at, under, on, from or to any property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (v) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties, (y) arose from a material breach of such Indemnitee’s or any of its Related Parties’ obligations under any Loan Document (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) or (z) arose from any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding that does not involve an act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates and is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding against any Agent, Arranger or the Co-Manager in its capacity as such). None of the Indemnitees (or any of their respective affiliates) shall be responsible or liable to the Fund, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries, Affiliates or stockholders or any other person or entity for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, which may be alleged as a result of the Facilities or the Transactions. The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable within 15 days after written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.

(c)    Except as expressly provided in Section 9.05(a) with respect to Other Taxes, which shall not be duplicative with any amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.17, this Section 9.05 shall not apply to any Taxes (other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses resulting from a non-Tax claim), which shall be governed exclusively by Section 2.17 and, to the extent set forth therein, Section 2.15.

(d)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Holdings and the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(e)    The agreements in this Section 9.05 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 9.06    Right of Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any Subsidiary against any of and all the obligations of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or such Issuing Bank may have.

Section 9.07    Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

Section 9.08    Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by clause (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle such person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b)    Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) as provided in Section 2.21, (y) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or, (A) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 6.11 (or any Default or Event of Default in respect thereof) or of Section 4.01 after the Closing Date, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class, rather than the Required Lenders, or (B) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 2.11(b) or (c), the Required Prepayment Lenders, rather than the Required Lenders), and (z) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Loan Party party thereto and the Administrative Agent and consented to by the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall:

(i)    decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan or any L/C Disbursement, or extend the stated expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date (except as provided in Section 2.05(c)), without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that any amendment to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i),

(ii)    increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender, or decrease the Commitment Fees, L/C Participation Fees or any other Fees of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default, mandatory prepayments or of a mandatory reduction in the aggregate Commitments shall not constitute an increase or extension of the Commitments of any Lender for purposes of this clause (ii),

(iii)    extend or waive any Term Loan Installment Date or reduce the amount due on any Term Loan Installment Date or extend any date on which payment of interest on any Loan or any L/C Disbursement or any Fees is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(iv)    amend the provisions of Section 7.02 with respect to the pro rata application of payments required thereby in a manner that by its terms modifies the application of such payments required thereby to be on a less than pro rata basis, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(v)    amend or modify the provisions of this Section 9.08 or the definition of the terms “Required Lenders,” “Majority Lenders,” “Required Revolving Facility Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, in each case except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this

 

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Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date),

(vi)    release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Loan Parties from their respective Guarantees under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, unless, in the case of a Subsidiary Loan Party, all or substantially all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary Loan Party is sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by this Agreement, without the prior written consent of each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender,

(vii)    effect any waiver, amendment or modification that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments or collateral of Lenders participating in any Facility differently from those of Lenders participating in another Facility, without the consent of the Majority Lenders participating in the adversely affected Facility except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being agreed that the Required Lenders may waive, in whole or in part, any prepayment or Commitment reduction required by Section 2.11 so long as the application of any prepayment or Commitment reduction still required to be made is not changed);

provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank acting as such at the effective date of such agreement, as applicable. Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any Assignee of such Lender.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have the right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be affected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(c)    Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Loan Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to include holders of Other First Liens in the benefit of the Security Documents in connection with the incurrence of any Other First Lien Debt, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower (a) to permit additional extensions of credit to be outstanding hereunder from time to time and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and the Revolving Facility Loans and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in

 

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respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the holders of such extensions of credit in any determination of the requisite lenders required hereunder, including Required Lenders, Required Prepayment Lenders and the Required Revolving Facility Lenders.

(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, technical and conforming modifications to the Loan Documents may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (but without the consent of any Lender) to the extent necessary (A) to integrate any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in a manner consistent with Section 2.21, including, with respect to Other Revolving Loans or Other Term Loans, as may be necessary to establish such Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Revolving Facility Commitments as a separate Class or tranche from the existing Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, and, in the case of Extended Term Loans, to reduce the amortization schedule of the related existing Class of Term Loans proportionately, (B) to integrate any Other First Lien Debt or (C) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency.

(f)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be necessary to ensure that all Term Loans established pursuant to Section 2.21 after the Closing Date that will be included in an existing Class of Term Loans outstanding on such date (an “Applicable Date”), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of outstanding Term Loans of such Class (the “Existing Class Loans”), on a pro rata basis, and/or to ensure that, immediately after giving effect to such new Term Loans (the “New Class Loans” and, together with the Existing Class Loans, the “Class Loans”), each Lender holding Class Loans will be deemed to hold its Pro Rata Share of each Class Loan on the Applicable Date (but without changing the amount of any such Lender’s Term Loans), and each such Lender shall be deemed to have effectuated such assignments as shall be required to ensure the foregoing. The “Pro Rata Share” of any Lender on the Applicable Date is the ratio of (1) the sum of such Lender’s Existing Class Loans immediately prior to the Applicable Date plus the amount of New Class Loans made by such Lender on the Applicable Date over (2) the aggregate principal amount of all Class Loans on the Applicable Date.

(g)    With respect to the incurrence of any secured or unsecured Indebtedness (including any intercreditor agreement relating thereto), the Borrower may elect (in its discretion, but shall not be obligated) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer at least three Business Days prior to the incurrence thereof (or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), together with either drafts of the material documentation relating to such Indebtedness or a description of such Indebtedness (including a description of the Liens intended to secure the same or the subordination provisions thereof, as applicable) in reasonably sufficient detail to be able to make the determinations referred to in this paragraph, which certificate shall either, at the Borrower’s election, (x) state that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such Indebtedness satisfies the requirements of the applicable provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02 (taking into account any other applicable provisions of this Section 9.08), in which case such certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof, or (y) request the Administrative Agent to confirm, based on the information set forth in such certificate and any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, that such Indebtedness satisfies such requirements, in which case the Administrative Agent may determine whether, in its reasonable judgment, such requirements have been satisfied (in which case it shall deliver to the Borrower a written confirmation of the same), with any such determination of the Administrative Agent to be conclusive evidence thereof, and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to make such determinations.

(h)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified with the written consent of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower with respect to (i) the

 

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provisions of Section 4.01, solely as they relate to the Revolving Facility Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit and (ii) the provisions of Section 6.11 (or Article VII or any other provision incorporating such Section 6.11 with respect to the effects thereof).

(i)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, with the written consent of each Revolving Facility Lender, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Borrower to the extent necessary to integrate any Alternate Currency.

Section 9.09    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the applicable interest rate, together with all fees and charges that are treated as interest under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), as provided for herein or in any other document executed in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received, taken or reserved by any Lender or any Issuing Bank, shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by such Lender in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable hereunder, together with all Charges payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate; provided, that such excess amount shall be paid to such Lender or such Issuing Bank on subsequent payment dates to the extent not exceeding the legal limitation.

Section 9.10    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fee Letter shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

Section 9.11    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY 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 WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

Section 9.12    Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 9.13    Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

 

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(a)    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission (or other electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

(b)    The words “execution,” “execute”, “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Acceptances, amendments, Borrowing Requests, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

Section 9.14    Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.15    Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process(a) . (a) The Borrower and each other Loan Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender, or any Affiliate of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(b)    Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(c)    Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 9.16    Confidentiality. Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each of the Agents agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and any Subsidiary furnished to it by or on behalf of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than information that (a) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party, (b) has been independently developed by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (c) was available to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent from a third party having, to such person’s knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any other Loan Party) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees and advisors with a need to know and any numbering, administration or settlement service providers or to any person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), except: (A) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the requirements of any Governmental Authority, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (B) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to, or examinations by, Governmental Authorities or self-regulatory authorities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., (C) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (D) in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding, (E) to any pledgee under Section 9.04(d) or any other prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16) and (F) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Hedging Agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16); provided that, in the case of clauses (E) and (F), no information may be provided to any Ineligible Institution or person who is known to be acting for an Ineligible Institution.

Section 9.17    Platform; Borrower Materials. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”), and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not reasonably be expected to be publicly available if Holdings was a public reporting company) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof, (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Manager, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as solely containing information that is either (A) publicly available information or (B) not material (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that such Borrower Materials shall be

 

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treated as set forth in Section 9.16, to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute information subject to the terms thereof), (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

Section 9.18    Release of Liens and Guarantees.

(a)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released: (i) in full upon the occurrence of the Termination Date as set forth in Section 9.18(d) below; (ii) upon the Disposition of such Collateral by any Loan Party to a person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by this Agreement (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) to the extent that such Collateral comprises property leased to a Loan Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iv) if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other percentage of the Lenders whose consent may be required in accordance with Section 9.08), (v) to the extent that the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement or clause (b) below (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (vi) as provided in Section 8.11 (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (vii) as required by the Collateral Agent to effect any Disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents. Any such release (other than pursuant to clause (i) above) shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those being released) upon (or obligations (other than those being released) of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any Disposition, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral except to the extent otherwise released in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents.

(b)    In addition, (i) the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantors shall be automatically released from the Guarantees upon consummation of any transaction not prohibited hereunder resulting in such Subsidiary ceasing to constitute a Subsidiary Loan Party or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (ii) immediately prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO of the Borrower, the Guarantee incurred by Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, Holdings shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effected).

(c)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver any instruments, documents, and agreements necessary or desirable to evidence and confirm the release of any Guarantor or Collateral pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.18 and to return to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including share certificates (if any)) held by it in

 

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respect of any Collateral so released, all without the further consent or joinder of any Lender or any other Secured Party. Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to any such Collateral or Guarantor shall no longer be deemed to be made. In connection with any release hereunder, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense in connection with the release of any Liens created by any Loan Document in respect of such Subsidiary, property or asset; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and any such release should be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Loan Document, on the Termination Date, all Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral and all obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under any Loan Documents (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof) shall, in each case, be automatically released and, upon request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Secured Party) take such actions as shall be required to evidence the release its security interest in all Collateral (including returning to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including all share certificates (if any)) held by it in respect of any Collateral), and to evidence the release of all obligations under any Loan Document (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof), whether or not on the date of such release there may be any (i) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (ii) any contingent indemnification obligations or expense reimburse claims not then due; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Any such release of obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (and their respective representatives) in connection with taking such actions to release security interest in all Collateral and all obligations under the Loan Documents as contemplated by this Section 9.18(d).

(e)    Obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement (after giving effect to all netting arrangements relating to such Secured Hedge Agreements) shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed. No person shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document solely as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement shall require the consent of any holder of obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements.

Section 9.19    Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking

 

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procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or the person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

Section 9.20    USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 9.21    Affiliate Lenders.

(a)    Each Lender who is an Affiliate of the Borrower, excluding (x) Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and (y) any Debt Fund Affiliate Lender (each, an “Affiliate Lender”; it being understood that (x) neither Holdings, the Borrower, nor any of their Subsidiaries may be Affiliate Lenders and (y) Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders and Affiliate Lenders may be Lenders hereunder in accordance with Section 9.04, subject in the case of Affiliate Lenders, to this Section 9.21), in connection with any (i) consent (or decision not to consent) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document, (ii) other action on any matter related to any Loan Document or (iii) direction to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, agrees that, except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action (1) described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the first proviso of Section 9.08(b) or (2) that adversely affects such Affiliate Lender (in its capacity as a Lender) in a disproportionately adverse manner as compared to other Lenders, such Affiliate Lender shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in such proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not Affiliate Lenders. Each Affiliate Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Affiliate Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliate Lender and in the name of such Affiliate Lender, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this clause (a).

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Affiliate Lender shall have any right to (1) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Borrower are not then present, (2) receive any information or material prepared by Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to

 

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the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives, (3) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any other such Lender under the Loan Documents, (4) purchase any Term Loan if, immediately after giving effect to such purchase, Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate would own Term Loans with an aggregate principal amount in excess of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding or (5) purchase any Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments. It shall be a condition precedent to each assignment to an Affiliate Lender that such Affiliate Lender shall have (x) represented to the assigning Lender in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance, and notified the Administrative Agent, that it is (or will be, following the consummation of such assignment) an Affiliate Lender and that the aggregate amount of Term Loans held by it giving effect to such assignments shall not exceed the amount permitted by clause (4) of the preceding sentence and (y) represented in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance that it is not in possession of material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal and state securities laws) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective securities (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not be reasonably expected to be publicly available if Holdings were a public reporting company) that (A) has not been disclosed to the assigning Lender or the Lenders generally (other than because any such Lender does not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries) and (B) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, the assigning Lender’s decision make such assignment.

Section 9.22    Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties. Each of the other Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices and the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and therein and all modifications hereto and thereto.

Section 9.23    No Liability of the Issuing Banks. The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. Neither any Issuing Bank nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use that may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith; (b) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment by such Issuing Bank against presentation of documents that do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit; or (d) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit, except that the Borrower shall have a claim against such Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, but not consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower that the Borrower proves were caused by (i) such Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in determining whether documents presented under any Letter of Credit comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit or (ii) such Issuing Bank’s willful failure to make lawful payment under a Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a draft and certificates strictly complying with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, such Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

 

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Section 9.24    Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President
INCEPTION MERGER SUB, INC.
By:		/s/ Laurie D. Medley
		Name: Laurie D. Medley
		Title: Vice President

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CITIBANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank and as a Lender
By:		/s/ Stuart G. Dickson
		Name: Stuart G. Dickson
		Title: Vice President

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DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH as Issuing Bank and as a Lender
By:		/s/ Anca Trifan
		Name: Anca Trifan
		Title:   Managing Director
By:		/s/ Dusan Lazarov
		Name: Dusan Lazarov
		Title:   Director

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BARCLAYS BANK PLC as Issuing Bank and as a Lender
By:		/s/ Robert Chen
		Name: Robert Chen
		Title:   Managing Director

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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA as Issuing Bank and as a Lender
By:		/s/ James S. Wolfe
		Name:		James S. Wolfe
		Title:		Managing Director, Head of Global Leveraged Finance

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CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
as issuing Bank and as a lender
By:		/s/ Robert Hetu
		Name: Robert Hetu
		Title: Authorized Signatory
By:		/s/ Nicholas Goss
		Name: Nicholas Goss
		Title: Authorized Signatory

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

JOINDER TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This Joinder (this “Joinder”) to that certain Credit Agreement (as defined herein) is made as of November 3, 2016, by RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Surviving Borrower”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

A.    Reference is made to that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders. All capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

B.    The Surviving Borrower has become on the date hereof a successor by merger to Merger Sub.

C.    The Surviving Borrower desires to become a party to, and bound by the terms of, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Borrower thereunder.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Surviving Borrower hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.	Joinder and Assumption of Obligations. Effective as of the date of this Joinder, the Surviving Borrower hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Credit Agreement, and hereby:

 

a.

joins in the execution of, and becomes a party to, the Credit Agreement as the Borrower thereunder, as indicated by its signature below;

 

b.

covenants and agrees to be bound by all covenants, agreements, liabilities and acknowledgments of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in each case, with the same force and effect as if the Surviving Borrower was a signatory to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and was expressly named as the Borrower therein; and

 

c.

assumes and agrees to perform all applicable duties and Obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

2.

Representations and Warranties. The Surviving Borrower hereby makes as of the date hereof all representations, warranties and other statements of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in each case, with the same force and effect as if the Surviving Borrower was a signatory to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and was expressly named as the Borrower therein.

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3.	Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness. This Joinder shall not be effective until each of the following conditions precedent have been fulfilled:

 

a.

This Joinder shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Surviving Borrower.

 

b.

The Merger shall have been consummated.

 

4.	Miscellaneous.

 

a.

Delivery by telecopier or by electronic .pdf copy of an executed signature page to this Joinder shall be effective as execution and delivery of this Joinder.

 

b.

Any determination that any provision of this Joinder or any application hereof is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect and in any instance shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of such provision in any other instance, or the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provisions of this Joinder.

 

c.

THIS JOINDER AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW).

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Joinder to be duly executed and delivered by its proper and duly authorized officer as of the date set forth above.

 

SURVIVING BORROWER:
RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title:    President

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

Dated as of December 20, 2016

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.,

as Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents,

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

 

 

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INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

This INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 20, 2016, is made by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), each “Subsidiary Loan Party” listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “Subsidiary Loan Party” and, collectively, jointly and severally, the “Subsidiary Loan Parties”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the Lenders party hereto.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

(1)    Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent are party to that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder Agreement dated as of November 3, 2016 and as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).

(2)    The Borrower has requested that the 2016 Refinancing Term B Lenders (as defined below) provide 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined below) in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000, as Refinancing Term Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) pursuant to Section 2.21(j) of the Existing Credit Agreement.

(3)    On the Effective Date (as defined below), each Existing Term B Lender (as defined below) that shall have executed and delivered a consent to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent”) indicating the “Cashless Settlement Option” (each such Existing Term B Lender, a “2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender”) shall be deemed to have exchanged all of its Existing Term B Loans (as defined below) (or such lesser amount as allocated to such 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender on or prior to the Effective Date) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans and such Lender shall thereafter become a 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender (as defined below).

(4)    On the Effective Date, each Person that executes and delivers this Agreement as an Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender (as defined below) will make Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined below) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to its Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment (as defined below), the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower to repay in full the outstanding principal amount of Existing Term B Loans that are not exchanged for 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans (including Loans from Existing Term B Lenders that execute and deliver a 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent indicating the “Post-Closing Settlement Option” (each such Existing Term B Lender, a “2016 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender”)).

(5)    With respect to the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments (as defined below), (i) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC

 

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Capital Markets¹ and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will act as the joint lead arrangers (in such capacity, the “2016 Refinancing Arrangers”) and joint bookrunners, (ii) Apollo Global Securities, LLC will act as co-manager (in such capacity, the “Co-Manager”) and (iii) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will act as documentation agents and syndication agents.

(6)    The Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Borrower and the Lenders party hereto (which Lenders constitute the Required Lenders) desire to memorialize the terms of this Agreement and to make certain other changes set forth herein and in the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below) by amending and restating, in accordance with Section 9.08(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement as set forth below, such amendment to become effective at the Amendment Effective Time (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement. In addition, as used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified:

“2016 Refinancing Term B Lender” shall mean, collectively, (i) each 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender and (ii) each Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender.

“2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments” shall mean, collectively, (i) the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitments and (ii) the Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments.

“2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitment” shall mean the agreement of a 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender to exchange all of its Existing Term B Loans (or such lesser amount as allocated to such 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender by the 2016 Refinancing Arrangers on or prior to the Effective Date) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date.

“2016 Refinancing Term B Loans” shall mean, collectively, (i) each Loan received in exchange for an Existing Term B Loan that is held by a 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender and (ii) each Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan.

“2016 Refinancing Term B Non-Exchanging Lender” shall mean each Existing Term B Lender that (i) did not execute and deliver a 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent on or prior to the Effective Date or (ii) is a 2016 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender.

“Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender” shall mean a Person with an Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment on the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, an Existing Term B Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date may also be an Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

 

2

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“Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan” shall mean a Loan that is made pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement.

“Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender, the commitment of such Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender to make Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans to the Borrower on the Effective Date. The amount of each Lender’s Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment as of the Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

“Existing Term B Lender” shall mean a Lender with Existing Term B Loans outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date.

“Existing Term B Loans” shall mean Term B Loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.    Existing Term B Loan Refinancing. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each of the Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lenders agrees to make Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans to the Borrower on the Effective Date in a principal amount not to exceed its Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment. The Borrower shall prepay in full all Existing Term B Loans of each 2016 Refinancing Term B Non-Exchanging Lender (and, to the extent the aggregate principal amount of Existing Term B Loans of any 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender exceeds the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitment of such 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender, Existing Term B Loans of such 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess amount) with the gross proceeds of the Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans and other funds available to the Borrower. Unless previously terminated, the Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments shall terminate at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date.

(b)    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender hereby agrees that all of its Existing Term B Loans (or a lesser amount allocated to such 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender by the 2016 Refinancing Arrangers on or prior to the Effective Date) will be automatically exchanged for a like principal amount of 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date.

SECTION 3.    Representations of the Loan Parties. Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as of the Effective Date that:

(a) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing;

(b)    the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the

 

3

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Effective Date (both before and after giving effect to the borrowing of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans) with the same effect as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

(c)    after giving effect to this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement (i) have been duly authorized by all corporate, stockholder, partnership or limited liability company action required to be obtained by such Loan Party and (ii) will not (x) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such Loan Party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited liability company or operating agreements) or by-laws of such Loan Party, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Loan Party or (D) any provision of any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument to which such Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (y) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under any such indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this clause (c), would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (z) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to (1) any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by such Loan Party, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, or (2) any Equity Interests of the Borrower now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings, other than Liens created by the Loan Documents or Liens not prohibited by Section 6.02 of the Amended Credit Agreement; and

(d)    at the time of and immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or shall result from this Agreement in respect of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans or from the application of the proceeds therefrom.

SECTION 4.    Conditions of Lending. The obligations of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Lenders to make 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date are subject (at the time of or substantially concurrently with the making of such 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans) to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 9.08 of the Existing Credit Agreement or by a majority of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Lenders) of the following conditions (the date of such satisfaction or waiver, the “Effective Date”):

(a)    The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each 2016 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender, each 2016 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender and each Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender and (ii) from each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, either (x) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party (or a 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent) or (y) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include delivery of a signed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”)) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement (or a 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent).

(b)    The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Existing Term B Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date, simultaneously with the

 

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making of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans, the prepayment premium payable pursuant to Section 2.12(d) of the Existing Credit Agreement and all accrued and unpaid interest on their Existing Term B Loans to, but not including, the Effective Date.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Loan Party dated the Effective Date

(i)    either (x) attaching a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents, including all amendments thereto, of such Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying there have been no changes to the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents of such Loan Party since the Closing Date,

(ii)    attaching a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official),

(iii)    either (x) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (iv) below or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying that there have been no changes to the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party since the Closing Date,

(iv)    certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents executed in connection with this Agreement to which such Loan Party is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Effective Date,

(v)    certifying as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document executed in connection with this Agreement on behalf of such Loan Party, and

(vi)    certifying as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (A) dated the Effective Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the Effective Date and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering such matters relating to this Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

 

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(e)    The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any 2016 Refinancing Arranger, the Co-Manager and any 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender, on or prior to the Effective Date and, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document on or prior to the Effective Date (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder).

(f)    The Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to three Business Days prior to the Effective Date all documentation and other information of the type set forth in Section 3.25(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, to the extent such information has been requested not less than 5 Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(g)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated as of the Effective Date, to the effect set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(d) hereof.

SECTION 5.    Consent and Affirmation of the Subsidiary Loan Parties. Each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties, in its capacity as a guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and a pledgor under the other Security Documents, hereby (i) consents to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and agrees that each of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Documents is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed on the Effective Date, except that, on and after the Effective Date, each reference to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement and (ii) confirms that the Security Documents to which each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties is a party and all of the Collateral described therein do, and shall continue to, secure the payment of all of the Obligations.

SECTION 6.    Amendment and Restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement. Immediately after the funding of the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4 hereof (such time, the “Amendment Effective Time”), the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Annex A hereto (the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended and restated, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), and the Lenders party hereto (which Lenders constitute the Required Lenders) consent to the Amended Credit Agreement and direct the Administrative Agent to enter into such other Loan Documents and to take such other actions as the Administrative Agent determines may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 7.    Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. (a) On and after the Amendment Effective Time, each reference in the Amended Credit Agreement to “hereunder”, “hereof”, “Agreement”, “this Agreement” or words of like import and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement. From and after the Amendment Effective Time, this Agreement shall be a Loan Document under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement.

(b)    The Security Documents and each other Loan Document, as specifically amended by this Agreement, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the respective guarantees, pledges, grants of security interests and other agreements, as applicable, under each of the Security Documents, notwithstanding the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect and shall accrue to the

 

6

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benefit of the Secured Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Security Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to secure the payment of all Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case, as amended by this Agreement.

(c)    The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

(d)     This Agreement shall constitute an “Incremental Assumption Agreement”, the 2016 Refinancing Term B Lenders shall constitute “Refinancing Term Lenders” and “Lenders”, the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans shall constitute “Refinancing Term Loans”, “Term Loans” and “Loans”, the 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments shall constitute “Refinancing Term Loan Commitments” and “Commitments”, in each case, for all purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e)     This Agreement shall constitute notice to the Administrative Agent required under Sections 2.10(d) and 2.21(j) of the Existing Credit Agreement and each Lender party hereto hereby waives any prior notice requirement under the Existing Credit Agreement, including Section 2.21(j) thereof (and such shorter period(s) are agreed to by the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 8.    Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by .pdf or other electronic form shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.    Amendments; Headings; Severability. This Agreement may not be amended nor may any provision hereof be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto. The Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 10.    Governing Law; Etc.

(a)    THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

 

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(b)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 9.11 AND 9.15 OF THE EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTIONS WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

SECTION 11.    No Novation. This Agreement shall not extinguish the obligations for the payment of money outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or discharge or release the Lien or priority of any Security Document or any other security therefor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the obligations outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or instruments securing the same, which shall remain in full force and effect, except to any extent modified hereby or by instruments executed concurrently herewith and except to the extent repaid as provided herein. Nothing implied in this Agreement or in any other document contemplated hereby shall be construed as a release or other discharge of any of the Loan Parties under any Loan Document from any of its obligations and liabilities as a borrower, guarantor or pledgor under any of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 12.    Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

HOLDINGS:
INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		/s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President
BORROWER:
RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		s/ William Taylor Rhodes
		Name: William Taylor Rhodes
		Title: President
SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES:
		MACRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
		RACKSPACE US, INC.
		RACKSPACE DAL1DC MANAGEMENT, LLC
		RACKSPACE MOBILITY, LLC
		RENO ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
		OVERSTIMULATE, LLC
		EXCEPTIONAL CLOUD SERVICES, LLC
		MAILGUN, LLC
		OPENSTACK, LLC
		OBJECTROCKET, LLC
		BOARDMAN ACQUISITION LLC
		GEEKSPACE, LLC
		OPEN CLOUD ACADEMY, LLC
		LITESTACK, INC.
		RACKSPACE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC
		RACKSPACE VENTURES, LLC
		RACKSPACE RENO ACQUISITION, LLC
		RACKSPACE LAND HOLDINGS, LLC
By:		/s/ William Alberts
		Name: William Alberts
		Title: Senior Vice President

[Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement]

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CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Lender
By:		/s/ Stuart G. Dickson
		Name: Stuart G. Dickson
		Title: Vice President

[Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement]

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CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By:		/s/ Stuart G. Dickson
		Name: Stuart G. Dickson
		Title: Vice President

[Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement]

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EXHIBIT A

CONSENT TO INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (EXISTING TERM B LOANS)

 

CONSENT (this “Consent”) to the Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of December 20, 2016, by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders party thereto. Capitalized terms used in this Consent but not defined in this Consent have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
Existing Lenders of Loans. The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Agreement and consents as follows (check ONE option):
Cashless Settlement Option				Post-Closing Settlement Option
☐   to exchange 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Term B Loans held by such Lender for 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans in an equal principal amount or such lesser amount allocated to such Lender by the 2016 Refinancing Arrangers.				☐   to have 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Term B Loans held by such Lender prepaid on the Effective Date and purchase by assignment the principal amount of 2016 Refinancing Term B Loans committed to separately by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Consent to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer.

 

,
as a Lender (type name of the legal entity)

By:
		Name:
		Title:
If a second signature is necessary:
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Name of Fund Manager (if any):                                                 

Current holding amount: $                                                 

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SCHEDULE 1

2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments

 

2016 Refinancing Term B Lender		Additional 2016 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment
Citibank, N.A.		$113,040,846.35
Total:		$113,040,846.35

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ANNEX A

[See attached.]

 

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2

Dated as of June 21, 2017

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.,

as Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents,

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

 

 

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INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT

AGREEMENT NO. 2

This INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2 (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 21, 2017, is made by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), each “Subsidiary Loan Party” listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “Subsidiary Loan Party” and, collectively, jointly and severally, the “Subsidiary Loan Parties”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the Lenders party hereto.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

(1)    Holdings, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent are party to that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder Agreement dated as of November 3, 2016, as amended and restated on December 20, 2016 and as further amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).

(2)    The Borrower has requested that the 2017 Refinancing Term B Lenders (as defined below) provide 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined below) in an aggregate principal amount of $1,995,000,000, as Refinancing Term Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) pursuant to Section 2.21(j) of the Existing Credit Agreement.

(3)    On the Effective Date (as defined below), each Existing Term B Lender (as defined below) that shall have executed and delivered a consent to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent”) indicating the “Cashless Settlement Option” (each such Existing Term B Lender, a “2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender”) shall be deemed to have exchanged all of its Existing Term B Loans (as defined below) (or such lesser amount as allocated to such 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender on or prior to the Effective Date) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and such Lender shall thereafter become a 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender (as defined below).

(4)    On the Effective Date, each Person that executes and delivers this Agreement as an Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender (as defined below) will make Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined below) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to its Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment (as defined below), the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower to repay in full the outstanding principal amount of Existing Term B Loans that are not exchanged for 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans (including Loans from Existing Term B Lenders that execute and deliver a 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent indicating the “Post-Closing Settlement Option” (each such Existing Term B Lender, a “2017 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender”)).

(5)    The Borrower has requested that the Incremental Term B Lenders (as defined below) provide, pursuant to Section 2.21(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, Incremental Term B Loans (as defined below) in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and transaction costs).

 

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(6)    Each Incremental Term B Lender who executes and delivers this Agreement as an Incremental Term B Lender will make Incremental Term B Loans on the Effective Date to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to its Incremental Term B Loan Commitment (as defined below).

(7)    With respect to the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments (as defined below) and the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments, (i) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets¹ and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will act as the joint lead arrangers (in such capacity, the “2017 Refinancing Arrangers”) and joint bookrunners, (ii) Apollo Global Securities, LLC will act as co-manager (in such capacity, the “Co-Manager”) and (iii) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will act as documentation agents and syndication agents.

(8)    The Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Borrower and the Lenders party hereto (which Lenders constitute the Required Lenders) desire to memorialize the terms of this Agreement and to make certain other changes set forth herein and in the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below) by amending and restating, in accordance with Sections 9.08(b) and 9.08(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement as set forth below, such amendment to become effective at the Amendment Effective Time (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement. In addition, as used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified:

“2017 Refinancing Term B Lender” shall mean, collectively, (i) each 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender and (ii) each Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender.

“2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments” shall mean, collectively, (i) the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitments and (ii) the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments.

“2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitment” shall mean the agreement of a 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender to exchange all of its Existing Term B Loans (or such lesser amount as allocated to such 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender by the 2017 Refinancing Arrangers on or prior to the Effective Date) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

 

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“2017 Refinancing Term B Loans” shall mean, collectively, (i) each Loan received in exchange for an Existing Term B Loan that is held by a 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender and (ii) each Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan.

“2017 Refinancing Term B Non-Exchanging Lender” shall mean each Existing Term B Lender that (i) did not execute and deliver a 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent on or prior to the Effective Date or (ii) is a 2017 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender.

“Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender” shall mean a Person with an Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment on the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, an Existing Term B Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date may also be an Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender.

“Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan” shall mean a Loan that is made pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement.

“Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender, the commitment of such Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender to make Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans to the Borrower on the Effective Date. The amount of each Lender’s Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment as of the Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

“Existing Term B Lender” shall mean a Lender with Existing Term B Loans outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date.

“Existing Term B Loans” shall mean Term B Loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date.

“Incremental Term B Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Term B Loan Commitment on the Effective Date.

“Incremental Term B Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Incremental Term B Lender, the commitment of such Incremental Term B Lender to make Incremental Term B Loans to the Borrower on the Effective Date. The amount of each Lender’s Incremental Term B Loan Commitment as of the Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 2 hereto. The aggregate amount of the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments of all Incremental Term B Lenders as of the Effective Date is $100,000,000.

“Incremental Term B Loans” shall mean the Loans made pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.    Existing Term B Loan Refinancing. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each of the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lenders agrees to make Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans to the Borrower on the Effective Date in a principal amount not to exceed its Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment. The Borrower shall prepay in full all Existing Term B Loans of each 2017 Refinancing Term B Non-Exchanging Lender (and, to the extent the aggregate principal amount of Existing Term B Loans of any 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender exceeds the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Exchange Commitment of such

 

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2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender, Existing Term B Loans of such 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess amount) with the gross proceeds of the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and other funds available to the Borrower. Unless previously terminated, the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments shall terminate at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date.

(b)    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender hereby agrees that all of its Existing Term B Loans (or a lesser amount allocated to such 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender by the 2017 Refinancing Arrangers on or prior to the Effective Date) will be automatically exchanged for a like principal amount of 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans on the Effective Date.

SECTION 3.    Incremental Term B Loan Commitments; Incremental Term B Loans. On the Effective Date, concurrently with the incurrence of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans, each of the Incremental Term B Lenders agrees to make Incremental Term B Loans to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed its Incremental Term B Loan Commitment. Unless previously terminated, the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments shall terminate at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and the Incremental Term B Loans shall have identical terms, as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, and, upon the incurrence thereof, shall constitute a single Class of Term Loans under the Amended Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4.    Requests for Incremental Term B Loans. To request a Borrowing of Incremental Term B Loans on the Effective Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request in writing not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day prior to the Effective Date (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree).

SECTION 5.    Representations of the Loan Parties. Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as of the Effective Date that:

(a)    this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing;

(b)    the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date (both before and after giving effect to the borrowing of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and the Incremental Term B Loans) with the same effect as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

(c)    after giving effect to this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement (i) have been duly authorized by all corporate, stockholder, partnership or limited liability company action required to be obtained by such Loan Party and (ii) will not (x) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such Loan Party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited

 

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liability company or operating agreements) or by-laws of such Loan Party, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Loan Party or (D) any provision of any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument to which such Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (y) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under any such indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this clause (c), would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (z) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to (1) any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by such Loan Party, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, or (2) any Equity Interests of the Borrower now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings, other than Liens created by the Loan Documents or Liens not prohibited by Section 6.02 of the Amended Credit Agreement; and

(d)    at the time of and immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or shall result from this Agreement in respect of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans, the Incremental Term B Loans or, in each case, from the application of the proceeds therefrom.

SECTION 6.    Conditions of Lending. The obligations of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Lenders and the Incremental Term B Lenders to make 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and Incremental Term B Loans, as applicable, on the Effective Date are subject (at the time of or substantially concurrently with the making of such 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans or Incremental Term B Loans, as applicable) to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 9.08 of the Existing Credit Agreement or by a majority of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Lenders or Incremental Term B Lenders, as applicable) of the following conditions (the date of such satisfaction or waiver, the “Effective Date”):

(a)    The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lender, each 2017 Refinancing Term B Post-Closing Option Lender and each Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Lender, (ii) from each Incremental Term B Lender and (iii) from each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, either (x) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party (or a 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent, if applicable) or (y) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include delivery of a signed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”)) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement (or a 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Consent, if applicable).

(b)    The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Existing Term B Lender immediately prior to the Effective Date, simultaneously with the making of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans, all accrued and unpaid interest on their Existing Term B Loans to, but not including, the Effective Date.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Loan Party dated the Effective Date:

(i)    either (x) attaching a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and

 

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governing documents, including all amendments thereto, of such Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying there have been no changes to the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents of such Loan Party since the Closing Date,

(ii)    attaching a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official),

(iii)    either (x) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (iv) below or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying that there have been no changes to the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party since the Closing Date,

(iv)    certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents executed in connection with this Agreement to which such Loan Party is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Effective Date,

(v)    certifying as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document executed in connection with this Agreement on behalf of such Loan Party, and

(vi)    certifying as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (A) dated the Effective Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on the Effective Date and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering such matters relating to this Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(e)    The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any 2017 Refinancing Arranger and the Co-Manager, on or prior to the Effective Date and, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document on or prior to the Effective Date (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder).

(f)    The Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to three Business Days prior to the Effective Date all documentation and other information of the type set forth in

 

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Section 3.25(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, to the extent such information has been requested by the Administrative Agent not less than 5 Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(g)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated as of the Effective Date, to the effect set forth in Sections 5(b) and 5(d) hereof.

SECTION 7.    Consent and Affirmation of the Subsidiary Loan Parties. Each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties, in its capacity as a guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and a pledgor under the other Security Documents, hereby (i) consents to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and agrees that each of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Documents is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed on the Effective Date, except that, on and after the Effective Date, each reference to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement and (ii) confirms that the Security Documents to which each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties is a party and all of the Collateral described therein do, and shall continue to, secure the payment of all of the Obligations.

SECTION 8.    Amendment and Restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement. Immediately after the funding of the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and the Incremental Term B Loans on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 6 hereof (such time, the “Amendment Effective Time”), the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Annex A hereto (the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended and restated, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), and the Lenders party hereto (which Lenders constitute the Required Lenders) consent to the Amended Credit Agreement and direct the Administrative Agent to enter into such other Loan Documents and to take such other actions as the Administrative Agent determines may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 9.    Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. (a) On and after the Amendment Effective Time, each reference in the Amended Credit Agreement to “hereunder”, “hereof”, “Agreement”, “this Agreement” or words of like import and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement. From and after the Amendment Effective Time, this Agreement shall be a Loan Document under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement.

(b)    The Security Documents and each other Loan Document, as specifically amended by this Agreement, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the respective guarantees, pledges, grants of security interests and other agreements, as applicable, under each of the Security Documents, notwithstanding the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Security Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to secure the payment of all Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case, as amended by this Agreement.

(c)    The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

 

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(d)     This Agreement shall constitute an “Incremental Assumption Agreement”, the 2017 Refinancing Term B Lenders shall constitute “Refinancing Term Lenders” and “Lenders”, the Incremental Term B Lenders shall constitute “Incremental Term Lenders” and “Lenders”, the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans shall constitute “Refinancing Term Loans”, “Term B Loans”, “Term Loans” and “Loans”, the Incremental Term B Loans shall constitute “Incremental Term Loans”, “Term B Loans”, “Term Loans” and “Loans”, the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments shall constitute “Refinancing Term Loan Commitments”, “Term Facility Commitments” and “Commitments”, and the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments shall constitute “Incremental Term Loan Commitments”, “Term Facility Commitments” and “Commitments”, in each case, for all purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e)     This Agreement shall constitute notice to the Administrative Agent required under Sections 2.10(d), 2.21(a) and 2.21(j) of the Existing Credit Agreement and each Lender party hereto hereby waives any prior notice requirement under the Existing Credit Agreement, including Sections 2.10(d) and 2.21(j) thereof (and such shorter period(s) are agreed to by the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 10.    Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by .pdf or other electronic form shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 11.    Amendments; Headings; Severability. This Agreement may not be amended nor may any provision hereof be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto. The Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 12.    Governing Law; Etc.

(a)    THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

(b)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 9.11 AND 9.15 OF THE EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTIONS WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

 

8

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SECTION 13.    No Novation. This Agreement shall not extinguish the obligations for the payment of money outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or discharge or release the Lien or priority of any Security Document or any other security therefor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the obligations outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or instruments securing the same, which shall remain in full force and effect, except to any extent modified hereby or by instruments executed concurrently herewith and except to the extent repaid as provided herein. Nothing implied in this Agreement or in any other document contemplated hereby shall be construed as a release or other discharge of any of the Loan Parties under any Loan Document from any of its obligations and liabilities as a borrower, guarantor or pledgor under any of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 14.    Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

9

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

HOLDINGS:
INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		/s/ Jeff Cotten
		Name: Jeff Cotten
		Title: President
BORROWER:
RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		/s/ Jeff Cotten
		Name: Jeff Cotten
		Title: President
SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES:
		MACRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
		RACKSPACE US, INC.
		RACKSPACE DAL1DC MANAGEMENT, LLC
		OVERSTIMULATE, LLC
		EXCEPTIONAL CLOUD SERVICES, LLC
		OBJECTROCKET, LLC
		BOARDMAN ACQUISITION LLC
		GEEKSPACE, LLC
		OPEN CLOUD ACADEMY, LLC
		LITESTACK, INC.
		RACKSPACE RENO ACQUISITION, LLC
		RACKSPACE LAND HOLDINGS, LLC
By:		/s/ Jeff Cotten
		Name: Jeff Cotten
		Title: President

[Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2]

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CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:		/s/ Scott Slavik
		Name: Scott Slavik
		Title: Director

[Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2]

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EXHIBIT A

CONSENT TO INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2 (EXISTING TERM B LOANS)

 

CONSENT (this “Consent”) to the Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2 (the “Agreement”), dated as of June [    ], 2017, by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders party thereto. Capitalized terms used in this Consent but not defined in this Consent have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
Existing Lenders of Loans. The undersigned Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves the Agreement and consents as follows (check ONE option):
Cashless Settlement Option				Post-Closing Settlement Option
☐   to exchange 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Term B Loans held by such Lender for 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans in an equal principal amount or such lesser amount allocated to such Lender by the 2017 Refinancing Arrangers.				☐   to have 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Existing Term B Loans held by such Lender prepaid on the Effective Date and purchase by assignment the principal amount of 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans committed to separately by the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Consent to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer.

 

,
as a Lender (type name of the legal entity)

By:
		Name:
		Title:
If a second signature is necessary:
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Name of Fund Manager (if any):                                                 

Current holding amount: $                                                 

 

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SCHEDULE 1

2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments

 

2017 Refinancing Term B Lender		Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitment
Citibank, N.A.		$198,755,625.02
Total:		$198,755,625.02

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SCHEDULE 2

Incremental Term B Loan Commitments

 

Incremental Term B Lender		Incremental Term B Loan Commitment
Citibank, N.A.		$100,000,000
Total:		$100,000,000

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ANNEX A

[See attached.]

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of November 3, 2016

as amended and restated as of December 20, 2016

as further amended and restated on June 21, 2017

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC. (as successor by merger to Inception Merger Sub, Inc.),

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS AND ISSUING BANKS PARTY HERETO,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agents,

and

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Documentation Agents

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I Definitions					1
Section 1.01		Defined Terms			1
Section 1.02		Terms Generally			61
Section 1.03		Effectuation of Transactions			61
Section 1.04		Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents			61
Section 1.05		Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans			62
Section 1.06		Change of Currency			62
Section 1.07		Timing of Payment or Performance			63
Section 1.08		Times of Day			63
Section 1.09		Holdings			63
ARTICLE II The Credits					63
Section 2.01		Commitments			63
Section 2.02		Loans and Borrowings			64
Section 2.03		Requests for Borrowings			65
Section 2.04		Swingline Loans			66
Section 2.05		Letters of Credit			67
Section 2.06		Funding of Borrowings			72
Section 2.07		Interest Elections			73
Section 2.08		Termination and Reduction of Commitments			74
Section 2.09		Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt			74
Section 2.10		Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans			75
Section 2.11		Prepayment of Loans			76
Section 2.12		Fees			78
Section 2.13		Interest			80
Section 2.14		Alternate Rate of Interest			80
Section 2.15		Increased Costs			81
Section 2.16		Break Funding Payments			82
Section 2.17		Taxes			82
Section 2.18		Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs			86
Section 2.19		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			87
Section 2.20		Illegality			88
Section 2.21		Incremental Commitments			89
Section 2.22		Defaulting Lender			97
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties					99
Section 3.01		Organization; Powers			99
Section 3.02		Authorization			100
Section 3.03		Enforceability			100
Section 3.04		Governmental Approvals			100
Section 3.05		Financial Statements			101
Section 3.06		No Material Adverse Effect			101
Section 3.07		Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases			101
Section 3.08		Subsidiaries			101
Section 3.09		Litigation; Compliance with Laws			102
Section 3.10		Federal Reserve Regulations			102

 

i

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Section 3.11		Investment Company Act			102
Section 3.12		Use of Proceeds			102
Section 3.13		Tax Returns			102
Section 3.14		No Material Misstatements			103
Section 3.15		Employee Benefit Plans			103
Section 3.16		Environmental Matters			103
Section 3.17		Security Documents			104
Section 3.18		Location of Real Property			105
Section 3.19		Solvency			105
Section 3.20		Labor Matters			105
Section 3.21		Insurance			106
Section 3.22		No Default			106
Section 3.23		Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.			106
Section 3.24		Senior Debt			106
Section 3.25		USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC			106
Section 3.26		Foreign Corrupt Practices Act			107
ARTICLE IV Conditions of Lending					107
Section 4.01		All Credit Events			107
Section 4.02		[Reserved]			108
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants					108
Section 5.01		Existence; Business and Properties			108
Section 5.02		Insurance			108
Section 5.03		Taxes			109
Section 5.04		Financial Statements, Reports, etc.			109
Section 5.05		Litigation and Other Notices			112
Section 5.06		Compliance with Laws			112
Section 5.07		Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections			112
Section 5.08		Use of Proceeds			112
Section 5.09		Compliance with Environmental Laws			112
Section 5.10		Further Assurances; Additional Security			113
Section 5.11		Rating			115
Section 5.12		Post-Closing			116
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants					116
Section 6.01		Indebtedness			116
Section 6.02		Liens			122
Section 6.03		Sale and Lease-Back Transactions			128
Section 6.04		Investments, Loans and Advances			128
Section 6.05		Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions			133
Section 6.06		Dividends and Distributions			136
Section 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates			139
Section 6.08		Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries			142
Section 6.09		Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.			142
Section 6.10		Fiscal Year			145
Section 6.11		Financial Covenant			145

 

ii

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ARTICLE VII Events of Default					145
Section 7.01		Events of Default			145
Section 7.02		Treatment of Certain Payments			148
Section 7.03		Right to Cure			148
ARTICLE VIII The Agents					149
Section 8.01		Appointment			149
Section 8.02		Delegation of Duties			150
Section 8.03		Exculpatory Provisions			150
Section 8.04		Reliance by Agents			151
Section 8.05		Notice of Default			151
Section 8.06		Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders			152
Section 8.07		Indemnification			152
Section 8.08		Agent in Its Individual Capacity			153
Section 8.09		Successor Administrative Agent			153
Section 8.10		Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager			153
Section 8.11		Security Documents and Collateral Agent			154
Section 8.12		Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees			154
Section 8.13		Withholding Tax			155
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous					155
Section 9.01		Notices; Communications			155
Section 9.02		Survival of Agreement			156
Section 9.03		Binding Effect			157
Section 9.04		Successors and Assigns			157
Section 9.05		Expenses; Indemnity			162
Section 9.06		Right of Set-off			164
Section 9.07		Applicable Law			164
Section 9.08		Waivers; Amendment			164
Section 9.09		Interest Rate Limitation			168
Section 9.10		Entire Agreement			168
Section 9.11		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			168
Section 9.12		Severability			168
Section 9.13		Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents			168
Section 9.14		Headings			169
Section 9.15		Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process			169
Section 9.16		Confidentiality			170
Section 9.17		Platform; Borrower Materials			170
Section 9.18		Release of Liens and Guarantees			171
Section 9.19		Judgment Currency			172
Section 9.20		USA PATRIOT Act Notice			173
Section 9.21		Affiliate Lenders			173
Section 9.22		Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties			174
Section 9.23		No Liability of the Issuing Banks			174
Section 9.24		Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions			175
Section 9.25		Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement; Effectiveness of Amendment and Restatement			175

 

iii

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Exhibits and Schedules
Exhibit A		Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B		Form of Administrative Questionnaire
Exhibit C		Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit D-1		Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit D-2		Form of Swingline Borrowing Request
Exhibit E		Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit F		Form of Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit G		Form of First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit H		Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit I		Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate
Exhibit J		Form of Intercompany Subordination Terms
Schedule 1.01(A)		Certain Excluded Equity Interests
Schedule 1.01(B)		[Reserved]
Schedule 1.01(C)		Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(D)		Closing Date Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Schedule 1.01(E)		Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.01(F)		Specified L/C Sublimit
Schedule 1.01(G)		Cash Management Banks and Hedge Banks
Schedule 2.01		Commitments
Schedule 3.01		Organization and Good Standing
Schedule 3.04		Governmental Approvals
Schedule 3.05		Financial Statements
Schedule 3.07(c)		Notices of Condemnation
Schedule 3.08(a)		Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.08(b)		Subscriptions
Schedule 3.13		Taxes
Schedule 3.21		Insurance
Schedule 3.23		Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.12		Post-Closing Items
Schedule 6.01		Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02(a)		Liens
Schedule 6.04		Investments
Schedule 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 9.01		Notice Information

 

iv

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of June 21, 2017 (this “Agreement”), among INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or the “Borrower”), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders and Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS, Holdings, Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent entered into that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder dated November 3, 2016, the “Original Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company entered into the Merger Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to which Merger Sub was merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings;

WHEREAS, the Borrower entered into that certain Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement (the “2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement”), dated as of December 20, 2016, by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, under which (i) certain Lenders extended credit to the Borrower in the form of Refinancing Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000 and (ii) the Original Credit Agreement was amended and restated (the “Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into that certain Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2 (the “2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement”), dated as of June 21, 2017 (the “2017 Effective Date”), by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, under which certain Lenders (such Lenders, the “2017 Term Lenders”) are extending credit to the Borrower in the form of (i) Refinancing Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,995,000,000 (the “2017 Refinancing Term B Loans”) and (ii) Incremental Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 (the “Incremental Term B Loans” and, together with the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans, the “2017 Term Loans”); and

WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Borrower and the 2017 Term Lenders have agreed to amend and restate the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement as provided in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be, and hereby is, amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01    Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

“2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

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“2016 Repricing Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the initial borrowings thereunder, (b) the repayment in full of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with any of the foregoing.

“2017 Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Refinancing Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Term Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the initial borrowings thereunder, (b) the repayment in full of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with any of the foregoing.

“ABR” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect for such day plus 0.50%, (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for Eurocurrency Borrowings of Loans of the same Class for a one-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00%; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates). Any change in such rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, as the case may be.

“ABR Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

“ABR Loan” shall mean any ABR Term Loan, ABR Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan.

“ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Revolving Loans.

“ABR Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“ABR Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

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“Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) (a) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) one minus the Statutory Reserves applicable to such Eurocurrency Borrowing, if any; provided that if the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be less than zero pursuant to this clause (x), such interest rate shall be deemed to be zero and (y) in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings composed of Eurocurrency Term Loans, 1.00%.

“Adjustment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Pricing Grid.”

“Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.

“Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).

“Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit B to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified.

“Affiliate Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21(a).

“Agents” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Agreement Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“All-in Yield” shall mean, as to any Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable), the yield thereon payable to all Lenders (or other lenders, as applicable) providing such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable) in the primary syndication thereof, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, up-front fees, rate floors or otherwise; provided, that original issue discount and up-front fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a 4-year life to maturity (or, if less, the life of such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable)); and provided, further, that “All-in Yield” shall not include arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring or similar fees and customary consent fees for an amendment paid generally to consenting lenders.

“Alternate Currency” shall mean (i) with respect to any Letter of Credit, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling, Swiss Francs, Mexican Pesos, Australian Dollars and any other currency other than Dollars as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect thereto in their sole discretion and (ii) with respect to any Loan, any currency other than Dollars that is approved in accordance with Section 1.05.

“Alternate Currency Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternate Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternate Currency with Dollars.

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“Alternate Currency Letter of Credit” shall mean any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Alternate Currency Loan” shall mean any Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.26.

“Applicable Commitment Fee” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Revolving Facility Commitments relating to Initial Revolving Loans, 0.50% per annum; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; or (ii) with respect to any Other Revolving Facility Commitments, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Applicable Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Applicable Margin” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Term B Loan, 3.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 2.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; (ii) with respect to any Initial Revolving Loan, 4.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 3.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Margin” with respect to an Initial Revolving Loan will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; and (iii) with respect to any Other Term Loan or Other Revolving Loan, the “Applicable Margin” set forth in the Incremental Assumption Agreement relating thereto.

“Applicable Period” shall mean an Excess Cash Flow Period or an Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, as the case may be.

“Approved Fund” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(ii).

“Arrangers” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets¹ and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Asset Sale” shall mean any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any Disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of, any asset or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Assignee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(i).

“Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (if required by Section 9.04), in the form of Exhibit A to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

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“Assignor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Availability Period” shall mean, with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date (or, if later, the effective date for such Class of Revolving Facility Commitments) to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and, in the case of each of the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving Facility Borrowings, Swingline Loans, Swingline Borrowings and Letters of Credit, the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

“Available Unused Commitment” shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender under any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments at any time, an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount by which (a) the applicable Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds (b) the applicable Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time.

“Bail-In Action” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

“Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Cumulative Credit”.

“Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

“Board of Directors” shall mean, as to any person, the board of directors or other governing body of such person, or if such person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

“Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Borrower Materials” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Borrowing” shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under a single Facility, and made on a single date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

“Borrowing Minimum” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $1,000,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $500,000.

“Borrowing Multiple” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $500,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $250,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $100,000.

“Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the Original Credit Agreement or another form approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent).

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“Budget” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04(e).

“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank market.

“Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any person in respect of any period, the aggregate of all expenditures incurred by such person during such period that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “additions to property, plant or equipment” or similar items reflected in the statement of cash flows of such person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either existing on the Closing Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and were subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Closing Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Closing Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

“Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a person during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in accordance with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such person and its subsidiaries.

“Cash Collateralize” shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Banks or Lenders, as collateral for Revolving L/C Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of Revolving L/C Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” and “Cash Collateralization” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Interest Expense for such period to the extent such amounts are paid in cash for such period, excluding, without duplication, in any event (a) pay-in-kind Interest Expense or other non-cash Interest Expense (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting), (b) to the extent included in Interest Expense, the amortization of any financing fees paid by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including such fees paid in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the 2017 Transactions or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing, and (c) the amortization of debt discounts, if any, or fees in respect of Hedging Agreements; provided,

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that Cash Interest Expense shall exclude any one time financing fees, including those paid in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the 2017 Transactions or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing or any amendment of this Agreement.

“Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any agreement to provide to Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary cash management services for collections, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), any demand deposit, payroll, trust or operating account relationships, commercial credit cards, merchant card, purchase or debit cards, non-card e-payables services, and other cash management services, including electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

“Cash Management Bank” shall mean any person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement (or on the Closing Date), is (a) an Agent, an Arranger, a Lender or an Affiliate of any such person, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G) to the Original Credit Agreement.

“CFC” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if:

(a)    (i) at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, (x) the Permitted Holders in the aggregate shall at any time cease to have, directly or indirectly, the power to vote or direct the voting of at least 35% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or (y) any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of a percentage of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower that is greater than the percentage of such voting power of such Voting Stock in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders or (ii) at any time on and after a Qualified IPO, any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders (or any holding company parent of the Borrower owned directly or indirectly by the Permitted Holders), shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower having more than 50.1% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Borrower, unless in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (a), the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; or

(b)    a “Change of Control” (as defined in (i) the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, (ii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes constituting Material Indebtedness or (iii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of any Junior Financing constituting Material Indebtedness) shall have occurred; or

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(c)    Holdings shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than in connection with or after a Qualified IPO of the Borrower).

“Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any Lending Office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives under or issued in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated under or in connection with, all interpretations and applications of, or any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating to International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case under clauses (x) and (y) be deemed to be a “Change in Law” but only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 2.15 generally on other borrowers of loans under United States of America cash flow term loan credit facilities.

“Charges” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Class” shall mean, (a) when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, whether such Loan or the Loans comprising such Borrowing are Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans. Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans; and (b) when used in respect of any Commitment, whether such Commitment is in respect of a commitment to make Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans. Other Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans that have different terms and conditions (together with the Commitments in respect thereof) from the Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, respectively, or from other Other Term Loans or other Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall each be construed to be in separate and distinct Classes.

“Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Closing Date” shall mean November 3, 2016.

“Co-Manager” shall mean Apollo Global Securities, LLC.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Co-Investors” shall mean (a) the Fund and Fund Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies), (b) one or more investment funds affiliated with Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. and their respective Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies) and (c) the Management Group.

“Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties and all other property that is subject to any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Subagent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to any Security Document.

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“Collateral Agent” shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as collateral agent for the Secured Parties, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity.

“Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, among the Borrower, each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall mean the requirement that (in each case subject to Sections 5.10(d), (e) and (g) and Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement):

(a)    on the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) from the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement and (ii) from each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (iii) from Holdings, a counterpart of the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, in each case duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person;

(b)    on the Closing Date, (i)(x) all outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower and all other outstanding Equity Interests, in each case, directly owned by the Loan Parties, other than Excluded Securities, and (y) all Indebtedness owing to any Loan Party, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement or the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests (other than certificates or instruments issued by subsidiaries of the Company that are not received from the Company on or prior to the Closing Date after using commercially reasonable efforts) and any notes or other instruments required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Security Documents, together with stock powers, note powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c)    in the case of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (ii) supplements to the other Security Documents, if applicable, in the form specified therefor or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Subsidiary Loan Party;

(d)    after the Closing Date, (x) all outstanding Equity Interests of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date and (y) subject to Section 5.10(g), all Equity Interests directly acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (and any Equity Interests of the Borrower directly acquired by Holdings) after the Closing Date, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement (or the Holdings Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, as applicable), together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(e)    except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Document, all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, and filings with the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (including those required by applicable Requirements of Law) to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents (in each case, including any supplements thereto) and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents, shall have been delivered, filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or the recording concurrently with, or promptly following, the execution and delivery of each such Security Document;

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(f)    within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of each Mortgage to be entered into with respect to each such Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property and suitable for recording or filing in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and enforceable Lien subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, at the time of recordation thereof, (ii) with respect to the Mortgage encumbering each such Mortgaged Property, opinions of counsel regarding the enforceability, due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages and such other matters customarily covered in real estate counsel opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (iii) with respect to each such Mortgaged Property, the Flood Documentation and (iv) such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request that are available to the Borrower without material expense with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property;

(g)    within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a policy or policies or marked up unconditional binder of title insurance with respect to properties located in the United States of America, or a date-down and modification endorsement, if available, paid for by the Borrower, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company insuring the Lien of each Mortgage as a valid Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except Permitted Liens, together with such customary endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and which are available at commercially reasonable rates in the jurisdiction where the applicable Mortgaged Property is located and (ii) a survey of each Mortgaged Property (including all improvements, easements and other customary matters thereon reasonably required by the Administrative Agent), as applicable, for which all necessary fees (where applicable) have been paid with respect to properties located in the United States of America, which is (A) complying in all material respects with the minimum detail requirements of the American Land Title Association and American Congress of Surveying and Mapping as such requirements are in effect on the date of preparation of such survey and (B) sufficient for such title insurance company to remove all standard survey exceptions from the title insurance policy relating to such Mortgaged Property and issue the customary survey related endorsements or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(h)    the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence of the insurance required by the terms of Section 5.02 hereof; and

(i)    after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) such other Security Documents as may be required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.10 or the Collateral Agreement, and (ii) upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence of compliance with any other requirements of Section 5.10.

“Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

“Commitments” shall mean (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and Term Facility Commitment and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment (it being understood that a Swingline Commitment does not increase the applicable Swingline Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment).

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“Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Conduit Lender” shall mean any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender; provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 or 9.05 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender unless the designation of such Conduit Lender is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which consent shall specify that it is being made pursuant to the proviso in the definition of “Conduit Lender” and provided that the designating Lender provides such information as the Borrower reasonably requests in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent or (b) be deemed to have any Commitment.

“Consolidated Debt” at any date shall mean the sum of (without duplication) all Indebtedness (other than letters of credit or bank guarantees, to the extent undrawn) consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money and Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such person and its subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(i)    any net after-tax extraordinary, exceptional, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses or income or expense or charge (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), any severance, relocation or other restructuring expenses (including any cost or expense related to employment of terminated employees), any expenses related to any New Project or any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to closing costs, rebranding costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, acquisition integration costs, opening costs, recruiting costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, and expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests or debt securities of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, any Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or incurrence, issuance, repayment, repurchase, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the 2017 Transactions (including any costs relating to auditing prior periods, any transition-related expenses, and Transaction Expenses incurred before, on or after the Closing Date), in each case, shall be excluded,

(ii)    any net after-tax income or loss from Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gain or loss on the Dispositions of Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded,

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(iii)    any net after-tax gain or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business Dispositions or asset Dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower) shall be excluded,

(iv)    any net after-tax income or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment or buy-back of indebtedness, Hedging Agreements or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(v)    (A) the Net Income for such period of any person that is not a subsidiary of such person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) in respect of such period and (B) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) from any person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (A),

(vi)    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period shall be excluded,

(vii)    effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such person and its subsidiaries and including the effects of adjustments to (A) deferred rent, (B) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending funds with suppliers or (C) any deferrals of revenue) in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(viii)    any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP, shall be excluded,

(ix)    any (a) non-cash compensation charge or (b) costs or expenses realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded,

(x)    accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded,

(xi)    non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretation shall be excluded,

(xii)    any gain, loss, income, expense or charge resulting from the application of any LIFO method shall be excluded,

(xiii)    any non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded,

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(xiv)    any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Agreements for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded,

(xv)    any deductions attributable to minority interests shall be excluded,

(xvi)    [reserved],

(xvii)    (A) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (x) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (y) in fact reimbursed within 365 days following the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded; and (B) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period),

(xviii)    without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 6.06(b)(v) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such person for such period, and

(xix)    Capitalized Software Expenditures and software development costs shall be excluded.

“Consolidated Total Assets” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries without giving effect to any impairment or amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Closing Date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as applicable, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any acquisition or Disposition of a person or assets that may have occurred on or after the last day of such fiscal quarter.

“Continuing Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

“Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

“Credit Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.

“Cumulative Credit” shall mean, at any date, an amount, not less than zero in the aggregate, determined on a cumulative basis equal to, without duplication:

(a)    $75,000,000, plus

(b)    the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount at such time, plus

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(c)    the aggregate amount of proceeds received after the Closing Date and prior to such time that would have constituted Net Proceeds pursuant to clause (a) of the definition thereof, except for the operation of clause (x), (y) or (z) of the second proviso thereof (the “Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds”), plus

(d)    the aggregate amount of any Declined Proceeds, plus

(e)    (i) the cumulative amount of proceeds (including cash and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) from the sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time (including upon exercise of warrants or options), which proceeds have been contributed as common equity to the capital of the Borrower, and (ii) common Equity Interests of Holdings, the Borrower or any Parent Entity issued upon conversion of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Loan Obligations in right of payment) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary owed to a person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary; provided, that this clause (e) shall exclude Permitted Cure Securities, sales of Equity Interests financed as contemplated by Section 6.04(e) or used as described in clause (ix) of the definition of “EBITDA”, any amount used to incur Indebtedness under Section 6.01(l)) and any amounts used to finance the payments or distributions in respect of any Junior Financing pursuant to Section 6.09(b), plus

(f)    100% of the aggregate amount of contributions as common equity to the capital of the Borrower received in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) after the Closing Date (subject to the same exclusions as are applicable to clause (e) above); plus

(g)    100% of the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness (including the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof issued after the Closing Date (other than Indebtedness issued to a Subsidiary), which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) in the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, plus

(h)    100% of the aggregate amount received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary) after the Closing Date from:

(A)    the issuance or sale (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary) of the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

(B)    any dividend or other distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

(i)    in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Investments of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), plus

(j)    an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y), minus

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(k)    any amounts thereof used to make Investments pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) after the Closing Date prior to such time, minus

(l)    the cumulative amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.06(e) prior to such time, minus

(m)    any amount thereof used to make payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings pursuant to Section 6.09(b)(i)(E) (other than payments made with proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests that were excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit pursuant to clause (e) above);

provided, however, (A) for purposes of Section 6.06(e), the calculation of the Cumulative Credit shall not include any Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds except to the extent they are used as contemplated in clauses (k) and (m) above, and (B) Cumulative Credit shall only be increased pursuant to clause (a) above to the extent that Excess Cash Flow for any Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the ECF Threshold Amount (or, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, a pro rata portion of such amount).

“Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount” shall mean, at any date, an amount (which shall not be less than zero in the aggregate) determined on a cumulative basis equal to:

(a)    the aggregate cumulative sum of the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Periods ending after the Closing Date and prior to such date, plus

(b)    for each Excess Cash Flow Interim Period ended prior to such date but as to which the corresponding Excess Cash Flow Period has not ended, an amount equal to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, minus

(c)    the cumulative amount of all Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfundings as of such date.

“Cure Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Cure Right” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Current Assets” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, the sum of (a) all assets (other than cash and Permitted Investments or other cash equivalents) that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current assets at such date of determination, other than amounts related to current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, and (b) gross accounts receivable comprising part of the Securitization Assets subject to such Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Current Liabilities” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, all liabilities that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current liabilities at such date of determination, other than (a) the current portion of any Indebtedness, (b) accruals of Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense that is due and unpaid), (c) accruals for current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, (d) accruals, if any, of transaction costs resulting from the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the 2017 Transactions, (e) accruals of any costs or expenses related to (i) severance or termination of employees prior to the Closing Date or (ii) bonuses, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, and (f) accruals for add-backs to EBITDA included in clauses (a)(iv), (a)(v), and (a)(vii) of the definition of such term.

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“Debt Fund Affiliate Lender” shall mean entities managed by the Fund or funds advised by its affiliated management companies that are primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course and for which no personnel making investment decisions in respect of any equity fund which has a direct or indirect equity investment in Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has the right to make any investment decisions.

“Debt Service” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Cash Interest Expense for such period, plus scheduled principal amortization of Consolidated Debt for such period.

“Debtor Relief Laws” shall mean the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Declined Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Declining Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Deemed Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

“Default” shall mean any event or condition that upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” shall mean, subject to Section 2.22, any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing that it does not intend or expect to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower) or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided, that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.22) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each Lender.

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“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” shall mean the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth such valuation, less the amount of cash or cash equivalents received in connection with a subsequent disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

“Disinterested Director” shall mean, with respect to any person and transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of such person who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction.

“Dispose” or “Disposed of” shall mean to convey, sell, lease, sell and leaseback, assign, farm-out, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property, business or asset. The term “Disposition” shall have a correlative meaning to the foregoing.

“Disqualified Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, any Equity Interests of such person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Loan Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payment of dividends in cash or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance thereof (provided, that only the portion of the Equity Interests that so mature or are mandatorily redeemable, are so convertible or exchangeable or are so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock). Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any Equity Interests issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability and (ii) any class of Equity Interests of such person that by its terms authorizes such person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

“Documentation Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Dollar Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date or other applicable date of determination) for the purchase of Dollars with such currency.

“Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

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“EBITDA” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (xiii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income (and were not excluded therefrom) for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined):

(i)    provision for Taxes based on income, profits or capital of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to taxes or arising from tax examinations),

(ii)    Interest Expense (and to the extent not included in Interest Expense, (x) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period,

(iii)    depreciation and amortization expenses of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees, original issue discount and Capitalized Software Expenditures, amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits,

(iv)    business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility, branch, office or business unit closures, facility, branch, office or business unit consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges) and Pre-Opening Expenses,

(v)    any other non-cash charges; provided, that for purposes of this subclause (v) of this clause (a), any non-cash charges or losses shall be treated as cash charges or losses in any subsequent period during which cash disbursements attributable thereto are made (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

(vi)    the amount of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction, advisory and similar fees and related expenses paid to the Co-Investors (or any accruals related to such fees and related expenses) during such period not in contravention of this Agreement,

(vii)    any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense as described in the preceding subclause (iii)) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, New Project, Disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Agreement (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (x) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and this Agreement, (y) any amendment or other modification of the Obligations or other Indebtedness and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(viii)    the amount of loss or discount in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing, including amortization of loan origination costs and amortization of portfolio discounts,

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(ix)    any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (other than contributions received from the Borrower or another Subsidiary Loan Party) or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock),

(x)    [reserved],

(xi)    the amount of any loss attributable to a New Project, until the date that is 12 months after the date of completing the construction, acquisition, assembling or creation of such New Project, as the case may be; provided, that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) losses attributable to such New Project after 12 months from the date of completing such construction, acquisition, assembling or creation, as the case may be, shall not be included in this subclause (xi),

(xii)    with respect to any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary and solely to the extent relating to any net income referred to in clause (v) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in subclauses (i) and (ii) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Subsidiary), and

(xiii)    one-time costs associated with commencing Public Company Compliance;

minus (b) the sum of (without duplication and to the extent the amounts described in this clause (b) increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items (A) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or will be received in a future period or (B) which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period).

“ECF Threshold Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(c).

“EEA Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“EMU Legislation” shall mean the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

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“Environment” shall mean ambient and indoor air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources such as flora and fauna, the workplace or as otherwise defined in any Environmental Law.

“Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable laws (including common law), rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, binding agreements, decrees or judgments, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the Environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the generation, use, transport, management, Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material or to public or employee health and safety matters (to the extent relating to the Environment or Hazardous Materials).

“Environmental Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.16.

“Equity Interests” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time and any final regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any Reportable Event or the requirements of Section 4043(b) of ERISA apply with respect to a Plan; (b) with respect to any Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (c) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the impending imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or in “endangered” or “critical” status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; or (j) the withdrawal of any of Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA.

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“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

“Euro” shall mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

“Eurocurrency Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Loans.

“Eurocurrency Loan” shall mean any Eurocurrency Term Loan or Eurocurrency Revolving Loan.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“Eurocurrency Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

“Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any Applicable Period, EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such Applicable Period, minus, without duplication, (A):

(a)    Debt Service for such Applicable Period,

(b)    the amount of any voluntary payment permitted hereunder of term Indebtedness during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(A)) and the amount of any voluntary payments of revolving Indebtedness to the extent accompanied by permanent reductions of any revolving facility commitments during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayments of the Revolving Facility Commitment, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(B)), so long as the amount of such prepayment is not already reflected in Debt Service,

(c)    (i) Capital Expenditures by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period that are paid in cash and (ii) the aggregate consideration paid in cash during the Applicable Period in respect of Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments, intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries and Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)) and payments in respect of restructuring activities,

(d)    Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments (excluding Permitted Investments and intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries), or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities, that the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall, during such Applicable Period, become obligated to make or otherwise anticipated to make payments with respect thereto but that are not made during such Applicable Period; provided, that (i) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate to the Administrative Agent not later than the date required for the delivery of the certificate pursuant to Section

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2.11(c), signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and certifying that payments in respect of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments or planned restructuring activities are expected to be made in the following Excess Cash Flow Period, and (ii) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period,

(e)    Taxes paid in cash by Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period or that will be paid within six months after the close of such Applicable Period and the amount of any distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) and Section 6.06(b)(v) during such Applicable Period or that will be made within six months after the close of such Applicable Period; provided, that with respect to any such amounts to be paid or distributed after the close of such Applicable Period, (i) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period, and (ii) appropriate reserves shall have been established in accordance with GAAP,

(f)    an amount equal to any increase in Working Capital (other than any increase arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period and, at the Borrower’s option, any anticipated increase, estimated by the Borrower in good faith, for the following Excess Cash Flow Period,

(g)    cash expenditures made in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period, to the extent not reflected in the computation of EBITDA or Interest Expense,

(h)    permitted Restricted Payments paid in cash by the Borrower during such Applicable Period and permitted Restricted Payments paid by any Subsidiary to any person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries during such Applicable Period, in each case in accordance with Section 6.06 (other than Section 6.06(e) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)),

(i)    amounts paid in cash during such Applicable Period on account of (A) items that were accounted for as non-cash reductions of Net Income in determining Consolidated Net Income or as non-cash reductions of Consolidated Net Income in determining EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in a prior Applicable Period and (B) reserves or accruals established in purchase accounting,

(j)    to the extent not deducted in the computation of Net Proceeds in respect of any asset disposition or condemnation giving rise thereto, the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness created hereunder or under any other Loan Document), together with any interest, premium or penalties required to be paid (and actually paid) in connection therewith,

(k)    the amount related to items that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income or were added to or not deducted from Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent such items represented a cash payment (other than in respect of Transaction Expenses) which had not reduced Excess Cash Flow upon the accrual thereof in a prior Applicable Period, or an accrual for a cash payment, by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or did not represent cash received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period, and

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(l)     the amount of (A) any deductions attributable to minority interests that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income and (B) EBITDA of joint ventures and minority investees added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA,

plus, without duplication, (B):

(a)    an amount equal to any decrease in Working Capital (other than any decrease arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period,

(b)    all amounts referred to in clauses (A)(b), (A)(c) and (A)(d) above to the extent funded with the proceeds of the issuance or the incurrence of Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness, but excluding proceeds of extensions of credit under any revolving credit facility), the sale or issuance of any Equity Interests (including any capital contributions) and any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of any asset or assets, in each case to the extent there is a corresponding deduction from Excess Cash Flow above,

(c)    to the extent any permitted Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities referred to in clause (A)(d) above do not occur in the following Applicable Period of the Borrower specified in the certificate of the Borrower provided pursuant to clause (A)(d) above, the amount of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities that were not so made in such following Applicable Period,

(d)    cash payments received in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period to the extent (i) not included in the computation of EBITDA or (ii) such payments do not reduce Cash Interest Expense,

(e)    any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain realized in cash during such Applicable Period (except to the extent such gain consists of Net Proceeds subject to Section 2.11(b)), and

(f)    the amount related to items that were deducted from or not added to Net Income in connection with calculating Consolidated Net Income or were deducted from or not added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent either (i) such items represented cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) such items do not represent cash paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period.

“Excess Cash Flow Interim Period” shall mean, (x) during any Excess Cash Flow Period, any one, two, or three-quarter period (a) commencing on the later of (i) the end of the immediately preceding Excess Cash Flow Period and (ii) if applicable, the end of any prior Excess Cash Flow Interim Period occurring during the same Excess Cash Flow Period and (b) ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (other than the last day of the fiscal year) during such Excess Cash Flow Period for which financial statements are available and (y) during the period from the Closing Date until the beginning of the first Excess Cash Flow Period, any period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

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“Excess Cash Flow Period” shall mean each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 2017.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Excluded Contributions” shall mean the cash and the fair market value of assets other than cash (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) received by the Borrower after the Closing Date from: (a) contributions to its common Equity Interests, and (b) the sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower, in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interest is sold or issued, as the case may be.

“Excluded Indebtedness” shall mean all Indebtedness not incurred in violation of Section 6.01.

“Excluded Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.10(g).

“Excluded Securities” shall mean any of the following:

(a)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or Indebtedness in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby;

(b)    in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(c)    in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(d)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

(e)    any Equity Interests of any person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by (i) any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or (ii) any other contractual obligation with an unaffiliated third party not in violation of Section 6.09(c) binding on such Equity Interests to the extent in existence on the Closing Date or on the date of acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i)) (other than, in this subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (or other contractual obligation

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referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided, that this clause (B) shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent) and shall only apply for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement governing such Equity Interests (or other contractual obligation referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than, in the case of other contractual obligations referred to in subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

(f)    any Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary, any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary;

(g)    any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of, or other Equity Interests owned by, a Foreign Subsidiary;

(h)    any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(i)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness that are set forth on Schedule 1.01(A) to the Original Credit Agreement or that have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent;

(j)    (x) any Equity Interests owned by Holdings, other than Equity Interests of the Borrower, and (y) any Indebtedness owned by or owing to Holdings; and

(k)    any Margin Stock.

“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean any of the following (except as otherwise provided in clause (b) of the definition of Subsidiary Loan Party):

(a)    each Immaterial Subsidiary,

(b)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary),

(c)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations by any Requirement of Law or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a Governmental Authority to Guarantee or grant Liens to secure the Obligations (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received),

(d)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable contractual requirement from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations on the Closing Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary not in violation of Section 6.09(c) (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect),

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(e)    any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary,

(f)    any Foreign Subsidiary,

(g)    any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that is an FSHCO or (ii) that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC,

(h)    any other Domestic Subsidiary with respect to which, (x) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of providing a Guarantee of or granting Liens to secure the Obligations are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby or (y) in the case of any person that becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, providing such a Guarantee or granting such Liens could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower,

(i)    each Unrestricted Subsidiary, and

(j)    with respect to any Swap Obligation, any Subsidiary that is not an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation, unless otherwise agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable Lending Office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to a Lender (other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b) or 2.19(c)) pursuant to laws in force at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17, (iii) any withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(d) or (e) or (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

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“Excluded Transaction Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Transactions consisting of, or incurred to fund the payment of, any original issue discount or upfront fees in respect of the Term B Loans, the Revolving Facility and/or the Senior Unsecured Notes, in each case, pursuant to the “market flex” provisions of the Fee Letter.

“Existing Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015 and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

“Existing Notes” shall mean, collectively, the 6.5% Senior Notes due 2024 of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of November 25, 2015, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

“Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit” shall mean those letters of credit or bank guarantees issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.01(C) to the Original Credit Agreement, which shall each be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date.

“Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Revolving Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Term Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extending Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extension” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Facility” shall mean the respective facility and commitments utilized in making Loans and credit extensions hereunder, it being understood that, as of the 2017 Effective Date there are two Facilities (i.e., the Term B Facility and the Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the 2017 Effective Date and the extensions of credit thereunder) and thereafter, the term “Facility” may include any other Class of Commitments and the extensions of credit thereunder.

“FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), or any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or official administrative interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve

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Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1.00%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it and (c) if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero.

“Fee Letter” shall mean that certain Fee Letter dated as of August 26, 2016 (as supplemented by that certain Additional Lender Agreement dated as of September 9, 2016) by and among Holdings, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and the other parties thereto.

“Fees” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the L/C Participation Fees, the Issuing Bank Fees and the Administrative Agent Fees.

“Financial Covenant” shall mean the covenant of the Borrower set forth in Section 6.11.

“Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent financial officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such person.

“First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Flood Documentation” shall mean, with respect to each Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America or any territory thereof, (i) a completed “life-of-loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency standard flood hazard determination (to the extent a Mortgaged Property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, together with a notice about Special Flood Hazard Area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and the applicable Loan Party relating thereto) and (ii) evidence of flood insurance as required by Section 5.02(c) hereof and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall (A) be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable or mortgagee endorsement (as applicable), (B) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as additional insured and loss payee/mortgagee, (C) identify the address of each property located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicable flood zone designation and the flood insurance coverage and deductible relating thereto and (D) be otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

“Flood Insurance Laws” shall mean, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

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“Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Fronting Exposure” shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank other than such Revolving L/C Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.

“FSHCO” shall mean any Subsidiary that owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs and/or of one or more FSHCOs.

“Fund” shall mean, collectively, investment funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC.

“Fund Affiliate” shall mean (i) each Affiliate of the Fund that is neither a “portfolio company” (which means a company actively engaged in providing goods or services to unaffiliated customers), whether or not controlled, nor a company controlled by a “portfolio company” and (ii) any individual who is a partner or employee of Apollo Management, L.P. or Apollo Management VIII, L.P.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis, subject to the provisions of Section 1.02; provided, that any reference to the application of GAAP in Sections 3.13(b), 3.20, 5.03, 5.07 and 6.02(e) to a Foreign Subsidiary (and not as a consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower) shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.

“Guarantee” of or by any person (the “guarantor”) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation

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of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness or other obligation (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness or other obligation to be secured by such a Lien) of any other person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such person in good faith.

“guarantor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Guarantors” shall mean the Loan Parties other than the Borrower.

“Hazardous Materials” shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including, without limitation, explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum by products or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas or pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers or other agricultural chemicals, of any nature subject to regulation or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.

“Hedge Bank” shall mean any person that is (or an Affiliate thereof is) (a) an Agent, an Arranger or a Lender on the Closing Date (or any person that becomes an Agent, Arranger or Lender or Affiliate thereof after the Closing Date) and that enters into a Hedging Agreement, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Hedging Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G) to the Original Credit Agreement.

“Hedging Agreement” shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed price physical delivery contracts, or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, in each case of the foregoing, whether or not exchange traded; provided, that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

“Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement” shall mean the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between Holdings and the Collateral Agent.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (a) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, and (b) taken together with all

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Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10% of Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date; provided, that the Borrower may elect in its sole discretion to exclude as an Immaterial Subsidiary any Subsidiary that would otherwise meet the definition thereof.

“Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount or deferred financing fees, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness or in the form of Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, deferred financing fees or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

“Incremental Amount” shall mean, at the time of the establishment of the commitments in respect of the Indebtedness to be incurred utilizing this definition (or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness), the sum of:

(i)    the excess (if any) of (a) $700,000,000 over (b) the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, in each case incurred or established after the Closing Date and outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 2.21 utilizing this clause (i) (other than Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in respect of Refinancing Term Loans, Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, respectively) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under Section 6.01(z) at such time that was incurred utilizing this clause (i); plus

(ii)    any amounts so long as immediately after giving effect to the establishment of the commitments in respect thereof utilizing this clause (ii) (and assuming any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments established at such time utilizing this clause (ii) are fully drawn unless such commitments have been drawn or have otherwise been terminated) (or, at the option of the Borrower, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) and the use of proceeds of the loans thereunder, (a) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 and (b) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans and the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided that, for purposes of this clause (ii), net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of Incremental Loans incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio at such time; plus

(iii)    the aggregate amount of all voluntary prepayments of Term B Loans outstanding on the Closing Date and Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) (and accompanied by a reduction of Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08(b) in the case of a prepayment of Revolving Facility Loans) made prior to such time except to the extent funded with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness);

provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, (A) amounts may be established or incurred utilizing clause (ii) above prior to utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above and (B) any calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis pursuant to clause (ii) above may be determined, at the option of the Borrower, without giving effect to any simultaneous establishment or incurrence of any amounts utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above.

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“Incremental Assumption Agreement” shall mean an Incremental Assumption Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and, if applicable, one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders.

“Incremental Commitment” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment.

“Incremental Loan” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan or an Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Revolving Loans.

“Incremental Revolving Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Revolving Loans to the Borrower.

“Incremental Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Loan” shall mean (i) Revolving Facility Loans made by one or more Revolving Facility Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment to make additional Initial Revolving Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Revolving Loans (including in the form of Extended Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Incremental Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Incremental Term Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Term Loans.

“Incremental Term Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Term Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Term Loan.

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower.

“Incremental Term Loan Installment Date” shall have, with respect to any Class of Incremental Term Loans established pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement, the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(ii).

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“Incremental Term Loans” shall mean (i) Term Loans made by one or more Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(c) consisting of additional Term B Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Term Loans (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (i)) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person, (d) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course), to the extent that the same would be required to be shown as a long term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such person, (f) all net payments that such person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Hedging Agreements, (g) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (h) the principal component of all obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (i) all Guarantees by such person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (h) above and (j) the amount of all obligations of such person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock (excluding accrued dividends that have not increased the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock); provided, that Indebtedness shall not include (A) trade and other ordinary-course payables, accrued expenses, and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) prepaid or deferred revenue, (C) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase prices of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset, (D) Obligations under or in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings, (E) earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP, (F) obligations in respect of Third Party Funds, (G) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (I) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (II) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or (H) obligations under or in respect of the Merger Agreement. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness limits the liability of such person in respect thereof.

“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean all Taxes imposed on or with respect to or measured by any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

“Ineligible Institution” shall mean (i) the persons identified as “Disqualified Lenders” in writing to the Arrangers by Holdings or the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) the persons as may be identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time thereafter (in the case of this clause (ii)) in respect of bona fide business competitors of the Borrower (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), by delivery of a notice thereof to the Administrative Agent setting forth such person or persons (or the person or persons previously identified to the Administrative Agent that are to be no longer considered “Ineligible Institutions”); provided, that no such updates pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an

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assignment or participation interest in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Ineligible Institutions.

“Information” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.14(a).

“Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum dated October 2016, as modified or supplemented prior to the Closing Date.

“Initial Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Facility Loan made (i) pursuant to the Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Closing Date (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement) or (ii) pursuant to any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment on the same terms as the Revolving Facility Loans referred to in clause (i) of this definition.

“Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Intercreditor Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.11.

“Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) Cash Interest Expense, in each case, for the Test Period most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Interest Election Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 and substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Original Credit Agreement or another form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the sum of (a) gross interest expense of such person for such period on a consolidated basis, including the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market of obligations in respect of Hedging Agreements or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP and (b) capitalized interest of such person, minus interest income for such period. For purposes of the foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with respect to Hedging Agreements, and interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

“Interest Payment Date” shall mean, (a) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing and (iii) in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type, (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid pursuant to Section 2.09(a).

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“Interest Period” shall mean, as to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter (or 12 months, if at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all relevant Lenders make interest periods of such length available or, if agreed to by the Administrative Agent, any shorter period), as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; provided, further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the initial Interest Period with respect to the Term B Loans made or converted on the 2017 Effective Date shall be the period commencing on the 2017 Effective Date and ending on the last day of the then-current Interest Period for the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) outstanding immediately prior to the 2017 Effective Date. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

“Intermediate Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.09.

“Investment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Investment Incurrence Clauses” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.04.

“IPO Entity” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Qualified IPO”.

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

“Issuing Bank” shall mean (i) each of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch and, (ii) for purposes of the Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank set forth on Schedule 1.01(C) to the Original Credit Agreement, and (iii) each other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(l), in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity. An Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such branch or Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such branch or Affiliate.

“Issuing Bank Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Joint Bookrunners” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Judgment Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“Junior Financing” shall mean any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

“Junior Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are junior to the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood that Junior Liens are not

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required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are senior in priority to, or pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

“L/C Disbursement” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“L/C Participation Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Latest Maturity Date” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest of the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the latest Term Facility Maturity Date, in each case then in effect on such date of determination.

“Lender” shall mean each Revolving Facility Lender under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement immediately prior to the 2017 Effective Date and each 2017 Term Lender (in each case, other than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.04), as well as any person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04 or Section 2.21. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include any Swingline Lender.

“Lending Office” shall mean, as to any Lender, the applicable branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender designated by such Lender to make Loans.

“Letter of Credit” shall mean any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Section 2.05, including any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit. Each Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date for all purposes of the Loan Documents.

“Letter of Credit Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05.

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” shall mean the aggregate Letter of Credit Commitments of the Issuing Banks, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) or such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree.

“LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making such rates available) for Dollar deposits (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or its successor) as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which Dollar deposits are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

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“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided, that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Loan Documents” shall mean (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, (iii) the Security Documents, (iv) each Incremental Assumption Agreement (including the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement), (v) any Intercreditor Agreement, (vi) any Note issued under Section 2.09(e), (vii) the Letters of Credit and (viii) solely for the purposes of Section 7.01 hereof, the Fee Letter.

“Loan Obligations” shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans made to the Borrower under this Agreement, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide Cash Collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower owed under or pursuant to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), and (b) the due and punctual payment of all obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents.

“Loan Parties” shall mean Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

“Loans” shall mean the Term Loans, the Revolving Facility Loans and the Swingline Loans.

“Local Time” shall mean New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable); provided that, with respect to any Alternate Currency Loan, “Local Time” shall mean the local time of the applicable Lending Office.

“Majority Lenders” of any Facility shall mean, at any time, Lenders under such Facility having Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding under such Facility and unused Commitments under such Facility at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

“Management Group” shall mean the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with (a) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, then still in office who were either directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions or whose election or nomination was

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previously so approved and (b) executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, hired at a time when the directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be.

“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

“Market Capitalization” shall mean an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests of the IPO Entity on the date of the declaration of the relevant Restricted Payment multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of the common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on the business, property, operations or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

“Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Securitization Financing be considered Material Indebtedness.

“Material Real Property” shall mean any parcel or parcels of Real Property located in the United States now or hereafter owned in fee by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and having a fair market value (on a per-property basis) of at least $5,000,000 as of (x) the Closing Date, for Real Property now owned or (y) the date of acquisition, for Real Property acquired after the Closing Date, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith; provided, that “Material Real Property” shall not include (i) any Real Property in respect of which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party does not own the land in fee simple or (ii) any Real Property which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party leases to a third party.

“Material Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Merger” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Merger Agreement” shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 26, 2016, by and among Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Merger Sub” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Minimum L/C Collateral Amount” shall mean, at any time, in connection with any Letter of Credit, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 102% of the Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to such Letter of Credit at such time and (ii) otherwise, an amount sufficient to provide credit support with respect to such Revolving L/C Exposure as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks in their sole discretion.

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

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“Mortgaged Properties” shall mean each Material Real Property encumbered by a Mortgage pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Mortgages” shall mean, collectively, the mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents (including amendments to any of the foregoing) delivered with respect to Mortgaged Properties in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower, Holdings or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate (other than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Code Section 414) is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding six plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

“Net First Lien Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt and other than Loan Obligations secured only by Junior Liens) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person, the net income (loss) of such person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

“Net Proceeds” shall mean:

(a)    100% of the cash proceeds actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any Asset Sale under Section 6.05(g) (or Sale-Leaseback Transactions under Section 6.03(b)(x)), net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset to the extent such debt or obligations are secured by a Lien permitted hereunder (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents) on such asset, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, (ii) Taxes paid or payable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) as a result thereof (including the amount of any distributions in respect thereof pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) or Section 6.06(b)(v)), (iii) the amount of any reasonable reserve established in accordance with GAAP against any adjustment to the sale price or any liabilities (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above) (x) related to any of the applicable assets and (y) retained by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction (however, the amount of any

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subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be cash proceeds of such Asset Sale occurring on the date of such reduction) and (iv) payments made on a ratable basis (or less than ratable basis) to holders of non-controlling interests in non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale; provided, that, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of any such proceeds setting forth Holdings’ or the Borrower’s intention to use any portion of such proceeds, within 12 months of such receipt, to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or to make Permitted Business Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments or intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries) or to reimburse the cost of any of the foregoing incurred on or after the date on which the Asset Sale giving rise to such proceeds was contractually committed, such portion of such proceeds shall not constitute Net Proceeds except to the extent not, within 12 months of such receipt, so used or contractually committed to be so used (it being understood that if any portion of such proceeds are not so used within such 12 month period but within such 12 month period are contractually committed to be used, then such remaining portion if not so used within six months following the end of such 12 month period shall constitute Net Proceeds as of such date without giving effect to this proviso); provided, further, that (x) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds unless such net cash proceeds shall exceed $25,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds), (y) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing shall constitute Net Proceeds in any fiscal year until the aggregate amount of all such net cash proceeds otherwise constituting Net Proceeds pursuant to the foregoing clause (x) in such fiscal year shall exceed $75,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds) and (z) if at the time of receipt of such net cash proceeds or at any time during the 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) reinvestment period contemplated by the immediately preceding proviso, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent certifying that on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to the Asset Sale and the application of the proceeds thereof or at the relevant time during such 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) period, (I) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, 50% of such net cash proceeds that would otherwise constitute Net Proceeds under this proviso shall not constitute Net Proceeds or (II) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, none of such net cash proceeds shall constitute Net Proceeds; and

(b)    100% of the cash proceeds from the incurrence, issuance or sale by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Indebtedness), net of all taxes and fees (including investment banking fees), commissions, costs and other expenses, in each case incurred in connection with such incurrence, issuance or sale.

“Net Secured Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Secured Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

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“Net Total Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) without duplication, the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“New Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“New Project” shall mean (x) each plant, facility, branch, office or business unit which is either a new plant, facility, branch, office or business unit or an expansion, relocation, remodeling, refurbishment or substantial modernization of an existing plant, facility, branch, office or business unit owned by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (y) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit, product line or information technology offering to the extent such business unit commences operations or such product line or information technology is offered or each expansion (in one or a series of related transactions) of business into a new market or through a new distribution method or channel.

“Non-Bank Tax Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e)(i).

“Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).

“Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Note” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(e).

“Obligations” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Loan Obligations, (b) obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (c) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement.

“OFAC” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.25(b).

“Original Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Other First Lien Debt” shall mean obligations secured by Other First Liens.

“Other First Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are pari passu with the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

“Other Revolving Facility Commitments” shall mean Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments to make Other Revolving Loans.

“Other Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21.

“Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise, transfer, sales, property, intangible, mortgage recording or similar Taxes arising from

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any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, registration, delivery or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, from the receipt or perfection of security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents (but excluding any Excluded Taxes).

“Other Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21 (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable).

“Parent Entity” shall mean any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.

“Pari Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Pari Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Participant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(i).

“Participant Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(ii).

“Participating Member State” shall mean each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

“Perfection Certificate” shall mean the Perfection Certificate with respect to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be supplemented from time to time to the extent required by Section 5.04(f).

“Permitted Business Acquisition” shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all or substantially all the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) not previously held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in, or merger, consolidation or amalgamation with, a person or division or line of business of a person (or any subsequent investment made in a person or division or line of business previously acquired in a Permitted Business Acquisition), if immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Event of Default under clause (b), (c), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, provided, however, that with respect to a proposed acquisition pursuant to an executed acquisition agreement, at the option of the Borrower, the determination of whether such an Event of Default shall exist shall be made solely at the time of the execution of the acquisition agreement related to such Permitted Business Acquisition; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; (iii) with respect to any such acquisition or investment with cash consideration in excess of $50,000,000, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance immediately after giving effect to such acquisition or investment and any related transaction; (iv) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary shall not be liable for any Indebtedness except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; (v) to the extent required by Section 5.10, any person acquired in such acquisition, if acquired by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, shall be merged into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party or become upon consummation of such acquisition a Subsidiary Loan Party; and (vi) the aggregate cash consideration in respect of such acquisitions and investments by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party in assets that are not owned by the Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Parties or in Equity Interests of persons that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties or do not become Subsidiary Loan Parties, in each case upon consummation of such acquisition, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $225,000,000 and (y) 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this clause (vi), (A) any such assets or Equity Interests that are not directly owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (B)

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acquisitions and investments made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which acquisitions and investments shall be permitted under this clause (v) without regard to such calculation).

“Permitted Cure Securities” shall mean any Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity issued pursuant to the Cure Right other than Disqualified Stock.

“Permitted Holder Group” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Holders.”

“Permitted Holders” shall mean (i) the Co-Investors (and each other person that owns Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions), (ii) any person that has no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and that, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires beneficial ownership of 100% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower, and of which no other person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than any of the other Permitted Holders, beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests thereof and (iii) any “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) the members of which include any of the other Permitted Holders and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member (or more favorable voting rights, in the case of any Permitted Holders specified in clause (i) or (ii)) and (2) no person or other “group” (other than the other Permitted Holders) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests held by the Permitted Holder Group.

“Permitted Investments” shall mean:

(a)    direct obligations of the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)    time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding company’s long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(c)    repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;

(d)    commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P 1 (or higher) according to Moody’s, F 1 (or higher) according to Fitch, or A 1 (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

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(e)    securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition, issued or fully guaranteed by any State, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P, A by Moody’s or A by Fitch (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(f)    shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds’ investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;

(g)    money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a 7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated by any two of (1) AAA by S&P, (2) Aaa by Moody’s or (3) AAA by Fitch and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

(h)    time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 0.5% of the total assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year; and

(i)    instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction.

“Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be junior to any Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, junior Liens pursuant to Section 2.21(b)(ii) or (v)), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement if such Liens secure “Second Lien Obligations” (as defined therein), (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such junior Liens than the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Permitted Loan Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender as an Assignor and Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as an Assignee, as accepted by the Administrative Agent (if required by Section 9.04) in the form of Exhibit F to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

“Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be pari passu with the Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan

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Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such pari passu Liens than the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a pari passu basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions, expenses, plus an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized thereunder and letters of credit undrawn thereunder), (b) except with respect to Section 6.01(i), (i) the final maturity date of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is on or after the earlier of (x) the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence thereof and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to the lesser of (i) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans then outstanding with the greatest remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity, (c) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Loan Obligations on terms in the aggregate not materially less favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have obligors that are not (or would not have been) obligated with respect to the Indebtedness being so Refinanced (except that a Loan Party may be added as an additional obligor) and (e) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by Liens on any Collateral (whether senior to, equally and ratably with, or junior to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Loan Obligations or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such Collateral (including any Collateral pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent any such Collateral secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced) on terms in the aggregate that are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Secured Parties than, the Indebtedness being refinanced or on terms otherwise permitted by Section 6.02.

“Permitted Securitization Documents” shall mean all documents and agreements evidencing, relating to or otherwise governing a Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Permitted Securitization Financing” shall mean one or more transactions pursuant to which (i) Securitization Assets or interests therein are sold or transferred to or financed by one or more Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries, and (ii) such Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries finance (or refinance) their acquisition of such Securitization Assets or interests therein, or the financing thereof, by selling or borrowing against Securitization Assets (including conduit and warehouse financings) and any Hedging Agreements entered into in connection with such Securitization Assets; provided, that recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in connection with such transactions shall be limited to the extent customary (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) for similar transactions in the applicable jurisdictions (including, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with the delivery of a “true sale”/“absolute transfer” opinion with respect to any transfer by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary).

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“person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company or government, individual or family trusts, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is (i) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (ii) sponsored or maintained (at the time of determination or at any time within the five years prior thereto) by Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate, and (iii) in respect of which Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Platform” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Pledged Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” shall mean, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred that are classified as “pre-opening rent”, “pre-opening expenses” or “opening costs” (or any similar or equivalent caption).

“Pricing Grid” shall mean, with respect to the Loans and Revolving Facility Commitments, the table set forth below:

 

Pricing Grid for Revolving Loans
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Margin for ABR Loans		Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Loans
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		3.00%		4.00%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but greater than 1.00 to 1.00		2.75%		3.75%
Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00		2.50%		3.50%

 

Pricing Grid for Revolving Facility Commitments
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Commitment Fee
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		0.50%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00		0.375%

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For the purposes of the Pricing Grid, changes in the Applicable Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee resulting from changes in the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “Adjustment Date”) that is three Business Days after the date on which the relevant financial statements are delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.04 for each fiscal quarter beginning with the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended after the Closing Date, and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements referred to in the preceding sentence are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 5.04, then, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the pricing level that is one pricing level higher than the pricing level theretofore in effect shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such financial statements were to have been delivered but were not delivered. Each determination of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 6.11.

“primary obligor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum as announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City.

“Pro Forma Basis” shall mean, as to any person, for any events as described below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the “Reference Period”): (i) pro forma effect shall be given to any Disposition, any acquisition, Investment, capital expenditure, construction, repair, replacement, improvement, development, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation (including the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions and the 2017 Transactions) (or any similar transaction or transactions not otherwise permitted under Section 6.04 or 6.05 that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders and such waiver or consent has been obtained), any dividend, distribution or other similar payment, any designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Subsidiary Redesignation, New Project, and any restructurings of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries has determined to make and/or made and in the good faith determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower are expected to have a continuing impact and are factually supportable, which would include cost savings resulting from head count reduction, closure of facilities and similar operational and other cost savings, which adjustments the Borrower determines are reasonable as set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (the foregoing, together with any transactions related thereto or in connection therewith, the “relevant transactions”), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated), (ii) in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, incurred or assumed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transactions and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and amounts outstanding under any Permitted Securitization Financing, in each case not to finance any acquisition) issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated) shall be deemed to have been issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness,

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for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in the preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods, and (z) in giving effect to clause (i) above with respect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during the Reference Period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Borrower in good faith, and (iii) (A) for any Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, effect shall be given to such Subsidiary Redesignation and all other Subsidiary Redesignations after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, collectively, and (B) for any designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, collectively.

In the event that EBITDA or any financial ratio is being calculated for purposes of determining whether Indebtedness or any Lien relating thereto may be incurred or whether any Investment may be made, the Borrower may elect pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent to treat all or any portion of the commitment relating thereto as being incurred at the time of such commitment, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis” shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and may include adjustments to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from any relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions), (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data” portion of the “Summary” section of the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such Reference Period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Borrower in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)). The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies and adjustments pursuant to clause (2) above, and information and calculations supporting them in reasonable detail.

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Pro Forma Compliance” shall mean, at any date of determination, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to

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the relevant transactions (including the assumption, the issuance, incurrence and permanent repayment of Indebtedness), with the Financial Covenant recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for which the financial statements and certificates required pursuant to Section 5.04 have been delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, Pro Forma Compliance shall be tested without regard to whether or not the Financial Covenant was or was required to be tested on the applicable quarter end date.

“Pro Rata Extension Offers” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Pro Rata Share” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Projections” shall mean the projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.

“Public Company Compliance” shall mean compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules of national securities exchange listed companies (in each case, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), including procuring directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

“Public Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

“Qualified Equity Interests” shall mean any Equity Interest other than Disqualified Stock.

“Qualified IPO” shall mean an underwritten public offering of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity (the “IPO Entity”) which generates (individually or in the aggregate together with any prior underwritten public offering) gross cash proceeds of at least $50,000,000.

“Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Type.”

“Real Property” shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by any Loan Party, whether by lease, license, or other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.

“Receivables Assets” shall mean accounts receivable (including any bills of exchange) and related assets and property from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Reference Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis.”

“Refinance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,” and “Refinanced” and “Refinancings” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

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“Refinancing Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Refinancing Notes” shall mean any secured or unsecured notes or loans issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party (whether under an indenture, a credit agreement or otherwise) and the Indebtedness represented thereby; provided, that (a) 100% of the Net Proceeds of such Refinancing Notes are used to permanently reduce Loans and/or replace Commitments substantially simultaneously with the issuance thereof; (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Notes does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the aggregate portion of the Loans so reduced and/or Commitments so replaced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses); (c) the final maturity date of such Refinancing Notes is on or after the Term Facility Maturity Date or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, as applicable, of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced; (d) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Notes is greater than or equal to the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable; (e) in the case of Refinancing Notes in the form of notes issued under an indenture, the terms thereof do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligations prior to the Term Facility Maturity Date of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date of the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayment provisions upon a change of control, asset sale or event of loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default); (f) the other terms of such Refinancing Notes (other than interest rates, fees, floors, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums and other pricing terms), taken as a whole, are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time such Refinancing Notes are issued or those that are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith (or, if more restrictive, the Loan Documents are amended to contain such more restrictive terms to the extent required to satisfy the foregoing standard); (g) there shall be no obligor in respect of such Refinancing Notes that is not a Loan Party; and (h) Refinancing Notes that are secured by Collateral shall be subject to the provisions of a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

“Refinancing Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).

“Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Related Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit and is advised or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity (or an Affiliate of such entity) that administers, advises or manages such Lender.

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“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified person, such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates and the respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such person and such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates.

“Related Sections” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, emanating or migrating in, into, onto or through the Environment.

“Replacement Revolving Facilities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Reportable Event” shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, with respect to a Plan (other than a Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate that is considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code).

“Required Amount of Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Required Lenders.”

“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposure and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that (i) the Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time and (ii) the portion of any Term Loans held by Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate in excess of 49.9% of the Required Amount of Loans shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time. For purposes of the foregoing, “Required Amount of Loans” shall mean, at any time, the amount of Loans required to be held by Lenders in order for such Lenders to constitute “Required Lenders” (without giving effect to the foregoing clause (ii)).

“Required Percentage” shall mean, with respect to an Applicable Period, 50%; provided, that (a) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 25% and (b) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 0%.

“Required Prepayment Lenders” shall mean, at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

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“Required Revolving Facility Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Revolving Facility Lenders having (a) Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposures and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Revolving Facility Lenders at any time.

“Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such person or any of its property or assets or to which such person or any of its property or assets is subject.

“Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement, or any other duly authorized employee or signatory of such person.

“Restricted Payments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06. The amount of any Restricted Payment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.06.

“Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfunding” shall mean, at any time, in respect of any Excess Cash Flow Period, the amount, if any, by which the portion of the Cumulative Credit attributable to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Interim Periods used in such Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the actual Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period.

“Retained Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period), (a) 100% minus (b) the Required Percentage with respect to such Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period).

“Revaluation Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance, extension or renewal of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require and (b) with respect to any Alternate Currency Loans, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans denominated in an Alternate Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Revolving Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency pursuant to Section 2.07, and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Majority Lenders under the Revolving Facility shall require.

“Revolving Facility” shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class and, for purposes of Section 9.08(b), shall refer to all such Revolving Facility Commitments as a single Class.

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“Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans of the same Class.

“Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(b), expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04, and (c) increased (or replaced) as provided under Section 2.21. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, or in the Assignment and Acceptance or Incremental Assumption Agreement pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment (or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment), as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is $225,000,000. On the Closing Date, there is only one Class of Revolving Facility Commitments. After the Closing Date, additional Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments may be added or created pursuant to Incremental Assumption Agreements.

“Revolving Facility Credit Exposure” shall mean, at any time with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans of such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof), (b) the Swingline Exposure applicable to such Class at such time and (c) the Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time minus, for the purpose of Sections 6.11 and 7.03, the amount of Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount at such time. The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the product of (x) such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the applicable Class and (y) the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class of all Revolving Facility Lenders, collectively, at such time.

“Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender (including an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender) with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans.

“Revolving Facility Loan” shall mean a Loan made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(b). Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Revolving Facility Loans” shall include the Other Revolving Loans.

“Revolving Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Revolving Facility in effect on the Closing Date, November 3, 2021 and (b) with respect to any other Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Revolving Facility Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender of any Class, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class represented by such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class. If the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages of such Class shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.

“Revolving Facility Termination Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

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“Revolving L/C Exposure” of any Class shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit applicable to such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements applicable to such Class that have not yet been reimbursed at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Revolving L/C Exposure of any Class of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce No. 590, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

“Sanctions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“Sanctions Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

“Secured Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party of any Cash Management Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank, in each case to the extent that such Cash Management Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Cash Management Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Cash Management Agreement.

“Secured Hedge Agreement” shall mean any Hedging Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party of any Hedging Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, in each case to the extent that such Hedging Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Hedge Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Hedge Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of the Loan Documents, any Guarantee of, or grant of any Lien to secure, any obligations in respect of a Secured Hedge Agreement by a Guarantor shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.

“Secured Parties” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.02 by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Loan Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document.

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“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securitization Assets” shall mean any of the following assets (or interests therein) from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has any rights or interests, in each case, without regard to where such assets or interests are located: (a) Receivables Assets, (b) franchise fees, royalties and other similar payments made related to the use of trade names and other Intellectual Property, business support, training and other services, (c) revenues related to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (d) rents, real estate taxes and other non-royalty amounts due from franchisees, (e) Intellectual Property rights relating to the generation of any of the types of assets listed in this definition, (f) parcels of or interests in real property, together with all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof, (g) any Equity Interests of any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary and any rights under any limited liability company agreement, trust agreement, shareholders agreement, organization or formation documents or other agreement entered into in furtherance of the organization of such entity, (h) any equipment, contractual rights with unaffiliated third parties, website domains and associated property and rights necessary for a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary to operate in accordance with its stated purposes; (i) any rights and obligations associated with gift card or similar programs, and (j) other assets and property (or proceeds of such assets or property) to the extent customarily included in securitization transactions of the relevant type in the applicable jurisdictions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Security Documents” shall mean the Mortgages, the Collateral Agreement, the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreements (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Senior Unsecured Note Documents” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture and the other “Note Documents” under and as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, as each such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the $1,200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 issued pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture.

“Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, dated November 3, 2016, among the Borrower, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum” shall mean the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated October 17, 2016, as supplemented by the supplement dated October 24, 2016, as supplemented by the pricing supplement dated October 25, 2016, in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes.

“Similar Business” shall mean any business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from (i) business or activities conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, (ii) any business that is a natural outgrowth or reasonable extension, development or expansion of any such business or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing or (iii) any business that in the Borrower’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of businesses conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

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“Special Flood Hazard Area” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(c).

“Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary” shall mean (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower established in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing for the acquisition of Securitization Assets or interests therein, and which is organized in a manner (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in the event Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any such Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or other insolvency law) and (ii) any subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

“Specified L/C Sublimit” shall mean, with respect to any Issuing Bank, the amounts set forth beside such Issuing Bank’s name on Schedule 1.01(F) to the Original Credit Agreement or, in each case, such other amount as specified in the agreement pursuant to which such person becomes an Issuing Bank hereunder or, in each case, such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree or, with respect to the Issuing Bank under an Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit, the additional amount of such Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit.

“Spot Rate” shall mean, with respect to any currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m., Local Time on the date three Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made or if such rate cannot be computed as of such date such other date as the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank shall reasonably determine is appropriate under the circumstances; provided, that the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank if the person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

“Standby Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Statutory Reserves” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subagent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.02.

“subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

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“Subsidiary” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing (and except for purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained herein) an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.

“Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Closing Date as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Subsidiary Loan Party” shall mean (a) each Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that may be designated by the Borrower (by way of delivering to the Collateral Agent a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and a supplement to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, in each case, duly executed by such Subsidiary) in its sole discretion from time to time to be a guarantor in respect of the Obligations and the obligations in respect of the Loan Documents, whereupon such Subsidiary shall be obligated to comply with the other requirements of Section 5.10(d) as if it were newly acquired.

“Subsidiary Redesignation” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained in this Section 1.01.

“Successor Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05(o).

“Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Swingline Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Swingline Loans.

“Swingline Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form as shall be approved by the Swingline Lender.

“Swingline Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Swingline Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04. The aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitments on the Closing Date is $30,000,000. The Swingline Commitment is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility Commitments.

“Swingline Exposure” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Borrowings at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Swingline Lender” shall mean (a) the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans, and (b) each Revolving Facility Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

“Swingline Loans” shall mean the swingline loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.

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“Syndication Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

“Term B Borrowing” shall mean any Borrowing comprised of Term B Loans.

“Term B Facility” shall mean the commitments to make the Term B Loans under the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the Term B Loans made hereunder and thereunder.

“Term B Facility Maturity Date” shall mean November 3, 2023.

“Term B Loan Installment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(i).

“Term B Loans” shall mean (a) prior to the 2017 Effective Date, the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement), (b) on and after the 2017 Effective Date, the 2017 Term Loans made to, or exchanged with, the Borrower by the 2017 Term Lenders on the 2017 Effective Date pursuant to the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and (c) any Incremental Term Loans in the form of Term B Loans made by the Incremental Term Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(c). The aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans outstanding as of the 2017 Effective Date after giving effect to the 2017 Transactions is $2,095,000,000.

“Term Borrowing” shall mean any Term B Borrowing or any Incremental Term Borrowing.

“Term Facility” shall mean the Term B Facility and/or any or all of the Incremental Term Facilities.

“Term Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of a Lender to make Term Loans, including Term B Loans, Incremental Term Loans and/or Other Term Loans.

“Term Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Term B Facility in effect on the 2017 Effective Date, the Term B Facility Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any other Class of Term Loans, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Term Loan Installment Date” shall mean any Term B Loan Installment Date or any Incremental Term Loan Installment Date.

“Term Loans” shall mean the Term B Loans and/or the Incremental Term Loans.

“Term Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(b)(vii).

“Termination Date” shall mean the date on which (a) all Commitments shall have been terminated, (b) the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document and all other Loan Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than

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in respect of contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement claims not then due) and (c) all Letters of Credit (other than those that have been Cash Collateralized) have been cancelled or have expired and all amounts drawn or paid thereunder have been reimbursed in full.

“Testing Condition” shall be satisfied at any time if as of such time (i) the sum of without duplication (x) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (y) the aggregate stated amount (based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) of Letters of Credit issued hereunder (other than $25,000,000 of undrawn Letters of Credit and any Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in accordance with Section 2.05(j)) exceeds (ii) an amount equal to 30% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments at such time.

“Test Period” shall mean, on any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then most recently ended (taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b); provided that prior to the first date financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), the Test Period in effect shall be the four fiscal quarter period ended June 30, 2016.

“Third Party Funds” shall mean any segregated accounts or funds, or any portion thereof, received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as agent on behalf of third parties in accordance with a written agreement that imposes a duty upon Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries to collect and remit those funds to such third parties.

“Trade Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Transaction Documents” shall mean the Merger Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents.

“Transaction Expenses” shall mean any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the 2017 Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Merger Agreement and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

“Transactions” shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including (a) the consummation of the Merger; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Security Documents, and the initial borrowings hereunder; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Senior Unsecured Notes Documents; (d) the repayment in full of, and the termination of all obligations and commitments under, the Existing Credit Agreement; (e) the redemption and repayment in full, and discharge of, the Existing Notes and (f) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing.

“Type” shall mean, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall include the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the ABR.

“Uniform Commercial Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

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“Unreimbursed Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(e).

“Unrestricted Cash” shall mean cash or cash equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (1) any Subsidiary of the Borrower identified on Schedule 1.01(D) to the Original Credit Agreement, (2) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether now owned or acquired or created after the Closing Date, that is designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower shall only be permitted to so designate a new Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (b) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the Financial Covenant as of the last day of the then most recently ended Test Period, (c) such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be capitalized (to the extent capitalized by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) through Investments as permitted by, and in compliance with, Section 6.04, and any prior or concurrent Investments in such Subsidiary by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been made under Section 6.04, and (d) without duplication of clause (c), any net assets owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of the initial designation thereof shall be treated as Investments pursuant to Section 6.04; and (3) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a “Subsidiary Redesignation”); provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, certifying to the best of such officer’s knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding clause (i).

“U.S. Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“U.S. Lender” shall mean any Lender other than a Foreign Lender.

“USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, such person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such person under ordinary circumstances.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is also a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such person or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such person. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

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“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Working Capital” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, Current Assets at such date of determination minus Current Liabilities at such date of determination; provided, that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in Working Capital shall be calculated without regard to any changes in Current Assets or Current Liabilities as a result of (a) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (b) the effects of purchase accounting.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.02    Terms Generally. The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any changes in GAAP after the Closing Date, any lease of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the time of its incurrence of such lease, that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect on the Closing Date (whether such lease is entered into before or after the Closing Date) shall not constitute Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of such changes in GAAP.

Section 1.03    Effectuation of Transactions. Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions as shall have taken place on or prior to the date of determination, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 1.04    Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents. (a) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Spot Rate as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit and Alternate Currency Loans. Such Spot Rate shall

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become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rate employed in converting any amounts between the Dollars and each Alternate Currency until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial ratios hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement. No Default or Event of Default shall arise as a result of any limitation or threshold set forth in Dollars in Article VI or clause (f) or (j) of Section 7.01 being exceeded solely as a result of changes in currency exchange rates from those rates applicable on the first day of the fiscal quarter in which such determination occurs or in respect of which such determination is being made.

(b)    Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternate Currency, such amount shall be the Alternate Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternate Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Section 1.05    Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans.

(a)    The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Revolving Loans be made in a currency other than Dollars; provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars. Such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent.

(b)    Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 20 Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Event (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Facility Lender thereof. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., 10 Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency.

(c)    Any failure by a Revolving Facility Lender to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Revolving Facility Lender to permit Eurocurrency Revolving Loans to be made in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Revolving Facility Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternate Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.05, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

Section 1.06    Change of Currency.

(a)    Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the Closing Date shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of

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the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b)    Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c)    Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

Section 1.07    Timing of Payment or Performance. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, when the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.08    Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified herein, all references herein to times of day shall be references to New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

Section 1.09    Holdings. From time to time after the Closing Date, Holdings may form one or more new Subsidiaries to become direct or indirect parent companies of the Borrower; provided that, prior to a Qualified IPO, contemporaneously with the formation of the new direct parent company of the Borrower (an “Intermediate Holdings”), such person enters into a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement (or, at the option of such person, a new Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement in substantially similar form or such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person. Immediately after any Intermediate Holdings complying with the proviso in the foregoing sentence, the Guarantee incurred by the then existing Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, the Borrower shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effective), and thereafter Intermediate Holdings shall be deemed to be Holdings for all purposes of this Agreement (until any additional Intermediate Holdings shall be formed in accordance with this Section 1.09).

ARTICLE II

The Credits

Section 2.01    Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

(a)    on the 2017 Effective Date, the 2017 Term Lenders agree to make 2017 Term Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $2,095,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement,

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(b)    each Lender agrees to make Revolving Facility Loans of a Class in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans,

(c)    each Lender having an Incremental Term Loan Commitment agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Incremental Term Loan Commitment, and

(d)    amounts of Term B Loans borrowed under Section 2.01(a) or Section 2.01(c) that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.02    Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans under the same Facility and of the same Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments under the applicable Facility (or, in the case of Swingline Loans, in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments); provided, however, that Revolving Facility Loans of any Class shall be made by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided, that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing (other than a Swingline Borrowing) shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. ABR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars. Each Swingline Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. Each Lender at its option may make any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided, that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Lender shall not be entitled to any amounts payable under Section 2.15 or 2.17 solely in respect of increased costs resulting from such exercise and existing at the time of such exercise.

(c)    At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided, that an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused available balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Borrowing shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than (i) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Term Facilities at any time and (ii) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Revolving Facilities at any time. Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

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(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing of any Class if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the Term Facility Maturity Date for such Class, as applicable.

Section 2.03    Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing and/or a Term Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request electronically (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m. Local Time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing; provided, that, any such notice of an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) may be given not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing and (iii) any such notice of an Incremental Revolving Borrowing or Incremental Term Borrowing may be given at such time as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable (other than in the case of any notice given in respect of the Closing Date, which may be conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger or, in the case of notice given in respect of Incremental Commitments, which may be conditioned as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement) and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    whether such Borrowing is to be a Borrowing of Term B Loans, Revolving Facility Loans, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans as applicable;

(ii)    the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(iii)    the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv)    whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

(vi)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, the currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated (which shall be Dollars or an Alternate Currency); and

(vii)    the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

If no election as to the currency of any Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, then the requested Borrowing shall be made in Dollars. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

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Section 2.04    Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Commitment or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the applicable Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Borrowing. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b)    To request a Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request by telephone (confirmed by a Swingline Borrowing Request by electronic means), not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Borrowing. Each such notice and Swingline Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the requested date of such Swingline Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (ii) the amount of the requested Swingline Borrowing. The Swingline Lender shall consult with the Administrative Agent as to whether the making of the Swingline Loan is in accordance with the terms of this Agreement prior to the Swingline Lender funding such Swingline Loan. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 3:00 p.m., Local Time, to the account of the Borrower (or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing made to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank).

(c)    The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Facility Lenders of the applicable Class to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans made by it. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans in which the Revolving Facility Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each such Lender, specifying in such notice such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its respective obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Facility Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph (c), and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Facility Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided, that any such payment so remitted

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shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d)    The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Facility Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Facility Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Facility Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Facility Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Section 2.05    Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of one or more letters of credit or bank guarantees in Dollars or any Alternate Currency in the form of (x) trade letters of credit or bank guarantees in support of trade obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business (such letters of credit or bank guarantees issued for such purposes, “Trade Letters of Credit”) and (y) standby letters of credit issued for any other lawful purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (such letters of credit issued for such purposes, “Standby Letters of Credit”; each such letter of credit or bank guarantee, issued hereunder, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, the “Letters of Credit”) for its own account or for the account of any Subsidiary in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the applicable Availability Period and prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (x) Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch shall not be required to issue Trade Letters of Credit, (y) the Borrower shall remain primarily liable in the case of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Subsidiary and (z) the applicable Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue Letters of Credit if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any Requirements of Law binding upon such Issuing Bank or the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension: Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal (other than an automatic extension in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05) or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least three Business Days (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit where the Issuing Bank is Barclays Bank PLC, at least five Business Days) in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05), the amount and

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currency (which may be Dollars or any Alternate Currency) of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, whether such Letter of Credit constitutes a Standby Letter of Credit or a Trade Letter of Credit and such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit and (iii) with respect to the applicable Issuing Bank, the stated amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank shall not exceed the applicable Specified L/C Sublimit of such Issuing Bank then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit if such Issuing Bank does not otherwise issue letters of credit in such Alternate Currency.

(c)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension thereof, one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that any Letter of Credit with a one year tenor may provide for automatic renewal or extension thereof for additional one year periods (which, in no event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) of this paragraph (c)) so long as such Letter of Credit permits the applicable Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof within a time period during such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued; provided, further, that if such Issuing Bank consents in its sole discretion, the expiration date on any Letter of Credit may extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above, provided, that if any such Letter of Credit is outstanding or is issued under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class after the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank in an amount equal to the face amount of each such Letter of Credit on or prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to such Revolving Facility Maturity Date or, if later, such date of issuance.

(d)    Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Facility Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Facility Lender under such Class, and each such Revolving Facility Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, in Dollars, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason (calculated, in the case of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire

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participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments or the fact that, as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure at any time might exceed its Revolving Facility Commitment at such time (in which case Section 2.11(f) would apply), and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e)    Reimbursement. If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount in Dollars equal to such L/C Disbursement (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, the Dollar Equivalent thereof) not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the first Business Day after the Borrower receives notice under paragraph (g) of this Section 2.05 of such L/C Disbursement (or the second Business Day, if such notice is received after 12:00 noon, Local Time), together with accrued interest thereon from the date of such L/C Disbursement at the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Facility Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing of the applicable Class, as applicable, in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to reimburse any L/C Disbursement when due, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each other applicable Revolving Facility Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof (the “Unreimbursed Amount”) and, in the case of a Revolving Facility Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Facility Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment of the applicable Class shall pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars its Revolving Facility Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Facility Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any L/C Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Revolving Loan or a Swingline Borrowing as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement.

(f)    Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the

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Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank, or any of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first sentence; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are determined by final and binding decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g)    Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of any such demand for payment under a Letter of Credit and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.

(h)    Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on the date such L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that, if such L/C Disbursement is not reimbursed by the Borrower when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05 to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Facility Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i)    Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be

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issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of such Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j)    Cash Collateralization Following Certain Events. If and when the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize any Revolving L/C Exposure relating to any outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to any of Section 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g), 2.22(a)(v) or 7.01, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with or at the direction of the Collateral Agent, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash in Dollars equal to the Revolving L/C Exposure as of such date (or, in the case of Sections 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g) and 2.22(a)(v), the portion thereof required by such sections). Each deposit of Cash Collateral (x) made pursuant to this paragraph or (y) made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22(a)(ii), in each case, shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of (i) for so long as an Event of Default shall be continuing, the Collateral Agent and (ii) at any other time, the Borrower, in each case, in Permitted Investments and at the risk and expense of the Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for L/C Disbursements for which such Issuing Bank has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with Revolving L/C Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender or the occurrence of a limit under Section 2.11(e), (f) or (g) being exceeded, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or the termination of the Defaulting Lender status or the limits under Sections 2.11(e), (f) and (g) no longer being exceeded, as applicable.

(k)    Cash Collateralization Following Termination of the Revolving Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event of the prepayment in full of all outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and the termination of all Revolving Facility Commitments (a “Revolving Facility Termination Event”) in connection with which the Borrower notifies any one or more Issuing Banks that it intends to maintain one or more Letters of Credit initially issued under this Agreement in effect after the date of such Revolving Facility Termination Event (each, a “Continuing Letter of Credit”), then the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral under the Security Documents may be terminated in accordance with Section 9.18 if each such Continuing Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount, which shall be deposited with or at the direction of each such Issuing Bank.

(l)    Additional Issuing Banks. From time to time, the Borrower may by notice to the Administrative Agent designate any Lender (in addition to the initial Issuing Banks) each of which agrees (in its sole discretion) to act in such capacity and is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as an Issuing Bank. Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.

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(m)    Reporting. Unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall (i) provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any notice received from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b) no later than the next Business Day after receipt thereof and (ii) report in writing to the Administrative Agent (A) on or prior to each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment or extension, and the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension occurred (and whether the amount thereof changed), and such Issuing Bank shall be permitted to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit if the Administrative Agent shall not have advised such Issuing Bank that such issuance, amendment or extension would not be in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, (B) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any L/C Disbursement, the date of such L/C Disbursement and the amount of such L/C Disbursement and (C) on any other Business Day, such other information with respect to the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

Section 2.06    Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Local Time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided, that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account or accounts designated by the Borrower as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided, that ABR Revolving Loans and Swingline Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of a L/C Disbursement and reimbursements as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 2.06 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of (A) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans at such time. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    The foregoing notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may from its own funds make a Revolving Facility Loan on behalf of the Lenders (including by means of Swingline Loans to the Borrower). In such event, the applicable Lenders on behalf of whom the

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Administrative Agent made the Revolving Facility Loan shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for all or any portion of such Revolving Facility Loan made on its behalf upon written notice given to each applicable Lender not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the Business Day such reimbursement is requested. The entire amount of interest attributable to such Revolving Facility Loan for the period from and including the date on which such Revolving Facility Loan was made on such Lender’s behalf to but excluding the date the Administrative Agent is reimbursed in respect of such Revolving Facility Loan by such Lender shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for its own account.

Section 2.07    Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.

(c)    Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii)    the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii)    whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv)    if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall be in an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum and satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(c) regarding the maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type.

(d)    Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

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(e)    If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.08    Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments of each Class shall terminate on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class. On the 2017 Effective Date (after giving effect to the exchange of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) by the 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lenders (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) for 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and the funding of the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and the Incremental Term B Loans, in each case to be made on such date), the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments (each, as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) of each Lender as of the 2017 Effective Date will terminate.

(b)    The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class; provided, that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $1,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class) and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans in accordance with Section 2.11 and any Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.05(j) or (k), the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class (excluding any Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit) would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

(c)    The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.08 at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (or such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent), specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be irrevocable; provided, that a notice of termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

Section 2.09    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan to the Borrower on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date applicable to such Revolving Facility Loans, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender

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as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan applicable to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments on the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least five Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided, that on each date that a Revolving Facility Borrowing is made by the Borrower, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b)    Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Facility and Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d)    The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of this Section 2.09 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e)    Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note (a “Note”). In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed to by the applicable Lender, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if requested by such payee, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.10    Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans. (a) Subject to the other clauses of this Section 2.10 and to Section 9.08(e),

(i)    the Borrower shall repay the Term B Loans incurred on the 2017 Effective Date on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year (commencing on the last day of the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the 2017 Effective Date) and on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date or, if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (each such date being referred to as a “Term B Loan Installment Date”), in an aggregate principal amount of such Term B Loans equal to (A) in the case of quarterly payments due prior to the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of such Term B Loans outstanding immediately after the 2017 Effective Date, and (B) in the case of such payment due on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of such Term B Loans outstanding;

(ii)    in the event that any Incremental Term Loans are made, the Borrower shall repay such Incremental Term Loans on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the related Incremental Assumption Agreement (each such date being referred to as an “Incremental Term Loan Installment Date”); and

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(iii)    to the extent not previously paid, outstanding Term Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date.

(b)    To the extent not previously paid, outstanding Revolving Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

(c)    Prepayment of the Loans from:

(i)    all Net Proceeds pursuant to Section 2.11(b) and Excess Cash Flow pursuant to Section 2.11(c) shall be allocated to the Class or Classes of Term Loans determined pursuant to Section 2.10(d), with the application thereof to reduce in direct order amounts due on the succeeding Term Loan Installment Dates under such Classes as provided in the remaining scheduled amortization payments under such Classes; provided, that any Lender, at its option, may elect to decline any such prepayment of any Term Loan held by it if it shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent thereof by 5:00 p.m. Local Time at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment (any such Lender, a “Declining Lender”) and on the date of any such prepayment, any amounts that would otherwise have been applied to prepay Term Loans owing to Declining Lenders (such amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) shall instead be retained by the Borrower for application for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement, and

(ii)    any optional prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) shall be applied to the remaining installments of the Term Loans under the applicable Class or Classes as the Borrower may in each case direct.

(d)    Any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or (c) shall be applied so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated among the Term B Loans and the Other Term Loans, if any, pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Term B Loans and Other Term Loans, if any; provided, that, subject to the pro rata application to Loans outstanding within any Class of Term Loans, the Borrower may allocate such prepayment in its discretion among the Class or Classes of Term Loans as the Borrower may specify (so long as such allocation complies with Section 2.21(b) or Section 2.21(f), as applicable). Prior to any prepayment of any Loan under any Facility hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings under the applicable Facility to be prepaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of such selection not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, at least one Business Day before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or in the case of a Swingline Loan, on the scheduled date of such prepayment) and (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, at least three Business Days before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or, in each case such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided, that a notice of prepayment may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each repayment of a Borrowing (x) in the case of the Revolving Facility of any Class, shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class at the time of such repayment) and (y) in all other cases, shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. All repayments of Loans shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid to the extent required by Section 2.13(d).

Section 2.11    Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.12(d) and Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 2.10(d).

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(b)    The Borrower shall apply all Net Proceeds promptly upon receipt thereof to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may use a portion of such Net Proceeds to prepay or repurchase any Other First Lien Debt, in each case in an amount not to exceed the product of (x) the amount of such Net Proceeds and (y) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and (B) the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and the outstanding principal amount of all Classes of Term Loans.

(c)    Not later than 5 Business Days after the date on which the annual financial statements are, or are required to be, delivered under Section 5.04(a) with respect to each Excess Cash Flow Period, the Borrower shall calculate Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period and the Borrower shall apply an amount equal to (i) the amount by which the Required Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow exceeds $5,000,000 (the “ECF Threshold Amount”) minus (ii) to the extent not financed using the proceeds of the incurrence of funded term Indebtedness, the sum of (A) the amount of any voluntary payments during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (A), the amount of any voluntary payments after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of (x) Term Loans (it being understood that the amount of any such payment constituting a below-par Permitted Loan Purchase shall be calculated to equal the amount of cash used and not the principal amount deemed prepaid therewith) and (y) Other First Lien Debt (provided that (i) in the case of the prepayment of any revolving Indebtedness, there was a corresponding reduction in commitments and (ii) the maximum amount of each such prepayment of Other First Lien Debt that may be counted for purposes of this clause (A)(y) shall not exceed the amount that would have been prepaid in respect of such Other First Lien Debt if such prepayment had been applied on a ratable basis among the Term Loans and such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt on the date of such prepayment)) and (B) the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (B), the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of Revolving Facility Commitments to the extent that an equal amount of Revolving Facility Loans was simultaneously repaid (I) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10 or (II) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10 and to prepay any Other First Lien Debt in accordance with the agreement(s) governing such Other First Lien Debt so long as the prepayments under this clause (II) are applied in a manner such that the Term Loans are prepaid on at least a ratable basis with such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt being prepaid under this clause (II) on the date of such prepayment). Such calculation will be set forth in a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent setting forth the amount, if any, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, the amount of any required prepayment in respect thereof and the calculation thereof in reasonable detail.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.11 to the contrary, (i) to the extent that any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Foreign Subsidiary or Excess Cash Flow attributable to a Foreign Subsidiary would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but is prohibited, restricted or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States of America, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt at the times

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provided in Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States of America, and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c), to the extent provided therein and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any or all of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) would have a material adverse tax consequence with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary (the Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Subsidiary to promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions within the reasonable control of the Borrower that are reasonably required to eliminate such tax effects).

(e)    In the event that the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings of such Class (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, provide Cash Collateral in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(f)    In the event that the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(g)    If as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, on any Revaluation Date, (i) the total Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class or (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of such Revaluation Date (A) prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings or (B) provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j), in an aggregate amount such that the applicable exposure does not exceed the applicable commitment sublimit or amount set forth above.

Section 2.12    Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a “Commitment Fee”) on the daily amount of the applicable Available Unused Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter (or other period commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated) at a rate equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. For purposes of calculating any Lender’s Commitment Fee, the outstanding Swingline Loans during the period for which such Lender’s Commitment Fee is calculated shall be deemed to be zero. The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall commence to accrue on the Closing Date and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein.

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(b)    The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay (i) to each Revolving Facility Lender of each Class (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee in Dollars (an “L/C Participation Fee”) on such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the daily aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed L/C Disbursements) of such Class, during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall be terminated) at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowings of such Class effective for each day in such period accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account (x) on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated, a fronting fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including the termination of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate equal to 1/8 of 1.00% per annum of the Dollar Equivalent of the daily stated amount of such Letter of Credit, plus (y) in connection with the issuance, amendment or transfer of any such Letter of Credit or any L/C Disbursement thereunder, such Issuing Bank’s customary documentary and processing fees and charges (collectively, “Issuing Bank Fees”). All L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

(c)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the “Senior Facilities Administration Fee” as set forth in the Fee Letter, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, at the times specified therein (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).

(d)    In the event that, on or prior to the date that is six months after the 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower shall (x) make a prepayment of the Term B Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) with the proceeds of any new or replacement tranche of long-term secured term loans that are broadly syndicated to banks and other institutional investors in financings similar to the Term B Loans and have an All-in Yield that is less than the All-in Yield of such Term B Loans (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to securitizations) or (y) effect any amendment to this Agreement which reduces the All-in Yield of the Term B Loans (other than, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), in connection with a Qualified IPO, a Change in Control or a transformative acquisition referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Loan Lenders, (A) in the case of clause (x), a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans so prepaid and (B) in the case of clause (y), a fee equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Term B Loans for which the All-in Yield has been reduced pursuant to such amendment. Such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of such prepayment or the effective date of such amendment, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 2.12(d), a “transformative acquisition” is any acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is (i) not permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition or (ii) if permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition, would not provide the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with adequate flexibility under the Loan Documents for the continuation and/or expansion of their combined operations following such consummation, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

(e)    All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

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Section 2.13    Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding clauses of this Section 2.13 or (ii) in the case of any other overdue amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in clause (a) of this Section; provided, that this clause (c) shall not apply to any Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.

(d)    Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears (i) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, (ii) in the case of Revolving Facility Loans, upon termination of the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments and (iii) in the case of the Term Loans, on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (A) interest accrued pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.13 shall be payable on demand, (B) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Loan that is an ABR Loan that is not made in conjunction with a permanent commitment reduction), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (C) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e)    All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the ABR at times when the ABR is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable ABR, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.14    Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or electronic means as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to or continued as on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto an ABR Borrowing, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

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Section 2.15    Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or Issuing Bank; or

(ii)    subject any Lender to any Tax with respect to any Loan Document (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 2.17 or (ii) Excluded Taxes); or

(iii)    impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements or liquidity has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)    A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, that any such certificate claiming amounts described in clause (x) or (y) of the definition of “Change in Law” shall, in addition, state the basis upon which such amount has been calculated and certify that such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s demand for payment of such costs hereunder, and such method of allocation is not inconsistent with its treatment of other borrowers which, as a credit matter, are similarly situated to the Borrower and which are subject to similar provisions. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Promptly after any Lender or any Issuing Bank has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower thereof. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand

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compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.15 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 2.16    Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow (other than due to the default of the relevant Lender), convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender (it being understood that the deemed amount shall not exceed the actual amount) to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurocurrency Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.17    Taxes. (a) Any and all payments made by or on behalf of a Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided, that if a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirement of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time allowed and in accordance with applicable Requirement of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. Whenever any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by a Loan Party, as promptly as possible thereafter, such Loan Party shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of a Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an official receipt (or other evidence acceptable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender, acting reasonably) received by the Loan Party showing payment thereof. Without duplication, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.17, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the

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Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by applicable Requirements of Law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(b)    The Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes.

(c)    The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender within 15 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)    Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to withholding of Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, any such withholding of Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

(e)    Without limiting the generality of Section 2.17(d), each Foreign Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

(i)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to the date on which the first payment to the Foreign Lender is due hereunder, two copies of (A) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or any applicable successor form) (together with a certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit I to the Original Credit Agreement, such certificate, the “Non-Bank Tax Certificate”) certifying that such Foreign Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a “10-percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower and is not a CFC related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code), and that the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States of America), (B) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Foreign Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) IRS Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in

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clauses (A) and (B) above, provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, the Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Foreign Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(ii)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

Any Foreign Lender that becomes legally ineligible to update any form or certification previously delivered shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such Foreign Lender’s inability to do so.

Each person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 9.04 or a Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 2.17(e); provided that a Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

In addition, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding or such other properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law certifying its entitlement to an available exemption from applicable U.S. federal withholding taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Agent by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document including, as applicable, an IRS Form W-8IMY certifying that the Agent is a U.S. branch and intends to be treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding under Chapter 3 of the Code pursuant to Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations, and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation.

(f)    If any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a payment has been made by a Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by such Loan Party, then the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Loan Party for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position (taking into account expenses or any Taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the Indemnified Tax or

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Other Tax giving rise to such refund had not been imposed in the first instance; provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Lender or the Administrative Agent agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender or the Administrative Agent in the event the Lender or the Administrative Agent is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender or the Administrative Agent shall claim any refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party in connection with this clause (f) or any other provision of this Section 2.17.

(g)    If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts or indemnification payments, each affected Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17(g). Nothing in this Section 2.17(g) shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such person.

(h)    Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two IRS Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Closing Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(i)    If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(i), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.

(j)    The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable under any Loan Document.

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For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the terms “applicable law” and “applicable Requirement of Law” include FATCA.

Section 2.18    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of L/C Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds. Each such payment shall be made without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments made under the Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars (or, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans or Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, in the applicable Alternate Currency). Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.

(b)    Subject to Section 7.02, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed L/C Disbursements, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (ii) second, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, and (iii) third, towards payment of principal then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c)    If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of, or interest on, any of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements or Swingline Loans of a given Class resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender entitled to receive the same proportion of such payment, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase participations in the Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class of such other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders entitled thereto ratably in accordance with the principal amount of each such Lender’s respective Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the

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extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this clause (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements to any assignee or participant. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e)    If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06 or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.19    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.20, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)    If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.20, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require any such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks), to the

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extent consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.20, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender. No action by or consent of the removed Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such removed Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04, provided, that if such removed Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

(c)    If any Lender (such Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) at its sole expense (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to (and any such Non-Consenting Lender agrees that it shall, upon the Borrower’s request) assign its Loans and its Commitments (or, at the Borrower’s option, the Loans and Commitments under the Facility that is the subject of the proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination) hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to (i) the Administrative Agent (unless such assignee is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) and (ii) if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks; provided, that: (a) all Loan Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, (b) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the replacement Lender or, at the option of the Borrower, the Borrower shall pay any amount required by Section 2.12(d)(y), if applicable, and (c) the replacement Lender shall grant its consent with respect to the applicable proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination. No action by or consent of the Non-Consenting Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04; provided, that if such Non-Consenting Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

Section 2.20    Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make or maintain any Eurocurrency Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all

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Eurocurrency Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted.

Section 2.21    Incremental Commitments. (a) The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time, request Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, in an amount not to exceed the Incremental Amount available at the time such Incremental Commitments are established (or at the time any commitment relating thereto is entered into or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) from one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders (which may include any existing Lender) willing to provide such Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as the case may be, in their own discretion; provided, that each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender providing a commitment to make revolving loans shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and, to the extent the same would be required for an assignment under Section 9.04, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender is a Revolving Facility Lender. Such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $5,000,000 and a minimum amount of $10,000,000, or equal to the remaining Incremental Amount or, in each case, such lesser amount approved by the Administrative Agent), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are requested to become effective, (iii) in the case of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, whether such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make additional Revolving Facility Loans on the same terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) commitments to make revolving loans with pricing terms, final maturity dates, participation in mandatory prepayments or commitment reductions and/or other terms different from the Initial Revolving Loans (“Other Revolving Loans”) and (iv) in the case of Incremental Term Loan Commitments, whether such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make term loans with terms identical to Term B Loans or (y) commitments to make term loans with pricing, maturity, amortization, participation in mandatory prepayments and/or other terms different from the Term B Loans (“Other Term Loans”).

(b)    The Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment of such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that:

(i)    any commitments to make additional Term B Loans and/or additional Initial Revolving Loans shall have the same terms as the Term B Loans or Initial Revolving Loans, respectively,

(ii)    the Other Term Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Term B Loans (provided, that if such Other Term Loans rank junior in right of security with the Term B Loans, such Other Term Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be subject to clause (vii) below),

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(iii)    the final maturity date of any such Other Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date and, except as to pricing, amortization, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Term B Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(iv)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any such Other Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans,

(v)    the Other Revolving Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Initial Revolving Loans (provided, that if such Other Revolving Loans rank junior in right of security with the Initial Revolving Loans, such Other Revolving Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement),

(vi)    the final maturity date of any such Other Revolving Loans shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date with respect to the Initial Revolving Loans and, except as to pricing, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(vii)    with respect to any Other Term Loan incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Term B Loans, the All-in Yield shall be the same as that applicable to the Term B Loans on the Closing Date, except that the All-in Yield in respect of any such Other Term Loan may exceed the All-in Yield in respect of such Term B Loans on the Closing Date by no more than 0.50%, or if it does so exceed such All-in Yield by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Term Yield Differential”) then the Applicable Margin (or the “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Term Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Term Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Other Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Term Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to the outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Other Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans then outstanding;

(viii)    (A) such Other Revolving Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in (x) any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (y) any Borrowing at the time such Borrowing is made and (B) such Other Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder; and

(ix)    there shall be no obligor in respect of any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

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Each party hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 2.21 and any such collateral and other documentation shall be deemed “Loan Documents” hereunder and may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective under this Section 2.21 unless (i) on the date of such effectiveness, (A) to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, the conditions set forth in clause (c) of Section 4.01 shall be satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) if such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment is established for a purpose other than financing any Permitted Business Acquisition or any other acquisition that is permitted by this Agreement, no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received customary legal opinions, board resolutions and other customary closing certificates and documentation as required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement and, to the extent required by the Administrative Agent, consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.02 of the Original Credit Agreement and such additional customary documents and filings (including amendments to the Mortgages and other Security Documents and title endorsement bringdowns) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to assure that the Incremental Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are secured by the Collateral ratably with (or, to the extent set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, junior to) one or more Classes of then-existing Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans.

(d)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) all Incremental Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the outstanding applicable Class of Term Loans on a pro rata basis, and (ii) all Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments (other than Revolving Facility Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the applicable Class of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans on a pro rata basis. The Borrower agrees that Section 2.16 shall apply to any conversion of Eurocurrency Loans to ABR Loans reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to effect the foregoing.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (e) through (i) of this Section 2.21), pursuant to one or more offers made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of any Class of Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitments, on a pro rata basis (based, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, on the aggregate outstanding Term Loans of such Class and, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, on the aggregate outstanding Revolving Facility Commitments under such Revolving Facility, as applicable) and on the same terms (“Pro Rata Extension Offers”), the Borrower is hereby permitted to consummate transactions with individual Lenders from time to time to extend the maturity date of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class and to otherwise modify the terms of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class pursuant to the terms of the relevant Pro Rata Extension Offer (including, without limitation, increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Lender’s Loans and/or

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Commitments and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Loans). For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to “on the same terms” in the preceding sentence shall mean, (i) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, that all of the Term Loans of such Class are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same and (ii) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, that all of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Facility are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same. Any such extension (an “Extension”) agreed to between the Borrower and any such Lender (an “Extending Lender”) will be established under this Agreement by implementing an Incremental Term Loan for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Term Loan (such extended Term Loan, an “Extended Term Loan”) or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Revolving Facility Commitment (such extended Revolving Facility Commitment, an “Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” and any Revolving Facility Loans made thereunder, “Extended Revolving Loans”). Each Pro Rata Extension Offer shall specify the date on which the Borrower proposes that the Extended Term Loan shall be made or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(f)    The Borrower and each Extending Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments of such Extending Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that (i) except as to interest rates, fees and any other pricing terms (which interest rates, fees and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)), and amortization, final maturity date and participation in prepayments and commitment reductions (which shall, subject to clauses (ii) and (iii) of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), the Extended Term Loans shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Term Loans or (y) such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) the final maturity date of any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the latest Term Facility Maturity Date in effect on the date of incurrence, (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans to which such offer relates, (iv) except as to interest rates, fees, any other pricing terms, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and final maturity (which shall be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), any Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Revolving Facility Commitments or (y) have such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in respect of any other terms that would affect the rights or duties of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, such terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, (v) any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (vi) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder. Upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any such deemed amendment may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto. If provided in any Incremental Assumption Agreement with respect to any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments, and

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with the consent of each Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be reallocated to lenders holding such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments in the manner specified in such Incremental Assumption Agreement, including upon effectiveness of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment or upon or prior to the maturity date for any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(g)    Upon the effectiveness of any such Extension, the applicable Extending Lender’s Term Loan will be automatically designated an Extended Term Loan and/or such Extending Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment will be automatically designated an Extended Revolving Facility Commitment. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if such Extending Lender is extending a Term Loan, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Extended Term Loan and (ii) if such Extending Lender is extending a Revolving Facility Commitment, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment.

(h)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) any Extending Lender may extend all or any portion of its Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to one or more Pro Rata Extension Offers (subject to applicable proration in the case of over participation) (including the extension of any Extended Term Loan and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment), (iv) there shall be no condition to any Extension of any Loan or Commitment at any time or from time to time other than notice to the Administrative Agent of such Extension and the terms of the Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment implemented thereby, (v) all Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Loan Obligations of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations relating to an existing Class of Term Loans of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (vi) no Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be obligated to provide Swingline Loans or issue Letters of Credit under such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments unless it shall have consented thereto and (vii) there shall be no obligor in respect of any such Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

(i)    Each Extension shall be consummated pursuant to procedures set forth in the associated Pro Rata Extension Offer; provided, that the Borrower shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent prior to making any Pro Rata Extension Offer to establish reasonable procedures with respect to mechanical provisions relating to such Extension, including, without limitation, timing, rounding and other adjustments.

(j)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (j) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional tranches of term loans under this Agreement (such loans, “Refinancing Term Loans”), the net cash proceeds of which are used to Refinance in whole or in part any Class of Term Loans. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Refinancing Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Refinancing Term Loans shall be made, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided, that:

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(i)    before and after giving effect to the borrowing of such Refinancing Term Loans on the Refinancing Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans;

(ii)    the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans,

(iii)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be no shorter than the then-remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the refinanced Term Loans;

(iv)    the aggregate principal amount of the Refinancing Term Loans shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the refinanced Term Loans plus amounts used to pay fees, premiums, costs and expenses (including original issue discount) and accrued interest associated therewith;

(v)    all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may establish Refinancing Term Loans to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Revolving Facility Commitment (regardless of whether Revolving Facility Loans are outstanding under such Revolving Facility Commitments at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Term Loans), so long as (1) the aggregate amount of such Refinancing Term Loans does not exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments terminated at the time of incurrence thereof, (2) if the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure outstanding on the Refinancing Effective Date would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding in each case after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall take one or more actions such that such Revolving Facility Credit Exposure does not exceed such aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Refinancing Effective Date after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments (it being understood that (x) such Refinancing Term Loans may be provided by the Lenders holding the Revolving Facility Commitments being terminated and/or by any other person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder and (y) the proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans shall not constitute Net Proceeds hereunder), (3) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Refinancing Term Loans (disregarding any customary amortization for this purpose) shall be no shorter than the remaining life to termination of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments, (4) the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the termination date of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments and (5) all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the

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Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith;

(vi)    with respect to Refinancing Term Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu or junior in right of security to the Term B Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

(vii)    there shall be no obligor in respect of such Refinancing Term Loans that is not a Loan Party.

(k)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans; provided, that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Refinancing Term Loan. Any Refinancing Term Loans made on any Refinancing Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that any Refinancing Term Loans may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Term Loans made to the Borrower.

(l)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (l) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional Facilities providing for revolving commitments (“Replacement Revolving Facilities” and the commitments thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” and the revolving loans thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Loans”), which replace in whole or in part any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments under this Agreement. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall become effective, which shall be a date not less than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that: (i) before and after giving effect to the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; (ii) after giving effect to the establishment of any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and any concurrent reduction in the aggregate amount of any other Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding immediately prior to the applicable Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date; (iii) no Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall have a final maturity date (or require commitment reductions or amortizations) prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence for the Revolving Facility Commitments being replaced; (iv) all other terms applicable to such Replacement Revolving Facility (other than provisions relating to (x) fees, interest rates and other pricing terms and prepayment and commitment reduction and optional redemption terms which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and (y) the amount of any letter of credit sublimit and swingline commitment under such

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Replacement Revolving Facility, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower, the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, the Administrative Agent and the replacement issuing bank and replacement swingline lender, if any, under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Initial Revolving Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); and (v) there shall be no obligor in respect of such Replacement Revolving Facility that is not a Loan Party. In addition, the Borrower may establish Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Term Loan hereunder (regardless of whether such Term Loan is repaid with the proceeds of Replacement Revolving Loans or otherwise), so long as the aggregate amount of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments does not exceed the aggregate amount of Term Loans repaid at the time of establishment thereof (it being understood that such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment may be provided by the Lenders holding the Term Loans being repaid and/or by any other Person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder) so long as (i) before and after giving effect to the establishment such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the remaining life to termination of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity then applicable to the refinanced Term Loans, (iii) the final termination date of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans, (iv) with respect to Replacement Revolving Loans secured by Liens on Collateral that rank junior in right of security to the Initial Revolving Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (v) the requirement of clause (v) in the preceding sentence shall be satisfied mutatis mutandis. Solely to the extent that an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender is not a replacement issuing bank or replacement swingline lender, as the case may be, under a Replacement Revolving Facility, it is understood and agreed that such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall not be required to issue any letters of credit or swingline loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility and, to the extent it is necessary for such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender to withdraw as an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, at the time of the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility, such withdrawal shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in its sole discretion. The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in full upon demand, for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket cost or expense attributable to such withdrawal.

(m)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee of a Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment made on any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Revolving Facility Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(n)    On any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each of the Lenders with Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall purchase from each of the other Lenders with Replacement

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Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class, at the principal amount thereof and in the applicable currencies, such interests in the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class then outstanding on such Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class will be held by the Lenders thereunder ratably in accordance with their Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments.

(o)    For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if a Lender is providing a Refinancing Term Loan, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Refinancing Term Loan and (ii) if a Lender is providing a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Refinancing Term Loans and Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) there shall be no condition to any incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment at any time or from time to time other than those set forth in clauses (j) or (l) above, as applicable, and (iv) all Refinancing Term Loans, Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(p)    Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, (i) for the purpose of determining the number of outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowings upon the incurrence of any Incremental Loans, (x) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Term Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (y) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Revolving Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) the initial Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing of Incremental Loans may, at the Borrower’s option, be of a duration of a number of Business Days that is less than one month, and the Adjusted LIBO Rate with respect to such initial Interest Period shall be the same as the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to any then-outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing as the Borrower may direct, so long as the last day of such initial Interest Period is the same as the last day of the Interest Period with respect to such outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing.

Section 2.22    Defaulting Lender. (a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i)    Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Facility Lenders.”

(ii)    Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, following an Event of Default or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.06 shall be

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applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder, third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.05(j), fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.05(j), sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii)    Certain Fees. (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

(B)    Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive L/C Participation Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its pro rata share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral.

(C)    With respect to any Commitment Fee or L/C Participation Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv)    Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective pro rata Commitments (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

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(v)    Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, within three (3) Business Days following the written request of (i) the Administrative Agent or (ii) the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, as applicable (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j).

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Facility Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that, no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c)    New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

On the date of each Credit Event, the Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders that:

Section 3.01    Organization; Powers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, each of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and each of the Material Subsidiaries (a) is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or, if applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, enjoys the equivalent status under the laws of any jurisdiction of organization outside the United States of America) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

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Section 3.02    Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties and, in the case of Section 3.02(a) and 3.02(b)(i)(B), Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the borrowings hereunder (a) have been duly authorized by all corporate, stockholder, partnership or limited liability company action required to be obtained by Holdings, the Borrower and such Subsidiary Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Holdings, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited liability company or operating agreements) or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower, or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party or (D) any provision of any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (ii) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under any such indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.02(b), would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to (x) any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, or (y) any Equity Interests of the Borrower now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), other than Liens created by the Loan Documents or Liens permitted by Article VIA.

Section 3.03    Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party that is party thereto and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement when executed and delivered by Holdings will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against the Borrower, such Subsidiary Loan Party and Holdings, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and (iv) any foreign laws, rules and regulations as they relate to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

Section 3.04    Governmental Approvals. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required for the execution, delivery or performance of each Loan Document to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party is a party, except for (a) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, (b) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office and comparable offices in foreign jurisdictions and equivalent filings in foreign jurisdictions, (c) recordation of the Mortgages, (d) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect, (e) such actions, consents and approvals the failure of which to be obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (f) filings or other actions listed on Schedule 3.04 to the Original Credit Agreement and any other filings or registrations required by the Security Documents.

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Section 3.05    Financial Statements. (a) The audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 and the statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flow as of and for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the notes thereto, if applicable, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods referred to therein and the results of operations and, if applicable, cash flows for the periods then ended, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.05 to the Original Credit Agreement, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except, in the case of interim period financial statements, for the absence of notes and for normal year-end adjustments and except as otherwise noted therein.

Section 3.06    No Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with other events or circumstances, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07    Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has valid title in fee simple or equivalent to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all its Real Properties (including all Mortgaged Properties) and has valid title to its personal property and assets, in each case, except for Permitted Liens and except for defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Permitted Liens or Liens arising by operation of law. The Equity Interests of the Borrower owned by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens permitted by Article VIA.

(b)    The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has complied with all material obligations under all leases to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the failure to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any pending or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting any material portion of the Mortgaged Properties or any sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation that remains unresolved as of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(c) to the Original Credit Agreement.

(d)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is obligated under any right of first refusal, option or other contractual right to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property or any interest therein, except as permitted under Section 6.02 or 6.05 or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)    Schedule 1.01(E) to the Original Credit Agreement lists each Material Real Property owned by any Loan Party as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.08    Subsidiaries. (a) Schedule 3.08(a) to the Original Credit Agreement sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary.

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(b)    As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors (or entities controlled by directors) and shares held by directors (or entities controlled by directors)) relating to any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(b) to the Original Credit Agreement.

Section 3.09    Litigation; Compliance with Laws. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such person (including those that involve any Loan Document) that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, except for any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration which has been disclosed in any of the Company’s or Merger Sub’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the Closing Date or which arises out of the same facts and circumstances, and alleges substantially the same complaints and damages, as any action, suit or proceeding so disclosed and in which there has been no material adverse change since the date of such disclosure.

(b)    None of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any law, rule or regulation (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permit, but excluding any Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.16) or any restriction of record or agreement affecting any Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.10    Federal Reserve Regulations. Neither the making of any Loan (or the extension of any Letter of Credit) hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

Section 3.11    Investment Company Act. None of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.12    Use of Proceeds. (a) The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans, and may request the issuance of Letters of Credit, solely for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the 2017 Transactions, Permitted Business Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures and Transaction Expenses and, in the case of Letters of Credit, for the back-up or replacement of existing letters of credit) and (b) the Borrower will use the proceeds of (i) the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans made on the 2017 Effective Date, together with cash on hand of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, to refinance the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and to pay related Transaction Expenses and (ii) the Incremental Term B Loans for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for the 2017 Transactions, Permitted Business Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures and Transaction Expenses).

Section 3.13    Tax Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 to the Original Credit Agreement:

(a)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) and each such Tax return is true and correct;

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(b)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable by it on the returns referred to in clause (a) and all other Taxes or assessments (or made adequate provision (in accordance with GAAP) for the payment of all Taxes due), except Taxes or assessments that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP; and

(c)    Other than as would not be, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the Closing Date, with respect to the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries, there are no claims being asserted in writing with respect to any Taxes.

Section 3.14    No Material Misstatements. (a) All written factual information (other than the Projections, forward looking information and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “Information”) concerning the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Original Credit Agreement included in the Information Memorandum or otherwise prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated by the Original Credit Agreement (to the extent such Information relates to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, to the Company’s knowledge), when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Closing Date and did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made (giving effect to all supplements and updates provided thereto).

(b)    The Projections and other forward looking information and information of a general economic nature prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being understood that such Projections are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ significantly from the projected results, and that no assurance can be given that the projected results will be realized), as of the date such Projections and information were furnished to the Lenders.

Section 3.15    Employee Benefit Plans. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no Reportable Event has occurred during the past five years as to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate was required to file a report with the PBGC, other than reports that have been filed; (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (iii) none of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has received any written notification that any Multiemployer Plan has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

Section 3.16    Environmental Matters. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no written notice, request for information, order, complaint or penalty has been received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial, administrative or other actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to

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the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has all environmental permits, licenses and other approvals necessary for its operations to comply with all Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”) and is in compliance with the terms of such Environmental Permits and with all other Environmental Laws, (iii) no Hazardous Material is located at, on or under any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, and no Hazardous Material has been generated, used, treated, stored, handled, disposed of or controlled, transported or Released at any location in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, (iv) there are no agreements in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has expressly assumed or undertaken responsibility for any known or reasonably likely liability or obligation of any other person arising under or relating to Environmental Laws, which in any such case has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, and (v) there has been no material written environmental assessment or audit conducted (other than customary assessments not revealing anything that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned or leased by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date.

Section 3.17    Security Documents. (a) Each of the Collateral Agreement and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), in each case, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. As of the Closing Date, in the case of the Pledged Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement, when certificates or promissory notes, as applicable, representing such Pledged Collateral and required to be delivered under the applicable Security Document are delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement (other than the Intellectual Property), when financing statements and other filings specified in the Perfection Certificate are filed in the offices specified in the Perfection Certificate, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and, subject to Section 9-315 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person (except Permitted Liens).

(b)    When the Collateral Agreement or an ancillary document thereunder is properly filed and recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and, with respect to Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected by such filings, upon the proper filing of the financing statements referred to in clause (a) above, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected (subject to exceptions arising from defects in the chain of title, which defects in the aggregate do not constitute a Material Adverse Effect hereunder) Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in the material United States Intellectual Property included in the Collateral (but, in the case of the United States registered copyrights included in the Collateral, only to the extent such United States registered copyrights are listed in such ancillary document filed with the United States Copyright Office) listed in such ancillary document, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on material registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Loan Parties after the Closing Date).

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(c)    The Mortgages executed and delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.10 shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) legal, valid and enforceable Liens on all of the Loan Parties’ rights, titles and interests in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgages are filed or recorded in the proper real estate filing or recording offices, and all relevant mortgage taxes and recording charges are duly paid, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have valid Liens with record notice to third parties on, and security interests in, all rights, titles and interests of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and, to the extent applicable, subject to Section 9-315 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything herein (including this Section 3.17) or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, no Borrower or any other Loan Party makes any representation or warranty as to the effects of perfection or non-perfection, the priority or the enforceability of any pledge of or security interest in any Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, or as to the rights and remedies of the Agents or any Lender with respect thereto, under foreign law.

Section 3.18    Location of Real Property. The Perfection Certificate lists correctly, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date all Material Real Property owned by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties and the addresses thereof. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties own in fee all the Real Property set forth as being owned by them in the Perfection Certificate except to the extent set forth therein.

Section 3.19    Solvency. (a) As of the 2017 Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the 2017 Transactions on the 2017 Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the 2017 Effective Date.

(b)    As of the 2017 Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the 2017 Transactions on the 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

Section 3.20    Labor Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries; (b) the hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have

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been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any material collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound.

Section 3.21    Insurance. Schedule 3.21 to the Original Credit Agreement sets forth a true, complete and correct description, in all material respects, of all material insurance (excluding any title insurance) maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect.

Section 3.22    No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 3.23    Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Schedule 3.23 to the Original Credit Agreement, (a) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or possesses the right to use, all Intellectual Property used or held for use in or otherwise reasonably necessary for the present conduct of their respective businesses, (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not interfering with, infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating Intellectual Property of any person, and (c) (i) no claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened and (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim or litigation regarding any other Intellectual Property described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) is pending or threatened.

Section 3.24    Senior Debt. The Loan Obligations constitute “Senior Debt” (or the equivalent thereof) under the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party permitted to be incurred hereunder constituting Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

Section 3.25    USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC.

(a)    The Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and, at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Loan Parties (including names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and mutually agreed to be required under “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(b)    None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Treasury Department, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union, the United Nations Security Council or Her Majesty’s Treasury (“Sanctions”). The Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any country that is the

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target of the Sanctions, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by sanctions laws and regulations administered by the United States, including OFAC and the U.S. State Department, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union (collectively, the “Sanctions Laws”), or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws applicable to any party hereto.

Section 3.26    Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their directors, officers, agents or employees, are in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject (“Anti-Corruption Laws”), in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used to make any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

The obligations of (a) the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Loans and (b) any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew Letters of Credit or increase the stated amounts of Letters of Credit hereunder (each, a “Credit Event”) are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 9.08) of the following conditions:

Section 4.01    All Credit Events. On the date of each Borrowing and on the date of each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (in each case, other than pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement):

(a)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or a Borrowing Request shall have been deemed given in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05(b).

(b)    In the case of each Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), the representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

(c)    In the case of each Borrowing or other Credit Event, at the time of and immediately after such Borrowing or issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d)    Each Borrowing and other Credit Event shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing, issuance, amendment, extension or renewal as applicable, as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.

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Section 4.02    [Reserved].

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 5.01    Existence; Business and Properties. (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Borrower, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of Subsidiaries if the assets of such Subsidiaries to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution; provided, that Subsidiary Loan Parties may not be liquidated into Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Domestic Subsidiaries may not be liquidated into Foreign Subsidiaries (except in each case as permitted under Section 6.05).

(b)    Except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) lawfully obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, Intellectual Property, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, and (ii) at all times maintain, protect and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as permitted by this Agreement).

Section 5.02    Insurance. (a) Maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, cause the Collateral Agent to be listed as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies with respect to Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America and as an additional insured on liability policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may self-insure with respect to such risks with respect to which companies of established reputation engaged in the same general line of business in the same general area usually self-insure.

(b)    Except as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause all such property and casualty insurance policies with respect to the Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable endorsement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, deliver a certificate of an insurance broker to the Collateral Agent; cause each such policy covered by this clause (b) to provide that it shall not be cancelled or not renewed upon less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent; deliver to the Collateral Agent, prior to or concurrently with the cancellation or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance covered by this clause (b), a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Collateral Agent), or insurance certificate with respect thereto,

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together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of payment of the premium therefor, in each case of the foregoing, to the extent customarily maintained, purchased or provided to, or at the request of, lenders by similarly situated companies in connection with credit facilities of this nature.

(c)    If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area (each a “Special Flood Hazard Area”) with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the Flood Insurance Laws, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including a copy of the flood insurance policy and declaration page relating thereto.

(d)    In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section 5.02, it is understood and agreed that:

(i)    the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.02, it being understood that (A) the Loan Parties shall look solely to their insurance companies or any other parties other than the aforesaid parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (B) such insurance companies shall have no rights of subrogation against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or their agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies, as a matter of the internal policy of such insurer, do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then each of Holdings and the Borrower, on behalf of itself and behalf of each of its Subsidiaries, hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to waive, and further agrees to cause each of their Subsidiaries to waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and their agents and employees;

(ii)    the designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by the Collateral Agent (including acting in the capacity as the Collateral Agent) under this Section 5.02 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or the protection of their properties; and

(iii)    the amount and type of insurance that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has in effect as of the Closing Date satisfies for all purposes the requirements of this Section 5.02.

Section 5.03    Taxes. Pay its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.04    Financial Statements, Reports, etc. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):

(a)    within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet and related

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statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and, starting with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(a) to the extent such annual reports include the information specified herein);

(b)    within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016), a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and, starting with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be in reasonable detail, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(b) to the extent such quarterly reports include the information specified herein); provided, that with respect to the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, the requirements under this clause (b) shall be satisfied if the Borrower, at its option, delivers the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 substantially in the form of the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g) of the Original Credit Agreement;

(c)    (x) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.04(c) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) commencing with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenant and (iii) setting forth the calculation and uses of the Cumulative Credit for the fiscal period then ended if the Borrower shall have used the Cumulative Credit for any purpose during such fiscal period and (y) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, if the accounting firm is not restricted from providing such a certificate by its policies office, a certificate of the accounting firm opining on or certifying such

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statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such statements of any Default or Event of Default (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations);

(d)    promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other publicly available reports, proxy statements and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, other materials filed by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the SEC, or after an initial public offering, distributed to its stockholders generally, as applicable; provided, however, that such reports, proxy statements, filings and other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this clause (d) shall be deemed delivered for purposes of this Agreement when posted to the website of the Borrower (or Holdings or any Parent Entity referred to in Section 5.04(i)) or the website of the SEC and written notice of such posting has been delivered to the Administrative Agent;

(e)    within 90 days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017), a consolidated annual budget for such fiscal year consisting of a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income (collectively, the “Budget”), which Budget shall in each case be accompanied by the statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that the Budget is based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof;

(f)    upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent not more frequently than once a year, an updated Perfection Certificate (or, to the extent such request relates to specified information contained in the Perfection Certificate, such information) reflecting all changes since the date of the information most recently received pursuant to this clause (f) or Section 5.10(f);

(g)    promptly, from time to time, such other customary information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender);

(h)    no later than 10 Business Days after the delivery of the financial statements required pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04, commencing with the financial statements for the first full fiscal period ending after the Closing Date, upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall hold a customary conference call for Lenders; and

(i)    in the event that Holdings or any Parent Entity reports on a consolidated basis, such consolidated reporting at Holdings or such Parent Entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04 for the Borrower (together with a reconciliation showing the adjustments necessary to determine compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the Financial Covenant) will satisfy the requirements of such paragraphs.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that all financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (d) above are hereby deemed to be Borrower Materials suitable for distribution, and to be made available, to Public Lenders as contemplated by Section 9.17 and may be treated by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as if the same had been marked “PUBLIC” in accordance with such paragraph (unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent in writing on or prior to delivery thereof).

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Section 5.05    Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly thereafter furnish to the Lenders) written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof:

(a)    any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

(b)    the filing or commencement of, or any written threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination is reasonably probable and which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)    any other development specific to Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is not a matter of general public knowledge and that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(d)    the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.06    Compliance with Laws. Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions Laws.

Section 5.07    Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections. Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor (so long as the Borrower has the opportunity to participate in any such discussions with such accountants), in each case, subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract.

Section 5.08    Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans made and Letters of Credit issued in the manner contemplated by Section 3.12.

Section 5.09    Compliance with Environmental Laws. Comply, and make reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other persons occupying its properties to comply, with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and properties; and obtain and renew all material authorizations and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its operations and properties, in each case in accordance with Environmental Laws, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

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Section 5.10    Further Assurances; Additional Security.

(a)    Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages and other documents), that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (including, without limitation, those required by applicable law), to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and provide to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

(b)    If any asset (other than Real Property) that has an individual fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in an amount greater than $10,000,000 is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date or owned by an entity at the time it becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (in each case other than (x) assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien of such Security Document upon acquisition thereof and (y) assets constituting Excluded Property), the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Party, as applicable, will (i) notify the Collateral Agent of such acquisition or ownership and (ii) cause such asset to be subjected to a Lien (subject to any Permitted Liens) securing the Obligations by, and take, and cause the Subsidiary Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in clause (a) of this Section 5.10, all at the expense of the Loan Parties, subject to clause (g) below.

(c)    (i) Grant and cause each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties to grant to the Collateral Agent security interests in, and Mortgages on, any Material Real Property of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Parties, as applicable, that are acquired after the Closing Date, within 120 days after the acquisition thereof (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which security interest and mortgage shall constitute valid and enforceable Liens subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, (ii) record or file, and cause each such Subsidiary to record or file, the Mortgage or instruments related thereto in such manner and in such places as is required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) required to be granted pursuant to the Mortgages and pay, and cause each such Subsidiary to pay, in full, all Taxes, fees and other charges required to be paid in connection with such recording or filing, in each case subject to clause (g) below, and (iii) deliver to the Collateral Agent an updated Schedule 1.01(E) reflecting such Mortgaged Properties. Unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent, with respect to each such Mortgage, the Borrower shall cause the requirements set forth in clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” to be satisfied with respect to such Material Real Property.

(d)    If any additional direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 20 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion (or, with respect to clauses (f), (g) and (h) of the definition of “Collateral and

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Guarantee Requirement,” within 120 days after such formation or acquisition or such longer period as set forth therein or as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, as applicable), cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(e)    If any additional Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a “first tier” Foreign Subsidiary of a Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 50 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to any Equity Interest in such Foreign Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(f)    Furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in any Loan Party’s corporate or organization name, (B) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (C) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number, (D) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or (E) in the location of the chief executive office of any Loan Party that is not a registered organization; provided, that the Borrower shall not effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made, or will have been made within 30 days following such change (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), under the Uniform Commercial Code that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by such filing, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(g)    The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the other provisions of this Section 5.10 and the other Loan Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to any of the following (collectively, the “Excluded Property”): (i) any Real Property other than Material Real Property, (ii) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, letter of credit rights (in each case, other than to the extent a Lien on such assets or such rights can be perfected by filing a UCC-1) and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $10,000,000, (iii) pledges and security interests prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contractual obligation (with respect to any such contractual obligation, only to the extent such restriction is permitted under Section 6.09(c) and such restriction is binding on such assets (1) on the Closing Date or (2) on the date of the acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i))) (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) or which could require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to be pledged (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (iv) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower, (v) any lease, license or other agreement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (vi) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequence of obtaining

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such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the value afforded thereby, (vii) any governmental licenses or state or local licenses, franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (viii) any “intent-to-use” applications for trademark or service mark registrations filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051, unless and until an Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use under Section 1(c) or 1(d) of the Lanham Act has been filed, (ix) other customary exclusions under applicable local law or in applicable local jurisdictions set forth in any applicable Security Documents or otherwise separately agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (x) Securitization Assets sold to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or otherwise pledged, factored, transferred or sold in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing, and any other assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financings, (xi) any Excluded Securities, (xii) any Third Party Funds, (xiii) any equipment or other asset that is subject to a Lien permitted by any of clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa), (mm) or (oo) of Section 6.02 or is otherwise subject to a purchase money debt or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted by Section 6.01, if the contract or other agreement providing for such debt or Capitalized Lease Obligation prohibits or requires the consent of any person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted hereunder (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law), (xiv) all assets of Holdings other than, prior to a Qualified IPO, Equity Interests of the Borrower directly held by Holdings and pledged pursuant to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement and (xv) any other exceptions mutually agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower may in its sole discretion elect to exclude any property from the definition of “Excluded Property.” Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (A) the Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time or waiver of requirement for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of insurance (including title insurance) or surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond the Closing Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that perfection or obtaining of such items cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (B) no control agreement or control, lockbox or similar arrangement shall be required with respect to any deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts, (C) no landlord, mortgagee or bailee waivers shall be required, (D) no foreign-law governed security documents or perfection under foreign law shall be required, (E) no notice shall be required to be sent to account debtors or other contractual third parties prior to an Event of Default, (F) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to, or any other requirements of, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the Security Documents shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and (G) to the extent any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction with mortgage recording or similar tax, the amount secured by the Security Document with respect to such Mortgaged Property shall be limited to the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property as determined in good faith by the Borrower (subject to any applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction or such lesser amount agreed to by the Administrative Agent).

Section 5.11    Rating. Exercise commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and to maintain (a) public ratings (but not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P for the Term B Loans and (b) public corporate credit ratings and corporate family ratings (but, in each case, not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P in respect of the Borrower.

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Section 5.12    Post-Closing.    Take all necessary actions to satisfy the items described on Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement within the applicable period of time specified in such Schedule (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion).

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders (or, in the case of Section 6.11, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class) shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 6.01    Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)    (i) Indebtedness existing or committed on the Closing Date (provided, that any such Indebtedness that is (x) not intercompany Indebtedness and (y) in excess of $5,000,000 shall be set forth on Schedule 6.01 to the Original Credit Agreement) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

(b)    (i) Indebtedness created hereunder (including pursuant to Section 2.21) and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(c)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(d)    Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such person, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

(e)    Indebtedness of the Borrower to Holdings or any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided, that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party owing to the Loan Parties incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subordinated to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement on subordination terms described in the intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit J to the Original Credit Agreement or on substantially identical subordination terms or other subordination terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower;

(f)    Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

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(g)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    (i) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a person merged or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date and Indebtedness otherwise incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of assets or Equity Interests (including a Permitted Business Acquisition), where such acquisition, merger or consolidation is not prohibited by this Agreement; provided, that, (w) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (x) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net Secured Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (y) in the case of any other such Indebtedness, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not less than 2.00 to 1.00 or (II) no less than the Interest Coverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto and (z) in the case of any such Indebtedness incurred under this clause (h) by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party that is incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, further, that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (h)(i) incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence (but not assumption) of any such term loan Indebtedness that is secured by Other First Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02; and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness;

(i)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary prior to or within 270 days after the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of the respective property (real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interest of any person owning such property) permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement, in an aggregate principal amount that immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(i)(i), would not exceed the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations Incurred by the

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Borrower or any Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of computer equipment (including servers), storage equipment, networking equipment and other equipment and similar assets related to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any finance lease obligations not prohibited hereunder and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(j)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations and any other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising from any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(k)    (i) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k), would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(l)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than 100% of the amount of net cash proceeds received by the Borrower from (x) the issuance or sale of its Qualified Equity Interests or (y) a contribution to its common equity with the net cash proceeds from the issuance and sale by Holdings or a Parent Entity of its Qualified Equity Interests or a contribution to its common equity (in each case of (x) and (y), other than proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests to, or contributions from, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), to the extent such net cash proceeds do not constitute Excluded Contributions or Permitted Cure Securities;

(m)    Guarantees (i) by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party permitted to be incurred under this Agreement, (ii) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)), (iii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness of another Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, and (iv) by the Borrower of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties incurred for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(t) to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)); provided, that Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party under this Section 6.01(m) of any other Indebtedness of a person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such person shall be expressly subordinated to the Loan Obligations to at least the same extent as such underlying Indebtedness is subordinated;

(n)    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Business Acquisition, other Investments or the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Agreement;

(o)    Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued to support performance obligations and trade letters of credit (other than obligations in respect of other Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

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(p)    [reserved];

(q)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (q)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), this Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(r)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (r)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), this Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (r)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(s)    (i) other Indebtedness so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not less than 2.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (s)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and this Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (s)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(t)    (i) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount outstanding that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(t), would not exceed the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(u)    Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided, that such obligations are

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incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money or any Hedging Agreements;

(v)    Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors of the Borrower (or, to the extent such work is done for the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    Indebtedness in connection with Permitted Securitization Financings;

(x)    obligations in respect of Cash Management Agreements;

(y)    (i) Refinancing Notes and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect thereof;

(z)    (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed at the time of incurrence the Incremental Amount available at such time; provided that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (z)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens pursuant to this clause (z)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(aa)    [reserved];

(bb)    (i) Indebtedness of, incurred on behalf of, or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(bb), would not exceed the greater of $125,000,000 and 0.175 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(cc)    Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or of Holdings or any Parent Entity, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity permitted by Section 6.06;

(dd)    Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such person in connection with the Transactions and Permitted Business Acquisitions or any other Investment permitted hereunder;

(ee)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to or on behalf of any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(ff)    Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

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(gg)    Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit (or a letter of credit issued under any other revolving credit or letter of credit facility permitted by Section 6.01);

(hh)    (i) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(hh)(i) not to exceed $1,200,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(ii)    all premium (if any, including tender premiums) expenses, defeasance costs, interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (hh) above or refinancings thereof.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02, the amount of any Indebtedness denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on customary currency exchange rates in effect, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) on or prior to the Closing Date, on the Closing Date and, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) after the Closing Date, on the date on which such Indebtedness was incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness); provided, that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars (or in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced), and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount, as applicable, of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums), accrued interest, defeasance costs and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, (A) Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a) through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof, (B) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a) through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.01 and at the time of incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) shall be treated as having been incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or portion thereof) at such time; provided, that (x) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under this Agreement shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 6.01 and (y) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under the Senior Unsecured Notes shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (hh) of this Section 6.01, (C) in connection with (1) the incurrence of revolving loan Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 or (2) any commitment relating to the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 and the granting of any Lien to secure such Indebtedness, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary may

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designate the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the granting of such Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first incurrence of such revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual incurrence and the granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for purposes of this Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 of this Agreement to have been incurred or granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable), the Net Total Leverage Ratio, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and EBITDA (and all such calculations, without duplication, on the Deemed Date and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded without the incurrence thereby shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the deemed incurrence, the granting of any Lien therefor and related transactions in connection therewith) and (D) for purposes of calculating the Net Secured Leverage Ratio and the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio under Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z) on any date of incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to such Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z), the net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, as applicable, at such time. In addition, with respect to any Indebtedness that was permitted to be incurred hereunder on the date of such incurrence, any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness shall also be permitted hereunder after the date of such incurrence.

This Agreement will not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

With respect to any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred under Section 6.01(h)(i) (solely to the extent set forth therein), 6.01(q)(i), 6.01(r)(i), 6.01(s)(i) and 6.01(z)(i), (A) in the form of term Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (B) in the form of revolving Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Revolving Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred.

Section 6.02    Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any person) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

(a)    Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date (or created following the Closing Date pursuant to agreements in existence on the Closing Date requiring the creation of such Liens) and, to the extent securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) to the Original Credit Agreement and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided, that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such obligations permitted by Section 6.01) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, and (B) proceeds and products thereof;

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(b)    any Lien created under the Loan Documents (including Liens created under the Security Documents securing obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) or permitted in respect of any Mortgaged Property by the terms of the applicable Mortgage;

(c)    any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h); provided, that (i) in the case of Liens that do not extend to the Collateral, such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset and accessions and additions thereto and proceeds and products thereof (other than after-acquired property required to be subjected to such Lien pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness (and refinancings thereof)), (ii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) junior in priority to the Liens securing the Term B Loans, such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans, (x) such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02;

(d)    Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

(e)    Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, supplier’s, construction or other like Liens, securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

(f)    (i) pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations and (ii) pledges and deposits and other Liens securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g)    deposits and other Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, agreements with utilities, and other obligations of a like nature (including letters of credit in lieu of any such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    zoning restrictions, easements, survey exceptions, trackage rights, leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), licenses, special assessments, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and declarations on or with respect to the use of Real Property, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and title defects or irregularities that are of a minor nature and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

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(i)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) or (j); provided, that such Liens do not apply to any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired, leased, constructed, replaced, repaired or improved with such Indebtedness (or the Indebtedness Refinanced thereby) or sold in the applicable Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, and accessions and additions thereto, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and related property; provided, further, that individual financings provided by one lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings provided by such lender (and its Affiliates) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(j)    Liens arising out of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions and additions thereto or proceeds and products thereof and related property;

(k)    Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(l)    Liens disclosed by the title insurance policies delivered on or subsequent to the Closing Date and pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.10 or Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided, that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal; provided, further, that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement;

(m)    any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(n)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (and related pledges) (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks and other financial institutions not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposits, sweep accounts, reserve accounts or similar accounts of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including with respect to credit card charge-backs and similar obligations, or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers, suppliers or service providers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(o)    Liens (i) arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (iv) in respect of Third Party Funds or (v) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith;

(p)    Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations permitted under Section 6.01(f), (k) or (o) and covering the property (or the documents of title in respect of such property) financed by such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations and the proceeds and products thereof;

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(q)    leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to Intellectual Property) granted to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(r)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(s)    Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder;

(t)    (i) Liens with respect to property or assets of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party securing obligations of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted under Section 6.01 and (ii) Liens with respect to property or assets of the applicable joint venture or the Equity Interests of such joint venture securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(bb) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(u)    Liens on any amounts held by a trustee or agent under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(v)    the prior rights of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(x)    Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases or other obligations not constituting Indebtedness;

(y)    Liens (i) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, joint ventures (A) securing obligations of such joint venture or (B) pursuant to the relevant joint venture agreement or arrangement and (ii) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(z)    Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Investments under clause (c) of the definition thereof;

(aa)    Liens in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings that extend only to the assets subject thereto and Equity Interests of Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries;

(bb)    Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements; provided, that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

(cc)    in the case of Real Property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;

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(dd)    Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligation (i) of the Borrower or a Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and (ii) of any Subsidiary that is not Loan Party in favor of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(ee)    Liens (i) on not more than $15,000,000 of deposits securing Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes and (ii) on cash or Permitted Investments securing Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law;

(ff)    Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit, bank guarantee or bankers’ acceptance issued or created for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit, bank guarantee or banker’s acceptance to the extent permitted under Section 6.01;

(gg)    Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Junior Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00;

(hh)    Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Other First Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided that any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.02;

(ii)    (i) Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as such Other First Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(w), 6.01(q), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as such Junior Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(x), 6.01(i), 6.01(r), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) and (iii) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof);

(jj)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(kk)    Liens to secure any Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance (or successive Indebtedness issued or incurred for subsequent Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section 6.02; provided, however, that (v) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) shall also be Junior Liens, (w) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Other First Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) may also be Other First Liens or Junior Liens, (x) (other than Liens contemplated by the foregoing clauses (v) and (w)) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same type of property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on and accessions to such property, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and any other assets pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent such assets secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced), (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) or, if greater, committed

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amount of the applicable Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Lien permitted hereunder, (B) unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) and (C) an amount necessary to pay any associated underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses, and (z) on the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens, the grantors of any such Liens shall be no different from the grantors of the Liens securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced or grantors that would have been obligated to secure such Indebtedness or a Loan Party;

(ll)    other Liens with respect to property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing obligations in an aggregate outstanding principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Liens, would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period;

(mm)    Liens on property of, or on Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, any person existing at the time (A) such person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or (B) such person or property is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens do not extend to any other assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than accessions and additions thereto and proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property) and (ii) such Liens secure only those obligations which they secure on the date such person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such acquisition (and any extensions, renewals, replacements or refinancings thereof);

(nn)    Liens (i) on inventory held by and granted to a local distribution company in the ordinary course of business and (ii) in accounts purchased and collected by and grated to a local distribution company that has agreed to make payments to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for such amounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(oo)    Liens in respect of Indebtedness secured by mortgages on the corporate headquarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.02 and at the time of incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Liens or Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or any portion thereof) at such time. In addition, with respect to any revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment to incur Indebtedness that is designated to be incurred on any Deemed Date pursuant to clause (C) of the third paragraph of Section 6.01, any Lien that does or that shall secure such Indebtedness may also be designated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be incurred on such Deemed Date and, in such event, any related subsequent actual incurrence of such Lien shall be deemed for purposes of Section 6.01 and 6.02 of this Agreement, without duplication, to be incurred on such prior date (and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded), including for purposes of calculating usage of any Permitted Lien. In addition, with respect to any Lien securing

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Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness.

With respect to (x) Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date in the form of term loans that are secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens incurred under Section 6.02(hh) or (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred (but not assumed) in the form of term loans pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i)(w) or any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i) or Section 6.01(z)(i), in each case, prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date that is secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (any such Indebtedness, “Pari Term Loans”), if the All-in Yield in respect of such Pari Term Loans exceeds the All-in Yield in respect of the Term B Loans on the Closing Date by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Pari Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin (or “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans on the Closing Date shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Pari Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Pari Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Pari Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Pari Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Pari Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans.

Section 6.03    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter, as part of such transaction, rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a “Sale and Lease-Back Transaction”); provided, that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted (a) with respect to (i) Excluded Property, (ii) property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party that is acquired after the Closing Date so long as such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is consummated within 365 days of the acquisition of such property or (iii) property owned by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party regardless of when such property was acquired, and (b) with respect to any other property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party, (x) if such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is of property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party as of the Closing Date, the Net Proceeds therefrom are used to prepay the Term Loans to the extent required by Section 2.11(b) and (y) with respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction pursuant to this clause (b) with Net Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $15,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, the requirements of the last paragraph of Section 6.05 shall apply to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to the extent provided therein.

Section 6.04    Investments, Loans and Advances. (i) Purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with a person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other person, (ii) make any loans or advances to or Guarantees of the Indebtedness of any other person (other than in respect of (A) intercompany liabilities incurred in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (B) intercompany loans, advances or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-overs or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practices), or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (x) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another person or (y) assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such person (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

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(a)    the Transactions;

(b)     (i) Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) intercompany loans from the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (iii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, that as at any date of determination, the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) of (A) Investments made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (i) in Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties, plus (B) net outstanding intercompany loans made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (ii), plus (C) outstanding Guarantees by the Loan Parties of Indebtedness after the Closing Date of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (iii) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment;

(c)    Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;

(d)    Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of non-cash consideration for the Disposition of assets permitted under Section 6.05;

(e)    loans and advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed $20,000,000, (ii) in respect of payroll payments and expenses in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in connection with such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) solely to the extent that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Borrower in cash as common equity;

(f)    accounts receivable, security deposits and prepayments arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any assets or securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

(g)    Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(h)    Investments existing on, or contractually committed as of, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 to the Original Credit Agreement and any extensions, renewals, replacements or reinvestments thereof, so long as the aggregate amount of all Investments pursuant to this clause (h) is not increased at any time above the amount of such Investment existing or committed on the Closing Date (other than pursuant to an increase as required by the terms of any such Investment as in existence on the Closing Date or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04);

(i)    Investments resulting from pledges and deposits under Sections 6.02(f), (g), (o), (r), (s), (ee) and (ll);

(j)    other Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the

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EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) any portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.04(j)(Y), which such election shall (unless such Investment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied, and plus (Z) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment pursuant to clause (X); provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(j) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(j);

(k)    Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions;

(l)    intercompany loans between Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Guarantees by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties permitted by Section 6.01(m);

(m)    Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business or Investments acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investments or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(n)    Investments of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or of a person merged into the Borrower or merged into or consolidated with a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case, (i) to the extent such acquisition, merger or consolidation is permitted under this Section 6.04, (ii) in the case of any acquisition, merger or consolidation, in accordance with Section 6.05 and (iii) to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(o)    acquisitions by the Borrower of obligations of one or more officers or other employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with such officer’s or employee’s acquisition of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity, so long as no cash is actually advanced by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to such officers or employees in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;

(p)    Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of operating leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(q)    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(r)    Investments in the Equity Interests of one or more newly formed persons that are received in consideration of the contribution by Holdings, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary of assets (including Equity Interests and cash) to such person or persons; provided, that (i) the fair market value of such assets, determined in good faith by the Borrower, so contributed pursuant to this

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clause (r) shall not in the aggregate exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) in respect of each such contribution, a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall certify, in a form to be agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (x) immediately after giving effect to such contribution, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the assets so contributed and (z) that the requirements of clause (i) of this proviso remain satisfied;

(s)    Investments consisting of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06;

(t)    Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;

(u)    [reserved];

(v)    Guarantees permitted under Section 6.01 (except to the extent such Guarantee is expressly subject to this Section 6.04);

(w)    advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

(x)    Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including loans to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, if the Borrower or any other Subsidiary would otherwise be permitted to make a Restricted Payment in such amount (provided, that the amount of any such Investment shall also be deemed to be a Restricted Payment under the appropriate clause of Section 6.06 for all purposes of this Agreement);

(y)    Investments consisting of Securitization Assets or arising as a result of Permitted Securitization Financings;

(z)    [reserved];

(aa)    to the extent constituting Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of Intellectual Property in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(bb)    Investments received substantially contemporaneously in exchange for Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(cc)    Investments in joint ventures; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) of Investments made after the Closing Date pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this proviso any Investment made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which Investment shall be permitted under this Section 6.04(cc) without regard to such calculation) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) an aggregate amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at

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the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(cc);

(dd)    Investments in Similar Businesses in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(dd) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(dd);

(ee)    Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to the applicable Investments, in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(ee) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(ee);

(ff)    other Investments so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Investment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00; and

(gg)    Investments made pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

The amount of Investments that may be made at any time pursuant to Section 6.04(b), 6.04(j) or 6.04(dd) (such Sections, the “Related Sections”) may, at the election of the Borrower, be increased by the amount of Investments that could be made at such time under the other Related Section; provided, that the amount of each such increase in respect of one Related Section shall be treated as having been used under the other Related Section.

Any Investment in any person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party that is otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04 may be made through intermediate Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and such intermediate Investments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the outstanding amount of Investments pursuant to any clause set forth above. The amount of any Investment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) an Investment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Investments (or portion thereof) described

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in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Investment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.04(k), (cc) or (ff) (such clauses and related definitions, the “Investment Incurrence Clauses”), the determination of the amount of such Investment that may be made pursuant to the Investment Incurrence Clauses shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Investment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than an Investment Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.05    Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions. Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or Dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or Dispose of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all of the assets of any other person or division or line of business of a person, except that this Section 6.05 shall not prohibit:

(a)    (i) the purchase and Disposition of inventory, or the sale of receivables pursuant to non-recourse factoring arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) the acquisition or lease (pursuant to an operating lease) of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or, with respect to operating leases, otherwise for fair market value on market terms (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), (iii) the Disposition of surplus, obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or other property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm or determined in good faith by the Borrower to be no longer used or useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) assignments by the Borrower and any Subsidiary in connection with insurance arrangements of their rights and remedies under, and with respect to, the Merger Agreement in respect of any breach by the Company of its representations and warranties set forth therein or (v) the Disposition of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the survivor, (ii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into any Subsidiary Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is or becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party and, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), no person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party receives any consideration (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), (iii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party with or into any other Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, (iv) the liquidation or dissolution or change in form of entity of any Subsidiary if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, dissolution or change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, (v) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 so long as the continuing or surviving person shall be a Subsidiary (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), which shall be a Loan Party if the merging or consolidating Subsidiary was a Loan Party (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04) and which together with each of its Subsidiaries shall have complied with any applicable requirements of Section 5.10 or (vi) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Asset Sale otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.05;

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(c)    Dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided, that any Dispositions by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party in reliance on this clause (c) shall be made in compliance with Section 6.04;

(d)    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;

(e)    (i) Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Permitted Liens and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.06 and (ii) any Disposition made pursuant to the Merger Agreement or in connection with the Transactions;

(f)    Dispositions of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;

(g)    other Dispositions of assets; provided, that the Net Proceeds thereof, if any, are applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby;

(h)    Permitted Business Acquisitions (including any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in order to effect a Permitted Business Acquisition); provided, that following any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving entity or the requirements of Section 6.05(o) are otherwise complied with;

(i)    leases, licenses or subleases or sublicenses of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(j)    Dispositions of inventory or Dispositions or abandonment of Intellectual Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower to be no longer useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries;

(k)    acquisitions and purchases made with the proceeds of any Asset Sale pursuant to the first proviso of clause (a) of the definition of “Net Proceeds”;

(l)    the purchase and Disposition (including by capital contribution) of (i) Securitization Assets including pursuant to Permitted Securitization Financings and (ii) any other Securitization Assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financing;

(m)    to the extent constituting a Disposition, any termination, settlement or extinguishment of obligations in respect of any Hedging Agreement;

(n)    any exchange of assets for services and/or other assets used or useful in a Similar Business of comparable or greater value; provided, that (i) to the extent the consideration received consists of assets, at least 90% of the consideration received by the transferor consists of assets that will be used in a business or business activity permitted hereunder, (ii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $10,000,000, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower with respect to such fair market value and (iii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $15,000,000, such exchange shall have been approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Borrower; provided, further, that (A) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (B) the Net Proceeds, if any, thereof are

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applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby and (C) with respect to any exchange of assets for services, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance; and

(o)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, any Subsidiary or any other person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower, provided that (A) the Borrower shall be the surviving entity or (B) if the surviving entity is not the Borrower (such other person, the “Successor Borrower”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement or the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, as applicable, confirmed that its guarantee thereunder shall apply to any Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (4) each Subsidiary Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to any applicable Security Document affirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3), (5) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have affirmed that its obligations under the applicable Mortgage shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3) and (6) the Successor Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (x) an officer’s certificate stating that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and covering such other matters as are contemplated by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be covered in opinions of counsel (it being understood that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, no Disposition of assets under Section 6.05(g) or, solely with respect to Sale and Lease-Back Transactions referred to in clause (b)(y) of Section 6.03, under Section 6.05(d), shall be permitted unless (i) such Disposition is for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or if not for fair market value, the shortfall is permitted as an Investment under Section 6.04, and (ii) at least 75% of the proceeds of such Disposition (except to Loan Parties) consist of cash or Permitted Investments; provided, that the provisions of this clause (ii) shall not apply to any individual transaction or series of related transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of less than $15,000,000 or to other transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of not more than the greater of $50,000,000 and 0.075 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period in the aggregate for all such transactions during the term of this Agreement; provided, further, that for purposes of this clause (ii), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash: (a) the amount of any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or are otherwise cancelled in connection with such transaction, (b) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary into cash within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received), (c) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such Disposition having an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to

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the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), (d) the amount of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is no longer a Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that Holdings, the Borrower and each other Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with the Asset Sale and (e) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations) received from persons who are not Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale and that is cancelled. For purposes of this Section 6.05, the fair market value of any assets Disposed of by the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be determined in good faith by the Borrower and may be determined either, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of such Disposition or as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Disposition.

Section 6.06    Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value (or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire) any of the Borrower’s Equity Interests or set aside any amount for any such purpose (other than through the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person redeeming, purchasing, retiring or acquiring such shares) (all of the foregoing, “Restricted Payments”); provided, however, that:

(a)    Restricted Payments may be made to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (or, in the case of non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);

(b)    Restricted Payments may be made in respect of (i) general corporate operating and overhead, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of Holdings or any Parent Entity, (ii) fees and expenses related to any public offering or private placement of Equity Interests or Indebtedness of Holdings or any Parent Entity whether or not consummated, (iii) franchise and similar taxes and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of its (or any Parent Entity’s) existence and its (or any Parent Entity’s indirect) ownership of the Borrower, (iv) payments permitted by Section 6.07(b) (other than Section 6.07(b)(vii)), (v) in respect of any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is the common parent, or for which the Borrower is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes, Restricted Payments to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group and (vi) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings or any Parent Entity, in each case in order to permit Holdings or any Parent Entity to make such payments; provided, that in the case of subclauses (i) and (iii), the amount of such Restricted Payments shall not exceed the portion of any amounts referred to in such subclauses (i) and (iii) that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% at any time that, as the case may be, (1) Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower

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and assets incidental to such equity ownership or (2) any Parent Entity owns directly or indirectly no material assets other than Equity Interests of Holdings and any other Parent Entity and assets incidental to such equity ownership and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(c)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings, the proceeds of which are used to purchase or redeem the Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) held by then present or former directors, consultants, officers or employees of any Parent Entity, Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or by any Plan or any shareholders’ agreement then in effect upon such person’s death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or under the terms of any such Plan or any other agreement under which such shares of stock or related rights were issued; provided, that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions under this clause (c) shall not exceed in any fiscal year $20,000,000 (which shall increase to $40,000,000 subsequent to a Qualified IPO) (plus (x) the amount of net proceeds contributed to the Borrower that were (x) received by Holdings or any Parent Entity during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity to directors, consultants, officers or employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit, (y) the amount of net proceeds of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year, and (z) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests), which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary from members of management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 6.06;

(d)    any person may make non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;

(e)    Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount equal to a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.06(e), which such election shall (unless such Restricted Payment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied; provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) after giving effect thereto, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00;

(f)    Restricted Payments may be made in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders or stockholders exercising appraisal rights pursuant to applicable law;

(g)    Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holdings or any Parent Entity to make payments, in cash, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, upon the exercise of warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such person;

(h)    after a Qualified IPO, Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holding or any Parent Entity to pay, dividends and make distributions to, or repurchase or redeem shares from, its equity holders in an amount per annum no greater than 6.0% of the Market Capitalization; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

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(i)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings or any Parent Entity to finance any Investment that if made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly would be permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04; provided, that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation (to the extent permitted in Section 6.05) of the person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Subsidiary in order to consummate such Permitted Business Acquisition or Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.10;

(j)    other Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $200,000,000 and 0.30 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the date of such Restricted Payment; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(k)    Restricted Payments may be made under the Merger Agreement;

(l)    Restricted Payments may be made in an amount equal to Excluded Contributions;

(m)    other Restricted Payments may be made; provided that, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; and

(n)    any consideration, payment, dividend, distribution or other transfer in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the foregoing provisions of Section 6.06 will not prohibit the payment of any Restricted Payment or the consummation of any redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or the giving of such notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) solely for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any equity contribution or purchase of Equity Interests to fund shares that have selected appraisal rights (including any settlement in respect thereof) shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, and any payment to the holders of such shares shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, in each case, as part of the Transactions.    

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Restricted Payment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that a Restricted

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Payment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.06(m) (such clause, the “Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause”), the determination of the amount of such Restricted Payment that may be made pursuant to the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent Incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.07    Transactions with Affiliates. (a) Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower, Holdings, and the Subsidiaries or any person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000,000, unless such transaction is (i) otherwise permitted (or required) under this Agreement or (ii) upon terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in good faith.

(b)    The foregoing clause (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(i)    any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, equity purchase agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or of the Borrower,

(ii)    loans or advances to employees or consultants of Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.04(e),

(iii)    transactions among the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any entity that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction (including via merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the surviving entity),

(iv)    the payment of fees, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and indemnities to directors, officers, consultants and employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (limited, in the case of any Parent Entity, to the portion of such fees and expenses that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% for so long as Holdings or such Parent Entity, as the case may be, owns no assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and assets incidental to the ownership of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by management of the Borrower)),

(v)    subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.07(b)(xiv), if applicable, the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the 2017 Transactions and any transactions pursuant to the Transaction Documents and permitted transactions, agreements and arrangements in existence on the Closing Date and, to the extent involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.07 to the Original Credit Agreement or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof or similar arrangement to the extent such amendment, replacement or arrangement is not adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole in any material respect (as determined by the Borrower in good faith),

(vi)    (A) any employment agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (B) any subscription agreement or similar

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agreement pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar rights with employees, officers or directors, and (C) any employee compensation, benefit plan or arrangement, any health, disability or similar insurance plan which covers employees, and any reasonable employment contract and transactions pursuant thereto,

(vii)    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06, including payments to Holdings (and any Parent Entity), and Investments permitted under Section 6.04,

(viii)    any purchase by Holdings of the Equity Interests of the Borrower; provided, that any Equity Interests of the Borrower purchased by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent (and deliver the relevant certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent) on behalf of the Lenders to the extent required by the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement,

(ix)    payments by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any Co-Investor made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith,

(x)    transactions for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business,

(xi)    any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of the Borrower from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter, which letter states that (i) such transaction is on terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate or (ii) such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, from a financial point of view,

(xii)    subject to subclause (xiv) below, if applicable, the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related to the Transactions, including fees to any Co-Investor,

(xiii)    transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm,

(xiv)    any agreement to pay, and the payment of, monitoring, consulting, management, transaction, advisory or similar fees payable to any Co-Investor (A) in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed the sum of (1) the greater of $10,000,000 and 2.00% of EBITDA for any such fiscal year, plus reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith in any fiscal year and unpaid amounts for any prior periods from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs; plus (2) any deferred, accrued or other fees in respect of any fiscal years from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs (to the extent such fees in the aggregate do not exceed the amounts described in clause (A)(1) above in respect of such fiscal years), plus (B) 1.00% of the value of transactions with respect to any Co-Investor provides any transaction, advisory or other services (including in connection with the Transactions), plus (C) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the present value of all future amounts payable pursuant to any agreement referred to in clause (A)(1) above

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in connection with the termination of such agreement with a Co-Investor; provided, that if any such payment pursuant to clause (C) is not permitted to be paid as a result of an Event of Default, such payment shall accrue and may be payable when no Events of Default are continuing to the extent that no further Event of Default would result therefrom,

(xv)    the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to Holdings (or any Parent Entity) and capital contributions by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary,

(xvi)    the issuance of Equity Interests to the management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions,

(xvii)    payments by Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to a tax sharing agreement or arrangement (whether written or as a matter of practice) that complies with clause (v) of Section 6.06(b),

(xviii)    transactions pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(xix)    payments, loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees or consultants that are (i) approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or the Borrower in good faith, (ii) made in compliance with applicable law and (iii) otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(xx)    transactions with customers, clients or suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are fair to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (in the good faith determination of the Borrower),

(xxi)    transactions between the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries and any person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower; provided, however, that (A) such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other person and (B) such person is not an Affiliate of the Borrower for any reason other than such director’s acting in such capacity,

(xxii)    transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Section 6.05,

(xxiii)    intercompany transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth herein, and

(xxiv)    Investments by any Co-Investor in securities of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries so long as (A) the Investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the Investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund, any portfolio company that is an Affiliate of the Fund or a Fund Affiliate shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries with respect to any transaction, so long as such transaction is in the ordinary course of business.

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Section 6.08    Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, engage at any time to any material respect in any business or business activity substantially different from any business or business activity conducted by any of them on the Closing Date or any Similar Business, and in the case of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary, Permitted Securitization Financings.

Section 6.09    Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.(a) Amend or modify in any manner materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner (if such granting or termination shall be materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)), the articles or certificate of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company operating agreement, partnership agreement or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

(b)    (i) Make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of, or in respect of, principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination in respect of any Junior Financing, except for:

(A)    Refinancings with any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01;

(B)    payments of regularly-scheduled interest and fees due thereunder, other non-principal payments thereunder, any mandatory prepayments of principal, interest and fees thereunder, scheduled payments thereon necessary to avoid the Junior Financing from constituting “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(l) of the Code, and, to the extent this Agreement is then in effect, principal on the scheduled maturity date of any Junior Financing (or within twelve months thereof);

(C)    payments or distributions in respect of all or any portion of the Junior Financing with the proceeds contributed to the Borrower by Holdings from the issuance, sale or exchange by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock made within eighteen months prior thereto; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(D)    the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity;

(E)    so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) after giving effect to such payments or distributions, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00, payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings prior to any scheduled maturity made, in an aggregate amount, not to exceed a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.09(b)(i)(E), which such election shall (unless such payment or distribution is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail of the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied;

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(F)    other payments and distributions in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(G)    other payments and distributions in respect of Junior Financing; provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and, after giving effect to such payment or distribution, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; or

(ii)    Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Junior Financing that constitutes Material Indebtedness, or any agreement, document or instrument evidencing or relating thereto, other than amendments or modifications that (A) are not materially adverse to Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) and that do not affect the subordination or payment provisions thereof (if any) in a manner adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) or (B) otherwise comply with the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.”

(c)    Permit any Material Subsidiary to enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary that is a Loan Party pursuant to the Security Documents, in each case other than those arising under any Loan Document, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:

(A)    restrictions imposed by applicable law;

(B)    contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, including under Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, any Refinancing Notes or any agreements related to any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any such Indebtedness and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances or restrictions and any amendment, modification, supplement, replacement or refinancing of such agreements or instruments that does not materially expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(C)    any restriction on a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Equity Interests or assets of a Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(D)    customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(E)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(F)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01 or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement or are market terms at the time of issuance (in each case as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

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(G)    customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of Intellectual Property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(H)    customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(I)    customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(J)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;

(K)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (1) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien, and (2) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 6.09;

(L)    customary net worth provisions contained in Real Property leases entered into by Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations;

(M)    any agreement in effect at the time such subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary;

(N)    restrictions in agreements representing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party;

(O)    customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or Equity Interests or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby as long as such restrictions relate to the Equity Interests and assets subject thereto;

(P)    restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(Q)    restrictions contained in any Permitted Securitization Document with respect to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary; and

(R)    any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 6.09(c)(i) and 6.09(c)(ii) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of or similar arrangements to the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (A) through (Q) above; provided, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, refinancings or similar arrangements are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions as contemplated by such provisions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement, refinancing or similar arrangement.

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Section 6.10    Fiscal Year. In the case of the Borrower, permit any change to its fiscal year without prior notice to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

Section 6.11    Financial Covenant. With respect to the Revolving Facility only, permit the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date), solely to the extent that on such date the Testing Condition is satisfied, to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.

ARTICLE VIA

Holdings Negative Covenants

Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) hereby covenants and agrees with each Lender that, from and after the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, (a) Holdings will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien other than (i) Liens created under the Loan Documents and (ii) Liens not prohibited by Section 6.02 on any of the Equity Interests issued by the Borrower held by Holdings and (b) Holdings shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence; provided, that so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Holdings may merge with any other person (and if it is not the survivor of such merger, the survivor shall assume Holdings’ obligations, as applicable, under the Loan Documents).

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

Section 7.01    Events of Default. In case of the happening of any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”):

(a)    any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed made and such false or misleading representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain false or misleading for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower; provided, that the failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party (other than the representations and warranties referred to in clause (i) of Section 4.01(b)) to be true and correct in any material respect on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(b)    default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

(c)    default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

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(d)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in, Section 5.01(a), 5.05(a) or 5.08 or in Article VI; provided, that any breach of the Financial Covenant shall not, by itself, constitute an Event of Default under any Term Facility and the Term Loans may not be accelerated as a result thereof unless there are Revolving Facility Loans outstanding that have been accelerated by the Required Revolving Facility Lenders pursuant to the penultimate sentence of this Section 7.01 as a result of such breach of the Financial Covenant;

(e)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) of Article VIA or by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days (or 60 days if such default results solely from the failure of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to duly observe or perform any such covenant, condition or agreement) after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(f)    (i) any event or condition occurs that (A) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Material Indebtedness with respect to Permitted Securitization Financings) or (B) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or (ii) the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided, that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

(g)    there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

(h)    an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary (except in a transaction permitted hereunder); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i)    the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (h) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable or admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

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(j)    the failure by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of $75,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

(k)    (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred, (ii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings (including giving notice of intent thereof) to terminate any Plan or Plans, (iii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(l)    (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower), the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto (other than in accordance with its terms), (ii) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document and to extend to assets that constitute a material portion of the Collateral shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be (other than, in each case, in accordance with its terms), a valid and perfected security interest (perfected as or having the priority required by this Agreement or the relevant Security Document and subject to such limitations and restrictions as are set forth herein and therein) in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the limitations of foreign laws, rules and regulations as they apply to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries or the application thereof, or from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Agreement or to file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements and except to the extent that such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the credit of such insurer, or (iii) a material portion of the Guarantees pursuant to the Security Documents by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or the Subsidiary Loan Parties guaranteeing the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof), or shall be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be in effect or not to be legal, valid and binding obligations (other than in accordance with the terms thereof); provided, that no Event of Default shall occur under this Section 7.01(l) if the Loan Parties cooperate with the Collateral Agent to replace or perfect such security interest and Lien, such security interest and Lien is replaced and the rights, powers and privileges of the Secured Parties are not materially adversely affected by such replacement;

then, and in every such event (other than (x) an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above and (y) an event described in clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document,

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shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding and (iii) if the Loans have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (ii) above, demand Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j); and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made a demand for Cash Collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.05(j), without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding. In the case of an Event of Default under clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, subject to Section 7.03, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) declare the Revolving Facility Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Revolving Facility Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder with respect to such Revolving Facility Loans, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding

For purposes of clauses (h), (i) and (j) of this Section 7.01, “Material Subsidiary” (1) shall mean any Subsidiary that would not be an Immaterial Subsidiary under clause (a) of the definition thereof and (2) shall exclude any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

Section 7.02    Treatment of Certain Payments. Subject to the terms of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, any amount received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from any Loan Party (or from proceeds of any Collateral) following any acceleration of the Obligations under this Agreement or any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in each case that is continuing, shall be applied: (i) first, ratably, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from the Borrower (other than in connection with any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement), (ii) second, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, (iv) fourth, towards payment of other Obligations (including Obligations of the Loan Parties owing under or in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement) then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such Obligations then due to such parties and (v) last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law.

Section 7.03    Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Borrower fails (or, but for the operation of this Section 7.03, would fail) to comply with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, from the last day of the applicable fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th Business Day subsequent to the date the certificate calculating such Financial Covenant is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(c), Holdings, the Borrower and

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any Parent Entity shall have the right to issue Permitted Cure Securities for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of such entities, and in each case, to contribute any such cash to the capital of the Borrower (collectively, the “Cure Right”), and upon the receipt by the Borrower of such cash (the “Cure Amount”), pursuant to the exercise of the Cure Right, the Financial Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to a pro forma adjustment by which EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable quarter and any four-quarter period that contains such quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; provided, that (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which a Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) a Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times during the term of the Revolving Facility, (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.03, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Covenant and (iv) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of the exercise of the Cure Right for determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Cure Right is exercised (either directly through prepayment or indirectly as a result of the netting of unrestricted cash). If, after giving effect to the adjustments in this Section 7.03, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

The Agents

Section 8.01    Appointment. (a) Each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including as the Collateral Agent for such Lender and the other Secured Parties under the Security Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Security Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

(b)    In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby appoints and authorizes the

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Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent (and any Subagents appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights or remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent) shall be entitled to the benefits of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, Section 8.07) as though the Collateral Agent (and any such Subagents) were an “Agent” under the Loan Documents, as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

Section 8.02    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may execute any of their respective duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof)) by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Each Agent may also from time to time, when it deems it to be necessary or desirable, appoint one or more trustees, co-trustees, collateral co-agents, collateral subagents or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “Subagent”) with respect to all or any part of the Collateral; provided, that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. Should any instrument in writing from the Borrower or any other Loan Party be required by any Subagent so appointed by an Agent to more fully or certainly vest in and confirm to such Subagent such rights, powers, privileges and duties, the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Loan Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by such Agent. If any Subagent, or successor thereto, shall become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, attorney-in-fact or Subagent that it selects with reasonable care.

Section 8.03    Exculpatory Provisions. None of the Agents, or their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party. No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (b) no Agent shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The

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Agents shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 7.02, any Guarantee or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guarantee or any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

Section 8.04    Reliance by Agents. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or conversation believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to any Credit Event, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or any Issuing Bank, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to such Credit Event. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to Holdings or the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with such Agent. Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Each Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

Section 8.05    Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless such Agent has received written notice

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from a Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders); provided, that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

Section 8.06    Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender and Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender and Issuing Bank represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of, and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of, the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

Section 8.07    Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent and the Revolving Facility Lenders agree to indemnify each Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, in each case, in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Holdings or the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Holdings or the Borrower to do so), in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure and, in the case of the indemnification of each Agent, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments hereunder; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline Lender and of L/C Disbursements owing to any Issuing Bank shall be considered to be owed to the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposure) (determined at the time such indemnity is sought), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent or such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s, Issuing Bank’s or Swingline

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Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The failure of any Lender to reimburse any Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any amount required to be paid by the Lenders to such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, as provided herein shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for its ratable share of such amount, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for such other Lender’s ratable share of such amount. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 8.08    Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued, or Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan participated in, by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

Section 8.09    Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Borrower shall have the right, subject to the reasonable consent of the Required Lenders (so long as no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case the Required Lenders shall have the right), to appoint a successor which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective (except in the case of the Collateral Agent holding collateral security on behalf of such Secured Parties, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed), and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Borrower (or the Required Lenders) appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8.09 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 8.10    Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the persons named on the cover page hereof as Joint Bookrunner, Joint Lead Arranger, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents or Co-Manager is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no rights, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except that each such person and its Affiliates shall be entitled to the rights expressly stated to be applicable to them in Sections 9.05 and 9.17 (subject to the applicable obligations and limitations as set forth therein).

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Section 8.11    Security Documents and Collateral Agent . The Lenders and the other Secured Parties authorize the Collateral Agent to release any Collateral or Guarantors in accordance with Section 9.18 or if approved, authorized or ratified in accordance with Section 9.08.

The Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize and instruct the Collateral Agent to, without any further consent of any Lender or any other Secured Party, enter into (or acknowledge and consent to) or amend, renew, extend, supplement, restate, replace, waive or otherwise modify any First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any other Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, any other Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is not prohibited (including with respect to priority) under this Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof (any of the foregoing, an “Intercreditor Agreement”). The Lenders and the other Secured Parties irrevocably agree that (x) the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are not prohibited and (y) any Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the Collateral Agent shall be binding on the Secured Parties, and each Lender and the other Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will take no actions contrary to the provisions of, if entered into and if applicable, any Intercreditor Agreement. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to any provider of any Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 6.01 hereof to extend credit to the Loan Parties and such persons are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions. Furthermore, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa) or (mm) of Section 6.02 or Section 6.02(a) (if the Liens thereunder are of a type that is contemplated by any of the foregoing clauses) in each case to the extent the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Liens on such property or (ii) that is or becomes Excluded Property; and the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall do so upon request of the Borrower; provided, that prior to any such request, the Borrower shall have in each case delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (x) that such Lien is permitted under this Agreement, (y) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence, that the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Lien on such property and (z) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (ii) of this sentence, that (A) such property is or has become Excluded Property and (B) if such property has become Excluded Property as a result of a contractual restriction, such restriction does not violate Section 6.09(c).

Section 8.12    Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, (i) the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise (A) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of any or all of the Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and any Subagents allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (B) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and (ii) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any

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amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party hereby agree that (a) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent, and (b) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other Disposition.

Section 8.13    Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If the IRS or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Loan Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, fines, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 8.13.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01    Notices; Communications. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 9.01(b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or other electronic means as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

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(i)    if to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks as of the Closing Date or the Swingline Lender to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such person on Schedule 9.01 to the Original Credit Agreement; and

(ii)    if to any other Lender or any other Issuing Bank, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

(b)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by them, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(c)    Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 9.01(b) above shall be effective as provided in such Section 9.01(b).

(d)    Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(e)    Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 may be delivered electronically (including as set forth in Section 9.17) and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender entitled to access thereto and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided, that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Except for such certificates required by Section 5.04(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 9.02    Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by such persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the Termination Date.

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Section 9.03    Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 9.04    Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as permitted by Section 6.05, the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 9.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (c) of this Section 9.04), and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

(b)    (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in subclause (ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A)    the Borrower, which consent, with respect to the assignment of a Term B Loan, will be deemed to have been given if the Borrower has not responded within ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of any request for such consent; provided, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment of a Term B Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below), or in the case of assignments during the primary syndication of the Commitments and Loans to persons identified to and agreed by the Borrower in writing prior to the Closing Date, or for an assignment of a Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan to a Revolving Facility Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Lender or Approved Fund with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender, or, in each case, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other person; and

(B)    the Administrative Agent; provided, that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund, the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower made in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21; and

(C)    the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender; provided, that no consent of the Issuing Banks and Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

(ii)    Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)    except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of

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the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than (x) $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Term Loans and (y) $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided, that such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds (with simultaneous assignments to or by two or more Related Funds shall be treated as one assignment), if any;

(B)    the parties to each assignment shall (1) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (2) if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, in each case together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent (and which the Administrative Agent agrees to waive for all parties to the Fee Letter));

(C)    the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.17; and

(D)    the Assignee shall not be the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries except in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04, “Approved Fund” shall mean any person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall be permitted to assign or transfer any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to (A) any Ineligible Institution, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (B), or (C) a natural person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment made to an Ineligible Institution. Any assigning Lender shall, in connection with any potential assignment, provide to the Borrower a copy of its request (including the name of the prospective assignee) concurrently with its delivery of the same request to the Administrative Agent irrespective of whether or not an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to subclause (v) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections)); provided, that an Assignee shall not be entitled to receive any

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greater payment pursuant to Section 2.17 than the applicable Assignor would have been entitled to receive had no such assignment occurred. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (d) of this Section 9.04 (except to the extent such participation is not permitted by such clause (d) of this Section 9.04, in which case such assignment or transfer shall be null and void).

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal and interest amounts of the Loans and Revolving L/C Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; provided, that no Lender shall, in such capacity, have access to, or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender.

(v)    Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.04, if applicable, and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b) of this Section 9.04 and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and promptly record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note, shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this subclause (v).

(c)    [Reserved].

(d)    (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations in Loans and Commitments to one or more banks or other entities other than (I) any Ineligible Institution (to the extent that the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders; provided, that regardless of whether the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders, no Lender may sell participations in Loans or Commitments to an Ineligible Institution without the consent of the Borrower if the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to such Lender) or (II) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (II) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided, that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to

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approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, that (x) such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that both (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (vi) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) and (2) directly adversely affects such Participant (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not any waiver of any Default or Event of Default) and (y) no other agreement with respect to amendment, modification or waiver may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to clause (d)(iii) of this Section 9.04, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Section 2.19) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 9.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender; provided, that such Participant shall be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Participant or potential Participant is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any participation made to an Ineligible Institution.

(ii)    Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts and interest amounts of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Without limitation of the requirements of this Section 9.04(d), no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of a Participant Register to any person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or other Loan Obligations under any Loan Document), except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other Loan Obligation is in registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes or is otherwise required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(iii)    A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent, which consent shall state that it is being given pursuant to this Section 9.04(d)(iii); provided, that each potential Participant shall provide such information as is reasonably requested by the Borrower in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent.

(e)    Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank and in the case of any Lender that is an Approved Fund, any pledge or assignment to any holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Lender, including to any trustee for, or any other representative of, such holders, and this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided, that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

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(f)    The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in clause (e) above.

(g)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Each of Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto and each Loan Party for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.

(h)    If the Borrower wishes to replace the Loans or Commitments under any Facility with ones having different terms, it shall have the option, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and subject to at least three Business Days’ advance notice to the Lenders under such Facility, instead of prepaying the Loans or reducing or terminating the Commitments to be replaced, to (i) require the Lenders under such Facility to assign such Loans or Commitments to the Administrative Agent or its designees and (ii) amend the terms thereof in accordance with Section 9.08 (with such replacement, if applicable, being deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 9.08(d)). Pursuant to any such assignment, all Loans and Commitments to be replaced shall be purchased at par (allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Loans were being optionally prepaid or such Commitments were being optionally reduced or terminated by the Borrower), accompanied by payment of any accrued interest and fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Section 9.05(b). By receiving such purchase price, the Lenders under such Facility shall automatically be deemed to have assigned the Loans or Commitments under such Facility pursuant to the terms of the form of Assignment and Acceptance attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Original Credit Agreement, and accordingly no other action by such Lenders shall be required in connection therewith. The provisions of this clause (h) are intended to facilitate the maintenance of the perfection and priority of existing security interests in the Collateral during any such replacement.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (i) or (j) of this Section 9.04), any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower, may purchase by way of assignment and become an Assignee with respect to Term Loans at any time and from time to time from Lenders in accordance with Section 9.04(b) hereof (each, a “Permitted Loan Purchase”); provided, that, in respect of any Permitted Loan Purchase, (A) no Permitted Loan Purchase shall be made from the proceeds of any extensions of credit under the Revolving Facility, (B) upon consummation of any such Permitted Loan Purchase, the Loans purchased pursuant thereto shall be deemed to be automatically and immediately cancelled and extinguished in accordance with Section 9.04(j), (C) in connection with any such Permitted Loan Purchase, any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower and such Lender that is the assignor (an “Assignor”) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance (and for the avoidance of doubt, (x) shall make the representations and warranties set forth in the Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance and (y) shall not be required to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) and shall otherwise comply with the conditions to assignments under this Section 9.04 and (D) no Default or Event of Default would exist immediately after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to such Permitted Loan Purchase.

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(j)    Each Permitted Loan Purchase shall, for purposes of this Agreement be deemed to be an automatic and immediate cancellation and extinguishment of such Term Loans and the Borrower shall, upon consummation of any Permitted Loan Purchase, notify the Administrative Agent that the Register be updated to record such event as if it were a prepayment of such Loans.

(k)    In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender or any other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Section 9.05    Expenses; Indemnity. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay(i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Arrangers and the Co-Manager, and, if necessary, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one local counsel per jurisdiction, and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Agents, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement of their rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with the Loans made or the Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the fees, charges and disbursements of a single counsel for all such persons, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such persons, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where such person affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected person).

(b)    The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arrangers, the Joint Bookrunners, the Co-Manager, each Issuing Bank, each Lender, the Syndication Agents, the Documentation Agents, each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assignors, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and members (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (excluding the allocated costs of in house counsel and limited to not more than one counsel for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local

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counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the 2017 Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any violation of or liability under Environmental Laws by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials at, under, on, from or to any property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (v) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties, (y) arose from a material breach of such Indemnitee’s or any of its Related Parties’ obligations under any Loan Document (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) or (z) arose from any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding that does not involve an act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates and is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding against any Agent, Arranger or the Co-Manager in its capacity as such). None of the Indemnitees (or any of their respective affiliates) shall be responsible or liable to the Fund, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries, Affiliates or stockholders or any other person or entity for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, which may be alleged as a result of the Facilities or the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the 2017 Transactions. The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable within 15 days after written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.

(c)    Except as expressly provided in Section 9.05(a) with respect to Other Taxes, which shall not be duplicative with any amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.17, this Section 9.05 shall not apply to any Taxes (other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses resulting from a non-Tax claim), which shall be governed exclusively by Section 2.17 and, to the extent set forth therein, Section 2.15.

(d)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Holdings and the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from

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the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(e)    The agreements in this Section 9.05 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 9.06    Right of Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any Subsidiary against any of and all the obligations of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or such Issuing Bank may have.

Section 9.07    Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

Section 9.08    Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by clause (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle such person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

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(b)    Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) as provided in Section 2.21, (y) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or, (A) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 6.11 (or any Default or Event of Default in respect thereof) or of Section 4.01 after the Closing Date, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class, rather than the Required Lenders, or (B) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 2.11(b) or (c), the Required Prepayment Lenders, rather than the Required Lenders), and (z) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Loan Party party thereto and the Administrative Agent and consented to by the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall:

(i)    decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan or any L/C Disbursement, or extend the stated expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date (except as provided in Section 2.05(c)), without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that any amendment to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i),

(ii)    increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender, or decrease the Commitment Fees, L/C Participation Fees or any other Fees of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default, mandatory prepayments or of a mandatory reduction in the aggregate Commitments shall not constitute an increase or extension of the Commitments of any Lender for purposes of this clause (ii),

(iii)    extend or waive any Term Loan Installment Date or reduce the amount due on any Term Loan Installment Date or extend any date on which payment of interest on any Loan or any L/C Disbursement or any Fees is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(iv)    amend the provisions of Section 7.02 with respect to the pro rata application of payments required thereby in a manner that by its terms modifies the application of such payments required thereby to be on a less than pro rata basis, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(v)    amend or modify the provisions of this Section 9.08 or the definition of the terms “Required Lenders,” “Majority Lenders,” “Required Revolving Facility Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, in each case except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date),

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(vi)    release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Loan Parties from their respective Guarantees under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, unless, in the case of a Subsidiary Loan Party, all or substantially all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary Loan Party is sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by this Agreement, without the prior written consent of each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender,

(vii)    effect any waiver, amendment or modification that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments or collateral of Lenders participating in any Facility differently from those of Lenders participating in another Facility, without the consent of the Majority Lenders participating in the adversely affected Facility except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being agreed that the Required Lenders may waive, in whole or in part, any prepayment or Commitment reduction required by Section 2.11 so long as the application of any prepayment or Commitment reduction still required to be made is not changed);

provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank acting as such at the effective date of such agreement, as applicable. Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any Assignee of such Lender.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have the right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be affected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(c)    Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Loan Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to include holders of Other First Liens in the benefit of the Security Documents in connection with the incurrence of any Other First Lien Debt, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower (a) to permit additional extensions of credit to be outstanding hereunder from time to time and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and the Revolving Facility Loans and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in

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respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the holders of such extensions of credit in any determination of the requisite lenders required hereunder, including Required Lenders, Required Prepayment Lenders and the Required Revolving Facility Lenders.

(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, technical and conforming modifications to the Loan Documents may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (but without the consent of any Lender) to the extent necessary (A) to integrate any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in a manner consistent with Section 2.21, including, with respect to Other Revolving Loans or Other Term Loans, as may be necessary to establish such Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Revolving Facility Commitments as a separate Class or tranche from the existing Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, and, in the case of Extended Term Loans, to reduce the amortization schedule of the related existing Class of Term Loans proportionately, (B) to integrate any Other First Lien Debt or (C) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency.

(f)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be necessary to ensure that all Term Loans established pursuant to Section 2.21 after the Closing Date that will be included in an existing Class of Term Loans outstanding on such date (an “Applicable Date”), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of outstanding Term Loans of such Class (the “Existing Class Loans”), on a pro rata basis, and/or to ensure that, immediately after giving effect to such new Term Loans (the “New Class Loans” and, together with the Existing Class Loans, the “Class Loans”), each Lender holding Class Loans will be deemed to hold its Pro Rata Share of each Class Loan on the Applicable Date (but without changing the amount of any such Lender’s Term Loans), and each such Lender shall be deemed to have effectuated such assignments as shall be required to ensure the foregoing. The “Pro Rata Share” of any Lender on the Applicable Date is the ratio of (1) the sum of such Lender’s Existing Class Loans immediately prior to the Applicable Date plus the amount of New Class Loans made by such Lender on the Applicable Date over (2) the aggregate principal amount of all Class Loans on the Applicable Date.

(g)    With respect to the incurrence of any secured or unsecured Indebtedness (including any intercreditor agreement relating thereto), the Borrower may elect (in its discretion, but shall not be obligated) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer at least three Business Days prior to the incurrence thereof (or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), together with either drafts of the material documentation relating to such Indebtedness or a description of such Indebtedness (including a description of the Liens intended to secure the same or the subordination provisions thereof, as applicable) in reasonably sufficient detail to be able to make the determinations referred to in this paragraph, which certificate shall either, at the Borrower’s election, (x) state that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such Indebtedness satisfies the requirements of the applicable provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02 (taking into account any other applicable provisions of this Section 9.08), in which case such certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof, or (y) request the Administrative Agent to confirm, based on the information set forth in such certificate and any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, that such Indebtedness satisfies such requirements, in which case the Administrative Agent may determine whether, in its reasonable judgment, such requirements have been satisfied (in which case it shall deliver to the Borrower a written confirmation of the same), with any such determination of the Administrative Agent to be conclusive evidence thereof, and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to make such determinations.

(h)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified with the written consent of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower with respect to (i) the

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provisions of Section 4.01, solely as they relate to the Revolving Facility Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit and (ii) the provisions of Section 6.11 (or Article VII or any other provision incorporating such Section 6.11 with respect to the effects thereof).

(i)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, with the written consent of each Revolving Facility Lender, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Borrower to the extent necessary to integrate any Alternate Currency.

Section 9.09    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the applicable interest rate, together with all fees and charges that are treated as interest under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), as provided for herein or in any other document executed in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received, taken or reserved by any Lender or any Issuing Bank, shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by such Lender in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable hereunder, together with all Charges payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate; provided, that such excess amount shall be paid to such Lender or such Issuing Bank on subsequent payment dates to the extent not exceeding the legal limitation.

Section 9.10    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fee Letter shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

Section 9.11    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY 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 WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

Section 9.12    Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 9.13    Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

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(a)    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission (or other electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

(b)    The words “execution,” “execute”, “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Acceptances, amendments, Borrowing Requests, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

Section 9.14    Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.15    Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process(a) . (a) The Borrower and each other Loan Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender, or any Affiliate of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(b)    Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

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(c)    Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 9.16    Confidentiality. Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each of the Agents agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and any Subsidiary furnished to it by or on behalf of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than information that (a) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party, (b) has been independently developed by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (c) was available to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent from a third party having, to such person’s knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any other Loan Party) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees and advisors with a need to know and any numbering, administration or settlement service providers or to any person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), except: (A) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the requirements of any Governmental Authority, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (B) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to, or examinations by, Governmental Authorities or self-regulatory authorities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., (C) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (D) in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding, (E) to any pledgee under Section 9.04(d) or any other prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16) and (F) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Hedging Agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16); provided that, in the case of clauses (E) and (F), no information may be provided to any Ineligible Institution or person who is known to be acting for an Ineligible Institution.

Section 9.17    Platform; Borrower Materials. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”), and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not reasonably be expected to be publicly available if Holdings was a public reporting company) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof, (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Manager, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as solely containing information that is either (A) publicly available information or (B) not material (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that such Borrower Materials shall be

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treated as set forth in Section 9.16, to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute information subject to the terms thereof), (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

Section 9.18    Release of Liens and Guarantees.

(a)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released: (i) in full upon the occurrence of the Termination Date as set forth in Section 9.18(d) below; (ii) upon the Disposition of such Collateral by any Loan Party to a person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by this Agreement (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) to the extent that such Collateral comprises property leased to a Loan Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iv) if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other percentage of the Lenders whose consent may be required in accordance with Section 9.08), (v) to the extent that the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement or clause (b) below (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (vi) as provided in Section 8.11 (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (vii) as required by the Collateral Agent to effect any Disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents. Any such release (other than pursuant to clause (i) above) shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those being released) upon (or obligations (other than those being released) of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any Disposition, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral except to the extent otherwise released in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents.

(b)    In addition, (i) the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantors shall be automatically released from the Guarantees upon consummation of any transaction not prohibited hereunder resulting in such Subsidiary ceasing to constitute a Subsidiary Loan Party or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (ii) immediately prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO of the Borrower, the Guarantee incurred by Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, Holdings shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effected).

(c)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver any instruments, documents, and agreements necessary or desirable to evidence and confirm the release of any Guarantor or Collateral pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.18 and to return to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including share certificates (if any)) held by it in

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respect of any Collateral so released, all without the further consent or joinder of any Lender or any other Secured Party. Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to any such Collateral or Guarantor shall no longer be deemed to be made. In connection with any release hereunder, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense in connection with the release of any Liens created by any Loan Document in respect of such Subsidiary, property or asset; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and any such release should be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Loan Document, on the Termination Date, all Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral and all obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under any Loan Documents (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof) shall, in each case, be automatically released and, upon request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Secured Party) take such actions as shall be required to evidence the release its security interest in all Collateral (including returning to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including all share certificates (if any)) held by it in respect of any Collateral), and to evidence the release of all obligations under any Loan Document (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof), whether or not on the date of such release there may be any (i) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (ii) any contingent indemnification obligations or expense reimburse claims not then due; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Any such release of obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (and their respective representatives) in connection with taking such actions to release security interest in all Collateral and all obligations under the Loan Documents as contemplated by this Section 9.18(d).

(e)    Obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement (after giving effect to all netting arrangements relating to such Secured Hedge Agreements) shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed. No person shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document solely as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement shall require the consent of any holder of obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements.

Section 9.19    Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking

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procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or the person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

Section 9.20    USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 9.21    Affiliate Lenders.

(a)    Each Lender who is an Affiliate of the Borrower, excluding (x) Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and (y) any Debt Fund Affiliate Lender (each, an “Affiliate Lender”; it being understood that (x) neither Holdings, the Borrower, nor any of their Subsidiaries may be Affiliate Lenders and (y) Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders and Affiliate Lenders may be Lenders hereunder in accordance with Section 9.04, subject in the case of Affiliate Lenders, to this Section 9.21), in connection with any (i) consent (or decision not to consent) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document, (ii) other action on any matter related to any Loan Document or (iii) direction to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, agrees that, except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action (1) described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the first proviso of Section 9.08(b) or (2) that adversely affects such Affiliate Lender (in its capacity as a Lender) in a disproportionately adverse manner as compared to other Lenders, such Affiliate Lender shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in such proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not Affiliate Lenders. Each Affiliate Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Affiliate Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliate Lender and in the name of such Affiliate Lender, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this clause (a).

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Affiliate Lender shall have any right to (1) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Borrower are not then present, (2) receive any information or material prepared by Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to

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the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives, (3) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any other such Lender under the Loan Documents, (4) purchase any Term Loan if, immediately after giving effect to such purchase, Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate would own Term Loans with an aggregate principal amount in excess of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding or (5) purchase any Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments. It shall be a condition precedent to each assignment to an Affiliate Lender that such Affiliate Lender shall have (x) represented to the assigning Lender in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance, and notified the Administrative Agent, that it is (or will be, following the consummation of such assignment) an Affiliate Lender and that the aggregate amount of Term Loans held by it giving effect to such assignments shall not exceed the amount permitted by clause (4) of the preceding sentence and (y) represented in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance that it is not in possession of material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal and state securities laws) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective securities (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not be reasonably expected to be publicly available if Holdings were a public reporting company) that (A) has not been disclosed to the assigning Lender or the Lenders generally (other than because any such Lender does not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries) and (B) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, the assigning Lender’s decision make such assignment.

Section 9.22    Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties. Each of the other Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices and the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and therein and all modifications hereto and thereto.

Section 9.23    No Liability of the Issuing Banks. The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. Neither any Issuing Bank nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use that may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith; (b) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment by such Issuing Bank against presentation of documents that do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit; or (d) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit, except that the Borrower shall have a claim against such Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, but not consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower that the Borrower proves were caused by (i) such Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in determining whether documents presented under any Letter of Credit comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit or (ii) such Issuing Bank’s willful failure to make lawful payment under a Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a draft and certificates strictly complying with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, such Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

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Section 9.24    Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

Section 9.25    Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement; Effectiveness of Amendment and Restatement. On and after the 2017 Effective Date, all obligations of the Loan Parties under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall become obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder and the provisions of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be superseded by the provisions hereof except for provisions under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement that expressly survive the termination thereof. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (a) the amendment and restatement of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement and all other Loan Documents executed and delivered in connection herewith shall not constitute a novation of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the 2017 Effective Date and (b) all deemed references in the other Loan Documents to the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer without further amendment to this Agreement.

Exhibit 10.5

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT NO. 3

Dated as of November 15, 2017

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.,

as Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

and

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

and

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.,

as Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents,

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

 

 

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INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT NO. 3

This INCREMENTAL ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT NO. 3 (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 15, 2017, is made by and among Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), each “Subsidiary Loan Party” listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “Subsidiary Loan Party” and, collectively, jointly and severally, the “Subsidiary Loan Parties”), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below) (the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the Lenders party hereto.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

(1)    Holdings, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent are party to that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder Agreement dated as of November 3, 2016, as amended and restated on December 20, 2016, as further amended and restated on June 21, 2017 and as further amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).

(2)    The Borrower has requested that the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders (as defined below) provide, pursuant to Section 2.21(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans (as defined below) in an aggregate principal amount of $800,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower (i) to finance a portion of the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) directly or indirectly by the Borrower of Datapipe Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Target”), pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, by, among others, Inception Topco, Inc. as purchaser (the “Purchaser”), the Borrower and Datapipe Holdings, LLC, as seller (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), and other related transactions in connection therewith, (ii) to repay certain indebtedness of the Target and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith (together, the “November 2017 Transactions”).

(3)    Each November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender who executes and delivers this Agreement as a November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender will make November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans on the November 2017 Effective Date (as defined below) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount equal to its November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment (as defined below).

(4)    With respect to the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments, (i) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets¹, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and BMO Capital Markets Corp. will act as the joint lead arrangers (in such capacity, the “November 2017 Incremental Arrangers”) and joint bookrunners, (ii) Apollo Global Securities, LLC will act as co-manager (in such capacity, the “Co-Manager”) and (iii) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and BMO Capital Markets Corp. will act as documentation agents and syndication agents.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

 

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(5)    The Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Borrower and the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders desire to memorialize the terms of this Agreement by amending, in accordance with Section 9.08(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement as set forth below, such amendment to become effective on the November 2017 Effective Date.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below). In addition, as used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified:

“November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender” shall mean a Lender with a November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment on the November 2017 Effective Date.

“November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender, the commitment of such November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender to make November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans to the Borrower on the November 2017 Effective Date. The amount of each Lender’s November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment as of the November 2017 Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 1 hereto. The aggregate amount of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments of all November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders as of the November 2017 Effective Date is $800,000,000.

“November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans” shall mean the Loans made pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.    November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments; November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans. On the November 2017 Effective Date, each of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders agrees to make November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed its November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment. Unless previously terminated, the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments shall terminate at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the November 2017 Effective Date.

SECTION 3.    Requests for November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans. To request a Borrowing of November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans on the November 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request in writing not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day prior to the November 2017 Effective Date (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree).

SECTION 4.    Representations of the Loan Parties. Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as of the November 2017 Effective Date that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

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SECTION 5.    Conditions of Lending. The obligations of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders to make November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans on the November 2017 Effective Date are subject (at the time of or substantially concurrently with the making of such November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans) to the satisfaction (or waiver by a majority of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders) of the following conditions (the date of such satisfaction or waiver, the “November 2017 Effective Date”):

(a)    The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender and (ii) from each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, either (x) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (y) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include delivery of a signed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission (e.g., “pdf”)) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or similar officer of each Loan Party dated the November 2017 Effective Date:

(i)    either (x) attaching a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents, including all amendments thereto, of such Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) of the jurisdiction of its organization or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying there have been no changes to the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation or other equivalent constituent and governing documents of such Loan Party since (i) in the case of each such Loan Party other than the TriCore Entities (as defined below), the June 2017 Effective Date or (ii) in the case of TriCore Solutions, LLC, Group Basis, LLC, TriCore Solutions, Inc. and Database Specialists, Inc. (collectively, the “TriCore Entities”), July 18, 2017 (the “TriCore Joinder Date”),

(ii)    attaching a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official),

(iii)    either (x) certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the November 2017 Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (iv) below or (y) with respect to any Loan Party other than the Borrower or Holdings, certifying that there have been no changes to the by-laws (or partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent constituent and governing documents) of such Loan Party since (i) in the case of each such Loan Party other than the TriCore Entities, the June 2017 Effective Date or (ii) in the case of the TriCore Entities, the TriCore Joinder Date,

(iv)    certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents executed in connection with this Agreement to which such Loan Party is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the Borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the November 2017 Effective Date,

 

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(v)    certifying as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document executed in connection with this Agreement on behalf of such Loan Party, and

(vi)    certifying as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders, a written opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (A) dated the November 2017 Effective Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders on the November 2017 Effective Date and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering such matters relating to this Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any November 2017 Incremental Arranger and the Co-Manager, on or prior to the November 2017 Effective Date and, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the November 2017 Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document on or prior to the November 2017 Effective Date (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans made hereunder).

(e)    The Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to the date that is three Business Days prior to the November 2017 Effective Date all documentation and other information of the type set forth in Section 3.25(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, to the extent such information has been requested by the Administrative Agent not less than 10 Business Days prior to the November 2017 Effective Date.

(f)    The representations and warranties made by or with respect to the Target and its subsidiaries in the Merger Agreement that are material to the interests of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders (in their capacity as such) (but only to the extent that the Borrower or the Purchaser has the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement as a result of a breach of such representation in the Merger Agreement) shall be true and correct in all material respects, and the representations and warranties of the Borrower and, to the extent applicable, the Guarantors, in Sections 3.01(a) and (d), 3.02(a) and (b)(i)(B), 3.03, 3.10, 3.11, 3.17 (limited to creation, validity and perfection), 3.19 (provided that each reference to the “June 2017 Effective Date” and the “June 2017 Transactions” therein shall be deemed to instead refer to the “November 2017 Effective Date” and “November 2017 Transactions”, respectively), 3.25 and 3.26 of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the November 2017 Effective Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

(g)    The Acquisition shall be consummated simultaneously or substantially concurrently with the Borrowing of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans on the November 2017 Effective Date on the terms described in the Merger Agreement, without giving effect to any

 

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amendment, waiver, consent or other modification thereof by the Purchaser that is materially adverse to the interests of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders (in their capacity as such) unless it is approved by the November 2017 Incremental Arrangers (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

(h)    Since the date of the Merger Agreement, there shall have been no “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

(i)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Existing Credit Agreement (as modified so that such certification shall be made on the November 2017 Effective Date after giving effect to the consummation of the November 2017 Transactions).

(j)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated as of the November 2017 Effective Date, to the effect set forth in Sections 5(f) and 5(h) hereof.

(k)    On the November 2017 Effective Date, after giving effect to the November 2017 Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, none of the Target or any of its subsidiaries shall have any third-party Indebtedness of the type described in clause (a) of the definition thereof other than (i) guarantees of the Obligations and the Senior Unsecured Notes and (ii) any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred or outstanding on or prior to the November 2017 Effective Date pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement.

For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5, each November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from such November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender prior to the November 2017 Effective Date specifying its objection thereto and such November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender shall not have funded such November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender’s ratable portion of the Borrowing of the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans. No representations or warranties under the Loan Documents will be deemed made on the November 2017 Effective Date other than those referred to in paragraph (f) above.

SECTION 6.    Consent and Affirmation of the Subsidiary Loan Parties. Each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties, in its capacity as a guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and a pledgor under the other Security Documents, hereby (i) consents to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and agrees that each of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Documents is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed on the November 2017 Effective Date, except that, on and after the November 2017 Effective Date, each reference to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement and (ii) confirms that the Security Documents to which each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties is a party and all of the Liens on Collateral described therein do, and shall continue to, secure the payment of all of the Obligations.

 

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SECTION 7.    Amendment of the Existing Credit Agreement. Effective on and as of the November 2017 Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended in accordance with Section 9.08(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement to delete the bold, stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the bold, double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement attached as Annex A hereto (the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).

SECTION 8.    Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. (a) On and after the November 2017 Effective Date, each reference in the Amended Credit Agreement to “hereunder”, “hereof”, “Agreement”, “this Agreement” or words of like import and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “Credit Agreement”, “First Lien Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement. From and after the November 2017 Effective Date, this Agreement shall be a Loan Document under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement.

(b)    The Security Documents and each other Loan Document, as specifically amended by this Agreement, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the respective guarantees, pledges, grants of security interests and other agreements, as applicable, under each of the Security Documents, notwithstanding the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Security Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to secure the payment of all Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case, as amended by this Agreement.

(c)    The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

(d)     This Agreement shall constitute an “Incremental Assumption Agreement”, the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders shall constitute “Incremental Term Lenders” and “Lenders”, the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loans shall constitute “Incremental Term Loans”, “Term B Loans”, “Term Loans” and “Loans”, and the November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments shall constitute “Incremental Term Loan Commitments”, “Term Facility Commitments” and “Commitments”, in each case, for all purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e)     This Agreement shall constitute notice to the Administrative Agent required under Section 2.21(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement.

SECTION 9.    Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by .pdf or other electronic form shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.    Amendments; Headings; Severability. This Agreement may not be amended nor may any provision hereof be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the November 2017 Incremental Term B Lenders. The Section headings used

 

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herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 11.    Governing Law; Etc.

(a)    THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

(b)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 9.11 AND 9.15 OF THE EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTIONS WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

SECTION 12.    No Novation. This Agreement shall not extinguish the obligations for the payment of money outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or discharge or release the Lien or priority of any Security Document or any other security therefor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the obligations outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or instruments securing the same, which shall remain in full force and effect, except to any extent modified hereby or by instruments executed concurrently herewith and except to the extent repaid as provided herein. Nothing implied in this Agreement or in any other document contemplated hereby shall be construed as a release or other discharge of any of the Loan Parties under any Loan Document from any of its obligations and liabilities as a borrower, guarantor or pledgor under any of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 13.    Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

HOLDINGS:
INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		/s/ Louis Alterman
		Name: Louis Alterman
		Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
BORROWER:
RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:		/s/ Louis Alterman
		Name: Louis Alterman
		Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
SUBSIDIARY LOAN PARTIES:
		MACRO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
		RACKSPACE US, INC.
		RACKSPACE DAL1DC MANAGEMENT, LLC
		OVERSTIMULATE, LLC
		OBJECTROCKET, LLC
		BOARDMAN ACQUISITION LLC
		GEEKSPACE, LLC
		OPEN CLOUD ACADEMY, LLC
		LITESTACK, INC.
		RACKSPACE RENO ACQUISITION, LLC
		RACKSPACE LAND HOLDINGS, LLC
		TRICORE SOLUTIONS, LLC
		GROUP BASIS, LLC
		TRICORE SOLUTIONS, INC.
		DATABASE SPECIALISTS, INC.
By:		/s/ Jeff Cotten
		Name: Jeff Cotten
		Title: President

[Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 3]

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CITIGROUP, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:		/s/ Scott Slavik
		Name: Scott Slavik
		Title: Vice President

 

CITIGROUP, N.A., as a November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender
By:		/s/ Scott Slavik
		Name: Scott Slavik
		Title: Vice President

[Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 3]

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SCHEDULE 1

November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments

 

November 2017 Incremental Term B Lender		November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitment
Citibank, N.A.		$800,000,000
Total:		$800,000,000

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ANNEX A

[See attached.]

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EXECUTION VERSION

Conformed Version incorporating the Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 3

(November 2017 Term B Loans)

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of November 3, 2016

as amended and restated as of December 20, 2016

as further amended and restated on June 21, 2017

among

INCEPTION PARENT, INC.,

as Holdings,

RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC. (as successor by merger to Inception Merger Sub, Inc.),

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS AND ISSUING BANKS PARTY HERETO,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Syndication Agents,

and

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

and

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Documentation Agents

 

 

APOLLO GLOBAL SECURITIES, LLC,

as Co-Manager

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I Definitions					1
Section 1.01		Defined Terms			1
Section 1.02		Terms Generally			6161
Section 1.03		Effectuation of Transactions			6162
Section 1.04		Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents			6162
Section 1.05		Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans			6262
Section 1.06		Change of Currency			6263
Section 1.07		Timing of Payment or Performance			6363
Section 1.08		Times of Day			6363
Section 1.09		Holdings			6363
ARTICLE II The Credits					6364
Section 2.01		Commitments			6364
Section 2.02		Loans and Borrowings			6464
Section 2.03		Requests for Borrowings			6565
Section 2.04		Swingline Loans			6666
Section 2.05		Letters of Credit			6768
Section 2.06		Funding of Borrowings			7272
Section 2.07		Interest Elections			7373
Section 2.08		Termination and Reduction of Commitments			7474
Section 2.09		Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt			7475
Section 2.10		Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans			7576
Section 2.11		Prepayment of Loans			7677
Section 2.12		Fees			7879
Section 2.13		Interest			8080
Section 2.14		Alternate Rate of Interest			8081
Section 2.15		Increased Costs			8181
Section 2.16		Break Funding Payments			8283
Section 2.17		Taxes			8283
Section 2.18		Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs			8686
Section 2.19		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			8788
Section 2.20		Illegality			8889
Section 2.21		Incremental Commitments			8989
Section 2.22		Defaulting Lender			9798
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties					99100
Section 3.01		Organization; Powers			99100
Section 3.02		Authorization			100100
Section 3.03		Enforceability			100101
Section 3.04		Governmental Approvals			100101
Section 3.05		Financial Statements			101101
Section 3.06		No Material Adverse Effect			101101
Section 3.07		Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases			101101
Section 3.08		Subsidiaries			101102
Section 3.09		Litigation; Compliance with Laws			102102
Section 3.10		Federal Reserve Regulations			102103

 

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Section 3.11		Investment Company Act			102103
Section 3.12		Use of Proceeds			102103
Section 3.13		Tax Returns			102103
Section 3.14		No Material Misstatements			103103
Section 3.15		Employee Benefit Plans			103104
Section 3.16		Environmental Matters			103104
Section 3.17		Security Documents			104105
Section 3.18		Location of Real Property			105105
Section 3.19		Solvency			105106
Section 3.20		Labor Matters			105106
Section 3.21		Insurance			106106
Section 3.22		No Default			106106
Section 3.23		Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.			106106
Section 3.24		Senior Debt			106107
Section 3.25		USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC			106107
Section 3.26		Foreign Corrupt Practices Act			107107
ARTICLE IV Conditions of Lending					107107
Section 4.01		All Credit Events			107108
Section 4.02		[Reserved]			108108
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants					108108
Section 5.01		Existence; Business and Properties			108109
Section 5.02		Insurance			108109
Section 5.03		Taxes			109110
Section 5.04		Financial Statements, Reports, etc.			109110
Section 5.05		Litigation and Other Notices			112112
Section 5.06		Compliance with Laws			112112
Section 5.07		Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections			112113
Section 5.08		Use of Proceeds			112113
Section 5.09		Compliance with Environmental Laws			112113
Section 5.10		Further Assurances; Additional Security			113113
Section 5.11		Rating			115116
Section 5.12		Post-Closing			116116
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants					116116
Section 6.01		Indebtedness			116116
Section 6.02		Liens			122123
Section 6.03		Sale and Lease-Back Transactions			128128
Section 6.04		Investments, Loans and Advances			128129
Section 6.05		Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions			133133
Section 6.06		Dividends and Distributions			136136
Section 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates			139139
Section 6.08		Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries			142143
Section 6.09		Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.			142142
Section 6.10		Fiscal Year			145145
Section 6.11		Financial Covenant			145145

 

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ARTICLE VII Events of Default					145145
Section 7.01		Events of Default			145145
Section 7.02		Treatment of Certain Payments			148148
Section 7.03		Right to Cure			148148
ARTICLE VIII The Agents					149149
Section 8.01		Appointment			149149
Section 8.02		Delegation of Duties			150150
Section 8.03		Exculpatory Provisions			150150
Section 8.04		Reliance by Agents			151151
Section 8.05		Notice of Default			151151
Section 8.06		Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders			152152
Section 8.07		Indemnification			152152
Section 8.08		Agent in Its Individual Capacity			153153
Section 8.09		Successor Administrative Agent			153153
Section 8.10		Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager			153153
Section 8.11		Security Documents and Collateral Agent			154153
Section 8.12		Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees			154154
Section 8.13		Withholding Tax			155155
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous					155155
Section 9.01		Notices; Communications			155155
Section 9.02		Survival of Agreement			156156
Section 9.03		Binding Effect			157156
Section 9.04		Successors and Assigns			157156
Section 9.05		Expenses; Indemnity			162162
Section 9.06		Right of Set-off			164163
Section 9.07		Applicable Law			164164
Section 9.08		Waivers; Amendment			164164
Section 9.09		Interest Rate Limitation			168167
Section 9.10		Entire Agreement			168167
Section 9.11		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			168168
Section 9.12		Severability			168168
Section 9.13		Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents			168168
Section 9.14		Headings			169169
Section 9.15		Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process			169169
Section 9.16		Confidentiality			170169
Section 9.17		Platform; Borrower Materials			170170
Section 9.18		Release of Liens and Guarantees			171170
Section 9.19		Judgment Currency			172172
Section 9.20		USA PATRIOT Act Notice			173172
Section 9.21		Affiliate Lenders			173173
Section 9.22		Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties			174173
Section 9.23		No Liability of the Issuing Banks			174174
Section 9.24		Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions			175174
Section 9.25		Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement; Effectiveness of Amendment and Restatement			175174

 

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Exhibits and Schedules
Exhibit A		Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B		Form of Administrative Questionnaire
Exhibit C		Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit D-1		Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit D-2		Form of Swingline Borrowing Request
Exhibit E		Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit F		Form of Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit G		Form of First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit H		Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit I		Form of Non-Bank Tax Certificate
Exhibit J		Form of Intercompany Subordination Terms
Schedule 1.01(A)		Certain Excluded Equity Interests
Schedule 1.01(B)		[Reserved]
Schedule 1.01(C)		Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(D)		Closing Date Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Schedule 1.01(E)		Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.01(F)		Specified L/C Sublimit
Schedule 1.01(G)		Cash Management Banks and Hedge Banks
Schedule 2.01		Commitments
Schedule 3.01		Organization and Good Standing
Schedule 3.04		Governmental Approvals
Schedule 3.05		Financial Statements
Schedule 3.07(c)		Notices of Condemnation
Schedule 3.08(a)		Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.08(b)		Subscriptions
Schedule 3.13		Taxes
Schedule 3.21		Insurance
Schedule 3.23		Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.12		Post-Closing Items
Schedule 6.01		Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02(a)		Liens
Schedule 6.04		Investments
Schedule 6.07		Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 9.01		Notice Information

 

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of June 21, 2017 (this “Agreement”), among INCEPTION PARENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or the “Borrower”), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders and Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS, Holdings, Inception Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent entered into that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder dated November 3, 2016, the “Original Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company entered into the Merger Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to which Merger Sub was merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings;

WHEREAS, the Borrower entered into that certain Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement (the “2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement”), dated as of December 20, 2016, by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, under which (i) certain Lenders extended credit to the Borrower in the form of Refinancing Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000 and (ii) the Original Credit Agreement was amended and restated (the “Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into that certain Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement No. 2 (the “June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement”), dated as of June 21, 2017 (the “June 2017 Effective Date”), by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, under which certain Lenders (such Lenders, the “June 2017 Term B Lenders”) are extending credit to the Borrower in the form of (i) Refinancing Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,995,000,000 (the “June 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans”) and (ii) Incremental Term Loans consisting of Term B Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 (the “June Incremental Term B Loans” and, together with the June 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans, the “June 2017 Term B Loans”); and

WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent, Holdings, the Borrower and the June 2017 Term B Lenders have agreed to amend and restate the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement as provided in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be, and hereby is, amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01    Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

“2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

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“2016 Repricing Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the initial borrowings thereunder, (b) the repayment in full of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with any of the foregoing.

“2017 Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Refinancing Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Term Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“2017 Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the initial borrowings thereunder, (b) the repayment in full of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with any of the foregoing.

“ABR” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect for such day plus 0.50%, (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for Eurocurrency Borrowings of Loans of the same Class for a one-month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00%; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making a LIBO Rate available) as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates). Any change in such rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, as the case may be.

“ABR Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

“ABR Loan” shall mean any ABR Term Loan, ABR Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan.

“ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Revolving Loans.

“ABR Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“ABR Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

 

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“Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) (a) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) one minus the Statutory Reserves applicable to such Eurocurrency Borrowing, if any; provided that if the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be less than zero pursuant to this clause (x), such interest rate shall be deemed to be zero and (y) in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings composed of Eurocurrency Term Loans, 1.00%.

“Adjustment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Pricing Grid.”

“Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.

“Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).

“Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit B to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified.

“Affiliate Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21(a).

“Agents” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Agreement Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“All-in Yield” shall mean, as to any Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable), the yield thereon payable to all Lenders (or other lenders, as applicable) providing such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable) in the primary syndication thereof, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, up-front fees, rate floors or otherwise; provided, that original issue discount and up-front fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a 4-year life to maturity (or, if less, the life of such Loans (or Pari Term Loans, if applicable)); and provided, further, that “All-in Yield” shall not include arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring or similar fees and customary consent fees for an amendment paid generally to consenting lenders.

“Alternate Currency” shall mean (i) with respect to any Letter of Credit, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling, Swiss Francs, Mexican Pesos, Australian Dollars and any other currency other than Dollars as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect thereto in their sole discretion and (ii) with respect to any Loan, any currency other than Dollars that is approved in accordance with Section 1.05.

“Alternate Currency Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternate Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis

 

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of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternate Currency with Dollars.

“Alternate Currency Letter of Credit” shall mean any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Alternate Currency Loan” shall mean any Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency.

“Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.26.

“Applicable Commitment Fee” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Revolving Facility Commitments relating to Initial Revolving Loans, 0.50% per annum; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; or (ii) with respect to any Other Revolving Facility Commitments, the “Applicable Commitment Fee” set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Applicable Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Applicable Margin” shall mean for any day (i) with respect to any Term B Loan, 3.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 2.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; (ii) with respect to any Initial Revolving Loan, 4.00% per annum in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan and 3.00% per annum in the case of any ABR Loan; provided, however, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after delivery of the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04 upon the completion of one full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Closing Date, the “Applicable Margin” with respect to an Initial Revolving Loan will be determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid; and (iii) with respect to any Other Term Loan or Other Revolving Loan, the “Applicable Margin” set forth in the Incremental Assumption Agreement relating thereto.

“Applicable Period” shall mean an Excess Cash Flow Period or an Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, as the case may be.

“Approved Fund” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(ii).

“Arrangers” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets¹ and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Asset Sale” shall mean any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any Disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of, any asset or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Assignee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(i).

“Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (if required by Section 9.04), in the form of Exhibit A to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower.

 

1	RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets businesses of Royal Bank of Canada and its Affiliates.

 

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“Assignor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Availability Period” shall mean, with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date (or, if later, the effective date for such Class of Revolving Facility Commitments) to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and, in the case of each of the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving Facility Borrowings, Swingline Loans, Swingline Borrowings and Letters of Credit, the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

“Available Unused Commitment” shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender under any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments at any time, an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount by which (a) the applicable Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds (b) the applicable Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time.

“Bail-In Action” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

“Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Cumulative Credit”.

“Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

“Board of Directors” shall mean, as to any person, the board of directors or other governing body of such person, or if such person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

“Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Borrower Materials” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Borrowing” shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under a single Facility, and made on a single date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

“Borrowing Minimum” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $1,000,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $500,000.

“Borrowing Multiple” shall mean (a) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $500,000, (b) in the case of ABR Loans, $250,000 and (c) in the case of Swingline Loans, $100,000.

“Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the Original Credit Agreement or another form approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent).

 

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“Budget” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04(e).

“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in Dollars in the London interbank market.

“Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any person in respect of any period, the aggregate of all expenditures incurred by such person during such period that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “additions to property, plant or equipment” or similar items reflected in the statement of cash flows of such person.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either existing on the Closing Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as capital lease obligations and were subsequently recharacterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Closing Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Closing Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

“Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a person during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in accordance with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of such person and its subsidiaries.

“Cash Collateralize” shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Banks or Lenders, as collateral for Revolving L/C Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of Revolving L/C Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” and “Cash Collateralization” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Interest Expense for such period to the extent such amounts are paid in cash for such period, excluding, without duplication, in any event (a) pay-in-kind Interest Expense or other non-cash Interest Expense (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting), (b) to the extent included in Interest Expense, the amortization of any financing fees paid by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including such fees paid in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the June 2017 Transactions or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing, and (c) the amortization of debt discounts, if any, or fees in respect of Hedging Agreements; provided, that Cash

 

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Interest Expense shall exclude any one time financing fees, including those paid in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the June 2017 Transactions or upon entering into a Permitted Securitization Financing or any amendment of this Agreement.

“Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any agreement to provide to Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary cash management services for collections, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), any demand deposit, payroll, trust or operating account relationships, commercial credit cards, merchant card, purchase or debit cards, non-card e-payables services, and other cash management services, including electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

“Cash Management Bank” shall mean any person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement (or on the Closing Date), is (a) an Agent, an Arranger, a Lender or an Affiliate of any such person, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G) to the Original Credit Agreement.

“CFC” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if:

(a)    (i) at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, (x) the Permitted Holders in the aggregate shall at any time cease to have, directly or indirectly, the power to vote or direct the voting of at least 35% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or (y) any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of a percentage of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower that is greater than the percentage of such voting power of such Voting Stock in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders or (ii) at any time on and after a Qualified IPO, any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders (or any holding company parent of the Borrower owned directly or indirectly by the Permitted Holders), shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Borrower having more than 50.1% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Borrower, unless in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (a), the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; or

(b)    a “Change of Control” (as defined in (i) the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, (ii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes constituting Material Indebtedness or (iii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of any Junior Financing constituting Material Indebtedness) shall have occurred; or

 

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(c)    Holdings shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than in connection with or after a Qualified IPO of the Borrower).

“Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any Lending Office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives under or issued in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated under or in connection with, all interpretations and applications of, or any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating to International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case under clauses (x) and (y) be deemed to be a “Change in Law” but only to the extent a Lender is imposing applicable increased costs or costs in connection with capital adequacy requirements similar to those described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 2.15 generally on other borrowers of loans under United States of America cash flow term loan credit facilities.

“Charges” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Class” shall mean, (a) when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, whether such Loan or the Loans comprising such Borrowing are June 2017 Term B Loans, November 2017 Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans. Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans; and (b) when used in respect of any Commitment, whether such Commitment is in respect of a commitment to make June 2017 Term B Loans, November 2017 Term B Loans, Other Term Loans, Initial Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans; provided that from and after the November 2017 Effective Date, the June 2017 Term B Loans and the November 2017 Term B Loans shall be treated as Loans of the same “Class” for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Other Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans that have different terms and conditions (together with the Commitments in respect thereof) from the June 2017 Term B Loans, November 2017 Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, respectively, or from other Other Term Loans or other Extended Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall each be construed to be in separate and distinct Classes.

“Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Closing Date” shall mean November 3, 2016.

“Co-Manager” shall mean Apollo Global Securities, LLC.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Co-Investors” shall mean (a) the Fund and Fund Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies), (b) one or more investment funds affiliated with Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. and their respective Affiliates (excluding any of their portfolio companies) and (c) the Management Group.

“Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties and all other property that is subject to any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Subagent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to any Security Document.

 

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“Collateral Agent” shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as collateral agent for the Secured Parties, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity.

“Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Collateral Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, among the Borrower, each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall mean the requirement that (in each case subject to Sections 5.10(d), (e) and (g) and Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement):

(a)    on the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) from the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement and (ii) from each Subsidiary Loan Party, a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (iii) from Holdings, a counterpart of the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, in each case duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person;

(b)    on the Closing Date, (i)(x) all outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower and all other outstanding Equity Interests, in each case, directly owned by the Loan Parties, other than Excluded Securities, and (y) all Indebtedness owing to any Loan Party, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement or the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests (other than certificates or instruments issued by subsidiaries of the Company that are not received from the Company on or prior to the Closing Date after using commercially reasonable efforts) and any notes or other instruments required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Security Documents, together with stock powers, note powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(c)    in the case of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and (ii) supplements to the other Security Documents, if applicable, in the form specified therefor or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Subsidiary Loan Party;

(d)    after the Closing Date, (x) all outstanding Equity Interests of any person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date and (y) subject to Section 5.10(g), all Equity Interests directly acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (and any Equity Interests of the Borrower directly acquired by Holdings) after the Closing Date, other than Excluded Securities, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement (or the Holdings Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, as applicable), together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer (if any) with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(e)    except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Document, all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, and filings with the United States Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (including those required by applicable Requirements of Law) to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents (in each case, including any supplements thereto) and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security

 

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Documents, shall have been delivered, filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or the recording concurrently with, or promptly following, the execution and delivery of each such Security Document;

(f)    within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of each Mortgage to be entered into with respect to each such Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property and suitable for recording or filing in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and enforceable Lien subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, at the time of recordation thereof, (ii) with respect to the Mortgage encumbering each such Mortgaged Property, opinions of counsel regarding the enforceability, due authorization, execution and delivery of the Mortgages and such other matters customarily covered in real estate counsel opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (iii) with respect to each such Mortgaged Property, the Flood Documentation and (iv) such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request that are available to the Borrower without material expense with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property;

(g)    within the time periods set forth in Section 5.10 with respect to Mortgaged Properties encumbered pursuant to said Section 5.10, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) a policy or policies or marked up unconditional binder of title insurance with respect to properties located in the United States of America, or a date-down and modification endorsement, if available, paid for by the Borrower, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company insuring the Lien of each Mortgage as a valid Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except Permitted Liens, together with such customary endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and which are available at commercially reasonable rates in the jurisdiction where the applicable Mortgaged Property is located and (ii) a survey of each Mortgaged Property (including all improvements, easements and other customary matters thereon reasonably required by the Administrative Agent), as applicable, for which all necessary fees (where applicable) have been paid with respect to properties located in the United States of America, which is (A) complying in all material respects with the minimum detail requirements of the American Land Title Association and American Congress of Surveying and Mapping as such requirements are in effect on the date of preparation of such survey and (B) sufficient for such title insurance company to remove all standard survey exceptions from the title insurance policy relating to such Mortgaged Property and issue the customary survey related endorsements or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(h)    the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence of the insurance required by the terms of Section 5.02 hereof; and

(i)    after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) such other Security Documents as may be required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.10 or the Collateral Agreement, and (ii) upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence of compliance with any other requirements of Section 5.10.

“Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

“Commitments” shall mean (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and Term Facility Commitment and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment (it being understood that a Swingline Commitment does not increase the applicable Swingline Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment).

 

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“Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Conduit Lender” shall mean any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender; provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 or 9.05 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender unless the designation of such Conduit Lender is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which consent shall specify that it is being made pursuant to the proviso in the definition of “Conduit Lender” and provided that the designating Lender provides such information as the Borrower reasonably requests in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent or (b) be deemed to have any Commitment.

“Consolidated Debt” at any date shall mean the sum of (without duplication) all Indebtedness (other than letters of credit or bank guarantees, to the extent undrawn) consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money and Disqualified Stock of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such person and its subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(i)    any net after-tax extraordinary, exceptional, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses or income or expense or charge (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), any severance, relocation or other restructuring expenses (including any cost or expense related to employment of terminated employees), any expenses related to any New Project or any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to closing costs, rebranding costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, acquisition integration costs, opening costs, recruiting costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, and expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests or debt securities of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, any Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or incurrence, issuance, repayment, repurchase, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the June 2017 Transactions (including any costs relating to auditing prior periods, any transition-related expenses, and Transaction Expenses incurred before, on or after the Closing Date), in each case, shall be excluded,

(ii)    any net after-tax income or loss from Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gain or loss on the Dispositions of Disposed of, abandoned, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded,

 

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(iii)    any net after-tax gain or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business Dispositions or asset Dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower) shall be excluded,

(iv)    any net after-tax income or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment or buy-back of indebtedness, Hedging Agreements or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(v)    (A)    the Net Income for such period of any person that is not a subsidiary of such person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) in respect of such period and (B) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent person or a subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent person) from any person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (A),

(vi)    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period shall be excluded,

(vii)    effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such person and its subsidiaries and including the effects of adjustments to (A) deferred rent, (B) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending funds with suppliers or (C) any deferrals of revenue) in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(viii)    any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP, shall be excluded,

(ix)    any (a) non-cash compensation charge or (b) costs or expenses realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded,

(x)    accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded,

(xi)    non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretation shall be excluded,

(xii)    any gain, loss, income, expense or charge resulting from the application of any LIFO method shall be excluded,

(xiii)    any non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded,

(xiv)    any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Agreements for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded,

 

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(xv)    any deductions attributable to minority interests shall be excluded,

(xvi)    [reserved],

(xvii)    (A) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (x) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (y) in fact reimbursed within 365 days following the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded; and (B) amounts estimated in good faith to be received from insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount to the extent included in Net Income in a future period),

(xviii)    without duplication, an amount equal to the amount of distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 6.06(b)(v) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such person for such period, and

(xix)    Capitalized Software Expenditures and software development costs shall be excluded.

“Consolidated Total Assets” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the consolidated Subsidiaries without giving effect to any impairment or amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Closing Date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as applicable, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any acquisition or Disposition of a person or assets that may have occurred on or after the last day of such fiscal quarter.

“Continuing Letter of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

“Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

“Credit Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.

“Cumulative Credit” shall mean, at any date, an amount, not less than zero in the aggregate, determined on a cumulative basis equal to, without duplication:

(a)    $75,000,000, plus

(b)    the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount at such time, plus

(c)    the aggregate amount of proceeds received after the Closing Date and prior to such time that would have constituted Net Proceeds pursuant to clause (a) of the definition thereof, except for the operation of clause (x), (y) or (z) of the second proviso thereof (the “Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds”), plus

 

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(d)    the aggregate amount of any Declined Proceeds, plus

(e)    (i) the cumulative amount of proceeds (including cash and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) from the sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time (including upon exercise of warrants or options), which proceeds have been contributed as common equity to the capital of the Borrower, and (ii) common Equity Interests of Holdings, the Borrower or any Parent Entity issued upon conversion of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Loan Obligations in right of payment) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary owed to a person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary; provided, that this clause (e) shall exclude Permitted Cure Securities, sales of Equity Interests financed as contemplated by Section 6.04(e) or used as described in clause (ix) of the definition of “EBITDA”, any amount used to incur Indebtedness under Section 6.01(l)) and any amounts used to finance the payments or distributions in respect of any Junior Financing pursuant to Section 6.09(b), plus

(f)    100% of the aggregate amount of contributions as common equity to the capital of the Borrower received in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash) after the Closing Date (subject to the same exclusions as are applicable to clause (e) above); plus

(g)    100% of the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness (including the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof issued after the Closing Date (other than Indebtedness issued to a Subsidiary), which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) in the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, plus

(h)    100% of the aggregate amount received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in cash (and the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of property other than cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary) after the Closing Date from:

(A)    the issuance or sale (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary) of the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

(B)    any dividend or other distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

(i)    in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Investments of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), plus

(j)    an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y), minus

(k)    any amounts thereof used to make Investments pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) after the Closing Date prior to such time, minus

(l)    the cumulative amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.06(e) prior to such time, minus

 

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(m)    any amount thereof used to make payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings pursuant to Section 6.09(b)(i)(E) (other than payments made with proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests that were excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit pursuant to clause (e) above);

provided, however, (A) for purposes of Section 6.06(e), the calculation of the Cumulative Credit shall not include any Below Threshold Asset Sale Proceeds except to the extent they are used as contemplated in clauses (k) and (m) above, and (B) Cumulative Credit shall only be increased pursuant to clause (a) above to the extent that Excess Cash Flow for any Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the ECF Threshold Amount (or, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, a pro rata portion of such amount).

“Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount” shall mean, at any date, an amount (which shall not be less than zero in the aggregate) determined on a cumulative basis equal to:

(a)    the aggregate cumulative sum of the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Periods ending after the Closing Date and prior to such date, plus

(b)    for each Excess Cash Flow Interim Period ended prior to such date but as to which the corresponding Excess Cash Flow Period has not ended, an amount equal to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Interim Period, minus

(c) the cumulative amount of all Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfundings as of such date.

“Cure Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Cure Right” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03.

“Current Assets” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, the sum of (a) all assets (other than cash and Permitted Investments or other cash equivalents) that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current assets at such date of determination, other than amounts related to current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, and (b) gross accounts receivable comprising part of the Securitization Assets subject to such Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Current Liabilities” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, all liabilities that would, in accordance with GAAP, be classified on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current liabilities at such date of determination, other than (a) the current portion of any Indebtedness, (b) accruals of Interest Expense (excluding Interest Expense that is due and unpaid), (c) accruals for current or deferred Taxes based on income or profits, (d) accruals, if any, of transaction costs resulting from the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the June 2017 Transactions, (e) accruals of any costs or expenses related to (i) severance or termination of employees prior to the Closing Date or (ii) bonuses, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, and (f) accruals for add-backs to EBITDA included in clauses (a)(iv), (a)(v), and (a)(vii) of the definition of such term.

“Datapipe” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.12(c).

“Debt Fund Affiliate Lender” shall mean entities managed by the Fund or funds advised by its affiliated management companies that are primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans,

 

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bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course and for which no personnel making investment decisions in respect of any equity fund which has a direct or indirect equity investment in Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has the right to make any investment decisions.

“Debt Service” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Cash Interest Expense for such period, plus scheduled principal amortization of Consolidated Debt for such period.

“Debtor Relief Laws” shall mean the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

“Declined Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Declining Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(c)(i).

“Deemed Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

“Default” shall mean any event or condition that upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” shall mean, subject to Section 2.22, any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing that it does not intend or expect to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, or has made a public statement to that effect, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower) or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided, that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.22) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each Lender.

“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” shall mean the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries

 

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in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth such valuation, less the amount of cash or cash equivalents received in connection with a subsequent disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

“Disinterested Director” shall mean, with respect to any person and transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of such person who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction.

“Dispose” or “Disposed of” shall mean to convey, sell, lease, sell and leaseback, assign, farm-out, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property, business or asset. The term “Disposition” shall have a correlative meaning to the foregoing.

“Disqualified Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, any Equity Interests of such person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Loan Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payment of dividends in cash or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance thereof (provided, that only the portion of the Equity Interests that so mature or are mandatorily redeemable, are so convertible or exchangeable or are so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock). Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) any Equity Interests issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability and (ii) any class of Equity Interests of such person that by its terms authorizes such person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

“Documentation Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Dollar Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any currency other than Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date or other applicable date of determination) for the purchase of Dollars with such currency.

“Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in

 

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subclauses (i) through (xiii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income (and were not excluded therefrom) for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined):

(i)    provision for Taxes based on income, profits or capital of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to taxes or arising from tax examinations),

(ii)    Interest Expense (and to the extent not included in Interest Expense, (x) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period,

(iii)    depreciation and amortization expenses of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period including the amortization of intangible assets, deferred financing fees, original issue discount and Capitalized Software Expenditures, amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits,

(iv)    business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility, branch, office or business unit closures, facility, branch, office or business unit consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges) and Pre-Opening Expenses,

(v)    any other non-cash charges; provided, that for purposes of this subclause (v) of this clause (a), any non-cash charges or losses shall be treated as cash charges or losses in any subsequent period during which cash disbursements attributable thereto are made (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

(vi)    the amount of management, consulting, monitoring, transaction, advisory and similar fees and related expenses paid to the Co-Investors (or any accruals related to such fees and related expenses) during such period not in contravention of this Agreement,

(vii)    any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense as described in the preceding subclause (iii)) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, New Project, Disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Agreement (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (x) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and this Agreement, (y) any amendment or other modification of the Obligations or other Indebtedness and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(viii)    the amount of loss or discount in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing, including amortization of loan origination costs and amortization of portfolio discounts,

(ix)    any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (other than

 

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contributions received from the Borrower or another Subsidiary Loan Party) or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock),

(x)    [reserved],

(xi)    the amount of any loss attributable to a New Project, until the date that is 12 months after the date of completing the construction, acquisition, assembling or creation of such New Project, as the case may be; provided, that (A) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) losses attributable to such New Project after 12 months from the date of completing such construction, acquisition, assembling or creation, as the case may be, shall not be included in this subclause (xi),

(xii)    with respect to any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary and solely to the extent relating to any net income referred to in clause (v) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in subclauses (i) and (ii) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Subsidiary), and

(xiii)    one-time costs associated with commencing Public Company Compliance;

minus (b) the sum of (without duplication and to the extent the amounts described in this clause (b) increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items (A) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or will be received in a future period or (B) which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period).

“ECF Threshold Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(c).

“EEA Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“EMU Legislation” shall mean the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

“Environment” shall mean ambient and indoor air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources such as flora and fauna, the workplace or as otherwise defined in any Environmental Law.

 

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“Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable laws (including common law), rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, binding agreements, decrees or judgments, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the Environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the generation, use, transport, management, Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material or to public or employee health and safety matters (to the extent relating to the Environment or Hazardous Materials).

“Environmental Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.16.

“Equity Interests” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time and any final regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any Reportable Event or the requirements of Section 4043(b) of ERISA apply with respect to a Plan; (b) with respect to any Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (c) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the impending imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or in “endangered” or “critical” status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; or (j) the withdrawal of any of Holdings, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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“Euro” shall mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

“Eurocurrency Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Loans.

“Eurocurrency Loan” shall mean any Eurocurrency Term Loan or Eurocurrency Revolving Loan.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans.

“Eurocurrency Revolving Loan” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“Eurocurrency Term Loan” shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

“Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any Applicable Period, EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such Applicable Period, minus, without duplication, (A):

(a)    Debt Service for such Applicable Period,

(b)    the amount of any voluntary payment permitted hereunder of term Indebtedness during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(A)) and the amount of any voluntary payments of revolving Indebtedness to the extent accompanied by permanent reductions of any revolving facility commitments during such Applicable Period (other than any voluntary prepayments of the Revolving Facility Commitment, which shall be the subject of Section 2.11(c)(ii)(B)), so long as the amount of such prepayment is not already reflected in Debt Service,

(c)    (i) Capital Expenditures by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period that are paid in cash and (ii) the aggregate consideration paid in cash during the Applicable Period in respect of Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments, intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries and Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(j)(Y) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)) and payments in respect of restructuring activities,

(d)    Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments (excluding Permitted Investments and intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries), or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities, that the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall, during such Applicable Period, become obligated to make or otherwise anticipated to make payments with respect thereto but that are not made during such Applicable Period; provided, that (i) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate to the Administrative Agent not later than the date required for the delivery of the certificate pursuant to Section 2.11(c), signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and certifying that payments in respect of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or other permitted Investments or planned restructuring activities are expected to be made in the following Excess Cash Flow Period, and (ii) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period,

 

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(e)    Taxes paid in cash by Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period or that will be paid within six months after the close of such Applicable Period and the amount of any distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) and Section 6.06(b)(v) during such Applicable Period or that will be made within six months after the close of such Applicable Period; provided, that with respect to any such amounts to be paid or distributed after the close of such Applicable Period, (i) any amount so deducted shall not be deducted again in a subsequent Applicable Period, and (ii) appropriate reserves shall have been established in accordance with GAAP,

(f)    an amount equal to any increase in Working Capital (other than any increase arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period and, at the Borrower’s option, any anticipated increase, estimated by the Borrower in good faith, for the following Excess Cash Flow Period,

(g)    cash expenditures made in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period, to the extent not reflected in the computation of EBITDA or Interest Expense,

(h)    permitted Restricted Payments paid in cash by the Borrower during such Applicable Period and permitted Restricted Payments paid by any Subsidiary to any person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries during such Applicable Period, in each case in accordance with Section 6.06 (other than Section 6.06(e) (unless made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit)),

(i)    amounts paid in cash during such Applicable Period on account of (A) items that were accounted for as non-cash reductions of Net Income in determining Consolidated Net Income or as non-cash reductions of Consolidated Net Income in determining EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in a prior Applicable Period and (B) reserves or accruals established in purchase accounting,

(j)    to the extent not deducted in the computation of Net Proceeds in respect of any asset disposition or condemnation giving rise thereto, the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness created hereunder or under any other Loan Document), together with any interest, premium or penalties required to be paid (and actually paid) in connection therewith,

(k)    the amount related to items that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income or were added to or not deducted from Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent such items represented a cash payment (other than in respect of Transaction Expenses) which had not reduced Excess Cash Flow upon the accrual thereof in a prior Applicable Period, or an accrual for a cash payment, by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or did not represent cash received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period, and

(l)    the amount of (A) any deductions attributable to minority interests that were added to or not deducted from Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income and (B) EBITDA of joint ventures and minority investees added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA,

 

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plus, without duplication, (B):

(a)    an amount equal to any decrease in Working Capital (other than any decrease arising from the recognition or de-recognition of any Current Assets or Current Liabilities upon an acquisition or disposition of a business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Applicable Period,

(b)    all amounts referred to in clauses (A)(b), (A)(c) and (A)(d) above to the extent funded with the proceeds of the issuance or the incurrence of Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness, but excluding proceeds of extensions of credit under any revolving credit facility), the sale or issuance of any Equity Interests (including any capital contributions) and any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets and any mortgage or lease of Real Property) to any person of any asset or assets, in each case to the extent there is a corresponding deduction from Excess Cash Flow above,

(c)    to the extent any permitted Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities referred to in clause (A)(d) above do not occur in the following Applicable Period of the Borrower specified in the certificate of the Borrower provided pursuant to clause (A)(d) above, the amount of such Capital Expenditures, Permitted Business Acquisitions, New Project expenditures or permitted Investments or payments in respect of planned restructuring activities that were not so made in such following Applicable Period,

(d)    cash payments received in respect of Hedging Agreements during such Applicable Period to the extent (i) not included in the computation of EBITDA or (ii) such payments do not reduce Cash Interest Expense,

(e)    any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain realized in cash during such Applicable Period (except to the extent such gain consists of Net Proceeds subject to Section 2.11(b)), and

(f)    the amount related to items that were deducted from or not added to Net Income in connection with calculating Consolidated Net Income or were deducted from or not added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating EBITDA to the extent either (i) such items represented cash received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) such items do not represent cash paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Applicable Period.

“Excess Cash Flow Interim Period” shall mean, (x) during any Excess Cash Flow Period, any one, two, or three-quarter period (a) commencing on the later of (i) the end of the immediately preceding Excess Cash Flow Period and (ii) if applicable, the end of any prior Excess Cash Flow Interim Period occurring during the same Excess Cash Flow Period and (b) ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (other than the last day of the fiscal year) during such Excess Cash Flow Period for which financial statements are available and (y) during the period from the Closing Date until the beginning of the first Excess Cash Flow Period, any period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

“Excess Cash Flow Period” shall mean each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 2017.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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“Excluded Contributions” shall mean the cash and the fair market value of assets other than cash (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) received by the Borrower after the Closing Date from: (a) contributions to its common Equity Interests, and (b) the sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower, in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interest is sold or issued, as the case may be.

“Excluded Indebtedness” shall mean all Indebtedness not incurred in violation of Section 6.01.

“Excluded Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.10(g).

“Excluded Securities” shall mean any of the following:

(a)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of pledging such Equity Interests or Indebtedness in favor of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby;

(b)    in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(c)    in the case of any pledge of voting Equity Interests of any FSHCO (in each case, that is owned directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party) to secure the Obligations, any voting Equity Interest of such FSHCO in excess of 65% of the outstanding Equity Interests of such class;

(d)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law;

(e)    any Equity Interests of any person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the extent (A) that a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations is prohibited by (i) any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or (ii) any other contractual obligation with an unaffiliated third party not in violation of Section 6.09(c) binding on such Equity Interests to the extent in existence on the Closing Date or on the date of acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i)) (other than, in this subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirements of Law), (B) any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement (or other contractual obligation referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) prohibits such a pledge without the consent of any other party; provided, that this clause (B) shall not apply if (1) such other party is a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or (2) consent has been obtained to consummate such pledge (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate the Borrower or any Subsidiary to obtain any such consent) and shall only apply for so long as such organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement or replacement or renewal thereof is in effect, or (C) a pledge thereof to secure the Obligations would give any other party (other than a Loan Party or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) to any organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder agreement

 

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governing such Equity Interests (or other contractual obligation referred to in subclause (A)(ii) above) the right to terminate its obligations thereunder (other than, in the case of other contractual obligations referred to in subclause (A)(ii), customary non-assignment provisions which are ineffective under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Requirement of Law);

(f)    any Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary, any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary;

(g)    any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of, or other Equity Interests owned by, a Foreign Subsidiary;

(h)    any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to the extent that the pledge of such Equity Interests could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(i)    any Equity Interests or Indebtedness that are set forth on Schedule 1.01(A) to the Original Credit Agreement or that have been identified on or prior to the Closing Date in writing to the Agent by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent;

(j)    (x) any Equity Interests owned by Holdings, other than Equity Interests of the Borrower, and (y) any Indebtedness owned by or owing to Holdings; and

(k) any Margin Stock.

“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean any of the following (except as otherwise provided in clause (b) of the definition of Subsidiary Loan Party):

(a)    each Immaterial Subsidiary,

(b)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary),

(c)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations by any Requirement of Law or that would require consent, approval, license or authorization of a Governmental Authority to Guarantee or grant Liens to secure the Obligations (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received),

(d)    each Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable contractual requirement from Guaranteeing or granting Liens to secure the Obligations on the Closing Date or at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary not in violation of Section 6.09(c) (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect),

(e)    any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary,

(f)    any Foreign Subsidiary,

(g)    any Domestic Subsidiary (i) that is an FSHCO or (ii) that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC,

(h)    any other Domestic Subsidiary with respect to which, (x) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of providing a Guarantee of or granting Liens to secure the Obligations are likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be

 

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afforded thereby or (y) in the case of any person that becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, providing such a Guarantee or granting such Liens could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower,

(i)    each Unrestricted Subsidiary, and

(j)    with respect to any Swap Obligation, any Subsidiary that is not an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation, unless otherwise agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits (however denominated, and including (for the avoidance of doubt) any backup withholding in respect thereof under Section 3406 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), and franchise (and similar) Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), in each case by a jurisdiction (including any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized in, having its principal office in, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable Lending Office in, such jurisdiction, or as a result of any other present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any transactions contemplated thereunder), (ii) U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to a Lender (other than to the extent such Lender is an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b) or 2.19(c)) pursuant to laws in force at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts or indemnification payments from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17, (iii) any withholding Tax imposed on any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is attributable to the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(d) or (e) or (iv) any Tax imposed under FATCA.

“Excluded Transaction Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Transactions consisting of, or incurred to fund the payment of, any original issue discount or upfront fees in respect of the Term B Loans, the Revolving Facility and/or the Senior Unsecured Notes, in each case, pursuant to the “market flex” provisions of the Fee Letter.

“Existing Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

 

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“Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015 and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

“Existing Notes” shall mean, collectively, the 6.5% Senior Notes due 2024 of the Company issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of November 25, 2015, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

“Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit” shall mean those letters of credit or bank guarantees issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.01(C) to the Original Credit Agreement, which shall each be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date.

“Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Revolving Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extended Term Loan” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extending Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Extension” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Facility” shall mean the respective facility and commitments utilized in making Loans and credit extensions hereunder, it being understood that, as of(i) from and after the November 2017 Effective Date there are two Facilities (i.e., the Term B Facility and the Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the November 2017 Effective Date and the extensions of credit thereunder) and (ii) thereafter, the term “Facility” may include any other Class of Commitments and the extensions of credit thereunder.

“FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), or any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or official administrative interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1.00%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it and (c) if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero.

 

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“Fee Letter” shall mean that certain Fee Letter dated as of August 26, 2016 (as supplemented by that certain Additional Lender Agreement dated as of September 9, 2016) by and among Holdings, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and the other parties thereto.

“Fees” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the L/C Participation Fees, the Issuing Bank Fees and the Administrative Agent Fees.

“Financial Covenant” shall mean the covenant of the Borrower set forth in Section 6.11.

“Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer or an equivalent financial officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such person.

“First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H to the Original Credit Agreement, or such other customary form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Flood Documentation” shall mean, with respect to each Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America or any territory thereof, (i) a completed “life-of-loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency standard flood hazard determination (to the extent a Mortgaged Property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, together with a notice about Special Flood Hazard Area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and the applicable Loan Party relating thereto) and (ii) evidence of flood insurance as required by Section 5.02(c) hereof and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall (A) be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable or mortgagee endorsement (as applicable), (B) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as additional insured and loss payee/mortgagee, (C) identify the address of each property located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicable flood zone designation and the flood insurance coverage and deductible relating thereto and (D) be otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

“Flood Insurance Laws” shall mean, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

“Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender (a) that is not disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not a “United States person” as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (b) that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whose regarded owner is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

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“Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Fronting Exposure” shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank other than such Revolving L/C Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.

“FSHCO” shall mean any Subsidiary that owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs and/or of one or more FSHCOs.

“Fund” shall mean, collectively, investment funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC.

“Fund Affiliate” shall mean (i) each Affiliate of the Fund that is neither a “portfolio company” (which means a company actively engaged in providing goods or services to unaffiliated customers), whether or not controlled, nor a company controlled by a “portfolio company” and (ii) any individual who is a partner or employee of Apollo Management, L.P. or Apollo Management VIII, L.P.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis, subject to the provisions of Section 1.02; provided, that any reference to the application of GAAP in Sections 3.13(b), 3.20, 5.03, 5.07 and 6.02(e) to a Foreign Subsidiary (and not as a consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower) shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.

“Guarantee” of or by any person (the “guarantor”) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness or other obligation (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness or other obligation to be secured by such a Lien) of any other person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness in respect of

 

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which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such person in good faith.

“guarantor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Guarantors” shall mean the Loan Parties other than the Borrower.

“Hazardous Materials” shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including, without limitation, explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum by products or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas or pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers or other agricultural chemicals, of any nature subject to regulation or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.

“Hedge Bank” shall mean any person that is (or an Affiliate thereof is) (a) an Agent, an Arranger or a Lender on the Closing Date (or any person that becomes an Agent, Arranger or Lender or Affiliate thereof after the Closing Date) and that enters into a Hedging Agreement, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Hedging Agreement or (b) listed in Schedule 1.01(G) to the Original Credit Agreement.

“Hedging Agreement” shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reserve repurchase transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction, spot contracts, fixed price physical delivery contracts, or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, in each case of the foregoing, whether or not exchange traded; provided, that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement.

“Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

“Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement” shall mean the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between Holdings and the Collateral Agent.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (a) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, and (b) taken together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10% of Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10% of total revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date; provided, that the Borrower may elect in its sole discretion to exclude as an Immaterial Subsidiary any Subsidiary that would otherwise meet the definition thereof.

“Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount or deferred financing fees, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of

 

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additional Indebtedness or in the form of Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, deferred financing fees or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

“Incremental Amount” shall mean, at the time of the establishment of the commitments in respect of the Indebtedness to be incurred utilizing this definition (or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness), the sum of:

(i)    the excess (if any) of (a) $700,000,000 over (b) the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, in each case incurred or established after the Closing Date and outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 2.21 utilizing this clause (i) (other than Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in respect of Refinancing Term Loans, Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, respectively) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under Section 6.01(z) at such time that was incurred utilizing this clause (i); plus

(ii)    any amounts so long as immediately after giving effect to the establishment of the commitments in respect thereof utilizing this clause (ii) (and assuming any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments established at such time utilizing this clause (ii) are fully drawn unless such commitments have been drawn or have otherwise been terminated) (or, at the option of the Borrower, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) and the use of proceeds of the loans thereunder, (a) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans or the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 and (b) in the case of Incremental Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans and the Initial Revolving Loans, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided that, for purposes of this clause (ii), net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of Incremental Loans incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio at such time; plus

(iii)    the aggregate amount of all voluntary prepayments of Term B Loans outstanding on the Closing Date and Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) (and accompanied by a reduction of Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08(b) in the case of a prepayment of Revolving Facility Loans) made prior to such time except to the extent funded with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness);

provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, (A) amounts may be established or incurred utilizing clause (ii) above prior to utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above and (B) any calculation of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio or the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis pursuant to clause (ii) above may be determined, at the option of the Borrower, without giving effect to any simultaneous establishment or incurrence of any amounts utilizing clause (i) or (iii) above.

“Incremental Assumption Agreement” shall mean an Incremental Assumption Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and, if applicable, one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders.

“Incremental Commitment” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment.

 

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“Incremental Loan” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan or an Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Revolving Loans.

“Incremental Revolving Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Revolving Loans to the Borrower.

“Incremental Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Revolving Loan.

“Incremental Revolving Loan” shall mean (i) Revolving Facility Loans made by one or more Revolving Facility Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment to make additional Initial Revolving Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Revolving Loans (including in the form of Extended Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Incremental Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Incremental Term Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Term Loans.

“Incremental Term Facility” shall mean any Class of Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term Loans made thereunder.

“Incremental Term Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Term Loan.

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.21, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower.

“Incremental Term Loan Installment Date” shall have, with respect to any Class of Incremental Term Loans established pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement, the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(ii).

“Incremental Term Loans” shall mean (i) Term Loans made by one or more Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(cb) or 2.01(d) consisting of additional Term B Loans and (ii) to the extent permitted by Section 2.21 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, Other Term Loans (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable), or (iii) any of the foregoing.

“Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, if and to the extent (other than with respect to clause (i)) the same would constitute indebtedness or a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by

 

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such person, (d) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations accrued in the ordinary course), to the extent that the same would be required to be shown as a long term liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such person, (f) all net payments that such person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Hedging Agreements, (g) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (h) the principal component of all obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (i) all Guarantees by such person of Indebtedness described in clauses (a) to (h) above and (j) the amount of all obligations of such person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock (excluding accrued dividends that have not increased the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock); provided, that Indebtedness shall not include (A) trade and other ordinary-course payables, accrued expenses, and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) prepaid or deferred revenue, (C) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase prices of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset, (D) Obligations under or in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings, (E) earn-out obligations until such obligations become a liability on the balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP, (F) obligations in respect of Third Party Funds, (G) in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (I) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (II) intercompany liabilities in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or (H) obligations under or in respect of the Merger Agreement. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness limits the liability of such person in respect thereof.

“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean all Taxes imposed on or with respect to or measured by any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than (a) Excluded Taxes and (b) Other Taxes.

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

“Ineligible Institution” shall mean (i) the persons identified as “Disqualified Lenders” in writing to the Arrangers by Holdings or the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) the persons as may be identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time thereafter (in the case of this clause (ii)) in respect of bona fide business competitors of the Borrower (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), by delivery of a notice thereof to the Administrative Agent setting forth such person or persons (or the person or persons previously identified to the Administrative Agent that are to be no longer considered “Ineligible Institutions”); provided, that no such updates pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Ineligible Institutions.

“Information” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.14(a).

“Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum dated October 2016, as modified or supplemented prior to the Closing Date.

“Initial Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Facility Loan made (i) pursuant to the Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Closing Date (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement) or (ii) pursuant to any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment on the same terms as the Revolving Facility Loans referred to in clause (i) of this definition.

 

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“Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Intercreditor Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.11.

“Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) Cash Interest Expense, in each case, for the Test Period most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Interest Election Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 and substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Original Credit Agreement or another form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to any person for any period, the sum of (a) gross interest expense of such person for such period on a consolidated basis, including the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense and excluding amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market of obligations in respect of Hedging Agreements or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP and (b) capitalized interest of such person, minus interest income for such period. For purposes of the foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with respect to Hedging Agreements, and interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

“Interest Payment Date” shall mean, (a) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing and (iii) in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type, (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid pursuant to Section 2.09(a).

“Interest Period” shall mean, as to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter (or 12 months, if at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all relevant Lenders make interest periods of such length available or, if agreed to by the Administrative Agent, any shorter period), as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; provided, further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the initial Interest Period with respect to the November 2017 Term B Loans made or converted on the November 2017 Effective Date shall be the period commencing on the November 2017 Effective Date and ending on the last day of the then-current Interest Period for the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) outstanding immediately prior to the 2017 Effective Date(x) with respect to $2,005,013 aggregate principal amount of November 2017 Term B Loans, December 29, 2017 and (y) with respect to $797,994,987 aggregate principal amount of November

 

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2017 Term B Loans, February 5, 2018. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

“Intermediate Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.09.

“Investment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Investment Incurrence Clauses” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.04.

“IPO Entity” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Qualified IPO”.

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

“Issuing Bank” shall mean (i) each of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch and, (ii) for purposes of the Existing Roll-Over Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank set forth on Schedule 1.01(C) to the Original Credit Agreement, and (iii) each other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(l), in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity. An Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such branch or Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such branch or Affiliate.

“Issuing Bank Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Joint Bookrunners” shall mean, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, RBC Capital Markets and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Judgment Currency” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

“June 2017 Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“June 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“June 2017 Term B Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“June 2017 Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“June 2017 Transactions” shall mean (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the initial borrowings thereunder, (b) the repayment in full of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

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“June Incremental Term B Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Junior Financing” shall mean any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

“Junior Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are junior to the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood that Junior Liens are not required to be pari passu with other Junior Liens, and that Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens may have Liens that are senior in priority to, or pari passu with, or junior in priority to, other Liens constituting Junior Liens).

“L/C Disbursement” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“L/C Participation Fee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(b).

“Latest Maturity Date” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest of the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the latest Term Facility Maturity Date, in each case then in effect on such date of determination.

“Lender” shall mean each Revolving Facility Lender under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement immediately prior to the November 2017 Effective Date and each November 2017 Term B Lender (in each case, other than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.04), as well as any person that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04 or Section 2.21. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include any Swingline Lender.

“Lending Office” shall mean, as to any Lender, the applicable branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender designated by such Lender to make Loans.

“Letter of Credit” shall mean any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Section 2.05, including any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit. Each Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a Letter of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date for all purposes of the Loan Documents.

“Letter of Credit Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05.

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” shall mean the aggregate Letter of Credit Commitments of the Issuing Banks, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) or such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree.

“LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates (or the successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration is no longer making such rates available) for Dollar deposits (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or its successor) as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not

 

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ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which Dollar deposits are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided, that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Loan Documents” shall mean (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, (iii) the Security Documents, (iv) each Incremental Assumption Agreement (including the 2016 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and, the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement and the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement), (v) any Intercreditor Agreement, (vi) any Note issued under Section 2.09(e), (vii) the Letters of Credit and (viii) solely for the purposes of Section 7.01 hereof, the Fee Letter.

“Loan Obligations” shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the unpaid principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans made to the Borrower under this Agreement, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide Cash Collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower owed under or pursuant to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), and (b) the due and punctual payment of all obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents.

“Loan Parties” shall mean Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

“Loans” shall mean the Term Loans, the Revolving Facility Loans and the Swingline Loans.

“Local Time” shall mean New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable); provided that, with respect to any Alternate Currency Loan, “Local Time” shall mean the local time of the applicable Lending Office.

“Majority Lenders” of any Facility shall mean, at any time, Lenders under such Facility having Loans and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding under such Facility and unused Commitments under such Facility at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

 

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“Management Group” shall mean the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with (a) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, then still in office who were either directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (b) executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity, as the case may be, hired at a time when the directors on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be.

“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

“Market Capitalization” shall mean an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests of the IPO Entity on the date of the declaration of the relevant Restricted Payment multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of the common (or common equivalent) Equity Interests for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on the business, property, operations or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

“Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Securitization Financing be considered Material Indebtedness.

“Material Real Property” shall mean any parcel or parcels of Real Property located in the United States now or hereafter owned in fee by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and having a fair market value (on a per-property basis) of at least $5,000,000 as of (x) the Closing Date, for Real Property now owned or (y) the date of acquisition, for Real Property acquired after the Closing Date, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith; provided, that “Material Real Property” shall not include (i) any Real Property in respect of which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party does not own the land in fee simple or (ii) any Real Property which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party leases to a third party.

“Material Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

“Merger” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Merger Agreement” shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 26, 2016, by and among Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company, and any other agreements or instruments contemplated thereby, in each case, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Merger Sub” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

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“Minimum L/C Collateral Amount” shall mean, at any time, in connection with any Letter of Credit, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 102% of the Revolving L/C Exposure with respect to such Letter of Credit at such time and (ii) otherwise, an amount sufficient to provide credit support with respect to such Revolving L/C Exposure as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks in their sole discretion.

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Mortgaged Properties” shall mean each Material Real Property encumbered by a Mortgage pursuant to Section 5.10.

“Mortgages” shall mean, collectively, the mortgages, trust deeds, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, and other security documents (including amendments to any of the foregoing) delivered with respect to Mortgaged Properties in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower, Holdings or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate (other than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Code Section 414) is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding six plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

“Net First Lien Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt and other than Loan Obligations secured only by Junior Liens) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any person, the net income (loss) of such person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

“Net Proceeds” shall mean:

(a)    100% of the cash proceeds actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any Asset Sale under Section 6.05(g) (or Sale-Leaseback Transactions under Section 6.03(b)(x)), net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset to the extent such debt or obligations are secured by a Lien permitted hereunder (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents) on such asset, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, (ii) Taxes paid or payable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower) as a result thereof (including the amount

 

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of any distributions in respect thereof pursuant to Section 6.06(b)(iii) or Section 6.06(b)(v)), (iii) the amount of any reasonable reserve established in accordance with GAAP against any adjustment to the sale price or any liabilities (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above) (x) related to any of the applicable assets and (y) retained by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction (however, the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be cash proceeds of such Asset Sale occurring on the date of such reduction) and (iv) payments made on a ratable basis (or less than ratable basis) to holders of non-controlling interests in non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale; provided, that, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of any such proceeds setting forth Holdings’ or the Borrower’s intention to use any portion of such proceeds, within 12 months of such receipt, to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or to make Permitted Business Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder (excluding Permitted Investments or intercompany Investments in Subsidiaries) or to reimburse the cost of any of the foregoing incurred on or after the date on which the Asset Sale giving rise to such proceeds was contractually committed, such portion of such proceeds shall not constitute Net Proceeds except to the extent not, within 12 months of such receipt, so used or contractually committed to be so used (it being understood that if any portion of such proceeds are not so used within such 12 month period but within such 12 month period are contractually committed to be used, then such remaining portion if not so used within six months following the end of such 12 month period shall constitute Net Proceeds as of such date without giving effect to this proviso); provided, further, that (x) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds unless such net cash proceeds shall exceed $25,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds), (y) no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing shall constitute Net Proceeds in any fiscal year until the aggregate amount of all such net cash proceeds otherwise constituting Net Proceeds pursuant to the foregoing clause (x) in such fiscal year shall exceed $75,000,000 (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Proceeds) and (z) if at the time of receipt of such net cash proceeds or at any time during the 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) reinvestment period contemplated by the immediately preceding proviso, if Holdings or the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent certifying that on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to the Asset Sale and the application of the proceeds thereof or at the relevant time during such 12 month (or 18 month, as applicable) period, (I) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, 50% of such net cash proceeds that would otherwise constitute Net Proceeds under this proviso shall not constitute Net Proceeds or (II) the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, none of such net cash proceeds shall constitute Net Proceeds; and

(b)    100% of the cash proceeds from the incurrence, issuance or sale by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Indebtedness), net of all taxes and fees (including investment banking fees), commissions, costs and other expenses, in each case incurred in connection with such incurrence, issuance or sale.

“Net Secured Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) the sum of, without duplication, (x) the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt consisting of Loan Obligations outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than

 

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Excluded Transaction Debt) and (y) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of such Test Period that is then secured by Liens on the Collateral (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Secured Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Net Total Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (A) (i) without duplication, the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the last day of the Test Period most recently ended as of such date (other than Excluded Transaction Debt) less (ii) without duplication, the Unrestricted Cash and unrestricted Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such Test Period, to (B) EBITDA for such Test Period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that the Net Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the relevant Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis.

“New Class Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“New Project” shall mean (x) each plant, facility, branch, office or business unit which is either a new plant, facility, branch, office or business unit or an expansion, relocation, remodeling, refurbishment or substantial modernization of an existing plant, facility, branch, office or business unit owned by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (y) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit, product line or information technology offering to the extent such business unit commences operations or such product line or information technology is offered or each expansion (in one or a series of related transactions) of business into a new market or through a new distribution method or channel.

“Non-Bank Tax Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e)(i).

“Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).

“Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Note” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(e).

“November 2017 Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “November 2017 Effective Date” in the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement” shall mean that certain Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 3, dated as of November 15, 2017, by and among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto, the November 2017 Term B Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

“November 2017 Term B Facility” shall mean the November 2017 Term B Loan Commitments and the November 2017 Term B Loans made hereunder.

“November 2017 Term B Lenders” shall mean each Lender with a November 2017 Term B Loan Commitment.

“November 2017 Term B Loan Commitments” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “November 2017 Incremental Term B Loan Commitments” in the November 2017 Incremental Assumption

 

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Agreement. The amount of each Lender’s November 2017 Term B Loan Commitment as of the November 2017 Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 1 to the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its November 2017 Term B Loan Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the November 2017 Term B Loan Commitments as of the November 2017 Effective Date is $800,000,000.

“November 2017 Term B Loans” shall mean the Term B Loans made by the November 2017 Term B Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

“Obligations” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Loan Obligations, (b) obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (c) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement.

“OFAC” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.25(b).

“Original Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

“Other First Lien Debt” shall mean obligations secured by Other First Liens.

“Other First Liens” shall mean Liens on the Collateral that are pari passu with the Liens thereon securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) pursuant to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

“Other Revolving Facility Commitments” shall mean Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments to make Other Revolving Loans.

“Other Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21.

“Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise, transfer, sales, property, intangible, mortgage recording or similar Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, registration, delivery or enforcement of, consummation or administration of, from the receipt or perfection of security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents (but excluding any Excluded Taxes).

“Other Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21 (including in the form of Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as applicable).

“Parent Entity” shall mean any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.

“Pari Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Pari Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Participant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(i).

“Participant Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d)(ii).

“Participating Member State” shall mean each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

 

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“Perfection Certificate” shall mean the Perfection Certificate with respect to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be supplemented from time to time to the extent required by Section 5.04(f).

“Permitted Business Acquisition” shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all or substantially all the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) not previously held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in, or merger, consolidation or amalgamation with, a person or division or line of business of a person (or any subsequent investment made in a person or division or line of business previously acquired in a Permitted Business Acquisition), if immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Event of Default under clause (b), (c), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, provided, however, that with respect to a proposed acquisition pursuant to an executed acquisition agreement, at the option of the Borrower, the determination of whether such an Event of Default shall exist shall be made solely at the time of the execution of the acquisition agreement related to such Permitted Business Acquisition; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; (iii) with respect to any such acquisition or investment with cash consideration in excess of $50,000,000, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance immediately after giving effect to such acquisition or investment and any related transaction; (iv) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary shall not be liable for any Indebtedness except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; (v) to the extent required by Section 5.10, any person acquired in such acquisition, if acquired by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, shall be merged into the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party or become upon consummation of such acquisition a Subsidiary Loan Party; and (vi) the aggregate cash consideration in respect of such acquisitions and investments by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party in assets that are not owned by the Borrower or Subsidiary Loan Parties or in Equity Interests of persons that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties or do not become Subsidiary Loan Parties, in each case upon consummation of such acquisition, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $225,000,000 and (y) 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this clause (vi), (A) any such assets or Equity Interests that are not directly owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (B) acquisitions and investments made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which acquisitions and investments shall be permitted under this clause (v) without regard to such calculation).

“Permitted Cure Securities” shall mean any Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity issued pursuant to the Cure Right other than Disqualified Stock.

“Permitted Holder Group” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Holders.”

“Permitted Holders” shall mean (i) the Co-Investors (and each other person that owns Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions), (ii) any person that has no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and that, directly or indirectly, holds or acquires beneficial ownership of 100% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower, and of which no other person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than any of the other Permitted Holders, beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests thereof and (iii) any “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) the members of which include any of the other Permitted Holders and that, directly or indirectly, hold or acquire beneficial ownership of the voting Equity Interests of the Borrower (a “Permitted Holder Group”), so long as (1) each member of the Permitted Holder Group has voting rights proportional to the percentage of ownership interests held or acquired by such member (or more favorable voting rights, in the case of any Permitted Holders specified in clause (i)

 

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or (ii)) and (2) no person or other “group” (other than the other Permitted Holders) beneficially owns more than 50% on a fully diluted basis of the voting Equity Interests held by the Permitted Holder Group.

“Permitted Investments” shall mean:

(a)    direct obligations of the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any member of the European Union or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)    time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding company’s long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(c)    repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;

(d)    commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P 1 (or higher) according to Moody’s, F 1 (or higher) according to Fitch, or A 1 (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(e)    securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition, issued or fully guaranteed by any State, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P, A by Moody’s or A by Fitch (or such similar equivalent rating or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));

(f)    shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds’ investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;

(g)    money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a 7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated by any two of (1) AAA by S&P, (2) Aaa by Moody’s or (3) AAA by Fitch and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

(h)    time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, money market deposits, banker’s acceptances and other bank deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 0.5% of the total assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year; and

(i)    instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction

 

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outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction.

“Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be junior to any Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, junior Liens pursuant to Section 2.21(b)(ii) or (v)), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement if such Liens secure “Second Lien Obligations” (as defined therein), (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such junior Liens than the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Liens” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

“Permitted Loan Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

“Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender as an Assignor and Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as an Assignee, as accepted by the Administrative Agent (if required by Section 9.04) in the form of Exhibit F to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

“Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean, with respect to any Liens on Collateral that are intended to be pari passu with the Liens securing the Term B Loans (and other Loan Obligations that are pari passu with the Term B Loans), either (as the Borrower shall elect) (x) the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (y) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such pari passu Liens than the First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (z) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a pari passu basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions, expenses, plus an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized thereunder and letters of credit undrawn thereunder), (b) except with respect to Section 6.01(i), (i) the final maturity date of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is on or after the earlier of (x) the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence thereof and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to the lesser of (i) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (ii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans then outstanding with the greatest remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity, (c) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated

 

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in right of payment to such Loan Obligations on terms in the aggregate not materially less favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have obligors that are not (or would not have been) obligated with respect to the Indebtedness being so Refinanced (except that a Loan Party may be added as an additional obligor) and (e) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by Liens on any Collateral (whether senior to, equally and ratably with, or junior to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Loan Obligations or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such Collateral (including any Collateral pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent any such Collateral secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced) on terms in the aggregate that are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Secured Parties than, the Indebtedness being refinanced or on terms otherwise permitted by Section 6.02.

“Permitted Securitization Documents” shall mean all documents and agreements evidencing, relating to or otherwise governing a Permitted Securitization Financing.

“Permitted Securitization Financing” shall mean one or more transactions pursuant to which (i) Securitization Assets or interests therein are sold or transferred to or financed by one or more Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries, and (ii) such Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries finance (or refinance) their acquisition of such Securitization Assets or interests therein, or the financing thereof, by selling or borrowing against Securitization Assets (including conduit and warehouse financings) and any Hedging Agreements entered into in connection with such Securitization Assets; provided, that recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in connection with such transactions shall be limited to the extent customary (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) for similar transactions in the applicable jurisdictions (including, to the extent applicable, in a manner consistent with the delivery of a “true sale”/“absolute transfer” opinion with respect to any transfer by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary).

“person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company or government, individual or family trusts, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is (i) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (ii) sponsored or maintained (at the time of determination or at any time within the five years prior thereto) by Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate, and (iii) in respect of which Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Platform” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

“Pledged Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” shall mean, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred that are classified as “pre-opening rent”, “pre-opening expenses” or “opening costs” (or any similar or equivalent caption).

 

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“Pricing Grid” shall mean, with respect to the Loans and Revolving Facility Commitments, the table set forth below:

 

Pricing Grid for Revolving Loans
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Margin for ABR Loans		Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Loans
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		3.00%		4.00%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but greater than 1.00 to 1.00		2.75%		3.75%
Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00		2.50%		3.50%

 

Pricing Grid for Revolving Facility Commitments
Net First Lien Leverage Ratio		Applicable Commitment Fee
Greater than 1.50 to 1.00		0.50%
Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00		0.375%

For the purposes of the Pricing Grid, changes in the Applicable Margin and Applicable Commitment Fee resulting from changes in the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “Adjustment Date”) that is three Business Days after the date on which the relevant financial statements are delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.04 for each fiscal quarter beginning with the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended after the Closing Date, and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements referred to in the preceding sentence are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 5.04, then, at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the pricing level that is one pricing level higher than the pricing level theretofore in effect shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such financial statements were to have been delivered but were not delivered. Each determination of the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 6.11.

“primary obligor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum as announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City.

“Pro Forma Basis” shall mean, as to any person, for any events as described below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the “Reference Period”): (i) pro forma

 

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effect shall be given to any Disposition, any acquisition, Investment, capital expenditure, construction, repair, replacement, improvement, development, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation (including the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions and the June 2017 Transactions) (or any similar transaction or transactions not otherwise permitted under Section 6.04 or 6.05 that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders and such waiver or consent has been obtained), any dividend, distribution or other similar payment, any designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Subsidiary Redesignation, New Project, and any restructurings of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries has determined to make and/or made and in the good faith determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower are expected to have a continuing impact and are factually supportable, which would include cost savings resulting from head count reduction, closure of facilities and similar operational and other cost savings, which adjustments the Borrower determines are reasonable as set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (the foregoing, together with any transactions related thereto or in connection therewith, the “relevant transactions”), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated), (ii) in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, incurred or assumed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transactions and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and amounts outstanding under any Permitted Securitization Financing, in each case not to finance any acquisition) issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid during the Reference Period (or, in the case of determinations made pursuant to Section 2.21 or Article VI (other than Section 6.11), occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the relevant transaction is consummated) shall be deemed to have been issued, incurred, assumed or permanently repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in the preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods, and (z) in giving effect to clause (i) above with respect to each New Project which commences operations and records not less than one full fiscal quarter’s operations during the Reference Period, the operating results of such New Project shall be annualized on a straight line basis during such period, taking into account any seasonality adjustments determined by the Borrower in good faith, and (iii) (A) for any Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, effect shall be given to such Subsidiary Redesignation and all other Subsidiary Redesignations after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation then being designated, collectively, and (B) for any designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, collectively.

In the event that EBITDA or any financial ratio is being calculated for purposes of determining whether Indebtedness or any Lien relating thereto may be incurred or whether any Investment may be made, the Borrower may elect pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent to treat all or any portion of the commitment relating thereto as being incurred at the time of such commitment, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis” shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and may include adjustments to reflect (1) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings

 

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reasonably expected to result from any relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions), (2) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA” as set forth in the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data” portion of the “Summary” section of the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such Reference Period and (3) adjustments to EBITDA anticipated to result from (i) the termination of contracts with existing customers and (ii) the anticipated run-rate earnings expected to be achieved from new business with such customers under new contracts to be entered into and the achievement of the related operational efficiencies associated therewith, in each case as determined by the Borrower in good faith as of the date of determination and, in each case, such adjustments pursuant to this clause (3) (i) are expected by the Borrower in good faith to be achieved within 15 months of the relevant contract termination and (ii) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for the applicable four fiscal quarter period (calculated prior to giving effect to such capped adjustments (but, for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to other uncapped pro forma adjustments)). The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies and adjustments pursuant to clause (2) above, and information and calculations supporting them in reasonable detail.

For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.

“Pro Forma Compliance” shall mean, at any date of determination, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to the relevant transactions (including the assumption, the issuance, incurrence and permanent repayment of Indebtedness), with the Financial Covenant recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for which the financial statements and certificates required pursuant to Section 5.04 have been delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, Pro Forma Compliance shall be tested without regard to whether or not the Financial Covenant was or was required to be tested on the applicable quarter end date.

“Pro Rata Extension Offers” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(e).

“Pro Rata Share” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(f).

“Projections” shall mean the projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.

“Public Company Compliance” shall mean compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules of national securities exchange listed companies (in each case, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), including procuring directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees, and listing fees.

“Public Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

“Qualified Equity Interests” shall mean any Equity Interest other than Disqualified Stock.

 

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“Qualified IPO” shall mean an underwritten public offering of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity (the “IPO Entity”) which generates (individually or in the aggregate together with any prior underwritten public offering) gross cash proceeds of at least $50,000,000.

“Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Type.”

“Real Property” shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by any Loan Party, whether by lease, license, or other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.

“Receivables Assets” shall mean accounts receivable (including any bills of exchange) and related assets and property from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

“Reference Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis.”

“Refinance” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,” and “Refinanced” and “Refinancings” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

“Refinancing Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Refinancing Notes” shall mean any secured or unsecured notes or loans issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party (whether under an indenture, a credit agreement or otherwise) and the Indebtedness represented thereby; provided, that (a) 100% of the Net Proceeds of such Refinancing Notes are used to permanently reduce Loans and/or replace Commitments substantially simultaneously with the issuance thereof; (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Notes does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the aggregate portion of the Loans so reduced and/or Commitments so replaced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses); (c) the final maturity date of such Refinancing Notes is on or after the Term Facility Maturity Date or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, as applicable, of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced; (d) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Notes is greater than or equal to the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable; (e) in the case of Refinancing Notes in the form of notes issued under an indenture, the terms thereof do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligations prior to the Term Facility Maturity Date of the Term Loans so reduced or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date of the Revolving Facility Commitments so replaced, as applicable (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayment provisions upon a change of control, asset sale or event of loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default); (f) the other terms of such Refinancing Notes (other than interest rates, fees, floors, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums and other pricing terms), taken as a whole, are substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time such Refinancing Notes are issued or those that are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith (or, if more restrictive, the Loan Documents are amended to contain such more restrictive terms to the extent required to satisfy the foregoing standard); (g) there shall be no obligor in respect of such

 

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Refinancing Notes that is not a Loan Party; and (h) Refinancing Notes that are secured by Collateral shall be subject to the provisions of a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

“Refinancing Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(j).

“Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).

“Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Related Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank or commercial loans and similar extensions of credit and is advised or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity (or an Affiliate of such entity) that administers, advises or manages such Lender.

“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified person, such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates and the respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such person and such person’s Controlled or Controlling Affiliates.

“Related Sections” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

“Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, emanating or migrating in, into, onto or through the Environment.

“Replacement Revolving Facilities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Replacement Revolving Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(l).

“Reportable Event” shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, with respect to a Plan (other than a Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate that is considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code).

“Required Amount of Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Required Lenders.”

 

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“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposure and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that (i) the Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time and (ii) the portion of any Term Loans held by Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate in excess of 49.9% of the Required Amount of Loans shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time. For purposes of the foregoing, “Required Amount of Loans” shall mean, at any time, the amount of Loans required to be held by Lenders in order for such Lenders to constitute “Required Lenders” (without giving effect to the foregoing clause (ii)).

“Required Percentage” shall mean, with respect to an Applicable Period, 50%; provided, that (a) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 25% and (b) if the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as at the end of the Applicable Period is less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, such percentage shall be 0%.

“Required Prepayment Lenders” shall mean, at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans at such time (subject to the last paragraph of Section 9.08(b)).

“Required Revolving Facility Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Revolving Facility Lenders having (a) Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of (w) all Revolving Facility Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) all Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) all Swingline Exposures and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time; provided, that the Revolving Facility Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Revolving Facility Lenders at any time.

“Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any person, any law, treaty, rule, regulation, statute, order, ordinance, decree, judgment, consent decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated or imposed or entered into or agreed by any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such person or any of its property or assets or to which such person or any of its property or assets is subject.

“Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement, or any other duly authorized employee or signatory of such person.

“Restricted Payments” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06. The amount of any Restricted Payment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the last paragraph of Section 6.06.

“Retained Excess Cash Flow Overfunding” shall mean, at any time, in respect of any Excess Cash Flow Period, the amount, if any, by which the portion of the Cumulative Credit attributable to the Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for all Excess Cash Flow Interim Periods used in such Excess Cash Flow Period exceeds the actual Retained Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period.

 

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“Retained Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period), (a) 100% minus (b) the Required Percentage with respect to such Excess Cash Flow Period (or Excess Cash Flow Interim Period).

“Revaluation Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance, extension or renewal of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require and (b) with respect to any Alternate Currency Loans, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans denominated in an Alternate Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Revolving Loan denominated in an Alternate Currency pursuant to Section 2.07, and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Majority Lenders under the Revolving Facility shall require.

“Revolving Facility” shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class and, for purposes of Section 9.08(b), shall refer to all such Revolving Facility Commitments as a single Class.

“Revolving Facility Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans of the same Class.

“Revolving Facility Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to Section  2.01(bc), expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04, and (c) increased (or replaced) as provided under Section 2.21. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, or in the Assignment and Acceptance or Incremental Assumption Agreement pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment (or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment), as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is $225,000,000. On the Closing Date, there is only one Class of Revolving Facility Commitments. After the Closing Date, additional Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments may be added or created pursuant to Incremental Assumption Agreements.

“Revolving Facility Credit Exposure” shall mean, at any time with respect to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans of such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof), (b) the Swingline Exposure applicable to such Class at such time and (c) the Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time minus, for the purpose of Sections 6.11 and 7.03, the amount of Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount at such time. The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the product of (x) such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the applicable Class and (y) the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class of all Revolving Facility Lenders, collectively, at such time.

 

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“Revolving Facility Lender” shall mean a Lender (including an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender) with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans.

“Revolving Facility Loan” shall mean a Loan made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(bc). Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Revolving Facility Loans” shall include the Other Revolving Loans.

“Revolving Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Revolving Facility in effect on the Closing Date, November 3, 2021 and (b) with respect to any other Classes of Revolving Facility Commitments, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Revolving Facility Percentage” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender of any Class, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class represented by such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class. If the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages of such Class shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.

“Revolving Facility Termination Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

“Revolving L/C Exposure” of any Class shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit applicable to such Class outstanding at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all L/C Disbursements applicable to such Class that have not yet been reimbursed at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Revolving L/C Exposure of any Class of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure applicable to such Class at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce No. 590, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc. and its successors and assigns.

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

“Sanctions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“Sanctions Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25(b).

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

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“Secured Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party of any Cash Management Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank, in each case to the extent that such Cash Management Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Cash Management Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Cash Management Agreement.

“Secured Hedge Agreement” shall mean any Hedging Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, or any Guarantee by any Loan Party of any Hedging Agreement entered into by and between any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank, in each case to the extent that such Hedging Agreement or such Guarantee, as applicable, is not otherwise designated in writing by the Borrower and such Hedge Bank to the Administrative Agent to not be included as a Secured Hedge Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of the Loan Documents, any Guarantee of, or grant of any Lien to secure, any obligations in respect of a Secured Hedge Agreement by a Guarantor shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.

“Secured Parties” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, each Hedge Bank that is party to any Secured Hedge Agreement, each Cash Management Bank that is party to any Secured Cash Management Agreement and each sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.02 by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters relating to the Loan Documents or by the Collateral Agent with respect to matters relating to any Security Document.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securitization Assets” shall mean any of the following assets (or interests therein) from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has any rights or interests, in each case, without regard to where such assets or interests are located: (a) Receivables Assets, (b) franchise fees, royalties and other similar payments made related to the use of trade names and other Intellectual Property, business support, training and other services, (c) revenues related to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (d) rents, real estate taxes and other non-royalty amounts due from franchisees, (e) Intellectual Property rights relating to the generation of any of the types of assets listed in this definition, (f) parcels of or interests in real property, together with all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof, (g) any Equity Interests of any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary and any rights under any limited liability company agreement, trust agreement, shareholders agreement, organization or formation documents or other agreement entered into in furtherance of the organization of such entity, (h) any equipment, contractual rights with unaffiliated third parties, website domains and associated property and rights necessary for a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary to operate in accordance with its stated purposes; (i) any rights and obligations associated with gift card or similar programs, and (j) other assets and property (or proceeds of such assets or property) to the extent customarily included in securitization transactions of the relevant type in the applicable jurisdictions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith).

“Security Documents” shall mean the Mortgages, the Collateral Agreement, the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreements (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), and each of the security agreements, pledge agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.10.

 

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“Senior Unsecured Note Documents” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture and the other “Note Documents” under and as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, as each such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the $1,200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 issued pursuant to the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture.

“Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture” shall mean the Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, dated November 3, 2016, among the Borrower, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee, as such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes Offering Memorandum” shall mean the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated October 17, 2016, as supplemented by the supplement dated October 24, 2016, as supplemented by the pricing supplement dated October 25, 2016, in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes.

“Similar Business” shall mean any business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from (i) business or activities conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, (ii) any business that is a natural outgrowth or reasonable extension, development or expansion of any such business or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing or (iii) any business that in the Borrower’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of businesses conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

“Special Flood Hazard Area” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(c).

“Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary” shall mean (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower established in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing for the acquisition of Securitization Assets or interests therein, and which is organized in a manner (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries) in the event Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any such Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or other insolvency law) and (ii) any subsidiary of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

“Specified L/C Sublimit” shall mean, with respect to any Issuing Bank, the amounts set forth beside such Issuing Bank’s name on Schedule 1.01(F) to the Original Credit Agreement or, in each case, such other amount as specified in the agreement pursuant to which such person becomes an Issuing Bank hereunder or, in each case, such larger amount not to exceed the Revolving Facility Commitment as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank may agree or, with respect to the Issuing Bank under an Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit, the additional amount of such Existing Roll-Over Letter of Credit.

“Spot Rate” shall mean, with respect to any currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m., Local Time on the date three Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made or if such rate cannot be computed as of such date such other date as the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank shall reasonably determine is appropriate under the circumstances; provided, that the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank if the person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

 

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“Standby Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Statutory Reserves” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subagent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.02.

“subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

“Subsidiary” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing (and except for purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained herein) an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.

“Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Closing Date as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent.

“Subsidiary Loan Party” shall mean (a) each Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary and (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that may be designated by the Borrower (by way of delivering to the Collateral Agent a supplement to the Collateral Agreement and a supplement to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, in each case, duly executed by such Subsidiary) in its sole discretion from time to time to be a guarantor in respect of the Obligations and the obligations in respect of the Loan Documents, whereupon such Subsidiary shall be obligated to comply with the other requirements of Section 5.10(d) as if it were newly acquired.

“Subsidiary Redesignation” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained in this Section 1.01.

“Successor Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05(o).

“Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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“Swingline Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Swingline Loans.

“Swingline Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 to the Original Credit Agreement or such other form as shall be approved by the Swingline Lender.

“Swingline Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Swingline Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04. The aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitments on the Closing Date is $30,000,000. The Swingline Commitment is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility Commitments.

“Swingline Exposure” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Borrowings at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Swingline Lender” shall mean (a) the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans, and (b) each Revolving Facility Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

“Swingline Loans” shall mean the swingline loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Syndication Agents” shall mean Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

“Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax with respect to the foregoing.

“Term B Borrowing” shall mean any Borrowing comprised of Term B Loans.

“Term B Facility” shall mean the commitments to make the Term B Loans under the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement and the Term B Loans made hereunder and thereunder.

“Term B Facility Maturity Date” shall mean November 3, 2023.

“Term B Loan Installment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a)(i).

“Term B Loans” shall mean (a) prior to the June 2017 Effective Date, the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement), (b) on and after the 2017 Effective Date, the 2017 Term Loans made to, or exchanged with, the Borrower by the 2017 Term Lenders on the 2017 Effective Date pursuant to the 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement, (b) the November 2017 Term B Loans and (c) any Incremental Term Loans in the form of Term B Loans made by the Incremental Term Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.01(cd ). The aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans outstanding as of the November 2017 Effective Date after giving effect to the 2017 Transactions is $2,095,000,000funding of the November 2017 Term B Loans is $2,889,762,500.

 

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“Term Borrowing” shall mean any Term B Borrowing or any Incremental Term Borrowing (other than any November 2017 Term B Borrowing).

“Term Facility” shall mean the Term B Facility and/or any or all of the Incremental Term Facilities (other than the November 2017 Term B Facility).

“Term Facility Commitment” shall mean the commitment of a Lender to make Term Loans, including Term B Loans, Incremental Term Loans and/or Other Term Loans.

“Term Facility Maturity Date” shall mean, as the context may require, (a) with respect to the Term B Facility in effect on the November 2017 Effective Date, the Term B Facility Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any other Class of Term Loans, the maturity dates specified therefor in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement.

“Term Loan Installment Date” shall mean any Term B Loan Installment Date or any Incremental Term Loan Installment Date.

“Term Loans” shall mean the Term B Loans and/or the Incremental Term Loans.

“Term Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(b)(vii).

“Termination Date” shall mean the date on which (a) all Commitments shall have been terminated, (b) the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document and all other Loan Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than in respect of contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement claims not then due) and (c) all Letters of Credit (other than those that have been Cash Collateralized) have been cancelled or have expired and all amounts drawn or paid thereunder have been reimbursed in full.

“Testing Condition” shall be satisfied at any time if as of such time (i) the sum of without duplication (x) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans at such time (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) and (y) the aggregate stated amount (based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof) of Letters of Credit issued hereunder (other than $25,000,000 of undrawn Letters of Credit and any Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in accordance with Section 2.05(j)) exceeds (ii) an amount equal to 30% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments at such time.

“Test Period” shall mean, on any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then most recently ended (taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b); provided that prior to the first date financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), the Test Period in effect shall be the four fiscal quarter period ended June 30, 2016.

“Third Party Funds” shall mean any segregated accounts or funds, or any portion thereof, received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as agent on behalf of third parties in accordance with a written agreement that imposes a duty upon Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries to collect and remit those funds to such third parties.

“Trade Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

“Transaction Documents” shall mean the Merger Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents.

 

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“Transaction Expenses” shall mean any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates in connection with the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the June 2017 Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Merger Agreement and the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

“Transactions” shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including (a) the consummation of the Merger; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Security Documents, and the initial borrowings hereunder; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Senior Unsecured Notes Documents; (d) the repayment in full of, and the termination of all obligations and commitments under, the Existing Credit Agreement; (e) the redemption and repayment in full, and discharge of, the Existing Notes and (f) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid and owing in connection with the foregoing.

“Type” shall mean, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall include the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the ABR.

“Uniform Commercial Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

“Unreimbursed Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(e).

“Unrestricted Cash” shall mean cash or cash equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (1) any Subsidiary of the Borrower identified on Schedule 1.01(D) to the Original Credit Agreement, (2) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether now owned or acquired or created after the Closing Date, that is designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower shall only be permitted to so designate a new Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (b) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the Financial Covenant as of the last day of the then most recently ended Test Period, (c) such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be capitalized (to the extent capitalized by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) through Investments as permitted by, and in compliance with, Section 6.04, and any prior or concurrent Investments in such Subsidiary by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been made under Section 6.04, and (d) without duplication of clause (c), any net assets owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of the initial designation thereof shall be treated as Investments pursuant to Section 6.04; and (3) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a “Subsidiary Redesignation”); provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, certifying to the best of such officer’s knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding clause (i).

“U.S. Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“U.S. Lender” shall mean any Lender other than a Foreign Lender.

 

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“USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, such person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such person under ordinary circumstances.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is also a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such person or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such person. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Working Capital” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at any date of determination, Current Assets at such date of determination minus Current Liabilities at such date of determination; provided, that, for purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, increases or decreases in Working Capital shall be calculated without regard to any changes in Current Assets or Current Liabilities as a result of (a) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (b) the effects of purchase accounting.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.02 Terms Generally. The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders

 

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request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any changes in GAAP after the Closing Date, any lease of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at the time of its incurrence of such lease, that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect on the Closing Date (whether such lease is entered into before or after the Closing Date) shall not constitute Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of such changes in GAAP.

Section 1.03    Effectuation of Transactions. Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions as shall have taken place on or prior to the date of determination, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 1.04    Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents. (a) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Spot Rate as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit and Alternate Currency Loans. Such Spot Rate shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rate employed in converting any amounts between the Dollars and each Alternate Currency until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial ratios hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement. No Default or Event of Default shall arise as a result of any limitation or threshold set forth in Dollars in Article VI or clause (f) or (j) of Section 7.01 being exceeded solely as a result of changes in currency exchange rates from those rates applicable on the first day of the fiscal quarter in which such determination occurs or in respect of which such determination is being made.

(b)    Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternate Currency, such amount shall be the Alternate Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternate Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Section 1.05    Additional Alternate Currencies for Loans.

(a)    The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Revolving Loans be made in a currency other than Dollars; provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars. Such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent.

(b)    Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 20 Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Event (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Facility Lender thereof. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., 10 Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency.

 

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(c)    Any failure by a Revolving Facility Lender to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Revolving Facility Lender to permit Eurocurrency Revolving Loans to be made in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Revolving Facility Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Revolving Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternate Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.05, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

Section 1.06    Change of Currency.

(a)    Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the Closing Date shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b)    Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c)    Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

Section 1.07    Timing of Payment or Performance. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, when the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.08    Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified herein, all references herein to times of day shall be references to New York City time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

Section 1.09    Holdings. From time to time after the Closing Date, Holdings may form one or more new Subsidiaries to become direct or indirect parent companies of the Borrower; provided that, prior to a Qualified IPO, contemporaneously with the formation of the new direct parent company of the Borrower (an “Intermediate Holdings”), such person enters into a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement (or, at the option of such person, a new Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement in substantially similar form or such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) duly executed and delivered on behalf of such person. Immediately after any Intermediate Holdings complying with the proviso in the foregoing sentence, the Guarantee incurred by the then existing Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any

 

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assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, the Borrower shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effective), and thereafter Intermediate Holdings shall be deemed to be Holdings for all purposes of this Agreement (until any additional Intermediate Holdings shall be formed in accordance with this Section 1.09).

ARTICLE II

The Credits

Section 2.01    Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

(a)    on the June 2017 Effective Date, the June 2017 Term B Lenders agreeagreed to make June 2017 Term B Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $2,095,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement,

(b)    on the November 2017 Effective Date, the November 2017 Term B Lenders agree to make November 2017 Term B Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $800,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions in the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement;

(c)     (b) each Lender agrees to make Revolving Facility Loans of a Class in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment of such Class or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans,

(d)    (c) each Lender having an Incremental Term Loan Commitment agrees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Incremental Term Loan Commitment, and

(e)     (d) amounts of Term B Loans borrowed under SectionSections  2.01(a), (b) or Section 2.01(cd) that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed., and

(f)     from and after the November 2017 Effective Date, the June 2017 Term B Loans and the November 2017 Term B Loans shall be treated as a single “Class” and have the same terms and conditions for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all scheduled, optional and mandatory prepayments.

Section 2.02    Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans under the same Facility and of the same Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments under the applicable Facility (or, in the case of Swingline Loans, in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments); provided, however, that Revolving Facility Loans of any Class shall be made by the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided, that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

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(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing (other than a Swingline Borrowing) shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. ABR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars. Each Swingline Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. Each Lender at its option may make any ABR Loan or Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided, that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Lender shall not be entitled to any amounts payable under Section 2.15 or 2.17 solely in respect of increased costs resulting from such exercise and existing at the time of such exercise.

(c)    At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided, that an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused available balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Borrowing shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than (i) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Term Facilities at any time and (ii) 10 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under all Revolving Facilities at any time. Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing of any Class if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the Term Facility Maturity Date for such Class, as applicable.

(e)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the November 2017 Term B Loans shall initially consist of Eurocurrency Loans (x) with respect to $2,005,013 aggregate principal amount of November 2017 Term B Loans, with an Interest Period ending on December 29, 2017 and the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be deemed to be 1.32169% for such Interest Period and (y) with respect to $797,994,987 aggregate principal amount of November 2017 Term B Loans, with an Interest Period ending on February 5, 2018 and the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be deemed to be 1.38483% for such Interest Period.

Section 2.03    Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing and/or a Term Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request electronically (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m. Local Time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing; provided, that, (i) any such notice of an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) may be given not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing, (ii) to request a Borrowing on the November 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone no later than 5:00 p.m., Local Time, two Business Days prior to the November 2017 Effective Date and (iii) any such notice of an Incremental Revolving Borrowing or Incremental Term Borrowing may be given at such time as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable (other than in the case of any notice given in respect of the Closing Date, which may be conditioned upon the consummation

 

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of the Merger or, in the case of notice given in respect of Incremental Commitments, which may be conditioned as provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement) and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    whether such Borrowing is to be a Borrowing of June 2017 Term B Loans, November 2017 Term B Loans, Revolving Facility Loans, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Term Loans, Other Revolving Loans or Replacement Revolving Loans as applicable;

(ii)    the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(iii)    the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv)    whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

(vi)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowing, the currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated (which shall be Dollars or an Alternate Currency); and

(vii)    the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

If no election as to the currency of any Revolving Facility Borrowing is made, then the requested Borrowing shall be made in Dollars. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration (except in the case of the initial Interest Period of the November 2017 Term B Loans, which shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Interest Period). Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.04    Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Commitment or (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the applicable Class exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Borrowing. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

(b)    To request a Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender of such request by telephone (confirmed by a Swingline Borrowing Request by electronic means), not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Borrowing. Each such notice and Swingline Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the requested date of such Swingline Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (ii) the amount

 

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of the requested Swingline Borrowing. The Swingline Lender shall consult with the Administrative Agent as to whether the making of the Swingline Loan is in accordance with the terms of this Agreement prior to the Swingline Lender funding such Swingline Loan. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 3:00 p.m., Local Time, to the account of the Borrower (or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing made to finance the reimbursement of an L/C Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank).

(c)    The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Facility Lenders of the applicable Class to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans made by it. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans in which the Revolving Facility Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each such Lender, specifying in such notice such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its respective obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Facility Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph (c), and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Facility Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided, that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d)    The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, designate as additional Swingline Lenders one or more Revolving Facility Lenders that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Facility Lender of an appointment as a Swingline Lender hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such designated Swingline Lender, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Facility Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Facility Lender in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

 

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Section 2.05    Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of one or more letters of credit or bank guarantees in Dollars or any Alternate Currency in the form of (x) trade letters of credit or bank guarantees in support of trade obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business (such letters of credit or bank guarantees issued for such purposes, “Trade Letters of Credit”) and (y) standby letters of credit issued for any other lawful purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (such letters of credit issued for such purposes, “Standby Letters of Credit”; each such letter of credit or bank guarantee, issued hereunder, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, the “Letters of Credit”) for its own account or for the account of any Subsidiary in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the applicable Availability Period and prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (x) Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch shall not be required to issue Trade Letters of Credit, (y) the Borrower shall remain primarily liable in the case of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Subsidiary and (z) the applicable Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue Letters of Credit if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any Requirements of Law binding upon such Issuing Bank or the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension: Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal (other than an automatic extension in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05) or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least three Business Days (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit where the Issuing Bank is Barclays Bank PLC, at least five Business Days) in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion may agree) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.05), the amount and currency (which may be Dollars or any Alternate Currency) of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, whether such Letter of Credit constitutes a Standby Letter of Credit or a Trade Letter of Credit and such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit and (iii) with respect to the applicable Issuing Bank, the stated amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank shall not exceed the applicable Specified L/C Sublimit of such Issuing Bank then in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit if such Issuing Bank does not otherwise issue letters of credit in such Alternate Currency.

 

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(c)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension thereof, one year (unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion) after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided, that any Letter of Credit with a one year tenor may provide for automatic renewal or extension thereof for additional one year periods (which, in no event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) of this paragraph (c)) so long as such Letter of Credit permits the applicable Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof within a time period during such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued; provided, further, that if such Issuing Bank consents in its sole discretion, the expiration date on any Letter of Credit may extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above, provided, that if any such Letter of Credit is outstanding or is issued under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class after the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank in an amount equal to the face amount of each such Letter of Credit on or prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to such Revolving Facility Maturity Date or, if later, such date of issuance.

(d)    Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) under the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Facility Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Facility Lender under such Class, and each such Revolving Facility Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (calculated, in the case of Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, in Dollars, such Revolving Facility Lender’s applicable Revolving Facility Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason (calculated, in the case of any Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof). Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments or the fact that, as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure at any time might exceed its Revolving Facility Commitment at such time (in which case Section 2.11(f) would apply), and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e)    Reimbursement. If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount in Dollars equal to such L/C Disbursement (or, in the case of an Alternate Currency Letter of Credit, the Dollar Equivalent thereof) not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the first Business Day after the Borrower receives notice under paragraph (g) of this Section 2.05 of such L/C Disbursement (or the second Business Day, if such notice is received after 12:00 noon, Local Time), together with accrued interest thereon from the date of such L/C Disbursement at the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Facility Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that the Borrower may,

 

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subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing of the applicable Class, as applicable, in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Facility Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to reimburse any L/C Disbursement when due, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each other applicable Revolving Facility Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof (the “Unreimbursed Amount”) and, in the case of a Revolving Facility Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Facility Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment of the applicable Class shall pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars its Revolving Facility Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Facility Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any L/C Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Revolving Loan or a Swingline Borrowing as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement.

(f)    Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank, or any of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first sentence; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are determined by final and binding decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to

 

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be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g)    Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of any such demand for payment under a Letter of Credit and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.

(h)    Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on the date such L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans of the applicable Class; provided, that, if such L/C Disbursement is not reimbursed by the Borrower when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.05 to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Facility Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i)    Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of such Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j)    Cash Collateralization Following Certain Events. If and when the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize any Revolving L/C Exposure relating to any outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to any of Section 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g), 2.22(a)(v) or 7.01, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with or at the direction of the Collateral Agent, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash in Dollars equal to the Revolving L/C Exposure as of such date (or, in the case of Sections 2.05(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.11(g) and 2.22(a)(v), the portion thereof required by such sections). Each deposit of Cash Collateral (x) made pursuant to this paragraph or (y) made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22(a)(ii), in each case, shall be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits,

 

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which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of (i) for so long as an Event of Default shall be continuing, the Collateral Agent and (ii) at any other time, the Borrower, in each case, in Permitted Investments and at the risk and expense of the Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for L/C Disbursements for which such Issuing Bank has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with Revolving L/C Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or the existence of a Defaulting Lender or the occurrence of a limit under Section 2.11(e), (f) or (g) being exceeded, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or the termination of the Defaulting Lender status or the limits under Sections 2.11(e), (f) and (g) no longer being exceeded, as applicable.

(k)    Cash Collateralization Following Termination of the Revolving Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event of the prepayment in full of all outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and the termination of all Revolving Facility Commitments (a “Revolving Facility Termination Event”) in connection with which the Borrower notifies any one or more Issuing Banks that it intends to maintain one or more Letters of Credit initially issued under this Agreement in effect after the date of such Revolving Facility Termination Event (each, a “Continuing Letter of Credit”), then the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral under the Security Documents may be terminated in accordance with Section 9.18 if each such Continuing Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized in an amount equal to the Minimum L/C Collateral Amount, which shall be deposited with or at the direction of each such Issuing Bank.

(l)    Additional Issuing Banks. From time to time, the Borrower may by notice to the Administrative Agent designate any Lender (in addition to the initial Issuing Banks) each of which agrees (in its sole discretion) to act in such capacity and is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as an Issuing Bank. Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.

(m)    Reporting. Unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall (i) provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any notice received from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b) no later than the next Business Day after receipt thereof and (ii) report in writing to the Administrative Agent (A) on or prior to each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment or extension, and the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension occurred (and whether the amount thereof changed), and such Issuing Bank shall be permitted to issue, amend or extend such Letter of Credit if the Administrative Agent shall not have advised such Issuing Bank that such issuance, amendment or extension would not be in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, (B) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any L/C Disbursement, the date of such L/C Disbursement and the amount of such L/C Disbursement and (C) on any other Business Day, such other information with respect to the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

Section 2.06    Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00

 

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noon, Local Time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided, that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account or accounts designated by the Borrower as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided, that ABR Revolving Loans and Swingline Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of a L/C Disbursement and reimbursements as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 2.06 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of (A) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans at such time. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    The foregoing notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may from its own funds make a Revolving Facility Loan on behalf of the Lenders (including by means of Swingline Loans to the Borrower). In such event, the applicable Lenders on behalf of whom the Administrative Agent made the Revolving Facility Loan shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for all or any portion of such Revolving Facility Loan made on its behalf upon written notice given to each applicable Lender not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the Business Day such reimbursement is requested. The entire amount of interest attributable to such Revolving Facility Loan for the period from and including the date on which such Revolving Facility Loan was made on such Lender’s behalf to but excluding the date the Administrative Agent is reimbursed in respect of such Revolving Facility Loan by such Lender shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for its own account.

Section 2.07    Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such

 

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election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or electronic means to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.

(c)    Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii)    the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii)    whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv)    if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall be in an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum and satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(c) regarding the maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type.

(d)    Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e)    If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.08    Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments of each Class shall terminate on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class. On the June 2017 Effective Date (after giving effect to the exchange of the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) by the 2017 Refinancing Term B Cashless Settlement Option Lenders (as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) for June 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans and the funding of the Additional 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans (as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and the June Incremental Term B Loans, in each case to be made on such date), the 2017 Refinancing Term B Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term B Loan

 

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Commitments (each, as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) of each Lender as of the June 2017 Effective Date will terminate. On the November 2017 Effective Date (after giving effect to the funding of the November 2017 Term B Loans), the November 2017 Term B Loan Commitment of each November 2017 Term B Lender as of the November 2017 Effective Date will terminate.

(b)    The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class; provided, that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $1,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class) and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans in accordance with Section 2.11 and any Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.05(j) or (k), the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Class (excluding any Cash Collateralized Letter of Credit) would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class.

(c)    The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.08 at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (or such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent), specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be irrevocable; provided, that a notice of termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments of any Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

Section 2.09    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan to the Borrower on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date applicable to such Revolving Facility Loans, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.10 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan applicable to any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments on the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date for such Class and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least five Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided, that on each date that a Revolving Facility Borrowing is made by the Borrower, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b)    Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Facility and Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

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(d)    The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of this Section 2.09 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e)    Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note (a “Note”). In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed to by the applicable Lender, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if requested by such payee, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.10    Repayment of Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans. (a) Subject to the other clauses of this Section 2.10 and to Section 9.08(e),

(i)    the Borrower shall repay the Term B Loans incurred on the June 2017 Effective Date and the November 2017 Effective Date on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year (commencing on the last day of the first full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after theDecember 2017 Effective Date) and on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date or, if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (each such date being referred to as a “Term B Loan Installment Date”), in an aggregate principal amount of such Term B Loans equal to (A) in the case of quarterly payments due prior to the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to 0.25% of the product of (x) the sum of (I) the aggregate principal amount of suchall June 2017 Term B Loans outstanding immediately afterprior to the November 2017 Effective Date and (II) the aggregate principal amount of November 2017 Term B Loans funded on the November 2017 Effective Date and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the June 2017 Term B Loans funded on the June 2017 Effective Date and the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate principal amount of June 2017 Term B Loans outstanding immediately prior to the November 2017 Effective Date, after such product is rounded to the nearest Dollar (for the avoidance of doubt, and rounding to the nearest full Dollar, such repayment amount shall be, from and after the November 2017 Effective Date, $7,242,513 on each such last day of each March, June, September and December), and (B) in the case of such payment due on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of such Term B Loans outstanding;

(ii)    in the event that any Incremental Term Loans (other than the November 2017 Term B Loans) are made, the Borrower shall repay such Incremental Term Loans on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the related Incremental Assumption Agreement (each such date being referred to as an “Incremental Term Loan Installment Date”); and

(iii)    to the extent not previously paid, outstanding Term Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date.

 

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(b)    To the extent not previously paid, outstanding Revolving Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

(c)    Prepayment of the Loans from:

(i)    all Net Proceeds pursuant to Section 2.11(b) and Excess Cash Flow pursuant to Section 2.11(c) shall be allocated to the Class or Classes of Term Loans determined pursuant to Section 2.10(d), with the application thereof to reduce in direct order amounts due on the succeeding Term Loan Installment Dates under such Classes as provided in the remaining scheduled amortization payments under such Classes; provided, that any Lender, at its option, may elect to decline any such prepayment of any Term Loan held by it if it shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent thereof by 5:00 p.m. Local Time at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment (any such Lender, a “Declining Lender”) and on the date of any such prepayment, any amounts that would otherwise have been applied to prepay Term Loans owing to Declining Lenders (such amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) shall instead be retained by the Borrower for application for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement, and

(ii)    any optional prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) shall be applied to the remaining installments of the Term Loans under the applicable Class or Classes as the Borrower may in each case direct.

(d)    Any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or (c) shall be applied so that the aggregate amount of such prepayment is allocated among the Term B Loans and the Other Term Loans, if any, pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Term B Loans and Other Term Loans, if any; provided, that, subject to the pro rata application to Loans outstanding within any Class of Term Loans, the Borrower may allocate such prepayment in its discretion among the Class or Classes of Term Loans as the Borrower may specify (so long as such allocation complies with Section 2.21(b) or Section 2.21(f), as applicable). Prior to any prepayment of any Loan under any Facility hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings under the applicable Facility to be prepaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by electronic means) of such selection not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, at least one Business Day before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or in the case of a Swingline Loan, on the scheduled date of such prepayment) and (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, at least three Business Days before the scheduled date of such prepayment (or, in each case such shorter period acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided, that a notice of prepayment may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, indentures or similar agreements or other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each repayment of a Borrowing (x) in the case of the Revolving Facility of any Class, shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders of such Class at the time of such repayment) and (y) in all other cases, shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. All repayments of Loans shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid to the extent required by Section 2.13(d).

Section 2.11    Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Loan in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.12(d) and Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 2.10(d).

 

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(b)    The Borrower shall apply all Net Proceeds promptly upon receipt thereof to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may use a portion of such Net Proceeds to prepay or repurchase any Other First Lien Debt, in each case in an amount not to exceed the product of (x) the amount of such Net Proceeds and (y) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and (B) the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt and the outstanding principal amount of all Classes of Term Loans.

(c)    Not later than 5 Business Days after the date on which the annual financial statements are, or are required to be, delivered under Section 5.04(a) with respect to each Excess Cash Flow Period, the Borrower shall calculate Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period and the Borrower shall apply an amount equal to (i) the amount by which the Required Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow exceeds $5,000,000 (the “ECF Threshold Amount”) minus (ii) to the extent not financed using the proceeds of the incurrence of funded term Indebtedness, the sum of (A) the amount of any voluntary payments during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (A), the amount of any voluntary payments after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of (x) Term Loans (it being understood that the amount of any such payment constituting a below-par Permitted Loan Purchase shall be calculated to equal the amount of cash used and not the principal amount deemed prepaid therewith) and (y) Other First Lien Debt (provided that (i) in the case of the prepayment of any revolving Indebtedness, there was a corresponding reduction in commitments and (ii) the maximum amount of each such prepayment of Other First Lien Debt that may be counted for purposes of this clause (A)(y) shall not exceed the amount that would have been prepaid in respect of such Other First Lien Debt if such prepayment had been applied on a ratable basis among the Term Loans and such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt on the date of such prepayment)) and (B) the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions during such Excess Cash Flow Period (plus, without duplication of any amounts previously deducted under this clause (B), the amount of any permanent voluntary reductions after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period but before the date of prepayment under this clause (c)) of Revolving Facility Commitments to the extent that an equal amount of Revolving Facility Loans was simultaneously repaid (I) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10 or (II) to prepay Term Loans in accordance with clauses (c) and (d) of Section 2.10 and to prepay any Other First Lien Debt in accordance with the agreement(s) governing such Other First Lien Debt so long as the prepayments under this clause (II) are applied in a manner such that the Term Loans are prepaid on at least a ratable basis with such Other First Lien Debt (determined based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Other First Lien Debt being prepaid under this clause (II) on the date of such prepayment). Such calculation will be set forth in a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent setting forth the amount, if any, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, the amount of any required prepayment in respect thereof and the calculation thereof in reasonable detail.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.11 to the contrary, (i) to the extent that any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Foreign Subsidiary or Excess Cash Flow attributable to a Foreign Subsidiary would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but is prohibited, restricted or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States of America, the portion of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt at the times provided in Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States of America, and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds or Excess Cash

 

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Flow will be promptly applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans or Other First Lien Debt pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c), to the extent provided therein and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any or all of such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would otherwise be required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(c) would have a material adverse tax consequence with respect to such Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary (the Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Subsidiary to promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions within the reasonable control of the Borrower that are reasonably required to eliminate such tax effects).

(e)    In the event that the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings of such Class (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, provide Cash Collateral in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(f)    In the event that the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit (other than as a result of changes in currency exchange rates), at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(g)    If as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, on any Revaluation Date, (i) the total Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Class exceeds the total Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class or (ii) the Revolving L/C Exposure exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days of such Revaluation Date (A) prepay Revolving Facility Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings or (B) provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j), in an aggregate amount such that the applicable exposure does not exceed the applicable commitment sublimit or amount set forth above.

Section 2.12    Fees. (a)    The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a “Commitment Fee”) on the daily amount of the applicable Available Unused Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter (or other period commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated) at a rate equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. For purposes of calculating any Lender’s Commitment Fee, the outstanding Swingline Loans during the period for which such Lender’s Commitment Fee is calculated shall be deemed to be zero. The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall commence to accrue on the Closing Date and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein.

(b)    The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay (i) to each Revolving Facility Lender of each Class (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee in Dollars (an “L/C Participation Fee”) on such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the daily aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed L/C Disbursements) of such Class, during the preceding quarter (or shorter period

 

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commencing with the Closing Date or ending with the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall be terminated) at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Revolving Facility Borrowings of such Class effective for each day in such period accrued up to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account (x) on the date that is three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated, a fronting fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including the termination of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate equal to 1/8 of 1.00% per annum of the Dollar Equivalent of the daily stated amount of such Letter of Credit, plus (y) in connection with the issuance, amendment or transfer of any such Letter of Credit or any L/C Disbursement thereunder, such Issuing Bank’s customary documentary and processing fees and charges (collectively, “Issuing Bank Fees”). All L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

(c)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the “Senior Facilities Administration Fee” as set forth in the Fee Letter, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, at the times specified therein (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).

(d)    In the event that, on or prior to the date that is six months after the November 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower shall (x) make a prepayment of the Term B Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) with the proceeds of any new or replacement tranche of long-term secured term loans that are broadly syndicated to banks and other institutional investors in financings similar to the Term B Loans and have an All-in Yield that is less than the All-in Yield of such Term B Loans (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to securitizations) or (y) effect any amendment to this Agreement which reduces the All-in Yield of the Term B Loans (other than, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), in connection with a Qualified IPO, a Change in Control or a transformative acquisition referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the applicable Term Loan Lenders, (A) in the case of clause (x), a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term B Loans so prepaid and (B) in the case of clause (y), a fee equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Term B Loans for which the All-in Yield has been reduced pursuant to such amendment. Such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of such prepayment or the effective date of such amendment, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 2.12(d), a “transformative acquisition” is any acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is (i) not permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition or (ii) if permitted by the terms of the Loan Documents immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition, would not provide the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with adequate flexibility under the Loan Documents for the continuation and/or expansion of their combined operations following such consummation, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

(e)    All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 2.13    Interest. (a)    The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding clauses of this Section 2.13 or (ii) in the case of any other overdue amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in clause (a) of this Section; provided, that this clause (c) shall not apply to any Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.

(d)    Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears (i) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, (ii) in the case of Revolving Facility Loans, upon termination of the applicable Revolving Facility Commitments and (iii) in the case of the Term Loans, on the applicable Term Facility Maturity Date; provided, that (A) interest accrued pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.13 shall be payable on demand, (B) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Loan that is an ABR Loan that is not made in conjunction with a permanent commitment reduction), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (C) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e)    All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the ABR at times when the ABR is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable ABR, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.14    Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(a)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or electronic means as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to or continued as on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto an ABR Borrowing, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

Section 2.15    Increased Costs. (a)    If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or Issuing Bank; or

 

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(ii)    subject any Lender to any Tax with respect to any Loan Document (other than (i) Taxes indemnifiable under Section 2.17 or (ii) Excluded Taxes); or

(iii)    impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements or liquidity has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)    A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, that any such certificate claiming amounts described in clause (x) or (y) of the definition of “Change in Law” shall, in addition, state the basis upon which such amount has been calculated and certify that such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s demand for payment of such costs hereunder, and such method of allocation is not inconsistent with its treatment of other borrowers which, as a credit matter, are similarly situated to the Borrower and which are subject to similar provisions. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Promptly after any Lender or any Issuing Bank has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower thereof. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.15 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

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Section 2.16    Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow (other than due to the default of the relevant Lender), convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender (it being understood that the deemed amount shall not exceed the actual amount) to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurocurrency Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

Section 2.17    Taxes. (a)    Any and all payments made by or on behalf of a Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes; provided, that if a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Requirement of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholdings as are reasonably determined by the applicable withholding agent to be required by any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time allowed and in accordance with applicable Requirement of Law, and (iii) to the extent withholding or deduction is required to be made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made. Whenever any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by a Loan Party, as promptly as possible thereafter, such Loan Party shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of a Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an official receipt (or other evidence acceptable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender, acting reasonably) received by the Loan Party showing payment thereof. Without duplication, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.17, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by applicable Requirements of Law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(b)    The Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes.

(c)    The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender within 15 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any

 

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Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, as the case may be (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent (as applicable) on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)    Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not any payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to withholding of Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, any such withholding of Taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

(e)    Without limiting the generality of Section 2.17(d), each Foreign Lender with respect to any Loan made to the Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally eligible to do so:

(i)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to the date on which the first payment to the Foreign Lender is due hereunder, two copies of (A) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or any applicable successor form) (together with a certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit I to the Original Credit Agreement, such certificate, the “Non-Bank Tax Certificate”) certifying that such Foreign Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section 881(c) of the Code, is not a “10-percent shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Borrower and is not a CFC related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code), and that the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States of America), (B) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or Form W-8ECI (or any applicable successor form), in each case properly completed and duly executed by such Foreign Lender claiming complete exemption from, or reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, (C) IRS Form W-8IMY (or any applicable successor form) and all necessary attachments (including the forms described in clauses (A) and (B) above, provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership, and one or more of the partners is claiming portfolio interest treatment, the Non-Bank Tax Certificate may be provided by such Foreign Lender on behalf of such partners) or (D) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

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(ii)    deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

Any Foreign Lender that becomes legally ineligible to update any form or certification previously delivered shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such Foreign Lender’s inability to do so.

Each person that shall become a Participant pursuant to Section 9.04 or a Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all the forms and statements required pursuant to this Section 2.17(e); provided that a Participant shall furnish all such required forms and statements to the person from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

In addition, each Agent shall deliver to the Borrower (x)(I) prior to the date on which the first payment by the Borrower is due hereunder or (II) prior to the first date on or after the date on which such Agent becomes a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.09 on which payment by the Borrower is due hereunder, as applicable, two copies of a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 certifying its exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding or such other properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law certifying its entitlement to an available exemption from applicable U.S. federal withholding taxes in respect of any payments to be made to such Agent by any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document including, as applicable, an IRS Form W-8IMY certifying that the Agent is a U.S. branch and intends to be treated as a U.S. person for purposes of withholding under Chapter 3 of the Code pursuant to Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations, and (y) on or before the date on which any such previously delivered documentation expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent documentation previously delivered by it to the Borrower, and from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrower, two further copies of such documentation.

(f)    If any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a payment has been made by a Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is attributable to such payment made by such Loan Party, then the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Loan Party for such amount (net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and without interest other than any interest received thereon from the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund) as the Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, determines in its sole discretion to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after such reimbursement, in no better or worse position (taking into account expenses or any Taxes imposed on the refund) than it would have been in if the Indemnified Tax or Other Tax giving rise to such refund had not been imposed in the first instance; provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Lender or the Administrative Agent agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Lender or the Administrative Agent in the event the Lender or the Administrative Agent is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. In such event, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that it deems confidential). A Lender or the Administrative Agent shall claim any

 

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refund that it determines is available to it, unless it concludes in its sole discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. No Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall be obliged to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party in connection with this clause (f) or any other provision of this Section 2.17.

(g)    If the Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts or indemnification payments, each affected Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower as the Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. The Borrower shall indemnify and hold each Lender and Agent harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such person in connection with any request made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17(g). Nothing in this Section 2.17(g) shall obligate any Lender or Agent to take any action that such person, in its sole judgment, determines may result in a material detriment to such person.

(h)    Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two IRS Forms W-9 (or substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such U.S. Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Closing Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or invalid, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the U.S. Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(i)    If a payment made to any Lender or any Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or such Agent were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender or such Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(i), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.

(j)    The agreements in this Section 2.17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable under any Loan Document.

For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the terms “applicable law” and “applicable Requirement of Law” include FATCA.

Section 2.18    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of L/C Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds. Each such payment shall be made without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent,

 

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except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments made under the Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars (or, in the case of Alternate Currency Loans or Alternate Currency Letters of Credit, in the applicable Alternate Currency). Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.

(b)    Subject to Section 7.02, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed L/C Disbursements, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (ii) second, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, and (iii) third, towards payment of principal then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c)    If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of, or interest on, any of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements or Swingline Loans of a given Class resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender entitled to receive the same proportion of such payment, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase participations in the Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class of such other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders entitled thereto ratably in accordance with the principal amount of each such Lender’s respective Term Loans, Revolving Facility Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of such Class and accrued interest thereon; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this clause (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in L/C Disbursements to any assignee or participant. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the

 

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Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e)    If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06 or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.19    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.20, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)    If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15 or gives notice under Section 2.20, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require any such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks), to the extent consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15, payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17 or a notice given under Section 2.20, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender. No action by or consent of the removed Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such removed Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with

 

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Section 9.04, provided, that if such removed Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

(c)    If any Lender (such Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) at its sole expense (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to (and any such Non-Consenting Lender agrees that it shall, upon the Borrower’s request) assign its Loans and its Commitments (or, at the Borrower’s option, the Loans and Commitments under the Facility that is the subject of the proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination) hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to (i) the Administrative Agent (unless such assignee is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) and (ii) if in respect of any Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks; provided, that: (a) all Loan Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, (b) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and the replacement Lender or, at the option of the Borrower, the Borrower shall pay any amount required by Section 2.12(d)(y), if applicable, and (c) the replacement Lender shall grant its consent with respect to the applicable proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination. No action by or consent of the Non-Consenting Lender shall be necessary in connection with such assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04; provided, that if such Non-Consenting Lender does not comply with Section 9.04 within one Business Day after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 9.04 shall not be required to effect such assignment.

Section 2.20    Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make or maintain any Eurocurrency Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all Eurocurrency Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted.

Section 2.21    Incremental Commitments. (a) The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time, request Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, in an amount not to exceed the Incremental Amount available at the time such Incremental Commitments are established (or at the time any commitment relating thereto is entered into or, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of incurrence of the Incremental Loans thereunder) from one or more Incremental Term Lenders and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders (which may include any existing Lender) willing to provide such Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as the case may be, in their own

 

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discretion; provided, that each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender providing a commitment to make revolving loans shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and, to the extent the same would be required for an assignment under Section 9.04, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender is a Revolving Facility Lender. Such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $5,000,000 and a minimum amount of $10,000,000, or equal to the remaining Incremental Amount or, in each case, such lesser amount approved by the Administrative Agent), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are requested to become effective, (iii) in the case of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, whether such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make additional Revolving Facility Loans on the same terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) commitments to make revolving loans with pricing terms, final maturity dates, participation in mandatory prepayments or commitment reductions and/or other terms different from the Initial Revolving Loans (“Other Revolving Loans”) and (iv) in the case of Incremental Term Loan Commitments, whether such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are to be (x) commitments to make term loans with terms identical to Term B Loans or (y) commitments to make term loans with pricing, maturity, amortization, participation in mandatory prepayments and/or other terms different from the Term B Loans (“Other Term Loans”).

(b)    The Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment of such Incremental Revolving Facility Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that:

(i)    any commitments to make additional Term B Loans and/or additional Initial Revolving Loans shall have the same terms as the Term B Loans or Initial Revolving Loans, respectively,

(ii)    the Other Term Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Term B Loans (provided, that if such Other Term Loans rank junior in right of security with the Term B Loans, such Other Term Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be subject to clause (vii) below),

(iii)    the final maturity date of any such Other Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date and, except as to pricing, amortization, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Term B Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(iv)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any such Other Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans,

(v)    the Other Revolving Loans incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 shall rank pari passu or, at the option of the Borrower, junior in right of security with the Initial Revolving Loans (provided, that if such Other Revolving Loans rank junior in right of

 

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security with the Initial Revolving Loans, such Other Revolving Loans shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement),

(vi)    the final maturity date of any such Other Revolving Loans shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date with respect to the Initial Revolving Loans and, except as to pricing, final maturity date, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and ranking as to security (which shall, subject to the other clauses of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders in their sole discretion), shall have (x) substantially similar terms as the Initial Revolving Loans or (y) such other terms (including as to guarantees and collateral) as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

(vii)    with respect to any Other Term Loan incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 2.21 that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Term B Loans, the All-in Yield shall be the same as that applicable to the Term B Loans on the Closing Date, except that the All-in Yield in respect of any such Other Term Loan may exceed the All-in Yield in respect of such Term B Loans on the Closing Date by no more than 0.50%, or if it does so exceed such All-in Yield by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Term Yield Differential”) then the Applicable Margin (or the “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Term Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Term Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Other Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Term Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to the outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Other Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans then outstanding;

(viii)    (A) such Other Revolving Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in (x) any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (y) any Borrowing at the time such Borrowing is made and (B) such Other Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder; and

(ix)    there shall be no obligor in respect of any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

Each party hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments and/or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 2.21 and any such collateral and other documentation shall be deemed “Loan Documents” hereunder and may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective under this Section 2.21 unless (i) on the date of such effectiveness, (A) to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement, the conditions set forth in clause (c) of Section 4.01 shall be satisfied and the Administrative

 

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Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (B) if such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment is established for a purpose other than financing any Permitted Business Acquisition or any other acquisition that is permitted by this Agreement, no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received customary legal opinions, board resolutions and other customary closing certificates and documentation as required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement and, to the extent required by the Administrative Agent, consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.02 of the Original Credit Agreement and such additional customary documents and filings (including amendments to the Mortgages and other Security Documents and title endorsement bringdowns) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to assure that the Incremental Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are secured by the Collateral ratably with (or, to the extent set forth in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, junior to) one or more Classes of then-existing Term Loans and Revolving Facility Loans.

(d)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) all Incremental Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the outstanding applicable Class of Term Loans on a pro rata basis, and (ii) all Revolving Facility Loans in respect of Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments (other than Revolving Facility Loans of a different Class), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of the applicable Class of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans on a pro rata basis. The Borrower agrees that Section 2.16 shall apply to any conversion of Eurocurrency Loans to ABR Loans reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to effect the foregoing.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (e) through (i) of this Section 2.21), pursuant to one or more offers made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of any Class of Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitments, on a pro rata basis (based, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, on the aggregate outstanding Term Loans of such Class and, in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, on the aggregate outstanding Revolving Facility Commitments under such Revolving Facility, as applicable) and on the same terms (“Pro Rata Extension Offers”), the Borrower is hereby permitted to consummate transactions with individual Lenders from time to time to extend the maturity date of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class and to otherwise modify the terms of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments of such Class pursuant to the terms of the relevant Pro Rata Extension Offer (including, without limitation, increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Lender’s Loans and/or Commitments and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Loans). For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to “on the same terms” in the preceding sentence shall mean, (i) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Class of Term Loans, that all of the Term Loans of such Class are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same and (ii) in the case of an offer to the Lenders under any Revolving Facility, that all of the Revolving Facility Commitments of such Facility are offered to be extended for the same amount of time and that the interest rate changes and fees payable with respect to such extension are the same. Any such extension (an “Extension”) agreed to between the Borrower and any such Lender (an “Extending Lender”) will be established under this Agreement by implementing an Incremental Term Loan for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Term Loan (such extended Term Loan, an “Extended Term Loan”) or an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment for such Lender if such Lender is extending an existing Revolving Facility Commitment (such extended Revolving Facility Commitment, an “Extended Revolving Facility Commitment” and any Revolving Facility Loans made thereunder, “Extended Revolving Loans”). Each Pro Rata Extension Offer shall specify the date on which the Borrower proposes

 

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that the Extended Term Loan shall be made or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall become effective, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(f)    The Borrower and each Extending Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments of such Extending Lender. Each Incremental Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the applicable Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments; provided, that (i) except as to interest rates, fees and any other pricing terms (which interest rates, fees and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)), and amortization, final maturity date and participation in prepayments and commitment reductions (which shall, subject to clauses (ii) and (iii) of this proviso, be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), the Extended Term Loans shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Term Loans or (y) such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) the final maturity date of any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the latest Term Facility Maturity Date in effect on the date of incurrence, (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Class of Term Loans to which such offer relates, (iv) except as to interest rates, fees, any other pricing terms, participation in mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions and final maturity (which shall be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the Pro Rata Extension Offer), any Extended Revolving Facility Commitment shall have (x) the same terms as an existing Class of Revolving Facility Commitments or (y) have such other terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in respect of any other terms that would affect the rights or duties of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, such terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, (v) any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) than the Initial Revolving Loans in any voluntary or mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction hereunder and (vi) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not a greater than pro rata basis) than the Term B Loans in any mandatory prepayment hereunder. Upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 9.08(e). Any such deemed amendment may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto. If provided in any Incremental Assumption Agreement with respect to any Extended Revolving Facility Commitments, and with the consent of each Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be reallocated to lenders holding such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments in the manner specified in such Incremental Assumption Agreement, including upon effectiveness of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment or upon or prior to the maturity date for any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(g)    Upon the effectiveness of any such Extension, the applicable Extending Lender’s Term Loan will be automatically designated an Extended Term Loan and/or such Extending Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment will be automatically designated an Extended Revolving Facility Commitment. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if such Extending Lender is extending a Term Loan, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Extended Term Loan and (ii) if such Extending Lender is extending a Revolving Facility Commitment, such Extending Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Extended Revolving Facility Commitment.

 

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(h)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) any Extending Lender may extend all or any portion of its Term Loans and/or Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to one or more Pro Rata Extension Offers (subject to applicable proration in the case of over participation) (including the extension of any Extended Term Loan and/or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment), (iv) there shall be no condition to any Extension of any Loan or Commitment at any time or from time to time other than notice to the Administrative Agent of such Extension and the terms of the Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Facility Commitment implemented thereby, (v) all Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Loan Obligations of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations relating to an existing Class of Term Loans of the relevant Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (vi) no Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be obligated to provide Swingline Loans or issue Letters of Credit under such Extended Revolving Facility Commitments unless it shall have consented thereto and (vii) there shall be no obligor in respect of any such Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Facility Commitments that is not a Loan Party.

(i)    Each Extension shall be consummated pursuant to procedures set forth in the associated Pro Rata Extension Offer; provided, that the Borrower shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent prior to making any Pro Rata Extension Offer to establish reasonable procedures with respect to mechanical provisions relating to such Extension, including, without limitation, timing, rounding and other adjustments.

(j)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (j) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional tranches of term loans under this Agreement (such loans, “Refinancing Term Loans”), the net cash proceeds of which are used to Refinance in whole or in part any Class of Term Loans. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Refinancing Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Refinancing Term Loans shall be made, which shall be a date not earlier than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided, that:

(i)    before and after giving effect to the borrowing of such Refinancing Term Loans on the Refinancing Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans;

(ii)    the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans,

(iii)    the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be no shorter than the then-remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the refinanced Term Loans;

(iv)    the aggregate principal amount of the Refinancing Term Loans shall not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the refinanced Term Loans plus amounts used to pay fees, premiums, costs and expenses (including original issue discount) and accrued interest associated therewith;

 

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(v)    all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may establish Refinancing Term Loans to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Revolving Facility Commitment (regardless of whether Revolving Facility Loans are outstanding under such Revolving Facility Commitments at the time of incurrence of such Refinancing Term Loans), so long as (1) the aggregate amount of such Refinancing Term Loans does not exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments terminated at the time of incurrence thereof, (2) if the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure outstanding on the Refinancing Effective Date would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding in each case after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall take one or more actions such that such Revolving Facility Credit Exposure does not exceed such aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments in effect on the Refinancing Effective Date after giving effect to the termination of such Revolving Facility Commitments (it being understood that (x) such Refinancing Term Loans may be provided by the Lenders holding the Revolving Facility Commitments being terminated and/or by any other person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder and (y) the proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans shall not constitute Net Proceeds hereunder), (3) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Refinancing Term Loans (disregarding any customary amortization for this purpose) shall be no shorter than the remaining life to termination of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments, (4) the final maturity date of the Refinancing Term Loans shall be no earlier than the termination date of the terminated Revolving Facility Commitments and (5) all other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (other than provisions relating to original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and any other pricing terms (which original issue discount, upfront fees, interest rates and other pricing terms shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in Section 2.21(b)(vii)) and optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment or redemption terms, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Term B Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Term B Facility Maturity Date or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), as determined by the Borrower in good faith;

(vi)    with respect to Refinancing Term Loans secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank pari passu or junior in right of security to the Term B Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

(vii)    there shall be no obligor in respect of such Refinancing Term Loans that is not a Loan Party.

(k)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans; provided, that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Refinancing Term Loans

 

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may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Refinancing Term Loan. Any Refinancing Term Loans made on any Refinancing Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that any Refinancing Term Loans may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Refinancing Term Loans, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Term Loans made to the Borrower.

(l)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (l) through (o) of this Section 2.21), the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent establish one or more additional Facilities providing for revolving commitments (“Replacement Revolving Facilities” and the commitments thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments” and the revolving loans thereunder, “Replacement Revolving Loans”), which replace in whole or in part any Class of Revolving Facility Commitments under this Agreement. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, a “Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall become effective, which shall be a date not less than five Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that: (i) before and after giving effect to the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant Incremental Assumption Agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; (ii) after giving effect to the establishment of any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and any concurrent reduction in the aggregate amount of any other Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate amount of Revolving Facility Commitments shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments outstanding immediately prior to the applicable Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date; (iii) no Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall have a final maturity date (or require commitment reductions or amortizations) prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence for the Revolving Facility Commitments being replaced; (iv) all other terms applicable to such Replacement Revolving Facility (other than provisions relating to (x) fees, interest rates and other pricing terms and prepayment and commitment reduction and optional redemption terms which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and (y) the amount of any letter of credit sublimit and swingline commitment under such Replacement Revolving Facility, which shall be as agreed between the Borrower, the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, the Administrative Agent and the replacement issuing bank and replacement swingline lender, if any, under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments) taken as a whole shall be substantially similar to, or not materially less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than, the terms, taken as a whole, applicable to the Initial Revolving Loans (except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the latest Revolving Facility Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); and (v) there shall be no obligor in respect of such Replacement Revolving Facility that is not a Loan Party. In addition, the Borrower may establish Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments to refinance and/or replace all or any portion of a Term Loan hereunder (regardless of whether such Term Loan is repaid with the proceeds of Replacement Revolving Loans or otherwise), so long as the aggregate amount of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments does not exceed the aggregate amount of Term Loans repaid at the time of establishment thereof (it being understood that such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment may be provided by the Lenders holding the Term Loans being repaid and/or by any other Person that would be a permitted Assignee hereunder) so long as (i) before and after giving effect to the establishment such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments on the Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall be satisfied to the extent required by the relevant agreement governing such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the remaining life to termination of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no shorter than the Weighted

 

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Average Life to Maturity then applicable to the refinanced Term Loans, (iii) the final termination date of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments shall be no earlier than the Term Facility Maturity Date of the refinanced Term Loans, (iv) with respect to Replacement Revolving Loans secured by Liens on Collateral that rank junior in right of security to the Initial Revolving Loans, such Liens will be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (v) the requirement of clause (v) in the preceding sentence shall be satisfied mutatis mutandis. Solely to the extent that an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender is not a replacement issuing bank or replacement swingline lender, as the case may be, under a Replacement Revolving Facility, it is understood and agreed that such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall not be required to issue any letters of credit or swingline loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility and, to the extent it is necessary for such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender to withdraw as an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, at the time of the establishment of such Replacement Revolving Facility, such withdrawal shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in its sole discretion. The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in full upon demand, for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket cost or expense attributable to such withdrawal.

(m)    The Borrower may approach any Lender or any other person that would be a permitted Assignee of a Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to Section 9.04 to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that any Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of the Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment made on any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date shall be designated an additional Class of Revolving Facility Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments may, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Assumption Agreement, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class of Revolving Facility Commitments.

(n)    On any Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each of the Lenders with Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class shall purchase from each of the other Lenders with Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class, at the principal amount thereof and in the applicable currencies, such interests in the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class then outstanding on such Replacement Revolving Facility Effective Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, the Replacement Revolving Loans and participations of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments of such Class will be held by the Lenders thereunder ratably in accordance with their Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments.

(o)    For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (i) if a Lender is providing a Refinancing Term Loan, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Term Loan having the terms of such Refinancing Term Loan and (ii) if a Lender is providing a Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment, such Lender will be deemed to have an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment having the terms of such Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, this Section 2.21), (i) the aggregate amount of Refinancing Term Loans and Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments will not be included in the calculation of the Incremental Amount, (ii) no Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, (iii) there shall be no condition to any incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loan or Replacement Revolving Facility Commitment at any time or from time to time other than those set forth in clauses (j) or (l) above, as applicable, and (iv) all Refinancing Term Loans, Replacement Revolving Facility Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations

 

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under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(p)    Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, (i) for the purpose of determining the number of outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowings upon the incurrence of any Incremental Loans, (x) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Term Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (y) to the extent the last date of Interest Periods for multiple Eurocurrency Borrowings under the Revolving Facilities fall on the same day, such Eurocurrency Borrowings shall be considered a single Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) the initial Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing of Incremental Loans may, at the Borrower’s option, be of a duration of a number of Business Days that is less than one month, and the Adjusted LIBO Rate with respect to such initial Interest Period shall be the same as the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to any then-outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing as the Borrower may direct, so long as the last day of such initial Interest Period is the same as the last day of the Interest Period with respect to such outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing.

Section 2.22    Defaulting Lender. (a)    Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i)    Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Facility Lenders.”

(ii)    Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, following an Event of Default or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.06 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder, third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.05(j), fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.05(j), sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii)    Certain Fees. (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

(B)    Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive L/C Participation Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its pro rata share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral.

(C)    With respect to any Commitment Fee or L/C Participation Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv)    Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective pro rata Commitments (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v)    Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, within three (3) Business Days following the written request of (i) the Administrative Agent or (ii) the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, as applicable (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j).

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Facility Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Facility Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that, no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change

 

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hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c)    New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

On the date of each Credit Event, the Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders that:

Section 3.01    Organization; Powers. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, each of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and each of the Material Subsidiaries (a) is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or, if applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, enjoys the equivalent status under the laws of any jurisdiction of organization outside the United States of America) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

Section 3.02    Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties and, in the case of Section 3.02(a) and 3.02(b)(i)(B), Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the borrowings hereunder (a) have been duly authorized by all corporate, stockholder, partnership or limited liability company action required to be obtained by Holdings, the Borrower and such Subsidiary Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Holdings, the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including any partnership, limited liability company or operating agreements) or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower, or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, (C) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party or (D) any provision of any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (ii) result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) under any such indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.02(b), would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to (x) any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary Loan Party, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, or (y) any Equity Interests of the Borrower now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), other than Liens created by the Loan Documents or Liens permitted by Article VIA.

 

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Section 3.03    Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party that is party thereto and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement when executed and delivered by Holdings will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against the Borrower, such Subsidiary Loan Party and Holdings, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and (iv) any foreign laws, rules and regulations as they relate to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

Section 3.04    Governmental Approvals. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required for the execution, delivery or performance of each Loan Document to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party is a party, except for (a) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, (b) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office and comparable offices in foreign jurisdictions and equivalent filings in foreign jurisdictions, (c) recordation of the Mortgages, (d) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect, (e) such actions, consents and approvals the failure of which to be obtained or made would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (f) filings or other actions listed on Schedule 3.04 to the Original Credit Agreement and any other filings or registrations required by the Security Documents.

Section 3.05    Financial Statements. (a) The audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 and the statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flow as of and for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the notes thereto, if applicable, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods referred to therein and the results of operations and, if applicable, cash flows for the periods then ended, and, except as set forth on Schedule 3.05 to the Original Credit Agreement, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except, in the case of interim period financial statements, for the absence of notes and for normal year-end adjustments and except as otherwise noted therein.

Section 3.06    No Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, there has been no event or circumstance that, individually or in the aggregate with other events or circumstances, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07    Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has valid title in fee simple or equivalent to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all its Real Properties (including all Mortgaged Properties) and has valid title to its personal property and assets, in each case, except for Permitted Liens and except for defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Permitted Liens or Liens arising by operation of law. The Equity Interests of the Borrower owned by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens permitted by Article VIA.

 

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(b)    The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has complied with all material obligations under all leases to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the failure to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any pending or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting any material portion of the Mortgaged Properties or any sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation that remains unresolved as of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.07(c) to the Original Credit Agreement.

(d)    As of the Closing Date, none of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is obligated under any right of first refusal, option or other contractual right to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property or any interest therein, except as permitted under Section 6.02 or 6.05 or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)    Schedule 1.01(E) to the Original Credit Agreement lists each Material Real Property owned by any Loan Party as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.08    Subsidiaries. (a)    Schedule 3.08(a) to the Original Credit Agreement sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary.

(b)    As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors (or entities controlled by directors) and shares held by directors (or entities controlled by directors)) relating to any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(b) to the Original Credit Agreement.

Section 3.09    Litigation; Compliance with Laws.    (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such person (including those that involve any Loan Document) that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, except for any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration which has been disclosed in any of the Company’s or Merger Sub’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the Closing Date or which arises out of the same facts and circumstances, and alleges substantially the same complaints and damages, as any action, suit or proceeding so disclosed and in which there has been no material adverse change since the date of such disclosure.

(b)    None of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any law, rule or regulation (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permit, but excluding any Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.16) or any restriction of record or agreement affecting any Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.10    Federal Reserve Regulations. Neither the making of any Loan (or the extension of any Letter of Credit) hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board.

Section 3.11    Investment Company Act. None of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.12    Use of Proceeds. (a) The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans, and may request the issuance of Letters of Credit, solely for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the June 2017 Transactions, Permitted Business Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures and Transaction Expenses and, in the case of Letters of Credit, for the back-up or replacement of existing letters of credit) and, (b) the Borrower will use the proceeds of (i) the June 2017 Refinancing Term B Loans made on the June 2017 Effective Date, together with cash on hand of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, to refinance the Existing Term B Loans (as defined in the June 2017 Incremental Assumption and Amendment Agreement) and to pay related Transaction Expenses and (ii) the June Incremental Term B Loans for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for the June 2017 Transactions, Permitted Business Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures and Transaction Expenses). and (c) the Borrower will use the proceeds of the November 2017 Term B Loans made on the November 2017 Effective Date (i) to finance a portion of the acquisition directly or indirectly by the Borrower of Datapipe Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Datapipe”), pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, by, among others, Inception Topco, Inc., as purchaser, the Borrower and Datapipe Holdings, LLC, as seller, and other related transactions in connection therewith, (ii) to repay certain indebtedness of Datapipe and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection therewith.

Section 3.13    Tax Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13 to the Original Credit Agreement:

(a)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) and each such Tax return is true and correct;

(b)    Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable by it on the returns referred to in clause (a) and all other Taxes or assessments (or made adequate provision (in accordance with GAAP) for the payment of all Taxes due), except Taxes or assessments that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP; and

(c)    Other than as would not be, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the Closing Date, with respect to the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries, there are no claims being asserted in writing with respect to any Taxes.

Section 3.14    No Material Misstatements. (a) All written factual information (other than the Projections, forward looking information and information of a general economic nature or general industry nature) (the “Information”) concerning the Borrower, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Original Credit Agreement included in the Information Memorandum or otherwise prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other

 

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transactions contemplated by the Original Credit Agreement (to the extent such Information relates to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, to the Company’s knowledge), when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Closing Date and did not, taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made (giving effect to all supplements and updates provided thereto).

(b)    The Projections and other forward looking information and information of a general economic nature prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being understood that such Projections are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ significantly from the projected results, and that no assurance can be given that the projected results will be realized), as of the date such Projections and information were furnished to the Lenders.

Section 3.15    Employee Benefit Plans. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no Reportable Event has occurred during the past five years as to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate was required to file a report with the PBGC, other than reports that have been filed; (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (iii) none of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has received any written notification that any Multiemployer Plan has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

Section 3.16    Environmental Matters. Except as to matters that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no written notice, request for information, order, complaint or penalty has been received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial, administrative or other actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has all environmental permits, licenses and other approvals necessary for its operations to comply with all Environmental Laws (“Environmental Permits”) and is in compliance with the terms of such Environmental Permits and with all other Environmental Laws, (iii) no Hazardous Material is located at, on or under any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, and no Hazardous Material has been generated, used, treated, stored, handled, disposed of or controlled, transported or Released at any location in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any cost, liability or obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits, (iv) there are no agreements in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has expressly assumed or undertaken responsibility for any known or reasonably likely liability or obligation of any other person arising under or relating to Environmental Laws, which in any such case has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, and (v) there has been no material written environmental assessment or audit conducted (other than customary assessments not revealing anything that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any property currently or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, formerly owned or leased by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that has not been made available to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date.

 

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Section 3.17    Security Documents. (a) Each of the Collateral Agreement and the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), in each case, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. As of the Closing Date, in the case of the Pledged Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement, when certificates or promissory notes, as applicable, representing such Pledged Collateral and required to be delivered under the applicable Security Document are delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement (other than the Intellectual Property), when financing statements and other filings specified in the Perfection Certificate are filed in the offices specified in the Perfection Certificate, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and, subject to Section 9-315 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person (except Permitted Liens).

(b)    When the Collateral Agreement or an ancillary document thereunder is properly filed and recorded in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, and, with respect to Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected by such filings, upon the proper filing of the financing statements referred to in clause (a) above, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected (subject to exceptions arising from defects in the chain of title, which defects in the aggregate do not constitute a Material Adverse Effect hereunder) Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties thereunder in the material United States Intellectual Property included in the Collateral (but, in the case of the United States registered copyrights included in the Collateral, only to the extent such United States registered copyrights are listed in such ancillary document filed with the United States Copyright Office) listed in such ancillary document, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on material registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Loan Parties after the Closing Date).

(c)    The Mortgages executed and delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.10 shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) legal, valid and enforceable Liens on all of the Loan Parties’ rights, titles and interests in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgages are filed or recorded in the proper real estate filing or recording offices, and all relevant mortgage taxes and recording charges are duly paid, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have valid Liens with record notice to third parties on, and security interests in, all rights, titles and interests of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and, to the extent applicable, subject to Section 9-315 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to the Lien of any other person, except for Permitted Liens.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything herein (including this Section 3.17) or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, no Borrower or any other Loan Party makes any representation or warranty as to the effects of perfection or non-perfection, the priority or the enforceability of any pledge of or security interest in any Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, or as to the rights and remedies of the Agents or any Lender with respect thereto, under foreign law.

Section 3.18    Location of Real Property. The Perfection Certificate lists correctly, in all material respects, as of the Closing Date all Material Real Property owned by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties and the addresses thereof. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties own in fee all the Real Property set forth as being owned by them in the Perfection Certificate except to the extent set forth therein.

 

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Section 3.19    Solvency. (a) As of the June 2017 Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the June 2017 Transactions on the June 2017 Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the June 2017 Effective Date.

(b)    As of the June 2017 Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the June 2017 Transactions on the June 2017 Effective Date, the Borrower does not intend to, and the Borrower does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

Section 3.20    Labor Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries; (b) the hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any material collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound.

Section 3.21    Insurance. Schedule 3.21 to the Original Credit Agreement sets forth a true, complete and correct description, in all material respects, of all material insurance (excluding any title insurance) maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect.

Section 3.22    No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 3.23    Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as set forth in Schedule 3.23 to the Original Credit Agreement, (a) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or possesses the right to use, all Intellectual Property used or held for use in or otherwise reasonably necessary for the present conduct of their respective businesses, (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not interfering with,

 

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infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating Intellectual Property of any person, and (c) (i) no claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened and (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim or litigation regarding any other Intellectual Property described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) is pending or threatened.

Section 3.24    Senior Debt. The Loan Obligations constitute “Senior Debt” (or the equivalent thereof) under the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness of any Loan Party permitted to be incurred hereunder constituting Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations.

Section 3.25    USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC.

(a)    The Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and, at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Loan Parties (including names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and mutually agreed to be required under “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(b)    None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Treasury Department, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union, the United Nations Security Council or Her Majesty’s Treasury (“Sanctions”). The Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any country that is the target of the Sanctions, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by sanctions laws and regulations administered by the United States, including OFAC and the U.S. State Department, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union (collectively, the “Sanctions Laws”), or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws applicable to any party hereto.

Section 3.26    Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their directors, officers, agents or employees, are in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject (“Anti-Corruption Laws”), in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used to make any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions of Lending

The obligations of (a) the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Loans (other than November 2017 Term B Loans on the November 2017 Effective Date, the conditions with respect to which are set forth in the November 2017 Incremental Assumption Agreement) and (b) any Issuing Bank

 

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to issue, amend, extend or renew Letters of Credit or increase the stated amounts of Letters of Credit hereunder (each, a “Credit Event”) are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 9.08) of the following conditions:

Section 4.01    All Credit Events. On the date of each Borrowing and on the date of each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (in each case, other than pursuant to an Incremental Assumption Agreement):

(a)     The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or a Borrowing Request shall have been deemed given in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05(b).

(b)    In the case of each Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), the representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date, in each case, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

(c)    In the case of each Borrowing or other Credit Event, at the time of and immediately after such Borrowing or issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d)    Each Borrowing and other Credit Event shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing, issuance, amendment, extension or renewal as applicable, as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.

Section 4.02    [Reserved].

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 5.01    Existence; Business and Properties. (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Borrower, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of Subsidiaries if the assets of such Subsidiaries to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution; provided, that Subsidiary Loan Parties may not be liquidated into Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Domestic Subsidiaries may not be liquidated into Foreign Subsidiaries (except in each case as permitted under Section 6.05).

 

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(b)    Except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) lawfully obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, Intellectual Property, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, and (ii) at all times maintain, protect and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as permitted by this Agreement).

Section 5.02    Insurance. (a) Maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, cause the Collateral Agent to be listed as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies with respect to Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America and as an additional insured on liability policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may self-insure with respect to such risks with respect to which companies of established reputation engaged in the same general line of business in the same general area usually self-insure.

(b)    Except as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause all such property and casualty insurance policies with respect to the Mortgaged Property located in the United States of America to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable endorsement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, deliver a certificate of an insurance broker to the Collateral Agent; cause each such policy covered by this clause (b) to provide that it shall not be cancelled or not renewed upon less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent; deliver to the Collateral Agent, prior to or concurrently with the cancellation or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance covered by this clause (b), a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Collateral Agent), or insurance certificate with respect thereto, together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of payment of the premium therefor, in each case of the foregoing, to the extent customarily maintained, purchased or provided to, or at the request of, lenders by similarly situated companies in connection with credit facilities of this nature.

(c)    If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area (each a “Special Flood Hazard Area”) with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the Flood Insurance Laws, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including a copy of the flood insurance policy and declaration page relating thereto.

(d)    In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section 5.02, it is understood and agreed that:

(i)    the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective agents or employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.02, it being understood that (A) the Loan Parties shall look solely to their insurance companies or any other parties other than the aforesaid parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (B) such insurance companies

 

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shall have no rights of subrogation against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or their agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies, as a matter of the internal policy of such insurer, do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then each of Holdings and the Borrower, on behalf of itself and behalf of each of its Subsidiaries, hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to waive, and further agrees to cause each of their Subsidiaries to waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and their agents and employees;

(ii)    the designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by the Collateral Agent (including acting in the capacity as the Collateral Agent) under this Section 5.02 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or the protection of their properties; and

(iii)    the amount and type of insurance that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has in effect as of the Closing Date satisfies for all purposes the requirements of this Section 5.02.

Section 5.03    Taxes. Pay its obligations in respect of all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.04    Financial Statements, Reports, etc. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):

(a)    within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and, starting with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(a) to the extent such annual reports include the information specified herein);

(b)    within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016), a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during

 

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such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and, starting with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be in reasonable detail, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.04(b) to the extent such quarterly reports include the information specified herein); provided, that with respect to the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, the requirements under this clause (b) shall be satisfied if the Borrower, at its option, delivers the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 substantially in the form of the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g) of the Original Credit Agreement;

(c)    (x) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred since the date of the last certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.04(c) or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) commencing with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, setting forth computations in reasonable detail demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenant and (iii) setting forth the calculation and uses of the Cumulative Credit for the fiscal period then ended if the Borrower shall have used the Cumulative Credit for any purpose during such fiscal period and (y) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, if the accounting firm is not restricted from providing such a certificate by its policies office, a certificate of the accounting firm opining on or certifying such statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such statements of any Default or Event of Default (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations);

(d)    promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other publicly available reports, proxy statements and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, other materials filed by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the SEC, or after an initial public offering, distributed to its stockholders generally, as applicable; provided, however, that such reports, proxy statements, filings and other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this clause (d) shall be deemed delivered for purposes of this Agreement when posted to the website of the Borrower (or Holdings or any Parent Entity referred to in Section 5.04(i)) or the website of the SEC and written notice of such posting has been delivered to the Administrative Agent;

(e)    within 90 days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the beginning of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017), a consolidated annual budget for such fiscal year consisting of a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income (collectively, the “Budget”), which Budget shall in each case be accompanied by the statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that the Budget is based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof;

 

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(f)    upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent not more frequently than once a year, an updated Perfection Certificate (or, to the extent such request relates to specified information contained in the Perfection Certificate, such information) reflecting all changes since the date of the information most recently received pursuant to this clause (f) or Section 5.10(f);

(g)    promptly, from time to time, such other customary information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender);

(h)    no later than 10 Business Days after the delivery of the financial statements required pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04, commencing with the financial statements for the first full fiscal period ending after the Closing Date, upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall hold a customary conference call for Lenders; and

(i)    in the event that Holdings or any Parent Entity reports on a consolidated basis, such consolidated reporting at Holdings or such Parent Entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.04 for the Borrower (together with a reconciliation showing the adjustments necessary to determine compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the Financial Covenant) will satisfy the requirements of such paragraphs.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that all financial statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (d) above are hereby deemed to be Borrower Materials suitable for distribution, and to be made available, to Public Lenders as contemplated by Section 9.17 and may be treated by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as if the same had been marked “PUBLIC” in accordance with such paragraph (unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent in writing on or prior to delivery thereof).

Section 5.05    Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly thereafter furnish to the Lenders) written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof:

(a)    any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

(b)    the filing or commencement of, or any written threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination is reasonably probable and which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)    any other development specific to Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is not a matter of general public knowledge and that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(d)    the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.06    Compliance with Laws. Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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provided, that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions Laws.

Section 5.07    Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections. Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice to Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor (so long as the Borrower has the opportunity to participate in any such discussions with such accountants), in each case, subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract.

Section 5.08    Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans made and Letters of Credit issued in the manner contemplated by Section 3.12.

Section 5.09    Compliance with Environmental Laws. Comply, and make reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other persons occupying its properties to comply, with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and properties; and obtain and renew all material authorizations and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its operations and properties, in each case in accordance with Environmental Laws, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.10    Further Assurances; Additional Security.

(a)    Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages and other documents), that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (including, without limitation, those required by applicable law), to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and provide to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

(b)    If any asset (other than Real Property) that has an individual fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in an amount greater than $10,000,000 is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date or owned by an entity at the time it becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (in each case other than (x) assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien of such Security Document upon acquisition thereof and (y) assets constituting Excluded Property), the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Party, as applicable, will (i) notify the Collateral Agent of such acquisition or ownership and (ii) cause such asset to be subjected to a Lien (subject to any Permitted Liens) securing the Obligations by, and take, and cause the Subsidiary Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in clause (a) of this Section 5.10, all at the expense of the Loan Parties, subject to clause (g) below.

 

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(c)    (i) Grant and cause each of the Subsidiary Loan Parties to grant to the Collateral Agent security interests in, and Mortgages on, any Material Real Property of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Loan Parties, as applicable, that are acquired after the Closing Date, within 120 days after the acquisition thereof (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) in a customary form for Affiliates of the Fund and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, which security interest and mortgage shall constitute valid and enforceable Liens subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens, (ii) record or file, and cause each such Subsidiary to record or file, the Mortgage or instruments related thereto in such manner and in such places as is required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) required to be granted pursuant to the Mortgages and pay, and cause each such Subsidiary to pay, in full, all Taxes, fees and other charges required to be paid in connection with such recording or filing, in each case subject to clause (g) below, and (iii) deliver to the Collateral Agent an updated Schedule 1.01(E) reflecting such Mortgaged Properties. Unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent, with respect to each such Mortgage, the Borrower shall cause the requirements set forth in clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” to be satisfied with respect to such Material Real Property.

(d)    If any additional direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 20 Business Days after the date such Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion (or, with respect to clauses (f), (g) and (h) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” within 120 days after such formation or acquisition or such longer period as set forth therein or as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, as applicable), cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(e)    If any additional Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower is formed or acquired after the Closing Date (with any Subsidiary Redesignation resulting in an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary being deemed to constitute the acquisition of a Subsidiary) and if such Subsidiary is a “first tier” Foreign Subsidiary of a Loan Party, within 15 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, within 50 Business Days after the date such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to any Equity Interest in such Foreign Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party, subject to clause (g) below.

(f)    Furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in any Loan Party’s corporate or organization name, (B) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (C) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number, (D) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or (E) in the location of the chief executive office of any Loan Party that is not a registered organization; provided, that the Borrower shall not effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made, or will have been made within 30 days following such change (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), under the Uniform Commercial Code that

 

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are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by such filing, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(g)    The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the other provisions of this Section 5.10 and the other Loan Documents with respect to Collateral need not be satisfied with respect to any of the following (collectively, the “Excluded Property”): (i) any Real Property other than Material Real Property, (ii) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, letter of credit rights (in each case, other than to the extent a Lien on such assets or such rights can be perfected by filing a UCC-1) and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $10,000,000, (iii) pledges and security interests prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contractual obligation (with respect to any such contractual obligation, only to the extent such restriction is permitted under Section 6.09(c) and such restriction is binding on such assets (1) on the Closing Date or (2) on the date of the acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof (other than in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness of the type contemplated by Section 6.01(i))) (in each case, except to the extent such prohibition is unenforceable after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) or which could require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to be pledged (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (iv) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences as determined in good faith by the Borrower, (v) any lease, license or other agreement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (vi) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequence of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the value afforded thereby, (vii) any governmental licenses or state or local licenses, franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, (viii) any “intent-to-use” applications for trademark or service mark registrations filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1051, unless and until an Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use under Section 1(c) or 1(d) of the Lanham Act has been filed, (ix) other customary exclusions under applicable local law or in applicable local jurisdictions set forth in any applicable Security Documents or otherwise separately agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (x) Securitization Assets sold to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary or otherwise pledged, factored, transferred or sold in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing, and any other assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financings, (xi) any Excluded Securities, (xii) any Third Party Funds, (xiii) any equipment or other asset that is subject to a Lien permitted by any of clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa), (mm) or (oo) of Section 6.02 or is otherwise subject to a purchase money debt or a Capitalized Lease Obligation, in each case, as permitted by Section 6.01, if the contract or other agreement providing for such debt or Capitalized Lease Obligation prohibits or requires the consent of any person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) as a condition to the creation of any other security interest on such equipment or asset and, in each case, such prohibition or requirement is permitted hereunder (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law), (xiv) all assets of Holdings other than, prior to a Qualified IPO, Equity Interests of the Borrower directly held by Holdings and pledged pursuant to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement and (xv) any other

 

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exceptions mutually agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Borrower may in its sole discretion elect to exclude any property from the definition of “Excluded Property.” Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (A) the Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time or waiver of requirement for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of insurance (including title insurance) or surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond the Closing Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that perfection or obtaining of such items cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (B) no control agreement or control, lockbox or similar arrangement shall be required with respect to any deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts, (C) no landlord, mortgagee or bailee waivers shall be required, (D) no foreign-law governed security documents or perfection under foreign law shall be required, (E) no notice shall be required to be sent to account debtors or other contractual third parties prior to an Event of Default, (F) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to, or any other requirements of, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the Security Documents shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and (G) to the extent any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction with mortgage recording or similar tax, the amount secured by the Security Document with respect to such Mortgaged Property shall be limited to the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property as determined in good faith by the Borrower (subject to any applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction or such lesser amount agreed to by the Administrative Agent).

Section 5.11    Rating. Exercise commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and to maintain (a) public ratings (but not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P for the Term B Loans and (b) public corporate credit ratings and corporate family ratings (but, in each case, not to obtain a specific rating) from Moody’s and S&P in respect of the Borrower.

Section 5.12    Post-Closing. Take all necessary actions to satisfy the items described on Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement within the applicable period of time specified in such Schedule (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion).

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders (or, in the case of Section 6.11, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class) shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

Section 6.01    Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)    (i) Indebtedness existing or committed on the Closing Date (provided, that any such Indebtedness that is (x) not intercompany Indebtedness and (y) in excess of $5,000,000 shall be set forth on Schedule 6.01 to the Original Credit Agreement) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary);

 

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(b)    (i) Indebtedness created hereunder (including pursuant to Section 2.21) and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

(c)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(d)    Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such person, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

(e)    Indebtedness of the Borrower to Holdings or any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided, that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party owing to the Loan Parties incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01(e) shall be subordinated to the Loan Obligations under this Agreement on subordination terms described in the intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit J to the Original Credit Agreement or on substantially identical subordination terms or other subordination terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower;

(f)    Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

(g)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    (i) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a person merged or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date and Indebtedness otherwise incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of assets or Equity Interests (including a Permitted Business Acquisition), where such acquisition, merger or consolidation is not prohibited by this Agreement; provided, that, (w) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (x) in the case of any such Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or (II) no greater than the Net Secured Leverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto, (y) in the case of any other such Indebtedness, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions is (I) not less than 2.00 to 1.00 or (II) no less than the Interest Coverage Ratio in effect immediately prior thereto and (z) in the case of any such Indebtedness incurred under this clause (h) by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party that is incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness

 

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immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof and any related transactions shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding at such time pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, further, that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (h)(i) incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence (but not assumption) of any such term loan Indebtedness that is secured by Other First Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02; and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any such Indebtedness;

(i)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary prior to or within 270 days after the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of the respective property (real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interest of any person owning such property) permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement, in an aggregate principal amount that immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(i)(i), would not exceed the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations Incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of computer equipment (including servers), storage equipment, networking equipment and other equipment and similar assets related to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any finance lease obligations not prohibited hereunder and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(j)    (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations and any other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising from any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03, (ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending and (iii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

(k)    (i) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k), would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(l)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than 100% of the amount of net cash proceeds received by the Borrower from (x) the issuance or sale of its Qualified Equity Interests or (y) a contribution to its common equity with the net cash proceeds from the issuance and sale by Holdings or a Parent Entity of its Qualified Equity Interests or a contribution to its common equity (in each case of (x) and (y), other than proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests to, or contributions from, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), to the extent such net cash proceeds do not constitute Excluded Contributions or Permitted Cure Securities;

(m)    Guarantees (i) by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party permitted to be incurred under this Agreement,

 

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(ii) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)), (iii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness of another Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, and (iv) by the Borrower of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties incurred for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(t) to the extent such Guarantees are permitted by Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(v)); provided, that Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party under this Section 6.01(m) of any other Indebtedness of a person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such person shall be expressly subordinated to the Loan Obligations to at least the same extent as such underlying Indebtedness is subordinated;

(n)    Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Business Acquisition, other Investments or the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Agreement;

(o)    Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued to support performance obligations and trade letters of credit (other than obligations in respect of other Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practices;

(p)    [reserved];

(q)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (q)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), this Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (q)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(r)    (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (r)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), this Section 6.01(r)(i) and Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (r)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

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(s)    (i) other Indebtedness so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not less than 2.00 to 1.00; provided, that (x) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (s)(i) at such time that is incurred by a Subsidiary other than a Subsidiary Loan Party shall not exceed, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i) (to the extent set forth therein), Section 6.01(q)(i), Section 6.01(r)(i) and this Section 6.01(s)(i) that are incurred by Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Loan Parties, the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period and (y) the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (s)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.01, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(t)    (i) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount outstanding that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(t), would not exceed the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(u)    Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided, that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money or any Hedging Agreements;

(v)    Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees, consultants or independent contractors of the Borrower (or, to the extent such work is done for the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    Indebtedness in connection with Permitted Securitization Financings;

(x)    obligations in respect of Cash Management Agreements;

(y)    (i) Refinancing Notes and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect thereof;

(z)    (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed at the time of incurrence the Incremental Amount available at such time; provided that the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money pursuant to this clause (z)(i) shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.01 and the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens pursuant to this clause (z)(i) in the form of term loans shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(aa)    [reserved];

(bb)    (i) Indebtedness of, incurred on behalf of, or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of, joint ventures in an aggregate principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(bb), would not exceed the greater of $125,000,000 and 0.175 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

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(cc)    Indebtedness issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or of Holdings or any Parent Entity, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity permitted by Section 6.06;

(dd)    Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such person in connection with the Transactions and Permitted Business Acquisitions or any other Investment permitted hereunder;

(ee)    Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to or on behalf of any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(ff)    Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(gg)    Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit (or a letter of credit issued under any other revolving credit or letter of credit facility permitted by Section 6.01);

(hh)    (i) Indebtedness, including in respect of the Senior Unsecured Notes, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(hh)(i) not to exceed $1,200,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(ii)    all premium (if any, including tender premiums) expenses, defeasance costs, interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (hh) above or refinancings thereof.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01 or Section 6.02, the amount of any Indebtedness denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on customary currency exchange rates in effect, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) on or prior to the Closing Date, on the Closing Date and, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness) after the Closing Date, on the date on which such Indebtedness was incurred (in respect of term Indebtedness) or committed (in respect of revolving Indebtedness); provided, that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars (or in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced), and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount, as applicable, of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums), accrued interest, defeasance costs and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, (A) Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a) through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof, (B) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.01(a)

 

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through (ii) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the clauses set forth in the definition of “Incremental Amount”), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.01 and at the time of incurrence, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) shall be treated as having been incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or portion thereof) at such time; provided, that (x) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under this Agreement shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 6.01 and (y) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under the Senior Unsecured Notes shall at all times be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to clause (hh) of this Section 6.01, (C) in connection with (1) the incurrence of revolving loan Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 or (2) any commitment relating to the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Section 6.01 and the granting of any Lien to secure such Indebtedness, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary may designate the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the granting of such Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first incurrence of such revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual incurrence and the granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for purposes of this Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 of this Agreement to have been incurred or granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable), the Net Total Leverage Ratio, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and EBITDA (and all such calculations, without duplication, on the Deemed Date and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded without the incurrence thereby shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the deemed incurrence, the granting of any Lien therefor and related transactions in connection therewith) and (D) for purposes of calculating the Net Secured Leverage Ratio and the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio under Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z) on any date of incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to such Section 6.01(h), (q), (r) and/or (z), the net cash proceeds funded by financing sources upon the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred at such time shall not be netted against the applicable amount of Consolidated Debt for purposes of such calculation of the Net Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, as applicable, at such time. In addition, with respect to any Indebtedness that was permitted to be incurred hereunder on the date of such incurrence, any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness shall also be permitted hereunder after the date of such incurrence.

This Agreement will not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

With respect to any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred under Section 6.01(h)(i) (solely to the extent set forth therein), 6.01(q)(i), 6.01(r)(i), 6.01(s)(i) and 6.01(z)(i), (A) in the form of term Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Term B Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (B) in the form of revolving Indebtedness, (1) the stated maturity date of any such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date as in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (2) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Revolving Loans in effect at the time such Indebtedness is incurred.

 

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Section 6.02    Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any person) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

(a)    Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date (or created following the Closing Date pursuant to agreements in existence on the Closing Date requiring the creation of such Liens) and, to the extent securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) to the Original Credit Agreement and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided, that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such obligations permitted by Section 6.01) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, and (B) proceeds and products thereof;

(b)    any Lien created under the Loan Documents (including Liens created under the Security Documents securing obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) or permitted in respect of any Mortgaged Property by the terms of the applicable Mortgage;

(c)    any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h); provided, that (i) in the case of Liens that do not extend to the Collateral, such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset and accessions and additions thereto and proceeds and products thereof (other than after-acquired property required to be subjected to such Lien pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness (and refinancings thereof)), (ii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) junior in priority to the Liens securing the Term B Loans, such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) in the case of Liens on the Collateral that are (or are intended to be) pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term B Loans, (x) such Liens shall be subject to a Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 6.02;

(d)    Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

(e)    Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, supplier’s, construction or other like Liens, securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

(f)    (i) pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations and (ii) pledges and deposits and other Liens securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

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(g)    deposits and other Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, agreements with utilities, and other obligations of a like nature (including letters of credit in lieu of any such bonds or to support the issuance thereof) incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    zoning restrictions, easements, survey exceptions, trackage rights, leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations), licenses, special assessments, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions and declarations on or with respect to the use of Real Property, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and title defects or irregularities that are of a minor nature and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(i)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) or (j); provided, that such Liens do not apply to any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the property or assets acquired, leased, constructed, replaced, repaired or improved with such Indebtedness (or the Indebtedness Refinanced thereby) or sold in the applicable Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, and accessions and additions thereto, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and related property; provided, further, that individual financings provided by one lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings provided by such lender (and its Affiliates) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (i) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(j)    Liens arising out of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions and additions thereto or proceeds and products thereof and related property;

(k)    Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(l)    Liens disclosed by the title insurance policies delivered on or subsequent to the Closing Date and pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 5.10 or Schedule 5.12 to the Original Credit Agreement and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided, that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal; provided, further, that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement;

(m)    any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(n)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (and related pledges) (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks and other financial institutions not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposits, sweep accounts, reserve accounts or similar accounts of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including with respect to credit card charge-backs and similar obligations, or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers, suppliers or service providers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(o)    Liens (i) arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (iv) in respect of Third Party Funds or (v) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith;

(p)    Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations permitted under Section 6.01(f), (k) or (o) and covering the property (or the documents of title in respect of such property) financed by such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations and the proceeds and products thereof;

(q)    leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to Intellectual Property) granted to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(r)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(s)    Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder;

(t)    (i) Liens with respect to property or assets of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party securing obligations of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted under Section 6.01 and (ii) Liens with respect to property or assets of the applicable joint venture or the Equity Interests of such joint venture securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(bb) (it being understood that with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then any Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (t)(ii) to secure Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be Junior Liens);

(u)    Liens on any amounts held by a trustee or agent under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(v)    the prior rights of consignees and their lenders under consignment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from inventory consigned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(x)    Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases or other obligations not constituting Indebtedness;

 

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(y)    Liens (i) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, joint ventures (A) securing obligations of such joint venture or (B) pursuant to the relevant joint venture agreement or arrangement and (ii) on Equity Interests of, or loans to, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(z)    Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Investments under clause (c) of the definition thereof;

(aa)    Liens in respect of Permitted Securitization Financings that extend only to the assets subject thereto and Equity Interests of Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiaries;

(bb)    Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements; provided, that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;

(cc)    in the case of Real Property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;

(dd)    Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligation (i) of the Borrower or a Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party and (ii) of any Subsidiary that is not Loan Party in favor of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(ee)    Liens (i) on not more than $15,000,000 of deposits securing Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes and (ii) on cash or Permitted Investments securing Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law;

(ff)    Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit, bank guarantee or bankers’ acceptance issued or created for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit, bank guarantee or banker’s acceptance to the extent permitted under Section 6.01;

(gg)    Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Junior Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net Secured Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 3.00 to 1.00;

(hh)    Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Other First Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis is not greater than 2.50 to 1.00; provided that any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans secured by such Liens shall be subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6.02;

(ii)    (i) Liens on Collateral that are Other First Liens, so long as such Other First Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(w), 6.01(q), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) Liens on Collateral that are Junior Liens, so long as such Junior Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(b), 6.01(h)(i)(x), 6.01(i), 6.01(r), 6.01(y) or 6.01(z) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) and (iii) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (and, in each case, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof);

(jj)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(kk)    Liens to secure any Indebtedness issued or incurred to Refinance (or successive Indebtedness issued or incurred for subsequent Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by this Section 6.02; provided, however, that (v) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Junior Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) shall also be Junior Liens, (w) with respect to any Liens on the Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk), if Liens on the Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced (if any) were Other First Liens, then such Liens on such Collateral being incurred under this clause (kk) may also be Other First Liens or Junior Liens, (x) (other than Liens contemplated by the foregoing clauses (v) and (w)) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same type of property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on and accessions to such property, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and any other assets pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent such assets secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being Refinanced), (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Lien permitted hereunder, (B) unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) and (C) an amount necessary to pay any associated underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses, and (z) on the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens, the grantors of any such Liens shall be no different from the grantors of the Liens securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced or grantors that would have been obligated to secure such Indebtedness or a Loan Party;

(ll)    other Liens with respect to property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary securing obligations in an aggregate outstanding principal amount that, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Liens, would not exceed the greater of $350,000,000 and 0.475 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period;

(mm)    Liens on property of, or on Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, any person existing at the time (A) such person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or (B) such person or property is acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens do not extend to any other assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than accessions and additions thereto and proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property) and (ii) such Liens secure only those obligations which they secure on the date such person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such acquisition (and any extensions, renewals, replacements or refinancings thereof);

(nn)    Liens (i) on inventory held by and granted to a local distribution company in the ordinary course of business and (ii) in accounts purchased and collected by and grated to a local distribution company that has agreed to make payments to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for such amounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(oo)    Liens in respect of Indebtedness secured by mortgages on the corporate headquarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in Sections 6.02(a) through (oo), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if incurred at such later time), such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.02 and at the time of incurrence,

 

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classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses (or any portion thereof) and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Liens or Indebtedness that may be incurred, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause (or any portion thereof) at such time. In addition, with respect to any revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment to incur Indebtedness that is designated to be incurred on any Deemed Date pursuant to clause (C) of the third paragraph of Section 6.01, any Lien that does or that shall secure such Indebtedness may also be designated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be incurred on such Deemed Date and, in such event, any related subsequent actual incurrence of such Lien shall be deemed for purposes of Section 6.01 and 6.02 of this Agreement, without duplication, to be incurred on such prior date (and on any subsequent date until such commitment is funded or terminated or such election is rescinded), including for purposes of calculating usage of any Permitted Lien. In addition, with respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness.

With respect to (x) Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date in the form of term loans that are secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens incurred under Section 6.02(hh) or (y) any Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred (but not assumed) in the form of term loans pursuant to Section 6.01(h)(i)(w) or any Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of term loans incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(q)(i) or Section 6.01(z)(i), in each case, prior to the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date that is secured by Liens on the Collateral that are Other First Liens (any such Indebtedness, “Pari Term Loans”), if the All-in Yield in respect of such Pari Term Loans exceeds the All-in Yield in respect of the Term B Loans on the Closing Date by more than 0.50% (such difference, the “Pari Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin (or “LIBOR floor” as provided in the following proviso) applicable to such Term B Loans on the Closing Date shall be increased such that after giving effect to such increase, the Pari Yield Differential shall not exceed 0.50%; provided that, to the extent any portion of the Pari Yield Differential is attributable to a higher “LIBOR floor” being applicable to such Pari Term Loans, such floor shall only be included in the calculation of the Pari Yield Differential to the extent such floor is greater than the Adjusted LIBO Rate in effect for an Interest Period of three months’ duration at such time, and, with respect to such excess, the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such outstanding Term B Loans shall be increased to an amount not to exceed the “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Pari Term Loans prior to any increase in the Applicable Margin applicable to such Term B Loans.

Section 6.03    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter, as part of such transaction, rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a “Sale and Lease-Back Transaction”); provided, that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted (a) with respect to (i) Excluded Property, (ii) property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party that is acquired after the Closing Date so long as such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is consummated within 365 days of the acquisition of such property or (iii) property owned by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party regardless of when such property was acquired, and (b) with respect to any other property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party, (x) if such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is of property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party as of the Closing Date, the Net Proceeds therefrom are used to prepay the Term Loans to the extent required by Section 2.11(b) and (y) with respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction pursuant to this clause (b) with Net Proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $15,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, the requirements of the last paragraph of Section 6.05 shall apply to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to the extent provided therein.

 

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Section 6.04    Investments, Loans and Advances. (i) Purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with a person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other person, (ii) make any loans or advances to or Guarantees of the Indebtedness of any other person (other than in respect of (A) intercompany liabilities incurred in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (B) intercompany loans, advances or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-overs or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practices), or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, (x) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another person or (y) assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such person (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

(a)    the Transactions;

(b)     (i) Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) intercompany loans from the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (iii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, that as at any date of determination, the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) of (A) Investments made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (i) in Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties, plus (B) net outstanding intercompany loans made after the Closing Date by the Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (ii), plus (C) outstanding Guarantees by the Loan Parties of Indebtedness after the Closing Date of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Loan Parties pursuant to subclause (iii) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment;

(c)    Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;

(d)    Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of non-cash consideration for the Disposition of assets permitted under Section 6.05;

(e)    loans and advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed $20,000,000, (ii) in respect of payroll payments and expenses in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in connection with such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) solely to the extent that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Borrower in cash as common equity;

(f)    accounts receivable, security deposits and prepayments arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any assets or securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(g)    Hedging Agreements entered into for non-speculative purposes;

(h)    Investments existing on, or contractually committed as of, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 to the Original Credit Agreement and any extensions, renewals, replacements or reinvestments thereof, so long as the aggregate amount of all Investments pursuant to this clause (h) is not increased at any time above the amount of such Investment existing or committed on the Closing Date (other than pursuant to an increase as required by the terms of any such Investment as in existence on the Closing Date or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04);

(i)    Investments resulting from pledges and deposits under Sections 6.02(f), (g), (o), (r), (s), (ee) and (ll);

(j)    other Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) any portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.04(j)(Y), which such election shall (unless such Investment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied, and plus (Z) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment pursuant to clause (X); provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(j) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(j);

(k)    Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions;

(l)    intercompany loans between Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and Guarantees by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties permitted by Section 6.01(m);

(m)    Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business or Investments acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a result of a foreclosure by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investments or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(n)    Investments of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or of a person merged into the Borrower or merged into or consolidated with a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case, (i) to the extent such acquisition, merger or consolidation is permitted under this Section 6.04, (ii) in the case of any acquisition, merger or consolidation, in accordance with Section 6.05 and (iii) to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(o)    acquisitions by the Borrower of obligations of one or more officers or other employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with such officer’s or employee’s acquisition of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity, so long as no cash is actually advanced by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to such officers or employees in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;

 

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(p)    Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of operating leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(q)    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(r)    Investments in the Equity Interests of one or more newly formed persons that are received in consideration of the contribution by Holdings, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary of assets (including Equity Interests and cash) to such person or persons; provided, that (i) the fair market value of such assets, determined in good faith by the Borrower, so contributed pursuant to this clause (r) shall not in the aggregate exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) in respect of each such contribution, a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall certify, in a form to be agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (x) immediately after giving effect to such contribution, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the assets so contributed and (z) that the requirements of clause (i) of this proviso remain satisfied;

(s)    Investments consisting of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06;

(t)    Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;

(u)    [reserved];

(v)    Guarantees permitted under Section 6.01 (except to the extent such Guarantee is expressly subject to this Section 6.04);

(w)    advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

(x)    Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including loans to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, if the Borrower or any other Subsidiary would otherwise be permitted to make a Restricted Payment in such amount (provided, that the amount of any such Investment shall also be deemed to be a Restricted Payment under the appropriate clause of Section 6.06 for all purposes of this Agreement);

(y)    Investments consisting of Securitization Assets or arising as a result of Permitted Securitization Financings;

(z)    [reserved];

(aa)    to the extent constituting Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of Intellectual Property in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(bb)    Investments received substantially contemporaneously in exchange for Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity; provided, that the issuance of such Equity Interests are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(cc)    Investments in joint ventures; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) of Investments made after the Closing Date pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) (excluding for purposes of the calculation in this proviso any Investment made at a time when, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, which Investment shall be permitted under this Section 6.04(cc) without regard to such calculation) shall not exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period, plus (Y) an aggregate amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(cc) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(cc);

(dd)    Investments in Similar Businesses in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $225,000,000 and 0.35 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(dd) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(dd);

(ee)    Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to the applicable Investments, in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the sum of (X) the greater of $100,000,000 and 0.15 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period plus (Y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any such Investment; provided, that if any Investment pursuant to this Section 6.04(ee) is made in any person that was not a Subsidiary on the date on which such Investment was made but becomes a Subsidiary thereafter, then such Investment may, at the option of the Borrower, upon such person becoming a Subsidiary and so long as such person remains a Subsidiary, be deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.04(b) (to the extent permitted by the proviso thereto in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and not in reliance on this Section 6.04(ee);

(ff)    other Investments so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Investment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00; and

(gg)    Investments made pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

The amount of Investments that may be made at any time pursuant to Section 6.04(b), 6.04(j) or 6.04(dd) (such Sections, the “Related Sections”) may, at the election of the Borrower, be

 

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increased by the amount of Investments that could be made at such time under the other Related Section; provided, that the amount of each such increase in respect of one Related Section shall be treated as having been used under the other Related Section.

Any Investment in any person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party that is otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04 may be made through intermediate Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and such intermediate Investments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the outstanding amount of Investments pursuant to any clause set forth above. The amount of any Investment made other than in the form of cash or cash equivalents shall be the fair market value thereof (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) an Investment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Investments (or portion thereof) described in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Investment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.04(k), (cc) or (ff) (such clauses and related definitions, the “Investment Incurrence Clauses”), the determination of the amount of such Investment that may be made pursuant to the Investment Incurrence Clauses shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Investment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than an Investment Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.05    Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions. Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or Dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or Dispose of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all of the assets of any other person or division or line of business of a person, except that this Section 6.05 shall not prohibit:

(a)    (i) the purchase and Disposition of inventory, or the sale of receivables pursuant to non-recourse factoring arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) the acquisition or lease (pursuant to an operating lease) of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or, with respect to operating leases, otherwise for fair market value on market terms (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), (iii) the Disposition of surplus, obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or other property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm or determined in good faith by the Borrower to be no longer used or useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) assignments by the Borrower and any Subsidiary in connection with insurance arrangements of their rights and remedies under, and with respect to, the Merger Agreement in respect of any breach by the Company of its representations and warranties set forth therein or (v) the Disposition of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the survivor, (ii) the

 

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merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary with or into any Subsidiary Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is or becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party and, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), no person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party receives any consideration (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), (iii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party with or into any other Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, (iv) the liquidation or dissolution or change in form of entity of any Subsidiary if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, dissolution or change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, (v) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 so long as the continuing or surviving person shall be a Subsidiary (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04), which shall be a Loan Party if the merging or consolidating Subsidiary was a Loan Party (unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.04) and which together with each of its Subsidiaries shall have complied with any applicable requirements of Section 5.10 or (vi) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other person in order to effect an Asset Sale otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.05;

(c)    Dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided, that any Dispositions by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party in reliance on this clause (c) shall be made in compliance with Section 6.04;

(d)    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;

(e)    (i) Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Permitted Liens and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.06 and (ii) any Disposition made pursuant to the Merger Agreement or in connection with the Transactions;

(f)    Dispositions of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;

(g)    other Dispositions of assets; provided, that the Net Proceeds thereof, if any, are applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby;

(h)    Permitted Business Acquisitions (including any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in order to effect a Permitted Business Acquisition); provided, that following any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving entity or the requirements of Section 6.05(o) are otherwise complied with;

(i)    leases, licenses or subleases or sublicenses of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(j)    Dispositions of inventory or Dispositions or abandonment of Intellectual Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in good faith by the management of the Borrower to be no longer useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries;

(k)    acquisitions and purchases made with the proceeds of any Asset Sale pursuant to the first proviso of clause (a) of the definition of “Net Proceeds”;

(l)    the purchase and Disposition (including by capital contribution) of (i) Securitization Assets including pursuant to Permitted Securitization Financings and (ii) any other Securitization Assets subject to Liens securing Permitted Securitization Financing;

 

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(m)    to the extent constituting a Disposition, any termination, settlement or extinguishment of obligations in respect of any Hedging Agreement;

(n)    any exchange of assets for services and/or other assets used or useful in a Similar Business of comparable or greater value; provided, that (i) to the extent the consideration received consists of assets, at least 90% of the consideration received by the transferor consists of assets that will be used in a business or business activity permitted hereunder, (ii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $10,000,000, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower with respect to such fair market value and (iii) in the event of a swap with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $15,000,000, such exchange shall have been approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings or the Borrower; provided, further, that (A) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (B) the Net Proceeds, if any, thereof are applied in accordance with Section 2.11(b) to the extent required thereby and (C) with respect to any exchange of assets for services, immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance; and

(o)    if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, any Subsidiary or any other person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower, provided that (A) the Borrower shall be the surviving entity or (B) if the surviving entity is not the Borrower (such other person, the “Successor Borrower”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement or the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, as applicable, confirmed that its guarantee thereunder shall apply to any Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (4) each Subsidiary Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have by a supplement to any applicable Security Document affirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3), (5) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger or consolidation, shall have affirmed that its obligations under the applicable Mortgage shall apply to its guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (3) and (6) the Successor Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (x) an officer’s certificate stating that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel to the effect that such merger or consolidation does not violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document and covering such other matters as are contemplated by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be covered in opinions of counsel (it being understood that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, no Disposition of assets under Section 6.05(g) or, solely with respect to Sale and Lease-Back Transactions referred to in clause (b)(y) of Section 6.03, under Section 6.05(d), shall be permitted unless (i) such Disposition is for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or if not for fair market value, the shortfall is permitted as an Investment under Section 6.04, and (ii) at least 75% of the proceeds of such Disposition (except to Loan Parties) consist of cash or Permitted Investments; provided, that the provisions of this clause (ii) shall not apply to any individual transaction or series of related transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of less than $15,000,000 or to other transactions involving assets with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of not more than the greater of $50,000,000 and 0.075 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period in the aggregate for all such transactions during the term of this

 

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Agreement; provided, further, that for purposes of this clause (ii), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash: (a) the amount of any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or are otherwise cancelled in connection with such transaction, (b) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary into cash within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received), (c) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such Disposition having an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), (d) the amount of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is no longer a Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that Holdings, the Borrower and each other Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with the Asset Sale and (e) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Obligations) received from persons who are not Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale and that is cancelled. For purposes of this Section 6.05, the fair market value of any assets Disposed of by the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be determined in good faith by the Borrower and may be determined either, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of such Disposition or as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Disposition.

Section 6.06    Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value (or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire) any of the Borrower’s Equity Interests or set aside any amount for any such purpose (other than through the issuance of additional Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the person redeeming, purchasing, retiring or acquiring such shares) (all of the foregoing, “Restricted Payments”); provided, however, that:

(a)    Restricted Payments may be made to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (or, in the case of non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);

(b)    Restricted Payments may be made in respect of (i) general corporate operating and overhead, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses of Holdings or any Parent Entity, (ii) fees and expenses related to any public offering or private placement of Equity Interests or Indebtedness of Holdings or any Parent Entity whether or not consummated, (iii) franchise and similar taxes and other fees and expenses in connection with the maintenance of its (or any Parent Entity’s) existence and its (or any Parent Entity’s indirect) ownership of the Borrower, (iv) payments permitted by Section 6.07(b) (other than Section 6.07(b)(vii)), (v) in respect of any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is the common parent, or for which the Borrower is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a C corporation for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign tax purposes, Restricted Payments to any direct or

 

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indirect parent of the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, would have paid for such taxable period had the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group and (vi) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings or any Parent Entity, in each case in order to permit Holdings or any Parent Entity to make such payments; provided, that in the case of subclauses (i) and (iii), the amount of such Restricted Payments shall not exceed the portion of any amounts referred to in such subclauses (i) and (iii) that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% at any time that, as the case may be, (1) Holdings owns no material assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower and assets incidental to such equity ownership or (2) any Parent Entity owns directly or indirectly no material assets other than Equity Interests of Holdings and any other Parent Entity and assets incidental to such equity ownership and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(c)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings, the proceeds of which are used to purchase or redeem the Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) held by then present or former directors, consultants, officers or employees of any Parent Entity, Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or by any Plan or any shareholders’ agreement then in effect upon such person’s death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or under the terms of any such Plan or any other agreement under which such shares of stock or related rights were issued; provided, that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions under this clause (c) shall not exceed in any fiscal year $20,000,000 (which shall increase to $40,000,000 subsequent to a Qualified IPO) (plus (x) the amount of net proceeds contributed to the Borrower that were (x) received by Holdings or any Parent Entity during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity to directors, consultants, officers or employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit, (y) the amount of net proceeds of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year, and (z) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests), which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary from members of management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of Holdings or any Parent Entity will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 6.06;

(d)    any person may make non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;

(e)    Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount equal to a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.06(e), which such election shall (unless such Restricted Payment is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied; provided, that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) after giving effect thereto, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00;

 

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(f)    Restricted Payments may be made in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, including payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders or stockholders exercising appraisal rights pursuant to applicable law;

(g)    Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holdings or any Parent Entity to make payments, in cash, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, upon the exercise of warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such person;

(h)    after a Qualified IPO, Restricted Payments may be made to pay, or to allow Holding or any Parent Entity to pay, dividends and make distributions to, or repurchase or redeem shares from, its equity holders in an amount per annum no greater than 6.0% of the Market Capitalization; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(i)    Restricted Payments may be made to Holdings or any Parent Entity to finance any Investment that if made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly would be permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04; provided, that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation (to the extent permitted in Section 6.05) of the person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Subsidiary in order to consummate such Permitted Business Acquisition or Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.10;

(j)    other Restricted Payments may be made in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $200,000,000 and 0.30 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the date of such Restricted Payment; provided, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(k)    Restricted Payments may be made under the Merger Agreement;

(l)    Restricted Payments may be made in an amount equal to Excluded Contributions;

(m)    other Restricted Payments may be made; provided that, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; and

(n)    any consideration, payment, dividend, distribution or other transfer in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the foregoing provisions of Section 6.06 will not prohibit the payment of any Restricted Payment or the consummation of any redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or the giving of such notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) solely for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any equity contribution or purchase of Equity Interests to fund shares that have selected appraisal rights (including any settlement in respect thereof) shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, and any payment to the holders of such shares shall be deemed to have been made on the Closing Date, in each case, as part of the Transactions.    

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Restricted Payment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion

 

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thereof) described in the above clauses but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses. In the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) is classified or reclassified under Section 6.06(m) (such clause, the “Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause”), the determination of the amount of such Restricted Payment that may be made pursuant to the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent Incurrence of Indebtedness to finance any other Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than the Restricted Payments Incurrence Clause.

Section 6.07    Transactions with Affiliates. (a) Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates (other than the Borrower, Holdings, and the Subsidiaries or any person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) in a transaction (or series of related transactions) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000,000, unless such transaction is (i) otherwise permitted (or required) under this Agreement or (ii) upon terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in good faith.

(b)    The foregoing clause (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(i)    any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, equity purchase agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or of the Borrower,

(ii)    loans or advances to employees or consultants of Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 6.04(e),

(iii)    transactions among the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any entity that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction (including via merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the surviving entity),

(iv)    the payment of fees, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and indemnities to directors, officers, consultants and employees of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (limited, in the case of any Parent Entity, to the portion of such fees and expenses that are allocable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (which (x) shall be 100% for so long as Holdings or such Parent Entity, as the case may be, owns no assets other than the Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity and assets incidental to the ownership of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (y) in all other cases shall be as determined in good faith by management of the Borrower)),

(v)    subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.07(b)(xiv), if applicable, the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions, the June 2017 Transactions and any transactions pursuant to the Transaction Documents and permitted transactions, agreements and arrangements

 

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in existence on the Closing Date and, to the extent involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5,000,000, set forth on Schedule 6.07 to the Original Credit Agreement or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof or similar arrangement to the extent such amendment, replacement or arrangement is not adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole in any material respect (as determined by the Borrower in good faith),

(vi)    (A) any employment agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (B) any subscription agreement or similar agreement pertaining to the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to put/call rights or similar rights with employees, officers or directors, and (C) any employee compensation, benefit plan or arrangement, any health, disability or similar insurance plan which covers employees, and any reasonable employment contract and transactions pursuant thereto,

(vii)    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.06, including payments to Holdings (and any Parent Entity), and Investments permitted under Section 6.04,

(viii)    any purchase by Holdings of the Equity Interests of the Borrower; provided, that any Equity Interests of the Borrower purchased by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent (and deliver the relevant certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent) on behalf of the Lenders to the extent required by the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement,

(ix)    payments by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any Co-Investor made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith,

(x)    transactions for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business,

(xi)    any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter addressed to the Board of Directors of the Borrower from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter, which letter states that (i) such transaction is on terms that are substantially no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person that is not an Affiliate or (ii) such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, from a financial point of view,

(xii)    subject to subclause (xiv) below, if applicable, the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related to the Transactions, including fees to any Co-Investor,

(xiii)    transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm,

(xiv)    any agreement to pay, and the payment of, monitoring, consulting, management, transaction, advisory or similar fees payable to any Co-Investor (A) in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed the sum of (1) the greater of $10,000,000 and 2.00% of EBITDA for any such fiscal year, plus reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith in any fiscal year and unpaid amounts for any prior periods from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs; plus (2) any deferred, accrued or other fees in respect of

 

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any fiscal years from and including the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs (to the extent such fees in the aggregate do not exceed the amounts described in clause (A)(1) above in respect of such fiscal years), plus (B) 1.00% of the value of transactions with respect to any Co-Investor provides any transaction, advisory or other services (including in connection with the Transactions), plus (C) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the present value of all future amounts payable pursuant to any agreement referred to in clause (A)(1) above in connection with the termination of such agreement with a Co-Investor; provided, that if any such payment pursuant to clause (C) is not permitted to be paid as a result of an Event of Default, such payment shall accrue and may be payable when no Events of Default are continuing to the extent that no further Event of Default would result therefrom,

(xv)    the issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to Holdings (or any Parent Entity) and capital contributions by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary,

(xvi)    the issuance of Equity Interests to the management of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions,

(xvii)    payments by Holdings (or any Parent Entity), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to a tax sharing agreement or arrangement (whether written or as a matter of practice) that complies with clause (v) of Section 6.06(b),

(xviii)    transactions pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing,

(xix)    payments, loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees or consultants that are (i) approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of Holdings (or any Parent Entity) or the Borrower in good faith, (ii) made in compliance with applicable law and (iii) otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

(xx)    transactions with customers, clients or suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry norm otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are fair to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (in the good faith determination of the Borrower),

(xxi)    transactions between the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries and any person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower; provided, however, that (A) such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other person and (B) such person is not an Affiliate of the Borrower for any reason other than such director’s acting in such capacity,

(xxii)    transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Section 6.05,

(xxiii)    intercompany transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated tax efficiency of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth herein, and

(xxiv)    Investments by any Co-Investor in securities of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries so long as (A) the Investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the Investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund, any portfolio company that is an Affiliate of the Fund or a Fund Affiliate shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries with respect to any transaction, so long as such transaction is in the ordinary course of business.

Section 6.08    Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, engage at any time to any material respect in any business or business activity substantially different from any business or business activity conducted by any of them on the Closing Date or any Similar Business, and in the case of a Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary, Permitted Securitization Financings.

Section 6.09    Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.

(a)    Amend or modify in any manner materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner (if such granting or termination shall be materially adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)), the articles or certificate of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company operating agreement, partnership agreement or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

(b)    (i) Make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of, or in respect of, principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination in respect of any Junior Financing, except for:

(A)    Refinancings with any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01;

(B)    payments of regularly-scheduled interest and fees due thereunder, other non-principal payments thereunder, any mandatory prepayments of principal, interest and fees thereunder, scheduled payments thereon necessary to avoid the Junior Financing from constituting “applicable high yield discount obligations” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(l) of the Code, and, to the extent this Agreement is then in effect, principal on the scheduled maturity date of any Junior Financing (or within twelve months thereof);

(C)    payments or distributions in respect of all or any portion of the Junior Financing with the proceeds contributed to the Borrower by Holdings from the issuance, sale or exchange by Holdings (or any Parent Entity) of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock made within eighteen months prior thereto; provided, that such proceeds are not included in any determination of the Cumulative Credit;

(D)    the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests of the Borrower, Holdings or any Parent Entity;

(E)    so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) after giving effect to such payments or distributions, the Interest Coverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be no less than 2.00 to 1.00, payments or distributions in respect of Junior Financings prior to any scheduled maturity made, in an aggregate amount, not to exceed a portion of the Cumulative Credit on the date of such election that the Borrower elects to apply to this

 

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Section 6.09(b)(i)(E), which such election shall (unless such payment or distribution is made pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Cumulative Credit) be set forth in a written notice of a Responsible Officer thereof, which notice shall set forth calculations in reasonable detail of the amount of Cumulative Credit immediately prior to such election and the amount thereof elected to be so applied;

(F)    other payments and distributions in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any subsequent change in value) not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 0.20 times the EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the then most recently ended Test Period; provided, that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(G)    other payments and distributions in respect of Junior Financing; provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and, after giving effect to such payment or distribution, the Net Total Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00; or

(ii)    Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Junior Financing that constitutes Material Indebtedness, or any agreement, document or instrument evidencing or relating thereto, other than amendments or modifications that (A) are not materially adverse to Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) and that do not affect the subordination or payment provisions thereof (if any) in a manner adverse to the Lenders when taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) or (B) otherwise comply with the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.”

(c)    Permit any Material Subsidiary to enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary that is a Loan Party pursuant to the Security Documents, in each case other than those arising under any Loan Document, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:

(A)    restrictions imposed by applicable law;

(B)    contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, including under Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, the Senior Unsecured Note Documents, any Refinancing Notes or any agreements related to any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any such Indebtedness and, in each case, any similar contractual encumbrances or restrictions and any amendment, modification, supplement, replacement or refinancing of such agreements or instruments that does not materially expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(C)    any restriction on a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Equity Interests or assets of a Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(D)    customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(E)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

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(F)    any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01 or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement or are market terms at the time of issuance (in each case as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(G)    customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of Intellectual Property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(H)    customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(I)    customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(J)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;

(K)    customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (1) such Lien is a Permitted Lien and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien, and (2) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 6.09;

(L)    customary net worth provisions contained in Real Property leases entered into by Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations;

(M)    any agreement in effect at the time such subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary;

(N)    restrictions in agreements representing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party;

(O)    customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or Equity Interests or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby as long as such restrictions relate to the Equity Interests and assets subject thereto;

(P)    restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(Q)    restrictions contained in any Permitted Securitization Document with respect to any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary; and

(R)    any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 6.09(c)(i) and 6.09(c)(ii) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of or similar arrangements to the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (A) through (Q) above; provided, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, refinancings or similar arrangements are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, not materially more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions as contemplated by such provisions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement, refinancing or similar arrangement.

 

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Section 6.10    Fiscal Year. In the case of the Borrower, permit any change to its fiscal year without prior notice to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

Section 6.11    Financial Covenant. With respect to the Revolving Facility only, permit the Net First Lien Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the end of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date), solely to the extent that on such date the Testing Condition is satisfied, to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.

ARTICLE VIA

Holdings Negative Covenants

Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) hereby covenants and agrees with each Lender that, from and after the Closing Date and until the Termination Date, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, (a) Holdings will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien other than (i) Liens created under the Loan Documents and (ii) Liens not prohibited by Section 6.02 on any of the Equity Interests issued by the Borrower held by Holdings and (b) Holdings shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence; provided, that so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Holdings may merge with any other person (and if it is not the survivor of such merger, the survivor shall assume Holdings’ obligations, as applicable, under the Loan Documents).

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

Section 7.01    Events of Default. In case of the happening of any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”):

(a)    any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed made and such false or misleading representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain false or misleading for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower; provided, that the failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party (other than the representations and warranties referred to in clause (i) of Section 4.01(b)) to be true and correct in any material respect on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder;

(b)    default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

(c)    default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

 

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(d)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in, Section 5.01(a), 5.05(a) or 5.08 or in Article VI; provided, that any breach of the Financial Covenant shall not, by itself, constitute an Event of Default under any Term Facility and the Term Loans may not be accelerated as a result thereof unless there are Revolving Facility Loans outstanding that have been accelerated by the Required Revolving Facility Lenders pursuant to the penultimate sentence of this Section 7.01 as a result of such breach of the Financial Covenant;

(e)    default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) of Article VIA or by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Loan Parties of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days (or 60 days if such default results solely from the failure of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to duly observe or perform any such covenant, condition or agreement) after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(f)    (i) any event or condition occurs that (A) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Material Indebtedness with respect to Permitted Securitization Financings) or (B) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or (ii) the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided, that this clause (f) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

(g)    there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

(h)    an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary (except in a transaction permitted hereunder); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i)    the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (h) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable or admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

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(j)    the failure by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of $75,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

(k)    (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred, (ii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings (including giving notice of intent thereof) to terminate any Plan or Plans, (iii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(l)    (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower), the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto (other than in accordance with its terms), (ii) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document and to extend to assets that constitute a material portion of the Collateral shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be (other than, in each case, in accordance with its terms), a valid and perfected security interest (perfected as or having the priority required by this Agreement or the relevant Security Document and subject to such limitations and restrictions as are set forth herein and therein) in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the limitations of foreign laws, rules and regulations as they apply to pledges of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries or the application thereof, or from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Agreement or to file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements and except to the extent that such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the credit of such insurer, or (iii) a material portion of the Guarantees pursuant to the Security Documents by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or the Subsidiary Loan Parties guaranteeing the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof), or shall be asserted in writing by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO of the Borrower) or any Subsidiary Loan Party not to be in effect or not to be legal, valid and binding obligations (other than in accordance with the terms thereof); provided, that no Event of Default shall occur under this Section 7.01(l) if the Loan Parties cooperate with the Collateral Agent to replace or perfect such security interest and Lien, such security interest and Lien is replaced and the rights, powers and privileges of the Secured Parties are not materially adversely affected by such replacement;

then, and in every such event (other than (x) an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above and (y) an event described in clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding and (iii) if the Loans have been declared due and payable

 

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pursuant to clause (ii) above, demand Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j); and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made a demand for Cash Collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.05(j), without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding. In the case of an Event of Default under clause (d) above arising with respect to a failure to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless the conditions of the first proviso contained in clause (d) above have been satisfied, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, subject to Section 7.03, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) declare the Revolving Facility Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Revolving Facility Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder with respect to such Revolving Facility Loans, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding

For purposes of clauses (h), (i) and (j) of this Section 7.01, “Material Subsidiary” (1) shall mean any Subsidiary that would not be an Immaterial Subsidiary under clause (a) of the definition thereof and (2) shall exclude any Special Purpose Securitization Subsidiary.

Section 7.02    Treatment of Certain Payments. Subject to the terms of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, any amount received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from any Loan Party (or from proceeds of any Collateral) following any acceleration of the Obligations under this Agreement or any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in each case that is continuing, shall be applied: (i) first, ratably, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from the Borrower (other than in connection with any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement), (ii) second, towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal of Swingline Loans and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed L/C Disbursements then due to such parties, (iv) fourth, towards payment of other Obligations (including Obligations of the Loan Parties owing under or in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement) then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such Obligations then due to such parties and (v) last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Requirements of Law.

Section 7.03    Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, in the event that the Borrower fails (or, but for the operation of this Section 7.03, would fail) to comply with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, from the last day of the applicable fiscal quarter until the expiration of the 10th Business Day subsequent to the date the certificate calculating such Financial Covenant is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(c), Holdings, the Borrower and any Parent Entity shall have the right to issue Permitted Cure Securities for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to the capital of such entities, and in each case, to contribute any such cash to the capital of the Borrower (collectively, the “Cure Right”), and upon the receipt by the Borrower of such cash (the “Cure Amount”),

 

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pursuant to the exercise of the Cure Right, the Financial Covenant shall be recalculated giving effect to a pro forma adjustment by which EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable quarter and any four-quarter period that contains such quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Financial Covenant and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; provided, that (i) in each four consecutive fiscal quarter period there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which a Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) a Cure Right shall not be exercised more than five times during the term of the Revolving Facility, (iii) for purposes of this Section 7.03, the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with the Financial Covenant and (iv) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of the exercise of the Cure Right for determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Cure Right is exercised (either directly through prepayment or indirectly as a result of the netting of unrestricted cash). If, after giving effect to the adjustments in this Section 7.03, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Covenant, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Financial Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of the Financial Covenant that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

The Agents

Section 8.01    Appointment. (a) Each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including as the Collateral Agent for such Lender and the other Secured Parties under the Security Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Security Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

(b)    In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender and the Swingline Lender (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements) and each Issuing Bank (in such capacities and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential counterparties to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) hereby appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent (and any Subagents appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising

 

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any rights or remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent) shall be entitled to the benefits of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, Section 8.07) as though the Collateral Agent (and any such Subagents) were an “Agent” under the Loan Documents, as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

Section 8.02    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may execute any of their respective duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof)) by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Each Agent may also from time to time, when it deems it to be necessary or desirable, appoint one or more trustees, co-trustees, collateral co-agents, collateral subagents or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “Subagent”) with respect to all or any part of the Collateral; provided, that no such Subagent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. Should any instrument in writing from the Borrower or any other Loan Party be required by any Subagent so appointed by an Agent to more fully or certainly vest in and confirm to such Subagent such rights, powers, privileges and duties, the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Loan Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by such Agent. If any Subagent, or successor thereto, shall become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Subagent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent until the appointment of a new Subagent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, attorney-in-fact or Subagent that it selects with reasonable care.

Section 8.03    Exculpatory Provisions. None of the Agents, or their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent shall be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party. No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (b) no Agent shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Agents shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the

 

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performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 7.02, any Guarantee or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guarantee or any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

Section 8.04    Reliance by Agents. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or conversation believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to any Credit Event, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or any Issuing Bank, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to such Credit Event. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to Holdings or the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Agent may deem and treat the Lender specified in the Register with respect to any amount owing hereunder as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with such Agent. Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Each Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

Section 8.05    Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless such Agent has received written notice from a Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all or other Lenders); provided, that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

 

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Section 8.06    Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender and Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender and Issuing Bank represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of, and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of, the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

Section 8.07    Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent and the Revolving Facility Lenders agree to indemnify each Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, in each case, in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Holdings or the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Holdings or the Borrower to do so), in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure and, in the case of the indemnification of each Agent, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments hereunder; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline Lender and of L/C Disbursements owing to any Issuing Bank shall be considered to be owed to the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposure) (determined at the time such indemnity is sought), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent or such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s, Issuing Bank’s or Swingline Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The failure of any Lender to reimburse any Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any amount required to be paid by the Lenders to such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, as provided herein shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for its ratable share of such amount, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to reimburse such Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, for such other Lender’s ratable share of such amount. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

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Section 8.08    Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued, or Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan participated in, by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

Section 8.09    Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Borrower shall have the right, subject to the reasonable consent of the Required Lenders (so long as no Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case the Required Lenders shall have the right), to appoint a successor which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective (except in the case of the Collateral Agent holding collateral security on behalf of such Secured Parties, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security as nominee until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed), and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Borrower (or the Required Lenders) appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8.09 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 8.10    Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents and Co-Manager. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the persons named on the cover page hereof as Joint Bookrunner, Joint Lead Arranger, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents or Co-Manager is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no rights, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except that each such person and its Affiliates shall be entitled to the rights expressly stated to be applicable to them in Sections 9.05 and 9.17 (subject to the applicable obligations and limitations as set forth therein).

Section 8.11    Security Documents and Collateral Agent . The Lenders and the other Secured Parties authorize the Collateral Agent to release any Collateral or Guarantors in accordance with Section 9.18 or if approved, authorized or ratified in accordance with Section 9.08.

The Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize and instruct the Collateral Agent to, without any further consent of any Lender or any other Secured Party, enter into (or acknowledge and consent to) or amend, renew, extend, supplement, restate, replace, waive or otherwise modify any First Lien/First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor

 

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Agreement, any other Permitted Junior Intercreditor Agreement, any other Permitted Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is not prohibited (including with respect to priority) under this Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof (any of the foregoing, an “Intercreditor Agreement”). The Lenders and the other Secured Parties irrevocably agree that (x) the Collateral Agent may rely exclusively on a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to whether any such other Liens are not prohibited and (y) any Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the Collateral Agent shall be binding on the Secured Parties, and each Lender and the other Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will take no actions contrary to the provisions of, if entered into and if applicable, any Intercreditor Agreement. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to any provider of any Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 6.01 hereof to extend credit to the Loan Parties and such persons are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions. Furthermore, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by clauses (c), (i), (j), (aa) or (mm) of Section 6.02 or Section 6.02(a) (if the Liens thereunder are of a type that is contemplated by any of the foregoing clauses) in each case to the extent the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Liens on such property or (ii) that is or becomes Excluded Property; and the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall do so upon request of the Borrower; provided, that prior to any such request, the Borrower shall have in each case delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (x) that such Lien is permitted under this Agreement, (y) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence, that the contract or agreement pursuant to which such Lien is granted prohibits any other Lien on such property and (z) in the case of a request pursuant to clause (ii) of this sentence, that (A) such property is or has become Excluded Property and (B) if such property has become Excluded Property as a result of a contractual restriction, such restriction does not violate Section 6.09(c).

Section 8.12    Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guarantees. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, (i) the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise (A) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of any or all of the Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and any Subagents allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (B) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and (ii) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party hereby agree that (a) no

 

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Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent, and (b) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other Disposition.

Section 8.13    Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If the IRS or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any applicable Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any applicable Loan Party to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including penalties, fines, additions to Tax and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 8.13.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01    Notices; Communications. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 9.01(b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or other electronic means as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i)    if to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks as of the Closing Date or the Swingline Lender to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such person on Schedule 9.01 to the Original Credit Agreement; and

(ii)    if to any other Lender or any other Issuing Bank, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

(b)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or

 

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intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by them, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(c)    Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 9.01(b) above shall be effective as provided in such Section 9.01(b).

(d)    Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(e)    Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 may be delivered electronically (including as set forth in Section 9.17) and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.01 to the Original Credit Agreement, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender entitled to access thereto and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided, that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Except for such certificates required by Section 5.04(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 9.02    Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by such persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the Termination Date.

Section 9.03    Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 9.04    Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) except as permitted by Section 6.05, the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment

 

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or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 9.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (c) of this Section 9.04), and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

(b)    (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in subclause (ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A)    the Borrower, which consent, with respect to the assignment of a Term B Loan, will be deemed to have been given if the Borrower has not responded within ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of any request for such consent; provided, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment of a Term B Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below), or in the case of assignments during the primary syndication of the Commitments and Loans to persons identified to and agreed by the Borrower in writing prior to the Closing Date, or for an assignment of a Revolving Facility Commitment or Revolving Facility Loan to a Revolving Facility Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Lender or Approved Fund with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender, or, in each case, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, any other person; and

(B)    the Administrative Agent; provided, that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund, the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower made in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21; and

(C)    the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender; provided, that no consent of the Issuing Banks and Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

(ii)    Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)    except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than (x) $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Term Loans and (y) $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof in the case of Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided, that such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds (with simultaneous assignments to or by two or more Related Funds shall be treated as one assignment), if any;

(B)    the parties to each assignment shall (1) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (2) if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, in each

 

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case together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent (and which the Administrative Agent agrees to waive for all parties to the Fee Letter));

(C)    the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.17; and

(D)    the Assignee shall not be the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries except in accordance with Section 9.04(i) or Section 9.21.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04, “Approved Fund” shall mean any person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall be permitted to assign or transfer any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to (A) any Ineligible Institution, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (B), or (C) a natural person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment made to an Ineligible Institution. Any assigning Lender shall, in connection with any potential assignment, provide to the Borrower a copy of its request (including the name of the prospective assignee) concurrently with its delivery of the same request to the Administrative Agent irrespective of whether or not an Event of Default under Section 7.01(b), (c), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing.

(iii)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to subclause (v) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections)); provided, that an Assignee shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment pursuant to Section 2.17 than the applicable Assignor would have been entitled to receive had no such assignment occurred. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (d) of this Section 9.04 (except to the extent such participation is not permitted by such clause (d) of this Section 9.04, in which case such assignment or transfer shall be null and void).

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal and interest amounts of the Loans and Revolving L/C Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall treat each

 

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person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; provided, that no Lender shall, in such capacity, have access to, or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender.

(v)    Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.04, if applicable, and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b) of this Section 9.04 and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and promptly record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment, whether or not evidenced by a promissory note, shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this subclause (v).

(c)    [Reserved].

(d)    (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations in Loans and Commitments to one or more banks or other entities other than (I) any Ineligible Institution (to the extent that the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders; provided, that regardless of whether the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to all Lenders, no Lender may sell participations in Loans or Commitments to an Ineligible Institution without the consent of the Borrower if the list of Ineligible Institutions has been made available to such Lender) or (II) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (II) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided, that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, that (x) such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that both (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (vi) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) and (2) directly adversely affects such Participant (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not any waiver of any Default or Event of Default) and (y) no other agreement with respect to amendment, modification or waiver may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to clause (d)(iii) of this Section 9.04, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the limitations and requirements of those Sections and Section 2.19) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 9.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender; provided, that such Participant shall be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Loan Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the

 

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Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Participant or potential Participant is an Ineligible Institution and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any participation made to an Ineligible Institution.

(ii)    Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts and interest amounts of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and each party hereto shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Without limitation of the requirements of this Section 9.04(d), no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of a Participant Register to any person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or other Loan Obligations under any Loan Document), except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other Loan Obligation is in registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes or is otherwise required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(iii)    A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent, which consent shall state that it is being given pursuant to this Section 9.04(d)(iii); provided, that each potential Participant shall provide such information as is reasonably requested by the Borrower in order for the Borrower to determine whether to provide its consent.

(e)    Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank and in the case of any Lender that is an Approved Fund, any pledge or assignment to any holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Lender, including to any trustee for, or any other representative of, such holders, and this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided, that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(f)    The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in clause (e) above.

(g)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Each of Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto and each Loan Party for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.

 

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(h)    If the Borrower wishes to replace the Loans or Commitments under any Facility with ones having different terms, it shall have the option, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and subject to at least three Business Days’ advance notice to the Lenders under such Facility, instead of prepaying the Loans or reducing or terminating the Commitments to be replaced, to (i) require the Lenders under such Facility to assign such Loans or Commitments to the Administrative Agent or its designees and (ii) amend the terms thereof in accordance with Section 9.08 (with such replacement, if applicable, being deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 9.08(d)). Pursuant to any such assignment, all Loans and Commitments to be replaced shall be purchased at par (allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Loans were being optionally prepaid or such Commitments were being optionally reduced or terminated by the Borrower), accompanied by payment of any accrued interest and fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Section 9.05(b). By receiving such purchase price, the Lenders under such Facility shall automatically be deemed to have assigned the Loans or Commitments under such Facility pursuant to the terms of the form of Assignment and Acceptance attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Original Credit Agreement, and accordingly no other action by such Lenders shall be required in connection therewith. The provisions of this clause (h) are intended to facilitate the maintenance of the perfection and priority of existing security interests in the Collateral during any such replacement.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including Section 2.18(c) (which provisions shall not be applicable to clauses (i) or (j) of this Section 9.04), any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower, may purchase by way of assignment and become an Assignee with respect to Term Loans at any time and from time to time from Lenders in accordance with Section 9.04(b) hereof (each, a “Permitted Loan Purchase”); provided, that, in respect of any Permitted Loan Purchase, (A) no Permitted Loan Purchase shall be made from the proceeds of any extensions of credit under the Revolving Facility, (B) upon consummation of any such Permitted Loan Purchase, the Loans purchased pursuant thereto shall be deemed to be automatically and immediately cancelled and extinguished in accordance with Section 9.04(j), (C) in connection with any such Permitted Loan Purchase, any of Holdings or its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower and such Lender that is the assignor (an “Assignor”) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance (and for the avoidance of doubt, (x) shall make the representations and warranties set forth in the Permitted Loan Purchase Assignment and Acceptance and (y) shall not be required to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(ii)(B)) and shall otherwise comply with the conditions to assignments under this Section 9.04 and (D) no Default or Event of Default would exist immediately after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to such Permitted Loan Purchase.

(j)    Each Permitted Loan Purchase shall, for purposes of this Agreement be deemed to be an automatic and immediate cancellation and extinguishment of such Term Loans and the Borrower shall, upon consummation of any Permitted Loan Purchase, notify the Administrative Agent that the Register be updated to record such event as if it were a prepayment of such Loans.

(k)    In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender or any other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire

 

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(and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Section 9.05    Expenses; Indemnity. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Arrangers and the Co-Manager, and, if necessary, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one local counsel per jurisdiction, and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Other Taxes) incurred by the Agents, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement of their rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with the Loans made or the Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the fees, charges and disbursements of a single counsel for all such persons, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such persons, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where such person affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected person).

(b)    The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arrangers, the Joint Bookrunners, the Co-Manager, each Issuing Bank, each Lender, the Syndication Agents, the Documentation Agents, each of their respective Affiliates, successors and assignors, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and members (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements (excluding the allocated costs of in house counsel and limited to not more than one counsel for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if necessary, a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the June 2017 Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Letter of Credit (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any violation of or liability under Environmental Laws by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials at, under, on, from or to any property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (v) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,

 

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damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties, (y) arose from a material breach of such Indemnitee’s or any of its Related Parties’ obligations under any Loan Document (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment) or (z) arose from any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding that does not involve an act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates and is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than any claim, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding against any Agent, Arranger or the Co-Manager in its capacity as such). None of the Indemnitees (or any of their respective affiliates) shall be responsible or liable to the Fund, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries, Affiliates or stockholders or any other person or entity for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, which may be alleged as a result of the Facilities or the Transactions, the 2016 Repricing Transactions or the June 2017 Transactions. The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable within 15 days after written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.

(c)    Except as expressly provided in Section 9.05(a) with respect to Other Taxes, which shall not be duplicative with any amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.17, this Section 9.05 shall not apply to any Taxes (other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses resulting from a non-Tax claim), which shall be governed exclusively by Section 2.17 and, to the extent set forth therein, Section 2.15.

(d)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Holdings and the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(e)    The agreements in this Section 9.05 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 9.06    Right of Set-off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower or any Subsidiary against any of and all the obligations of Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) or the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff,

 

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(x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or such Issuing Bank may have.

Section 9.07    Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THAT COULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

Section 9.08    Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by clause (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on Holdings, the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle such person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b)    Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) as provided in Section 2.21, (y) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO), the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or, (A) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 6.11 (or any Default or Event of Default in respect thereof) or of Section 4.01 after the Closing Date, the Required Revolving Facility Lenders voting as a single Class, rather than the Required Lenders, or (B) in respect of any waiver, amendment or modification of Section 2.11(b) or (c), the Required Prepayment Lenders, rather than the Required Lenders), and (z) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Loan Party party thereto and the Administrative Agent and consented to by the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall:

(i)    decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan or any L/C Disbursement, or extend the stated expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the applicable Revolving Facility Maturity Date (except as provided in Section 2.05(c)), without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that any amendment to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i),

 

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(ii)    increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender, or decrease the Commitment Fees, L/C Participation Fees or any other Fees of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification); provided, that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default, mandatory prepayments or of a mandatory reduction in the aggregate Commitments shall not constitute an increase or extension of the Commitments of any Lender for purposes of this clause (ii),

(iii)    extend or waive any Term Loan Installment Date or reduce the amount due on any Term Loan Installment Date or extend any date on which payment of interest on any Loan or any L/C Disbursement or any Fees is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(iv)    amend the provisions of Section 7.02 with respect to the pro rata application of payments required thereby in a manner that by its terms modifies the application of such payments required thereby to be on a less than pro rata basis, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (which, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consent of such Lender directly adversely affected thereby shall be the only consent required hereunder to make such modification),

(v)    amend or modify the provisions of this Section 9.08 or the definition of the terms “Required Lenders,” “Majority Lenders,” “Required Revolving Facility Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, in each case except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date),

(vi)    release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Loan Parties from their respective Guarantees under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, unless, in the case of a Subsidiary Loan Party, all or substantially all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary Loan Party is sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by this Agreement, without the prior written consent of each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender,

(vii)    effect any waiver, amendment or modification that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments or collateral of Lenders participating in any Facility differently from those of Lenders participating in another Facility, without the consent of the Majority Lenders participating in the adversely affected Facility except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise provided in Section 9.08(d) and (e) (it being agreed that the Required Lenders may waive, in whole or in part, any prepayment or Commitment reduction required by Section 2.11 so long as the application of any prepayment or Commitment reduction still required to be made is not changed);

provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of

 

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the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank acting as such at the effective date of such agreement, as applicable. Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any Assignee of such Lender.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have the right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be affected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(c)    Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Loan Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to include holders of Other First Liens in the benefit of the Security Documents in connection with the incurrence of any Other First Lien Debt, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower (a) to permit additional extensions of credit to be outstanding hereunder from time to time and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and the Revolving Facility Loans and the accrued interest and fees and other obligations in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the holders of such extensions of credit in any determination of the requisite lenders required hereunder, including Required Lenders, Required Prepayment Lenders and the Required Revolving Facility Lenders.

(e)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, technical and conforming modifications to the Loan Documents may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (but without the consent of any Lender) to the extent necessary (A) to integrate any Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments in a manner consistent with Section 2.21, including, with respect to Other Revolving Loans or Other Term Loans, as may be necessary to establish such Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Revolving Facility Commitments as a separate Class or tranche from the existing Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, as applicable, and, in the case of Extended Term Loans, to reduce the amortization schedule of the related existing Class of Term Loans proportionately, (B) to integrate any Other First Lien Debt or (C) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency.

(f)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be necessary to ensure that all Term Loans established pursuant to Section 2.21 after the Closing Date that will be included in an existing Class of Term Loans outstanding on such date (an “Applicable Date”), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of outstanding Term Loans of such Class (the “Existing Class Loans”), on a pro rata basis, and/or to ensure that, immediately after

 

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giving effect to such new Term Loans (the “New Class Loans” and, together with the Existing Class Loans, the “Class Loans”), each Lender holding Class Loans will be deemed to hold its Pro Rata Share of each Class Loan on the Applicable Date (but without changing the amount of any such Lender’s Term Loans), and each such Lender shall be deemed to have effectuated such assignments as shall be required to ensure the foregoing. The “Pro Rata Share” of any Lender on the Applicable Date is the ratio of (1) the sum of such Lender’s Existing Class Loans immediately prior to the Applicable Date plus the amount of New Class Loans made by such Lender on the Applicable Date over (2) the aggregate principal amount of all Class Loans on the Applicable Date.

(g)    With respect to the incurrence of any secured or unsecured Indebtedness (including any intercreditor agreement relating thereto), the Borrower may elect (in its discretion, but shall not be obligated) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer at least three Business Days prior to the incurrence thereof (or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), together with either drafts of the material documentation relating to such Indebtedness or a description of such Indebtedness (including a description of the Liens intended to secure the same or the subordination provisions thereof, as applicable) in reasonably sufficient detail to be able to make the determinations referred to in this paragraph, which certificate shall either, at the Borrower’s election, (x) state that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such Indebtedness satisfies the requirements of the applicable provisions of Sections 6.01 and 6.02 (taking into account any other applicable provisions of this Section 9.08), in which case such certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof, or (y) request the Administrative Agent to confirm, based on the information set forth in such certificate and any other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, that such Indebtedness satisfies such requirements, in which case the Administrative Agent may determine whether, in its reasonable judgment, such requirements have been satisfied (in which case it shall deliver to the Borrower a written confirmation of the same), with any such determination of the Administrative Agent to be conclusive evidence thereof, and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to make such determinations.

(h)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified with the written consent of the Required Revolving Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent, Holdings (prior to a Qualified IPO) and the Borrower with respect to (i) the provisions of Section 4.01, solely as they relate to the Revolving Facility Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit and (ii) the provisions of Section 6.11 (or Article VII or any other provision incorporating such Section 6.11 with respect to the effects thereof).

(i)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended, with the written consent of each Revolving Facility Lender, the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Borrower to the extent necessary to integrate any Alternate Currency.

Section 9.09    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the applicable interest rate, together with all fees and charges that are treated as interest under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), as provided for herein or in any other document executed in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received, taken or reserved by any Lender or any Issuing Bank, shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by such Lender in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable hereunder, together with all Charges payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate; provided, that such excess amount shall be paid to such Lender or such Issuing Bank on subsequent payment dates to the extent not exceeding the legal limitation.

Section 9.10    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties

 

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relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fee Letter shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

Section 9.11    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY 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 WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

Section 9.12    Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 9.13    Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

(a)    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission (or other electronic transmission pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.

(b)    The words “execution,” “execute”, “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Acceptances, amendments, Borrowing Requests, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

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Section 9.14    Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.15    Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) The Borrower and each other Loan Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender, or any Affiliate of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(b)    Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(c)    Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 9.16    Confidentiality. Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each of the Agents agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower and any Subsidiary furnished to it by or on behalf of Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than information that (a) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party, (b) has been independently developed by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (c) was available to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent from a third party having, to such person’s knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to Holdings, any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any other Loan Party) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees and advisors with a need to know and any numbering, administration or settlement service providers or to any person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), except: (A) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the requirements of any Governmental Authority, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (B) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to, or examinations by, Governmental Authorities or self-regulatory authorities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., (C) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (D) in order to enforce its rights under any Loan

 

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Document in a legal proceeding, (E) to any pledgee under Section 9.04(d) or any other prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16) and (F) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Hedging Agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16); provided that, in the case of clauses (E) and (F), no information may be provided to any Ineligible Institution or person who is known to be acting for an Ineligible Institution.

Section 9.17    Platform; Borrower Materials. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”), and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not reasonably be expected to be publicly available if Holdings was a public reporting company) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof, (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Manager, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as solely containing information that is either (A) publicly available information or (B) not material (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that such Borrower Materials shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.16, to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute information subject to the terms thereof), (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

Section 9.18    Release of Liens and Guarantees.

(a)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released: (i) in full upon the occurrence of the Termination Date as set forth in Section 9.18(d) below; (ii) upon the Disposition of such Collateral by any Loan Party to a person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by this Agreement (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) to the extent that such Collateral comprises property leased to a Loan Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iv) if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other percentage of the Lenders whose consent may be required in accordance with Section 9.08), (v) to the extent that the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee in accordance with the Holdings Guarantee and Pledge Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement or clause (b) below (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (vi) as provided in

 

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Section 8.11 (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (vii) as required by the Collateral Agent to effect any Disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents. Any such release (other than pursuant to clause (i) above) shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those being released) upon (or obligations (other than those being released) of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any Disposition, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral except to the extent otherwise released in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents.

(b)    In addition, (i) the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantors shall be automatically released from the Guarantees upon consummation of any transaction not prohibited hereunder resulting in such Subsidiary ceasing to constitute a Subsidiary Loan Party or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), and (ii) immediately prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO of the Borrower, the Guarantee incurred by Holdings of the Obligations shall automatically terminate and Holdings shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, shall cease to be a Loan Party and any Liens created by any Loan Documents on any assets or Equity Interests owned by Holdings shall automatically be released (unless, in each case, Holdings shall elect in its sole discretion that such release of Holdings shall not be effected).

(c)    The Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable, to execute and deliver any instruments, documents, and agreements necessary or desirable to evidence and confirm the release of any Guarantor or Collateral pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.18 and to return to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including share certificates (if any)) held by it in respect of any Collateral so released, all without the further consent or joinder of any Lender or any other Secured Party. Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to any such Collateral or Guarantor shall no longer be deemed to be made. In connection with any release hereunder, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Secured Parties hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense in connection with the release of any Liens created by any Loan Document in respect of such Subsidiary, property or asset; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and any such release should be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Loan Document, on the Termination Date, all Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral and all obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under any Loan Documents (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof) shall, in each case, be automatically released and, upon request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Secured Party) take such actions as shall be required to evidence the release its security interest in all Collateral (including returning to Holdings or the Borrower all possessory collateral (including all share certificates (if any)) held by it in respect of any Collateral), and to evidence the release of all obligations under any Loan Document (other than such obligations that expressly survive the Termination Date pursuant to the terms hereof), whether or not on the date of such release there may be any (i) obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (ii) any contingent indemnification obligations or expense reimburse claims not then due; provided, that the Administrative

 

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Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing such certifications as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. Any such release of obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (and their respective representatives) in connection with taking such actions to release security interest in all Collateral and all obligations under the Loan Documents as contemplated by this Section 9.18(d).

(e)    Obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement (after giving effect to all netting arrangements relating to such Secured Hedge Agreements) shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed. No person shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document solely as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement shall require the consent of any holder of obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements or any Secured Cash Management Agreements.

Section 9.19    Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or the person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

Section 9.20    USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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Section 9.21    Affiliate Lenders.

(a)    Each Lender who is an Affiliate of the Borrower, excluding (x) Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and (y) any Debt Fund Affiliate Lender (each, an “Affiliate Lender”; it being understood that (x) neither Holdings, the Borrower, nor any of their Subsidiaries may be Affiliate Lenders and (y) Debt Fund Affiliate Lenders and Affiliate Lenders may be Lenders hereunder in accordance with Section 9.04, subject in the case of Affiliate Lenders, to this Section 9.21), in connection with any (i) consent (or decision not to consent) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document, (ii) other action on any matter related to any Loan Document or (iii) direction to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, agrees that, except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action (1) described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the first proviso of Section 9.08(b) or (2) that adversely affects such Affiliate Lender (in its capacity as a Lender) in a disproportionately adverse manner as compared to other Lenders, such Affiliate Lender shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in such proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not Affiliate Lenders. Each Affiliate Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Affiliate Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliate Lender and in the name of such Affiliate Lender, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this clause (a).

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Affiliate Lender shall have any right to (1) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Borrower are not then present, (2) receive any information or material prepared by Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives, (3) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any other such Lender under the Loan Documents, (4) purchase any Term Loan if, immediately after giving effect to such purchase, Affiliate Lenders in the aggregate would own Term Loans with an aggregate principal amount in excess of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding or (5) purchase any Revolving Facility Loans or Revolving Facility Commitments. It shall be a condition precedent to each assignment to an Affiliate Lender that such Affiliate Lender shall have (x) represented to the assigning Lender in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance, and notified the Administrative Agent, that it is (or will be, following the consummation of such assignment) an Affiliate Lender and that the aggregate amount of Term Loans held by it giving effect to such assignments shall not exceed the amount permitted by clause (4) of the preceding sentence and (y) represented in the applicable Assignment and Acceptance that it is not in possession of material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal and state securities laws) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective securities (or, if Holdings is not at the time a public reporting company, material information of a type that would not be reasonably expected to be publicly available if Holdings were a public reporting company) that (A) has not been disclosed to the assigning Lender or the Lenders generally (other than because any such Lender does not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries) and (B) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, the assigning Lender’s decision make such assignment.

Section 9.22    Agency of the Borrower for the Loan Parties. Each of the other Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices and the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and therein and all modifications hereto and thereto.

 

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Section 9.23    No Liability of the Issuing Banks. The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. Neither any Issuing Bank nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use that may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith; (b) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment by such Issuing Bank against presentation of documents that do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit; or (d) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit, except that the Borrower shall have a claim against such Issuing Bank, and such Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, but not consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower that the Borrower proves were caused by (i) such Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in determining whether documents presented under any Letter of Credit comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit or (ii) such Issuing Bank’s willful failure to make lawful payment under a Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a draft and certificates strictly complying with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, such Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

Section 9.24    Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

Section 9.25    Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement; Effectiveness of Amendment and Restatement. On and after the June 2017 Effective Date, all obligations of the Loan Parties

 

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under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall become obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder and the provisions of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be superseded by the provisions hereof except for provisions under the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement that expressly survive the termination thereof. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (a) the amendment and restatement of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement and all other Loan Documents executed and delivered in connection herewith shall not constitute a novation of the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the June 2017 Effective Date and (b) all deemed references in the other Loan Documents to the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer without further amendment to this Agreement.

 

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Exhibit 10.6

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by

and among

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.,

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P.,

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P.

and

AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

Dated as of                , 2020

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS					2
Section 1.1		Definitions			2
Section 1.2		Interpretation			6
ARTICLE II DISPOSITIONS					7
Section 2.1		Disposition and Joinders			7
ARTICLE III [RESERVED]					7
ARTICLE IV GOVERNANCE AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS					7
Section 4.1		Board Composition			7
Section 4.2		Matters Requiring Approval of the Sponsor Fund			10
Section 4.3		Assurances			11
ARTICLE V NOTICES					11
Section 5.1		Notices			11
ARTICLE VI CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS					11
Section 6.1		Books and Records; Access			11
Section 6.2		Sharing of Information			12
Section 6.3		Confidential Information			13
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS					15
Section 7.1		GOVERNING LAW			15
Section 7.2		Binding Effect			15
Section 7.3		Amendment			15
Section 7.4		Termination			15
Section 7.5		Specific Performance			16
Section 7.6		Counterparts			16
Section 7.7		Severability			16
Section 7.8		Further Assurances			16
Section 7.9		Submission to Jurisdiction			16
Section 7.10		Waiver			17
Section 7.11		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			17
Section 7.12		Entire Agreement			17
Section 7.13		No Third Party Beneficiaries			18
Section 7.14		Changes in Company Group Equity Securities			18
Section 7.15		No Recourse			18
Section 7.16		Issuance of Additional Units to the SCP Investor			18
Section 7.17		Aggregation of Units			19
Section 7.18		Assignment			19

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of                , 2020 (this “Agreement”), by and among (i) RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (ii) SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership, and SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership (the entities set forth in this clause (ii), collectively, the “SCP Investor”), and (iii) AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“AP VIII Holdings” and, together with any other member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) to whom Company Group Equity Securities are Disposed or that otherwise owns or acquires record or beneficial ownership of Company Group Equity Securities (other than any Co-Invest HoldCo, except to the extent provided in Section 7.17), the “Sponsor Fund”).

WHEREAS, the Company, the SCP Investor and the Sponsor Fund have entered into the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (the “Original Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon, the date of completion of the initial public offering of the Company, the Company, the SCP Investor and the Sponsor Fund wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety to set forth their agreements with respect to certain matters concerning the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual consents and obligations hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions.

(a) As used in this Agreement:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. As used in this definition, the term “control,” including the correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) except as otherwise specified herein, none of the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund, the SCP Investor, any Permitted Transferee or the other Holders shall be considered an Affiliate of (i) any portfolio company in which the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund, the SCP Investor, any Permitted Transferee, such other Holders or any of their respective investment fund affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), (ii) any limited partner of, non-managing member of, or other similar direct or indirect investor in the Apollo Funds, the SCP Investor, any Permitted Transferee or any of their respective alternative investment vehicles or (iii) any portfolio company in which any limited partner of, non-

 

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managing member of, or other similar direct or indirect investor in the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund, the SCP Investor, any Permitted Transferee or the other Holders or any of their respective affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), and none of the Persons described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this definition shall be considered an Affiliate of each other (the exclusion in this clause (1), the “Affiliate Exclusion”) and (2) each of the Holders (other than the Sponsor Fund and any Co-Invest HoldCo) shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Sponsor Fund or the Apollo Group. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered an “Affiliate” of the Sponsor Fund or any of its Affiliates, AGS shall not be considered such an “Affiliate” of the Sponsor Fund or any of its Affiliates when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business.

“AGS” means Apollo Global Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Apollo Funds” means Apollo Investment Fund VIII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware 892) VIII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware) VIII, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners VIII, L.P.

“Apollo Group” means the Apollo Funds and the Sponsor Fund, collectively with each of their respective Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall apply to all uses of the term “Apollo Group” in this Agreement unless otherwise specified). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered a member of the “Apollo Group”, AGS shall not be considered such a member of the “Apollo Group” when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business.

“Apollo Group Related Person” means (x) any member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) or (y) any Person who is a general partner, partner, managing director, manager, officer, director, employee or principal of any member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) (including any Apollo Board Nominee) or any Affiliate (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) of any of the foregoing (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall be disregarded for purposes of all uses of the term “Apollo Group Related Person” in this Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered an “Apollo Group Related Person”, AGS shall not be considered such an “Apollo Group Related Person” when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in the City of New York.

“Bylaws” means the second amended and restated bylaws of the Company, the same as may be amended or restated from time to time.

“Charter” means the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, the same as may be amended or restated from time to time.

 

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“Co-Invest HoldCo” means AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership controlled by a member of the Apollo Group and any other investment fund or account managed or advised by an Affiliate of the Sponsor Fund that is organized for the purpose of co-investing in Company Group Equity Securities alongside AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P. and AP VIII Holdings in the Company.

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

“Company Confidential Information” means any confidential and proprietary information, documents and materials of the Company and its Subsidiaries and all of the foregoing’s respective employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants, representatives, analyses, models, securities positions, purchases, sales, investments, activities, business, affairs or other transactions or matters, in each case that are provided by or on behalf of the Company.

“Company Group Equity Linked Securities” means (x) any securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any warrants or options or other rights to acquire, any capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (y) any warrants or options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any other obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any Company Group Equity Securities or (z) any rights that are linked in any way to the price of any Equity Securities of, or to the value of or of any part of, or to any dividends or distributions paid on any capital stock or other Equity Securities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Company Group Equity Securities” means any Equity Securities issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Company Group Equity Linked Securities.

“Disposition” means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, exchange, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or sale or any other disposition, of Company Group Equity Securities, or any legal, economic or beneficial interest in any Company Group Equity Securities (in each case, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, whether held in its own right or by its representative and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law). “Dispose” and “Disposed” have correlative meanings.

“Equity Securities” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof.

“Governmental Authority” means any international, national, federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal, arbitral body or self-regulated entity (including any stock exchange), whether domestic or foreign.

“Holder” means any Person holding Company Group Equity Securities.

“Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, constitution, principle of common law, ordinance, code, decree, order, judgment, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority and any order or decision of an applicable arbitrator or arbitration panel.

 

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“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Holder at any time, the percentage reflecting the share of such Holder’s economic interest in the aggregate issued and outstanding Company Group Equity Securities.

“Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to either SCP Investor, any of Searchlight, the other SCP Investor, any of their respective Affiliates (it being understood that a Person shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of Searchlight or of an SCP Investor merely by virtue of also being a Holder of Company Group Equity Securities) or any investment fund managed by Searchlight or by any successor thereto; provided, that in no event shall any of the following Persons be deemed a “Permitted Transferee”: (x) any portfolio company in which any such Person or any of its Affiliates has made a debt or equity investment or (y) any investment fund, vehicle or account managed or advised by an Affiliate of the SCP Investor (or any successor thereto) that is organized for the purpose of co-investing or syndicating its interest to third parties in Company Group Equity Securities alongside the SCP Investor.

“Person” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), limited liability company, joint stock company, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, firm, Governmental Authority or other enterprise, association, organization or entity of any kind, whether domestic or foreign.

“Representative” means, with respect to any Person, the investors, financing sources, partners, employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants and representatives of such Person.

“Searchlight” means Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Sponsor Fund Confidential Information” means any confidential and proprietary information, documents and materials of the Sponsor Fund and its Subsidiaries and all of the foregoing’s respective investors, financing sources, partners, employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants, representatives, analyses, models, securities positions, purchases, sales, investments, activities, business, affairs or other transactions or matters, in each case, that is provided to the SCP Investor or its Affiliates or Representatives in connection with the SCP Investor’s investment in Company Group Equity Securities by or on behalf of the Sponsor Fund.

“Subscription Agreement” means that certain Subscription Agreement, dated November 3, 2016, between the SCP Investor and the Company, pursuant to which the SCP Investor acquired shares of Common Stock.

“Subsidiary” means each Person in which another Person (a) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, capital stock or other Equity Securities representing more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or other Equity Securities or (b) is a general partner, manager, managing member or other controlling Person.

 

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Term		Section
Agreement		Preamble
AP VIII Holdings		Preamble
Apollo Board Nominee		4.1(b)
Company		Preamble
Director		4.1(a)
Information		6.1
Original Agreement		Recitals
Receiving Party		6.3(a)
Related Parties		7.15
Related Party		7.15
SCP Board Nominee		4.1(c)
SCP Investor		Preamble
SCP Investor Participants		4.1(c)
SCP Nomination Condition		4.1(c)
SCP Subsidiary Designee		4.1(c)
Sponsor Fund		Preamble
Sponsor Percentage Interest		4.1(b)

Section 1.2 Interpretation. Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction: (a) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, Annex, and Exhibit are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Annexes and Exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including Exhibits hereto; (c) references to “$” or “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars; (d) the words “include,” “includes,” “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (e) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (f) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form; (g) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions; (h) the headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (i) each of the Company, AP VIII Holdings and the SCP Investor has participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement; (j) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (k) references to “days” mean calendar days unless Business Days are expressly specified; (l) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; (m) the terms “party”, “party hereto”, “parties” and “party hereto” shall mean a party to this Agreement and the parties to this Agreement, as applicable, unless otherwise specified; (n) with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including”; (o) any deadline or time period set forth in this Agreement that by its terms ends on a day that is not a Business Day shall be automatically extended to the next succeeding Business Day; and (p) the gender of all words used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all words shall include the singular and plural. Unless otherwise specified, any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time may be amended, supplemented, restated or modified, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes.

 

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ARTICLE II

DISPOSITIONS

Section 2.1 Disposition and Joinders. When any shares of Common Stock or other Company Group Equity Securities are Disposed of to a Permitted Transferee:

(a) any Disposition or attempted or purported Disposition by the SCP Investor or the Sponsor Fund in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall not be required to give effect to such attempted or purported Disposition on the books and records of the Company;

(b) it shall be a condition of any Disposition by the SCP Investor (A) if the transferee is not a party to this Agreement that such Disposition not be effected unless and until such transferee has entered into a customary joinder agreement to this Agreement and such further customary documentation, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, as may be necessary to make such Person a party hereto and bound by the obligations, and in accordance with Section 7.18(b) entitled to the rights, of the SCP Investor set forth herein (in each case, in a form satisfactory to the Sponsor Fund in its reasonable discretion), (B) that the SCP Investor shall have complied with its obligations set forth in this Agreement with respect to such Disposition and (C) such Disposition complies with all requirements of applicable Law; and

(c) it shall be a condition of any Disposition by the SCP Investor that the Disposition shall not impose material liability or material reporting obligations on the Company or any Holder in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, or result in the Company or any Holder becoming subject to the jurisdiction of any court or governmental entity anywhere (other than for matters in connection with such Disposition), other than the jurisdictions, courts and governmental entities in which the Company or such Holder, as applicable, is then subject to such liability, reporting obligation or jurisdiction.

ARTICLE III

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNANCE AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

Section 4.1 Board Composition.

(a) General. Each member of the Board (each, a “Director”) of the Company shall serve for the time periods set forth in the Charter or Bylaws. Subject to Section 4.2, without limiting the Sponsor Fund’s or the SCP Investor’s rights pursuant to this Section 4.1, the Board may increase or decrease its size in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and Bylaws. The Charter and Bylaws and the organizational documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries, as they may be amended from time to time subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not at any time be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Nomination by the Sponsor Fund. For so long as the Percentage Interest of the Sponsor Fund (for the avoidance of doubt, together with any Co-Invest HoldCo) (the “Sponsor Percentage Interest”) is at least 5%, the Sponsor Fund shall have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate for election to the Board by the Company’s stockholders a number of Directors (any such nominee, an “Apollo Board Nominee”) that equals the Sponsor Percentage Interest multiplied by the total number of Directors comprising the Board (for the avoidance of doubt, including any vacancies and newly created directorships), and rounded up to the nearest whole number. No delay by the Sponsor Fund in nominating its Apollo Board Nominees shall impair its right to subsequently nominate its Apollo Board Nominees. In the event that the Sponsor Fund has nominated less than the total number of nominees the Sponsor Fund shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 4.1(b), the Sponsor Fund shall have the right, at any time, to nominate such additional nominees to which it is entitled, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary corporate actions, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to (x) enable the Sponsor Fund to nominate and effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals, whether by increasing the size of the Board, or otherwise, and (y) effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals nominated by the Sponsor Fund to fill such newly-created directorships or to fill any other existing vacancies.

(c) Nomination by the SCP Investor. The SCP Investor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to (i) nominate for election to the Board by the Company’s stockholders one (1) Director (the “SCP Board Nominee”) and (ii) designate one (1) member of the board of directors (or other similar body) of any Subsidiary to which the Sponsor Fund appoints any director (the “SCP Subsidiary Designee” and, together with the SCP Board Nominee, the “SCP Investor Participants”), in each case, for so long as the SCP Investor holds at least 50% of the shares of Common Stock (subject to Section 7.14) that the SCP Investor subscribed for pursuant to the Subscription Agreement (the “SCP Nomination Condition”, it being understood that the SCP Nomination Condition can only fail to be satisfied as a result of Dispositions by the SCP Investor and not the issuance of additional Company Group Equity Securities) and subject to applicable SEC and stock exchange rules and standards (provided, however, that the SCP Investor Participants shall not be required to be “independent” for purposes of such rules and standards). The SCP Board Nominee shall be designated as a Class III director pursuant to the classified board structure provided in Section 5.03 of the Charter, unless the SCP Investor otherwise provides its prior written consent for the SCP Board Nominee to be in a different class. No delay by the SCP Investor in nominating or designating an SCP Investor Participant shall impair its right to subsequently nominate or designate the SCP Investor Participants. In the event that the SCP Investor has not nominated the nominee the SCP Investor shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 4.1(c), the SCP Investor shall have the right, at any time, to nominate the nominee to which it is entitled, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary corporate actions, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to (x) enable the SCP Investor to nominate and effect the election or appointment of such individual, whether by increasing the size of the Board, or otherwise, and (y) effect the election or appointment of such additional individual nominated by the SCP Investor to fill such newly-created directorship or to fill any other existing vacancy. In the event that the SCP Nomination Condition is no longer satisfied, the SCP Investor shall have no right to nominate the SCP Investor Participants and the SCP Investor shall take all

 

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actions necessary, appropriate or otherwise reasonably requested by the Company or the Sponsor Fund to cause the SCP Investor Participants to resign or be removed from the boards and committees of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The SCP Board Nominee and SCP Subsidiary Designee shall be entitled to the same notice and information rights as all other members of the board of directors (or other similar body) of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary or any member of the applicable committee thereof. The SCP Investor and the SCP Investor Participants will be entitled to customary expense reimbursement (including in respect of director expenses) on the same terms as Apollo Group Related Persons (including Apollo Board Nominees) and reasonable expenses of counsel in the event of any action for which legal advice is appropriate, and the SCP Board Nominee and SCP Subsidiary Designee shall be entitled to indemnification, exculpation and advancement on the same terms as the Apollo Board Nominees, as applicable.

(d) Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause of any Apollo Board Nominee or SCP Board Nominee, including the failure of any Apollo Board Nominee or SCP Board Nominee to be elected, the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, shall have the right to designate a replacement to fill such vacancy (but only if the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, would be then entitled to nominate such designee pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c), as applicable). The remaining Directors and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time to cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled by the individual so designated and to cause the Board to elect such designee to the Board as soon as possible.

(e) Assurances. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of stockholders (and in any election by written consent) called for the purpose of electing directors the persons nominated pursuant to this Section 4.1 and to nominate and recommend each such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, and to use the same efforts to cause the election of such nominees as it uses to cause other nominees recommended by the Board to be elected, including soliciting proxies or consents in favor thereof. The Company is entitled, solely for the purposes set forth in this Section 4.1(e), to identify such individual as an Apollo Board Nominee or an SCP Board Nominee pursuant to this Agreement. The Company and the Directors shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time so that (i) an Apollo Board Nominee will not be removed from the Board without the approval of the Sponsor Fund, so long as the Sponsor Percentage Interest is at least 5%, and (ii) an SCP Board Nominee will not be removed from the Board without the approval of the SCP Investor (provided, that the SCP Nomination Condition is satisfied).

(f) Corporate Opportunities. The Charter (and equivalent organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company) shall at all times include a waiver of any interest or expectancy of the Company or any such Subsidiary in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity, and of any other “corporate opportunity” or similar restriction, in favor of the SCP Investor, the Sponsor Fund, and their respective Affiliates (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) and the respective Representatives of the foregoing to the fullest extent permitted by law, including pursuant to Section 122(17) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

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Section 4.2 Matters Requiring Approval of the Sponsor Fund. For so long as the Sponsor Percentage Interest is at least 33%, without the prior written approval of the Sponsor Fund, the Company shall not, and shall (to the extent applicable) cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

(a) increase or decrease the size of the Board;

(b) incur indebtedness for borrowed money, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, aggregating to more than $100 million, except for (i) borrowings under a revolving credit facility that has previously been approved or is in existence (with no increase in maximum availability) on the date of closing of the Company’s initial public offering or (ii) intercompany indebtedness;

(c) issue additional Common Stock or Company Group Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries where the value of any such issuance exceeds $50 million in any single issuance, or an aggregate amount of $100 million during a calendar year, other than (A) any award under any stockholder-approved equity compensation plan or (B) any intra-company issuance among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

(d) other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, enter into or effect any (A) acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the equity interests or assets of any Person, or the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, properties, assets, or Persons, in one transaction or a series of related transactions or (B) disposition of assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or the shares or other equity interests of any Subsidiary, in each case where the amount of consideration for any such acquisition or disposition exceeds $50 million in any single transaction, or an aggregate amount of $100 million in any series of transactions during a calendar year;

(e) hire or terminate the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company or designate any Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

(f) merge or consolidate with or into any other entity, or transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise) all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another entity, or enter into or agree to undertake any transaction that would constitute a “Change of Control” (or similar term) as defined in the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ principal credit facilities or note indentures (other than, in each case, transactions among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries);

(g) undertake any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

(h) effect any material change in the nature of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

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(i) amend, modify or repeal (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) any provision of the Charter, the Bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of its Subsidiaries in a manner that adversely affects any affiliates of the Sponsor Fund.

Section 4.3 Assurances. The Company and the Directors shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time ensure that the Charter and Bylaws and the organizational documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries facilitate and implement the terms and conditions of, and do not at any time conflict with any provision of, this Agreement.

ARTICLE V

NOTICES

Section 5.1 Notices. In the event a notice or other document is required to be sent hereunder to the Company, to the Sponsor Fund or to the SCP Investor, such notice or other document shall be given in writing, shall be either personally delivered to the Company, to the Sponsor Fund or to the SCP Investor, as applicable, or delivered by an established delivery service by which receipts are given or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by electronic mail, addressed to the party entitled to receive such notice or other document pursuant to the contact information for each party set forth on Annex I hereto. All notices, other communications or documents shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) when sent, if by electronic mail (except if any error or “bounce back” electronic mail message is received by the sender and, in such case, upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice or document is being sent); (iii) five (5) Business Days after having been deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first class mail; and (iv) on the first Business Day with respect to which a reputable air courier guarantees delivery; provided, however, that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Company, the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor agrees to receive notice under the Charter and Bylaws or under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or under the organizational documents and applicable entity law of any Subsidiary of the Company, by electronic transmission at the e-mail address on file with the Company, and the SCP Investor covenants and agrees to keep a current e-mail address on file with the Company for such purpose.

ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

Section 6.1 Books and Records; Access. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books, records and accounts, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject to Section 6.3 hereof. For each of the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor, (a) in the case of the Sponsor Fund, for so long as it beneficially owns 3% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and (b) in the case of the SCP Investor, until the later of (i) it no longer beneficially owns 3% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and (ii) the SCP Nomination Condition is no longer satisfied, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (A) permit the Sponsor Fund or

 

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the SCP Investor, as applicable, and, in each case, its respective designated representatives, at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to inspect, review and/or make copies and extracts from the books and records of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries with the officers of the Company or any such Subsidiary and (B) upon the written request of the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, provide the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, in addition to other information that might be reasonably requested by the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, from time to time, (i) direct access to the Company’s auditors and officers, (ii) quarter-end reports to be provided within 45 days after the end of each quarter, (iii) copies of all materials provided to the Board (or committee of the Board) at the same time as provided to the Directors (or members of a committee of the Board), (iv) access to appropriate officers and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such times as may be requested by the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, as the case may be, for consultation with the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (v) information in advance with respect to any significant corporate actions, including, without limitation, extraordinary dividends, stock redemptions or repurchases, mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, issuances of significant amounts of debt or equity and material amendments to the Charter or Bylaws or the organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, and to provide the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor, as applicable, with the right to consult with the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such actions, (vi) flash data to be provided within ten days after the end of each quarter and (vii) to the extent otherwise prepared by the Company, operating and capital expenditure budgets and periodic information packages relating to the operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries (all such information so furnished pursuant to this Section 6.1, the “Information”); provided, that each of the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor may waive, in their sole discretion, in whole or in part, any right to receive all or any portion of the Information contemplated by this Section 6.1 at any time. The Company agrees to consider, in good faith, the recommendations of the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor in connection with the matters on which the Company is consulted as described above. Subject to Section 6.2, any Affiliate of the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor (and any party receiving Information from the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor) who shall receive Information shall maintain the confidentiality of such Information in accordance with Section 6.3, and the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged Information of the Company so long as the Company has used its commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor without the loss of any such privilege.

Section 6.2 Sharing of Information. Individuals associated with each of the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor may from time to time serve on the Board or the equivalent governing body of the Company’s Subsidiaries. The Company, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, recognizes that such individuals (a) will from time to time receive non-public information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries and (b) may (subject to the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance with Section 6.3) share such information with other individuals associated with the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor, as applicable. Such sharing will be for the dual purpose of facilitating support to such individuals in their capacity as Directors (or members of the governing body of any Subsidiary) and enabling the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor, as applicable, as equityholders, to better evaluate the Company’s performance and prospects. The Company, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby irrevocably consents to such sharing.

 

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Section 6.3 Confidential Information.

(a) Confidentiality Obligations. Each of the SCP Investor and the Sponsor Fund agrees that all Company Confidential Information is proprietary and confidential to the Company and the SCP Investor agrees that all Sponsor Fund Confidential Information is proprietary and confidential to the Sponsor Fund. The (x) SCP Investor (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates and its Representatives) agrees that it will not, during or after the term of this Agreement, whether through an Affiliate, Representative or otherwise, use Sponsor Fund Confidential Information or Company Confidential Information or disclose Sponsor Fund Confidential Information or Company Confidential Information to any Person for any reason or purpose whatsoever and (y) the Sponsor Fund (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates and its Representatives) (the SCP Investor in clause (x) and the Sponsor Fund in clause (y), the “Receiving Party”) agrees that it will not, during or after the term of this Agreement, whether through an Affiliate, Representative or otherwise, use Company Confidential Information or disclose Company Confidential Information to any Person for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y):

(i) to authorized representatives and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries and as otherwise is proper in the course of performing the Receiving Party’s obligations hereunder or under any other agreement between such Receiving Party and the Company or its Subsidiaries, or as a member of the board of directors of any of the foregoing for the purpose of discharging such member’s fiduciary or other duties to the Company or its Subsidiaries, provided such member acts in good faith and in a manner such member reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(ii) as part of such Receiving Party’s bona fide reporting or review procedures, or in connection with such Receiving Party’s or its Affiliates’ bona fide fund raising or marketing (subject to the recipients thereof being bound by substantially similar confidentiality obligations and use restrictions as set forth herein);

(iii) in accordance with Section 6.2;

(iv) to such Receiving Party’s (or any of its Affiliates’) general partners, partners, managing directors, managers, officers, directors, employees, principals, Representatives, agents, auditors, attorneys or other advisors on a “need to know” basis; provided, that the Receiving Party shall notify such Persons of the confidential nature of such Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, and its obligations hereunder and instruct such Persons to abide by the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein applicable to such Persons (unless such Persons are otherwise already bound by a duty of confidentiality to such Receiving Party),

(v) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the Receiving Party or assets of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates or the Company Group Equity Securities held by such Holder, or bona fide prospective merger partner of such Receiving Party or its Affiliates; provided, that such bona fide prospective purchaser or bona fide prospective merger partner agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 6.3;

 

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(vi) in connection with the performance of any party’s obligations under this Agreement; or

(vii) as is required to be disclosed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative body or governmental body, or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by law, rule or regulation (including as part of any governmental or regulatory investigation or review, or to comply with SEC rules or regulations); provided, that the Receiving Party required to make such disclosure shall, to the extent legally permissible, provide to the Company and the Sponsor Fund prompt written notice of any such requirement and shall cooperate with the Company and the Sponsor Fund in seeking a protective order or other appropriate remedy, to the extent applicable.

(b) Compliance of and Liability for Affiliates and Representatives. Each of the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor shall cause their respective Affiliates to abide by and comply with the provisions of this Section 6.3. The SCP Investor shall (i) with respect to the Company Confidential Information, be liable to the Company for any and all breaches of the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein by the SCP Investor, its Affiliates and its and their Representatives (including the SCP Investor Participants) and (ii) with respect to the Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, be liable to the Sponsor Fund, in each case, for any and all breaches of the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein by the SCP Investor, its Affiliates and its and their Representatives (including the SCP Investor Participants). The Sponsor Fund shall, with respect to the Company Confidential Information, be liable to the Company for any and all breaches of the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein by the Sponsor Fund, its Affiliates, and its and their Representatives. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or otherwise, any liability for breach of this Section 6.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall continue in effect forthwith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person (including any investment fund managed by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates or any portfolio company of any such investment fund) shall be deemed to be a Representative of the Receiving Party for purposes of this Section 6.3 or have any obligation hereunder unless such Person actually receives Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, from, or on behalf of, the Receiving Party. Further, no Affiliate or portfolio company of the Receiving Party shall be deemed to be a Representative hereunder for purposes of this Section 6.3 solely due to the fact that one of the Receiving Party’s employees who has received or had access to Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, serves as an officer or member of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Affiliate or portfolio company; provided, that such employee does not provide Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, to the other directors, officers or employees of such Affiliate or portfolio company.

(c) For purposes of this Section 6.3, “Company Confidential Information” and “Sponsor Fund Confidential Information” shall not include, with respect to any Person, information: (A) which such Person (or its Affiliates) can demonstrate was already in the possession of such Person (or its Affiliates) prior to its receipt from the Company or any Subsidiary thereof lawfully and from a source not subject to any confidentiality obligation to such Person, the

 

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Company, the Sponsor Fund, their respective Affiliates or the foregoing’s respective Representatives, (B) which such Person (or its Affiliates) can demonstrate was learned from sources other than the Company, the Sponsor Fund, their respective Affiliates or the foregoing’s respective Representatives and, that to the knowledge of such Person (or its Affiliates), is not bound by any duty of confidentiality to any Person in respect of such information, after such information was disclosed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, (C) which is or becomes generally available to the public or the participants in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries participate, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Person, any of its Affiliates or any of its or its Affiliates’ respective Representatives in violation hereof or (D) which is independently developed by such Person or its Affiliates without use, reliance upon or reference to Company Confidential Information, or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT EVEN IF, UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

Section 7.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, each of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 7.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any provision hereof may be waived, from time to time by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Sponsor Fund; provided, however, that any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall require the consent of the SCP Investor if such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver (a) would adversely affect the SCP Investor in any respect or (b) would disproportionately benefit any other Holder or confer any benefit on any other Holder to which the SCP Investor would not be entitled. Upon obtaining any such consent and without any further action or execution by the SCP Investor, (x) any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in writing executed solely by the Company and the Sponsor Fund and (y) each other party to this Agreement shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any addition of a transferee of the Company Group Equity Securities in accordance with Article II shall not constitute an amendment hereto and need be signed only by the Company and such transferee or recipient.

 

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Section 7.4 Termination. Unless earlier terminated by the mutual agreement of all the parties hereto, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to each of the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor, as applicable, upon such time it ceases to own any Company Group Equity Securities. Except as otherwise provided herein, if the Sponsor Fund or the SCP Investor Disposes of all of its Company Group Equity Securities, the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor, as applicable, shall cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder.

Section 7.5 Specific Performance. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of this Agreement will be inadequate, agrees that each other party to this Agreement shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in case of any such breach or attempted breach and further agrees to waive (to the extent legally permissible) any legal conditions required to be met for the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief (including posting any bond in order to obtain equitable relief). Each party to this Agreement further agrees not to raise as a defense or objection to the request or granting of such relief that any breach of this Agreement is or would be compensable by an award of money damages or that there is an adequate remedy at law.

Section 7.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or .pdf signature which shall constitute an original for all purposes.

Section 7.7 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, and such invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions shall be null and void as to such jurisdiction. It is the intent of the parties, however, that any invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions be automatically replaced by other provisions which are as similar as possible in terms to such invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions but are valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Section 7.8 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 7.9 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery or, in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter

 

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based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the addresses set forth in Annex I shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section 7.9, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction. Each party hereto expressly acknowledges that the foregoing waiver is intended to be irrevocable under the Laws of the State of Delaware and of the United States of America; provided, that each such party’s consent to jurisdiction and service contained in this Section 7.9 is solely for the purpose referred to in this Section 7.9 and shall not be deemed to be a general submission to said courts or in the State of Delaware other than for such purpose.

Section 7.10 Waiver. No course of dealing between or among the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Sponsor Fund and the SCP Investor (or any of them) or any delay in exercising any rights hereunder will operate as a waiver of any rights of any party to this Agreement. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and will not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

Section 7.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN.

Section 7.12 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous and contemporaneous agreements among all or some of the parties hereto, whether written, oral or otherwise, as to such subject matter. Unless otherwise provided herein, any consent required by any party hereto may be withheld by such party in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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Section 7.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the provisions in this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any Person other than the parties to this Agreement, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and, with respect to Section 7.15 only, Related Parties. The covenants and agreements contained herein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto.

Section 7.14 Changes in Company Group Equity Securities. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Company Group Equity Securities by way of a dividend, distribution, stock split or combination, reclassification, recapitalization, exchange or readjustment, whether in a merger, consolidation, conversion or similar transaction, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to Company Group Equity Securities as so changed.

Section 7.15 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement or otherwise, and notwithstanding the fact that certain Holders may be partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or other entities, each party hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered by any Person pursuant hereto or otherwise shall be had against any of the Sponsor Fund’s, any Co-Invest HoldCo’s, Apollo Group’s (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion), the SCP Investor’s or any of the foregoing’s respective Affiliates’ (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) former, current or future direct or indirect equity holders, controlling Persons, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, Affiliates (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion), members, financing sources, managers, general or limited partners or assignees (each, a “Related Party” and, collectively, the “Related Parties”) (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall be disregarded for purposes of all uses of the terms “Related Party” and “Related Parties” in this Agreement), in each case other than (subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to the provisions of this Agreement) each party hereto or any of its respective assignees under this Agreement, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the Related Parties, as such, for any obligation or liability of any party hereto or any of its respective assignees under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered by any Person pursuant hereto for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or liabilities or their creation; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7.15 shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of any party hereto or any of its respective assignees for any breach or violation of its obligations under such agreements, documents or instruments.

Section 7.16 Issuance of Additional Units to the SCP Investor. If additional Company Group Equity Securities are issued to the SCP Investor or the Sponsor Fund at any time during the term of this Agreement, either directly or upon the exercise or exchange of securities or loans of the Company (or its Subsidiary, as applicable) exercisable for or exchangeable into Company Group Equity Securities, such additional Company Group Equity Securities, as a condition to their issuance, shall become subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.17 Aggregation of Units. All Company Group Equity Securities beneficially owned by (a) the SCP Investor and its Permitted Transferees shall be aggregated together and (b) the Sponsor Fund, any Co-Invest HoldCo and their Affiliates shall be aggregated together, in each case for purposes of determining the rights or obligations of the SCP Investor or the Sponsor Fund, respectively, or the application of any restrictions to the SCP Investor or the Sponsor Fund, respectively, under this Agreement in each instance in which such right, obligation or restriction is determined in respect of or with reference to any Percentage Interest or ownership of Company Group Equity Securities, including in connection with any right pursuant to Article IV. All rights held by the SCP Investor, its Affiliates or their respective Permitted Transferees under this Agreement shall be exercised solely by the SCP Investor.

Section 7.18 Assignment.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Sponsor Fund may assign its rights or obligations, in whole or in part, under this Agreement to any member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion). In the event that any additional member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) (other than any Co-Invest HoldCo) becomes an owner of Company Group Equity Securities, such Person shall, as a condition to acquiring such Company Group Equity Securities, become party to this Agreement and this Agreement shall be amended and restated to provide that such Person or a designee of such Person shall have the same rights and obligations of the Sponsor Fund hereunder to the extent of such Person’s ownership of Company Group Equity Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the SCP Investor may assign, in connection with a Disposition otherwise permitted hereby, (x) any of its rights or obligations to any Permitted Transferee or (y) any of its rights (other than the rights set forth in Article IV) to any transferee of Company Group Equity Securities to whom the SCP Investor Disposes of at least fifty percent (50%) of Company Group Equity Securities that it holds as of the date of this Agreement (subject to Section 7.14). For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the SCP Investor shall be prohibited from assigning to any Person any right contained in this Agreement.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

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This Agreement is executed by the Company and by the other parties hereto to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SPONSOR FUND
AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:		AP VIII Inception Holdings GP, LLC, its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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SCP INVESTOR
SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P.
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, L.P., its general partner
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P.
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, L.P., its general partner
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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ANNEX I

ADDRESSES FOR NOTICE

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attention: Stefanie Box, Assistant Secretary & Deputy General Counsel

AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201

Purchase, New York 10577

Attention: Laurie D. Medley, Vice President

With respect to each of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P., with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer and Brian Scrivani

Email: tzeitzer@paulweiss.com and bscrivani@paulweiss.com

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P.

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P.

745 Fifth Avenue – 27th Floor

New York, New York 10151

Attention:		Darren Glatt
		Nadir Nurmohamed

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Attention:		Steven A. Cohen
		Victor Goldfeld
		John L. Robinson
Email:		SACohen@wlrk.com
		VGoldfeld@wlrk.com
		JLRobinson@wlrk.com

 

Annex I

Exhibit 10.7

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.,

DPH 123, LLC,

ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC,

AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

and,

solely for purposes of Section 4.1,

ABRY PARTNERS VIII, L.P.

 

Dated as of                , 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS					1
Section 1.1		Definitions			1
Section 1.2		Interpretation			6
ARTICLE II DISPOSITIONS					6
Section 2.1		Disposition and Joinders			6
ARTICLE III [RESERVED]					7
ARTICLE IV GOVERNANCE AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS					7
Section 4.1		Board Composition			7
Section 4.2		Matters Requiring Approval of the Sponsor Fund			9
Section 4.3		Assurances			10
ARTICLE V NOTICES					10
Section 5.1		Notices			10
ARTICLE VI CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS					11
Section 6.1		Books and Records; Access			11
Section 6.2		Sharing of Information			12
Section 6.3		Confidential Information			12
Section 6.4		Antitrust and Regulatory Matters			14
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS					15
Section 7.1		GOVERNING LAW			15
Section 7.2		Binding Effect			15
Section 7.3		Amendment			15
Section 7.4		Termination			15
Section 7.5		Specific Performance			16
Section 7.6		Counterparts			16
Section 7.7		Severability			16
Section 7.8		Further Assurances			16
Section 7.9		Submission to Jurisdiction			16
Section 7.10		Waiver			17
Section 7.11		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			17
Section 7.12		Entire Agreement			17
Section 7.13		No Third Party Beneficiaries			18
Section 7.14		Changes in Company Group Equity Securities			18
Section 7.15		No Recourse			18
Section 7.16		Issuance of Additional Units to the ABRY Investor			18
Section 7.17		Aggregation of Units			19
Section 7.18		Assignment			19

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AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of    , 2020 (this “Agreement”), by and among (i) RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (ii) DPH 123, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Datapipe”), (iii) ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ACE”), (iv) AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“AP VIII Holdings,” and together with any other member of the Apollo Group to whom Company Group Equity Securities are Disposed or that otherwise owns or acquires record or beneficial ownership of Company Group Equity Securities (other than any Co-Invest HoldCo, except to the extent provided in Section 7.17), the “Sponsor Fund”), and (v), solely for purposes of Section 4.1, ABRY Partners VIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

WHEREAS, the Company, ACE and the Sponsor Fund have entered into the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (the “Original ACE Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company, Datapipe and the Sponsor Fund have entered into that certain Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2017 (the “Original Datapipe Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon, the date of completion of the initial public offering of the Company, (i) the Company, ACE and the Sponsor Fund wish to enter into the this Agreement, which shall replace and supersede the Original ACE Agreement in its entirety, and (ii) the Company, Datapipe and the Sponsor Fund wish to enter into this Agreement, which shall replace and supersede the Original Datapipe Agreement in each case in its entirety, in each case to set forth their agreements with respect to certain matters concerning the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual consents and obligations hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1    Definitions.

(a)    As used in this Agreement:

“ABRY Investors” means, collectively, ACE and Datapipe and any Permitted Transferee of any ABRY Investor.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, or (b) any Person who is a general partner, member, partner, managing director, manager, officer, director, stockholder or principal of such Person. As used in this definition, the term “control,” including the correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common

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control with,” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) except as otherwise specified herein, none of the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund or the other Holders shall be considered an Affiliate of (i) any portfolio company in which the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund or such other Holders or any of their respective investment fund affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), (ii) any limited partner of, non-managing member of, or other similar direct or indirect investor in, the Apollo Funds or (iii) any portfolio company in which any limited partner of, non-managing member of, or other similar direct or indirect investor in the Apollo Group, the Sponsor Fund, other Holders or any of their respective affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), and none of the Persons described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this definition shall be considered an Affiliate of each other (the exclusion in this clause (1), the “Affiliate Exclusion”), and (2) each of the Holders (other than the Sponsor Fund and any Co-Invest HoldCo) shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Company, the Sponsor Fund or the Apollo Group. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered an “Affiliate” of the Sponsor Fund or any of its Affiliates, AGS shall not be considered such an “Affiliate” of the Sponsor Fund or any of its Affiliates when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person that is, directly or indirectly, controlled by ABRY Partners II, LLC shall be an Affiliate of the ABRY Investors.

“AGS” means Apollo Global Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Antitrust Laws” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 and all other Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or significant impediments or lessening of competition or the creation or strengthening of a dominant position through merger or acquisition, in each case as amended from time to time or any successor thereto.

“Apollo Funds” means Apollo Investment Fund VIII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware 892) VIII, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners (Delaware) VIII, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners VIII, L.P and their respective alternative investment vehicles.

“Apollo Group” means Apollo Management VIII, L.P. and AP VIII Holdings, collectively with each of their respective Affiliates (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall apply to all uses of the term “Apollo Group” in this Agreement unless otherwise specified). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered a member of the “Apollo Group”, AGS shall not be considered such a member of the “Apollo Group” when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business.

“Apollo Group Related Person” means (x) any member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) or (y) any Person who is a general partner, partner, managing director, manager, officer, director, employee or principal of any member of the Apollo Group (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) (including any Apollo Board Nominee) or any Affiliate (disregarding the

 

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Affiliate Exclusion) of any of the foregoing (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall be disregarded for purposes of all uses of the term “Apollo Group Related Person” in this Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that AGS would be considered an “Apollo Group Related Person”, AGS shall not be considered such an “Apollo Group Related Person” when AGS acts as a broker-dealer, underwriter, placement agent, initial purchaser, arranger or lender or in any similar role in the ordinary course of its business.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by Law to be closed in the City of New York.

“Bylaws” means the second amended and restated bylaws of the Company, the same as may be amended or restated from time to time.

“Charter” means the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, the same as may be amended or restated from time to time.

“Co-Invest HoldCo” means AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and any other investment fund or account managed or advised by an Affiliate of the Sponsor Fund that is organized for the purpose of co-investing in Company Group Equity Securities alongside AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P. and AP VIII Holdings in the Company.

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

“Company Confidential Information” means any confidential and proprietary information, documents and materials of the Company and its Subsidiaries and all of the foregoing’s respective investors, financing sources, partners, employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants, representatives, analyses, models, securities positions, purchases, sales, investments, activities, business, affairs or other transactions or matter, in each case that are provided by or on behalf of the Company.

“Company Group Equity Securities” means any Equity Securities issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Disposition” means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, exchange, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or sale or any other disposition, of Company Group Equity Securities, or any legal, economic or beneficial interest in any Company Group Equity Securities (in each case, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, whether held in its own right or by its representative and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law). “Dispose” and “Disposed” have correlative meanings.

 

3

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“Equity Securities” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof.

“Governmental Authority” means any international, national, federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal, arbitral body or self-regulated entity (including any stock exchange), whether domestic or foreign.

“Holder” means any Person holding shares of Common Stock of the Company.

“Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, legislation, constitution, principle of common law, ordinance, code, decree, order, judgment, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority and any order or decision of an applicable arbitrator or arbitration panel.

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 6, 2017, by and among the Company, Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (f.k.a Rackspace Hosting, Inc.), Datapipe, Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, Inception Intermediate, Inc., Inception Parent, Inc., Datapipe Parent, Inc., and, solely with respect to Section 7.13 and Section 11.18 thereof, the Key Stockholders (as defined therein), as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Holder at any time, the percentage reflecting the share of such Holder’s economic interest in the aggregate issued and outstanding Company Group Equity Securities.

“Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to the ABRY Investors, any Affiliate of the ABRY Investors that is not a competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, that in no event shall (x) a portfolio company in which the ABRY Investors or any of their respective Affiliates has made direct or indirect debt or equity investment (and vice versa), (y) any Holder (other than the Sponsor Fund) or (z) any investment fund or vehicle or account managed or advised by an Affiliate of the ABRY Investors (or any successor thereto) that is organized for the purpose of co-investing or syndicating the ABRY Investors’ direct or indirect interest in Company Group Equity Securities to third parties alongside the ABRY Investors be deemed a Permitted Transferee. With respect to any other Holder, “Permitted Transferee” means any Affiliate that is not a competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Person” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), limited liability company, joint stock company, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, firm, Governmental Authority or other enterprise, association, organization or entity of any kind, whether domestic or foreign.

 

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“Representative” means, with respect to any Person, the investors, financing sources, partners, employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants and representatives of such Person.

“Rollover Agreement” means the Rollover Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, by and among Inception TopCo, Inc. and ACE.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Sponsor Fund Confidential Information” means any confidential and proprietary information, documents and materials of the Sponsor Fund and its Subsidiaries and all of the foregoing’s respective investors, financing sources, partners, employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants, representatives, analyses, models, securities positions, purchases, sales, investments, activities, business, affairs or other transactions or matters, in each case that are provided by or on behalf of the Sponsor Fund.

“Subsidiary” means each Person in which another Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, capital stock or other Equity Securities representing more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or other Equity Securities.

(b)    The following additional terms shall have the meanings specified in the indicated Section of this Agreement:

 

Term		Section
ABRY Board Nominee			4.1(c)
ABRY Nomination Condition			4.1(c)
ACE			Preamble
Affiliate Exclusion			1.1(a)
Agreement			Preamble
AP VIII Holdings			Preamble
Apollo Board Nominee			4.1(b)
Company			Preamble
Company Confidential Information			6.3(c)
Datapipe			Preamble
Director			4.1(a)
Information			6.1
Original ACE Agreement			Recitals
Original Datapipe Agreement			Recitals
Receiving Party			6.3(a)
Related Parties			7.15
Related Party			7.15
Sponsor Fund			Preamble
Sponsor Fund Confidential Information			6.3(c)
Sponsor Percentage Interest			4.1(b)

 

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Section 1.2    Interpretation. Interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the following rules of construction: (a) references to the terms Article, Section, paragraph, Annex and Exhibit are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Annexes and Exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including Exhibits hereto; (c) references to “$” or “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars; (d) the words “include,” “includes,” “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (e) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (f) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form; (g) provisions shall apply, when appropriate, to successive events and transactions; (h) the headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (i) each of the Company, AP VIII Holdings and the ABRY Investors has participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening either party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement; (j) a reference to any Person includes such Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (k) references to “days” mean calendar days unless Business Days are expressly specified; (l) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; (m) the terms “party”, “party hereto”, “parties” and “party hereto” shall mean a party to this Agreement and the parties to this Agreement, as applicable, unless otherwise specified; (n) with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including”; (o) any deadline or time period set forth in this Agreement that by its terms ends on a day that is not a Business Day shall be automatically extended to the next succeeding Business Day; and (p) the gender of all words used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all words shall include the singular and plural. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time may be amended, supplemented, restated or modified, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes.

ARTICLE II

DISPOSITIONS

Section 2.1    Disposition and Joinders. When any shares of Common Stock or other Company Group Equity Securities are Disposed of to a Permitted Transferee:

(a)    any Disposition or attempted or purported Disposition by the ABRY Investors in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall not be required to give effect to such attempted or purported Disposition on the books and records of the Company;

 

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(b)    it shall be a condition of any Disposition by the ABRY Investors (A) if the transferee is not a party to this Agreement that such Disposition not be effected unless and until such transferee has entered into a customary joinder agreement to this Agreement and such further documents, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, as may be necessary to make such Person a party hereto and bound by the obligations, and in accordance with Section 7.18(b) entitled to the rights, of the ABRY Investors set forth herein (in each case, in a form satisfactory to the Sponsor Fund in its reasonable discretion), (B) that the ABRY Investors shall have complied with their obligations set forth in this Agreement with respect to such Disposition and (C) such Disposition complies with all requirements of applicable Law; and

(c)    it shall be a condition of any Disposition by the ABRY Investors that the Disposition shall not impose material liability or material reporting obligations on the Company or any Holder in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, or result in the Company or any Holder becoming subject to the jurisdiction of any court or governmental entity anywhere (other than for matters in connection with such Disposition), other than the jurisdictions, courts and governmental entities in which the Company or such Holder, as applicable, is then subject to such liability, reporting obligation or jurisdiction.

ARTICLE III

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNANCE AND ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

Section 4.1    Board Composition.

(a)    General. Each member of the Board (each, a “Director”) of the Company shall serve for the time periods set forth in the Charter or Bylaws. Subject to Section 4.2, without limiting the Sponsor Fund’s or the ABRY Investors’ rights pursuant to this Section 4.1, the Board may increase or decrease its size in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and Bylaws. The Charter and Bylaws and the organizational documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries, as they may be amended from time to time subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not at any time be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)    Nomination by the Sponsor Fund. For so long as the Percentage Interest of the Sponsor Fund (for the avoidance of doubt, together with any Co-Invest HoldCo) (the “Sponsor Percentage Interest”) is at least 5%, the Sponsor Fund shall have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate for election to the Board by the Company’s stockholders a number of Directors (any such nominee, an “Apollo Board Nominee”) that equals the Sponsor Percentage Interest multiplied by the total number of Directors comprising the Board (for the avoidance of doubt, including any vacancies and newly created directorships), and rounded up to the nearest whole number. No delay by the Sponsor Fund in nominating its Apollo Board Nominees shall impair its right to subsequently nominate its Apollo Board Nominees. In the event that the Sponsor Fund has nominated less than the total number of nominees the Sponsor Fund shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 4.1(b), the Sponsor Fund shall have the right, at any time, to nominate such additional nominees to which it is entitled, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary corporate actions, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable

 

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law, to (x) enable the Sponsor Fund to nominate and effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals, whether by increasing the size of the Board, or otherwise, and (y) effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals nominated by the Sponsor Fund to fill such newly-created directorships or to fill any other existing vacancies.

(c)    Nomination by the ABRY Investors. ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. shall have the right, but not the obligation, to nominate for election to the Board by the Company’s stockholders one (1) Director (the “ABRY Board Nominee”) for so long as the ABRY Investors continue to own at least fifty percent (50%) of Company Group Equity Securities purchased and held by the ABRY Investors as of the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (the “ABRY Nomination Condition”), subject to applicable SEC and stock exchange rules and standards. No delay by ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. in nominating an ABRY Board Nominee shall impair its right to subsequently nominate such ABRY Board Nominee. In the event that ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. has not nominated the nominee ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. shall be entitled to nominate pursuant to this Section 4.1(c), ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. shall have the right, at any time, to nominate the nominee to which they are entitled, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary corporate actions, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to (x) enable ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. to nominate and effect the election or appointment of such individual, whether by increasing the size of the Board, or otherwise, and (y) effect the election or appointment of such additional individual nominated by ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. to fill such newly-created directorship or to fill any other existing vacancy. In the event that the ABRY Nomination Condition is no longer satisfied, ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. shall have no right to nominate the ABRY Board Nominee and ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. shall take all actions necessary, appropriate or otherwise requested by the Company or the Sponsor Fund to cause the ABRY Board Nominee to resign or be removed from the Board. The ABRY Board Nominee shall be entitled to the same notice and information rights as all other members of the board of directors (or other similar body) of the Company or its applicable Subsidiary or any member of the applicable committee thereof. The ABRY Investors and the ABRY Board Nominee will be entitled to customary expense reimbursement (including in respect of director expenses) on the same terms as Apollo Group Related Persons (including Apollo Board Nominees) and reasonable expenses of counsel in the event of any action for which legal advice is appropriate, and the ABRY Board Nominee shall be entitled to indemnification, exculpation and advancement on the same terms as the Apollo Board Nominees, as applicable.

(d)    Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause of any Apollo Board Nominee or ABRY Board Nominee, including the failure of any Apollo Board Nominee or ABRY Board Nominee to be elected, the Sponsor Fund or ABRY Partners VIII, L.P., as applicable, shall have the right to designate a replacement to fill such vacancy (but only if the Sponsor Fund or ABRY Partners VIII, L.P., as applicable, would be then entitled to nominate such designee pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c), as applicable). The remaining Directors and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time to cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled by the individual so designated and to cause the Board to elect such designee to the Board as soon as possible.

 

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(e)    Assurances. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of stockholders (and in any election by written consent) called for the purpose of electing directors the persons nominated pursuant to this Section 4.1 and to nominate and recommend each such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, and to use the same efforts to cause the election of such nominees as it uses to cause other nominees recommended by the Board to be elected, including soliciting proxies or consents in favor thereof. The Company is entitled, solely for the purposes set forth in this Section 4.1(e), to identify such individual as an Apollo Board Nominee or an ABRY Board Nominee pursuant to this Agreement. The Company and the Directors shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time so that (i) an Apollo Board Nominee will not be removed from the Board without the approval of the Sponsor Fund, so long as the Sponsor Percentage Interest is at least 5% and (ii) an ABRY Board Nominee will not be removed from the Board without the approval of ABRY Partners VIII, L.P. (provided, that the ABRY Nomination Condition is satisfied).

(f)    Corporate Opportunities. The Charter (and equivalent organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company) shall at all times include a waiver of any interest or expectancy of the Company or any such Subsidiary in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity, and of any other “corporate opportunity” or similar restriction, in favor of the ABRY Investors, the Sponsor Fund, and their respective Affiliates (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion) and the respective Representatives of the foregoing to the fullest extent permitted by law, including pursuant to Section 122(17) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 4.2    Matters Requiring Approval of the Sponsor Fund. For so long as the Sponsor Percentage Interest is at least 33%, without the prior written approval of the Sponsor Fund, the Company shall not, and shall (to the extent applicable) cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

(a)    increase or decrease the size of the Board;

(b)    incur indebtedness for borrowed money, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, aggregating to more than $100 million, except for (i) borrowings under a revolving credit facility that has previously been approved or is in existence (with no increase in maximum availability) on the date of closing of the Company’s initial public offering or (ii) intercompany indebtedness;

(c)    issue additional Common Stock or Company Group Equity Securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries where the value of any such issuance exceeds $50 million in any single issuance, or an aggregate amount of $100 million during a calendar year, other than (A) any award under any stockholder-approved equity compensation plan or (B) any intra-company issuance among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

(d)    other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, enter into or effect any (A) acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the equity interests or assets of any Person, or the acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, properties, assets, or Persons, in one transaction or a series of related transactions or (B) disposition of assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or the shares or other equity interests of any Subsidiary, in each case where the amount of consideration for any such acquisition or disposition exceeds $50 million in any single transaction, or an aggregate amount of $100 million in any series of transactions during a calendar year;

 

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(e)    hire or terminate the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company or designate any Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

(f)    merge or consolidate with or into any other entity, or transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise) all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another entity, or enter into or agree to undertake any transaction that would constitute a “Change of Control” (or similar term) as defined in the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ principal credit facilities or note indentures (other than, in each case, transactions among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries);

(g)    undertake any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

(h)    effect any material change in the nature of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

(i)    amend, modify or repeal (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) any provision of the Charter, the Bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of its Subsidiaries in a manner that adversely affects any affiliates of the Sponsor Fund.

Section 4.3    Assurances. The Company and the Directors shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take all actions necessary at any time and from time to time ensure that the Charter and Bylaws and the organizational documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries facilitate and implement the terms and conditions of, and do not at any time conflict with any provision of, this Agreement.

ARTICLE V

NOTICES

Section 5.1    Notices. In the event a notice or other document is required to be sent hereunder to the Company, to the Sponsor Fund or to the ABRY Investors, as applicable, such notice or other document shall be given in writing, shall be either personally delivered to the Company, to the Sponsor Fund or to the ABRY Investors, as applicable, or delivered by an established delivery service by which receipts are given or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by electronic mail, addressed to the party entitled to receive such notice or other document pursuant to the contact information for each party set forth on Annex I hereto. All notices, other communications or documents shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) when sent, if by electronic mail (except if any error or “bounce back” electronic mail message is received by the sender and, in such case, upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice or document is being sent); (iii) five (5) Business Days after having been deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first class mail; and

 

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(iv) on the first Business Day with respect to which a reputable air courier guarantees delivery; provided, however, that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Company, the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors agrees to receive notice under the Charter and Bylaws or under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or under the organizational documents and applicable entity law of any Subsidiary of the Company, by electronic transmission at the e-mail address on file with the Company, and the ABRY Investors covenant and agree to keep a current e-mail address on file with the Company for such purpose.

ARTICLE VI

CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS

Section 6.1    Books and Records; Access. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books, records and accounts, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject to Section 6.3 hereof. For each of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, for so long as they beneficially owns 3% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, permit the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, and, in each case, its respective designated representatives, at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to inspect, review and/or make copies and extracts from the books and records of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries with the officers of the Company or any such Subsidiary. For each of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, for so long as it beneficially owns 3% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Company, upon the written request of the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, provide the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, in addition to other information that might be reasonably requested by the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, from time to time, (i) direct access to the Company’s auditors and officers, (ii) quarter-end reports to be provided within 45 days after the end of each quarter, (iii) copies of all materials provided to the Board (or committee of the Board) at the same time as provided to the Directors (or members of a committee of the Board), (iv) access to appropriate officers and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such times as may be requested by the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, as the case may be, for consultation with the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (v) information in advance with respect to any significant corporate actions, including, without limitation, extraordinary dividends, stock redemptions or repurchases, mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, issuances of significant amounts of debt or equity and material amendments to the Charter or Bylaws or the organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, and to provide the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors, as applicable, with the right to consult with the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such actions, (vi) flash data to be provided within ten days after the end of each quarter and (vii) to the extent otherwise prepared by the Company, operating and capital expenditure budgets and periodic information packages relating to the operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries (all such information so furnished pursuant to this Section 6.1, the “Information”); provided, that each of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors may waive, in their sole discretion, in whole

 

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or in part, any right to receive all or any portion of the Information contemplated by this Section 6.1 at any time. The Company agrees to consider, in good faith, the recommendations of the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors in connection with the matters on which the Company is consulted as described above. Subject to Section 6.2, any Affiliate of the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors (and any party receiving Information from the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investor) who shall receive Information shall maintain the confidentiality of such Information in accordance with Section 6.3, and the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged Information of the Company so long as the Company has used its commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors without the loss of any such privilege.

Section 6.2    Sharing of Information. Individuals associated with each of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors may from time to time serve on the Board or the equivalent governing body of the Company’s Subsidiaries. The Company, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, recognizes that such individuals (a) will from time to time receive non-public information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries and (b) may (subject to the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance with Section 6.3) share such information with other individuals associated with the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable. Such sharing will be for the dual purpose of facilitating support to such individuals in their capacity as Directors (or members of the governing body of any Subsidiary) and enabling the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable, as equityholders, to better evaluate the Company’s performance and prospects. The Company, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby irrevocably consents to such sharing.

Section 6.3    Confidential Information.

(a)    Confidentiality Obligations. Each of the ABRY Investors and the Sponsor Fund agrees that all Company Confidential Information is proprietary and confidential to the Company, the ABRY Investors agree that all Sponsor Fund Confidential Information is proprietary and confidential to the Sponsor Fund. The (x) ABRY Investors (on behalf of themselves, their Affiliates and their Representatives) agree that they will not, during or after the term of this Agreement, whether through an Affiliate, Representative or otherwise, use Sponsor Fund Confidential Information or Company Confidential Information or disclose Sponsor Fund Confidential Information or Company Confidential Information to any Person for any reason or purpose whatsoever, and (y) the Sponsor Fund (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates and its Representatives) agrees that it will not, during or after the term of this Agreement, whether through an Affiliate, Representative or otherwise, use Company Confidential Information or disclose Company Confidential Information to any Person for any reason or purpose whatsoever (the ABRY Investors in clause (x) and the Sponsor Fund in clause (y), the “Receiving Party”) except:

(i)    to authorized representatives and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries and as otherwise is proper in the course of performing the Receiving Party’s obligations hereunder or under any other agreement between such Receiving Party and the Company or its Subsidiaries, or as a member of the board of directors of any of the foregoing for the purpose of discharging such member’s fiduciary or other duties to the Company or its Subsidiaries, provided such member acts in good faith and in a manner such member reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

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(ii)    as part of such Receiving Party’s bona fide reporting or review procedures, or in connection with such Receiving Party’s or its Affiliates’ bona fide fund raising or marketing (subject to the recipients thereof being bound by substantially similar confidentiality obligations and use restrictions as set forth herein);

(iii)    in accordance with Section 6.2;

(iv)    to such Receiving Party’s (or any of its Affiliates’ (other than, with respect to the ABRY Investors, their portfolio companies)) Affiliates (other than, with respect to the ABRY Investors, their portfolio companies), Representatives, agents, auditors, attorneys or other advisors on a “need to know” basis; provided, that the Receiving Party shall notify such Persons of the confidential nature of such Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, and its obligations hereunder and instruct such Persons to abide by the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein applicable to such Persons (unless such advisors are otherwise already bound by a duty of confidentiality to such Receiving Party);

(v)    in the case of Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the Receiving Party or assets of the Receiving Party or its Affiliates or the Company Group Equity Securities held by such Holder, or bona fide prospective merger partner of such Receiving Party or its Affiliates; provided, that such bona fide prospective purchaser or bona fide prospective merger partner agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 6.3 in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Sponsor Fund;

(vi)    in connection with the performance of any party’s obligations under this Agreement;

(vii)    in the case of the Sponsor Fund, to the limited partners of the Co-Invest Holdco; or

(viii)    as is required to be disclosed by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative body or governmental body, or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by law, rule or regulation (including as part of any governmental or regulatory investigation or review, or to comply with SEC rules or regulations); provided, that the Receiving Party required to make such disclosure shall, to the extent legally permissible, provide to the Company and the Sponsor Fund prompt written notice of any such requirement and shall cooperate with the Company and the Sponsor Fund in seeking a protective order or other appropriate remedy, to the extent applicable.

(b)    Compliance of and Liability for Affiliates and Representatives. Each of the Sponsor Fund, the Company, Co-Invest HoldCo and the ABRY Investors shall cause their respective Affiliates to abide by and comply with the provisions of this Section 6.3. The ABRY Investors shall (i) with respect to the Company Confidential Information, be liable to the Company for any and all breaches of the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein by the

 

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ABRY Investors, their Affiliates and their Representatives and (ii) with respect to the Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, be liable to the Sponsor Fund, in each case, for any and all breaches of the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth herein by the ABRY Investors, their Affiliates and their Representatives. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or otherwise, any liability for breach of this Section 6.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall continue in effect forthwith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person (including any investment fund managed by the Receiving Party or its Affiliates or any portfolio company of any such investment fund) shall be deemed to be a Representative of the Receiving Party for purposes of this Section 6.3 or have any obligation hereunder unless such Person actually receives Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, from, or on behalf of, the Receiving Party. Further, no Affiliate or portfolio company of the Receiving Party shall be deemed to be a Representative hereunder for purposes of this Section 6.3 solely due to the fact that one of the Receiving Party’s employees who has received or had access to Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, serves as an officer or member of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Affiliate or portfolio company; provided, that such employee does not provide Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable, to the other directors, officers or employees of such Affiliate or portfolio company.

(c)    For purposes of this Section 6.3, “Company Confidential Information” and “Sponsor Fund Confidential Information” shall not include, with respect to any Person, information: (A) which such Person (or its Affiliates) can demonstrate was already in the possession of such Person (or its Affiliates) prior to its receipt from the Company or any Subsidiary thereof lawfully and from a source actually known by such Person not to be subject to any confidentiality obligation to such Person, the Company, Sponsor Fund, their respective Affiliates or the foregoing’s respective Representatives, (B) which such Person (or its Affiliates) can demonstrate was learned from sources other than the Company, the Sponsor Fund, their respective Affiliates or the foregoing’s respective Representatives and, that to the knowledge of such Person (or its Affiliates), is not bound by any duty of confidentiality to any Person in respect of such information, after such information was disclosed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, (C) which is or becomes generally available to the public or the participants in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries participate, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Person, any of its Affiliates or any of its or its Affiliates’ respective Representatives in violation hereof or (D) which is independently developed by such Person or its Affiliates without use, reliance upon or reference to Company Confidential Information or Sponsor Fund Confidential Information, as applicable.

Section 6.4    Antitrust and Regulatory Matters. The ABRY Investors shall use reasonable efforts to provide the following support to the Company in connection with information requests relating to applicable Antitrust Laws:

(a)    the ABRY Investors shall use reasonable efforts to timely provide information that is accurate in all material respects to any Governmental Authority in response to any request from any such Governmental Authority in connection with applicable Antitrust Laws;

 

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(b)    the ABRY Investors shall use reasonable efforts to file any notification filings, forms and submissions with any Governmental Authority pursuant to applicable Antitrust Laws; and

(c)    the ABRY Investors shall use reasonable efforts to otherwise cooperate in connection with the parties’ compliance with applicable Antitrust Laws.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1    GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT EVEN IF, UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

Section 7.2    Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, each of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 7.3    Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented, and any provision hereof may be waived, from time to time by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Sponsor Fund; provided, however, that any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall require the consent of the ABRY Investors if such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver (a) would adversely affect the ABRY Investors in any respect or (b) would disproportionately benefit any other Holder or confer any benefit on any other Holder to which the ABRY Investors would not be entitled. Upon obtaining any such consent and without any further action or execution by the ABRY Investors, (x) any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in writing executed solely by the Company and the Sponsor Fund and (y) each other party to this Agreement shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any addition of a transferee of Company Group Equity Securities in accordance with Article II shall not constitute an amendment hereto and need be signed only by the Company and such transferee or recipient.

Section 7.4    Termination. Unless earlier terminated by the mutual agreement of all the parties hereto, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to each of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable, upon such time as it ceases to own any Company Group Equity Securities. Except as otherwise provided herein, if the Sponsor Fund or the ABRY Investors Dispose of all of their Company Group Equity Securities, the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable, shall cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall have no further rights

 

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or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable, pursuant hereto following the termination of this Agreement until the obligations of the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors, as applicable, have been performed in full.

Section 7.5    Specific Performance. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of this Agreement will be inadequate, agrees that each other party to this Agreement shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in case of any such breach or attempted breach and further agrees to waive (to the extent legally permissible) any legal conditions required to be met for the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief (including posting any bond in order to obtain equitable relief). Each party to this Agreement further agrees not to raise as a defense or objection to the request or granting of such relief that any breach of this Agreement is or would be compensable by an award of money damages or that there is an adequate remedy at law.

Section 7.6    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or.pdf signature which shall constitute an original for all purposes.

Section 7.7    Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, and such invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions shall be null and void as to such jurisdiction. It is the intent of the parties, however, that any invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions be automatically replaced by other provisions which are as similar as possible in terms to such invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable provisions but are valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Section 7.8    Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 7.9    Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery or, in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or, in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter

 

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based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the addresses set forth in Annex I shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section 7.9 that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction. Each party hereto expressly acknowledges that the foregoing waiver is intended to be irrevocable under the Laws of the State of Delaware and of the United States of America; provided, that each such party’s consent to jurisdiction and service contained in this Section 7.9 is solely for the purpose referred to in this Section 7.9 and shall not be deemed to be a general submission to said courts or in the State of Delaware other than for such purpose.

Section 7.10    Waiver. No course of dealing between or among the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Sponsor Fund and the ABRY Investors (or any of them) or any delay in exercising any rights hereunder will operate as a waiver of any rights of any party to this Agreement. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement will in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and will not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

Section 7.11    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN.

Section 7.12    Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Agreement and the Rollover Agreement set forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous and contemporaneous agreements among all

 

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or some of the parties hereto, whether written, oral or otherwise, as to such subject matter, including the Original ACE Agreement and the Original Datapipe Agreement. Unless otherwise provided herein, any consent required by any party hereto may be withheld by such party in its sole and absolute discretion.

Section 7.13    No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the provisions in this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any Person other than the parties to this Agreement, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and, with respect to Section 7.15 only, Related Parties. The covenants and agreements contained herein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto.

Section 7.14    Changes in Company Group Equity Securities. If, and as often as, there are any changes in Company Group Equity Securities by way of a dividend, distribution, stock split or combination, reclassification, recapitalization, exchange or readjustment, whether in a merger, consolidation, conversion or similar transaction, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to Company Group Equity Securities as so changed.

Section 7.15    No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement or otherwise, and notwithstanding the fact that certain Holders may be partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or other entities, each party hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered by any Person pursuant hereto or otherwise shall be had against any of the Sponsor Fund’s, any Co-Invest HoldCo’s, Apollo Group’s (disregarding the Affiliate Exclusion), the ABRY Investors’ or any of the foregoing’s respective Affiliates’ former, current or future direct or indirect equity holders, controlling Persons, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, Affiliates, members, financing sources, managers, general or limited partners or assignees (each, a “Related Party,” and, collectively, the “Related Parties”) (it being agreed that the Affiliate Exclusion shall be disregarded for purposes of all uses of the terms “Related Party” and “Related Parties” in this Agreement), in each case other than (subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to the provisions of this Agreement) each party hereto or any of its respective assignees under this Agreement, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the Related Parties, as such, for any obligation or liability of any party hereto or any of its respective assignees under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered by any Person pursuant hereto for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or liabilities or their creation; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7.15 shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of any party hereto or any of its respective assignees for any breach or violation of its obligations under such agreements, documents or instruments.

Section 7.16    Issuance of Additional Units to the ABRY Investor. If additional Company Group Equity Securities are issued to the ABRY Investors or the Sponsor Fund at any time during the term of this Agreement, either directly or upon the exercise or exchange of securities or loans of the Company (or its Subsidiary, as applicable) exercisable for or

 

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exchangeable into Company Group Equity Securities, such additional Company Group Equity Securities, as a condition to their issuance, shall become subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Section 7.17    Aggregation of Units. All Company Group Equity Securities beneficially owned by (a) the ABRY Investors and their Permitted Transferees shall be aggregated together and (b) the Sponsor Fund, any Co-Invest HoldCo and their Affiliates shall be aggregated together, in each case, for purposes of determining the rights or obligations of the ABRY Investors or the Sponsor Fund, respectively, or the application of any restrictions to the ABRY Investors or the Sponsor Fund, respectively, under this Agreement in each instance in which such right, obligation or restriction is determined in respect of or with reference to any Percentage Interest or ownership of Company Group Equity Securities, including in connection with any rights pursuant to Article IV. All rights held by the ABRY Investors, their Affiliates or their Permitted Transferees under this Agreement shall be exercised solely by the ABRY Investors.

Section 7.18    Assignment.

(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Sponsor Fund may assign its rights or obligations, in whole or in part, under this Agreement to any member of the Apollo Group. In the event that any additional member of the Apollo Group (other than any Co-Invest HoldCo) becomes an owner of Company Group Equity Securities, such Person shall, as a condition to acquiring such Company Group Equity Securities, become party to this Agreement and this Agreement shall be amended and restated to provide that such Person or a designee of such Person shall have the same rights and obligations of the Sponsor Fund hereunder to the extent of such Person’s ownership of Company Group Equity Securities.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the ABRY Investors may assign, in connection with a Disposition otherwise permitted hereby, (x) any of its rights or obligations to any Permitted Transferee or (y) any of its rights (other than the rights set forth in Article IV) to any transferee of Company Group Equity Securities to whom the ABRY Investors Dispose of at least fifty percent (50%) of Company Group Equity Securities that it holds as of the date of this Agreement (subject to Section 7.14). For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the ABRY Investors shall be prohibited from assigning to any Person any right contained in this Agreement.

[Signature pages follow.]

 

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This Agreement is executed by the Company and by the other parties hereto to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
SPONSOR FUND
AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:		AP VIII Inception Holdings GP, LLC, its
		general partner
By:
Name:
Title:

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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ACE
ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
Name:
Title:

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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DATAPIPE
DPH 123, LLC
By:
Name:
Title:

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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Solely for purposes of Section 4.1:
ABRY PARTNERS VIII, L.P.
By:		ABRY VIII Capital Partners, L.P.
Its:		General Partner
By:		ABRY VIII Capital Investments, LLC
Its:		General Partner
By:
Name:		Rob Nicewicz
Title:		Authorized Signatory

Signature Page to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Investor Rights Agreement

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ANNEX I

ADDRESSES FOR NOTICE

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attention: Stefanie Box, Assistant Secretary & Deputy General Counsel

AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201

Purchase, New York 10577

Attention: Laurie D. Medley, Vice President

With respect to each of Rackspace Technology, Inc. and AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P., with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer and Brian Scrivani

Email: tzeitzer@paulweiss.com and bscrivani@paulweiss.com

 

Annex I-1

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ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC

c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC

888 Boylston Street

Suite 1600

Boston, MA 02199

Attention:		Brian S. Jean
Facsimile:		(617) 859-8797

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention:		Armand A. Della Monica, P.C.
		Joshua Kogan, P.C.
Facsimile: (212) 446-4900
Email:		armand.dellamonica@kirkland.com joshua.kogan@kirkland.com

 

Annex I-2

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DPH 123, LLC

c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC

888 Boylston Street

Suite 1600

Boston, MA 02199

Attention: Brian St. Jean

Facsimile: (617) 859-8797

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Armand A. Della Monica, P.C.

                 Joshua Kogan, P.C.

Facsimile: (212) 446-4900

Email: armand.dellamonica@kirkland.com

            joshua.kogan@kirkland.com

 

Annex I-3

Exhibit 10.8

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

among

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

AND

THE HOLDERS PARTY HERETO

DATED            , 2020

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS					1
Section 1.1		Definitions			1
ARTICLE II DEMAND AND SHELF REGISTRATION					5
Section 2.1		Right to Demand; Demand Notices			5
Section 2.2		Shelf Registration			7
Section 2.3		Deferral or Suspension of Registration			11
Section 2.4		Effective Registration Statement			12
Section 2.5		Selection of Underwriters; Cutback			13
Section 2.6		Lock-up			14
Section 2.7		Participation in Underwritten Offering; Information by Holder			15
Section 2.8		Registration Expenses			15
ARTICLE III PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION					16
Section 3.1		Notices			16
Section 3.2		Underwriter’s Cutback			17
Section 3.3		Company Control			18
Section 3.4		Selection of Underwriters			18
Section 3.5		Withdrawal of Registration			18
ARTICLE IV REGISTRATION PROCEDURES					19
Section 4.1		Registration Procedures			19
ARTICLE V INDEMNIFICATION					23
Section 5.1		Indemnification by the Company			23
Section 5.2		Indemnification by Selling Investors			23
Section 5.3		Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings			24
Section 5.4		Settlement Offers			25
Section 5.5		Other Indemnification			25
Section 5.6		Contribution			25
ARTICLE VI EXCHANGE ACT COMPLIANCE					25
Section 6.1		Exchange Act Compliance			25
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION					26
Section 7.1		Termination			26
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS					26
Section 8.1		Severability			26
Section 8.2		Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial			27
Section 8.3		Other Registration Rights			27
Section 8.4		Successors and Assigns			27
Section 8.5		Notices			28
Section 8.6		Headings			30

 

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Section 8.7		Additional Parties			30
Section 8.8		Adjustments			30
Section 8.9		Entire Agreement			30
Section 8.10		Counterparts; Facsimile or.pdf Signature			30
Section 8.11		Amendment			30
Section 8.12		Extensions; Waivers			30
Section 8.13		Further Assurances			31
Section 8.14		No Third-Party Beneficiaries			31
Section 8.15		Interpretation; Construction			31

 

 

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THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of      , 2020 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor entity thereto, the “Company”), and each of the Holders (as defined below) that are parties hereto from time to time.

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement in order to grant certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual consents and obligations hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

“Adoption Agreement” shall mean an Adoption Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. As used in this definition, the term “control,” including the correlative terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective joint ventures (if any) shall not be considered Affiliates of any Holder, (b) no Holder shall be considered an Affiliate of (i) any portfolio company in which investment funds affiliated with such Holder have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa), (ii) any limited partners, non-managing members of, or other similar direct or indirect investors in such Holder or its investment fund affiliates, (iii) any portfolio company in which any limited partner, non-managing member of, or other similar direct or indirect investor in such Holder or any of its investment fund affiliates have made a debt or equity investment (and vice versa) or (iv) any other Holder (other than each of the Apollo Stockholders may be an Affiliate of one another and each SCP Investor may be an Affiliate of one another), and none of the Persons described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this definition shall be considered an Affiliate of each other and (c) without giving effect to the exception set forth in the beginning of this sentence, no Holder shall be considered an Affiliate of the Persons described in clauses (a) and/or (b) of this definition (and vice versa).

“Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the introductory paragraph.

“Apollo Stockholders” shall mean AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P., AP Inception Co-Invest, L.P. and each of their permitted successors and assigns.

“Assignee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4.

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“Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 (or successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“beneficially owned”, “beneficial ownership” and similar phrases have the same meanings as such terms have under Rule 13d-3 (or any successor rule then in effect) under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any Holder, such Holder shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Holder has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable upon the occurrence of a subsequent event.

“Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

“Common Stock” shall mean, collectively, the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, any additional security paid, issued or distributed in respect of any such shares by way of a dividend, stock split or distribution, or in connection with a combination of shares, and any security into which such Common Stock or additional securities shall have been converted or exchanged in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, exchange, distribution or otherwise.

“Control,” and its correlative meanings, “Controlling,” and “Controlled,” shall mean the possession, direct or indirect (including through one or more intermediaries), of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Datapipe Investor” means DPH 123, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Demand Holder” shall mean each of (i) the Apollo Stockholders, (ii) the SCP Investor, (iii) the Datapipe Investor and (iv) each Transferee of an Apollo Stockholder, the SCP Investor or the Datapipe Investor to whom an Apollo Stockholder, the SCP Investor or the Datapipe Investor, as applicable, has Transferred rights in accordance with Section 2.1(a) and Section 8.4.

“Demand Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(b).

“Demand Registration” shall mean a registration of Shares pursuant to Section 2.1.

“Demand Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(a).

“Determination Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(e).

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or any successor regulatory authority.

“Holders” shall mean the holders of Registrable Securities who are parties hereto (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Transferees of such Holders that acquire Registrable Securities in accordance with Section 8.4 and execute an Adoption Agreement in accordance with Section 8.4).

“Information” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.1(h).

“Initial Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1.

“Inspectors” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.1(i).

“Investor Shelf Holders” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c)(i).

“Lock-up Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.6(a).

“Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c)(ii).

“Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(d).

“Person” shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Piggyback Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1(a).

“Piggyback Registration” shall mean any registration pursuant to Section 3.1(a).

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the securities covered by such Registration Statement and, in each case, by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective amendments and, in each case, all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

“Records” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.1(i).

“Registrable Securities” shall mean, with respect to any Holder, at any time, the Shares held or beneficially owned by such Holder at such time or which such Holder has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of any option, warrant or right or the conversion or exchange of any convertible or exchangeable security held by such Holder at such time, regardless of whether then exercisable, convertible or exchangeable; provided, however, that as to any Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) upon the sale thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement, (ii) upon the sale thereof pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act, (iii) when the Holder of such securities holds less than one percent (1%)

 

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of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (determined as the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder with all of its Affiliates) and such securities are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) without compliance with the manner of sale, volume and other limitations under such rule and are not otherwise subject to any transfer restriction, (iv) when such securities cease to be outstanding or (v) if such securities shall have been otherwise transferred and new certificates or book-entries for them not bearing a legend restricting transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and such securities may be publicly resold without registration under the Securities Act.

“Registration Statement” shall mean any Registration Statement of the Company which covers the Registrable Securities, including any preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

“Requesting Holder” shall mean the Holder exercising a Demand Right.

“Restricted Shelf Take-Down” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c)(iii).

“Restricted Shelf Take-Down Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c)(iii).

“Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or successor rule).

“SCP Investor” shall mean, collectively, Searchlight Capital II, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership, and Searchlight Capital II PV, L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Selling Investors” shall mean the Holders selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement under this Agreement.

“Selling Investors’ Counsel” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

“Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock and shall also include any security of the Company issued in respect of or in exchange for such securities of the Company, whether by way of dividend or other distribution, split, recapitalization, merger, rollup transaction, consolidation or reorganization.

“Shelf Holder” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(b).

“Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(a).

“Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(a).

“Shelf Take-Down” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(b).

 

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“Short-Form Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement, as it may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor form.

“Subsidiary” shall mean each Person in which another Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, capital stock or other equity interests representing more than 50% in voting power of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests.

“Take-Down Participation Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c)(iv).

“Transfer” shall mean any direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift, bequest by will or under intestacy laws, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance, or any other disposition, of the stated security (or any interest therein or right thereto, including the issuance of any total return swap or other derivative whose economic value is primarily based upon the value of the stated security) or of all or part of the voting power (other than the granting of a revocable proxy) associated with the stated security (or any interest therein) whatsoever, or any other transfer of beneficial ownership of the stated security, with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law).

“Transferee” shall mean a Person acquiring Shares pursuant to a Transfer.

“Underwritten Offering” shall mean a sale, on the Company’s or any Holder’s behalf, of Shares by the Company or a Holder to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

“Underwritten Shelf Take-Down” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c).

“Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(c).

“Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” shall mean a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 (or successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE II

DEMAND AND SHELF REGISTRATION

Section 2.1 Right to Demand; Demand Notices.

(a) Holders’ Demand for Registration. Subject to the provisions of this Article II, at any time and from time to time, each Demand Holder shall have the right to request in writing that the Company register the sale under the Securities Act of all or part of the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Demand Holder or its Affiliates (a “Demand Right”). Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(i) each Apollo Stockholder shall have an unlimited number of Demand Rights; provided, that, subject to Section 8.4, each Apollo Stockholder may provide a Transferee with the following Demand Rights: (A) no Demand Rights if such Transferee acquires less than 5% of the outstanding Shares, (B) one Demand Right if such Transferee acquires at least 5% but not more than 15% of the outstanding Shares and (C) two Demand Rights if such Transferee acquires at least 15% of the outstanding Shares;

 

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(ii) the SCP Investor shall have, in the aggregate, three Demand Rights and the Datapipe Investor shall have one Demand Right (in each case, reduced by the number of Underwritten Shelf Take-Downs that such Holder initiates under Section 2.2(c)); provided, that no Demand Registration shall be deemed to be a Demand Registration for the purposes of this clause (ii) if the SCP Investor or Datapipe Investor, as applicable, requesting such Demand Registration is not able to sell all of the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold therein as a result of the participation of any other Holder in such Demand Registration or the application of Section 2.5(b); provided, further, that, (A) the Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any Demand Registration at the request of the SCP Investor or the Datapipe Investor until the one-year anniversary of the closing of the Company’s initial public offering unless (x) the Company is eligible to file a Shelf Registration Statement using a Short-Form Registration Statement and the Lock-up Period relating to the initial public offering has expired or (y) the prior written consent of the Company is obtained, or (B) unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company, the Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect more than one Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Take-Down at the request of the SCP Investor in any 12-month period and (C) subject to Section 8.4, the SCP Investor and the Datapipe Investor each may provide a Transferee with all of (or in the case of the SCP Investor, a portion of) its remaining Demand Rights so long as the SCP Investor or the Datapipe Investor, as applicable, Transfers at least 50% of the Shares that it holds as of the date of this Agreement (subject, in each case, to Section 8.16) to such Transferee;

(iii) a Demand Right may be exercised only if (x) the aggregate offering price of the Shares to be sold by the Demand Holder and its Affiliates in the applicable offering (before deduction of underwriter discounts and commissions) is reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $66.0 million or (y) such Demand Right is exercised with respect to all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demand Holder; provided, that if the Company has previously effected a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.1, the Company shall not be required to effect an additional Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 until a period of 75 days shall have elapsed from the date on which such previous registration became effective.

(b) Demand Notices. All requests made pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be made by providing written notice to the Company (each such written notice, a “Demand Notice”), which notice shall (i) specify the aggregate number and class or classes of Registrable Securities proposed to be registered by the Demand Holder (and its Affiliates) providing such Demand Notice and (ii) state the intended methods of disposition in the offering (including whether or not such offering shall be an Underwritten Offering).

(c) Demand Filing. Subject to Section 2.3, promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after receipt of any Demand Notice, the Company shall give written notice of the Demand Notice to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and otherwise comply with Section 3.1. Subject to Section 2.3, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to file the registration statement in respect of a Demand Notice as soon as practicable and, in any event, within 90 days after receiving a Demand Notice and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the same to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable after such filing.

 

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(d) Demand Registration Form. Registrations under this Section 2.1 shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission that the Company is eligible to use (i) as reasonably requested by the Requesting Holder (which form may include a confidential submission if permitted under applicable rules of the Commission) and (ii) as shall permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition specified in the Demand Notice. If, in connection with any registration under this Section 2.1 that is requested by the Requesting Holder to be on a Short-Form Registration Statement, the managing underwriter, if any, shall advise the Company that in its opinion, or if the Company independently determines in good faith, the use of another permitted form is of material importance to the success of the offering, then such registration shall be permitted to be on such other permitted form.

(e) Demand Withdrawal. A Requesting Holder may withdraw all or any portion of its Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration by providing written notice to the Company at least five (5) Business Days prior to the earliest of (i) effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement, (ii) the filing of any Registration Statement relating to such Demand Registration that includes a pricing range or (iii) the commencement of a roadshow relating to the Registration Statement for such Demand Registration, and no such registration shall be counted for purposes of determining the number of Demand Registrations to which such Requesting Holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.1(a) if the Requesting Holder withdraws all of its Registrable Securities from such Demand Registration.

Section 2.2 Shelf Registration.

(a) Filing. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) from and after such time as the Company shall have qualified for the use of a Short-Form Registration Statement, upon the written request by the Apollo Stockholders or the SCP Investor, (A) subject to Section 2.3, promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after receipt of any such written request, the Company shall give written notice to all other Holders of Registrable Securities and otherwise comply with Section 3.1; provided, however, that the Apollo Stockholders may request the inclusion of their Registrable Securities in such Shelf Registration Statement at any time or from time to time, and the Company shall add such Registrable Securities and the securities of any other Holder designated by the Company to the Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as practicable, and (B) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 60 days with the Commission a Short-Form Registration Statement (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) to register the sale of all or a portion of the Registrable Securities then outstanding on a delayed or continuous basis in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration”) and (ii) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective the Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as practicable after such filing. In no event shall the Company be required to file, and maintain effectiveness of, more than one Shelf Registration Statement at any one time pursuant to this Section 2.2. For the avoidance of doubt, no request for the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) shall count as a Demand Registration for purposes of Section 2.1(a).

 

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(b) Shelf Take-Downs. Any Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in an effective Shelf Registration Statement (a “Shelf Holder”) may initiate an offering or sale of all or part of such Registrable Securities (a “Shelf Take-Down”), in which case the provisions of this Section 2.2 shall apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(i) any such Shelf Holder may initiate an unlimited number of Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Downs pursuant to Section 2.2(d) below; provided, that such Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Downs do not constitute an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down;

(ii) each Apollo Stockholder may initiate an unlimited number of Underwritten Offerings (including any block trade) pursuant to Section 2.2(c) below; provided, that, subject to Section 8.4, each Apollo Stockholder may provide a Transferee with the following Underwritten Shelf Take-Down rights: (A) such Transferee may not initiate any Underwritten Offerings (including any block trade) if such Transferee acquires less than 5% of the outstanding Shares, (B) such Transferee may initiate one Underwritten Offering (including any block trade) pursuant to Section 2.2(c) below if such Transferee acquires at least 5% but not more than 15% of the outstanding Shares and (C) such Transferee may initiate up to two Underwritten Offerings (including any block trade) pursuant to Section 2.2(c) below if such Transferee acquires at least 15% of the outstanding Shares; and

(iii) the SCP Investor may initiate, in the aggregate, up to three Underwritten Offerings and the Datapipe Investor may initiate one Underwritten Offering (in each case, including any block trades and reduced by the number of Demand Registrations previously exercised by such Holder under Section 2.1) pursuant to Section 2.2(c) below; provided, that (A) no Underwritten Shelf Take-Down shall be deemed to have been exercised or to count against the number of Demand Registrations for the purposes of Section 2.1 if such Shelf Holder is not able to sell all of the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold therein as a result of the participation of any other Holder in any such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down and the application of Section 2.5(b); (B) the Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect more than one Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Take-Down at the request of the SCP Investor in any 12-month period; and (C) subject to Section 8.4, the SCP Investor and the Datapipe Investor each may provide a Transferee with all of (or in the case of the SCP Investor, a portion of) its remaining Underwritten Shelf Take-Down rights under this Section 2.2(b)(iii) so long as the SCP Investor or the Datapipe Investor, as applicable, Transfers at least 50% of the Shares that it holds as of the date of this Agreement (subject, in each case, to Section 8.16) to such Transferee; and

(iv) in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.2(b), (A) in each case, the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the initiating Shelf Holder shall be required to (x) have a reasonably anticipated aggregate offering price of at least $66.0 million (before deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions) or (y) constitute all remaining Registrable Securities held by such Shelf Holder and (B) if the Company has previously effected a Shelf Take-Down that is an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.2, the Company shall not be required to effect an additional Shelf Take-Down that is an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.2 until a period of 75 days shall have elapsed from the date of such prior Shelf Take-Down that was an Underwritten Offering.

 

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(c) Underwritten Shelf Take-Downs.

(i) Subject to Section 2.2(b), if a Demand Holder that is a Shelf Holder (collectively, “Investor Shelf Holders”) so elects in a written request delivered to the Company (an “Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice”), a Shelf Take-Down may be in the form of an Underwritten Offering (an “Underwritten Shelf Take-Down”) and, if necessary, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file and effect an amendment or supplement to its Shelf Registration Statement for such purpose as soon as practicable. Such initiating Investor Shelf Holder shall indicate in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice the number of Registrable Securities of such Investor Shelf Holder to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down and whether it intends for such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down to involve a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other marketing effort by the underwriters (a “Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down”); provided, that any such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down requested by an Investor Shelf Holder shall be deemed to reduce the number of Demand Rights such Investor Shelf Holder is entitled to under Section 2.1(a).

(ii) Promptly upon delivery of an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice with respect to a Marketed Underwritten Shelf-Take Down (but in no event more than ten (10) days prior to the expected date of such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down), the Company shall promptly deliver a written notice of such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down to all Investor Shelf Holders with Registrable Securities under such Shelf Registration Statement and, in each case, subject to Section 2.5(b) and Section 2.7, the Company shall include in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down all such Registrable Securities of such Investor Shelf Holders that are registered on such Shelf Registration Statement for which the Company has received written requests, which requests must specify the aggregate amount of such Registrable Securities of such Holder to be offered and sold pursuant to such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, for inclusion therein at least three (3) Business Days prior to the expected date of such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down.

(iii) Subject to Section 2.2(b), if an Investor Shelf Holder desires to effect an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down that is not a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down (a “Restricted Shelf Take-Down”), the Investor Shelf Holder initiating such Restricted Shelf Take-Down shall provide written notice (a “Restricted Shelf Take-Down Notice”) of such Restricted Shelf Take-Down to the other Investor Shelf Holders as far in advance of the completion of such Restricted Shelf Take-Down as shall be reasonably practicable in light of the circumstances applicable to such Restricted Shelf Take-Down, which Restricted Shelf Take-Down Notice shall set forth (A) the total number of Registrable Securities expected to be offered and sold in such Restricted Shelf Take-Down, (B) the expected plan of distribution of such Restricted Shelf Take-Down and (C) an

 

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invitation to the other Investor Shelf Holders to elect to include in the Restricted Shelf Take-Down Registrable Securities held by such other Investor Shelf Holders (but subject to Section 2.5(b) and Section 2.7) and (D) the action or actions required (including the timing thereof) in connection with such Restricted Shelf Take-Down with respect to the other Investor Shelf Holders if any such Investor Shelf Holder elects to exercise such right. Any Restricted Shelf Take-Down shall be (x) deemed to reduce the number of Demand Rights the initiating Investor Shelf Holder is entitled to under Section 2.1(a), (y) required to comply with a minimum size requirement equal to fifty percent (50%) of the minimum size requirements set forth in Section 2.2(b) (unless the initiating Investor Shelf Holder requests the filing of a new Shelf Registration Statement in order to effect such Restricted Shelf Take-Down and at such time the Company is not eligible to use an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, in which case the minimum size requirements set forth in Section 2.2(b) shall apply), and (z) subject to the limits set forth in Section 2.2(b).

(iv) Upon delivery of a Restricted Shelf Take-Down Notice, the other Investor Shelf Holders may elect to sell Registrable Securities in such Restricted Shelf Take-Down, at the same price per Registrable Security and pursuant to the same terms and conditions with respect to payment for the Registrable Securities as agreed to by the initiating Investor Shelf Holder, by sending an irrevocable written notice (a “Take-Down Participation Notice”) to the initiating Investor Shelf Holder, indicating its election to participate in the Restricted Shelf Take-Down and the total number of its Registrable Securities to include in the Restricted Shelf Take-Down (but, in all cases, subject to Section 2.5(b) and Section 2.7).

(v) Notwithstanding the delivery of any Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice, all determinations as to whether to complete any Underwritten Shelf Take-Down and as to the timing, manner, price and other terms of any Underwritten Shelf Take-Down shall be at the discretion of the Investor Shelf Holder initiating the Underwritten Shelf Take-Down.

(d) Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Downs. If a Shelf Holder desires to effect a Shelf Take-Down that does not constitute an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down (a “Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down”), such Shelf Holder shall so indicate in a written request delivered to the Company no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the expected date of such Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down (or such shorter period as the Company may agree), which request shall include (i) the aggregate number and class or classes of Registrable Securities expected to be offered and sold in such Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down, (ii) the expected plan of distribution of such Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down and (iii) the action or actions required (including the timing thereof) in connection with such Non-Marketed Shelf Take-Down, and, if necessary, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file and effect an amendment or supplement to its Shelf Registration Statement for such purpose as soon as practicable.

(e) Filing for Well-Known Seasoned Issuer. Upon the Company becoming a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer, (x) the Company shall give written notice to all of the Holders as promptly as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter and such notice shall describe, in reasonable detail, the basis on which the Company has become a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer, and (y) the Company shall, upon written request by either Apollo

 

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Stockholder, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than 20 Business Days after receiving such request, use its reasonable best efforts to register, under an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, the sale of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company agrees that if any Holder beneficially owns any Registrable Securities three years after the filing of the most recent Automatic Shelf Registration Statement in compliance with this Section 2.2(e), the Company shall file and cause to remain effective a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement that registers the sale of any Registrable Securities that remain outstanding at such time. The Company shall give written notice of filing such Registration Statement to all of the Holders as promptly as practicable thereafter. At any time after the filing of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement by the Company, if the Company is no longer a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (the “Determination Date”), within ten (10) Business Days after such Determination Date, the Company shall (A) give written notice thereof to all of the Holders and (B) to the extent the Company continues to qualify for the use of Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor form thereto, the Company shall file, if necessary, a Short-Form Registration Statement (or a post-effective amendment converting the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to a Short-Form Registration Statement) covering all of the Registrable Securities, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such Short-Form Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as practicable after the date the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is no longer useable by the Holders to sell their Registrable Securities.

(f) Continued Effectiveness. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.2(a) or Section 2.2(e) hereof, as applicable, continuously effective under the Securities Act in order to permit the Prospectus forming a part thereof to be usable by an Investor Shelf Holder until the earlier of (i) the date as of which all Registrable Securities registered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold and (ii) such shorter period as Investor Shelf Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities may reasonably determine.

Section 2.3 Deferral or Suspension of Registration. If (a) the Company receives a Demand Notice, a request to file a Shelf Registration Statement, or a written request from a Shelf Holder for a Shelf Take-Down and the Board of Directors, in its good faith judgment, determines that it would be materially adverse to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective on or before the date such filing or effectiveness would otherwise be required hereunder, or for such Registration Statement or prospectus included therein to be used to sell Shares or for such Shelf Take-Down to be effected, because such action would: (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) based on the advice of the Company’s outside counsel, require disclosure of material non-public information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or (b) the Company is subject to any of its customary suspension or blackout periods, for all or part of the period of such blackout period, or upon issuance by the Commission of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation of proceedings with respect to such Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, then the Company shall have the right to defer such filing (but not the preparation), initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein for a period of not more than 60 days (or such longer period as the Requesting Holder or Shelf Holder, as applicable, may determine). If the Company shall so

 

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postpone the filing or initial effectiveness of a Registration Statement with respect to a Demand Notice and if the Requesting Holder within 30 days after receipt of the notice of postponement advises the Company in writing that it has determined to withdraw such Demand Notice, then such Demand Registration shall be deemed to be withdrawn and shall not be deemed to be an exercise of one of the Demand Rights to which such Requesting Holder is entitled under Section 2.1. Unless consented to in writing by the Holders, the Company shall not use the deferral or suspension rights provided under this Section 2.3 (x) more than twice in any 12-month period (except that the Company shall be able to use this right more than twice in any 12-month period if the Company is exercising such right during the 15-day period prior to the Company’s regularly scheduled quarterly earnings announcement date and the total number of days of postponement in such 12-month period does not exceed 120 days) or (y) except as contemplated in the parenthetical in (x) immediately above, in the aggregate for more than 90 days in any 12-month period. In the event of any deferral or suspension pursuant to this Section 2.3, the Company shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Requesting Holder, if applicable, apprised of the estimated length of the anticipated delay; and (ii) notify the Requesting Holder or Shelf Holders, as applicable, promptly upon termination of the deferral or suspension. After the expiration of the deferral or suspension period and without any further request from the Requesting Holder or Shelf Holders, as applicable, to the extent such Requesting Holder has not withdrawn the Demand Notice, if applicable, the Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare and file a Registration Statement or post-effective amendment or supplement to the applicable Registration Statement or document, or file any other required document, as applicable, so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities included therein, the prospectus will not include a material misstatement or omission and will be effective and useable for the sale of Registrable Securities.

Section 2.4 Effective Registration Statement. A registration requested pursuant to this Article II shall not be deemed to have been effected:

(a) unless a registration statement with respect thereto has been declared effective by the Commission and remains effective in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the laws of any U.S. state or other jurisdiction applicable to the disposition of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement for not less than 180 days (or such shorter period as will terminate when all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement) or, if such registration statement relates to an underwritten offering, such longer period as, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer;

(b) if, after it becomes effective, such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental authority or court for any reason other than a violation of applicable law solely by any Selling Investor and has not thereafter become effective; or

(c) if, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the conditions to closing specified in an underwriting agreement applicable to the Company are not satisfied or waived other than by reason of any breach or failure by any Selling Investor.

 

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Section 2.5 Selection of Underwriters; Cutback.

(a) Selection of Underwriters. If a Requesting Holder intends to offer and sell the Registrable Securities covered by its request under this Article II by means of an Underwritten Offering, such Requesting Holder shall, in reasonable consultation with other participating Holders, select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be firms of nationally recognized standing and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. If an Investor Shelf Holder intends to offer and sell the Registrable Securities covered by its request under this Article II by means of an Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, the participating Investor Shelf Holders shall mutually select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be firms of nationally recognized standing and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, nationally recognized investment banks shall be deemed reasonably acceptable for purposes of this Section 2.5.

(b) Underwriter’s Cutback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II or Section 3.1, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of an Underwritten Offering in connection with a Demand Registration or a Shelf Registration advise the Company in their good faith opinion that the inclusion of all such Registrable Securities proposed to be included in the Registration Statement or such Underwritten Offering would be reasonably likely to interfere with the successful marketing, including, but not limited to, the pricing, timing or distribution, of the Registrable Securities to be offered thereby or in such Underwritten Offering, and no Holder has delivered a Piggyback Notice with respect to such Underwritten Offering, then the number of Shares proposed to be included in such Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering shall be allocated among the Company, the Selling Investors and all other Persons selling Shares in such Underwritten Offering in the following order:

(i) first, the Registrable Securities of the class or classes proposed to be registered held by the Holder that initiated such Demand Registration, Shelf Registration or Underwritten Offering and the Registrable Securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) held by other Holders requested to be included in such Demand Registration, Shelf Registration or Underwritten Offering (pro rata among the respective Holders of such Registrable Securities in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the amounts of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such Holder at the time of such Demand Registration, Shelf Registration or Underwritten Offering);

(ii) second, all other securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the holder’s option into such class or classes) requested to be included in such Demand Registration, Shelf Registration or Underwritten Offering other than Shares to be sold by the Company; and

(iii) third, the Shares of the same class or classes to be sold by the Company.

 

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No Registrable Securities excluded from the underwriting by reason of the underwriter’s marketing limitation shall be included in such registration or offering. If the underwriter has not limited the number of Registrable Securities to be underwritten, the Company may include securities for its own account (or for the account of any other Persons) in such registration if the underwriter so agrees and if the number of Registrable Securities would not thereby be limited.

Section 2.6 Lock-up.

(a) If requested by the managing underwriters in connection with any Underwritten Offering, each Holder (i) who beneficially owns 1% or more of the outstanding Shares or (ii) who is a natural person and serving as a director or executive officer of the Company shall agree to be bound by customary lock-up agreements providing that such Holder shall not, directly or indirectly, effect any Transfer (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such Shares without prior written consent from the underwriters managing such Underwritten Offering during a period beginning on the date of launch of such Underwritten Offering and ending up to 90 days from and including the date of pricing or such shorter period as reasonably requested by the underwriters managing such Underwritten Offering (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to any Shares that are offered for sale as part of such Underwritten Offering, (B) such Lock-Up Period shall be no longer than and on substantially the same terms as the lock-up period applicable to the Company and the executive officers and directors of the Company and (C) such Lock-Up Period shall not commence unless the Company notifies the Holders in writing prior to the commencement of the Lock-Up Period. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the underwriters to such effect. The provisions of this Section 2.6(a) will no longer apply to a Holder if (x) such Holder ceases to hold any Shares or (y) except in the case of any Holder who is a current director or executive officer of the Company, such Holder beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding Shares.

(b) Nothing in Section 2.6(a) shall prevent: (i) any Holder that is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation from (A) making a distribution of Shares to the partners, members or stockholders thereof or (B) Transferring Shares to an Affiliate of such Holder; (ii) any Holder who is an individual from Transferring Shares to (A) an individual by will or the laws of descent or distribution or by gift without consideration of any kind or (B) a trust or estate planning-related entity for the sole benefit of such Holder or a lineal descendant or antecedent or spouse; (iii) any Holder from (A) pledging, hypothecating or otherwise granting a security interest in Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares to one or more lending institutions as collateral or security for any loan, advance or extension of credit and any transfer upon foreclosure upon such Shares or such securities or (B) Transferring Shares pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court or regulatory agency or (iv) any Holder from Transferring Shares in a manner that was permitted under, but subject to the conditions described in, the lock-ups entered into in connection with the Company’s initial public offering; provided that, in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), such Transfer is otherwise in compliance with applicable securities laws and; provided, further, that, in the case of clause (ii), subclause (B) of clause (i) and, if applicable, clause (iv), each such Transferee agrees in writing to become subject to the terms of this Agreement by executing an Adoption Agreement and agrees to be bound by the applicable underwriter lock-up.

 

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Section 2.7 Participation in Underwritten Offering; Information by Holder. No Holder may participate in an Underwritten Offering hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements, and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including any lock-up arrangements, and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. In addition, the Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder or Holders and the distribution proposed by such Holders, as applicable, as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Article II. Nothing in this Section 2.7 shall be construed to create any additional rights regarding the registration of Shares in any Person otherwise than as set forth herein.

Section 2.8 Registration Expenses. All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including without limitation (i) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with any stock exchange, the Commission and FINRA (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel as may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA), (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters or Selling Investors in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Shares and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriters or the Demand Holders may designate), (iii) all printing and related messenger and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Shares in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses, all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of all independent certified public accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including the expenses of any special audit and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance)), (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Shares on any securities exchange and all rating agency fees, (v) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of the Selling Investors’ Counsel, (vi) all fees and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuer or sellers of securities, including liability insurance if the Company so desires or if the underwriters so require and expenses of any special experts retained in connection with the requested registration (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, and fees and disbursements of counsel to underwriters (other than such fees and disbursements incurred in connection with any registration or qualification of Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state)), (vii) Securities Act liability insurance or similar insurance if the Company or the underwriters so require in accordance with then-customary underwriting practice, (viii) fees and expenses of other Persons retained by the Company, and the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of one legal counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration, Piggyback Registration or Shelf Registration, as applicable, and (ix) for any Demand Holder, any other reasonable expenses customarily paid by the issuers of securities, including reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses for such Demand Holder’s legal counsel if other than the legal counsel selected by the Holders in (viii) above, will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether the Registration Statement becomes effective (or such offering is completed) and whether or not all or any portion of the Registrable Securities originally requested to be included in such registration are ultimately included in such registration; provided, however, that (x) any underwriting discounts, commissions or fees in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities will be borne by the Holders pro rata on the basis of the number of Shares so registered and sold, (y) transfer taxes with respect to the sale of Registrable Securities will be borne by the Holder of such Registrable Securities and (z) the fees and expenses of any other counsel, accountants or other persons retained or employed by any Holder will be borne by such Holder.

 

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ARTICLE III

PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION

Section 3.1 Notices.

(a) If the Company at any time proposes for any reason to register the sale of a class or classes of Shares under the Securities Act (other than a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor of either such form, or a registration relating solely to the offer and sale to the Company’s directors or employees pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan or arrangement) whether or not Shares are to be sold by the Company or otherwise, and whether or not in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 2.2 or any other agreement (such registration, a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company shall give to each Holder holding Shares of the same class or classes proposed to be registered (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) eligible to participate in such Piggyback Registration written notice of its intention to so register the Shares at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as reasonably practical) prior to the expected date of filing of such Registration Statement or amendment thereto in which the Company first intends to identify the selling stockholders and the number of Registrable Securities to be sold (each such notice, an “Initial Notice”). The Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 below, use its reasonable best efforts to include in such Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as the securities otherwise being sold, all Registrable Securities of the same class or classes as the Shares proposed to be registered (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) with respect to which the Company has received written requests from Holders for inclusion therein within the time period specified by the Company in the applicable Initial Notice, which time period shall be not less than five (5) Business Days after sending the applicable Initial Notice (each such written request, a “Piggyback Notice”), which Piggyback Notice shall specify the number of Shares proposed to be included in the Piggyback Registration.

(b) If a Holder does not deliver a Piggyback Notice within the period specified in Section 3.1(a), such Holder shall be deemed to have irrevocably waived any and all rights under this Article III with respect to such registration (but not with respect to future registrations in accordance with this Article III). For the avoidance of doubt, no Piggyback Registration shall count towards the number of Demand Registrations that a Demand Holder is entitled to make pursuant to Section 2.1 or Underwritten Shelf Take-Downs that an Investor Shelf Holder is entitled to make pursuant to Section 2.2.

(c) No registration effected under this Section 3.1 shall relieve the Company of its obligation to effect any registration upon request under Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 hereof, and no registration effected pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall be deemed to have been effected pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 hereof. The Initial Notice, the Piggyback Notice and the contents thereof shall be kept confidential until the public filing of the Registration Statement.

 

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Section 3.2 Underwriter’s Cutback. If the managing underwriter of an Underwritten Offering (including an offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2) that includes a Piggyback Registration advises the Company that it is the managing underwriter’s good faith opinion that the inclusion of all such Registrable Securities proposed to be included in the Registration Statement for such Underwritten Offering would be reasonably likely to interfere with the successful marketing, including, but not limited to, the pricing, timing or distribution, of the Registrable Securities to be offered thereby, then the number of Shares proposed to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be allocated among the Company, the Selling Investors and all other Persons selling Shares in such Underwritten Offering in the following order:

(a) If the Piggyback Registration referred to in Section 3.1 is initiated as an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, then, with respect to each class proposed to be registered:

(i) first, the Shares held by the Company of the class or classes proposed to be registered that the Company proposes to sell, as applicable;

(ii) second, all Registrable Securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) held by Holders requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration (pro rata among the respective Holders of such Registrable Securities in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the amounts of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such Holder at the time of such Piggyback Registration); and

(iii) third, all other securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the holder’s option into such class or classes) requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration.

(b) if the Piggyback Registration referred to in Section 3.1 is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of any Holder, then, with respect to each class proposed to be registered:

(i) first, the Registrable Securities of the class or classes proposed to be registered held by such Holder and the Registrable Securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) held by other Holders requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration (pro rata among the respective Holders of such Registrable Securities in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the amounts of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such Holder at the time of such Piggyback Registration);

(ii) second, all other securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the holder’s option into such class or classes) requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration other than Shares to be sold by the Company; and

(iii) third, the Shares of the same class or classes to be sold by the Company.

 

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(c) if the Piggyback Registration referred to in Section 3.1 is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of any holder of Common Stock other than a Holder, then, with respect to each class proposed to be registered:

(i) first, the Registrable Securities of the class or classes proposed to be registered held by such holder;

(ii) second, the Registrable Securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the Holder’s option into such class or classes) held by Holders requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration (pro rata among the respective Holders of such Registrable Securities in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the amounts of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by each such Holder at the time of such Piggyback Registration);

(iii) third, all other securities of the same class or classes (or convertible at the holder’s option into such class or classes) requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration other than Shares to be sold by the Company; and

(iv) fourth, the Shares of the same class or classes to be sold by the Company.

Section 3.3 Company Control. Except for a Registration Statement being filed in connection with the exercise of a Demand Right or a Shelf Registration, the Company may decline to file a Registration Statement after an Initial Notice has been given or after receipt by the Company of a Piggyback Notice, and the Company may withdraw a Registration Statement after filing and after such Initial Notice or Piggyback Notice, but prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Company shall promptly notify the Selling Investors in writing of any such action and (ii) nothing in this Section 3.3 shall prejudice the right of any Demand Holder to immediately request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 to the extent permitted thereunder.

Section 3.4 Selection of Underwriters. If the Company intends to offer and sell Shares by means of an Underwritten Offering (other than an offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2), the Company shall select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such Underwritten Offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be firms of nationally recognized standing.

Section 3.5 Withdrawal of Registration. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw all or a part of its Piggyback Notice by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal at least five (5) Business Days prior to the earliest of (i) effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement, (ii) the filing of any Registration Statement relating to such Piggyback Registration that includes a price range or (iii) commencement of a roadshow relating to the Registration Statement for such Piggyback Registration.

 

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ARTICLE IV

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Section 4.1 Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is under an obligation pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as practicable:

(a) in the case of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to cause a Registration Statement that registers such Registrable Securities to become and remain effective for a period of 180 days or, if earlier, until all of such Registrable Securities covered thereby have been disposed of; provided, that, in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on a Shelf Registration Statement which are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such 180-day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for sales of such Registrable Securities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, until the earlier of when (i) the Holders have sold all of such Registrable Securities, (ii) all of such Registrable Securities have become eligible for immediate sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act by the Holder thereof without restriction by the manner of sale, volume and other limitations under such rule and (iii) in the case of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been effective for three years (provided that the Company’s obligations hereunder shall be renewed with respect to such Registrable Securities upon the filing of a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2(e));

(b) furnish to each Selling Investor, at least ten (10) Business Days before filing a Registration Statement, or such shorter period as reasonably practical, copies of such Registration Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto, which documents shall be subject to the review, comment and approval by one lead counsel (and any reasonably necessary local counsel) selected by the Holders who beneficially own a majority of such Registrable Securities, which counsel (who may also be counsel to the Company), in each case, shall be subject to the reasonable approval of each Demand Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in such registration, and who shall represent all Selling Investors as a group (the “Selling Investors’ Counsel”) (it being understood that such ten (10) Business Day period need not apply to successive drafts of the same document proposed to be filed so long as such successive drafts are supplied to the Selling Investors’ Counsel in advance of the proposed filing by a period of time that is customary and reasonable under the circumstances);

(c) furnish to each Selling Investor and each underwriter, if any, such number of copies of final conformed versions of the applicable registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits and any documents incorporated by reference) reasonably requested by such Selling Investor or underwriter in writing;

 

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(d) in the case of Registrable Securities, prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, including any free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, used in connection therewith as may be (i) reasonably requested by any Holder (to the extent such request relates to information relating to such Holder), or (ii) necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for at least the period specified in Section 4.1(a) and to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities, and furnish to each Selling Investor and to the managing underwriter(s), if any, within a reasonable period of time prior to the filing thereof a copy of any amendment or supplement to such registration statement or prospectus; provided, however, that, with respect to each free writing prospectus or other materials to be delivered to purchasers at the time of sale of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall (i) ensure that no Registrable Securities are sold “by means of” (as defined in Rule 159A(b) under the Securities Act) such free writing prospectus or other materials without the prior written consent of the sellers of the Registrable Securities, which free writing prospectus or other materials shall be subject to the review of counsel to such sellers and (ii) make all required filings of all free writing prospectuses or other materials with the Commission as are required;

(e) notify in writing each Holder promptly (i) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to any comments by the Commission with respect to such Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto, (ii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purposes and, in any such case as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter, prepare and file an amendment or supplement to such registration statement or prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance;

(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Holders reasonably request and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holders to consummate their disposition in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business, subject itself to general taxation or consent to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for this Section 4.1(f);

(g) furnish to each Selling Investor such number of copies of a summary prospectus or other prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Selling Investors or any underwriter may reasonably request in writing;

(h) notify on a timely basis each Holder of such Registrable Securities at any time when a prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or

 

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omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing and, at the request of such Holder, as soon as practicable prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the offeree of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

(i) make available for inspection by the Selling Investors, the Selling Investors’ Counsel or any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Selling Investor or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information (together with the Records, the “Information”) requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement and request that the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements make themselves available, at reasonable times and for reasonable periods, to discuss the business of the Company. Any of the Information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Information is requested or required pursuant to a subpoena, order from a court of competent jurisdiction or other interrogatory by a governmental entity or similar process; (iii) such Information has been made generally available to the public; or (iv) such information is or becomes available to such Inspector on a non-confidential basis other than through the breach of an obligation of confidentiality (contractual or otherwise). The Holder(s) of Registrable Securities agree that they will, upon learning that disclosure of such Information is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction or by another governmental entity, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the Company’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Information deemed confidential;

(j) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, deliver to the underwriters of such Underwritten Offering a “comfort” letter in customary form and at customary times and covering matters of the type customarily covered by such comfort letters from its independent certified public accountants;

(k) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, deliver to the underwriters of such Underwritten Offering a written and signed legal opinion or opinions in customary form from its outside or in-house legal counsel dated the closing date of the Underwritten Offering;

(l) provide a transfer agent and registrar (which may be the same entity and which may be the Company) for such Registrable Securities and deliver to such transfer agent and registrar such customary forms, legal opinions from its outside or in-house legal counsel, agreements and other documentation as such transfer agent and/or registrar so request;

 

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(m) issue to any underwriter to which any Selling Investors may sell Registrable Securities in such offering certificates evidencing such Registrable Securities;

(n) upon the request of any Holder of the Registrable Securities included in such registration, use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on any national securities exchange on which any Shares are listed or, if the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, use its reasonable best efforts to qualify such Registrable Securities for inclusion on such national securities exchange as the Company shall designate;

(o) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, earnings statements (which need not be audited) covering a period of 12 months beginning within three months after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statements shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

(p) notify the Holders and the lead underwriter or underwriters, if any, and (if requested) confirm such advice in writing, as promptly as reasonably practicable after notice thereof is received by the Company when the applicable registration statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or becomes effective and when the applicable prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto has been filed;

(q) use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of, and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as promptly as reasonably practicable the withdrawal of, any stop order with respect to the applicable registration statement or other order suspending the use of any preliminary or final prospectus;

(r) promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the applicable registration statement such information as the lead underwriter or underwriters, if any, and the Holders holding a majority of each class of Registrable Securities being sold agree (with respect to the relevant class) should be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such class of Registrable Securities; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as promptly as reasonably practicable after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(s) cooperate with each Holder and each underwriter or agent, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA;

(t) provide a CUSIP number or numbers for all such shares, in each case not later than the effective date of the applicable registration statement;

(u) to the extent reasonably requested by the lead or managing underwriters in connection with an Underwritten Offering (including an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2), send appropriate officers of the Company to attend any “road shows” scheduled in connection with any such Underwritten Offering, with all out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company or such officers in connection with such attendance to be paid by the Company;

 

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(v) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as the Selling Investor or Selling Investors, as the case may be, owning at least a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by any applicable registration statement shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including customary indemnification and contribution to the effect and to the extent provided in Article V hereof; and

(w) subject to all the other provisions of this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration, marketing and sale of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 5.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, each Selling Investor, its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, managers, partners, members and representatives, and each of their respective successors and assigns, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with the registration contemplated by a Registration Statement or any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any other disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same was made in reliance on and in conformity with any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Investor expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by the Person asserting such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense specifically for use therein. The Company will also indemnify underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their officers and directors and each Person who Controls such Persons to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Selling Investor, if requested.

Section 5.2 Indemnification by Selling Investors. Each Selling Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, the Company, the Company’s Controlled Affiliates and their respective directors, managers, partners, members and representatives, and each of their respective successors and assigns, and each Person who Controls the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities and expenses caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make

 

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the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance on and in conformity with any information furnished in writing by such Selling Investor to the Company expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement and has not been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to or concurrently with the sale of the Registrable Securities to the Person asserting such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, for each Selling Investor and in no event shall the liability of any Selling Investor hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Selling Investor upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

Section 5.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt (but in any event within 30 days after such Person has actual knowledge of the facts constituting the basis for indemnification) written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided, however, that any delay or failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder only to the extent, if at all, that it is prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to select and employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Person unless (a) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees or expenses, (b) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim from the Person entitled to indemnification hereunder and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Person, (c) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded, based on the advice of counsel, that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party or (d) in the reasonable judgment of any such Person, based upon advice of counsel, a conflict of interest may exist between such Person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims (in which case, if such Person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that such Person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such Person). If such defense is not assumed by the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement includes (i) an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action, (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party and (iii) does not commit any indemnified party to take, or hold back from taking, any action. No indemnified party shall, without the written consent of the indemnifying party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder, and no indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any such action or claim effected without its consent, in each case which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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Section 5.4 Settlement Offers. Whenever the indemnified party or the indemnifying party receives a firm offer to settle a claim for which indemnification is sought hereunder, it shall promptly notify the other of such offer. If the indemnifying party refuses to accept such offer within 20 Business Days after receipt of such offer (or of notice thereof), such claim shall continue to be contested and, if such claim is within the scope of the indemnifying party’s indemnity contained herein, the indemnified party shall be indemnified pursuant to the terms hereof. An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim in any one jurisdiction, unless in the written opinion of counsel to the indemnified party, reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party, use of one counsel would be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of one additional counsel.

Section 5.5 Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified in this Article V (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each Selling Investor with respect to any required registration or other qualification of Registrable Securities under Federal or state law or regulation of governmental authority other than the Securities Act.

Section 5.6 Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provided for in Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient to hold it harmless as contemplated by Section 5.1 and Section 5.2, then (i) the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnified party and the indemnifying party or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and such prospective sellers, on the other hand, from their sale of the Registrable Securities, provided that, no Selling Investor shall be required to contribute in an amount greater than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Selling Investor with respect to the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or, except as provided in Section 5.3, defending any such action or claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations in this Section 5.6 to contribute shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Securities registered by them and not joint.

ARTICLE VI

EXCHANGE ACT COMPLIANCE

Section 6.1 Exchange Act Compliance. So long as the Company (a) has registered a class of securities under Section 12 or Section 15 of the Exchange Act and (b) files reports under Section 13 of the Exchange Act, then the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within

 

25

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the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time or any similar rules or regulations adopted by the Commission, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) making and keeping public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) filing with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act and (iii) at the request of any Holder if such Holder proposes to sell securities in compliance with Rule 144, forthwith furnish to such Holder, as applicable, a written statement of compliance with the reporting requirements of the Commission as set forth in Rule 144 and make available to such Holder such information as will enable the Holder to make sales pursuant to Rule 144.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

Section 7.1 Termination. The registration rights hereunder shall cease to apply to any particular Registrable Security when: (a) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such Shares shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such Shares shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement; (b) such Shares shall have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision); (c) such Shares shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates or book-entries for them not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require registration or qualification of them under the Securities Act or any similar state law then in force; (d) such Shares shall have ceased to be outstanding; or (e) the Holder of such Registrable Security holds less than one percent (1%) of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (determined as the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder with all of its Affiliates) and such Registrable Securities are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision) without compliance with the manner of sale, volume and other limitations under such rule and are not otherwise subject to any transfer restriction. The Company shall promptly upon the request of any Holder furnish to such Holder evidence of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

26

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Section 8.2 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement and any action of any kind or any nature (whether at law or in equity, based in contract or in tort or otherwise) that is any way related to this Agreement or any of the transactions related hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in that state without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof. Each party to this Agreement (i) consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom located in the State of Delaware (or, only if the Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware), (ii) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement brought in such court, (iii) waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (iv) agrees that service of process or of any other papers upon such party by registered mail at the address to which notices are required to be sent to such party under Section 8.5 shall be deemed good, proper and effective service upon such party. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 8.3 Other Registration Rights. If the Company shall at any time hereafter provide to any holder of any securities of the Company rights with respect to the registration of such securities under the Securities Act, such rights shall not be in conflict with or adversely affect any of the rights provided to the holders of Registrable Securities in, or conflict (in a manner that adversely affects holders of Registrable Securities) with any other provisions included in, this Agreement.

Section 8.4 Successors and Assigns. Subject to Section 8.4, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties hereto, each of which, in the case of the Holders, shall agree to become subject to the terms of this Agreement by executing an Adoption Agreement and be bound to the same extent as the parties hereto. The Company may not assign any of its rights or delegate any of its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.2(b), any Holder may, at its election and at any time or from time to time, assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder, in whole or in part, to any Transferee of such Holder (each, an “Assignee”); provided, that no such assignment shall be binding upon or obligate the Company to any such Assignee unless and until such Assignee delivers the Company an Adoption Agreement. If a Holder assigns its rights under this Agreement in connection with the Transfer of less than all of its Registrable Securities, the Holder shall retain its rights under this Agreement with respect to its remaining Registrable Securities. If a Holder assigns its rights under this Agreement in connection with the Transfer of all of its Registrable Securities, the Holder shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except under Article V hereof in respect of offerings in which such Holder participated or registrations in which Registrable Securities held by such Holder were included. Any purported assignment in violation of this provision shall be null and void ab initio.

 

27

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Section 8.5 Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if delivered in writing in person, by electronic mail or facsimile or sent by nationally-recognized overnight courier or first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to such party at the address set forth below or at such other address as may hereafter be designated in writing by such party to the other parties. All such notices, requests, consents and other communications shall be delivered as follows:

 

(a)

if to the Company to:

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

1 Fanatical Place

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attention:     Holly Windham, General Counsel

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention: Brian M. Janson

Facsimile:   (212) 492-0588

Email:         bjanson@paulweiss.com

 

(b)

if to an Apollo Stockholder to:

AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.

AP INCEPTION CO-INVEST, L.P.

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201

Purchase, NY 10577

Attention:   Laurie D. Medley, General Counsel

with a copy, in each case, (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Attention:   Brian M. Janson

Facsimile:  (212) 492-0588

Email:        bjanson@paulweiss.com

 

(c)

If to the SCP Investor to:

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P.

SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P.

745 Fifth Avenue – 27th Floor

 

28

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New York, New York 10151

Attention:     Darren Glatt

                     Nadir Nurmohamed

with a copy, in each case, (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention:    Steven A. Cohen

                    Victor Goldfeld

                    John L. Robinson

Email:          SACohen@wlrk.com

                    VGoldfeld@wlrk.com

                    JLRobinson@wlrk.com

 

(d)

If to the Datapipe Investor to:

DPH 123, LLC

c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC

888 Boylston Street

Suite 1600

Boston, MA 02199

Attention: Brian St. Jean

Facsimile: (617) 859-8797

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:    Armand A. Della Monica, P.C.

                    Joshua Kogan, P.C.

Facsimile:    (212) 446-4900

Email: armand.dellamonica@kirkland.com

            joshua.kogan@kirkland.com

 

(e)

If to another Holder, to the address set forth under such Holder’s name in Schedule I attached hereto.

All such notices, requests, consents and other communications shall be deemed to have been received (i) in the case of personal delivery or delivery by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date of such delivery, (ii) in the case of dispatch by nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next Business Day following such dispatch and (iii) in the case of mailing, on the fifth (5^th) Business Day after the posting thereof.

 

29

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Section 8.6 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

Section 8.7 Additional Parties. Additional parties to this Agreement shall only include each Holder (a) who has executed an Adoption Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, or (b) who (i) is bound by and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) has adopted this Agreement with the same force and effect as if it were originally a party hereto.

Section 8.8 Adjustments. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for Shares as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split) or subdivision or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock distribution, merger or other similar transaction affecting such Shares or such securities, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to such Shares or such securities as so changed.

Section 8.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other writings referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such subject matter.

Section 8.10 Counterparts; Facsimile or.pdf Signature. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or.pdf signature and a facsimile or.pdf signature shall constitute an original for all purposes.

Section 8.11 Amendment. Other than with respect to amendments to Schedule I attached hereto, which may be amended by the Company from time to time to reflect the Holders at such time, this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the written consent of the Apollo Stockholders (as long as each owns Registrable Securities); provided, however, that, with respect to a particular Holder or group of Holders, any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver that (a) would materially and adversely affect such Holder or group of Holders in any respect or (b) would disproportionately benefit any other Holder or group of Holders or confer any benefit on any other Holder or group of Holders to which such Holder of group of Holders would not be entitled, shall not be effective against such Holder or group of Holders unless approved in writing by such Holder or the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by such group of Holders, as the case may be.

Section 8.12 Extensions; Waivers. Any party may, for itself only, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any extension or waiver pursuant to this Section 8.12 will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby.

 

30

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No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.

Section 8.13 Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute all such further instruments and documents and take all such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

Section 8.14 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except pursuant to Article V, this Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and other Persons expressly named herein.

Section 8.15 Interpretation; Construction. This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the schedules, exhibits and annexes, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented, and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. All references to sections, schedules, annexes and exhibits mean the sections of this Agreement and the schedules, annexes and exhibits attached to this Agreement, except where otherwise stated. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the party’s breach of the first covenant.

Section 8.16 Changes in Common Stock. If, and as often as, there are any changes in Common Stock by way of by way of a dividend, distribution, stock split or combination, reclassification, recapitalization, exchange or readjustment, whether in a merger, consolidation, conversion or similar transaction, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to Common Stock as so changed.

* * * *

 

31

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:
RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

---

APOLLO STOCKHOLDERS:
AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:		AP VIII Inception Holdings GP, LLC,
		its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:
AP INCEPTION CO-INVEST, L.P.
By:		AP Inception Co-Invest GP, LLC,
		its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

---

SCP INVESTOR:
SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P.
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, L.P.,
		its general partner
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, LLC,
		its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P.
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, L.P.,
		its general partner
By:		Searchlight Capital Partners II GP, LLC,
		its general partner
By:
		Name:
		Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

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DATAPIPE INVESTOR:
DPH 123, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

---

OTHER HOLDERS:
ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

---

EXHIBIT A

ADOPTION AGREEMENT

This Adoption Agreement (“Adoption”) is executed pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of            , 2020, a copy of which is attached hereto (as amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by the undersigned (the “Undersigned”) executing this Adoption. Capitalized terms used herein without definition are defined in the Registration Rights Agreement and are used herein with the same meanings set forth therein. By the execution of this Adoption, the Undersigned agrees as follows:

1. Acknowledgment. The Undersigned acknowledges that the Undersigned is acquiring certain Shares, subject to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement.

2. Agreement. The Undersigned (i) agrees that the Shares acquired by the Undersigned, and certain other Shares and other securities of the Company that may be acquired by the Undersigned in the future, shall be bound by and subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to the terms thereof, and (ii) hereby adopts the Registration Rights Agreement with the same force and effect as if the undersigned were originally a party thereto.

3. Notice. Any notice required as permitted by the Registration Rights Agreement shall be given to the Undersigned at the address listed beside the Undersigned’s signature below.

 

[NAME OF HOLDER]   By:                                                                   Name: Title: Date:		Address for Notices:   [●] [●] Telephone:    [●] Email:           [●]

s

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SCHEDULE I

List of Holders

 

Name		Address for Notice		Shares
Apollo Stockholders		AP VIII INCEPTION HOLDINGS, L.P. c/o Apollo Management, L.P. One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201 Purchase, NY 10577 Attention:   Laurie D. Medley, General Counsel   with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:   Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 1285 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019-6064 Attention:    Brian M. Janson Facsimile:    (212) 492-0588 Email:          bjanson@paulweiss.com		Shares
		AP INCEPTION CO-INVEST, L.P. c/o Apollo Management, L.P. One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201 Purchase, NY 10577 Attention:   Laurie D. Medley, General Counsel   with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:   Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 1285 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019-6064 Attention:     Brian M. Janson Facsimile:    (212) 492-0588 Email:          bjanson@paulweiss.com		Shares
SCP Investor		SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II, L.P. 745 Fifth Avenue – 27th Floor New York, New York 10151 Attention:    Darren Glatt                     Nadir Nurmohamed   with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:   Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, NY 10019 Attention:   Steven A. Cohen                     Victor Goldfeld                     John L. Robinson Email:         SACohen@wlrk.com                     VGoldfeld@wlrk.com                     JLRobinson@wlrk.com		Shares

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Name		Address for Notice		Shares
		SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL II PV, L.P. 745 Fifth Avenue – 27th Floor New York, New York 10151 Attention:     Darren Glatt                      Nadir Nurmohamed   with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:   Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, NY 10019 Attention:    Steven A. Cohen                      Victor Goldfeld Email:          SACohen@wlrk.com                      VGoldfeld@wlrk.com		Shares
Datapipe Investor		DPH 123, LLC c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC 888 Boylston Street Suite 1600 Boston, MA 02199 Attention: Brian St. Jean Facsimile: (617) 859-8797   with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:   Kirkland & Ellis LLP 601 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 Attention:      Armand A. Della Monica, P.C.                       Joshua Kogan, P.C. Facsimile:     (212) 446-4900 Email: armand.dellamonica@kirkland.com             joshua.kogan@kirkland.com		Shares
ACE Investment Holdings, LLC		ACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC c/o ABRY Partners II, LLC 888 Boylston Street Suite 1600 Boston, MA 02199 Attention:      Brian St. Jean Facsimile:      (617) 859-8797   with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):   Kirkland & Ellis LLP 601 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 Attention:      Armand A. Della Monica, P.C.                        Joshua Kogan, P.C. Facsimile:      (212) 446-4900 Email: armand.dellamonica@kirkland.com             joshua.kogan@kirkland.com		Shares

Exhibit 10.9

EXECUTION VERSION

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

Inception Topco, Inc., as Purchaser,

Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., as Merger Sub 1,

Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, as Merger Sub 2,

Inception Intermediate, Inc., as Inception Intermediate,

Inception Parent, Inc., as Inception Parent,

Rackspace Hosting, Inc. as Borrower,

Datapipe Holdings, LLC, as Seller,

Datapipe Parent, Inc., as the Company

and

solely for the limited purposes set forth in Section 7.13 and Section 11.18,

the Key Stockholders (as defined herein)

Dated as of September 6, 2017

 

 

 

1

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
I. DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE MATTERS					2
1.1		Definitions			2
1.2		Certain Interpretive Matters			2
II. THE COMBINATION					3
2.1		The Merger and the Subsequent Merger			3
2.2		Closing			3
2.3		Effective Time			4
2.4		Closing Payments			4
2.5		Effects of the Combination under the DGCL and DLLCA			5
2.6		Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation; Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Surviving Company			5
2.7		Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers; Surviving Company Managers and Officers			5
2.8		Closing Contributions			6
III. EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION					6
3.1		Effect on Capital Stock			6
3.2		Proceedings			7
3.3		MOIC Equity Consideration.			7
3.4		Withholding			8
3.5		Closing Statement			9
3.6		Other Pre-Closing Deliverables			9
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY					9
4.1		Existence and Qualification			9
4.2		Authorization; Enforceability			10
4.3		Non-Contravention; Consents; Restrictive Documents			10
4.4		Capitalization			11
4.5		Financial Statements and Related Matters			11
4.6		Tax Matters			11
4.7		Absence of Certain Changes			13
4.8		Contracts			14
4.9		Insurance Coverage			16

 

i

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Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

4.10		Litigation			16
4.11		Compliance with Applicable Laws; Permits			16
4.12		Properties			17
4.13		Intellectual Property			17
4.14		Environmental Matters			18
4.15		Plans			19
4.16		Affiliate Transactions			21
4.17		Other Employment Matters			21
4.18		Customers and Suppliers			23
4.19		Finders’ Fees			23
4.20		International Trade Matters			23
4.21		Anti-Corruption Matters			23
4.22		No Money Laundering			24
4.23		Data Security			24
4.24		Privacy			25
4.25		Government Contracts			25
4.26		Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties			28
V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER					29
5.1		Organization			29
5.2		Authorization; Enforceability			29
5.3		Title to Interests			29
5.4		Non-Contravention; Consents			29
5.5		Litigation			29
5.6		Finders’ Fees			30
5.7		Capitalization			30
5.8		ABRY Stockholder Payments			30
5.9		Exclusivity of Representations			30
5.10		Seller’s Investigation and Reliance			31
VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER ENTITIES					31
6.1		Existence and Qualification			31
6.2		Authorization; Enforceability			32
6.3		Non-Contravention; Consents			32
6.4		Litigation			32
6.5		Finders’ Fees			32

 

ii

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Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

6.6		Capitalization			33
6.7		Absence of Certain Changes			33
6.8		Financing			33
6.9		Purchaser’s Investigation and Reliance			34
6.10		Financial Statements and Related Matters			35
6.11		Tax Matters			35
6.12		Compliance with Applicable Laws; Permits			37
6.13		Affiliate Transactions			37
VII. CERTAIN COVENANTS					37
7.1		Further Assurances			37
7.2		Indemnification of Directors and Officers			37
7.3		Affirmative Obligations			38
7.4		Forbearance Covenants			38
7.5		Exclusive Dealing			41
7.6		Access to Information			41
7.7		Notice of Certain Events			42
7.8		Regulatory Filings			42
7.9		Employees and Employee Benefit Plans			44
7.10		Code Section 280G Approval			44
7.11		Financing			45
7.12		Cooperation			46
7.13		Non-Solicitation; Release			49
7.14		Change of Name			50
7.15		Consents			51
VIII. TAX MATTERS					51
8.1		Transfer Taxes			51
8.2		Tax Reporting			51
IX. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING					51
9.1		Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser Entities at the Closing			51
9.2		Conditions to Obligations of Seller at the Closing			52
X. SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION					53
10.1		Survival of Representations			53
10.2		Indemnification by Seller			54
10.3		Limitations on Indemnification of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties			54

 

iii

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Table of Contents (Cont.)

 

10.4		[Reserved]			54
10.5		Indemnification Procedures			54
10.6		Miscellaneous Indemnification Provisions			56
XI. MISCELLANEOUS.					57
11.1		Termination			57
11.2		Notices			62
11.3		Amendments and Waivers			62
11.4		Expenses			62
11.5		Successors and Assigns			62
11.6		Third Party Beneficiaries			63
11.7		Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction			63
11.8		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL			64
11.9		Counterparts			64
11.10		Headings			64
11.11		Entire Agreement			64
11.12		Confidentiality			64
11.13		Specific Performance			65
11.14		Severability			66
11.15		Legal Representation			66
11.16		Press Release and Announcements			66
11.17		No Recourse Against Third Parties			66
11.18		Key Stockholders			67

 

Exhibits
Exhibit A		Form of Certificate of Merger
Exhibit B		Form of Subsequent Certificate of Merger
Exhibit C		Form of Promissory Note
Exhibit D		Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
Exhibit E		Form of Bylaws of the Company
Exhibit F		Form of Investor Rights Agreement
Annexes
ANNEX I		Definitions
ANNEX II		Notices

 

iv

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 6, 2017, is by and among Inception Topco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”), Drake Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub 1”), Drake Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Merger Sub 2”), Inception Intermediate, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Inception Intermediate”), Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Inception Parent”), Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), Datapipe Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”), Datapipe Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and, solely with respect to Sections 7.13 and 11.18, the ABRY Stockholders (collectively, the “Key Stockholders”). Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Inception Intermediate, Inception Parent, Borrower, Seller, the Company and the Key Stockholders will collectively be referred to as the “Parties” and each individually as a “Party.”

WHEREAS, Seller is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company;

WHEREAS, Purchaser is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub 1 and limited liability company interests of Merger Sub 2;

WHEREAS, Inception Intermediate, Inception Parent and Borrower are wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Purchaser;

WHEREAS, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Company Board”) has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (b) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination and (c) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, by the stockholders of the Company;

WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Purchaser and Merger Sub 1 and the Sole Member of Merger Sub 2 have unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, are in the best interests of Purchaser, Merger Sub 1 and Merger Sub 2, respectively, and the stockholders of Purchaser and Merger Sub 1 and the sole member of Merger Sub 2, respectively, (b) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination and (c) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, by the stockholder of Merger Sub 1 and the sole member of Merger Sub 2, respectively;

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub 1 will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company being the Surviving Corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser, all in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will be merged with and into Merger Sub 2 (the “Subsequent Merger” and, together with the Merger, the “Combination”), with Merger Sub 2 being the Surviving Company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser, all in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

 

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WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger and the Subsequent Merger be treated as a single integrated transaction that will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and that this Agreement constitute a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code;

WHEREAS, Purchaser, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub 1 and the sole member of Merger Sub 2, has acted by written consent, which consent by its terms shall not be effective until immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, to adopt this Agreement and approve the Combination;

WHEREAS, Seller, as the sole stockholder of the Company, has duly delivered to the Company a written consent (the “Seller Written Consent”), which consent by its terms shall become effective immediately following the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, to adopt this Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s Organizational Documents; and

WHEREAS, Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Inception Intermediate, Inception Parent, Borrower, Seller and the Company wish to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Combination and to prescribe certain conditions to the consummation of the Combination as set forth herein.

Now therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

I. DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE MATTERS

1.1 Definitions. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined elsewhere in the text of this Agreement are defined in Annex I.

1.2 Certain Interpretive Matters.

1.2.1 Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) all references herein to Sections, Articles, Annexes, Exhibits or Schedules are to Sections, Articles, Annexes, Exhibits or Disclosure Schedules of or to this Agreement, (b) the headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provisions of this Agreement, (c) each term defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it, (d) each accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning commonly applied to it in accordance with GAAP, (e) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa, (f) all references to “$” or “dollar” amounts will be to lawful currency of the United States, (g) unless the context implies otherwise to the extent the term “day” or “days” is used, it will mean calendar days, (h) references to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender include each other gender, (i) the words “herein,” “hereby,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section, Article, or other subdivision, (j) the terms “including” and “includes” mean “including or includes without limitation,” (k) reference to, and the definition of, any document shall be deemed a reference to such document as it may be amended, supplemented, revised, or modified, in writing, from time to time, (l) reference to any Law shall be construed as a reference to such Law as re-enacted, redesignated, amended or extended from time to time prior to the date hereof, (m) the information contained in the Disclosure Schedules is disclosed solely for the purposes of this Agreement and may include items or information not required to be disclosed under this Agreement, and no information contained in any Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be an admission by any party hereto to any third Person of any

 

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matter whatsoever, including an admission of any violation of any Laws or breach of any agreement, (n) no information contained in any Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be material (whether individually or in the aggregate) to the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, operations, or results of operations of the Company nor shall it be deemed to give rise to Circumstances which may result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company solely by reason of it being disclosed, (o) information contained in a Section, subsection or individual Schedule (or expressly incorporated therein) shall qualify the representations and warranties made in the identically numbered Section or, if applicable, subsection of this Agreement and all other representations and warranties made in any other Section, subsection or Schedule to the extent its applicability to such Section, subsection or Schedule is reasonably apparent on its face, (p) the word “or” is not exclusive unless the context clearly requires otherwise, (q) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning as the word “shall”, and (r) nothing disclosed in any Disclosure Schedule is intended to broaden any representation or warranty contained in Articles IV, V or VI.

1.2.2 All references to the “Company’s Knowledge” or to words of similar import will be deemed to be references to the actual knowledge of the Company Knowledge Persons after due inquiry of their respective direct reports. All references to the “Seller’s Knowledge” or to words of similar import will be deemed to be references to the actual knowledge of the Seller Knowledge Persons after due inquiry of their respective direct reports. All references to the “Purchaser’s Knowledge” or to words of similar import will be deemed to be references to the actual knowledge of the Purchaser Knowledge Persons after due inquiry of their respective direct reports.

II. THE COMBINATION

2.1 The Merger and the Subsequent Merger. Upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, Merger Sub 1 shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time. Following the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub 1 shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (the “Surviving Corporation”) and shall succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of Merger Sub 1 in accordance with the DGCL. Immediately following the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA, the Surviving Corporation shall be merged with and into Merger Sub 2. Following the Subsequent Merger, the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease, and Merger Sub 2 shall continue as the surviving company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (the “Surviving Company”).

2.2 Closing. The closing of the Combination (the “Closing”) will take place by electronic communication on the second (2^nd) Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of the conditions to the obligations of the Parties set forth in Article IX, or on such other date and at such other place as agreed to by Purchaser and the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Marketing Period has not ended at the time of the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in Article IX (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing), then the Closing will occur on the earlier of (i) any Business Day during the Marketing Period specified by the Purchaser to the Company on no less than on two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company and (ii) the third (3^rd) Business Day after the final day of the Marketing Period (subject, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of all of the conditions set forth in Article IX, other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of such conditions), except that if any of the conditions set forth in Article IX are not satisfied or waived (to the extent permitted hereunder) on such Business Day, then the Closing will take place on the first (1^st) Business Day on which all such conditions have been satisfied or waived (to the extent permitted hereunder). The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

 

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2.3 Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Parties shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger (the “Certificate of Merger”), meeting the requirements of the DGCL, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”), executed and acknowledged by the Company in accordance with the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger, or at such later date and time as the Purchaser and the Company shall agree and specify in the Certificate of Merger (the date and time that the Merger becomes effective being the “Effective Time”). Immediately following the Effective Time, the Parties shall cause the Subsequent Merger to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger relating to the Subsequent Merger (the “Subsequent Certificate of Merger”), meeting the requirements of the DGCL and the DLLCA, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, with the Secretary of State, executed and acknowledged by Merger Sub 2 in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA. The Subsequent Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Subsequent Certificate of Merger, or at such later date and time as the Purchaser and the Company shall agree and specify in the Subsequent Certificate of Merger (the date and time that the Subsequent Merger becomes effective being the “Subsequent Effective Time”).

2.4 Closing Payments. At the Closing:

(a) Purchaser shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Seller (i) promissory notes evidencing, in the aggregate, the Closing Date Preferred Amount, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C (collectively, the “Promissory Notes”) plus (ii) a stock certificate evidencing the full amount of the Closing Equity Consideration;

(b) Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Indebtedness and other amounts of any kind owing as of the Closing Date under the First Lien Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Credit Agreement and any other Closing Date Debt that is due and payable as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that Purchaser shall not pay off at Closing any Capital Lease Obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries entered into prior to Closing unless such Capital Lease Obligations are due and payable as of the Closing or would otherwise be in default as of the Closing (including any Capital Lease Obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries, the terms of which require a consent on or prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and which consent has not been obtained as of the Closing);

(c) Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, the Closing Date Selling Expenses (which payment may be made post-Closing if consistent with the agreement underlying such Closing Date Selling Expenses); and

(d) Purchaser shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Seller the Cash Consideration (if any).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at the Closing, Seller shall pay any Overage Amount as directed by the Purchaser, either (1) in cash or (2) at the Seller’s election (the “Closing Equity Election”) by reducing the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock (rounding up to the nearest whole share in the case of any fractional shares) that it would receive as Closing Equity Consideration equal to (x) the Overage Amount, divided by (y) the Per Share Price.

 

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2.5 Effects of the Combination under the DGCL and DLLCA. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger, and, at and after the Subsequent Effective Time, the Subsequent Merger, shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the DLLCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, (1) at the Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Merger Sub 1 and the Company shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Merger Sub 1 and the Company shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation, and (2) at the Subsequent Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Surviving Corporation and Merger Sub 2 shall vest in the Surviving Company, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation and Merger Sub 2 shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Company.

2.6 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation; Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Surviving Company.

2.6.1 At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto, and, as so amended and restated, shall constitute the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation.

2.6.2 At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated to read in their entirety as set forth in Exhibit E attached hereto, and, as so amended and restated, shall constitute the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided by the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such bylaws.

2.6.3 At the Subsequent Effective Time, the certificate of formation of Merger Sub 2, as in effect immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time, shall be the certificate of formation of the Surviving Company until thereafter changed or amended as provided by the DLLCA or such certificate of formation or the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company.

2.6.4 At the Subsequent Effective Time, the limited liability company agreement of Merger Sub 2, as in effect immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time, shall be the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company until thereafter changed or amended as provided by the DLLCA or such limited liability company agreement.

2.7 Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers; Surviving Company Managers and Officers.

2.7.1 The persons constituting the Board of Directors of Merger Sub 1 immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, constitute the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be, and the persons constituting the officers of Merger Sub 1 immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, constitute the officers of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

2.7.2 The persons constituting the Board of Managers of Merger Sub 2 immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time shall, from and after the Subsequent Effective Time, constitute the Board of Managers of the Surviving Company, until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be, and the persons constituting the officers of Merger Sub 2 immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time shall, from and after the Subsequent Effective Time, constitute the officers of the Surviving Company, until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

 

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2.8 Closing Contributions.

2.8.1 Immediately following the Subsequent Effective Time, Purchaser shall contribute 100% of its equity interests in the Surviving Company (the “Surviving Company Interests”) to Inception Intermediate, which will be admitted as a member of the Surviving Company (the “Purchaser Contribution”), which Purchaser Contribution shall be, and hereby is, accepted by Inception Intermediate;

2.8.2 Immediately following the Purchaser Contribution, Inception Intermediate shall contribute 100% of the Surviving Company Interests to Inception Parent, which will be admitted as a member of the Surviving Company (the “Intermediate Contribution”), which Intermediate Contribution shall be, and hereby is, accepted by Inception Parent; and

2.8.3 Immediately following the Intermediate Contribution, Inception Parent shall contribute 100% of the Surviving Company Interests to Borrower, which will be admitted as a member of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Contribution”), which Parent Contribution shall be, and hereby is, accepted by Borrower.

III. EFFECT OF THE COMBINATION

3.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, the Seller or the Company or the holders of any securities of the Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, the Seller or the Company:

3.1.1 Conversion of Company Common Stock. The shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (such shares, the “Shares”) (other than (i) Shares owned by Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2 or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time, and in each case not held on behalf of third parties and (ii) Shares owned by the Company, including Shares held in treasury by the Company, and in each case not held in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of third parties (the Shares referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Cancelled Shares”)) shall be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive in the aggregate:

(a) the Promissory Notes;

(b) the Cash Consideration (if any);

(c) the Closing Equity Consideration; and

(d) the right to receive the MOIC Equity Consideration and MOIC Dividend Amount pursuant to Section 3.3 (collectively with the Promissory Notes, Cash Consideration and the Closing Equity Consideration, the “Transaction Consideration”).

 

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3.1.2 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, all of the Shares that have been converted into a right to receive the Transaction Consideration as provided in this Section 3.1.1 shall no longer be outstanding, shall be cancelled and extinguished automatically and shall cease to exist, and each former holder of Shares that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares, except for the right to receive the Transaction Consideration to be paid in consideration therefor in accordance with this Article III.

(a) At the Effective Time, each Cancelled Share shall cease to be outstanding, be cancelled without any conversion thereof or payment of any consideration therefor and shall cease to exist.

(b) Each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Merger Sub 1 issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation (the “Surviving Corporation Common Stock”) and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

3.1.3 Adjustments. If at any time during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of Purchaser or the Company shall occur as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split) or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock distribution with a record date during such period, the Transaction Consideration shall be equitably adjusted to provide to the holders of Company Common Stock (or such rights that are convertible into shares of Company Common Stock) and Purchaser the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such action; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 3.1.3 shall be deemed to permit any action that Purchaser or the Company is otherwise prohibited from taking pursuant to this Agreement.

3.1.4 Effect on Interests. At the Subsequent Effective Time, each share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time shall be converted into one limited liability company interest of the Surviving Company and each limited liability company interest of Merger Sub 2 issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Subsequent Effective Time shall be converted into one limited liability company interest of the Surviving Company.

3.2 Proceedings. Except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, all proceedings that will be taken and all documents that will be executed and delivered by the Parties on the Closing Date will be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously, and no proceedings will be deemed taken nor any document executed and delivered until all such proceedings have been taken, and all such documents have been executed and delivered.

3.3 MOIC Equity Consideration. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon each Measurement Date, and as additional consideration for the Merger, Seller is entitled to additional consideration from Purchaser in the form of shares of Purchaser Common Stock (the “MOIC Equity Consideration”) as follows:

(a) If on any Measurement Date, MOIC is greater than 2.0x, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to an aggregate (taking into account all prior payments made pursuant to this Section 3.3) of 222,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(e)).

(b) If on any Measurement Date, MOIC is greater than 3.0x, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to an aggregate (taking into account all prior payments made pursuant to this Section 3.3) of 444,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(e)).

 

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(c) If on any Measurement Date, MOIC is greater than 4.0x, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to an aggregate (taking into account all prior payments made pursuant to this Section 3.3) of 666,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(e)).

(d) If on any Measurement Date, MOIC is greater than 4.5x, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock equal to an aggregate (taking into account all prior payments made pursuant to this Section 3.3) of 888,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(e)).

(e) If the Fully-Diluted Equity increases or decreases between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock which constitute the MOIC Equity Consideration shall be increased or decreased, as applicable, by multiplying (x) the number of shares by which the Fully-Diluted Equity has increased or decreased by (y)(i) in the case of Section 3.3(a), 1.583%, (ii) in the case of Section 3.3(b), 3.166%, (iii) in the case of Section 3.3(c), 4.749%, and (iv) in the case of Section 3.3(d), 6.332%.

For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the MOIC Equity Consideration exceed in the aggregate 888,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.3(e)). Purchaser shall notify Seller prior to any cash dividend by Purchaser to, or equity investment in Purchaser by, the Apollo Holders (provided, that such notification will not be required to the extent Seller is entitled to receive notification of such event in connection with its rights under the Investor Rights Agreement) and such notification shall include to the extent practicable, a calculation of the MOIC as of such date (which, if not practicable to provide prior to such date shall be provided as soon as practicable thereafter). Any delivery of MOIC Equity Consideration required to be made pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall be made at the applicable Measurement Date (or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable).

To the extent that any of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock constituting MOIC Equity Consideration that are actually issued would have, if delivered as of the Closing, been entitled to any cash dividends from and after the Closing (the amount of such dividends, the “MOIC Dividend Amount”), Purchaser shall deliver, in connection with the delivery of the MOIC Equity Consideration, at its election either (i) cash in the amount of the MOIC Dividend Amount, or (ii) additional shares of Purchaser Common Stock having a value equal to the MOIC Dividend Amount (rounding up to the nearest whole share in the case of any fractional shares). For purposes of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, the value of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock (or the stock of any successor of Purchaser) shall be deemed to equal (x) prior to the IPO, the fair market value of such shares as reasonably determined by the board of directors of the Purchaser as of the Business Day immediately preceding the date of delivery of the MOIC Equity Consideration; provided, that, if Seller disputes such determination within five (5) Business Days following notice thereof, then such determination shall be made by the Independent Valuation Expert, and (y) from and after the IPO, the volume weighted average trading price of such shares over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third (3^rd) trading day preceding the date of delivery of the MOIC Equity Consideration.

The number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock which constitutes the MOIC Equity Consideration shall be equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalization and the like occurring after the Closing.

3.4 Withholding. Each of Purchaser, the Surviving Company and their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement such amounts as it is required, in such payor’s reasonable determination, to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, any Treasury Regulations, or any other applicable state, local or foreign Tax Laws. To the extent that such amounts are so withheld and paid over to the applicable Governmental Authority, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

 

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3.5 Closing Statement. At least five (5) Business Days before the Closing, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Purchaser an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Closing Balance Sheet”), together with a statement (as the same may be adjusted by the Company in its sole discretion in response to comments made by Purchaser prior to the Closing, the “Closing Statement”) setting forth (a) in reasonable detail the Company’s good faith estimated calculations of Closing Date Cash, Closing Date Debt, Closing Date Selling Expenses and the Preferred Amount, and a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company that the Closing Balance Sheet and Closing Statement were prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of complying with the terms set forth in this Section 3.5, each Party shall cooperate with and make available to the other Parties, their respective representatives, all information, records, data and working papers, and shall permit access to its facilities and personnel, as may be reasonably required in connection with the preparation and analysis of the Closing Statement. Seller shall prepare and deliver a revised and final Closing Statement as of the Closing Date to reflect the Company’s actual calculations of Closing Date Cash, Closing Date Debt, Closing Date Selling Expenses and the Preferred Amount.

3.6 Other Pre-Closing Deliverables. At least two (2) Business Days before the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser (i) a payoff letter for each holder of Closing Date Debt to be paid at the Closing pursuant to Section 2.4, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser, (A) indicating the amount required to discharge such Closing Date Debt at Closing and (B) including, if any such Closing Date Debt is secured by any Liens, an undertaking by the holder(s) thereof to release such Liens upon receipt of the stated payoff amount, and (ii) invoices and wire transfer instructions for the payees of Closing Date Selling Expenses.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows (in each case, except where context implies otherwise, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis):

4.1 Existence and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has the requisite power and authority required to carry on their respective businesses in all material respects as presently conducted. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified to conduct business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, other than any failure to be qualified, licensed or in good standing, which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company has made available to Purchaser true and complete copies of its and its Subsidiaries’ Organizational Documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any material provision of its Organizational Documents. Neither the manager, managing member, member, board of directors or other governing body of the Company nor of any of its Subsidiaries has approved or proposed, and no equity holder of the Company or its Subsidiaries has approved or adopted, as of the date hereof, any amendment to any of the Organizational Documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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4.2 Authorization; Enforceability. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is or will be a party. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which the Company is or will be a party has been or will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and once executed, will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in an Action at law or in equity). The consent of Seller, as the sole stockholder of the Company, is the only vote required to adopt this Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Combination, under the Company’s Organizational Documents and applicable Law, which consent has been duly delivered and is effective immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has all material Permits and Approvals required to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its business requires it to maintain such material Permits and Approvals.

4.3 Non-Contravention; Consents; Restrictive Documents.

4.3.1 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3.1, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and Seller of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which they are, as contemplated by this Agreement, to become a party, did not and will not (a) violate the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) violate any Laws applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or by which any of their assets and properties are bound, (c) conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Authority the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify any material licenses and Permits or Approvals, (d) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, constitute a default under, give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, or require any consent or notice under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Material Contract, or (e) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any material asset of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or Seller or the Shares, other than, in the case of clauses (b), (c), (d), and (e), such violations, breaches, conflicts or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.3.2 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.3.2, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to, or a party to, any charter or bylaw provision (or provision of any equivalent Organizational Document), mortgage, Lien, lease, Permit, instrument, Law, Order, or any other restriction of any kind or character that would prevent or delay the timely consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

4.3.3 Except for compliance with the notification, reporting, and waiting period requirements of the HSR Act, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and Seller of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which they are, as contemplated by this Agreement, to become a party, do not and will not require any filing or notification with, or any clearance, authorization, Approval, waiver, or consent from, any Governmental Authority.

 

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4.4 Capitalization.

4.4.1 The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock, 1,000 of which are issued and outstanding and are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, have not been issued in violation of any preemptive, subscription or other similar rights, and are owned beneficially and of record by Seller. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4.1, there are no authorized or outstanding (a) shares of capital stock, equity interests, or other securities of the Company or (b) options, warrants or other rights of any Person to purchase or acquire any equity interests in, or any other equity securities of, the Company, or securities exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity interests in, or equity securities of, the Company, or obligations of the Company to issue any other securities of the Company (collectively, the “Company Securities”).

4.4.2 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4.2, the Company Securities are not subject to any voting agreement (including any voting trust), stockholder agreements, registration rights agreements, buy-sell agreements or other contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment, option, proxy, pledge, right of first refusal or offer or preemptive or similar right, or understanding, including any direct or indirect agreement, arrangement or understanding restricting or otherwise relating to the ownership, voting rights, distribution rights, transfer or disposition thereof.

4.4.3 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4.3, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, membership interests, or other securities of any Person.

4.4.4 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4.4, there are no outstanding (a) shares of capital stock, equity interests, or other securities of any Subsidiary of the Company or (b) options, warrants or other rights of any Person to purchase or acquire any equity interests in, or any other securities of, any Subsidiary of the Company, or securities exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity interests in, or securities of, any Subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the “Subsidiary Securities”).

4.5 Financial Statements and Related Matters. The Company has made available to Purchaser true and complete copies of the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements. The Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements (i) present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and the results of operations of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby and (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, subject, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to changes resulting from normal immaterial (in the aggregate) year-end adjustments and the absence of footnote disclosures and other presentation items, in each case the effect of which if they were included would not be material to the Company, taken as a whole. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5, the Company has no liabilities except for (x) liabilities reflected or adequately reserved against in the Interim Financial Statements and (y) liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course since the Balance Sheet Date (excluding any liability for breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Laws by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries). The accounting controls of the Company have been and are sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (1) all material transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (2) all material transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and the accounting principles, methods and practices used in preparing the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements and to maintain proper accountability for items.

4.6 Tax Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.6:

4.6.1 None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has ever (A) made an election under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3 or similar election under any comparable provision of state, local or foreign Tax law or (B) made an election under Section 1362 of the Code to be treated as an S corporation for federal income Tax purposes or similar election under any comparable provision of state, local or foreign Tax law.

 

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4.6.2 All Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been properly prepared and duly and timely filed (taking into account any valid extensions) and all such Tax Returns (including information provided therewith or with respect thereto) are true, correct, and complete in all material respects. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have fully and timely paid all Taxes due (whether or not shown as due and owing on any such Tax Returns) as of the Closing. Since the Balance Sheet Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any Tax liabilities other than Tax liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course.

4.6.3 The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have given or otherwise made available to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of all material Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies for taxable periods, or transactions consummated, for which the applicable statutory periods of limitations have not expired.

4.6.4 There are no Tax claims, audits or any other proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all deficiencies for Taxes asserted or assessed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been fully and timely paid, settled or properly reflected in the Balance Sheet. There are no rulings, subpoenas or requests for information pending with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any Governmental Authority. No Governmental Authority has given written notice of any intention to assert any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company and its Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

4.6.5 There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, Taxes due from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any taxable period and no request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

4.6.6 The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have each properly withheld and/or timely paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority all material Taxes required to have been withheld and/or paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to the Seller or any employee, creditor, independent contractor, or other third party for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date in compliance with all Tax withholding and remitting provisions of applicable Laws and have each complied in all material respects with all Tax information reporting provisions of all applicable Laws.

4.6.7 Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any Tax Sharing Agreement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have incurred any liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6, Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-78, or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law, as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

4.6.8 Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (A) participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b) (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law) or (B) taken any reporting position on a Tax Return, which reporting position (i) if not sustained would be reasonably likely, absent disclosure, to give rise to a penalty for substantial understatement of federal income Tax under Section 6662 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law) and (ii) has not adequately been disclosed on such Tax Return in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law).

 

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4.6.9 Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has constituted a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of shares qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution that could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with this acquisition.

4.6.10 Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries will be required to include in a taxable period ending after the Closing Date, taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a taxable period prior to the Closing Date, but was not recognized for Tax purposes in such prior taxable period (or to exclude from taxable income in a taxable period ending after the Closing Date any deduction the recognition of which was accelerated from such taxable period to a taxable period prior to the Closing Date) as a result of the installment method of accounting, the completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract method of accounting, the cash method of accounting, any installment sale, any excess loss account, any deferred revenue, any open transaction, any prepaid amount received prior to the Closing Date, or Section 481 of the Code or Section 108(i) of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law.

4.6.11 Any adjustment of Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries made by the IRS, which adjustment is required to be reported to the appropriate state, local, or foreign Governmental Authorities, has been so reported.

4.6.12 Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable ruling of any other Governmental Authority.

4.6.13 On or prior to the Closing, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will have properly and in a timely manner documented its transfer pricing methodology in compliance with Code Sections 482 and 6662 (and any related sections), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and any comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law.

4.6.14 There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens.

4.7 Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.7 or as contemplated by this Agreement, since the Balance Sheet Date, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their business in the Ordinary Course, including the management of its working capital (including the timing of collection of accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable and the management of inventory), (b) no Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is occurring, and (c) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have taken or authorized any action or failed to take any action that would, after the date hereof, require the consent of Purchaser pursuant to Section 7.3 or Section 7.4.

 

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4.8 Contracts.

4.8.1 Except (a) for this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (b) as disclosed on Schedule 4.8.1, and (c) for any oral agreements that were entered into in the Ordinary Course in connection with the employment by the Company or its Subsidiaries of its or their employees and contractors, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any of the following agreements (whether written or oral):

(a) any partnership, joint venture, or other similar Contract or arrangement, or any Contract relating to the acquisition or disposition of any business or material assets of any Person or any real property (whether by merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale of stock, sale of assets, or otherwise);

(b) any Contract relating to Indebtedness of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any other Person, whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed, or secured by any asset, and any guaranty of any obligation for Indebtedness or other material guaranty;

(c) any Contract that materially limits the ability of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates from marketing, selling, competing or otherwise distributing products or merchandise or providing services in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or during any period of time, including any Contracts that contain any exclusive rights, noncompetition provisions, “most favored nation” provisions or requirements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase its total requirements of a product or service from a third party;

(d) any Contract or arrangement with any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than for employment);

(e) any employment, consulting, deferred compensation, severance, bonus, retirement, or other similar Contract or plan with a value in excess of $500,000 for any individual Person or entity during the past twelve-month period;

(f) any employment-related Contract pursuant to which payments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be required by reason of consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(g) any Contract involving individual or aggregate payments by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $1,000,000 in any twelve-month period;

(h) any Contract relating to equipment providing for aggregate rental payments in excess of $1,000,000 in any twelve-month period;

(i) any leases of Company Real Property, including all amendments, extensions, renewals and guaranties relating thereto (the “Real Property Leases”) or any leases of material personal property;

(j) any Contract (including any option) to purchase or sell any interest in real property;

(k) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an existing obligation to pay any material amounts in respect of indemnification obligations, purchase price adjustment, or otherwise, in connection with any merger, consolidation or other business combination or any acquisition or disposition of a business;

(l) any indemnification or other similar Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to indemnify or advance expenses on behalf of any current or former director, manager or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any loss based on the fact that such Person is or was an director, manager or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(m) any commission, sales or agency Contract with any current employee, individual consultant, contractor or sales person that would require payments to any Person under such contract of an amount in excess of $500,000 over any one-year period for any Person;

(n) any Contract with a Top Customer or a Top Supplier;

(o) any Contract whose termination (other than those terminating by passage of time) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and that is not disclosed or required to be disclosed on Schedule 4.8.1 pursuant to another subsection of this Section 4.8.1;

(p) any Contract (excluding employment-related Contracts) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries would incur any change-in-control payment or similar obligation by reason of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(q) any Contract with any Governmental Authority;

(r) any Contract for a Collective Bargaining Agreement; or

(s) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (x) permits or agrees to permit any other Person to use, enforce, or register any material Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (y) has agreed to a covenant not to assert or sue with respect to any material Intellectual Property Right or (z) is permitted to use any material Intellectual Property Rights of any other person (other than shrink wrap licenses or other similar licenses for commercial off-the-shelf software products entered into in the Ordinary Course).

4.8.2 Each Contract disclosed on Schedule 4.8.1 (any such Contract, whether or not so listed, a “Material Contract”) is a valid and binding Contract of the Company or the Subsidiary that is a party thereto and is in full force and effect, and enforceable by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in an Action at Law or in equity). Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary, or any of their Affiliates, is in default or breach, in any material respect, under the terms of any Material Contract and neither the Company nor its applicable Subsidiary has received (1) written notice alleging a material default or material breach under any Material Contract (other than letters of default or breach that have been rescinded) or (2) written notice of cancellation or termination of such Material Contract and to the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred on or prior to the date hereof that (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) would constitute a material default by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary or any other party under any Material Contract. The Company has made available to Purchaser or its Representatives true and complete copies of each Material Contract, including all substantive amendments, modifications or waivers thereto.

4.8.3 The Company does not have any unpaid earn-out or similar obligations in connection with the acquisition of a business which will be required to be paid, except an aggregate amount of $27,500 payable to four employees in connection with the acquisition of Dualspark LLC (which shall be treated as Indebtedness).

 

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4.9 Insurance Coverage.

4.9.1 Schedule 4.9 sets forth a list of all insurance policies or binders and fidelity bonds covering the assets, business, operations, employees, officers and directors, as applicable, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including any backstop or self-funded policies (each a “Policy” and collectively, the “Policies”). With respect to each Policy, the Company has delivered to Purchaser a true and complete copy of each such Policy. All Policies are in full force and effect and there is no claim by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending under any Policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied, or disputed by the issuers or underwriters of such Policies. The Company has not received written (or, to the Company’s Knowledge, oral) notice of a material default with respect to its obligations under, or notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of, any of such Policies.

4.9.2 There is no pending Action under the Policies with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries as to which the insurers have denied or disputed (in writing), or, to the Company’s Knowledge, have threatened to deny or dispute, coverage. During the past three (3) years, no policy limits for any of such policies have been exhausted or materially reduced. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, has received any threat with respect to, a material increase in premiums with respect to, or any notice of cancellation or non-renewal of, any such policies. The Company has made available to Purchaser true, complete and correct copies of all loss-runs under such policies for the past three (3) years.

4.10 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.10, there is no Action pending or threatened in writing or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened orally against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, (a) if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or assets, would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order that seeks to delay or prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

4.11 Compliance with Applicable Laws; Permits.

4.11.1 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.11.1, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, is in material violation of any applicable Law or Order, nor does the Company have knowledge of the issuance or proposed issuance of any notice by any Governmental Authority of any actual violation or any alleged material violation of any Law or Order, except where any violation or failure to comply with such Laws or Orders would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No Order has been issued by any Governmental Authority which is applicable to, or otherwise affects, the Company or its Subsidiaries or their business or assets, properties or rights that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.11.2 Schedule 4.11.2 sets forth a list of each material Permit held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or issued and held in respect of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, or required to be so issued and held to carry on the business of the Company and such Subsidiaries as currently conducted. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.11.2, each Permit disclosed on Schedule 4.11.2 is held by the Company or each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and is valid and in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any Permit held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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4.12 Properties. Schedule 4.12 sets forth a list of all Company Real Property. The Company has a valid leasehold interest in the Company Real Property, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.12, no portion of the Company Real Property has been subleased or sublicensed to any other Person. True and complete copies of (a) all Real Property Leases and (b) all instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing, creating or constituting any Liens on Company Real Property in Company’s possession have been made available to Purchaser. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries own any real property. To the Company’s Knowledge, there is no pending or threatened appropriation, condemnation, or similar proceeding affecting the Company Real Property or any part thereof or any sale or other disposition of the Company Real Property or any part thereof in lieu of condemnation or any other matter materially affecting and impairing the current use, occupancy or value of the Company Real Property. The Company Real Property constitutes all of the real property used by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

4.13 Intellectual Property.

4.13.1 Schedule 4.13.1 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the following owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries: (a) issued patents and patent applications, (b) domain names and registered trademarks and applications therefor, (c) registered copyrights and applications therefor and (d) material proprietary software. The Company and its Subsidiaries own and possess all right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property Rights set forth on Schedule 4.13.1 free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

4.13.2 The Company or its Subsidiaries own or have the valid and legally enforceable right to use, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all Intellectual Property Rights required to conduct the business of the Company as currently conducted without any conflict with or infringement or misappropriation of any rights or property of third parties, and there is no action, suit, claim, or proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened in writing during the past three (3) years, alleging any such infringement or violation or challenging the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ rights in or to any such Intellectual Property Rights.

4.13.3 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.13.3:

(a) neither the Company’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ use of any Intellectual Property Rights nor the conduct of their respective businesses, as currently conducted or as conducted during the past three (3) years, infringes on, misappropriates or otherwise violates, in any material respect, any Intellectual Property Rights or other proprietary rights of any other Person, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any written complaint, claim, demand or notice in the past twelve (12) months alleging such infringement, misappropriation or violation;

(b) no claims or allegations that a Person is infringing on, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are pending against a third party and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no Person is infringing on, misappropriating or otherwise violating any such Intellectual Property Rights; and

(c) all registered patents, domain names, trademarks and copyrights, and applications to register patents, trademarks and copyrights set forth on Schedule 4.13.1, are in effect and, unless not material to the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries, have not expired or been cancelled, abandoned or otherwise terminated and, to the Company’s Knowledge, are valid and enforceable, and all renewal fees and other maintenance fees have been paid and all other maintenance actions have been taken.

 

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4.13.4 Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13.4, no material software owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries contains or requires use of any “open source” code, shareware or other software that is made generally available to the public without requiring payment of fees or royalties or that may require disclosure or licensing of any such software or any other Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the contents of Schedule 4.13.4, none of the software owned by or exclusively licensed by the Company or its Subsidiaries contains source code that is covered by or subject to the requirements of any version of the GNU General Public License or the GNU Affero General Public License, and no rights under the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries are obligated to be (x) waived as to or (y) licensed or disclosed to any Person as a result of the Company or its Subsidiaries’ use of “open source” code in the Company or its Subsidiaries’ software.

4.13.5 Each present or past employee, officer, consultant or any other Person who developed any material Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries has executed a valid and enforceable Contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that (i) conveys to the Company or its Subsidiaries any and all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property Rights developed by such Person in connection with such Person’s employment or engagement by the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) requires such Person, during and after the term of employment or contract, to cooperate with the Company or its Subsidiaries to secure its rights in such Intellectual Property Rights, including in the prosecution of any patent applications filed in connection with such Intellectual Property Rights and (iii) obligates such Person to keep any proprietary information of the Company and its Subsidiaries confidential both during and after the term of employment or Contract.

4.13.6 The Company and its Subsidiaries are not party to any Contracts that, as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, would require Purchaser or any of its Affiliates to assign, license, grant a non-assert or make available to any other Person any Intellectual Property Rights, or restrict the use or license by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates of any Intellectual Property Rights, or impose any royalty obligations on Purchaser or any of its Affiliates with respect to the use of any Intellectual Property Rights.

4.14 Environmental Matters.

4.14.1 The representations and warranties contained in this Section 4.14 are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company pertaining to or relating to any environmental matters, including any matter arising under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14.1:

(a) during the period in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries was a tenant thereon, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, prior to that period, Constituents of Concern have not been generated, recycled, used, treated, or stored on, transported to or from, or released or disposed on or from, the Company Real Property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s Knowledge, by any third party, except in a manner which would not reasonably be expected to result in any material liability under any Environmental Laws and is otherwise in material compliance with Environmental Laws;

(b) the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and for the past three (3) years have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and, are in compliance with, and have applied for all renewals of, all applicable Environmental Permits, all of which Environmental Permits have been provided to Purchaser prior to the date hereof and are listed on Schedule 4.14.1(b);

 

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(c) there are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened Environmental Claims against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Company Real Property;

(d) to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no (i) underground storage tanks or dumps, (ii) landfills, (iii) surface impoundments, (iv) other units for the treatment, storage or disposal of Constituents of Concern, (v) asbestos or (vi) polychlorinated biphenyls at, on, in or under the Company Real Property; and

(e) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation, or has entered into an agreement or consent order assuming any liability or obligation, under any Environmental Law (including any obligation to remediate any Environmental Condition whether caused by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).

4.14.2 The Company has made available to the Purchaser true and complete copies of all environmental investigations, studies, audits, tests, reviews, or other analyses in its possession or control relating to the operations of the Company or the Company Real Property.

4.15 Plans.

4.15.1 Schedule 4.15.1 sets forth a list of all pension, profit-sharing or profits interest, savings, retirement, employment (other than offer letters for “at-will” employment that do not provide for severance or other material payments or benefits and that are substantially similar to the form offer letter provided in the Company’s electronic data room, and other than for service agreements in respect of UK employees who do not form part of management), collective bargaining, consulting, severance, termination, executive compensation, incentive compensation, commission, deferred compensation, bonus, equity purchase, equity option, phantom equity or other equity-based compensation, change-in-control, retention, salary continuation, vacation or sick pay policy, disability, death benefit, group insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, life (including all individual life insurance policies as to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the sponsor, the beneficiary or both), Code Section 125 “cafeteria” or “flexible” benefit, loan, educational assistance or material (meaning in this case, a threshold of $15,000 in annual cost to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) fringe benefit plan, program, policy, practice, agreement or arrangement, whether written or oral, formal or informal, including each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) and other material (meaning in this case, a threshold of $15,000 in annual cost to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) employee benefit plan, program, policy, practice, agreement or arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA (including any funding mechanism therefor now in effect or required in the future as a result of the Combination), in each case, (i) under which any current, former or retired employee, independent contractor or director of the Company or any of its Affiliates has any present or future right to benefits and that is contributed to, sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates; or (ii) with respect to which the Company or any of its Affiliates has any actual or contingent liability, whether direct or indirect (collectively, the “Plans”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any plan or has made any promise or commitment to create any additional benefit plans which would be considered to be Plans once created or to improve or change the benefits in any material respect provided under any Plan. With respect to each Plan, the Company has delivered to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of (i) all Plans or, in the case of any unwritten Plan, a description thereof and, in each case, to the extent applicable, all amendments thereto; (ii) other than with respect to Plans primarily for the benefit of non-U.S. employees, the most recent annual report on Form 5500 filed with the IRS with respect to each Plan (if any such report was required); (iii) the most recent summary plan description for each Plan for which such summary plan description is required; (iv) each trust agreement and group annuity contract relating to any Plan; (v) the most recent financial statements and actuarial reports for each Plan (if any); and (vi) all material written communications to any Governmental Authority relating to such Plan made within the last year.

 

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4.15.2 Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has, during the six-year period ending on the date of this Agreement, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to any Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code, or Section 4971 of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has any unsatisfied liability under Title IV of ERISA and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no condition exists that would cause the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates to incur a liability under Title IV of ERISA. Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has, or within the six-year period ending on the date of this Agreement has contributed to, been required to contribute to, or has or within the six-year period ending on the date of this Agreement has had any obligation or liability (including “withdrawal liability” within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA) with respect to, any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. None of the Plans (a) is a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 4063 or Section 4064 of ERISA), (b) is a plan maintained in connection with a trust described in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, or (c) provides for or promises retiree medical or life insurance or other health or welfare benefits to any current or former employee of the Company, or any ERISA Affiliate, except to the extent required by Section 4980B of the Code or pursuant to a severance arrangement scheduled on Schedule 4.15.1. There does not now exist nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, do any circumstances exist that are reasonably likely to result in any Controlled Group Liability that would be a liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries following the Closing.

4.15.3 Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with, and has for all relevant periods been operated, established, registered, amended, funded, invested, maintained and administered in all material respects in accordance with, its terms and the requirements of all applicable Laws, and the Company has satisfied in all material respects all of its statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations with respect to each such Plan. No Action is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened with respect to any Plan (other than routine claims for benefits in the Ordinary Course), and to the Company’s Knowledge, no fact or circumstance exists that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such Action.

4.15.4 Each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) and/or Section 501(a) of the Code has either received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that it is so qualified or is established on a pre-approved form of plan document that has received a favorable advisory or opinion letter from the IRS, no such determination letter has been revoked, and to the Company’s Knowledge, nothing has occurred since the date of such determination, advisory, or opinion letter that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any Plan.

4.15.5 There has been no material breach of fiduciary responsibility or material non-exempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any Plan. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Combination contemplated hereby will (either alone or in combination with another event) result in the payment of any amount that would, individually or in combination with any other such payment, reasonably be expected to (i) not be deductible as a result of Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provisions of foreign, state or local law relating to Tax); or (ii) be subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code. Each Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) that is subject to Section 409A of the Code is in compliance in all material respects with Section 409A of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is a party to, or is otherwise obligated under, any plan, policy, agreement or arrangement that provides for the gross-up or reimbursement of Taxes imposed under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code (or any corresponding provisions of foreign, state or local law relating to Tax).

 

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4.15.6 All contributions, premiums, or payments required to be made with respect to each Plan have been made on or before their due dates (including any extensions) and within the applicable time required by the Plan and applicable Law in all material respects.

4.15.7 Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15.7, none of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Combination contemplated hereby (alone or in conjunction with any other event, including any termination of employment on or following the Closing) will (i) entitle any current or former director, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any compensation or benefit; (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or trigger or increase any payment or funding, of any compensation or benefits, or trigger any other obligation, under any Plan; or (iii) result in any breach or violation of, default under or limit the Company’s right to amend, modify or terminate any Plan.

4.15.8 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, all Plans subject to the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States (i) have been maintained in accordance with all applicable requirements; (ii) that are intended to qualify for special tax treatment, meet all the requirements for such treatment; and (iii) that are intended to be funded or book-reserved, are fully funded or book-reserved, as appropriate, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions.

4.16 Affiliate Transactions. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.16, neither the Seller nor any current or former Affiliate, officer, manager or director (or the equivalent), equity holder or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Affiliate or immediate family member of any of the foregoing is a party to any Contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having a value in excess of $100,000 per year, other than with respect to the payment of compensation to officers, managers or directors (or the equivalent) in the Ordinary Course and at arm’s-length or intercompany transactions among the Company and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries. No such Person has any interest in any property, real or personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries having a value in excess of $100,000. No such Person owes any money to or is owed any money by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000. No such Person owns, directly or indirectly, on an individual or joint basis, any interest in, or serves as an officer (or manager or other equivalent position) or trustee, director, manager, Affiliate, or employee of, any Person that is a seller to, or supplier, lessor, lessee, licensor, or competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any counterparty to any Material Contract.

4.17 Other Employment Matters.

4.17.1 Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is a party to or bound by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, nor is any such agreement being negotiated, and no Collective Bargaining Agreement is applicable to any employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates. To the Company’s Knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement, no labor organization or group of employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates has made a pending demand for recognition or certification, and there are no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened to be brought or filed with or before the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority. To the Company’s Knowledge, in the past three (3) years, there have been no organizing activities, union election activity or attempts to bargain collectively. In the past three (3) years, there have been no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, concerted refusal to work overtime, handbilling, demonstrations, leafletting, lockouts, arbitrations or grievances (in each case involving labor matters), or other labor disputes against or involving the Company or any of its Affiliates and none are pending, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is a party to any agreement, arrangement or

 

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understanding, whether written or oral, with any union, trade union, works council or other employee representative body or any material number or category of its employees that would prevent or materially restrict or impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the implementation of any layoff, redundancy, severance or similar program within its or their respective workforces (or any part of them).

4.17.2 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is, and has for the past three (3) years been in compliance in all respects with all federal, state, local and foreign laws regarding labor, employment and employment practices, including but not limited to all laws relating to (i) the hiring, promotion, assignment, and termination of employees; (ii) discrimination; (iii) harassment; (iv) retaliation; (v) equal employment opportunities; (vi) disability; (vii) labor relations; (viii) wages and hours; (ix) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and applicable state and local wage and hour laws (collectively, “FLSA”); (x) hours of work; (xi) payment of wages; (xii) immigration; (xiii) workers’ compensation; (xiv) employee benefits; (xv) background and credit checks; (xvi) working conditions; (xvii) occupational safety and health; (xviii) family and medical leave; and (xvix) any bargaining or other obligations under the National Labor Relations Act. To the Company’s Knowledge, each employee, officer and independent contractor of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has all work permits, immigration permits, visas, or other authorizations required by applicable law for such service provider given the duties and nature of such service provider’s services. A properly completed Form I-9 is on file with respect to each US-based employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

4.17.3 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, there are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened Actions or other legal proceeding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries brought by or on behalf of any applicant for employment, any current or former officer, employee, independent contractor, leased employee, intern, volunteer or “temp” of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person alleging to be a current or former employee, or any group or class of the foregoing, or any Governmental Authority, alleging (i) violation of any labor or employment law; (ii) breach of any Collective Bargaining Agreement; (iii) breach of any express or implied contract of employment; (iv) wrongful termination of employment; or (v) any other discriminatory, wrongful or tortious conduct in connection with any employment relationship. Prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any liabilities or obligations under the United States Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar state or local law that remain unsatisfied..

4.17.4 For the past three (3) years, all individuals who perform or have performed services for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been properly classified under applicable law as (i) employees or independent contractors and (ii) for employees, as an “exempt” employee or a “non-exempt” employee (within the meaning of the FLSA and state law), and no such individual has been improperly included or excluded from any Plan, except for non-compliance or exclusions which would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has notice of any pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened inquiry or audit from any Governmental Authority concerning any such classifications.

4.17.5 The Company has made available to Purchaser a list of all persons who are employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement, which list sets forth for each such individual the following: (i) identification number; (ii) title or position; (iii) whether full or part time; (iv) hire date; (v) current annual base compensation rate; (vi) commission, bonus or other cash incentive-based compensation; (vii) classification as exempt or non-exempt and (viii) location.

 

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4.17.6 No employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with a title of vice president or higher has given notice to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that such employee intends to terminate his or her employment. To the Company’s Knowledge, no current or former officer or employee is in violation, in any material respect, of any term of any employment contract, non-disclosure agreement or noncompetition agreement between such officer or employee and the Company or any of its Affiliates.

4.18 Customers and Suppliers.

4.18.1 Schedule 4.18.1 sets forth a list of the ten (10) largest customers (the “Top Customers”) and the ten (10) largest suppliers (the “Top Suppliers”) of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), as measured by the dollar amount of payments to or purchases therefrom, during the twelve (12) month period ended December 31, 2016, showing purchases by and payments to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary from and to each such supplier and customer during such periods.

4.18.2 Since December 31, 2016, no customer or supplier listed on Schedule 4.18.1 has terminated its relationship with the Company, and no such customer or supplier has notified the Company in writing (or, to the Company’s Knowledge, orally) that it intends to terminate its relationship with or materially decrease the amount of business done with the Company or materially alter the terms upon which it is willing to do business with the Company.

4.19 Finders’ Fees. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.19, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Affiliates, who might be entitled to any fee or commission, or similar compensation payable from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

4.20 International Trade Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.20, neither (A) the Company, nor (B) any of its Subsidiaries, nor (C) any of their directors or officers, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, (D) any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any customers or vendors of or agents for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) is designated on, or is owned or controlled by any party that is designated on, any list of restricted parties maintained by any applicable jurisdiction, including, for example, the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control or acts on behalf of any such designated party, or (ii) has participated in any transaction involving such designated Person, or any country or territory subject to country-wide or territory-wide restrictions or substantial restrictions on transactions by any applicable jurisdiction.

4.21 Anti-Corruption Matters. Since January 1, 2012, neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their directors, officers or employees, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of their Representatives, or any Person acting on their behalf has paid, offered, promised, or authorized the payment of money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official, government employee, political party, political party official, candidate for public office, officer or employee of a public international organization, or any Person for the purpose of influencing any official act or decision or to secure an improper advantage in order to obtain or retain business. Since January 1, 2012, neither the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their directors, officers or employees, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any Representatives or any Person acting on their behalf has violated any applicable anti-corruption law, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented and maintain internal controls and accounting procedures reasonably designed to prevent and detect such violations and have at all times maintained accurate books and records materially in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable trade restrictions, including those imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

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4.22 No Money Laundering. During the past four (4) years, the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have at all times been conducted in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, anti-money laundering laws, and rules and regulations thereunder. During the past four (4) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have violated any applicable financial or anti-money laundering laws, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, has there been any allegation or reason to believe such violation may have occurred. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Action, by or before any court or Governmental Authority involving the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to such financial and anti-money laundering laws has been or is pending or threatened.

4.23 Data Security.

4.23.1 The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have reasonable safeguards in place designed to protect customer data (including Protected Information). The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have used reasonable care in protecting the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and security of the Company’s IT Assets, networks and data and all customer data (including Protected Information).

4.23.2 The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have developed and implemented policies, procedures, and training programs to help ensure past, current, and ongoing compliance with all applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have delivered to the Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of their current policies and training materials relating to the Company’s data security and privacy practices.

4.23.3 Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.23.3, to the Company’s Knowledge, there has not been any unauthorized access, acquisition, use or disclosure of any Protected Information controlled by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any unauthorized access, acquisition, use or disclosure of Protected Information that would constitute a security breach for which notification to affected individuals, any Governmental Authority, or any third-party entity or individual is required under any applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws.

4.23.4 No third party with whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have shared Protected Information has notified the Company of any unauthorized acquisition, access, use or disclosure of Protected Information received from or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would trigger a notification or reporting requirement under Information Privacy and Security Laws.

4.23.5 There are no actions pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the security, collection or use of Protected Information, or the adequacy of, and compliance with, the Company’s internal data security and privacy policies and procedures.

4.23.6 The Company uses reasonable care in maintaining physical and data security, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans and procedures. The Company acts in compliance with such plans and procedures and has taken reasonable care to test such plans and procedures on a periodic basis, and such plans and procedures have been proven effective upon such testing in all material respects.

 

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4.23.7 The IT Assets, including the software, hardware, networks, servers, workstations, switches, data communication lines, hubs, platforms and related systems, owned, leased or licensed by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the conduct of their business are sufficient in all material respects for the immediate and currently anticipated future needs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including as to capacity, scalability and ability to process currently anticipated peak volumes. In the last twenty-four (24) months, there have been no failures, breakdowns, continued substandard performance, known non-trivial vulnerabilities, or other adverse events affecting any such IT Assets that have caused any material disruption or interruption in or to the use of such IT Assets.

4.24 Privacy.

4.24.1 The Company’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ collection, maintenance, transmission, transfer, use, disclosure, storage, disposal and security of Protected Information complies in all material respects, with (i) applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws, (ii) applicable PCI DSS requirements, (iii) Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party that govern that Protected Information, and (iv) applicable publicly posted Company website privacy policies.

4.24.2 The Company and its Subsidiaries have not received written notice of any allegation that there has been a material breach of any Business Associate Agreement (i.e., a “business associate contract” as described under HIPAA at 45 C.F.R. § 164.504(e)) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company and its Subsidiaries are not under investigation by any Governmental Authority for a violation of HIPAA or other applicable Information Privacy and Security Law, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries received any notices from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights alleging any such violations.

4.25 Government Contracts.

4.25.1 Set forth in Schedule 4.25.1(a) is a list of each Government Contract, the period of performance for which has not expired and which remains in effect (i.e., each Government Contract for which the Company has not completed performance and submitted a final invoice) (each, a “Current Government Contract”) as of the date of this Agreement. Set forth in Schedule 4.25.1(b) is a list of each Government Bid submitted by the Company that remains outstanding as of the date of this Agreement.

4.25.2 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.2, there exists no Government Contract that was awarded to the Company pursuant to a procurement that was restricted to bidders qualified as a “small business,” “small disadvantaged business,” or otherwise possessing protégé status, veteran owned small business or other preferential status, or a “minority set aside” or other “set aside” status.

4.25.3 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.3, with respect to each Current Government Contract to which the Company is a party and each pending Government Bid submitted by the Company:

(a) each such Current Government Contract was legally awarded, is binding on the Company, is in full force and effect, and was awarded in compliance with applicable Law; and no Current Government Contract or Government Bid is currently the subject of bid protest proceedings;

(b) the Company has complied with all material terms and conditions of such Current Government Contract or Government Bid, including all material clauses, provisions and requirements incorporated expressly by reference or by operation of Law therein;

 

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(c) the Company has complied in all material respects with all Laws pertaining to such Current Government Contract or Government Bid;

(d) all representations, certifications, disclosures and warranties of the Company executed, acknowledged or set forth in or pertaining to such Current Government Contract or Government Bid were complete and correct in all material respects as of the dates they were made (or deemed made), and the Company has complied in all material respects with all such representations, certifications, disclosures and warranties;

(e) all information submitted by the Company in support of the negotiation of Current Government Contracts or Government Bids, or modifications thereto, or in support of requests for payments thereunder, was, as of the date of price agreement or payment submission current, accurate and complete in all material respects;

(f) no Governmental Authority or other Person has notified the Company in writing that it has, or may have, breached or violated in any material respect any, certification, representation, disclosure, provision, requirement, applicable Law, regulation or administrative order pertaining to such Current Government Contract or Government Bid;

(g) no Governmental Authority, any prime contractor, subcontractor or any other Person has notified the Company in writing that any Current Government Contract has been terminated for any reason and no cure notice or show cause notice or stop work order is currently in effect pertaining to any such Government Contract or Government Bid; and

(h) since January 1, 2014, no money due to the Company pertaining to a Current Government Contract or Government Bid has been withheld or offset in a material amount nor has any claim been made to withhold or set-off payment.

4.25.4 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.4, neither the Company, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of its directors, officers or employees, is or at any time since January 1, 2014 has been:

(a) under audit or administrative, civil or criminal investigation, or the subject of any information or indictment by any Governmental Authority, other than routine audits in the ordinary course of business, or the subject of any actual “whistleblower” or “qui tam” lawsuit;

(b) the subject of any internal investigation conducted or initiated by the Company, or a voluntary disclosure or mandatory disclosure to any Governmental Authority, in each case with respect to any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to any Government Contract or Government Bid; or

(c) debarred or suspended or proposed for debarment, or received written notice of actual or proposed debarment or suspension, from participation in the award of any Government Contracts by any Governmental Authority, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, is or was the subject of a finding of non-responsibility or ineligibility for Government Contracts (excluding for this purpose ineligibility to bid on certain contracts due to generally applicable bidding requirements). To the Company’s Knowledge, no facts or circumstances exist that would warrant the institution of suspension or debarment proceedings or the finding of non-responsibility or ineligibility on the part of the Company or its directors or officers.

 

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4.25.5 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.5, there exist:

(a) no outstanding material claims or disputes, either by any Governmental Authority or by any prime contractor, subcontractor, vendor or other third party, against the Company, arising under or relating to any Government Contract to which the Company is a party or any Government Bid involving the Company; and

(b) no outstanding material claims or disputes by the Company against any Governmental Authority under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 or any other applicable Law, or any prime contractor, subcontractor or vendor, in each case arising under or relating to any Government Contract to which the Company is a party. The Company has no interest in any pending claim or request for equitable adjustment against any Governmental Authority or any prime contractor, subcontractor or vendor arising under or relating to any Government Contract to which the Company is a party or any Government Bid involving the Company.

4.25.6 As of the date of this Agreement, to the Company’s Knowledge, since January 1, 2014, there have been no reports resulting from audits or other administrative, civil or criminal investigations by Governmental Authority officials of any of the Government Contracts (past or present) that conclude that the Company engaged in overcharging or other defective pricing practices or in other practices in violation of applicable Law, and no Governmental Authority has made any allegations in writing, or to the Company’s Knowledge orally, under or relating to the U.S. civil or criminal False Claims Act or similar state laws, the Anti-Kickback Act or the Procurement Integrity Act or any comparable state or foreign Law, in each case with respect to any Government Contract or Government Bid involving the Company. As of the date of this Agreement, to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no audits or other administrative, civil or criminal investigations by Governmental Authority officials of any Government Contracts (past or present) which are either on-going or have been completed but the report of which has not yet been issued (and is expected to be issued) and which are expected to recommend fines, penalties or other sanctions.

4.25.7 All sales, pricing and discount information submitted by the Company in support of a proposal for any General Service Administration Federal Supply Schedule contract was current, accurate and complete when submitted, and the Company has complied with the requirements of the Price Reductions clause, and has timely reported sales and paid all required Industrial Funding Fees for any Federal Supply Schedule contract.

4.25.8 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.8, the Company has not received a past performance evaluation with a rating lower than satisfactory in connection with any Government Contract within the past three (3) years.

4.25.9 To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company is in compliance in all material respects with all security obligations incorporated in any Government Contract and all national security obligations applicable to the Company, including without limitation, those specified in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, DOD 5220.22-M (February 28, 2006). The facility and personnel security clearances listed in Schedule 4.25.9 are all of the clearances necessary to conduct the business of the Company as of the date of this Agreement.

4.25.10 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.25.10, to the Company’s Knowledge, there is no work or future business opportunities from which the Company is currently limited, prohibited or otherwise restricted from performing or bidding, due to express “organizational conflicts of interest” (as defined by FAR Subpart 9.5), Contract terms or provisions, or organizational conflicts of interest mitigation plans submitted by the Company in connection with any Government Contract.

 

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4.25.11 All Intellectual Property Rights (if any) delivered or used by the Company in performance of any Government Contract, including technical data, computer software and computer software documentation, other than third party computer software, has included the proper restrictive legends, such as “Restricted Rights,” “Government Purpose Rights,” “Limited Rights” or “Special License Rights,” within the meaning of the FAR and the Department of Defense FAR Supplement.

4.25.12 The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 2278), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Part 120 et seq.), the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR Part 730 et seq.) and associated executive orders, the laws, restrictions and sanctions implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Controls, U. S. Department of Treasury, and any other applicable U.S. export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations (collectively, the “Export Control Laws”). The Company has not received any communication in writing from any Governmental Authority or any other Person of any actual or alleged violation, breach of noncompliance with the Export Control Laws.

4.25.13 Neither the Company, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any director, manager, or officer thereof, nor any employee or Person acting for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, has (A) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, gratuities, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity, or (B) made any other payment in violation of Law to any official of any Governmental Authority, including but not limited to, bribes, gratuities, kickbacks, lobbying expenditures, political contributions or contingent fee payments.

4.26 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties.

4.26.1 NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO PURCHASER OR ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDA, MANAGEMENT PRESENTATIONS OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA), EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE IV AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE EQUITY SECURITIES OR BUSINESSES OR ASSETS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION SO PROVIDED, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE IV AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, PURCHASER IS RELYING ONLY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE IV AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY PURSUANT HERETO; PROVIDED THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT LIMIT PURCHASER’S REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO FRAUD OR CONSTITUTE A DISCLAIMER OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION FURNISHED OR MADE AVAILABLE WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD.

 

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V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

Seller hereby represents and warrants, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

5.1 Organization. Seller is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware. Seller is not in violation of any material provision of its Organizational Documents. Neither the manager, managing member, member, board of directors or other governing body of Seller has approved or proposed, and no equity holder of Seller has approved or adopted, as of the date hereof any amendment to any of the Organizational Documents of Seller.

5.2 Authorization; Enforceability. Seller’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is or will be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, are within Seller’s capacity, power and authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary third party action. Seller has all requisite capacity, power and authority to become a party to, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Seller is or will be a party. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which Seller is or will be a party has been or will be duly executed and delivered by Seller, and once executed, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding agreement of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

5.3 Title to Interests. The Seller is the sole record and beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to, the Shares, free and clear of any Liens, except as are imposed by applicable securities or other Laws.

5.4 Non-Contravention; Consents.

5.4.1 The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is or will be a party does not and will not (a) violate the Organizational Documents of Seller or (b) violate any applicable Law or Order.

5.4.2 Seller is not subject to, or a party to, any provision of any Organizational Document, mortgage, Lien, lease, Permit, instrument, Law, Order, or any other restriction of any kind or character, that would prevent or delay the timely consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

5.4.3 Except for compliance with the notification, reporting, and waiting period requirements of the HSR Act, the execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which it is, as contemplated by this Agreement, to become a party, does not and will not require any filing or notification with, or any clearance, authorization, Approval, waiver, or consent from, any Governmental Authority.

5.5 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.5, there is no Action pending or threatened in writing or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened orally against or affecting Seller that, (a) if determined adversely to the Seller, or any of their respective properties or assets, would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Seller, or (b) seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Seller is not subject to any Order that seeks to delay or prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

 

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5.6 Finders’ Fees. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.6, there is no investment banker, broker, finder, or other intermediary that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Seller or any of its Affiliates, who might be entitled to any fee or commission, or similar compensation payable from Seller or its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. All amounts disclosed on Schedule 5.6 or required to be paid to the investment banker, broker, finder, or other intermediary set forth thereon shall be paid by Seller.

5.7 Capitalization. Schedule 5.7 sets forth a true and complete list of all the authorized, issued and outstanding equity interests (listed by class or series, and by each holder thereof) of Seller and the Preferred Amount as of the date hereof, and whether an 83(b) election under the Code was made with respect to such equity interests. All of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Seller are duly authorized, validly issued and were not issued in violation of any purchase or call option, right of first refusal or offer, subscription right, preemptive right or any similar rights. Except for this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and as set forth in Schedule 5.7, there are no outstanding rights, options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities, subscription rights, preemptive rights, conversion rights, exchange rights or other agreements that require Seller to issue, exchange, redeem or acquire any equity interests or any other securities of Seller. There are no (a) outstanding or authorized equity appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to any equity interests of Seller, (b) agreements, voting trusts or proxies with respect to the voting, disposition, acquisition or registration under the Securities Act, of any equity interests of Seller or (c) bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness the holders of which have the right to vote (or are convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or acquire securities having the right to vote) with the equity holders of Seller on any matter.

5.8 ABRY Stockholder Payments. Neither any ABRY Stockholder nor any of their Affiliates (other than the Seller and its Subsidiaries) will receive any portion of any cash payment made, or caused to be made, by the Purchaser to or on behalf of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries at the Closing or pursuant to the Promissory Note.

5.9 Exclusivity of Representations.

5.9.1 NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO PURCHASER OR ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE V AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY SELLER PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION SO PROVIDED, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE V AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY SELLER PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, PURCHASER IS RELYING ONLY ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE V AND ANY CERTIFICATE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT DELIVERED BY THE SELLER PURSUANT HERETO; PROVIDED THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT LIMIT PURCHASER’S REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO FRAUD OR CONSTITUTE A DISCLAIMER OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR INFORMATION FURNISHED OR MADE AVAILABLE WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD.

 

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5.10 Seller’s Investigation and Reliance. The Seller is a sophisticated party and has made its own investigation, review and analysis regarding the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby, together with the Representatives that they have engaged for such purpose. The Seller and its Representatives have been provided with full and complete access to the Representatives, properties, offices and other facilities, books and records of the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries and other necessary information that they have requested in connection with their investigation of the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Seller is not relying, and has not relied, upon any statement, representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, made by the Purchaser or its Affiliates or Representatives, except as expressly set forth in Article VI and the Disclosure Schedules. Neither the Purchaser nor any of their Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to the Seller or any of its Affiliates or Representatives resulting from the use of any information, documents, or materials made available to the Seller, whether orally or in writing, in any confidential information memoranda, “data rooms”, “virtual data rooms”, management presentations, due diligence discussions or presentations or in any other form in expectation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither the Purchaser nor any of their Affiliates or Representatives is making, directly or indirectly, any representation or warranty with respect to any estimates, projections or forecasts involving the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, including as contained in any information memorandum. The Seller acknowledges and agrees that there are inherent uncertainties in attempting to make such estimates, projections and forecasts and that it takes full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of any such estimates, projections or forecasts (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying any such estimates, projections or forecasts). Nothing in this Section 5.10 is intended to modify or limit any of the representations or warranties of the Purchaser set forth in Article VI. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this provision will limit the Seller’s remedies with respect to fraud.

VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER ENTITIES

Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Inception Intermediate, Inception Parent and Borrower (collectively, the “Purchaser Entities”) represent and warrant to the Seller and the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

6.1 Existence and Qualification. The Purchaser is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing as a corporation under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Merger Sub 1 is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing as a corporation under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Merger Sub 2 is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing as a limited liability company under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the jurisdiction of its formation. Inception Intermediate is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing as a corporation under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Inception Parent is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing as a corporation under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each Purchaser Entity and its respective Subsidiaries has the requisite power and authority required to carry on its respective businesses in all material respects as presently conducted. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.1, each Purchaser Entity and its respective Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified to conduct business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, other than any failure to be qualified, licensed or in good standing which has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Purchaser Entity. Purchaser has made available to Seller true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Purchaser Entity. No Purchaser Entity is in violation of any material provision of its Organizational Documents. Except as provided herein, neither the manager, managing member, member, board of directors or other governing body of any Purchaser Entity has approved or proposed as of the date hereof any amendment to any of the Organizational Documents of any Purchaser Entity.

 

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6.2 Authorization; Enforceability. The Purchaser Entities’ execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is or will be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, are within the Purchaser Entities’ respective capacity, power and authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary third-party action. This Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which each Purchaser Entity is or will be a party has been or will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Purchaser Entity, and once executed, will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of each Purchaser Entity, enforceable against each Purchaser Entity in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in an Action at law or in equity).

6.3 Non-Contravention; Consents.

6.3.1 Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.3.1, the execution, delivery and performance by each Purchaser Entity of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which they are, as contemplated by this Agreement, to become a party does not and will not (a) violate the Organizational Documents of any Purchaser Entity, (b) violate any Laws applicable to any Purchaser Entity, or by which any of their assets and properties are bound, (c) conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Authority the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate or modify any licenses and Permits or Approvals, or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any asset of any Purchaser Entity, other than, in the case of clauses (b), (c), and (d), such violations, breaches, conflicts or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Purchaser Entities, taken as a whole.

6.3.2 Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.3.2, no Purchaser Entity is subject to, or a party to, any charter, bylaw, mortgage, Lien, lease, Permit, instrument, Law, Order, or any other restriction of any kind or character, that would prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

6.3.3 Except for compliance with the notification, reporting, and waiting period requirements of the HSR Act, the execution, delivery and performance by each Purchaser Entity of this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which they are, as contemplated by this Agreement, to become a party, does not and will not require any filing or notification with, or any clearance, authorization, Approval, waiver, or consent from, any Governmental Authority.

6.4 Litigation. There is no Action pending or threatened in writing or, to Purchaser’s Knowledge, threatened orally against or affecting any Purchaser Entity or Subsidiary that, (a) if determined adversely to such Purchaser Entity or Subsidiary, or any of their respective properties or assets, would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Purchaser Entities, taken as a whole, or (b) seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. No Purchaser Entity is subject to any Order that seeks to delay or prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

6.5 Finders’ Fees. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.5, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of any Purchaser Entity, or any of their respective Affiliates, who might be entitled to any fee or commission, or similar compensation payable from any Purchaser Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. All amounts disclosed on Schedule 6.5 or required to be paid to the investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary set forth thereon shall be paid by the Purchaser.

 

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6.6 Capitalization.

6.6.1 Schedule 6.6.1 sets forth, as of the date hereof, the entire authorized, issued and outstanding equity interests of Purchaser and its holders of record. Except as provided in such Schedule and as otherwise provided in this Agreement, as of the date hereof there are no (a) equity interests or other securities of the Purchaser, (b) securities of the Purchaser convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for equity interests, or other securities of the Purchaser, (c) subscription, calls, commitments, Contracts, options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or acquire, or obligations of the Purchaser to issue, any equity interests, or other securities, including securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for equity interests, or other securities of the Purchaser, or (d) bonds, debentures, notes, or other indebtedness that entitle the holders to vote (or are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, securities that entitle the holders to vote) with holders of equity interests, or other securities of the Purchaser on any matter, nor are there any obligations of the Purchaser to repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing.

6.6.2 Except as set forth on Schedule 6.6.2, the equity interests of the Purchaser issued and outstanding as of the date hereof have been duly authorized and validly issued pursuant to the Organizational Documents of the Purchaser and applicable Law. Upon issuance, the Closing Equity Consideration and the MOIC Equity Consideration will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable, and shall not be issued in violation of any purchase or call option, right of first refusal or offer, subscription right, preemptive right or any similar rights.

6.7 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, no Purchaser Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is occurring.

6.8 Financing.6.8.1 As of the date of this Agreement, Purchaser has delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of an executed commitment letter, dated as of the date of this Agreement, among Borrower and the lenders party thereto (the “Debt Commitment Letter”) pursuant to which the lenders party thereto have committed, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to lend the amount set forth therein for the purpose of funding a portion of the Transaction Consideration (the “Debt Financing”). Purchaser has also delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of the related fee letter (which may be delivered with the fee amounts, “flex” terms and other economic terms redacted in a customary manner so long as no redaction covers terms that would adversely affect the conditionality, availability or termination of the Debt Financing or reduce the amount of the Debt Financing below the Required Amount (after taking into account available cash of Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, the borrowings available under the Borrower’s existing revolving credit facility and available cash of the Company and its Subsidiaries)) (such letter, the “Fee Letter”).

6.8.2 As of the date of this Agreement, (i) the Debt Commitment Letter has not been amended or modified; (ii) no such amendment or modification is contemplated by Purchaser or Borrower or, to the Purchaser’s Knowledge, by the other parties thereto (other than to add lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or other similar entities who had not executed the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date of this Agreement); and (iii) to the Purchaser’s Knowledge, the respective commitments contained therein have not been withdrawn, terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended, supplemented or modified in any respect. There are no other Contracts, agreements, side letters or arrangements to which Purchaser or Borrower is a party relating to the funding of the full amount of the Debt Financing, other than as expressly set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter.

 

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6.8.3 Assuming (x) the Debt Financing is funded in accordance with the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter (including the “flex” terms thereof), (y) the accuracy in all material respects of the representations and warranties set forth in Articles IV and V hereof and (z) the performance by Seller, the Company and its Subsidiaries of the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the Debt Financing, together with available cash of Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, borrowings available under the Borrower’s existing revolving credit facility and available cash of the Company and its Subsidiaries is sufficient to (a) pay the amounts evidenced by the Promissory Notes in cash, (b) pay the Cash Consideration (if any), (c) pay any and all fees and expenses required to be paid at Closing by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (d) satisfy all other payment obligations of Purchaser contemplated hereunder to be paid on the Closing Date (the “Required Amount”).

6.8.4 As of the date of this Agreement, the Debt Commitment Letter (in the form delivered by Purchaser to the Company) is in full force and effect and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower and, to the Purchaser’s Knowledge, the other parties thereto, as applicable, enforceable against Borrower and, to the Purchaser’s Knowledge, the other parties thereto, as applicable, in accordance with its terms and conditions, except, in each case, as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and, as to enforceability, by general principles of equity. Other than as expressly set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter, there are no conditions precedent or other contingencies related to the funding of the full amount of the Debt Financing pursuant to any agreement relating to the Debt Financing to which Purchaser or Borrower is a party.

6.9 Purchaser’s Investigation and Reliance. Purchaser is a sophisticated purchaser and has made its own investigation, review and analysis regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, Seller and the transactions contemplated hereby, together with the Representatives that they have engaged for such purpose. Purchaser and its Representatives have been provided with full and complete access to the Representatives, properties, offices and other facilities, books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and other necessary information that they have requested in connection with their investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby. Purchaser is not relying, and has not relied, upon any statement, representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, made by the Company or its Affiliates or Representatives, except as expressly set forth in Article IV and Article V and the Disclosure Schedules. Neither Seller nor the Company nor any of their Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or Representatives resulting from the use of any information, documents, or materials made available to Purchaser, whether orally or in writing, in any confidential information memoranda, “data rooms”, “virtual data rooms”, management presentations, due diligence discussions or presentations or in any other form in expectation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither Seller nor the Company (nor any of their Affiliates or Representatives) is making, directly or indirectly, any representation or warranty with respect to any estimates, projections or forecasts involving the Company and its Subsidiaries, including as contained in any information memorandum and the Confidential Information Presentation. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that there are inherent uncertainties in attempting to make such estimates, projections and forecasts and that it takes full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of any such estimates, projections or forecasts (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying any such estimates, projections or forecasts). Nothing in this Section 6.9 is intended to modify or limit any of the representations or warranties of the Company set forth in Article IV or Seller set forth in Article V. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this provision will limit Purchaser’s remedies with respect to fraud.

 

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6.10 Financial Statements and Related Matters. Purchaser has made available to Seller true and complete copies of the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements. The Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements (i) present fairly in all material respects the financial position of Purchaser and the results of operations of Purchaser as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby and (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, subject, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, to changes resulting from normal immaterial (in the aggregate) year-end adjustments and the absence of footnote disclosures and other presentation items, in each case the effect of which if they were prepared would not be material to Purchaser. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.10, Purchaser has no liabilities of a type required by GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet of Purchaser, except for (x) liabilities reflected or adequately reserved against in the Interim Financial Statements and (y) liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course since the Balance Sheet Date (excluding any liability for breach of Contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Laws by Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries). The accounting controls of Purchaser have been and are sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (1) all material transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (2) all material transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and the accounting principles, methods and practices used in preparing the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements and to maintain proper accountability for items.

6.11 Tax Matters. With respect to Tax matters, this Section 6.11 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made by the Purchaser Entities relating to the same. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect or as disclosed on Schedule 6.11:

6.11.1 Each of the Purchaser and Merger Sub I and each of their Subsidiaries that are U.S. persons treated as corporations (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) are all members of the same “qualified group” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(d)(4)(ii).

6.11.2 All Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Purchaser Entities and each of their Subsidiaries have been properly prepared and duly and timely filed (taking into account any valid extensions) and all such Tax Returns (including information provided therewith or with respect thereto) are true, correct, and complete in all respects. The Purchaser Entities and each of their Subsidiaries have fully and timely paid all Taxes due (whether or not shown as due and owing on any such Tax Returns) as of the Closing. Since the Balance Sheet Date, neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries have incurred any Tax liabilities other than Tax liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course.

6.11.3 There are no Tax claims, audits or any other proceedings pending or, to Purchaser’s Knowledge, threatened against the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, and all deficiencies for Taxes asserted or assessed against the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries have been fully and timely paid, settled or properly reflected in the applicable Financial Statements. There are no rulings, subpoenas or requests for information pending with respect to the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries with any Governmental Authority. No Governmental Authority has given written notice of any intention to assert any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes against the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, and no written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Purchaser Entities and each of their Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

 

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6.11.4 There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, Taxes due from the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries for any taxable period and no request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

6.11.5 The Purchaser Entities and each of their Subsidiaries have properly withheld and/or timely paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority all Taxes required to have been withheld and/or paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to the Purchaser Entities or any employee, creditor, independent contractor, or other third party for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date in compliance with all Tax withholding and remitting provisions of applicable Laws and have each complied in all respects with all Tax information reporting provisions of all applicable Laws.

6.11.6 Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries are a party to or bound by any Tax Sharing Agreement. The Purchaser has not incurred any liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6, Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-78, or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law, as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

6.11.7 Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries have (A) participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b) (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law) or (B) taken any reporting position on a Tax Return, which reporting position (i) if not sustained would be reasonably likely, absent disclosure, to give rise to a penalty for substantial understatement of federal income Tax under Section 6662 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law) and (ii) has not adequately been disclosed on such Tax Return in accordance with Section 6662(d)(2)(B) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign Tax Law).

6.11.8 Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries have constituted a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of shares qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) in a distribution that could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with this acquisition.

6.11.9 Neither the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries will be required to include in a taxable period ending after the Closing Date, taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a taxable period prior to the Closing Date, but was not recognized for Tax purposes in such prior taxable period (or to exclude from taxable income in a taxable period ending after the Closing Date any deduction the recognition of which was accelerated from such taxable period to a taxable period prior to the Closing Date) as a result of the installment method of accounting, the completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract method of accounting, the cash method of accounting, Section 481 of the Code or Section 108(i) of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law.

6.11.10 Any adjustment of Taxes of the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries made by the IRS, which adjustment is required to be reported to the appropriate state, local, or foreign Governmental Authorities, has been so reported.

6.11.11 Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries have executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law, and the Purchaser is not subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable ruling of any other Governmental Authority.

6.11.12 On or prior to the Closing, the Purchaser Entities and each of their Subsidiaries will have properly and in a timely manner documented its transfer pricing methodology in compliance with Code Sections 482 and 6662 (and any related sections), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and any comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax Law.

6.11.13 There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the assets or properties of the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens.

 

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6.12 Compliance with Applicable Laws; Permits. Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries are in material violation of any applicable Law or Order, nor do the Purchaser Entities have Knowledge of the issuance or proposed issuance of any notice by any Governmental Authority of any actual violation or any alleged material violation of any Law or Order, except where any violation or failure to comply with such Laws or Orders would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No Order has been issued by any Governmental Authority which is applicable to, or otherwise affects, the Purchaser Entities or their Subsidiaries or their business or assets, properties or rights that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Purchaser Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries are in default under any Permit held by the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, except where any such default would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.13 Affiliate Transactions. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.13, neither the Purchaser nor any current or former Affiliate, officer or director (or the equivalent), equity holder or stockholder of a Purchaser Entity or any of their Subsidiaries or any Affiliate or immediate family member of any of the foregoing is a party to any Contract with the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries having a value in excess of $100,000 per year, other than with respect to the payment of compensation to officers or directors (or the equivalent) in the Ordinary Course and at arm’s-length and intercompany transactions among the Purchaser Entities or any of their wholly-owned Subsidiaries. No such Person has any interest in any material property, real or personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the businesses of the Purchaser Entities and their Subsidiaries having a value in excess of $100,000. No such Person owns, directly or indirectly, on an individual or joint basis, any interest in, or serves as an officer (or manager or other equivalent position) or trustee, director, manager, Affiliate, or employee of, any Person that is a seller to, or supplier, lessor, lessee, licensor, or competitor of the Purchaser Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, including any counterparty to any Material Contract.

VII. CERTAIN COVENANTS

7.1 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when requested by any Party to this Agreement, the other Parties will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and will take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions, as the requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in any such case, at the requesting Party’s sole cost and expense.

7.2 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. From the Closing through the sixth (6^th) anniversary of the Closing, the Purchaser shall cause the Surviving Company to, and the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries shall, indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted under the Laws governing the Company and its Subsidiaries, each person who was or is made a party or threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was at any time prior to the Closing, a director or officer of the Company (each, a “Company Indemnified Person”), against all Damages reasonably incurred or suffered by such Company Indemnified Person in connection therewith, whether claimed prior to, at or after the Closing. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 7.2 shall include the right to be paid by each of the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries actual and reasonable expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, promptly after receipt of a written claim therefor accompanied by reasonable supporting documentation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any advancement of expenses to a Company Indemnified Person hereby shall be conditioned upon receipt from such Company Indemnified Person of an undertaking to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that such Company Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under applicable Law. The limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company shall contain, and Purchaser shall cause the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company to so contain, provisions no less favorable with

 

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respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of present and former directors of the Company than are set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company as of the date of this Agreement. If the Surviving Company or any of its successors or assigns (a) consolidates with or merges with or into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity, partnership or other entity of such consolidation or merger or (b) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Company assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.2. The Company shall purchase prior to the Effective Time a prepaid “tail policy” of at least a six year duration on, or with coverage generally equivalent to, its current directors and officers liability insurance coverage (D&O and FLI Coverage Sections only) at a net cost up to but not exceeding $150,000. Parent and the Surviving Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause such policy to be maintained in full force and effect, for its full term, and to honor all of its obligations thereunder. Following the Effective Time, the provisions of this Section 7.2 are intended to be for the benefit of, and enforceable by, each Company Indemnified Person and such Company Indemnified Person’s estate, heirs and representatives, and nothing herein shall affect any indemnification rights that any Company Indemnified Person or such Company Indemnified Person’s estate, heirs and representatives may have under the Organizational Documents of the Company or any Law, any Contract or otherwise.

7.3 Affirmative Obligations. Except (a) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or (b) with the prior written consent of Purchaser (which consent shall be given, conditioned or withheld in Purchaser’s sole discretion), at all times during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier to occur of the (1) termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 and (2) the Effective Time, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries will, and Seller will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Company and each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) use its respective reasonable best efforts to maintain its existence in good standing pursuant to applicable Law; (ii) subject to the restrictions and exceptions set forth in Section 7.4 or elsewhere in this Agreement, conduct its business and operations in the Ordinary Course, including the management of its working capital (including the timing of collection of accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable and the management of inventory); and (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to (A) preserve intact its material assets, properties, Contracts or other legally binding understandings, licenses and business organizations; (B) keep available the services of its current officers and key employees; and (C) preserve the current and prospective relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, lessors, licensors, licensees, creditors, contractors, Governmental Authorities and other Persons with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has business relations.

7.4 Forbearance Covenants. Except (A) as set forth in Schedule 7.4; (B) with the prior written consent of Purchaser (which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld, other than with respect to Sections 7.4.1, 7.4.2, 7.4.3, 7.4.5, 7.4.7, 7.4.8, 7.4.11, 7.4.12, 7.4.16, 7.4.17(A), 7.4.17(C), 7.4.17(D), and with respect to any of the foregoing, Section 7.4.18, with respect to which Purchaser’s consent shall be given in its sole discretion); or (C) as expressly contemplated by the terms of this Agreement, at all times during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier to occur of the (1) termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 and (2) Effective Time, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to:

7.4.1 amend, adopt any amendment or otherwise modify, alter, change or supplement, or waive any right or protection under (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) the Organizational Documents or any similar organizational document;

7.4.2 propose or adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;

 

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7.4.3 issue, sell, deliver, grant, dispose, authorize or agree or commit to issue, sell, deliver, grant, dispose or authorize, any Company Securities (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise);

7.4.4 directly or indirectly acquire, repurchase or redeem any securities;

7.4.5 acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any other Person or any material equity interest therein;

7.4.6 acquire, or agree to acquire, fee ownership (or its jurisdictional equivalent) of any real property;

7.4.7 enter into any understanding, arrangement or Contract with respect to the voting or registration of the shares of the Company Securities or Subsidiary Securities;

7.4.8 enter any new line of business outside of its existing business as of the date hereof;

7.4.9 sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise), or grant any license to (other than non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business and old inventory in the Ordinary Course), any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any property or assets (including any material Intellectual Property Right, except non-exclusive licenses granted in the Ordinary Course) of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

7.4.10 omit to take any commercially reasonable action necessary to maintain or renew, as applicable, any material Intellectual Property Right of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

7.4.11 (A) adjust, split, reverse split, consolidate, subdivide, combine or reclassify any Company Securities or Subsidiary Securities (or any warrants, options or other rights to acquire the foregoing), or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other Company Securities or Subsidiary Securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest; (B) declare, set aside, establish a record date for, authorize or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interest, or make any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution in respect of the shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interest, except for cash dividends made by any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or one of its other wholly owned Subsidiaries; (C) pledge or encumber any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest; or (D) modify the terms of any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest;

7.4.12 (A) incur, assume, suffer or modify the terms of any Indebtedness or issue any debt securities, except (1) for trade payables incurred in the Ordinary Course; (2) for loans or advances to direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; (3) pursuant to the First Lien Credit Agreement in an amount that does not exceed $10,000,000; and (4) new capital leases in the Ordinary Course to the extent that the total amount of outstanding capital leases does not exceed $55,000,000; (B) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other Person, except with respect to obligations of wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; (C) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, except for extensions of credit to customers in an amount that does not exceed $1,000,000 individually or $2,500,000 in the aggregate; or (D) mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber any assets, tangible or intangible, or create or suffer to exist any Lien thereon (other than Permitted Liens) in an amount that does not exceed $1,000,000 individually or $2,500,000 in the aggregate;

 

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7.4.13 except as required by applicable Law or the terms of any Plan disclosed on Schedule 7.4.13 in effect on the date hereof, (i) increase in any manner or accelerate the vesting, payment or funding of any compensation to any current or former employees, directors, or independent contractors of the Company or its Affiliates except for increases to base salary in the Ordinary Course of Business for employees below the level of director which do not exceed six percent (6%) and which occur in the same month as such employees have historically received annual salary increases, or modify any bonus arrangement or bonus target; (ii) adopt, enter into, waive any rights with respect to, amend or terminate any Plan or agreement or arrangement that would be a Plan if adopted; (iii) grant, accelerate, increase, extend participation or amend any equity or equity-based award, severance, change in control, retention or similar payments or benefits; or (iv) adopt, enter into, amend or terminate any Collective Bargaining Agreement, or (v) announce or commit to do any of the actions contemplated in the preceding clauses (i) through (iv);

7.4.14 settle, release, assign, waive or compromise any pending or threatened Action for an amount exceeding $250,000, except for the settlement of any Action that is reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements or the Interim Financial Statements;

7.4.15 except as required by applicable Law or GAAP, (A) other than in the Ordinary Course, revalue in any material respect any of its properties or assets, including writing-off notes, accounts receivable or other material asset of the Company or its Subsidiaries; (B) make any change in any of its accounting principles or practices; or (C) alter the customary time periods for collection of accounts receivable or payments of accounts payable;

7.4.16 except as required by applicable Law (A) adopt or make any change to any method of Tax accounting or annual Tax accounting period; (B) make, change or revoke any material Tax election; (C) settle or compromise any material Action, Tax matter, claim or assessment relating to a material amount of Taxes; (D) consent to any extension or waiver of any limitation period with respect to any Tax matter, claim or assessment without the Purchaser’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; (E) file any material amended Tax Return; (F) enter into any closing agreement relating to any material Tax; (G) surrender any right to claim a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax liability; or (H) fail to file any material Tax Return or pay any material Taxes as they become due and payable;

7.4.17 (A) incur, authorize or commit to incur any capital expenditures other than consistent with the capital expenditure budget set forth in Schedule 7.4.17, other than such capital expenditures that do not exceed such budget by more than $2,000,000 in the aggregate; (B) enter into, modify, amend, extend, fail to perform the terms of or terminate any (1) Contract that if so entered into, modified, amended, extended, failed to be performed or terminated would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; (2) Contract which if entered into prior to the date hereof would be a Material Contract if it had been in effect as of the date hereof, except a customer contract entered into in the Ordinary Course with pricing and other material terms generally consistent with past practice; (3) Material Contract or Real Property Lease; (C) unless commercially reasonable to do so, maintain insurance at less than current levels or otherwise in a manner inconsistent with past practice; (D) effectuate a “plant closing,” “mass layoff” (each as defined in WARN) or other employee layoff event affecting in whole or in part any site of employment, facility, operating unit or employee; (E) grant any material refunds, credits, rebates or other allowances to any end user, customer, reseller or distributor, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business; or (F) waive, release, grant, encumber or transfer any right of material value other than in the ordinary course of business; or

 

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7.4.18 agree, resolve, authorize or commit, in writing or otherwise, to do or take any of the actions prohibited by this Section 7.4.

7.5 Exclusive Dealing.

7.5.1 During the period from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the Closing or the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company, Seller and their Affiliates and the respective Representatives of the foregoing will not, nor shall the Seller or the Company permit their Subsidiaries to, take any action to, directly or indirectly, encourage, initiate, solicit, or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to any Person, other than the Purchaser (and its Affiliates and Representatives), concerning any purchase of any interests or investment in or any merger, consolidation, asset sale, contribution, recapitalization, or similar transaction involving, the Company (any inquiry, offer, proposal, indication of interest or Contract in relation thereto, other than the Combination and the transactions contemplated hereby, an “Acquisition Proposal”). Seller and the Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated, and shall cause their Affiliates and all of their Representatives to immediately cease and cause to be terminated, all existing discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect to, or that could lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, request the prompt return or destruction of all confidential information previously furnished and immediately terminate all physical and electronic data room access previously granted to any such Person or its Representatives.

7.5.2 In addition to the other obligations under this Section 7.5, the Seller and the Company shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt thereof by the Seller, the Company or their Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives) advise Purchaser orally and in writing of any Acquisition Proposal, any request for information with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry with respect to or which could reasonably be expected to result in an Acquisition Proposal and shall provide Purchaser with a copy of such inquiry, proposal or offer.

7.5.3 Each of Seller and the Company agrees that the rights and remedies for noncompliance with this Section 7.5 shall include having such provision specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to Purchaser and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to Purchaser. Each of Seller and the Company further agrees that any breach of this Section 7.5 shall be a material breach of the Agreement. Each of Seller and the Company shall be liable and responsible for any breach of this Section 7.5 by its Affiliates and Representatives.

7.6 Access to Information.

7.6.1 From the date hereof until the Closing or until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives to, (i) if reasonably requested by Purchaser and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, afford the Purchaser and its Representatives full and free access to and the right to inspect all of the real property, properties, assets, premises, books and records, Contracts and other documents and data related to the Company and its Subsidiaries (including all access necessary to consummate the Debt Financing); (ii) furnish the Purchaser and its Representatives with such financial, operating and other data and information related to the Company and its Subsidiaries as may be reasonably requested; and (iii) instruct the Representatives of the Company to cooperate with Purchaser in its investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Any investigation pursuant to this Section 7.6.1 shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

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7.6.2 From the date hereof until the Closing or until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Purchaser shall furnish the Seller and its Representatives with such quarterly (but not annual) reports as are provided to bondholders of the Borrower.

7.6.3 The parties agree and acknowledge that the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth therein.

7.7 Notice of Certain Events. From the date hereof until the Closing, the Purchaser, the Company and Seller shall promptly notify the other parties in writing of:

7.7.1 any fact, circumstance, event or action the existence, occurrence or taking of which (i) has had a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Seller or the Purchaser, (ii) has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, any representation or warranty made by the Company, the Seller or any Purchaser Entity hereunder not being true and correct or (iii) has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Article IX to be satisfied;

7.7.2 any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements;

7.7.3 any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements; and

7.7.4 any Actions commenced or, to the Company’s Knowledge or the Purchaser’s Knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting the Company or any Purchaser Entity that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to have been disclosed pursuant to Section 4.10 or that relates to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

For the avoidance of doubt, the provision of any notice pursuant to this Section 7.7 and the contents thereof shall have no effect on Seller’s or Purchaser’s and their respective Affiliates’ rights and remedies pursuant to this Agreement including, but not limited to, Article X.

7.8 Regulatory Filings.

7.8.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement to the Closing, or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, to file, or cause to be filed, all documents, to give or cause to be given all notices under applicable Laws, to obtain or cause to be obtained all authorizations, consents, waivers, approvals, permits or orders under applicable Laws or from other Persons, and to do or cause to be done all other things necessary, proper or advisable, in order to consummate and make effective as promptly as possible the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions herein, no Party (nor any of their respective Affiliates) shall take any action after the date hereof without the consent of the other Parties that could reasonably be expected to delay the obtaining of, or result in not obtaining, any authorization, consent, waiver, approval, permit or order from any Governmental Authority or other Person required to be obtained prior to the Closing.

 

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7.8.2 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Parties shall cause to be filed with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, no later than five (5) Business Days following the date hereof, all applicable notification and report forms and accompanying materials required from each Party under the HSR Act (“HSR Filings”) with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall request early termination of the waiting period. Subject to applicable Law and reasonable confidentiality considerations, the Parties shall cooperate with each other in the preparation and submission of their respective HSR Filings. Purchaser, or one of its Affiliates, shall pay all administrative filing fees associated with the HSR Filings.

7.8.3 The Parties shall respond as promptly as practicable to any inquiries or requests received from a Governmental Authority for additional information or documentary material relating to the HSR Filings. Each Party shall, subject to the applicable Laws relating to the sharing of information, (a) promptly inform the other party of any communication to or from any Governmental Authority regarding the HSR Filings or the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) give the other party prompt notice of the commencement of any investigation or legal proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority with respect to the HSR Filings or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (c) keep the other party informed as to the status of any such investigation or legal proceeding. Each Party shall provide to the other Parties in advance, with a reasonable opportunity for review and comment, drafts of communications to be submitted to a Governmental Authority in connection with the HSR Filings or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby (other than notification and report forms and Item 4(c) and 4(d) documents), and shall consider in good faith each other’s comments on those drafts; provided, that each Party may, as they deem advisable and necessary, (i) reasonably designate any competitively sensitive material that is provided to the other as “outside counsel only” with any such competitively sensitive material given only to the outside legal counsel of the recipient and not disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers or directors of the recipient unless express permission is obtained in advance from the providing party, or (ii) redact any information that is not customarily exchanged between parties in connection with HSR Filings. Each Party shall give the other Parties advance notice of any meeting or conference with a Governmental Authority relating to the HSR Filings or the transactions contemplated hereby and, except as may be prohibited by a Governmental Authority, shall permit authorized representatives of the other Party to be present at those meetings or conferences.

7.8.4 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company agrees to file a FedRAMP Significant Change Form (using the Significant Change Form Template available at www.fedramp.gov) , and any necessary supporting information and documentation, with the Company’s assigned FedRAMP Joint Authorization Board (JAB) members, the Company’s assigned FedRAMP Information System Security Officer (ISSO), and the Defense Information Systems Agency Authorizing Official within five (5) Business Days following the date of execution of this Agreement. The Company will consult with the Purchaser regarding the content of the filings, including providing a copy thereof, before filing the forms. The Company will advise the Purchaser of any questions or comments from the JAB and the Defense Information Systems Agency, and consult with the Purchaser with respect to any responses thereto. With respect to each federal agency where the Company has a Government Contract to provide cloud services, the Company will also notify (a) when the Company is a subcontractor, the applicable prime contractor or (b) when the Company is a prime contractor, the appropriate agency contracting officer and any agency FedRAMP authority to operate official, and advise the Purchaser of any questions or comments from any prime contractor or agency.

7.8.5 Each Party shall use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary to effectuate as promptly as practicable the Closing and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall use its reasonable best efforts (a) to obtain all consents, authorizations, approvals, waivers, or clearances required from a Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (b) to prevent, avoid or lift, by litigation or otherwise, any restraint, prohibition, injunction, delay, limitation, or other legal bar to the Closing and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that Purchaser shall not have to agree to any structural or conduct remedy or to litigate.

 

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7.9 Employees and Employee Benefit Plans.

7.9.1 For one (1) year following the Closing Date, Purchaser shall provide or cause to be provided to all employees as of the Closing Date who continue to be employed (the “Continuing Employees”) (i) a rate of base salary, wages, and bonus or commission opportunity (and for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any equity or equity-based compensation) that is not less favorable in the aggregate than the rate of base salary, wages, and bonus or commission opportunity paid by the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) health and welfare benefits that are either substantially similar in the aggregate to the health and welfare benefits provided by the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to the Closing Date or substantially similar in the aggregate to the health and welfare benefits provided by Purchaser and its Affiliates to their employees generally who are similarly situated to such Continuing Employees, in the sole discretion of Purchaser.

7.9.2 Following the Closing Date, Purchaser shall, or shall cause its applicable Affiliate to, undertake commercially reasonable efforts to provide that (i) no limitations or exclusions as to pre-existing conditions, evidence of insurability or good health, waiting periods or actively-at-work exclusions or other limitations or restrictions on coverage are applicable to any Continuing Employees or their dependents or beneficiaries under any welfare benefit plans in which such Continuing Employees or their dependents or beneficiaries may be eligible to participate and (ii) any costs or expenses incurred by Continuing Employees (and their dependents or beneficiaries) up to (and including) the Closing Date shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying applicable deductible, co-payment, coinsurance, maximum out-of-pocket provisions and like adjustments or limitations on coverage under any such welfare benefit plans for the year in which the Closing Date occurs.

7.9.3 With respect to each employee benefit plan, policy or practice, including severance, vacation and paid time off plans, policies or practices, sponsored or maintained by Purchaser or its Affiliates (including the Company following the Closing) (each, a “Surviving Company Plan”), only to the extent such Surviving Company Plan is made available to a Continuing Employee at or after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall grant, or cause to be granted to, all Continuing Employees from and after the Closing Date credit for all service with the Company and its predecessors prior to the Closing Date for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting credit, eligibility to commence benefits, benefit accrual and severance, but excluding benefit accrual under any defined benefit pension plan and any such credit that would result in a duplication of benefits.

7.9.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, this Section 7.9 will not be deemed to (i) guarantee employment for any period of time for, or preclude the ability of Purchaser, the Surviving Company or any of their respective Affiliates to terminate any Continuing Employee for any reason; (ii) require Purchaser, the Surviving Company or any of their respective Affiliates to continue any Plan or any employee benefit plan of Purchaser, the Surviving Company or any of their respective Affiliates or prevent the amendment, modification or termination thereof after the Closing; (iii) be deemed or construed to be an amendment or other modification of any Plan or Surviving Company Plan or be deemed or construed to establish any Plan or Surviving Company Plan; or (iv) create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person.

7.10 Code Section 280G Approval. The Company and its applicable Affiliates shall, no later than three (3) days prior to the Closing Date, (a) use their best efforts to secure from each Person who has a right to any payments and/or benefits or potential right to any payments and/or benefits (including, without limitation, under any Plan) that could be deemed to constitute “parachute payments” (within the

 

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meaning of Code Section 280G) a waiver, subject to the approval described in clause (b), of such Person’s rights to all of such parachute payments that are in excess of three times such Person’s “base amount” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G) less one dollar (the “Waived 280G Benefits”) and (b) solicit the approval of the equityholders of the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, to the extent and in the manner required under Code Section 280G(b)(5)(B) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, of any Waived 280G Benefits. Any of the Waived 280G Benefits which fail to be approved by the equityholders of the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, as contemplated above shall not be made or provided. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser (and Purchaser’s legal counsel) evidence that votes of the Seller, as the Company’s sole stockholder, or the equityholders of its applicable Affiliates, were solicited in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.10 and that either (i) the requisite vote was obtained with respect to the Waived 280G Benefits (the “280G Approval”) or (ii) that the 280G Approval was not obtained and, as a consequence, the Waived 280G Benefits have not been and shall not be made or provided. No less than three (3) days prior to distributing any material relating to such vote (including any waivers, consents or disclosure statements), the Company shall provide Purchaser with drafts of such materials (which shall be subject to Purchaser’s reasonable review and comment) along with its Code Section 280G analysis. Nothing in this Section 7.10 shall be construed as requiring any specific outcome to the vote described herein.

7.11 Financing.

7.11.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser will not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy pursuant to, the Debt Commitment Letter (or the related fee letter) if such amendment, modification or waiver would reasonably be expected to (i) reduce the aggregate amount available under the Debt Commitment Letter; (ii) impose new or additional conditions precedent to the availability of the Debt Financing or otherwise expand, amend or modify any of the conditions to the receipt of the Debt Financing or any other terms to the Debt Financing in a manner that would reasonably be expected to (A) materially delay or prevent the Closing; or (B) materially delay or prevent the funding of the Debt Financing, or the satisfaction of the conditions to obtaining the Debt Financing; or (iii) materially adversely impact the ability of Borrower to enforce its rights against the other parties to the Debt Commitment Letter (it being understood that Borrower may amend the Debt Commitment Letter to add lenders, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or other similar entities who had not executed the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date of this Agreement). Any reference in this Agreement to (1) the “Debt Financing” will include the financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter as amended or modified in compliance with this Section 7.11.1; and (2) “Debt Commitment Letter” will include such document as amended or modified in compliance with this Section 7.11.1.

7.11.2 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Purchaser will use its reasonable best efforts to take (or cause to be taken) all actions and to do (or cause to be done) all things necessary, proper and advisable to arrange and obtain the Debt Financing on the terms and conditions (including, to the extent required, the full exercise of any “flex” provisions) described in the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter (or on other terms that, with respect to conditionality, are not less favorable to Borrower than the terms and conditions (including any “flex” provisions) set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter), including using its reasonable best efforts to (i) maintain in effect the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions thereof; (ii) negotiate, execute and deliver definitive agreements with respect to the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter on the terms and conditions (which may include the “flex” provisions) contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter and the related Fee Letter (or on other terms that, with respect to conditionality, are not less favorable to Borrower than the terms and conditions (including any “flex” provisions) set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter); (iii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions to funding that are applicable to Borrower in the Debt Commitment Letter that are within Borrower’s

 

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control (or, if deemed advisable by Borrower, seek the waiver of conditions applicable to Borrower contained in the Debt Commitment Letter); (iv) consummate the Debt Financing at or prior to the Closing, including using its reasonable best efforts to cause the Financing Sources to fund the Debt Financing at the Closing; (v) comply with Borrower’s obligations pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter; and (vi) enforce Borrower’s rights pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter. Borrower will fully pay, or cause to be fully paid, all commitment or other fees arising pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter as and when they become due.

7.11.3 If at any time any portion of the Debt Financing terminates or otherwise becomes unavailable, Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for and to obtain as promptly as practicable following any such event alternative financing (“Alternative Financing”) on similar terms and conditions as those contained in the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter in an amount sufficient, when added to the portion of the Debt Financing that is available, together with available cash of Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, the borrowings available under the Borrower’s existing revolving credit facility and available cash of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to pay the Required Amount and, for the purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Debt Financing shall be deemed to include such Alternative Financing, all references to the Debt Commitment Letter shall include the applicable documents for the Alternative Financing and all references to the lenders shall include the Persons providing or arranging the Alternative Financing; it being understood that if Purchaser enters into a commitment letter with respect to any Alternative Financing, Purchaser shall be subject to the same obligations with respect to such Alternative Financing as set forth in this Agreement with respect to the Debt Financing.

7.11.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Section 7.11 will require, and in no event will the reasonable best efforts of Purchaser be deemed or construed to require, Purchaser or Borrower to pay any material fees in excess of those contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter (including the “flex” terms thereof).

7.12 Cooperation.

7.12.1 Prior to the Effective Time, each of Seller and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts, and will cause each of the Company’s Subsidiaries to use its respective reasonable best efforts, to provide Purchaser and Borrower with all cooperation reasonably requested by Purchaser or Borrower to assist them in causing the conditions in the Debt Commitment Letter to be satisfied or as is otherwise reasonably requested by Purchaser or Borrower in connection with obtaining the Debt Financing, including:

(a) prior to and during the Marketing Period, participating (and causing senior management and Representatives of the Company to participate) in a reasonable number of meetings, calls, presentations, due diligence sessions (including accounting due diligence sessions), drafting sessions and sessions with rating agencies, otherwise cooperating with the marketing efforts for any of the Debt Financing and assisting Purchaser and Borrower in obtaining updated ratings as contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter;

(b) assisting Purchaser, Borrower and the Financing Sources with the timely preparation of customary rating agency presentations, bank information memoranda, lender presentations and similar documents required in connection with the Debt Financing;

 

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(c) solely with respect to financial information and data derived from the Company’s historical books and records, assisting Purchaser and Borrower with the preparation of pro forma financial information and pro forma financial statements to the extent necessary or reasonably required by Purchaser, Borrower or the Financing Sources, it being agreed that the Company will not be required to provide any information or assistance relating to (A) the proposed aggregate amount of debt financing, together with assumed interest rates, dividends (if any) and fees and expenses relating to the incurrence of such debt financing; (B) any post-Closing or pro forma cost savings, synergies, capitalization, ownership or other pro forma adjustments desired to be incorporated into any information used in connection with the Debt Financing; or (C) any financial information related to Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries or any adjustments that are not directly related to the acquisition of the Company by Purchaser;

(d) executing and delivering (but not prior to the Closing) any pledge and security documents, guarantees, supplemental indentures, currency or interest hedging arrangements, other definitive financing documents, or other certificates or documents as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser, Borrower or the Financing Sources and otherwise reasonably facilitating the pledging of collateral and the granting of security interests in respect of the Debt Financing, it being understood that such documents will not take effect until the Effective Time;

(e) (A) furnishing Purchaser, Borrower, the Financing Sources and their respective Representatives with the Required Financing Information and (B) informing Purchaser and Borrower if the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Company or any member of the Company Board shall have knowledge of any facts as a result of which a restatement of any financial statements to comply with GAAP is probable;

(f) upon reasonable request of Purchaser or Borrower, assisting Purchaser and Borrower to obtain updated customary and reasonable corporate and facilities ratings (but no specific rating), consents, landlord waivers and estoppels, non-disturbance agreements, environmental assessments, that do not unreasonably interfere with the Company’s business and operations, customary legal opinions, surveys and title insurance;

(g) (A) deliver notices of prepayment (which may be delivered at Purchaser’s request in advance of the Closing Date so long as they are contingent upon the occurrence of the Closing) within the time periods reasonably requested by Purchaser, in its discretion, as permitted by the First Lien Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Credit Agreement, as applicable, and take any actions at or prior to the Effective Time reasonably requested by Purchaser or Borrower to facilitate any such prepayment (it being understood and agreed that any prepayment is (and shall be) contingent upon the occurrence of the Closing and no actions shall be required which would obligate the Company or its subsidiaries to complete such prepayment prior to the occurrence of the Closing); and (B) arrange for customary payoff letters, lien terminations and instruments and acknowledgements of discharge (the “Debt Payoff Letters”) to be delivered to Purchaser prior to the Closing Date (it being understood and agreed that reasonable best efforts will be used to deliver such documents to Purchaser no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date) (with drafts being delivered in advance as reasonably requested by Purchaser), and giving any other necessary notices, to allow for the payoff, discharge and termination in full at the Closing of all amounts outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement and Second Lien Credit Agreement contemplated by Purchaser to be repaid at the Closing;

(h) providing authorization letters to the Financing Sources authorizing the distribution of information to prospective lenders or investors and containing a customary representation to the Financing Sources contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, including that the public side versions of such documents do not include material non-public information about the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective securities and the accuracy of the information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries contained in the disclosure and marketing materials related to the Debt Financing; provided that such authorization letters shall exclude those items which the Company is not required to provide any information or assistance relating to pursuant to clause (c) above;

 

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(i) cause its independent auditors to provide (i) consents for use of their reports in any material relating to the Debt Financing as reasonably requested by Purchaser, Borrower or the Financing Sources, to the extent such consent is required, and (ii) reasonable assistance to Purchaser and Borrower in connection with the Borrower’s preparation of pro forma financial statements and information;

(j) taking all corporate and other actions, subject to the occurrence of the Closing, reasonably requested by Purchaser and Borrower to permit the consummation of the Debt Financing; and

(k) promptly furnishing Purchaser, Borrower and the Financing Sources within two (2) Business Days of any requests with all documentation and other information about the Company and its Subsidiaries as is reasonably requested by Purchaser relating to applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations.

7.12.2 Prior to the Closing Date, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and Representatives to use their reasonable best efforts (although Purchaser explicitly acknowledges that even with such reasonable best efforts, the actions contemplated by clause (iii) of this Section 7.12.2 may not be complete as of the Closing), (i) to have the Interim Financial Statements reviewed by the Company’s independent auditors as provided in SAS 100 (a/k/a AICPA AU-C 930), (ii) to furnish to Purchaser within 45 days after the end of any fiscal quarter ended after the date of this Agreement that is not a fiscal year end, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders equity for such quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and the same periods for the prior fiscal year (which will have been reviewed by the Company’s independent auditors as provided in SAS 100 (a/k/a AICPA AU-C 930) and (iii) in addition, at the sole expense of the Purchaser as contemplated by Section 7.12.6 below, (A) to have the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X and to have such Financial Statements be re-audited by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with AICPA Professional Standards and (B) to have the Interim Financial Statements and the financial statements for any fiscal quarter ended after the date of this Agreement that is not fiscal year end (which shall include a consolidated balance sheet, and consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders equity for such quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and the same periods for the prior fiscal year) prepared in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X and to have such Interim Financial Statements and such other financial statements reviewed by the Company’s independent auditors as provided in SAS 100 (a/k/a AICPA AU-C 930).

7.12.3 Nothing in this Section 7.12 will require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to (i) waive or amend any terms of this Agreement or agree to pay any fees or expenses prior to the Effective Time for which it will not receive reimbursement or is not otherwise indemnified by or on behalf of Purchaser; (ii) enter into any definitive agreement that is not contingent on the occurrence of the Effective Time; (iii) give any indemnities in connection with the Debt Financing that are effective prior to the Effective Time; or (iv) take any action that, in the good faith determination of the Company, (a) would unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (b) create an unreasonable risk of damage or destruction to any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. In addition, no action, liability or obligation of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives pursuant to any certificate, agreement, arrangement, document or instrument relating to the Debt Financing (other than customary representation letters and authorization letters (including with respect to the presence or absence of material non-public information and the accuracy of the information contained in the disclosure and marketing materials related to the Debt Financing)) will be effective until the Effective Time.

 

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7.12.4 The Company will use its reasonable best efforts, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to use its respective reasonable best efforts, to update any Required Financing Information provided to Purchaser, Borrower or the Financing Sources as may be necessary so that such Required Financing Information (i) is Compliant, (ii) meets the applicable requirements set forth in the definition of “Required Financing Information” and (iii) would not, after giving effect to such update(s), cause the Marketing Period to cease pursuant to the definition of “Marketing Period.” For the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser or Borrower may, to most effectively access the financing markets, require the cooperation of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Section 7.12 at any time, and from time to time and on multiple occasions, between the date hereof and the Closing Date; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Marketing Period shall not be applicable as to each attempt to access the markets. In addition, if, in connection with marketing effort contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, Purchaser or Borrower reasonably requests the Company to make available to its security holders and lenders material non-public information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, which Purchaser reasonably determines to include in marketing materials for the Debt Financing, then, upon the Company’s review of and reasonable satisfaction with such information, the Company shall make such information available to its security holders and lenders.

7.12.5 The Company hereby consents to the use of its and its Subsidiaries’ logos in connection with the Debt Financing so long as such logos are used (i) solely in a manner that is not intended to or likely to harm or disparage the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) solely in connection with a description of the Company, its business and products or the Merger; and (iii) in a manner consistent with the other terms and conditions that the Company reasonably imposes.

7.12.6 Promptly upon request by the Company, Purchaser will reimburse the Company for any documented and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the cooperation of the Company and its Subsidiaries contemplated by this Section 7.12.

7.12.7 The Company, its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives will be indemnified and held harmless by Purchaser from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), interest, awards, judgments, penalties and amounts paid in settlement suffered or incurred by them in connection with their cooperation in arranging the Debt Financing pursuant to this Agreement or the provision of information utilized in connection therewith (other than to the extent any of the foregoing was suffered or incurred as a result of the material breach of this Agreement by, or the bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct of, the Company or its Subsidiaries or, in each case, their respective Representatives).

7.13 Non-Solicitation; Release.

7.13.1 During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the two (2) year anniversary of the Closing Date, Seller and each of the Key Stockholders agrees, on behalf of themselves and their respective Affiliates (which for purposes hereunder shall not include any direct or indirect portfolio companies of any Key Stockholder or any of their Affiliates; provided, that such portfolio companies or Affiliates are not taking actions of the type prohibited hereunder at the direction of, or on behalf of, such Key Stockholder) (each a “Restricted Person,” and collectively the “Seller Group”) that it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, either alone or in conjunction with their

 

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respective Affiliates or Representatives, directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee, officer, director, manager or other fiduciary of the Company, the Purchaser or their Subsidiaries to leave the employ or service of the Company, the Purchaser or any of their Subsidiaries, or (ii) hire any Person who was an employee, officer, director, manager or other fiduciary of the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries at any time during the six (6) month period prior to the Closing Date; provided, that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not prohibit general solicitation (but shall continue to prohibit the hiring of Persons who respond to such solicitations) by any member of the Seller Group through ads in newspapers, trade periodicals, online sites relating to employment matters or any other similar solicitation (or other solicitations directed at the public, or segments of the public, in general), or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, service provider, licensee, licensor, lessor, or other business relation of the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries or the Restricted Business to cease doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way materially and adversely interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, service provider, licensee, licensor, lessor, franchisee or other business relation and the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries (including making any negative statements or communications about the Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries or the Restricted Business); provided, that the restrictions in this clause (iii) shall not prohibit the ordinary course solicitation of any of the foregoing for purposes of a business that is not a Restricted Business, so long as such solicitation is not designed or intended to interfere with the Restricted Business.

7.13.2 Each member of the Seller Group recognizes and acknowledges that the territorial, time, line of business and other scope provisions set forth in this Section 7.13 are reasonable and are properly required for the protection of the Purchaser’s legitimate interest in client relationships, goodwill and trade secrets of the business being acquired by the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. In the event that any such territorial, time, line of business or scope provision is deemed to be unreasonable, against public policy or otherwise unenforceable as written by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Purchaser and each member of the Seller Group agree, and each submits, to such court’s alteration, amendment or reduction of any or all of said territorial, time or scope limitations so as to make such provisions be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the Law of such jurisdiction (giving maximum effect to this Section 7.13 as drafted to the extent compatible with such Law), such amendment only to apply with respect to the operation of such provision in the applicable jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. If such partial enforcement is not possible, the provision shall be deemed severed, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

7.13.3 Each member of the Seller Group hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives and discharges any and all Actions that such Person has or may have in the future against the Purchaser, its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates relating to any period on or prior to the Closing and releases, on its own behalf and on behalf of its successors and assigns, the Purchaser, its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates, directors, managers, officers, other fiduciaries, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, assigns, executors and administrators, with respect thereto; provided, that such release and discharge does not include Actions arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

7.14 Change of Name. Within five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date, Seller will change its name to “DPH 123, LLC”, or another name that cannot reasonably be confused with Purchaser’s or Subsidiaries’ names, by filing a certificate of amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and by taking all other action necessary to effect such change, including, without limitation, amending its other Organizational Documents. Immediately following the Closing, Seller and its Affiliates shall cease the use of any products, materials or names bearing or incorporating the names “Datapipe”. In no event shall Seller use any name after the Closing in a manner likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake or to deceive as to the affiliation, connection or association of Seller.

 

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7.15 Consents. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement to the Closing, or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser, that the Company or the applicable Subsidiary has obtained the consent of each counterparty to a Material Contract set forth on Schedule 7.15. Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company and its Subsidiaries in obtaining the consent of each counterparty to a Capital Lease Obligation which requires a consent on or prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.16 Management Consulting Agreement. Prior to the Closing, Purchaser and Seller agree to negotiate in good faith a mutually satisfactory agreement for management consulting services that will be provided to Purchaser or its Affiliates in exchange for fees to be agreed; provided, that neither Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to enter into any such agreement if the prospective parties to such agreement fail to reach mutually agreeable terms.

VIII. TAX MATTERS

8.1 Transfer Taxes. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added, excise, real property transfer or gains, and other such similar Taxes (including any penalties and interest) incurred as a result of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement (collectively, “Transfer Taxes”), will be borne and paid fifty percent (50%) by the Purchaser and fifty percent (50%) by the Seller. Each of the Parties hereto shall fully cooperate with each other Party to determine prior to Closing the amount of transfer Taxes (if any), and with respect to the preparation and filing of any such Tax Returns and other filings relating to any such Transfer Taxes as may be required.

8.2 Tax Reporting. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Merger and the Subsequent Merger, taken together as an integrated transaction, are intended to constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and none of the Parties shall take any position inconsistent with such treatment except as otherwise required by Law or a good faith resolution of an Action. Each of the Parties shall reasonably cooperate, and take all reasonable actions, or reasonably refrain from taking any action, as applicable, to ensure that the Merger and the Subsequent Merger, taken together as an integrated transaction, constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, an action or the refraining from taking an action shall not be considered reasonable to the extent it would (i) reasonably be expected to result in a material cost to or otherwise adversely affect the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including the Company), (ii) alter or change the amount or kind of the consideration ultimately to be issued to the Seller or (iii) have the effect of materially delaying, impairing or impeding the receipt of any regulatory approvals or the Debt Financing required hereby or the Closing. The parties to this Agreement hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g).

IX. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Purchaser Entities at the Closing. The obligations of the Purchaser Entities to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions. Any condition specified in this Section 9.1 may be waived if consented to in writing by Purchaser.

 

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9.1.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company and Seller. (a) Each of the Seller Fundamental Representations and the representation set forth in Section 4.7(b) shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the Closing (as if made on and as of the Closing), (b) the representations set forth in the second sentence of Section 4.5 shall be true and correct in all material respects (disregarding any qualification in the text of the relevant representation or warranty as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect”), and (c) each of the representations and warranties of the Company and Seller made in this Agreement other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 9.1.1 shall be true and correct as of the Closing (as if made on and as of the Closing), except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or Seller (disregarding any qualification in the text of the relevant representation or warranty as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect”); (d) the Seller shall, and shall have caused the Company to, have performed and complied in all material respects with all terms, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Seller or the Company on or before the Closing Date; and (e) the Seller shall have delivered to the Purchaser a certificate dated the Closing Date, confirming the satisfaction of the conditions contained in Sections 9.1.1 (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company and the Seller) and 9.1.6 (Material Adverse Effect).

9.1.2 No Injunction, Etc. No provision of any applicable Law, any Order or Action shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing or would declare all or any part of the transactions contemplated herein unlawful or would cause any part of such transactions to be rescinded.

9.1.3 No Actions. No Actions challenging this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or seeking to prohibit the Closing, shall have been instituted by any Governmental Authority and be pending. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, solely for purposes of this Section 9.1.3, an objection, communication or other response by a Governmental Authority in response to or resulting from the filing of the FedRAMP Significant Change Form shall not constitute an Action.

9.1.4 Ancillary Agreements. Each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been executed and delivered by the Company and Seller, if applicable.

9.1.5 Governmental Approvals. All waiting periods (including any extensions thereof) applicable under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated, and thirty (30) days shall have elapsed since the Company delivered the FedRAMP Notice to the applicable Governmental Authority.

9.1.6 Material Adverse Effect. Since the date hereof, there shall not have occurred, nor shall there be occurring, any Material Adverse Effect on the Company or Seller.

9.1.7 FIRPTA Certificate. The Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser at the Closing a certificate or certificates, in compliance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2, certifying that the transactions contemplated hereby are exempt from withholding under Section 1445 of the Code.

9.1.8 Management Consents. Seller, as sole stockholder of the Company, shall have executed and delivered (and not withdrawn or revoked) the consent to the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the transaction contemplated herein in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s Organizational Documents.

9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Seller at the Closing. The obligations of Seller to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions. Any condition specified in this Section 9.2 may be waived if consented to in writing by Seller.

 

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9.2.1 Representations, Warranties, and Covenants of Purchaser Entities. (a) Each of the Purchaser Fundamental Representations and the representation set forth in Section 6.7 shall be true and correct in all respects at and as of the Closing (as if made on and as of the Closing), (b) the representations set forth in the second sentence of Section 6.10 shall be true and correct in all material respects (disregarding any qualification in the text of the relevant representation or warranty as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect”), and (c) each of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser Entities made in this Agreement other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 9.2.1 shall be true and correct as of the Closing (as if made on and as of the Closing), except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect (disregarding any qualification in the text of the relevant representation or warranty as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect”); (d) Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all terms, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by Purchaser on or before the Closing Date; and (e) the Purchaser shall have delivered to the Seller a certificate dated the Closing Date, confirming the satisfaction of the conditions contained in Sections 9.2.1 (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Purchaser Entities) and 9.2.6 (Material Adverse Effect).

9.2.2 No Injunction, Etc. No provision of any applicable Law, any Order or Action shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing or would declare all or any part of the transactions contemplated herein unlawful or would cause any part of such transactions to be rescinded.

9.2.3 Ancillary Agreements. Each of the Ancillary Agreements to which Purchaser is a party shall have been executed and delivered by Purchaser or its designee.

9.2.4 No Actions. No Actions challenging this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or seeking to prohibit the Closing, shall have been instituted by any Governmental Authority and be pending.

9.2.5 Government Approvals. All waiting periods (including any extensions thereof) applicable under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.

9.2.6 Material Adverse Effect. From the date hereof, there shall not have occurred, nor shall there be occurring, any Material Adverse Effect on Purchaser.

X. SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION

10.1 Survival of Representations. Other than the Seller Fundamental Representations, none of the representations or warranties contained in this Agreement or any schedule, instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1 (Existence and Qualification), 4.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), 4.3.1(a) (Non-Contravention), 4.4 (Capitalization), 4.19 (Finders’ Fees), 5.1 (Organization), 5.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), 5.3 (Title to Interests) and 5.4.1 (Non-Contravention; Consents), 5.6 (Finders’ Fees), 5.8 (ABRY Stockholder Payments) and 11.18 (Key Stockholders) (collectively, the “Seller Fundamental Representations”) shall survive the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect until the date that is the seven (7) year anniversary of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims asserted in good faith with reasonable specificity (to the extent known at such time) and in writing by notice from the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period shall not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation, warranty, covenant or agreement and such claims shall survive until finally resolved. All covenants and agreements of the Company, Seller and their respective Affiliates contained herein shall survive the Closing indefinitely or for the period explicitly specified therein.

 

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10.2 Indemnification by Seller.

10.2.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article X, from and after (and contingent on) the Closing, the Seller shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Purchaser and its Affiliates, the Company and its Subsidiaries, and their respective equity owners, directors, managers, officers, employees and Representatives (and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of the foregoing) (collectively, all of the foregoing the “Purchaser Indemnified Parties”) against any and all Damages incurred or suffered by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties to the extent resulting from:

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the Seller Fundamental Representations contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument (solely with respect to such Seller Fundamental Representations) delivered by or on behalf of the Company or Seller pursuant to this Agreement (it being understood that both for purposes of determining the amount of any Damages and for purposes of determining whether such representation or warranty has been breached, such representations and warranties shall be interpreted, in each case, without giving effect to any limitations or qualifications as to materiality as set forth therein (which shall be deemed to be deleted therefrom)) as of the date such representation or warranty was made or as if such representation or warranty was made on and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that expressly relate to a specified date, the inaccuracy in or breach of which will be determined with reference to such specified date);

(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company or Seller pursuant to this Agreement; and

(c) any Damages resulting from a breach of Section 4.8.3.

10.3 Limitations on Indemnification of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties. In no event shall the Seller’s aggregate liability pursuant to Section 10.2.1 exceed the value of the Closing Equity Consideration (determined at Closing) received by the Seller.

10.4 [Reserved].

10.5 Indemnification Procedures.

10.5.1 If any Person who or which is entitled to seek indemnification under Section 10.2 (an “Indemnified Party”) receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any Third Party Claim against such Indemnified Party with respect to which the Person against whom or which such indemnification is being sought (an “Indemnifying Party”) may be obligated to provide indemnification or advancement of fees and expenses under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party will give such Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof; provided, however, that if the Indemnified Party receives a complaint, petition, or any other pleading in connection with a Third Party Claim which requires the filing of an answer or other responsive pleading, the Indemnified Party shall, to the extent not legally prohibited by any applicable Law, furnish the Indemnifying Party with a copy of such pleading at least thirty (30) days prior to the date a responsive pleading thereto is required to be filed (or promptly upon receipt by the Indemnified Party, if the Indemnified Party receives such complaint, petition or other pleading within such thirty (30) day period). Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail, will include copies of all available material written evidence thereof and

 

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will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Damages that have been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have the right to participate in the defense of such Third Party Claim at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, or at its option (subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 10.5.1) to assume the defense thereof by appointing a recognized and reputable counsel (such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party) to be the lead counsel in connection with such defense; provided, however, that:

(a) The Indemnifying Party must give the Indemnified Party written notice of its election to assume control of the defense of the Third Party Claim within ten (10) days of the Indemnifying Party’s receipt of notice of the Third Party Claim, and such notice shall contain confirmation that the Indemnifying Party has agreed to indemnify the Indemnified Party for the Damages arising out of or resulting from such Third Party Claim.

(b) The Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim and to employ a recognized and reputable counsel of its choice for such purpose; provided, however, that the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party, except that (i) the Indemnifying Party shall pay any reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel that are incurred prior to the date the Indemnifying Party effectively assumes control of such defense and (ii) if in the advice of counsel to the Indemnified Party, (A) there are legal defenses available to an Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party; or (B) there exists a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party that cannot be waived, the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Party in each jurisdiction for which the Indemnified Party determines in its reasonable discretion that counsel is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume or control the defense or prosecution of such Third Party Claim if (A) substantially all of the damages associated with such Third Party Claim are not reasonably expected to be indemnifiable hereunder (including in the event the amount in dispute is reasonably likely to exceed the maximum amount for which the Indemnifying Party can then be liable pursuant to this Article X in light of the limitations on indemnification contained herein), (B) at the time of assumption and thereafter, the Indemnifying Party fails to conduct the investigation, defense or prosecution actively and diligently, (C) such claim seeks non-monetary, equitable or injunctive relief or alleges any violation of criminal Law or (D) the Indemnifying Party is also a party to such Third Party Claim and the Indemnified Party determines in good faith after consultation with counsel that joint representation would be inappropriate due to one or more legal defenses being available to such Indemnified Party that are different or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party. In such circumstances, the Indemnified Party may, subject to Section 10.5.3, pay, compromise, and defend such Third Party Claim and seek indemnification and advancement of fees and expenses for any and all Damages based upon, arising from or relating to such Third Party Claim. Purchaser and Seller shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third Party Claim, including making available records relating to such Third Party Claim and furnishing, without expense (other than reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses) to the defending party, management employees of the non-defending party as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the defense of such Third Party Claim.

10.5.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into settlement, compromise or discharge of any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, except as provided in this Section 10.5.2. If a firm offer is made to settle a Third Party Claim that (i)(A) involves the payment of money only, without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, as a condition precedent, a full and final legally binding release of all liabilities in respect of such claims given by the claimant in question to each Indemnified Party and its respective Affiliates, (B) does not impose on any Indemnified Party or its Affiliates any continuing obligation and (C) would not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a future adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of any Indemnified Party or its affiliates and (ii) does not require any Indemnified Party or its affiliates to (A) admit any wrongdoing or liability or acknowledge any rights of any Person, (B) take or refrain from taking any action or (C) waive any rights unrelated to the Third Party Claim that the Indemnified Party may have against the Person making the Third Party Claim, and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within fifteen (15) days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Third Party Claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such Third Party Claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the Third Party Claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 10.5.1, it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

10.5.3 Any claim by an Indemnified Party on account of Damages that does not result from a Third Party Claim (a “Direct Claim”) will be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of such Direct Claim. Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail, will include copies of all available material written evidence thereof that is in the Indemnified Party’s possession, and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of Damages that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have a period of thirty (30) days from which to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30) day period, the Indemnified Party will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party at the Indemnifying Party’s expense pursuant to the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have irrevocably acknowledged and agreed that the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to the full amount of Damages set forth in such notice of claim.

10.5.4 A failure to give timely notice or to include any specified information in any notice as provided in Sections 10.5.1 or 10.5.3 will not affect the rights or obligations of any Party, except and only to the extent that, as a result of such failure, any Party that was entitled to receive such notice was deprived of its right to recover any payment under its applicable insurance coverage or such Party demonstrates actual and material harm as a result of such failure.

10.6 Miscellaneous Indemnification Provisions.

10.6.1 Exclusive Remedy. Assuming the Closing has occurred, other than claims arising from fraud or criminal misconduct of a Party, (i) the indemnification provisions of this Article X shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Indemnified Parties and their respective Affiliates with respect to claims under, or otherwise relating to the transactions that are the subject of, this Agreement, whether asserted against the Company or its Subsidiaries, their respective officers, directors or employees, Seller or any other Person and (ii) each of the Indemnified Parties, on behalf of itself and its equity owners, directors, managers, officers, employees, and Affiliates, agrees not to bring any Actions, at Law, equity or otherwise, against any other Party or its and its equity owners, directors, managers, officers, employees, and Affiliates, in respect of any breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty, covenant and agreement in this Agreement, except pursuant to the express provisions of this Article X. Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, each Party shall be entitled to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce the terms of this Agreement, including specific performance, and no limitation or condition of liability provided in this Article X shall apply to any claim arising from fraud or criminal misconduct by a Party.

 

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10.6.2 Transaction Consideration Adjustment. It is the intention of the parties to treat any indemnity payment made under this Agreement and any payment made with Section 3.2 and Section 3.4 as an adjustment to the purchase price for all Tax purposes, and the parties agree to file their Tax Returns accordingly, except as otherwise required by a change in applicable Law or a good faith resolution of an Action.

10.6.3 Insurance Proceeds and Other Recoveries. The amount of Damages recoverable by an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article X with respect to an indemnity claim shall be reduced by the amount of insurance proceeds or other amounts actually recovered by such Indemnified Party with respect to the Damages to which such indemnity claim relates, net of any expenses related to the receipt of such payment, including retrospective premium adjustments, if any, occasioned by such Damages.

10.6.4 Cooperation. The Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate with each other with respect to resolving any claim or liability with respect to which Party is obligated to indemnify the other Party hereunder.

10.6.5 Payment of Damages. Once Damages are agreed to by the Indemnifying Party or finally adjudicated to be payable pursuant to this Article X, the Indemnifying Party shall satisfy such obligations within five (5) Business Days of such agreement or final, non-appealable adjudication by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated in writing by the Indemnified Party; provided, that, Seller may, at its sole option, elect to satisfy any indemnification obligation pursuant to this Article X by transfer to Purchaser of shares of Purchaser Common Stock at the time of such agreement or final adjudication, and the value of such shares of Purchaser Common Stock (or the stock of any successor of Purchaser) shall be deemed to equal, (x) prior to the IPO, the fair market value of such shares as reasonably determined by the board of directors of the Purchaser as of the Business Day immediately preceding the date of such determination; provided, that, if Seller disputes such determination within five (5) Business Days following notice thereof, then such determination shall be made by the Independent Valuation Expert as of such date, and (y) from and after the IPO, the volume weighted average trading price of such shares over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third (3^rd) trading day preceding the date of such determination; further provided, that with respect to any indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 10.2.1(c), Damages shall be payable in cash to the extent that there is Cash Consideration (and only up to the amount of such Cash Consideration) after which they shall be payable in the manner set forth in the first proviso above.

XI. MISCELLANEOUS.

11.1 Termination.

11.1.1 This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

(a) by the written consent of Purchaser and Seller;

(b) by Purchaser, in the event of any breach by the Company or Seller of any covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement that would prevent or has prevented the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of Purchaser, as applicable, at the Closing, and such breach has not been waived by Purchaser, or, in the case of a covenant breach, cannot be or has not been cured by the Company or Seller, as applicable, within the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Purchaser or (ii) the Closing Date;

 

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(c) by Seller, in the event of any breach by Purchaser of any covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement that would prevent or has prevented the satisfaction of any condition to the obligation of Seller at the Closing, and such breach has not been waived by Seller or, in the case of a covenant breach, cannot be or has not been cured by Purchaser, as applicable, within the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Seller or (ii) the Closing Date;

(d) by Purchaser or Seller if the transactions contemplated hereby have not been consummated by March 6, 2018 (the “End Date”); provided, however, that (i) Purchaser or Seller, as applicable, will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1.1(d) if Purchaser’s breach of this Agreement, on the one hand, or the Company’s or Seller’s breach of this Agreement, on the other hand, has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by such date and (ii) in the event that the Marketing Period has commenced but not yet been completed at the time of the End Date, (x) the End Date may be extended to the date which is four (4) Business Days after the final date of the Marketing Period, by Purchaser in its sole discretion by providing written notice to the Company and (y) Purchaser shall not be entitled to terminate pursuant to this Section 11.1.1(d) until four (4) Business Days after the final date of the Marketing Period;

(e) by Purchaser or Seller if there shall be any Law that makes consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or otherwise prohibited or any Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered an Order restraining or, enjoining or prohibiting or which otherwise has the effect of making the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal or causes any of the transactions contemplated hereunder to be rescinded following completion thereof, and such Order shall have become final and non-appealable;

(f) by Purchaser following the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect of the Company;

(g) by Seller if (i) the Marketing Period has ended and all of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the Closing); (ii) the Purchaser, Merger Sub 1 and Merger Sub 2 fail to consummate the Combination on the date required pursuant to Section 2.2 due to Purchaser’s failure to obtain the Debt Financing; (iii) thereafter, the Company has irrevocably notified Purchaser in writing that (A) it is ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing; and (B) all conditions set forth in Section 9.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the Closing) or Seller is willing to waive any unsatisfied conditions set forth in Section 9.2; and (iv) the Purchaser, Merger Sub 1 and Merger Sub 2 fail to consummate the Combination by the third (3^rd) Business Day after the delivery of the notice described in clause (iii) (provided, that the Seller and the Company remain ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing during such three Business Day period); or

(h) by Purchaser if the Seller Written Consent has not become effective immediately following the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Company in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s Organizational Documents.

11.1.2 If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 11.1.1, all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement (other than pursuant to this Article XI, which will continue in full force and effect) will terminate without further liability or obligation on the part of any Party (or any direct or indirect equity holder, stockholder, partner, controlling person, member, manager, director, officer, employee, Affiliate or Representative of such party or such party’s Affiliates or any of

 

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the foregoing’s successors and assigns); provided, however, that, subject to Section 11.1.6, (a) the Purchaser Entities will not be released from liability hereunder if this Agreement is validly terminated and the transactions abandoned by reason of (i) failure of the Purchaser Entities to have performed their material obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any material misrepresentation made by the Purchaser of any matter set forth in this Agreement and (b) the Company and Seller will not be released from liability hereunder if this Agreement is validly terminated and the transactions abandoned by reason of (i) failure of the Company or Seller to have performed its or their material obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any material misrepresentation made by the Company or Seller of any matter set forth in this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 11.1.2 will relieve any Party of liability for any damages resulting from a breach of this Agreement, including but not limited to fraud, prior to any termination of this Agreement. For purposes hereof, the Parties acknowledge and agree that damages shall not be limited to reimbursement of expenses or out-of-pocket costs, and shall include the benefit of the bargain lost by such non-breaching Party (taking into consideration all relevant matters, including opportunities cost and the time value of money).

11.1.3 If Seller validly terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1.1(g), then Purchaser, in consideration of the Company and Seller irrevocably and unconditionally agreeing not to (and causing their Affiliates and any Representatives of the foregoing, not to) exercise, and agreeing to waive, any and all claims and rights it (or their Affiliates and any Representatives of the foregoing) may have against the Purchaser Related Parties under, in connection with or related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any other agreement referenced herein, therein or otherwise and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Debt Financing), shall pay to the Company an amount in cash equal to $50,000,000.00 in immediately available funds (the “Purchaser Termination Fee”) within two (2) Business Days of such valid termination. Any payment of the Purchaser Termination Fee, if, as and when required pursuant to this Section 11.1.3, shall be deemed to be liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate the Company, its Affiliates and its and their respective shareholders, including the Company’s shareholders, in the circumstances in which it is payable, for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and in reliance on this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision, and it is agreed and acknowledged that such amount is not a penalty. The parties acknowledge and hereby agree that in no event shall Purchaser be required to pay the Purchaser Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

11.1.4 In addition to the Purchaser Termination Fee, during the period beginning on the date of such valid termination pursuant to Section 11.1.1(g) and ending eighteen (18) months from the date of such valid termination (the “Tail Period”), the Purchaser Entities agree, on behalf of themselves and their respective Affiliates (which for purposes hereunder shall not include any direct or indirect portfolio companies of Apollo or any of its Affiliates other than the Purchaser Entities; provided, that such portfolio companies or Affiliates are not taking actions of the type prohibited hereunder at the direction of, or on behalf of, Apollo) (collectively the “Purchaser Group”) that it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Seller, either alone or in conjunction with their respective Affiliates or Representatives, directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee, officer, director, manager or other fiduciary of the Company, the Seller or their Subsidiaries to leave the employ or service of the Company, the Seller or any of their Subsidiaries, or (ii) hire any Person who was an employee, officer, director, manager or other fiduciary of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries at any time during the six (6) month period prior to the Closing Date or during the Tail Period; provided, that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not prohibit general solicitation (but shall continue to prohibit the hiring of Persons who respond to such solicitations) by any member of the Purchaser Group through ads in newspapers, trade periodicals, online sites relating to employment matters or any other similar solicitation (or other solicitations directed at the public, or segments of the public, in general), or (iii) induce or

 

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attempt to induce any customer, supplier, vendor, service provider, licensee, licensor, lessor, or other business relation of the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries to cease doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any way materially and adversely interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, vendor, service provider, licensee, licensor, lessor, franchisee or other business relation and the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries (including making any negative statements or communications about the Seller or any of its Subsidiaries); provided, that the restrictions in this clause (iii) shall not prohibit Ordinary Course solicitation of any of the foregoing for purposes of a business that is not a Restricted Business, so long as such solicitation is not designed or intended to interfere with the Restricted Business.

11.1.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement referenced herein or therein or otherwise, but subject in all respects to Section 11.1.3, Section 11.1.4, this Section 11.1.5, Section 11.13 and Section 11.17 (including, in each case, the limitations set forth therein), if any of the Purchaser Entities fails to effect the Closing for any reason or no reason or any of the Purchaser Entities otherwise breaches this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or fails to perform hereunder or thereunder (in each case, whether willfully, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise), then the Company and Seller’s right to seek one or more of (but never receive both) (i) the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1.1, and to seek one or more of (but never receive more than one of) (x) payment of the Purchaser Termination Fee if, as and when required pursuant to Section 11.1.3, or (y) monetary damages for any of the Purchaser Entities’ fraud, or (ii) specific performance as and to the extent permitted by Section 11.13 (subject to the limitations set forth therein), shall be the sole and exclusive remedies (whether at Law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) of Seller, the Company and their Affiliates, and any Representatives of the foregoing (and any other Person), against the Purchaser Entities and the Financing Sources or any other financing source of the Purchaser Entities or their respective Affiliates, and any of their respective former, current or future, direct or indirect equity holders, controlling persons, general or limited partners, stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, attorneys, advisors or other Representatives, or any of their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “Purchaser Related Parties”) for all breaches, losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses suffered as a result of, in connection with or related thereto. Except for liabilities and obligations of the Purchaser Related Parties set forth in the foregoing sentence, none of the Purchaser Related Parties shall have any liability or obligation whatsoever to Seller, the Company, their Affiliates and any Representatives of the foregoing (or any other Person), including multiple, consequential, indirect, special, statutory, exemplary or punitive damages, relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Debt Financing, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or otherwise, or the failure of such transactions to be consummated, or in respect of any other Contract, document or theory of Law or equity or in respect of any representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise. In addition, without modifying or qualifying in any way the preceding sentence or implying any intent contrary thereto or impairing the rights of the Purchaser Entities in any way, Seller, the Company, their Affiliates (as determined prior to Closing), on behalf of themselves and their respective Representatives, hereby waive any rights or claims against the Financing Sources and hereby agree that in no event shall the Financing Sources have any liability or obligation to Seller, the Company, any of their Affiliates (as determined prior to Closing) and their respective Representatives and in no event shall Seller, the Company, any of its Affiliates (as determined prior to Closing), and their respective Representatives seek or obtain any other damages of any kind against any Financing Source (including consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages), in each case, relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, upon payment of the Purchaser Termination Fee, if, as and when required pursuant to Section 11.1.3, no Purchaser Related Party shall have any further liability or obligation to Seller, the Company its Affiliates (as determined prior to Closing) or any Representatives of the foregoing (or any other Person), including any multiple, consequential, indirect, special, statutory,

 

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exemplary or punitive damages, relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or otherwise or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the failure of such transactions to be consummated, or in respect of any other Contract, document or theory of law or equity or in respect of any representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith or otherwise, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise.

11.1.6 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein or otherwise, but subject in all respects to Section 11.1.7, Section 11.13 and Section 11.17, the maximum aggregate liability of the Purchaser Related Parties under this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, any other documents referenced herein or therein or otherwise, collectively (including, for the avoidance of doubt, monetary damages for fraud or breach, whether willful, intentional, unintentional or otherwise, or monetary damages in lieu of specific performance), or in connection with the failure of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Debt Financing) to be consummated, or in respect of any representation made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith or otherwise, whether in equity or at Law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, together with any payment of the Purchaser Termination Fee and any other payment in connection with this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, shall not exceed under any circumstances an amount equal to the sum of (i) one of (but never both) (A) the Purchaser Termination Fee, if any, due and owing to the Company pursuant to Section 11.1.3 or (B) the amounts, if any, due and owing to the Company as damages for any breach, including but not limited to fraud, pursuant to Section 11.1.2, plus (ii) the amounts, if any, due and owing to the Company pursuant to Section 7.12.6, plus (iii) the costs and expenses of the Company, if any, due and owing pursuant to Section 11.1.7; provided, that (A) in no event shall the aggregate amount of Purchaser’s obligations described in clause (i) of this Section 11.1.6 exceed the amount of the Purchaser Termination Fee and (B) in no event shall the aggregate amount of Purchaser’s obligations described in clause (iii) of this Section 11.1.6 exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), and in no event shall Seller, the Company, their Affiliates or any Representatives of the foregoing (or any other Person) seek, directly or indirectly, to recover against the Purchaser Related Parties, or compel payment by the Purchaser Related Parties of, any damages or other payments whatsoever (including multiple, consequential, indirect, special, statutory, exemplary or punitive damages) in excess of the Purchaser Termination Fee or any of the foregoing limitations (as applicable).

11.1.7 Each of the Company, Seller, and the Purchaser Entities acknowledges that the agreements contained in Sections 11.1.2, 11.1.3, 11.1.4, 11.1.5, 11.1.6 and this Section 11.1.7 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that, without these agreements, the other parties would not enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if Purchaser fails to promptly pay (i) the Purchaser Termination Fee, if, as and when due pursuant to Section 11.1.3, plus (ii) the amounts, if any, due and owing to the Company pursuant to Section 7.12.6, plus (iii) the costs and expenses of the Company, if any, due and owing pursuant to this Section 11.1.7, and, in order to obtain such payment, the Company commences a suit that results in a final and non-appealable judgment against Purchaser for payment of such amounts, then Purchaser shall pay to the Company any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorney’s fees and expenses) in connection with such suit up to a maximum aggregate amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), together with interest on all unpaid amounts, at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition in effect on the date of such payment, from the date such fee, cost or expense was required to be paid to (but excluding) the payment date.

11.1.8 For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 11.1 shall affect, limit or impair the rights and obligations of the parties under Article X, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, following the Effective Time.

 

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11.2 Notices. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, waiver, instruction or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement by any Party to another Party will be in writing and will be given to such Party (a) at its address set forth in Annex II attached to this Agreement or to such other address as the Party to whom notice is to be given may provide in a written notice to the Party giving such notice in accordance with this Section 11.2. Each such notice, request, or other communication will be effective (x) if given by certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid addressed as aforesaid, upon receipt (and refusal of receipt shall constitute receipt), (y) one (1) Business Day after being furnished to a nationally recognized overnight courier for next Business Day delivery (receipt requested), or (z) on the date sent if sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail of a PDF document (with no “system error” or other notice of non-delivery) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, with a copy contemporaneously being sent pursuant to clauses (x) or (y) above.

11.3 Amendments and Waivers.

11.3.1 Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by Purchaser and Seller (or by any successor to such Party), or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective, in each case, at any time prior to the Effective Time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions relating to the Financing Sources set forth in Section 7.12.1, Section 7.12.4, Section 11.1.5, Section 11.1.6, Section 11.5, Section 11.6, Section 11.7.2, Section 11.8, Section 11.17.3 and this Section 11.3.1 (and the defined terms used therein) may not be amended, modified or altered without the prior written consent of the Financing Sources.

11.3.2 No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof nor will any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege.

11.4 Expenses. Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid the fees and expenses incurred by Purchaser (and its Affiliates) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements or relating to the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements or any documents or agreements contemplated hereby or thereby, or the performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, other than the Closing Date Selling Expenses. Seller will pay or cause to be paid the Closing Date Selling Expenses, subject to Section 2.4.

11.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that no Party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party to this Agreement; except that (a) Purchaser may assign all or any portion of its rights and its obligations under this Agreement to any Affiliate; and (b) after the Closing Date, Purchaser and its Affiliates may assign all or any portion of their rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Financing Source for purposes of creating a security interest herein or otherwise assigning as collateral in respect of the Debt Financing and, after the Closing Date, any such Financing Source may exercise all of the rights and remedies of Purchaser (or its Affiliate, as applicable) hereunder in connection with the enforcement of any security or exercise of any remedies to the extent permitted under the Debt Commitment Letter. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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11.6 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 7.6, Section 11.1.4, Section 11.5, Section 11.15, Section 11.17 and Article X, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied will give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the Parties and such permitted assigns, any legal or equitable rights of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, including by way of subrogation; provided, that Section 6.7.1, Section 11.3, Section 11.7, Section 11.8, Section 11.17 and this Section 11.6 will inure to the benefit of the Financing Sources and their successors and assigns, each of whom are intended to be third-party beneficiaries thereof (it being understood and agreed that Section 7.12.1, Section 11.5, Section 11.7.2, Section 11.8 and this Section 11.6 will be enforceable by the Financing Sources and their respective successors and assigns).

11.7 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

11.7.1 This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of Delaware without regard to any choice or conflict of Laws that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereby (a) irrevocably consents and agrees, subject to Section 3.2, that it shall bring any Action with respect to any matter arising under or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the subject matter hereof or thereof in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or if jurisdiction is not available in such court, then in any state or federal court located in the State of Delaware); (b) irrevocably accepts and submits, for itself and in respect of its properties, to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or if jurisdiction is not available in such court, then in any state or federal court located in the State of Delaware), in personam, generally and unconditionally, with respect to any such Action; (c) irrevocably consents to the service of process in any such Action in any such court by the mailing of a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party at the address specified in Section 11.2 for notices to such Party; and (d) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection or defense which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue to any such Action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or if jurisdiction is not available in such court, then in any federal court located in the State of Delaware) and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim that any such Action brought in such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. In addition to or in lieu of any such service, service of process may also be made in any other manner permitted by applicable Law.

11.7.2 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Parties acknowledges and irrevocably agrees (i) that any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, involving the Financing Sources arising out of, or relating to, the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter, or the performance of services thereunder or related will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of New York in the borough of Manhattan and any appellate court thereof, and each Party hereto submits for itself and its property with respect to any such action, suit or proceeding to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court; (ii) not to bring or permit any of their Affiliates to bring or support anyone else in bringing any such action, suit or proceeding in any other court; (iii) that service of process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to them at their respective addresses provided in the Debt Commitment Letter will be effective service of process against them for any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court; (iv) to waive and hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which any of them may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of, and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of, any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court; and (v) any such action, suit or proceeding will be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York.

 

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11.8 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, AND AGREES TO CAUSE EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO WAIVE, AND AGREES TO CAUSE EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO WAIVE, AND COVENANTS THAT NEITHER IT NOR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES SHALL ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF, INCLUDING ANY ACTION RELATING TO THE DEBT FINANCING OR THE PERFORMANCE THEREOF OR INVOLVING ANY FINANCING SOURCE.    THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MIGHT BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT MAY RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ALL COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH SUCH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, SUPPLEMENTS OR RESTATEMENTS HEREOF. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

11.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute the same agreement, and the execution of a counterpart of the signature page to this Agreement shall be deemed the execution of a counterpart of this Agreement. The delivery of this Agreement may be made by facsimile or portable document format (pdf), and such signatures shall be treated as original signatures for all applicable purposes.

11.10 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provisions of this Agreement.

11.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements, and is a complete and final integration thereof. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (including the Disclosure Schedules, Annexes and Exhibits hereto and thereto) supersede and cancel all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both oral and written, express or implied, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements which the Parties disclaim reliance on.

11.12 Confidentiality. In consideration of the benefits of this Agreement to Seller and in order to induce Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller hereby covenants and agrees that from the date of this Agreement, until the Closing, Seller and its Affiliates shall, and shall cause the Company to, keep confidential and not disclose to any other Person the terms of this Agreement or use for their own benefit or the benefit of any other Person any information regarding the Company; provided, however, that if the Closing does not occur for whatever reason, this covenant shall immediately terminate and become null and void. In consideration of the benefits of this Agreement to Purchaser and in order to induce Seller and the Company to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees that from the date of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after the Closing, or if the Closing does not occur for any reason, the termination of this Agreement, Purchaser shall, and it shall cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential and not disclose to any other Person or use for their own benefit or the benefit of any other Person the terms of this Agreement and any information regarding the Company or Seller. The obligation of Seller and its Affiliates under this Section 11.12 shall not apply to information which: (a) is or becomes generally available to the public without breach of the provisions of this Section 11.12; or (b) is required to be disclosed by Law, order or regulation of a court or tribunal or government authority; provided, however, that in the case of the foregoing clause (b), Seller shall timely notify Purchaser prior to disclosure to allow Purchaser to take appropriate measures to preserve the confidentiality of such information.

 

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11.13 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the specific terms hereof or is otherwise breached and that any non-performance or breach of this Agreement could not be adequately compensated by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, Seller and the Purchaser Entities shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any provision of this Agreement without posting any bond or other undertaking, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity (including monetary damages). The Parties hereto further agree that the Seller and the Company shall be entitled to specific performance to cause the Purchaser Entities to draw down the proceeds of the Debt Financing and otherwise cause the Purchaser Entities to consummate the Closing to the extent, prior to the Closing, all of the Company Specific Performance Conditions have been satisfied in full in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and except and to the extent expressly permitted by the foregoing sentence of this Section 11.13, the Parties acknowledge and agree that none of Seller, the Company, its Affiliates or any Representative of the foregoing shall be entitled, whether under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, to seek or obtain any equitable remedy, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by the Purchaser Entities or any remedy to enforce specifically the terms of this Agreement or otherwise require the Purchaser Entities to draw down all or any portion of the proceeds of the Debt Financing or otherwise cause the Purchaser Entities to take any action to consummate the Closing (whether under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise), and that such Person’s sole and exclusive remedies with respect to any such breaches or threatened breaches shall be the Company’s remedies set forth in Sections 11.1.2 and 11.1.3, subject in all respects to the limitations set forth therein and in Sections 11.1.4 through 11.1.8, this Section 11.13 and Section 11.17 (including, in each case, the limitations set forth therein). Subject to this Section 11.13, each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that the Party seeking the injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief has an adequate remedy at law. “Company Specific Performance Conditions” shall mean (a) all conditions in Section 9.1 have been satisfied as of the date on which the Closing would otherwise be required to occur (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing; provided such conditions would have been satisfied as of such date), (b) any Purchaser Entity fails to complete the Closing by the date the Closing would otherwise be required to have occurred pursuant to Section 2.2, (c) the Debt Financing has been or would be funded if the Closing occurs; provided, that the Purchaser Entities shall not be required to consummate the Closing if the Debt Financing is in fact not funded at the Closing, (d) the Closing would occur substantially simultaneously with the drawdown of the Debt Financing (provided, that the Seller and the Company remain ready, willing and able to consummate the Closing during such period) (e) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in writing to Purchaser that it is prepared to and able to effect the Closing upon the funding of the Debt Financing, and (f) any Purchaser Entity has not consummated the Closing within three (3) Business Days of receipt of such notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, under no circumstances shall the Company, Seller or any of their respective Affiliates, directly or indirectly, be permitted or entitled to receive (i) a grant of specific performance resulting in the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof or other equitable relief, on the one hand, and (ii)(a) payment of any monetary damages whatsoever, or (b) payment of the Purchaser Termination Fee, on the other hand.

 

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11.14 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision and such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision will be reformed, construed and enforced as if such provision had never been contained herein and there had been contained in this Agreement instead such valid, legal and enforceable provisions as would most nearly accomplish the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

11.15 Legal Representation. In any dispute or Action arising under or in connection with this Agreement including under Article X, each Company Indemnified Person shall have the right, at their election, to retain DLA Piper to represent them in such matter and Purchaser for itself and for its successors and assigns and for the other Purchaser Indemnified Parties (including the Company if the Closing occurs) and their respective successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably waives and consents to any such representation in any such matter. Purchaser acknowledges that the foregoing provision shall apply whether or not DLA Piper provides legal services to the Company after the Closing Date. Purchaser, for itself and its successors and assigns and for the other Purchaser Indemnified Parties (including the Company if the Closing occurs) and their respective successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications between any Company Indemnified Person and their counsel, including DLA Piper, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and closing under, or any dispute or Action arising under or in connection with, this Agreement, or any matter relating to any of the foregoing, are privileged communications between a Company Indemnified Person and such counsel, and neither Purchaser, nor any Person purporting to act on behalf of or through Purchaser, will seek to obtain the same by any process on the grounds that the privilege attaching to such communications, belongs to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and not Seller.

11.16 Press Release and Announcements. Unless required by Law (in which case each Party agrees to consult with the other Parties prior to any such disclosure as to the form and content of such disclosure), no press releases or other public releases of information related to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements will be issued or released without the consent of Purchaser and Seller.

11.17 No Recourse Against Third Parties.

11.17.1 No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that the following Persons are expressly intended as third party beneficiaries with respect to the following specified sections of this Agreement and will have the right to enforce such specified sections against the parties to this Agreement: with respect to Section 7.6, the Persons who are the beneficiaries of the rights under such Section; with respect to Article X, the Persons who are the beneficiaries of the indemnification under such Section; with respect to Section 11.15, DLA Piper; and with respect to Section 11.17.2, the Nonparty Affiliates.

11.17.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, (i) no claim (whether at law or in equity, whether in contract, tort, statute or otherwise, whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company veil or any other theory or doctrine, including alter ego or otherwise) may be asserted by any party, any Affiliate of any party, or any Person claiming by, through or for the benefit of any of them, against any Person who is not party to this Agreement or, in the case of the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement referenced herein or therein, any Person who is not party to such Ancillary Agreement or other agreement referenced herein or therein, including any equityholders, partners, members, controlling persons, directors, officers, employees, incorporators, managers, agents, Representatives, or Affiliates of any party or the heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing (or any Affiliate of any of the

 

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foregoing) (each a “Nonparty Affiliate” and, collectively, the “Nonparty Affiliates”) with respect to any matters based upon, in respect of, arising under, out or by reason of, in connection with, or relating in any manner to (a) this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement referenced herein or therein or any transactions contemplated thereunder, (b) the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein (including any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to, this Agreement, such Ancillary Agreement or such other agreement), (c) any breach or violation of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein, (d) any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to information furnished by or on behalf of any party or any Nonparty Affiliate concerning the business of the Company (including with respect to the operation of its business prior to the Closing or any other transaction, circumstance or state of facts involving the Company prior to the Closing), this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and (e) any failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement referenced herein or therein to be consummated, (ii) no recourse shall be sought by or had against any Nonparty Affiliates under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or any transactions contemplated by any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein, and (iii) no Nonparty Affiliate shall have any liabilities or obligations (whether at law or in equity, whether in contract, tort, statute or otherwise, whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company veil or any other theory or doctrine, including alter ego or otherwise) for any claims or causes of action arising under, out of, in connection with or related in any manner to the items in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (e), it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability or losses whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the aforementioned, as such, arising under, out of, in connection with or related in any manner to the items in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (e). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or otherwise, no Nonparty Affiliate shall be responsible or liable for any multiple, consequential, indirect, special, statutory, exemplary or punitive damages which may be alleged as a result of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement referenced herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder, or the termination or abandonment of any of the foregoing.

11.17.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each of the Seller and the Company hereby (i) acknowledges that none of the Financing Sources shall have any liability under this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, any dispute related to, or arising from, the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter, any related agreements or the performance thereof, (ii) waive any rights or claims against any of the Financing Sources in connection with this Agreement, the Debt Financing or the Debt Commitment Letter, whether at law or equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and (iii) agree not to commence (and if commenced agree to dismiss or otherwise terminate, and not to assist) any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation, petition, grievance, complaint, suit or proceeding against any Financing Source in connection with this Agreement, the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

11.18 Key Stockholders.

11.18.1 Each Key Stockholder hereby represents, warrants and covenants, that: (a) if such Key Stockholder is not an individual, such Key Stockholder is a limited partnership, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (b) such Key Stockholder has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate

 

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the transactions contemplated by this Section 11.18; (c) if such Key Stockholder is not an individual, the execution, delivery and performance by such Key Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation by such Key Stockholder of the transactions contemplated by this Section 11.18 have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action on the part of such Key Stockholder, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement; (d) the execution and delivery by such Key Stockholder of this Agreement will not require any consent, notice, waiver, approval, order or authorization of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, or (y) if such Key Stockholder is an entity, result in a material breach or violation of, or material default under, the Organizational Documents of such Key Stockholder.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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The Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

PURCHASER:						INCEPTION INTERMEDIATE:
INCEPTION TOPCO, INC.						INCEPTION INTERMEDIATE, INC.
By:		/s/ Holly Windham				By:		/s/ Holly Windham
Name: Holly Windham						Name: Holly Windham
Its: Senior Vice President						Its: Senior Vice President
MERGER SUB 1:						INCEPTION PARENT:
DRAKE MERGER SUB I, INC.						INCEPTION PARENT, INC.
By:		/s/ Holly Windham				By:		/s/ Holly Windham
Name: Holly Windham						Name: Holly Windham
Its: Senior Vice President						Its: Senior Vice President
MERGER SUB 2:						BORROWER:
DRAKE MERGER SUB II, LLC						RACKSPACE HOSTING, INC.
By:		/s/ Holly Windham				By:		/s/ Holly Windham
Name: Holly Windham						Name: Holly Windham
Its: Senior Vice President						Its: Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

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COMPANY:
DATAPIPE PARENT, INC.
By:		/s/ Robb Allen
Name:		Robb Allen
Its:		Chief Executive Officer
SELLER:
DATAPIPE HOLDINGS, LLC
By:		/s/ Robb Allen
Name:		Robb Allen
Its:		Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

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KEY STOCKHOLDERS:
ABRY PARTNERS VII, L.P.
By:		ABRY VII Capital Partners, L.P.
		Its General Partner
By:		ABRY VII Capital Investors, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Authorized Signatory
ABRY PARTNERS VII CO-INVESTMENT
FUND, L.P.
By:		ABRY Partners VII Co-Investment
		GP, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		ABRY VII Capital Investors, LLC
		Its Member
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Authorized Signatory
ABRY INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By:		ABRY Investment GP, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

 

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ABRY ADVANCED SECURITIES FUND, L.P.
By:		ABRY ASF Investors, L.P.
		Its General Partner
By:		ABRY Advanced Securities Holdings, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Authorized Signatory
ABRY ADVANCED SECURITIES FUNDS II, L.P.
By:		ABRY ASF Investors II, L.P.
		Its General Partner
By:		ABRY Advanced Securities Holdings II, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Authorized Signatory
ABRY SENIOR EQUITY III, L.P.
By:		ABRY Senior Equity Investors III, L.P.
		Its General Partner
By:		ABRY Senior Equity Holdings III,
		LLC
		Its Sole General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title: Manager

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

 

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ABRY SENIOR EQUITY CO-
INVESTMENT FUND III, L.P.
By:		ABRY Senior Equity Co-Investment GP III, LLC
		Its General Partner
By:		/s/ Brian St. Jean
Name: Brian St. Jean
Title:		Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

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ANNEX I

Definitions

In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein with initial capital letters:

“280G Approval”: as set forth in Section 7.10.

“ABRY Stockholders”: ABRY Partners VII, L.P., ABRY Partners VII Co-Investment Fund, L.P., ABRY Investment Partnership, L.P., ABRY Advanced Securities fund, L.P., ABRY Advanced Securities Fund II, L.P., ABRY Senior Equity III, L.P. and ABRY Senior Equity Co-Investment Fund III, L.P.

“Accounting Referee”: shall mean Ernst & Young, or if such firm declines the representation or is unable to serve, the office of an impartial nationally recognized accounting firm mutually agreed to between Seller and Purchaser.

“Acquisition Proposal”: as set forth in Section 7.5.1.

“Action” means any claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, suit, litigation, arbitration, inquiry, audit, notice of violation, proceeding, citation, summons, subpoena, investigation or action of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or otherwise, whether at law or in equity, brought by or before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator or arbitral panel or other alternative dispute resolution tribunal.

“Affiliate”: with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more of its intermediaries or otherwise, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person; provided, that, except with respect to Section 11.17 and the definition of Change of Control, in no event shall Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries be considered an Affiliate of any portfolio company or investment fund (excluding investment funds focused on private equity) affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC, nor shall any portfolio company or investment fund (excluding investment funds focused on private equity) affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC be considered to be an Affiliate of Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. With respect to any natural Person, “Affiliate” will include (a) such Person’s spouse, (b) each parent, brother, sister or child of such Person or such Person’s spouse, (c) the spouse of any Person described in clause (b) above, and (d) each child of any Person described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above.

“Agreement”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Alternative Financing”: as set forth in Section 7.11.3.

“Ancillary Agreements”: shall mean this Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Promissory Notes, the Debt Commitment Letter, the Debt Payoff Letters and the other documents, instruments and agreements referenced or expressly contemplated to be entered into pursuant hereto and thereto.

“Apollo”: AP VIII Inception Holdings, L.P.

 

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“Approval” means any approval, authorization, consent, qualification or registration, or any extension, modification, amendment or waiver of any of the foregoing, required to be obtained from, or any notice, statement or other communication required to be filed with or delivered to, any Governmental Authority.

“Balance Sheet”: the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the Balance Sheet Date, included in the Company’s or the Surviving Company’s, as applicable, Financial Statements.

“Balance Sheet Date”: December 31, 2016.

“Borrower”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Business Day”: any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.

“Cancelled Shares”: as set forth in Section 3.1.1.

“Capital Lease Obligations”: with respect to any Person, for any applicable period, the obligations of such Person that are permitted or required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases or similar obligations under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations at any date will be the capitalized amount of such obligations at such date determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash and Cash Equivalents” means, as of the date in question, without duplication, all consolidated cash and cash equivalents held in the bank accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries, calculated on a consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP, net of any unpaid checks or drafts issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date in question.

“Cash Consideration”: an amount in cash equal to the excess (if any) of (i) $800,000,000, over (ii) the sum of Closing Date Debt, Closing Date Selling Expenses and the Preferred Amount less Closing Date Cash.

“CERCLA”: the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as amended.

“Certificate of Merger”: as set forth in Section 2.3.

“Change of Control”: the occurrence of either of the following: (i) (A) Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) cease to be the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of Purchaser; and (B) a person, entity or group other than the Apollo Holders becomes the direct or indirect beneficial owner of a percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of Purchaser that is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders; or (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a person, entity or group other than the Apollo Holders; provided, however, that a mere initial public offering or a merger or other acquisition or combination transaction after which the Apollo Holders retain control or shared control of Purchaser (or its successor), or have otherwise not sold or disposed of more than 50% of its direct or indirect investment in Purchaser as of the Closing Date in exchange for cash or marketable securities, will not result in a Change of Control; provided, further, that following the IPO, the above clause (i) shall be deleted and replaced with: “a person, entity or group other than Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of Purchaser, and such combined voting power beneficially owned is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders.”

 

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“Closing”: as set forth in Section 2.2.

“Closing Balance Sheet”: as set forth in Section 3.5.

“Closing Date”: as set forth in Section 2.2.

“Closing Date Cash”: Cash and Cash Equivalents as of immediately prior to the Effective Time less Trapped Cash.

“Closing Date Debt”: the total Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

“Closing Date Preferred Amount”: the aggregate amount of Unreturned Capital Value, Unpaid Yield and Redemption Premium (each as defined in the Seller LLC Agreement) with respect to the Class A-5 Units and Class A-7 Units of Seller as of the Closing Date.

“Closing Date Selling Expenses”: all of the fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or relating to the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any documents or agreements contemplated hereby or the performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that will not be paid prior to the Closing Date, including, without limitation, (a) all brokers’ or finders’ fees (if any), (b) fees and expenses of counsel, advisors, consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and auditors and experts, in each case, that are not paid prior to the Closing Date, (c) fifty percent (50%) of the total amount of Transfer Taxes, (d) any amount not paid by the Company prior to the Effective Time with respect to the prepaid D&O “tail policy” referenced in Section 7.2, and (e) all bonus, change in control, retention and other compensatory payments that accrue, accelerate or become payable by the Company or its Affiliates in connection with or as a result of the consummation of the Combination, and the employer portion of any withholding, payroll or employment Taxes related thereto (and, for avoidance of doubt, agreeing that there is no severance due in connection with or as a result of the consummation of the Combination).

“Closing Equity Consideration”: 1,037,000 shares of Purchaser Common Stock; provided, that if the Fully-Diluted Equity increases or decreases between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, the number of shares of Purchaser Common Stock which constitute the Closing Equity Consideration shall be increased or decreased, as applicable, by multiplying (x) the number of shares by which the Fully-Diluted Equity has increased or decreased by (y) 7.386%.

“Closing Equity Election”: as set forth in Section 2.4.

“Closing Statement”: as set forth in Section 3.5.

“Code”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Collective Bargaining Agreement”: any collective bargaining agreement, labor union contract, trade union agreement or foreign works council contract.

 

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“Combination”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Company”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Company Board”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Company Common Stock” means common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

“Company Indemnified Person”: as set forth in Section 7.2.

“Company Knowledge Persons”: means Robb Allen, Ed O’Hara, Joel Friedman, Daniel Newton, Michael J. Parks, Michael Bross and Rob Nicewicz.

“Company Real Property”: any real property and improvements owned, leased, used, operated, or occupied (whether for storage, disposal, or otherwise) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Company Securities”: as set forth in Section 4.4.1.

“Company Specific Performance Conditions”: as set forth in Section 11.13.

“Compliant”: means, with respect to the Required Financing Information, that (i) such Required Financing Information does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, or omit to state any material fact regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries necessary in order to make such Required Financing Information not misleading under the circumstances and (ii) the financial statements and other financial information included in such Required Financing Information would not be deemed stale or otherwise be unusable under customary practices for offerings and private placements of high yield debt securities under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Confidential Information Presentation”: means that certain presentation prepared on behalf of the Company and dated March 2017, as provided to the Purchaser, as such presentation may have been amended, modified or supplemented by the Company or on the Company’s behalf.

“Confidentiality Agreement”: means the confidentiality letter agreement, dated June 18, 2017, between the Seller and Rackspace US, Inc.

“Consolidated”: the Company or the Surviving Company, as applicable, and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all intercompany items.

“Constituent of Concern”: any substance, material or waste (regardless of physical form or concentration) that is (a) hazardous toxic, infectious, explosive, radioactive, carcinogenic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise harmful to living things or the environment or (b) is or becomes identified, defined, designated, listed, restricted or otherwise regulated under Environmental Laws, including any hazardous substance, hazardous waste, hazardous material, pollutant or contaminant, any petroleum hydrocarbon and any degradation product of a petroleum hydrocarbon, asbestos, PCB, airborne mysote, mold spores, or similar substance.

“Continuing Employees”: as set forth in Section 7.9.1.

“Contracts”: contracts, leases and subleases, franchises, agreements, licenses, arrangements, commitments, letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, promises, obligations, rights, instruments, documents, indentures, deeds, trusts, mortgages, security interests, guarantees, and other similar arrangements whether written or oral, other than the Plans.

 

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“Controlled Group Liability”: means any and all liabilities, whether actual or contingent, or direct or indirect, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) under Title IV of ERISA; (ii) under Section 302 of ERISA; (iii) under Section 412 and Section 4971 of the Code; (iv) as a result of a failure to comply with the continuation coverage requirements of Section 601 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code; and (v) under corresponding or similar provisions of foreign laws, in each case, that are imposed on a “controlled group” or similar basis, as a result of the Company or any Subsidiary being treated as a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code or Sections 3(5) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA, or the regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to any ERISA Affiliate.

“Current Government Contract”: as set forth in Section 4.25.1.

“Damages”: any and all debts, losses, claims, damages, costs, fines, judgments, awards, penalties, interest, obligations, payments, settlements, suits, demands, expenses and Liabilities of every type and nature, together with all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ (including in-house attorneys’) fees and other legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses) and fees for consultants and advisors, incurred in connection with any of the foregoing and including the cost of the investigation, preparation or defense of any action, suit or proceeding in connection therewith, the reasonable cost of pursuing insurance providers, the assertion of any claims under this Agreement, and the cost of any Tax, interest, penalty or addition to Tax, in each case whether incurred in advance of following the disposition of any claim.

“Debt Commitment Letter”: as set forth in Section 6.8.1.

“Debt Financing”: as set forth in Section 6.8.1.

“Debt Payoff Letters”: as set forth in Section 7.12.1(g).

“DGCL”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Direct Claim”: as set forth in Section 10.5.3.

“Disclosure Schedules”: the disclosure schedules delivered by the respective Parties concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

“DLA Piper”: means DLA Piper LLP (US).

“DLLCA”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Effective Time”: as set forth in Section 2.3.

“End Date” as set forth in Section 11.1.1(d).

“Environmental Claim”: any claim, litigation, demand, action, cause of action, suit, loss, cost, including attorneys’ fees, and expert’s fees, Damages, fine, penalty, expense, liability, criminal liability, strict liability, judgment, governmental or private investigation and testing, notification of potential responsibility for clean-up of any facility, in each of the foregoing, for being in violation or in potential violation of any requirement of Environmental Law, any proceeding, consent or administrative order, agreement, or decree, Lien, personal injury or death of any Person, or property damage (excluding

 

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diminution in value damages), whether threatened, sought, brought, or imposed, that is related to or that seeks to recover Damages related to, or seeks to impose liability under Environmental Law, including for: (a) improper use or treatment of wetlands, pinelands, or other protected land or wildlife, (b) radioactive materials (including naturally occurring radioactive materials), (c) pollution, contamination, preservation, protection, decontamination, remediation, or clean-up of the indoor or ambient air, surface water, groundwater, soil or protected lands, (d) exposure of Persons or property to any Constituent of Concern and the effects thereof, (e) the release or threatened release (into the indoor or outdoor environment), generation, manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, application, transfer, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, or remediation of a Constituent of Concern, (f) injury to, death of, or threat to the health or safety of any Person or Persons caused directly or indirectly by any Constituent of Concern, (g) destruction of property or injury to persons caused directly or indirectly by any Constituent of Concern or the release or threatened release of any Constituent of Concern to any property (whether real or personal); (h) the implementation of spill prevention and/or disaster plans relating to any Constituent of Concern; (i) failure to comply with community right-to-know and other disclosure Laws; or (j) maintaining, disclosing, or reporting information to Governmental Authorities or any other third Person under, or complying or failing to comply with, any Environmental Law. The term “Environmental Claim” also includes any Damages incurred in testing related to or resulting from any of the foregoing.

“Environmental Condition”: a condition with respect to the environment or natural resources that has resulted or could result in Damages to the Company under applicable Environmental Laws.

“Environmental Law”: all applicable Laws, Environmental Permits, and similar items of any Governmental Authority relating to the protection or preservation of the environment, natural resources or human health or safety, including: (a) all requirements pertaining to any obligation or liability for reporting, management, licensing, permitting, investigation, and remediation of emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of a Constituent of Concern; (b) all requirements pertaining to the protection of the health and safety of employees or other Persons; and (c) all other limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, obligations, and timetables contained therein or in any notice or demand letter issued, entered, promulgated, or approved thereunder. The term “Environmental Law” includes (i) CERCLA, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (which includes the Federal Clean Water Act), the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (which includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, and OSHA, each as amended from time to time, any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any state or local counterparts thereof, and (ii) any common Law or equitable doctrine (including injunctive relief and tort doctrines such as negligence, nuisance, trespass, strict liability, contribution and indemnification) that may impose liability or obligations for injuries or Damages due to, or threatened as a result of, the presence of, effects of, or exposure to any Constituent of Concern.

“Environmental Permits”: all Permits relating to or required by Environmental Laws and necessary for or held in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company.

“ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate”: any Person that would be considered a single employer with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

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“Export Control Laws”: as set forth in Section 4.25.12.

“Fee Letter”: as set forth in Section 6.8.1.

“Financial Statements”: the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, and their respective Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and for the years ending December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, together with the related Consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders equity for the periods then ended.

“Financing Sources”: means the Persons that have committed to provide the debt financing contemplated by, or have otherwise entered into agreements in connection with, the Debt Commitment Letter or alternative debt financings in connection with the Merger, and any joinder agreements, indentures or credit agreements entered into pursuant thereto or relating thereto, together with their Affiliates, and their and any of their Affiliates’ current or future officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, stockholders, limited partners, managers, members or partners involved in the Debt Financing and their successors and assigns.

“First Lien Credit Agreement”: means that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013 (as amended on April 16, 2014, July 2, 2015 and August 16, 2016), by and among Datapipe Parent, Inc., Datapipe Merger Sub, Inc., Datapipe Holding Company, Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC and GE Capital Markets, Inc., as Co-Syndication Agents, Capital Source Bank and ING Capital LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC and GE Capital Markets, Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

“Fully-Diluted Equity”: all issued and outstanding (i) shares of Purchaser Common Stock, and (ii) securities convertible into or exerciseable for Purchaser Common Stock.

“FLSA”: as set forth in Section 4.17.2.

“GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis.

“Governmental Authority”: shall mean any (i) principality, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal or foreign government; (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental authority, division, subdivision, department, agency, bureau, branch, office, commission, council, board, instrumentality, officer, official, representative, organization, unit, authority or entity and any court or other tribunal); (iv) individual, entity or authority exercising, or entitled to exercise, any governmental executive, legislative, judicial, administrative, regulatory, audit, investigative, police, military or taxing authority or power on behalf of the above noted entities.

“Government Bid” means any offer, bid, quotation or proposal to sell products or services made or provided by the Company that, if accepted or awarded, could lead to a Government Contract.

“Government Contract” means any prime contract, subcontract, teaming agreement or arrangement, joint venture, basic ordering agreement, purchase order, task order, delivery order, change order or other contractual commitment of any kind, between the Company and (i) a Governmental Authority, (ii) any prime contractor to a Governmental Authority in its capacity as a prime contractor, or (iii) any subcontractor with respect to any Contract described in clauses (i) or (ii) above. A task, purchase or delivery order under a Government Contract will not constitute a separate Government Contract, for purposes of this definition, but will be part of the Government Contract to which it relates.

 

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“Guarantee”: of or by any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), means, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, keep-well agreements or similar agreements, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or otherwise) or (ii) to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (iii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the creditor of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness, (iv) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (v) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guaranteeing person securing any Indebtedness of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the guaranteeing person.

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

“HSR Filings”: as set forth in Section 7.8.2.

“Inception Intermediate” as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Inception Parent” as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Indebtedness”: with respect to any Person, without duplication, on a consolidated basis (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, whether short-term or long-term, and whether secured or unsecured, or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid (other than trade payables and other current liabilities incurred or arising in the Ordinary Course), (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to tangible property or assets purchased by such Person, (e) all currently due obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade payables and other current liabilities incurred or arising in the Ordinary Course), and excluding any earn-out or similar obligations which are not expected to be paid (and, for avoidance of doubt, as of the date hereof, no such earn-out or similar obligations would be included as Indebtedness, except an aggregate amount of $27,500 payable to four employees in connection with the acquisition of Dualspark LLC (so-called “Cash in Lieu of Equity payments”), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) renewals, extensions, refundings, deferrals, restructurings, amendments and modifications of any such Indebtedness or Guarantee, (j) all obligations under any interest rate, currency swap or other hedging, swap or similar agreement or arrangement, (k) all obligations under sale and leaseback transactions, agreements to repurchase securities sold and other similar financing transactions, (l) all obligations pursuant to conditional sale or title retention agreements with respect to property acquired by such Person, (m) all obligations pursuant to letters of credit, solely to the extent drawn upon by third parties, (n) any other obligation that in accordance with GAAP is required to be reflected as debt on the balance sheet of such Person (other than trade payables and current accruals

 

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incurred in the Ordinary Course) and (o) with respect to obligations of the types described in clauses (a) through (n) above, in each case, the current portion thereof, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and any prepayment penalties, premiums, breakage or similar charges payable in connection with the discharge of such indebtedness. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, for avoidance of doubt, “Indebtedness” shall not include (v) any trade payables (including notes payable), (w) any severance costs, including amounts payable to Robb Allen or Ed O’Hara if their employment is terminated after Closing, (x) the Russian VAT (and penalties associated therewith) referenced on Schedule 4.6, (y) any undrawn letters of credit or (z) any fidelity bonds, surety bonds, performance bonds and bankers’ acceptances.

“Indemnified Party”: as set forth in Section 10.5.1.

“Indemnifying Party”: as set forth in Section 10.5.1.

“Independent Valuation Expert”: means Duff & Phelps or, at the election of Purchaser, Valuation Research Corporation or, if each such firm declines the representation or is unable to serve, the office of an impartial nationally recognized investment bank mutually agreed to between Seller and Purchaser.

“Information Privacy and Security Laws” means all applicable legal requirements concerning the privacy, data protection, transfer or security of Protected Information, including the following and their implementing regulations: HIPAA, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, data security legal requirements, including those established by the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, data breach notification legal requirements, consumer protection legal requirements, the European Union Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC (and implementing regulations adopted applicable European Union member states), applicable legal requirements and regulations relating to the transfer of Protected Information, any other applicable privacy laws, regulations, rules or orders issued by foreign Governmental Authorities, and any applicable legal requirements concerning requirements for website and mobile application privacy policies and practices, call or electronic monitoring or recording or any outbound communications (including outbound calling and text messaging, telemarketing, and e-mail marketing).

“Intellectual Property Right”: all trademarks, trademark rights, service marks, service mark rights, trade names, trade name rights, trade dress, copyrights, works of authorship, inventions (whether patentable or not), invention disclosures, industrial models, industrial designs, utility models, certificates of invention, designs, emblems and logos, trade secrets, manufacturing formulae, technical information, patents, patent applications, moral rights, mask work registrations, franchises, franchise rights, customer and supplier lists, and related identifying information together with the goodwill associated therewith, product formulae, product designs, product packaging, business and product names, slogans, rights of publicity, improvements, processes, specifications, technology, methodologies, computer software (including all source code and object code), firmware, development tools, flow charts, annotations, all Web addresses, sites and domain names, all data bases and data collections and all rights therein, any other confidential and proprietary right or information, whether or not subject to statutory registration, as each of the foregoing rights may arise anywhere in the world, and all related technical information, manufacturing, engineering and technical drawings, know-how, and all pending applications and registrations of patents, and the right to sue for past infringement, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing, and all documents, disks, records, files, and other media on which any of the foregoing is stored, and other proprietary rights.

 

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“Interim Financial Statements”: the unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Company or Purchaser, as applicable, and its respective Subsidiaries, together with the related unaudited Consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders equity for the three (3) and six (6) month periods ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

“Intermediate Contribution”: as set forth in Section 2.8.2.

“Invested Capital” means, with respect to the Apollo Holders, the amount of money and the initial book value of any property contributed to the Purchaser by the Apollo Holders in exchange for shares of Purchaser Common Stock.

“Investor Rights Agreement”: the Investor Rights Agreement between Purchaser, Seller and Apollo, to be dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto.

“IPO”: means Purchaser’s initial public offering.

“IRS”: the Internal Revenue Service.

“IT Assets” means computers, software, hardware, servers, peripherals, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, networks, data communications lines, data centers, and all other information technology equipment and assets, including related documentation and specifications, that are owned, licensed, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Key Stockholders”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Law”: means any federal, state, county, city, municipal, foreign, international, multinational, supranational, or other governmental statute, law (including common law), rule, regulation, ordinance, code, decree, Order, directive, judgment, regulation, ruling or stock exchange listing requirement or other requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority and any order or decision of an applicable arbitrator or arbitration panel.

“Liabilities” or, individually, “Liability”: with respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person of any kind, character or description, whether known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, due or to become due, vested or unvested executory, determined, determinable or otherwise, and whether or not the same is required to be accrued on the financial statements of such Person.

“Lien”: with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, option, preemptive purchase right, easement, encumbrance, security interest, title defect, encroachment or other survey defect, or other adverse claim of any kind in respect of such property or asset. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property or asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease, or other title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such property or asset.

“Marketable Securities” means shares of common stock of another entity or, following the IPO, shares of Purchaser Common Stock (or the stock of any successor of Purchaser), in each case, that (i) are freely tradeable without violating any “lockup” agreements, other contractual restrictions, or federal, state, or local securities laws; and (ii) are listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Market, or another United States or foreign traded public exchange reasonably acceptable to Apollo. The value of Marketable Securities on any given Measurement Date shall be deemed to equal the volume weighted average trading price of such shares over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately preceding such Measurement Date.

 

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“Marketing Period”: means the first period of twenty (20) consecutive days after the date of this Agreement and throughout which and at the end of which (i) the Purchaser has the Required Financing Information and the Required Financing Information is Compliant (it being understood that if the Company in good faith reasonably believes that it has provided the Required Financing Information, it may deliver to the Purchaser a written notice stating when it believes that it completed such delivery, in which case the Company will be deemed to have delivered the Required Financing Information as of the date of such notice unless the Purchaser in good faith reasonably believes that the Company has not completed delivery of the Required Financing Information and, within three (3) Business Days after its receipt of such notice from the Company, Purchaser delivers a written notice to the Company to that effect (stating with specificity which Required Financing Information the Company has not delivered); (ii) the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 are satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions); and (iii) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 to fail to be satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing), assuming that such conditions were applicable at any time during such 20 consecutive day period; provided, that (x) November 22-26, 2017, shall not be considered calendar days for purposes of such period and (y) if such 20 consecutive days shall not have fully elapsed on or prior to December 21, 2017, then such 20 consecutive day period shall commence no earlier than January 2, 2018. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Marketing Period will end on any earlier date on which the Debt Financing is obtained and (B) the Marketing Period will not commence or be deemed to have commenced if, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the completion of the consecutive Business Day period referenced herein, (1) the Company’s independent public accountant has withdrawn its audit opinion with respect to any financial statements included in the Required Financing Information, in which case the Marketing Period will not be deemed to commence unless and until a new unqualified audit opinion is issued with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the applicable periods by the independent public accountant or another independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptably to Purchaser; (2) the Company issues a public statement indicating its intent to restate any historical financial statements of the Company or any such restatement is under active consideration, in which case the Marketing Period will not be deemed to commence unless and until such restatement has been completed and the relevant Required Financing Information has been amended or the Company has announced that it has concluded that no restatement will be required in accordance with GAAP or (3) any Required Financing Information would not be Compliant at any time during such 20 consecutive day period (it being understood that if any Required Financing Information provided at the commencement of the Marketing Period ceases to be Compliant during such consecutive Business Day period, then the Marketing Period will be deemed not to have occurred) or otherwise does not include the “Required Financing Information” as defined.

“Material Adverse Effect”: any change or effect, fact, event, occurrence, development or circumstance (any such item, a “Circumstance”) that is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to (x) the properties, business, assets, Liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (y) the ability of such Person to timely perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements; provided, however, that no Circumstance caused by or resulting from any of the following shall constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or would reasonably be expected to be, a “Material Adverse Effect” on or with respect to a Person: (i) any changes in financial, banking or securities markets or any change in prevailing interest rates, including any disruption thereof, in any location where such Person or its Subsidiaries has material operations or sales; (ii) any changes in applicable Laws or accounting rules

 

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(including GAAP) or the enforcement, implementation or interpretation thereof since the date of this Agreement; (iii) the announcement, pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including losses or threatened losses of employees, customers, suppliers, distributors or others having relationships with the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iv) any failure of such Person to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions (provided that the underlying Circumstances of such failures may (to the extent not otherwise falling within any of the exceptions set forth in clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition) be deemed to constitute, and may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (v) any act or omission of Seller or the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, taken with the express written consent of Purchaser or in compliance with this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, on the other hand (or vice versa); (vi) the occurrence of any act of war, act of God, terrorism, natural or manmade disaster, or other calamity or crisis, or the escalation or worsening thereof, adversely impacting financial, political or economic conditions; (vii) any changes in general economic, regulatory, financial or political conditions; or (viii) changes generally affecting the industries in which such Person and its Subsidiaries operate, unless, in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (vi), (vii) or (viii) above, such Circumstance has had or would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate adverse impact on the financial condition, properties, business or results of operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other persons operating in the industries in which such Person and its Subsidiaries operate.

“Material Contract”: as set forth in Section 4.8.2.

“Measurement Date”: (i) each date following the occurrence of a Change of Control or closing date of the IPO on which the Apollo Holders receive cash distributions, cash proceeds and/or Marketable Securities of the Purchaser or its successor in respect of their ownership interest in Purchaser and (ii) each day after the IPO on which Purchaser’s shares of capital stock are Marketable Securities.

“Merger”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Merger Sub 1”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Merger Sub 2”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“MOIC”: as of any Measurement Date, the multiple of Invested Capital realized by the Apollo Holders on their Invested Capital, which shall equal the ratio of (i) the amount of all actual cash proceeds, cash distributions or Marketable Securities of the Purchaser or its successor received by the Apollo Holders in respect of their ownership interest in the Purchaser to (ii) the amount of the Apollo Holders’ Invested Capital, in each case as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors of Purchaser; provided, that the calculation of MOIC as of any Measurement Date shall be adjusted to take into account any required issuance of MOIC Equity Consideration pursuant to Section 3.3 on such Measurement Date on a pro forma basis (in the manner set forth in the illustrative example attached hereto as Schedule 3.3) with any option calculated on a treasury stock method (in the manner set forth in the illustrative example attached hereto as Schedule 3.3); provided, further, that Seller may dispute such MOIC calculation in writing within 30 days of its receipt, in which case the parties shall submit such dispute to the Accounting Referee with available backup material supporting its position and such resolution shall be binding.

“MOIC Dividend Amount”: as set forth in Section 3.3.

“MOIC Equity Consideration”: as set forth in Section 3.3.

“Nonparty Affiliates”: as set forth in Section 11.17.2.

 

A-I-12

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“Notice of Disagreement”: as set forth in Section 3.2.1.

“Order”: any ruling, award, decision, assessment, writ, judgment, injunction, order, or decree (including any consent decree) that is issued, promulgated or entered into by or with a Governmental Authority, in each case, whether preliminary or final.

“Ordinary Course”: with respect to an action taken by any Person, an action that is consistent in nature, scope and magnitude with the past practices of such Person.

“Organizational Documents”: means the certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, bylaws, and all other governing documents of an entity, as applicable, in each case as amended.

“OSHA”: the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended from time to time.

“Overage Amount”: means the excess (if any) of (i) the sum of Closing Date Debt, Closing Date Selling Expenses and the Preferred Amount less Closing Date Cash, over (ii) $800,000,000.

“Parent Contribution”: as set forth in Section 2.8.3.

“Parties”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“PCI DSS”: means the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, issued by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, as may be revised from time to time.

“Per Share Price”: $213.91.

“Permit”: all permits, licenses, easements, orders, certificates, franchises, rulings, variances or other form of permission, consent, exemption or authority issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority.

“Permitted Liens”: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other similar governmental charges that are not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and that are fully and properly reserved for on the Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP; (b) any mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s and other similar Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course in respect of obligations that are not overdue and that are fully and properly reserved for in the Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP; or (c) Liens affecting the Company Real Property arising from easements, easement agreements, rights-of-way, restrictions, or minor title defects (whether or not recorded) that arise in the Ordinary Course and that secure payment of a sum of money and do not detract materially from the value of the property subject thereto or materially impair the use of the property subject thereto; (d) Liens relating to any equipment leases; and (e) Liens set forth on Schedule 4.6.14.

“Person”: an individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), a partnership, a limited liability company, a joint stock company, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, an estate, a trust, a firm, any Governmental Authority or other enterprise, association, organization or entity of any kind, whether domestic or foreign.

“Plans”: as set forth in Section 4.15.1.

“Policy” or “Policies”: as set forth in Section 4.9.

 

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“Preferred Amount”: the aggregate amount of Unreturned Capital Value, Unpaid Yield and Redemption Premium (each as defined in the Seller LLC Agreement) with respect to the Class A-5 Units and Class A-7 Units of Seller as of the second (2^nd) Business Day following the Closing Date.

“Promissory Notes”: as set forth in Section 2.4.

“Protected Information”: means any information, in any form, that: (i) relates to an individual or that identifies or could reasonably be used to identify an individual; (ii) is governed, regulated or protected by one or more Information Privacy and Security Laws, or (iii) is covered by PCI DSS.

“Purchaser”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Purchaser Common Stock”: means common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Purchaser.

“Purchaser Contribution”: as set forth in Section 2.8.1.

“Purchaser Fundamental Representations”: means Sections 6.1 (Existence; Qualification), 6.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), 6.3.1(a) (Non-Contravention; Consents), 6.5 (Finders’ Fees), and 6.6 (Capitalization).

“Purchaser Group”: as set forth in Section 11.1.4.

“Purchaser Indemnified Parties”: as set forth in Section 10.2.1.

“Purchaser Knowledge Persons”: Aaron Sobel, Holly Windham, Joe Eazor, Louis Alterman, Matt Bradley and Matt Bates.

“Real Property Lease”: as set forth in Section 4.8.1(i).

“Representatives”: with respect to any Person, the Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents, accountants, advisors, attorneys, bankers and other representatives of such Person.

“Required Amount”: as set forth in Section 6.7.3.

“Required Financing Information”: all financial statements, financial data and other information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the type and form customarily included in marketing documents used to consummate transactions of the type contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter, or as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser or Borrower to consummate the Debt Financing, including all information required by Exhibit A to the Debt Commitment Letter, financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and audit reports, in each case assuming that the Debt Financing were consummated at the same time during the Company’s fiscal year as such Debt Financing will be consummated or as otherwise reasonably required in connection with the Debt Financing.

“Restricted Business”: any business engaged in the provision of managed application, cloud, infrastructure hosting and consulting services related thereto.

“Restricted Person”: as set forth in Section 7.13.1.

“Second Lien Credit Agreement”: that certain Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013 (as amended on April 16, 2014, July 2, 2015 and August 16, 2016), by and among Datapipe Parent, Inc., Datapipe Merger Sub, Inc., Datapipe Holding Company, Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC and GE Capital Markets, Inc., as Co-Syndication Agents, Capital Source Bank and ING Capital LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC and GE Capital Markets, Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

A-I-14

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“Secretary of State”: as set forth in Section 2.3.

“Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Seller”: as set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Seller Fundamental Representations”: as set forth in Section 10.1.

“Seller Group”: as set forth in Section 7.13.1.

“Seller Knowledge Persons”: means Robb Allen, Ed O’Hara, Joel Friedman, Daniel Newton, Michael J. Parks, Michael Bross and Rob Nicewicz.

“Seller LLC Agreement”: the Seventh Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Seller, dated as of August 16, 2016, as in effect as of the date hereof.

“Seller Written Consent”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Shares”: as set forth in Section 3.1.1.

“Subsequent Certificate of Merger”: as set forth in Section 2.3.

“Subsequent Effective Time”: as set forth in Section 2.3.

“Subsequent Merger”: as set forth in the Recitals.

“Subsidiary”: with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, of which a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote generally in the election of directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or (b) any limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity, of which a majority of the partnership, membership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes of this definition, a Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity if such Person or Persons is or will be allocated more than 50% of the limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity interests, gains or losses, or is or controls the managing member or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity.

“Subsidiary Securities”: as set forth in Section 4.4.4.

“Surviving Company”: as set forth in Section 2.1.

“Surviving Company Interests”: as set forth in Section 2.8.1.

“Surviving Company Plan”: as set forth in Section 7.9.3.

 

A-I-15

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“Surviving Corporation”: as set forth in Section 2.1.

“Surviving Corporation Common Stock”: as set forth in Section 3.1.2(b).

“Tail Period”: as set forth in Section 11.1.4.

“Tax”: (i) any and all federal, state, provincial, local, foreign and other taxes, levies, fees, imposts, duties, and similar governmental charges (including any interest, fines, assessments, penalties or additions to tax imposed in connection therewith or with respect thereto) including, without limitation (x) taxes imposed on, or measured by, income, franchise, profits or gross receipts, and (y) ad valorem, value added, capital gains, sales, goods and services, use, real or personal property, escheat, capital stock, license, branch, payroll, estimated withholding, employment, social security (or similar), unemployment, compensation, utility, severance, production, excise, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, transfer and gains taxes, and customs duties, (ii) any and all liability for the payment of any items described in clause (i) above as a result of being (or ceasing to be) a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group (or being included (or being required to be included) in any Tax Return related to such group and (iii) any and all liability for the payment of any amounts as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person, or any successor or transferee liability, in respect of any items described in clause (i) or (ii) above.

“Tax Returns”: any and all returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund, elections, disclosures, estimates, information reports or returns or statements or any other documents (including any related or supporting schedules, statements or information, or any amendment thereto) filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Authority in connection with Taxes.

“Tax Sharing Agreements”: any agreement relating to the sharing, allocation or indemnification of Taxes, or any similar agreement, contract or arrangement (whether oral or written), other than such agreements as may be entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary subject of which is not the allocation or sharing of responsibility for Taxes, such as, by way of example, lease agreements.

“Third Party Claim”: any demand or Action made or brought by any Person who or that is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing acting on their behalf.

“Top Customers”: as set forth in Section 4.18.1.

“Top Suppliers”: as set forth in Section 4.18.1.

“Transaction Consideration”: as set forth in Section 3.1.1(e).

“Transfer Taxes”: as set forth in Section 8.1.

“Trapped Cash”: all Cash and Cash Equivalents that are not freely useable by Purchaser and its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries) immediately following the Effective Time due to restrictions or limitations on use or distribution by Law or Contract, but for avoidance of doubt excluding (i) any Cash and Cash Equivalents held at Datapipe Europe and its Subsidiaries, which shall not be considered Trapped Cash solely for the reason that such Cash and Cash Equivalents are held in bank accounts in the United Kingdom and are not otherwise subject to restrictions or limitations on use by Law or Contract and (ii) up to $750,000 held in a bank account in Shanghai, which shall not be considered Trapped Cash solely for the reason that such Cash and Cash Equivalents are held in bank accounts in China and are not otherwise subject to restrictions or limitations on use by Law or Contract.

 

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“Treasury Regulations”: the Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

“Waived 280G Benefits”: as set forth in Section 7.10.

 

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ANNEX II

Notices

To the Purchaser, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Inception Intermediate, Inception Parent, Borrower or the Surviving Company:

Rackspace US, Inc.

1 Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, TX 78218

Facsimile number: (210) 312-4848

Email:

Attention: Holly Windham, Global General Counsel

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Facsimile number: (646) 417-6429

Email:

Attention: David Sambur, Senior Partner

                  John Suydam, Chief Legal Officer

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019-6064

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

Email:

To the Seller or Company:

Datapipe Holdings, LLC

10 Exchange Place

12th Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Fax: (201) 792-3090

Attention: CEO

Email:

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

One Atlantic Center, Suite 2800

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, GA 30309-3450

 

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Fax: (404) 682-7990

Attention: Joseph B. Alexander, Jr., Esq.

Email:

ABRY Partners II, LLC

888 Boylston Street, 16^th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

Fax: (617) 859-8797

Attention: Brian St. Jean

E-mail:

 

A-IV-2

Exhibit 10.10

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT

Dated as of March 19, 2020

by and among

RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC,

as Borrower,

THE PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders and as Group Agents,

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS,

as Administrative Agent and as Arranger,

and

Rackspace US, Inc.,

as initial Servicer

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION		HEADING		PAGE
ARTICLE I		DEFINITIONS			1
Section 1.01.		Certain Defined Terms			1
Section 1.02.		Other Interpretative Matters			37
ARTICLE II		TERMS OF THE LOANS			38
Section 2.01.		Loan Facility			38
Section 2.02.		Making Loans; Repayment of Loans			38
ARTICLE IV		SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS			42
Section 4.01.		Settlement Procedures			42
Section 4.02.		Payments and Computations, Etc.			44
ARTICLE V		INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; AN			45
Section 5.01.		Increased Costs			45
Section 5.02.		Funding Losses			46
Section 5.03.		Taxes			47
Section 5.04.		Inability to Determine Euro-Rate; Change in Legality			51
Section 5.05		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			52
Section 5.06.		Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts			53
Section 5.07.		Successor Adjusted LIBOR; LMIR or EURO-Rate			53
ARTICLE VI		CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS			54
Section 6.01.		Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Credit Extension			54
Section 6.02.		Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions			54
Section 6.03.		Conditions Precedent to All Reinvestments			55
ARTICLE VII		REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES			56
Section 7.01.		Representations and Warranties of the Borrower			56
Section 7.02.		Representations and Warranties of the Servicer			62
ARTICLE VIII		COVENANTS			66
Section 8.01.		Covenants of the Borrower			66
Section 8.02.		Covenants of the Servicer			75
Section 8.03.		Separate Existence of the Borrower			81
ARTICLE IX		ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES			85

 

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Section 9.01.		Appointment of the Servicer			85
Section 9.02.		Duties of the Servicer			86
Section 9.03.		Collection Account Arrangements			87
Section 9.04.		Enforcement Rights			87
Section 9.05.		Responsibilities of the Borrower			88
Section 9.06.		Servicing Fee			89
ARTICLE X		TERMINATION EVENTS			89
Section 10.01.		Termination Events			89
Section 10.02.		Early Amortization Events			91
ARTICLE XI		THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT			92
Section 11.01.		Authorization and Action			92
Section 11.02.		Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc.			92
Section 11.03.		Administrative Agent and Affiliates			92
Section 11.04.		Indemnification of Administrative Agent			93
Section 11.05.		Delegation of Duties			93
Section 11.06.		Action or Inaction by Administrative Agent			93
Section 11.07.		Notice of Termination Events or Early Amortization Events; Action by Administrative Agent			93
Section 11.08.		Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Parties			94
Section 11.09.		Successor Administrative Agent			94
Section 11.10.		Arranger			95
ARTICLE XII		THE GROUP AGENTS			95
Section 12.01.		Authorization and Action			95
Section 12.02.		Group Agent’s Reliance, Etc.			95
Section 12.03.		Group Agent and Affiliates			96
Section 12.04.		Indemnification of Group Agents			96
Section 12.05.		Delegation of Duties			96
Section 12.06.		Notice of Termination Events or Early Amortization Events			96
Section 12.07.		Non-Reliance on Group Agent and Other Parties			97
Section 12.08.		Successor Group Agent			97
Section 12.09.		Reliance on Group Agent			97
ARTICLE XIII		INDEMNIFICATION			97
Section 13.01.		Indemnities by the Borrower			97
Section 13.02.		Indemnities by the Servicer			100
ARTICLE XIV		MISCELLANEOUS			102
Section 14.01.		Amendments, Etc.			102
Section 14.02.		Notices, Etc.			103
Section 14.03.		Assignability; Addition of Lenders			103

 

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Section 14.04.		Costs and Expenses			106
Section 14.05.		No Proceedings; Limitation on Payments			107
Section 14.06.		Confidentiality			107
Section 14.07.		GOVERNING LAW			109
Section 14.08.		Execution in Counterparts			109
Section 14.09.		Integration; Binding Effect; Survival of Termination			109
Section 14.10.		Consent to Jurisdiction			109
Section 14.11.		Waiver of Jury Trial			109
Section 14.12.		Ratable Payments			110
Section 14.13.		Limitation of Liability			110
Section 14.14.		Intent of the Parties			110
Section 14.15.		USA Patriot Act Notice			110
Section 14.16.		Right of Setoff			111
Section 14.17.		Severability			111
Section 14.18.		Mutual Negotiations			111
Section 14.19.		Captions and Cross References			111
Section 14.20.		Currency Equivalence			111
Section 14.21.		Originator Dispositions			112

 

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EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A		–		Form of Loan Request
EXHIBIT B		–		Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
EXHIBIT C		–		Form of Assumption Agreement
EXHIBIT D		–		Reduction Notice
EXHIBIT E		–		Credit and Collection Policy
EXHIBIT F		–		Form of Information Package
EXHIBIT G		–		Form of Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT H		–		Closing Memorandum
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE I		–		Commitments
SCHEDULE II		–		Lock-Boxes, Collection Accounts and Collection Account Banks
SCHEDULE III		–		Notice Addresses

 

 

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This RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 19, 2020 by and among the following parties:

(i) RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Borrower (together with its successors and assigns, the “Borrower”);

(ii) the Persons from time to time party hereto as Lenders and as Group Agents;

(iii) BMO Capital Markets (“BMO”), as Administrative Agent and Arranger; and

(iv) RACKSPACE US, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Rackspace US”), as initial Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Servicer”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The Borrower will acquire from time to time, Receivables from the Originators (as defined herein) pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement (as defined herein). The Borrower has requested that the Lenders make Loans from time to time to the Borrower, on the terms, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, secured by, among other things, the Receivables (as defined herein). The Lenders will make the Loans from time to time to the Borrower, on the terms, and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

In consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

“Account Control Agreement” means each agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Servicer (if applicable), the Administrative Agent and a Collection Account Bank, governing the terms of the related Collection Accounts that provides the Administrative Agent with control within the meaning of the UCC over the deposit accounts subject to such agreement.

 

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“Adjusted LIBOR” means with respect to any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be the rate per annum for three-month deposits in U.S. dollars as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and shown on US0003M Screen as the composite offered rate for London interbank deposits for such period (or on any successor or substitute page of such service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at or about 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day which is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for an amount comparable to the Portion of Capital to be funded at the Adjusted LIBOR during such Interest Period, by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage, provided, however, that with respect to the initial Interest Period for the Capital of a Loan made on a date that is not a Monthly Settlement Date, Adjusted LIBOR shall be the interest rate per annum equal to LMIR for each day during such initial Interest Period from the date that such Loan is made pursuant to Section 2.01 until the next occurring Monthly Settlement Date. The calculation of Adjusted LIBOR may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

				Composite of London interbank offered rates shown on
				Bloomberg Finance L.P. Screen US0003M
				or appropriate successor
Adjusted LIBOR		=
				1.00 —Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage

Adjusted LIBOR shall be adjusted on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of Adjusted LIBOR as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Adjusted LIBOR as determined herein would be less than zero percent (0.00%), such rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.

“Administrative Agent” means BMO, in its capacity as contractual representative for the Credit Parties, and any successor thereto in such capacity appointed pursuant to Article XI.

“Adverse Claim” means any ownership interest or claim, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including, but not limited to, any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security; it being understood that any of the foregoing in favor of, or assigned to, the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall not be an “Adverse Claim”.

“Advisors” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.06(c).

 

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“Affected Person” means each Credit Party, each Program Support Provider and each Liquidity Agent.

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified.

“Aggregate Capital” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate outstanding Capital of all Lenders at such time.

“Aggregate Interest” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate accrued and unpaid Interest on the Loans of all Lenders at such time.

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(bb).

“Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, (x) all provisions of law, statute, treaty, ordinance, rule, regulation, requirement, restriction, permit, certificate, decision, directive or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Person or any of its property and (y) all judgments, injunctions, orders, writs, decrees and awards of all courts and arbitrators in proceedings or actions in which such Person is a party to the extent applicable to such Person or by which any of its property is bound. For the avoidance of doubt, FATCA shall be an “Applicable Law” for all purposes of this Agreement.

“Arranger” means BMO Capital Markets.

“Assignment and Acceptance Agreement” means an assignment and acceptance agreement entered into by a Committed Lender, an Eligible Assignee, such Committed Lender’s Group Agent and the Administrative Agent, and, if required, the Borrower, pursuant to which such Eligible Assignee may become a party to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.

“Assumption Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.03(i).

“Attorney Costs” means and includes all reasonable and documented fees, costs, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

“Bank Rate” for any Portion of Capital funded by any Lender on any day, means an interest rate per annum equal to:

(a) if such Capital (or such portion thereof) is being funded by a Conduit Lender on such day through the issuance of Notes, the applicable CP Rate; or

(b) in all other cases, (i) the applicable Euro-Rate with respect to such Lender for such Interest Period (or portion thereof) (provided that for such purpose, if such Euro-Rate is being determined by reference to LMIR for such Lender, the Euro-Rate for such day shall be LMIR in effect on such day); or (ii) if the Base Rate is applicable to such Lender pursuant to Section 5.04 or Section 5.07, the Base Rate for such Lender on such day;

 

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provided, however, that the “Bank Rate” for any day while a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing shall be an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of 2.00% per annum plus the greater of (x) the Base Rate for such Lender on such day and (y) LMIR for such Lender on such day.

“Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.), as amended from time to time.

“Base Rate” means, for any day and any Lender, a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time, which rate shall be at all times equal to the greater of:

(a) the BMO Prime Rate; and

(b) 0.50% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day.

“Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate (which may include Term SOFR) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for each applicable Interest Period, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner

 

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substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR:

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR; or

(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR:

(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR;

(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR, which states that the administrator of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR has ceased or will cease to provide Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR; or

(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR announcing that Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR is no longer representative.

 

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“Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (a) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than ninety (90) days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (b) in the case of an Early Opt-in Event, the date specified by the Administrative Agent or the Majority Group Agents, as applicable, by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Majority Group Agents) and the Lenders.

“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR and solely to the extent that Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR, as applicable, has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (x) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 5.07 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced Adjusted LIBOR, Euro-Rate or LMIR for all purposes hereunder pursuant to Section 5.07.

“Beneficial Owner” shall mean, for the Borrower, each of the following: (a) each individual, if any, who, directly or indirectly, owns 25% or more of such Borrower’s Capital Stock; and (b) a single individual with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct such Borrower.

“BMO” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“BMO Prime Rate” the rate of interest announced or otherwise established by Bank of Montreal from time to time as its prime commercial rate, or its equivalent, for U.S. Dollar loans to borrowers located in the United States as in effect on such day, with any change in the Base Rate resulting from a change in said prime commercial rate to be effective as of the date of the relevant change in said prime commercial rate (it being acknowledged and agreed that such rate may not be Bank of Montreal’s best or lowest rate).

“Board of Directors” shall mean, as to any person, the board of directors or other governing body of such person, or if such person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity.

“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Borrower Indemnified Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.01(a).

“Borrower Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.01(a).

“Borrower LLC Agreement” means the limited liability company agreement of the Borrower dated the date hereof.

 

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“Borrower Obligations” means all present and future indebtedness, reimbursement obligations, and other liabilities and obligations (howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or due or to become due) of the Borrower to any Credit Party, Borrower Indemnified Party and/or any Affected Person, arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and shall include, without limitation, all Capital and Interest on the Loans, all Fees and all other amounts due or to become due under the Transaction Documents (whether in respect of fees, costs, expenses, indemnifications or otherwise), including, without limitation, interest, fees and other obligations that accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to the Borrower.

“Borrowing Base” means, at any time of determination, the amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Facility Limit and (b) (i) the Net Receivables Pool Balance at such time, minus (ii) the Total Reserves at such time.

“Borrowing Base Deficit” means, at any time of determination, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Aggregate Capital at such time, exceeds (b) the Borrowing Base at such time.

“Borrowing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

“Breakage Fee” means (i) for any Interest Period for which Interest is computed by reference to the CP Rate or Adjusted LIBOR and a reduction of Capital is made for any reason on any day other than a Settlement Date or pursuant to Section 2.02(d) or (ii) to the extent that the Borrower shall for any reason, fail to borrow on the date specified by the Borrower in connection with any request for funding pursuant to Article II of this Agreement, the amount, if any, by which (A) the additional Interest (calculated without taking into account any Breakage Fee or any shortened duration of such Interest Period pursuant to the definition thereof) which would have accrued during such Interest Period (or, in the case of clause (i) above, until the maturity of the underlying Note) on the reductions of Capital relating to such Interest Period had such reductions not been made (or, in the case of clause (ii) above, on the amounts so failed to be borrowed or accepted in connection with any such request for funding by the Borrower), exceeds (B) the income, if any, received by the applicable Lender from the investment of the proceeds of such reductions of Capital (or such amounts failed to be borrowed by the Borrower). A certificate as to the amount of any Breakage Fee (including the computation of such amount) shall be submitted by the affected Lender (or applicable Group Agent on its behalf) to the Borrower and shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

“Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which: (a) banks are not authorized or required to close in Chicago, Illinois or New York City, New York and (b) if this definition of “Business Day” is utilized in connection with LMIR or Adjusted LIBOR, dealings are carried out in the London interbank market.

“Capital” means, with respect to any Lender, the aggregate amounts paid to, or on behalf of, the Borrower in connection with all Loans made by such Lender pursuant to Article II, as reduced from time to time by Collections and Deemed Collections distributed and applied on account of such Capital pursuant to Section 4.01; provided, that if such Capital shall have been reduced by any distribution and thereafter all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason, such Capital shall be increased by the amount of such rescinded or returned distribution as though it had not been made.

 

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“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all common shares, preferred shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, membership interests or other equivalent interests and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock or other equity interests.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

“Certificate of Beneficial Ownership” shall mean, for the Borrower, a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit I hereto (as the same may be amended from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion to comply with Applicable Law or internal guidance), certifying, among other things, the Beneficial Owner of such Borrower.

“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(a) (i) Rackspace US ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock and all other equity interests of the Borrower or (ii) any issued and outstanding Capital Stock or any equity interests of the Borrower is subject to any Adverse Claims other than Permitted Adverse Claims;

(b) the Performance Guarantor ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock, membership interests or other equity interests of any Originator;

(c) any Subordinated Note shall at any time cease to be owned by an Originator;

(d) (i) at any time prior to a Qualified IPO, (x) the Permitted Holders in the aggregate shall at any time cease to have, directly or indirectly, the power to vote or direct the voting of at least 35% of the Voting Stock of the Performance Guarantor or (y) any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of a percentage of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Performance Guarantor that is greater than the percentage of such voting power of such Voting Stock in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders or (ii) at any time on and after a Qualified IPO, any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders (or any holding company parent of the Performance Guarantor owned directly or indirectly by the Permitted Holders), shall at any time have acquired direct or

 

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indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Performance Guarantor having more than 50.1% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Performance Guarantor, unless in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (d), the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Performance Guarantor;

(e) a “Change of Control” (as defined in (i) the Indenture, (ii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein)) with respect to the Senior Unsecured Notes constituting Material Indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein)) or (iii) any indenture or credit agreement in respect of any Junior Financing (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein)) constituting Material Indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein))) shall have occurred; or

(f) Holdings shall fail to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Performance Guarantor (other than in connection with or after a Qualified IPO of the Performance Guarantor).

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (w) the final rule titled Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy Guidelines; Capital Maintenance: Regulatory Capital; Impact of Modifications to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Consolidation of Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Programs; and Other Related Issues, adopted by the United States bank regulatory agencies on December 15, 2009, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to the agreements reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in “Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems” (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time), shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

“Closing Date” means March 19, 2020.

 

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“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

“Collection Account” means each account listed on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Borrower) and maintained at a bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement for the purpose of receiving Collections and Deemed Collections.

“Collection Account Bank” means any of the banks or other financial institutions holding one or more Collection Accounts.

“Collections” means, with respect to any Pool Receivable: (a) all funds that are received by any Originator, the Borrower, the Servicer or any other Person on their behalf in payment of any amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including purchase price, finance charges, interest and all other charges), or applied to amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including insurance payments and net proceeds of the sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of the related Obligor or any other Person directly or indirectly liable for the payment of such Pool Receivable and available to be applied thereon), (b) all proceeds of all Related Security with respect to such Pool Receivable, and (c) all other proceeds of such Pool Receivable.

“Commitment” means, with respect to any Committed Lender (including a Related Committed Lender), the maximum aggregate amount which such Person is obligated to lend or pay hereunder on account of all Loans, on a combined basis, as set forth on Schedule I or in the Assumption Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender, as such amount may be modified in connection with any subsequent assignment pursuant to Section 14.03 or in connection with a reduction in the Facility Limit pursuant to Section 2.02(e). If the context so requires, “Commitment” also refers to a Committed Lender’s obligation to make Loans hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

“Committed Lenders” means Bank of Montreal and each other Person that is or becomes a party to this Agreement in the capacity of a “Committed Lender”.

“Concentration Percentage” means, at any time of determination, (i) for any Group A Obligor, 15.0%, (ii) for any Group B Obligor, 15.0%, (iii) for any Group C Obligor, 10.0%, (iv) for any Group D Obligor, 6.5%, and (v) for any Group E Obligor, 4.0%.

“Conduit Lender” means each commercial paper conduit that is or becomes a party to this Agreement in the capacity of a “Conduit Lender”.

 

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“Conduit Trustee” means with respect to any Conduit Lender or CP Issuer a security trustee or collateral agent for the benefit of the holders of the commercial paper of such Conduit Lender or CP Issuer appointed pursuant to such entity’s program documents.

“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

“Consolidated Debt” at any date shall mean the sum of (without duplication) all Indebtedness (other than letters of credit or bank guarantees, to the extent undrawn) consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money and Disqualified Stock (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein)) of the Performance Guarantor and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of any date of date of determination, the total assets of the Performance Guarantor and the consolidated Subsidiaries without giving effect to any impairment or amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Closing Date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Performance Guarantor as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(c)(iv) or (v), as applicable, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (as defined in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein)) after giving effect to any acquisition or disposition of a person or assets that may have occurred on or after the last day of such fiscal quarter.

“Contract” means, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which an Obligor becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such Receivable.

“Contractual Dilutions” means, with respect to any Receivable, an amount equal to the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate reduction that arises from any prompt pay or volume discounts or rebates, sales discounts, or other amounts reasonably determined to be contractual in nature by the Servicer (and acceptable to the Administrative Agent).

“Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

“CP Issuer” means with respect to any Conduit Lender, any other Person which, in the ordinary course of its business, issues commercial paper notes the proceeds of which commercial paper notes are made available to such Conduit Lender to fund and maintain its Loans from time to time hereunder.

 

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“CP Rate” means, for any Conduit Lender and for any Interest Period (or portion thereof) for any Portion of Capital of such Conduit Lender the per annum rate equivalent to the weighted average cost (as determined by the applicable Group Agent and which shall include commissions of placement agents and dealers, incremental carrying costs incurred with respect to Notes of such Person maturing on dates other than those on which corresponding funds are received by such Conduit Lender, and any other costs associated with the issuance of Notes including (i) certain documentation and transaction costs (including, without limitation, note and wire fees, dealer and placement agent commissions, and incremental carrying costs incurred with respect to CP maturing on dates other than those on which corresponding funds are received by such Conduit Lender) and (ii) other borrowings by such Conduit Lender, including borrowings to fund small or odd dollar amounts that are not easily accommodated in the commercial paper market, to the extent such amounts are allocated, in whole or in part, by the Conduit Lender’s agent to fund such Conduit Lender’s purchase or maintenance of the Loans outstanding made by such Conduit Lender during such Interest Period) of or related to the issuance of Notes that are allocated, in whole or in part, by the applicable Conduit Lender to fund or maintain such Portion of Capital (and which may be also allocated in part to the funding of other assets of such Conduit Lender); provided, however, that if any component of such rate is a discount rate, in calculating the “CP Rate” for such Portion of Capital for such Interest Period (or portion thereof), the applicable Group Agent shall for such component use the rate resulting from converting such discount rate to an interest bearing equivalent rate per annum; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Borrower agrees that any amounts payable to Conduit Lenders in respect of Interest for any Interest Period (or portion thereof) with respect to any Portion of Capital funded by such Conduit Lenders at the CP Rate shall include an amount equal to the portion of the face amount of the outstanding Notes issued to fund or maintain such Portion of Capital that corresponds to the portion of the proceeds of such Notes that was used to pay the interest component of maturing Notes issued to fund or maintain such Portion of Capital, to the extent that such Conduit Lenders had not received payments of interest in respect of such interest component prior to the maturity date of such maturing Notes (for purposes of the foregoing, the “interest component” of Notes equals the excess of the face amount thereof over the net proceeds received by such Conduit Lender from the issuance of Notes, except that if such Notes are issued on an interest-bearing basis its “interest component” will equal the amount of interest accruing on such Notes through maturity).

“Credit Agreement” means that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016 (as modified by the Joinder Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2016, as amended and restated on December 20, 2016, as further amended and restated on June 21, 2017 and as further amended by the Incremental Assumption Agreement No. 3, dated as of November 15, 2017.

“Credit and Collection Policy” means, as the context may require, those receivables credit and collection policies and practices of the Originators described in Exhibit E, as modified in compliance with this Agreement.

“Credit Extension” means the making of any Loan.

“Credit Party” means each Lender, the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent.

 

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“Days’ Sales Outstanding” means, for any Fiscal Month, an amount computed as of the last day of such Fiscal Month equal to: (a) one hundred and twenty-one (121), times (b) (i) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables, divided by (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Balance at the time of origination of all Pool Receivables originated by the Originators during the four (4) most recent Fiscal Months ended on the last day of such Fiscal Month.

“Debt” means, as to any Person at any time of determination, any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person (without duplication) for or in respect of: (i) borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any bonds, debentures, notes, note purchase, acceptance or credit facility, or other similar instruments or facilities, (iii) reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit, (iv) any other transaction (including production payments (excluding royalties), installment purchase agreements, forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business payable on terms customary in the trade), (v) all net obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate or currency hedges or (vi) any Guaranty of any such Debt.

“Deemed Collections” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(d).

“Default Ratio” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables during such month, by (b) the aggregate Outstanding Balance at the time of origination of all Pool Receivables originated by the Originators during the month that is four (4) Fiscal Months before such month.

“Defaulted Receivable” means a Receivable:

(a) as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for more than ninety (90) days from the original due date for such payment;

(b) as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for less than ninety-one (91) days from the original due date for such payment and consistent with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)), has been or should be written off the applicable Originator’s or the Borrower’s books as uncollectible; or

(c) without duplication, as to which an Insolvency Proceeding shall have occurred with respect to the Obligor thereof or any other Person obligated thereon or owning any Related Security with respect thereto.

 

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“Defaulting Lender” means any Committed Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Committed Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Committed Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Committed Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Committed Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of an Insolvency Proceeding.

“Delinquency Ratio” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables that were Delinquent Receivables on such day, by (b) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables on such day.

“Delinquent Receivable” means a Receivable that is not a Defaulted Receivable as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for sixty-one (61) days or more and less than or equal to ninety (90) days from the original due date for such payment. Such amounts shall be calculated without giving effect to any netting of credits that have not been applied to a particular Receivable for the purpose of aged trial balance reporting.

“Dilution Horizon Ratio” means, for any Fiscal Month, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of such Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance at the time of origination of all Pool Receivables originated by the Originators during the such Fiscal Month, by (b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of the last day of such Fiscal Month.

“Dilution Ratio” means, for any Fiscal Month, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward), computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing: (a) an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of Dilutions during such Fiscal Month minus (ii) the aggregate amount of Contractual Dilutions during such Fiscal Month, by (b) the aggregate Outstanding Balance at the time of origination of all Pool Receivables originated by the Originators during the Fiscal Month that is one (1) month prior to such Fiscal Month.

 

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“Dilution Reserve Percentage” means, on any day, the product of (a) the sum of (i) (x) 2.25 times (y) the arithmetic average of the Dilution Ratios for the twelve most recent Fiscal Months, plus (ii) the Dilution Volatility Component, multiplied by (b) the Dilution Horizon Ratio.

“Dilution Volatility Component” means, for any Fiscal Month, the product (expressed as a percentage of:

(a) the positive difference, if any, between: (i) the highest average of the Dilution Ratio for any three consecutive Fiscal Months during the most recent twelve Fiscal Month period and (ii) the arithmetic average of the Dilution Ratios for such twelve Fiscal Month period, times

(b) (i) the highest average of the Dilution Ratio for any three consecutive Fiscal Months during the most recent twelve Fiscal Month period, divided by (ii) the arithmetic average of the Dilution Ratios for such twelve Fiscal Month period.

“Dilutions” means, an amount equal to the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate reduction effected on such day in the Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables attributable to any non-cash items including credits, rebates, billing errors, sales or similar taxes, cash discounts, volume discounts, allowances, disputes (it being understood that a Pool Receivable is “subject to dispute” only if and to the extent that, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the applicable Originator (that shall be exercised in the ordinary course of business) such Obligor’s obligation in respect of such Pool Receivable is reduced on account of any performance failure on the part of such Originator), set offs, counterclaims, chargebacks, returned or repossessed goods, sales and marketing discounts, warranties, any unapplied credit memos and other adjustments that are made in respect of Obligors (other than as a result of any Collections); provided that write-offs related to an Obligor’s bad credit, inability to pay or insolvency shall not constitute Dilution.

“Dollars” and “$” each mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

“Early Amortization Event” means any of the following:

(i) the average Default Ratio for any three complete consecutive Fiscal Months (commencing with the three consecutive Fiscal Months ending with May 2020) exceeds 5.50%;

(ii) the average Delinquency Ratio for any three complete consecutive Fiscal Months (commencing with the three consecutive Fiscal Months ending with May 2020) exceeds 6.00%;

(iii) the average the Dilution Ratio for any three complete consecutive Fiscal Months (commencing with the three consecutive Fiscal Months ending with May 2020) exceeds 2.25%;

(iv) the Leverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Performance Guarantor commencing with December 31, 2019, exceeds 7.0x; or

 

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(v) the Interest Coverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Performance Guarantor commencing with December 31, 2019, is less than 2.0x.

An Early Amortization Event shall not be deemed to have occurred or be continuing until the date on which such Early Amortization Event is required to be reported in accordance with the terms hereof (or, if earlier, the date on which any such Early Amortization Event is actually reported pursuant hereto).

“Early Opt-in Event” means the occurrence of:

(a) (i) a determination by the Administrative Agent or (ii) a notification by the Majority Group Agents to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) that the Majority Group Agents have determined that U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event,” are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR, and

(b) (i) the election by the Administrative Agent or (ii) the election by the Majority Group Agents to declare that an Early Opt-in Event has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Borrower and the Lenders or by the Majority Group Agents of written notice of such election to the Administrative Agent.

“Eligible Assignee” means (i) any Committed Lender or any of its Affiliates, (ii) any Person managed by a Committed Lender or any of its Affiliates and (iii) any other financial or other institution of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000.

“Eligible Foreign Obligor” means an Obligor (i) that is organized in or that has a head office (domicile), registered office, and chief executive office located in Canada (excluding Obligors located or organized in Quebec) or the United Kingdom, and (ii) the Contract that gave rise to such Receivable is governed by the respective laws of a state, territory, district, commonwealth, or possession of the United States of America.

“Eligible Receivable” means, at any time of determination, a Pool Receivable:

(a) the Obligor of which is: (i) either a U.S. Obligor or an Eligible Foreign Obligor; (ii) not a Governmental Authority, (iii) not a Sanctioned Person; (iv) not an Affiliate of the Borrower, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any Originator; (v) not an Obligor with respect to Defaulted Receivables with an aggregate Outstanding Balance exceeding 50% of the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all of such Obligor’s Pool Receivables and (vi) is not a natural person;

(b) that is denominated and payable only in Dollars in the United States of America, and the Obligor with respect to which has been instructed to remit Collections in respect thereof directly to a Lock-Box or Collection Account in the United States of America;

 

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(c) that does not have a due date which is ninety (90) days or more after the original invoice date of such Receivable;

(d) that (i) arises under a Contract for the sale of goods or services entered into on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of the applicable Originator’s business and (ii) is not a loan or similar financial accommodation being provided by the applicable Originator;

(e) that arises under a duly authorized Contract that (i) is in full force and effect, (ii) is governed by the laws of a state, territory, district, commonwealth, or possession of the United States of America, (iii) is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Obligor, enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, including, without limitation, statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent conveyances and preferential transfers and (y) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and (iv) the payments thereunder are free and clear of any, or increased to account for any applicable, withholding Taxes;

(f) that has been transferred by an Originator to the Borrower pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement with respect to which transfer all conditions precedent under the Receivables Purchase Agreement have been met;

(g) that, together with the Contract related thereto, conforms in all material respects with all Applicable Laws (including any applicable laws relating to usury, truth in lending, fair credit billing, fair credit reporting, equal credit opportunity, fair debt collection practices and privacy);

(h) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with or notices to, any Governmental Authority or other Person required to be obtained, effected or given by an Originator in connection with the creation of such Receivable, the execution, delivery and performance by such Originator of the related Contract or the assignment thereof under the Receivables Purchase Agreement have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect;

(i) that is not subject to any existing dispute, litigation, right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim, hold back, any other defense against the applicable Originator (or any assignee of such Originator) or Adverse Claim (including customer deposits, advance payments (including payments related to unearned revenues) other than Permitted Adverse Claims), and the Obligor of which holds no right as against the applicable Originator to cause such Originator to repurchase the goods or merchandise (if any), the sale of which shall have given right to such Receivable; provided that if such Receivable is subject to any such existing dispute, litigation, right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim, hold back, any other defense against the applicable Originator (or any assignee of such Originator) or Adverse Claim, such Pool Receivable shall fail to be an “Eligible Receivable” pursuant to this clause (i) only to the extent of such existing dispute, litigation, right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim, hold back, any other defense against the applicable Originator (or any assignee of such Originator) or Adverse Claim;

 

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(j) that was originated in accordance with and satisfies all applicable requirements of the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc));

(k) that, together with the Contract related thereto, has not been modified, waived or restructured since its creation, except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.02 of this Agreement;

(l) in which the Borrower owns good and marketable title, free and clear of any Adverse Claims other than Permitted Adverse Claims, and that is freely assignable (including without any consent of the related Obligor or any Governmental Authority);

(m) for which the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) shall have a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest therein and in the Related Security and Collections with respect thereto, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims;

(n) is an “account” or “general intangible” as defined in the UCC, and that is not evidenced by instruments or chattel paper;

(o) that is not a Defaulted Receivable;

(p) that represents amounts earned and payable by the Obligor that are not subject to the performance of additional services by the Originator thereof or by the Borrower and such Receivable shall have been billed or invoiced and the related goods or merchandise shall have been shipped and/or services fully performed (and not partially performed or underperformed);

(q) for which such Receivable has been or will be billed or invoiced by no later than 31 days after the last day of the calendar month in which the services relating to such Receivable was rendered;

(r) that does not arise from the sale of as-extracted collateral, as such term is used in the UCC;

(s) which (i) does not constitute an assignment for the purpose of collection only, (ii) is not a transfer of a single account made in whole or partial satisfaction of a preexisting indebtedness or an assignment of a right to payment under a contract to an assignee that is also obligated to perform under the contract, and (iii) is not a transfer of an interest in or an assignment of a claim under a policy of insurance;

 

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(t) which does not relate to the sale of any consigned goods or finished goods which have incorporated any consigned goods into such finished goods;

(u) for which the related Originator has recognized the related revenue on its financial books and records in accordance with GAAP;

(v) for which no Originator, the Borrower, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer has established any offset or netting arrangements (including customer deposits and advance payments (including payments relating to unearned revenues)) with the related Obligor in connection with the ordinary course of payment of such Receivable;

(w) that is entitled to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Contract and has not been paid in full or been compromised, adjusted, extended (except in compliance with the Credit and Collections Policy), reduced, satisfied, subordinated, rescinded or modified (except in the case of dilution or in compliance with the Credit and Collection Policy); and

(y) for which neither the related Originator nor any Affiliate thereof is holding any deposits received by or on behalf of the related Obligor; provided that only the portion of such Pool Receivable in an amount equal to such deposits shall be ineligible.

“Equity Interests” of any person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity or ownership of such person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company membership interest, and any securities or other rights or interests convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder.

“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, trade or business which together with the Person is a member of a controlled group of corporations or a controlled group of trades or businesses and would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, under Sections 414(b), (c), (m) of the Code.

“Euro-Rate” means, at any time of determination, with respect to any Lender, (i) if such Lender and the Borrower have agreed in writing that the Euro-Rate for such Lender will be determined based upon Adjusted LIBOR, then Adjusted LIBOR at such time or (ii) in all other cases, LMIR at such time.

“Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage” means, for any day, the maximum effective percentage in effect on such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including without limitation, supplemental, marginal, and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”).

 

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“Excess Concentration” means, the sum, without duplication, of:

(a) the sum of the amounts calculated for each of the Obligors equal to the excess (if any) of (i) an amount equal to the aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Eligible Receivables of such Obligor, over (ii) the product of (x) such Obligor’s applicable Concentration Percentage, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus

(b) the excess (if any) of (i) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables that are Unbilled Receivables, over (ii) the product of (x) 10.0%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus

(c) the excess (if any) of (i) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables that have a due date which is more than sixty (60) days after the original invoice date of such Receivable, over (ii) the product of (x) 5.0%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool; plus

(d) the excess (if any) of (i) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables, the Obligors of which are Eligible Foreign Obligors, over (ii) the product of (x) 5.0%, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Excluded Receivable” means any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to any Originator, payable in any currency other than Dollars.

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Credit Party: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Credit Party being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires the applicable interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request under Sections 5.05 or 5.06) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Credit Party’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

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“Facility Limit” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate Commitment of all Committed Lenders, which as of the Closing Date is equal to $100,000,000, as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.02(e). References to the unused portion of the Facility Limit shall mean, at any time of determination, an amount equal to (x) the Facility Limit at such time, minus (y) the Aggregate Capital.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the per annum rate set forth in the weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Board (including any such successor, “H.15(519)”) for such day opposite the caption “Federal Funds (Effective).” If on any relevant day such rate is not yet published in H.15(519), the rate for such day will be the rate set forth in the daily statistical release designated as the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities, or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including any such successor, the “Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations”) for such day under the caption “Federal Funds Effective Rate.” If on any relevant day the appropriate rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the Administrative Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged before 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent.

“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

“Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Fee Letter” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).

“Fees” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).

“Final Payout Date” means the date on or after the Termination Date when (i) the Aggregate Capital and Aggregate Interest have been paid in full, (ii) all other outstanding Borrower Obligations shall have been paid in full, (iii) all other outstanding amounts owing to the Credit Parties and any other Borrower Indemnified Party or Affected Person hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents have been paid in full and (iv) all accrued Servicing Fees have been paid in full.

 

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“Financial Officer” of any Person means, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer, the principal accounting officer, the controller or the treasurer of such Person.

“Fiscal Month” means each calendar month.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Group” means, (i) for any Conduit Lender, such Conduit Lender, together with such Conduit Lender’s Related Committed Lenders and related Group Agent, and (ii) for any other Lender that does not have a Related Conduit Lender, such Lender, together with such Lender’s related Group Agent and each other Lender for which such Group Agent acts as a Group Agent hereunder.

“Group A Obligor” means any Obligor with short-term ratings of at least: (a) “A-1+” by S&P, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from S&P, a rating of at least “AA” by S&P on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities, and (b) “P-1” by Moody’s, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from Moody’s, a rating of at least “Aa2” by Moody’s on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities; provided, however, if such Obligor is rated by only one of such rating agencies, then such Obligor will be a “Group A Obligor” if it satisfies either clause (a) or clause (b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Obligor that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor that satisfies the definition of “Group A Obligor” shall be deemed to be a Group A Obligor and shall be aggregated with the Obligor that satisfies such definition for the purposes of determining clause (a) of the definition of “Excess Concentration” for such Obligors, unless such deemed Obligor separately satisfies the definition of “Group A Obligor”, “Group B Obligor”, “Group C Obligor” or “Group D Obligor”, in which case such Obligor shall be separately treated as a Group A Obligor, a Group B Obligor, a Group C Obligor or a Group D Obligor, as the case may be, and shall be aggregated and combined for such purposes with any of its Subsidiaries that are Obligors.

“Group Agent” means each Person acting as agent on behalf of a Group and designated as the Group Agent for such Group on the signature pages to this Agreement or any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement as a Group Agent for any Group pursuant to an Assumption Agreement, an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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“Group Agent’s Account” means, with respect to any Group, the account(s) from time to time designated in writing by the applicable Group Agent to the Borrower and the Servicer for purposes of receiving payments to or for the account of the members of such Group hereunder.

“Group B Obligor” means an Obligor that is not a Group A Obligor, with short-term ratings of at least: (a) “A-1” by S&P, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from S&P, a rating of at least “A+” by S&P on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities, and (b) “P-1” by Moody’s, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from Moody’s, a rating of at least “A1” by Moody’s on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities; provided, however, if such Obligor is rated by only one of such rating agencies, then such Obligor will be a “Group B Obligor” if it satisfies either clause (a) or clause (b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Obligor that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor that satisfies the definition of “Group B Obligor” shall be deemed to be a Group B Obligor and shall be aggregated with the Obligor that satisfies such definition for the purposes of determining clause (a) of the definition of “Excess Concentration” for such Obligors, unless such deemed Obligor separately satisfies the definition of “Group A Obligor”, “Group B Obligor”, “Group C Obligor” or “Group D Obligor”, in which case such Obligor shall be separately treated as a Group A Obligor, a Group B Obligor, a Group C Obligor or a Group D Obligor, as the case may be, and shall be aggregated and combined for such purposes with any of its Subsidiaries that are Obligors.

“Group C Obligor” means an Obligor that is not a Group A Obligor or a Group B Obligor, with short-term ratings of at least: (a) “A-2” by S&P, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from S&P, a rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities, and (b) “P-2” by Moody’s, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from Moody’s, at least “Baa1” by Moody’s on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities; provided, however, if such Obligor is rated by only one of such rating agencies, then such Obligor will be a “Group C Obligor” if it satisfies either clause (a) or clause (b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Obligor that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor that satisfies the definition of “Group C Obligor” shall be deemed to be a Group C Obligor and shall be aggregated with the Obligor that satisfies such definition for the purposes of determining clause (a) of the definition of “Excess Concentration” for such Obligors, unless such deemed Obligor separately satisfies the definition of “Group A Obligor”, “Group B Obligor”, “Group C Obligor” or “Group D Obligor”, in which case such Obligor shall be separately treated as a Group A Obligor, a Group B Obligor, a Group C Obligor or a Group D Obligor, as the case may be, and shall be aggregated and combined for such purposes with any of its Subsidiaries that are Obligors.

“Group Commitment” means, with respect to any Group, at any time of determination, the aggregate Commitments of all Committed Lenders within such Group.

“Group D Obligor” means an Obligor that is not a Group A Obligor, a Group B Obligor or a Group C Obligor, with short-term ratings of at least: (a) “A-3” by S&P, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from S&P, a rating of at least “BBB-” by S&P on such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities, and (b) “P-3” by Moody’s, or if such Obligor does not have a short-term rating from Moody’s, at least “Baa3” by Moody’s on

 

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such Obligor’s long-term senior unsecured and uncredit-enhanced debt securities; provided, however, if such Obligor is rated by only one of such rating agencies, then such Obligor will be a “Group D Obligor” if it satisfies either clause (a) or clause (b) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Obligor that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor that satisfies the definition of “Group D Obligor” shall be deemed to be a Group D Obligor and shall be aggregated with the Obligor that satisfies such definition for the purposes of determining clause (a) of the definition of “Excess Concentration” for such Obligors, unless such deemed Obligor separately satisfies the definition of “Group A Obligor”, “Group B Obligor”, “Group C Obligor” or “Group D Obligor”, in which case such Obligor shall be separately treated as a Group A Obligor, a Group B Obligor, a Group C Obligor or a Group D Obligor, as the case may be, and shall be aggregated and combined for such purposes with any of its Subsidiaries that are Obligors.

“Group E Obligor” means any Obligor that is not a Group A Obligor, Group B Obligor, Group C Obligor or Group D Obligor; provided, that any Obligor that is not rated by either Moody’s or S&P shall be a Group E Obligor, except as provided by the last sentence of each of “Group A Obligor”, “Group B Obligor”, “Group C Obligor” and “Group D Obligor”.

“Guaranty” of any Person means any obligation of such Person guarantying or in effect guarantying any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any such liability arising by virtue of partnership agreements, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

“Hedging Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

“Holdings” means Inception Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (a) did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Performance Guarantor most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(c)(iv) and (v), have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of the Performance Guarantor and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, and (b) taken together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10% of Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 10% of total revenues of the Performance Guarantor and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date; provided, that the Performance Guarantor may elect in its sole discretion to exclude as an Immaterial Subsidiary any Subsidiary that would otherwise meet the definition thereof.

“Indebtedness” of any person shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein).

“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower, the Servicer (to the extent the Servicer is Rackspace US or an Affiliate thereof) or any Originator under any Transaction Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) above, Other Taxes.

 

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“Indenture’ means that certain Senior Unsecured Notes Indenture, dated November 3, 2016, between the Performance Guarantor, as issuer, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee.

“Independent Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.03(c).

“Information Package” means a report, in substantially the form of Exhibit F.

“Insolvency Proceeding” means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against such Person (but not instituted by such Person), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors of a Person, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors of a Person, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors, in each of clauses (a) and (b) undertaken under U.S. Federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

“Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.14.

“Interest” means, for each Loan on any day during any Interest Period (or portion thereof), the amount of interest accrued on the Capital of such Loan during such Interest Period (or portion thereof) in accordance with Section 2.03(b).

“Interest Coverage Ratio” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein).

“Interest Period” means: (a) before a Trigger Event or the Termination Date: (i) initially the period commencing on the date of the initial Loan pursuant to Section 2.01 (or in the case of any fees payable hereunder, commencing on the Closing Date) and ending on (and including) the last day of the calendar month in which such Loan was made and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the first day of each calendar month and ending on (and including) the last day of such calendar month and (b) on and after a Trigger Event or the Termination Date, such period (including a period of one (1) day) as shall be selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Group Agents) or, in the absence of any such selection, each period of 30 days from the last day of the preceding Interest Period.

 

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“Interest Rate” means, for any day in any Interest Period for any Loan (or any portion or Capital thereof) the applicable Bank Rate; provided, however, that no provision of this Agreement shall require the payment or permit the collection of Interest in excess of the maximum permitted by Applicable Law; and provided, further, that Interest for any Loan shall not be considered paid by any distribution to the extent that at any time all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason.

“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.

“Lenders” means the Conduit Lenders and the Committed Lenders.

“Leverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Performance Guarantor, the ratio of (x) without duplication, the aggregate principal amount of any Consolidated Debt of the Performance Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such fiscal quarter to (y) the value of the Shareholders’ Equity for the fiscal quarter then ended.

“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, charge, security interest or similar monetary encumbrance in or on such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided, that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Liquidity Agent” means any bank or other financial institution acting as agent for the various Liquidity Providers under each Liquidity Agreement.

“Liquidity Agreement” means any agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement pursuant to which a Liquidity Provider agrees to make purchases or advances to, or purchase assets from, any Conduit Lender in order to provide liquidity for such Conduit Lender’s Loans.

“Liquidity Provider” means each bank or other financial institution that provides liquidity support to any Conduit Lender pursuant to the terms of a Liquidity Agreement.

“LMIR” means for any day during any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the applicable Group Agent (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) by dividing (i) the three-month Eurodollar rate for U.S. dollar deposits as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and shown on US0003M Screen or any other service or page that may replace such page from time to time for the purpose of displaying offered rates of leading banks for London interbank deposits in United States dollars, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day (or if not so reported, then as determined by the Administrative Agent from another recognized source for interbank quotation), in each case, changing when and as such rate changes, by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage on such day. The calculation of LMIR may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

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		LMIR		=		Three-month Eurodollar rate for U.S. dollar deposits shown on Bloomberg US0003M Screen or appropriate successor
						1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage.

LMIR shall be adjusted on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if LMIR as determined herein would be less than zero (0.00), such rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.

“Loan” means any loan made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.02.

“Loan Request” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Group Agents pursuant to Section 2.02(a).

“Lock-Box” means each locked postal box with respect to which a Collection Account Bank has executed an Account Control Agreement pursuant to which it has been granted exclusive access for the purpose of retrieving and processing payments made on the Receivables and which is listed on Schedule II (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the addition or removal of any Lock-Box in accordance with the terms hereof).

“Loss Horizon Ratio” means, at any time of determination, the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed by dividing:

(a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance at the time of origination of all Pool Receivables originated by the Originators during the four (4) most recent Fiscal Months ending prior to the time of determination, by

(b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of such date.

“Loss Reserve Percentage” means, at any time of determination, the product of (a) 2.25, times (b) the highest average of the Default Ratios for any three consecutive Fiscal Months during the most recent twelve Fiscal Month period, times (c) the Loss Horizon Ratio.

“Majority Group Agents” means one or more Group Agents which in its Group, or their combined Groups, as the case may be, have Committed Lenders representing more than 50% of the aggregate Commitments of all Committed Lenders in all Groups (or, if the Commitments have been terminated, have Lenders representing more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Capital held by all the Lenders in all Groups), provided, however, that in no event shall the Majority Group Agents include fewer than two (2) Group Agents at any time when there are two (2) or more Group Agents.

 

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“Master Collection Account” means the Collection Account listed on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) that is identified as the Master Collection Account.

“Material Action” means to consolidate or merge the Borrower with or into any Person, enter into any plan of division, or sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, or to institute proceedings to have the Borrower be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the Borrower or file a petition seeking, or consent to, reorganization or relief with respect to the Borrower under any applicable federal or state law relating to bankruptcy, or consent to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Borrower or a substantial part of its property, or make any assignment for the benefit of creditors of the Borrower, or admit in writing the Borrower’s inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or take action in furtherance of any such action, or, to the fullest extent permitted by law, dissolve or liquidate the Borrower.

“Material Adverse Effect” means relative to any Person (provided that if no particular Person is specified, “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be relative to the Borrower, the Servicer and the Originators, individually and in the aggregate) with respect to any event or circumstance, a material adverse effect on:

(a) the assets, operations, business or financial condition of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(b) the ability of any such Person to perform its material obligations, if any under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or the validity, enforceability or collectability of any material portion of the Pool Receivables; or

(d) the status, perfection, enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s or the Borrower’s security interest in any material portion of the Collateral; or

(e) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent under the Transaction Documents.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans) of any one or more of the Performance Guarantor or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Securitization Financing be considered Material Indebtedness.

“Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the date occurring one hundred and twenty (120) days following the Scheduled Termination Date and (b) the date on which the Aggregate Capital is declared (or otherwise becomes) due and payable in accordance with Section 10.01.

 

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“Monthly Settlement Date” means the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next occurring Business Day).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates (other than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code) is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

“Net Receivables Pool Balance” means, at any time of determination: (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool, minus (b) the Excess Concentration.

“Notes” means short-term promissory notes issued, or to be issued, by any Conduit Lender to fund its investments in accounts receivable or other financial assets.

“Obligor” means, with respect to any Receivable, the Person obligated to make payments pursuant to the Contract relating to such Receivable.

“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(o).

“Originator” and “Originators” means any “Originating Subsidiary” party to the Receivables Sale Agreement and any “Originator” party to the Receivables Purchase Agreement, in each case, as the same may be modified from time to time by adding new parties thereto as “Originating Subsidiaries” or “Originators”, as applicable, in any case with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, or otherwise removed in connection with an Originator Disposition.

“Originator Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.21.

“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Credit Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Credit Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Credit Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Transaction Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Transaction Document).

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes charges or similar levies or fees arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, filing, recording or enforcement of, or otherwise in respect of, this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the other documents or agreements to be delivered hereunder or thereunder, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to either of Sections 5.05 or 5.06).

 

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“Outstanding Balance” means, at any time of determination, with respect to any Receivable, the then outstanding principal balance thereof; for the avoidance of doubt, the “Outstanding Balance” of any Receivable originated by an Originator is the then net outstanding principal balance thereof as determined by the Servicer in accordance with its customary practices taking into account any dilution applicable to such Receivable and all Collections or Deemed Collections received by or for the account of the Borrower in respect of such Receivable prior to such time.

“Parent Entity” shall mean any direct or indirect parent of the Performance Guarantor.

“Parent Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.03(c).

“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.03(e).

“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.03(f).

“Permitted Adverse Claim” means (a) Liens for taxes and assessments not yet due or for taxes the Borrower, the applicable Originator or any applicable Affiliate is contesting the validity, applicability or amount thereof in good faith and by appropriate legal proceedings and such contest does not materially endanger any right or interest of the Secured Parties under the Transaction Documents and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP, (b) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business by virtue of any contractual, statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies covering deposit or securities accounts (including funds or other assets credited thereto) or other funds maintained with a depository institution or securities intermediary, and (c) Liens securing judgments, awards, attachments and/or decrees relating to litigation not constituting a Termination Event under Section 10.01(n).

“Permitted Holders” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein).

“Permitted Securitization Financing” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless the Administrative Agent consents to any amendment to such term (or any defined term used therein).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.

“Pension Plan” means a pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Title IV of ERISA with respect to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

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“Performance Guarantor” means Rackspace Hosting, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Performance Guaranty” means the Performance Guaranty, dated as of the Closing Date, by the Performance Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

“Pool Receivable” means a Receivable in the Receivables Pool.

“Portion of Capital” means, with respect to any Lender and its related Capital, the portion of such Capital being funded or maintained by such Lender by reference to a particular interest rate basis.

“Pro Rata Percentage” means, at any time of determination, with respect to any Committed Lender, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), (a) the numerator of which is (i) prior to the termination of all Commitments hereunder, its Commitment at such time or (ii) if all Commitments hereunder have been terminated, the aggregate outstanding Capital of all Loans being funded by such Committed Lender at such time and (b) the denominator of which is (i) prior to the termination of all Commitments hereunder, the aggregate Commitments of all Committed Lenders at such time or (ii) if all Commitments hereunder have been terminated, the aggregate outstanding Capital of all Loans at such time.

“Program Support Agreement” means and includes any Liquidity Agreement and any other agreement entered into by any Program Support Provider providing for: (a) the issuance of one or more letters of credit for the account of any Conduit Lender, (b) the issuance of one or more surety bonds for which any Conduit Lender is obligated to reimburse the applicable Program Support Provider for any drawings thereunder, (c) the sale by any Conduit Lender to any Program Support Provider of any Loan (or portions thereof or participation interest therein) maintained by such Conduit Lender and/or (d) the making of loans and/or other extensions of credit to any Conduit Lender in connection with such Conduit Lender’s receivables-securitization program contemplated in this Agreement, together with any letter of credit, surety bond or other instrument issued thereunder.

“Program Support Provider” means and includes, with respect to any Conduit Lender, any Liquidity Provider and any other Person (other than any customer of such Conduit Lender) now or hereafter extending credit or having a commitment to extend credit to or for the account of, or to make purchases from, such Conduit Lender pursuant to any Program Support Agreement.

“Qualified IPO” shall mean an underwritten public offering of the Equity Interests of the Performance Guarantor, Holdings or any Parent Entity (the “IPO Entity”) which generates (individually or in the aggregate together with any prior underwritten public offering) gross cash proceeds of at least $50,000,000.

 

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“Rackspace US” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Rating Agency” mean each of S&P, Fitch and Moody’s (and/or each other rating agency then rating the Notes of any Conduit Lender).

“Receivable” means any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to any Originator or the Borrower (as assignee of an Originator), whether constituting an account, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each instance arising in connection with the sale of goods that have been or are to be sold or for services rendered or to be rendered, and includes, without limitation, the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto and further including, without limitation, the identifiable proceeds thereof. Any such right to payment arising from any one transaction, including, without limitation, any such right to payment represented by an individual invoice or agreement, shall be a Receivable separate from a Receivable consisting of any such right to payment arising from any other transaction. No Excluded Receivable shall be a Receivable.

“Receivables Pool” means, at any time of determination, all of the then outstanding Receivables transferred (or purported to be transferred) to the Borrower pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement prior to the Termination Date.

“Receivables Purchase Agreement” means the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Rackspace US and the Borrower.

“Receivables Sale Agreement” means the Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Originators (other than Rackspace US) and Rackspace US.

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.03(c).

“Reinvestment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(a).

“Related Committed Lender” means with respect to any Conduit Lender, each Committed Lender listed as such for each Conduit Lender as set forth on the signature pages of this Agreement or in any Assumption Agreement.

“Related Conduit Lender” means, with respect to any Committed Lender, each Conduit Lender which is, or pursuant to any Assignment and Acceptance Agreement or Assumption Agreement or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement becomes, included as a Conduit Lender in such Committed Lender’s Group, as designated on its signature page hereto or in such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, Assumption Agreement or other agreement executed by such Committed Lender, as the case may be.

 

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“Related Security” means, with respect to any Receivable:

(a) all of the Borrower’s and each Originator’s interest in any goods, if any, (including returned goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable;

(b) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable;

(c) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto;

(d) all of the Borrower’s and each Originator’s rights, interests and claims under the related Contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related Contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;

(e) all books and records of the Borrower and each Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each Lock-Box and all Collection Accounts, into which any Collections or other proceeds with respect to such Receivables may be deposited, and any related investment property acquired with any such Collections or other proceeds (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC);

(f) all Collections and other proceeds (as defined in the UCC) of any of the foregoing; and

(g) all of the Borrower’s rights, interests and claims under the Receivables Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

“Reportable Event” means any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Pension Plan (other than (i) those events as to which the 30-day notice period is waived by the PBGC and (ii) a Pension Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate which is considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the Code).

“Representatives” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.06(c).

“Restricted Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(r).

 

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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

“Sanctions” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(o).

“Sanctions Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(o).

“Scheduled Termination Date” means March 19, 2022.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental agencies substituted therefor.

“Secured Parties” means each Credit Party, each Borrower Indemnified Party and each Affected Person.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Senior Unsecured Notes” shall mean the $1,200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Performance Guarantor’s Senior Unsecured Notes due 2024 issued pursuant to the Indenture.

“Servicer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Servicer Indemnified Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.02(a).

“Servicer Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.02(a).

“Servicing Fee” means the fee referred to in Section 9.06(a) of this Agreement.

“Servicing Fee Rate” means the rate referred to in Section 9.06(a) of this Agreement.

“Servicing Fee Reserve Percentage” means the product of (a) the Servicing Fee Rate and (b) the ratio computed by dividing (i) the highest Days’ Sales Outstanding for the twelve most recently ended Fiscal Months and (ii) 360.

“Settlement Date” means with respect to any Portion of Capital for any Interest Period or any Fees, (i) prior to a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event that is continuing, a Trigger Event or the occurrence of the Termination Date, the Monthly Settlement Date and (ii) during the occurrence and continuance of a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event, a Trigger Event and on and after the Termination Date, each day selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Group Agents) (it being understood that the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Group Agents) may select such Settlement Date to occur as frequently as daily), or, in the absence of such selection, the Monthly Settlement Date.

 

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“Shareholders’ Equity” means, as of any date of determination, consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Performance Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

“SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

“Solvent” means, with respect to any Person and as of any particular date, (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of such Person is not less than the total amount required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (ii) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business, (iii) such Person is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (iv) such Person is not engaged in any business or transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged.

“Sub-Servicer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(d).

“Subordinated Note” has the meaning specified in the Receivables Purchase Agreement.

“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock of each class or other interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or other interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such entity are at the time owned, or management of which is otherwise controlled: (a) by such Person, (b) by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (c) by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments or fees imposed by any Governmental Authority and all interest, penalties, additions to tax and any similar liabilities with respect thereto.

“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date, (b) the date on which the “Termination Date” is declared or deemed to have occurred after an Early Amortization Event pursuant to Section 10.02, (c) the date on which the “Termination Date” is declared or deemed to have occurred pursuant to Section 10.01 and (d) the date selected by the Borrower on which all Commitments have been reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.02(e).

 

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“Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01. For the avoidance of doubt, any Termination Event that occurs shall be deemed to be continuing at all times thereafter unless and until waived in accordance with Section 14.01.

“Test Period” shall mean, on any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Performance Guarantor then most recently ended (taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(c); provided that prior to the first date financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(c), the Test Period in effect shall be the four fiscal quarter period ended March 31, 2020.

“Total Reserves” means, at any time of determination, the product of (a) the sum of (i) the Yield Reserve Percentage, plus (ii) the Servicing Fee Reserve Percentage plus (iii) the greater of (x) 20.0% and (y) the sum of the Dilution Reserve Percentage plus the Loss Reserve Percentage, multiplied by (b) the Net Receivables Pool Balance on such day.

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Receivables Sale Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, the Fee Letter, the Performance Guaranty, the Subordinated Notes (if any) and all other certificates, instruments, UCC financing statements, reports, notices, agreements and documents executed or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement.

“Transaction Information” shall mean any information provided to any Rating Agency, in each case, to the extent related to such Rating Agency providing or proposing to provide a rating of any Notes or monitoring such rating including, without limitation, information in connection with the Borrower, the Originator, the Servicer or the Receivables.

“Trigger Event” means (i) a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event, (ii) the downgrade of the long-term rating of the Performance Guarantor to below “B-” by S&P or “B3” by Moody’s or (iii) the date that is sixty (60) days prior to the maturity date of the “Term B Loan” under the Credit Agreement (as such maturity date may be extended from time to time) if such term loan has not been refinanced prior to such maturity date.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“Unbilled Receivable” means, at any time, any Receivable as to which the invoice or bill with respect thereto has not yet been sent to the Obligor thereof.

“Unmatured Termination Event” means an event that but for notice or lapse of time or both would be a Termination Event.

 

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“U.S. Obligor” means an Obligor that is a corporation or other business organization and is organized under the laws of the United States of America (or of a United States of America territory, district, state, commonwealth, or possession, including, without limitation, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or any political subdivision thereof.

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(f)(ii)(B)(3).

“USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107 56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

“Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any person, such person’s Equity Interests having the right to vote for the election of directors of such person under ordinary circumstances.

“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA.

“Yield Reserve Percentage” means at any time of determination:

 

1.50 x DSO x BR

360

where:

BR = the Base Rate; and

DSO = the highest Days’ Sales Outstanding for the twelve most recently ended Fiscal Months.

Section 1.02. Other Interpretative Matters. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all references herein to “Article,” “Section,” “Schedule,” “Exhibit” or “Annex” shall mean articles and sections of, and schedules, exhibits and annexes to, this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and all such certificates and other documents, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) references to any amount as on deposit or outstanding on any particular date means such amount at the close of business on such day; (b) the words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to such agreement (or the certificate or other document in which they are used) as a whole and not to any particular provision of such agreement (or such certificate or document); (c) references to any Section, Schedule or Exhibit are references to Sections, Schedules and Exhibits in or to such agreement (or the certificate or other document in which the reference is made), and references to any paragraph, subsection, clause or other subdivision within any Section or definition refer to such paragraph, subsection, clause or other subdivision of such Section or definition; (d) the term “including” means “including without limitation”; (e) references to any Applicable Law refer to that Applicable Law as amended from time to time and include any successor Applicable Law; (f) references to any agreement refer to that agreement as from time to time amended, restated or supplemented or as the terms of such agreement are waived or modified in accordance with its terms; (g) references to any Person include that Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (h) headings are for purposes of reference only and shall not otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof; (i) unless otherwise provided, in the calculation of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the term “from” means “from and including”, and the terms “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”; (j) terms in one gender include the parallel terms in the neuter and opposite gender; (k) references to any amount as on deposit or outstanding on any particular date means such amount at the close of business on such day and (l) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

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ARTICLE II

TERMS OF THE LOANS

Section 2.01. Loan Facility. Upon a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02, and on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, the Conduit Lenders, ratably, in accordance with the aggregate of the Commitments of the Related Committed Lenders with respect to each such Conduit Lender, severally and not jointly, may, in their sole discretion, make Loans to the Borrower on a revolving basis, and if and to the extent any Conduit Lender does not make any such requested Loan or if any Group does not include a Conduit Lender, the Related Committed Lender(s) for such Conduit Lender or the Committed Lender for such Group, as the case may be, shall, ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments, severally and not jointly, make such Loans to the Borrower, in either case, from time to time during the period from the Closing Date to the Termination Date. Under no circumstances shall any Lender be obligated to make any such Loan if, after giving effect to such Loan:

(i) the Aggregate Capital would exceed the Facility Limit at such time;

(ii) the sum of (A) the Capital of such Lender, plus (B) the aggregate outstanding Capital of each other Lender in its Group, would exceed the Group Commitment of such Lender’s Group;

(iii) if such Lender is a Committed Lender, the aggregate outstanding Capital of such Committed Lender would exceed its Commitment; or

(iv) the Aggregate Capital would exceed the Borrowing Base at such time.

Section 2.02. Making Loans; Repayment of Loans. (a) Each Loan hereunder shall be made on at least two (2) Business Days prior written request from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent in the form of a Loan Request attached hereto as Exhibit A. Each such request for a Loan shall be made no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on a Business Day (it being understood that any such request made after such time shall be deemed to have been made on the following Business Day) and shall specify (i) the amount of the Loan(s) requested (which shall not be less than $100,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000), (ii) the allocation of such amount among the Groups (which shall be ratable based on the Group Commitments), (iii) the account to which the proceeds of such Loan shall be distributed and (iv) the date such requested Loan is to be made (which shall be a Business Day) (such date, a “Borrowing Date”).

 

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(b) On the date of each Loan specified in the applicable Loan Request, the Lenders shall, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article VI and pursuant to the other conditions set forth in this Article II, make available to the Borrower in same day funds an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such Loans requested, at the account set forth in the related Loan Request.

(c) Each Committed Lender’s obligation shall be several, such that the failure of any Committed Lender to make available to the Borrower any funds in connection with any Loan shall not relieve any other Committed Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make funds available on the date such Loans are requested (it being understood, that no Committed Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Committed Lender to make funds available to the Borrower in connection with any Loan hereunder).

(d) The Borrower shall repay in full the outstanding Capital of each Lender on the Maturity Date. Prior thereto, the Borrower shall, on each Settlement Date, make a prepayment of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders to the extent required under Section 4.01 and otherwise in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower, in its discretion, shall have the right to make a prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders on any Business Day upon two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent in the form of a Reduction Notice attached hereto as Exhibit D; provided, however, that (i) each such prepayment shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $100,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000, and (ii) any accrued Interest and Fees in respect of such prepaid Capital shall be paid on the immediately following Settlement Date.

(e) The Borrower may, at any time upon at least two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent, terminate the Facility Limit in whole or ratably reduce the Facility Limit in part. Each partial reduction in the Facility Limit shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000. In connection with any partial reduction in the Facility Limit, the Commitment of each Committed Lender shall be ratably reduced.

(f) In connection with any reduction of the Commitments, the Borrower shall remit to the Administrative Agent (i) instructions regarding such reduction and (ii) for payment to the Lenders, cash in an amount sufficient to pay (A) the Capital of the Lenders in each Group in excess of the Group Commitment of such Group and (B) all other outstanding Borrower Obligations with respect to such reduction (determined based on the ratio of the reduction of the Commitments being effected to the amount of the Commitments prior to such reduction or, if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that any portion of the outstanding Borrower Obligations is allocable solely to that portion of the Commitments being reduced or has arisen solely as a result of such reduction, all of such portion) including, without duplication, any associated Breakage Fees. Upon receipt of any such amounts, the Administrative Agent shall apply such amounts first to the reduction of the outstanding Capital, and second to the payment of the remaining outstanding Borrower Obligations with respect to such reduction, including any Breakage Fees, by paying such amounts to the Lenders.

 

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Section 2.03. Interest and Fees. (a) On each Settlement Date, the Borrower shall, in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section 4.01, pay to each Group Agent, each Lender, the Administrative Agent, and the Arranger certain fees (collectively, the “Fees”) in the amounts set forth in the fee letter agreements from time to time entered into, among the Borrower, the members of the applicable Group (or their Group Agent on their behalf) and/or the Administrative Agent (each such fee letter agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, collectively being referred to herein as the “Fee Letter”). Commitment Fees (as defined in the Fee Letter) shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender as provided in Section 2.05.

(b) The Capital of each Lender shall accrue interest on each day when such Capital remains outstanding at the then applicable Interest Rate. The Borrower shall pay all Interest, Fees and Breakage Fees accrued during each Interest Period on the immediately following Settlement Date in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section 4.01.

Section 2.04. Records of Loans. Each Group Agent shall record in its records, the date and amount of each Loan made by the Lenders in its Group hereunder, the interest rate with respect thereto, the Interest accrued thereon and each repayment and payment thereof. Subject to Section 14.03(c), such records shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error. The failure to so record any such information or any error in so recording any such information shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to repay the Capital of each Lender, together with all Interest accruing thereon and all other Borrower Obligations.

Section 2.05. Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Committed Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Committed Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) Commitment Fees (as defined in the Fee Letter) shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender.

(b) The Commitment and Capital of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Majority Group Agents have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 14.01); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 14.01, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Committed Lender or each Committed Lender directly affected thereby (if such Committed Lender is directly affected thereby).

 

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(c) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Servicer each agrees in writing that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then on such date such Committed Lender (or a member of such Committed Lender’s Group) shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Committed Lender’s Group to hold such Loans in accordance with its Pro Rata Percentage; provided, that no adjustments shall be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while such Committed Lender was a Defaulting Lender, and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III

SECURITY INTEREST

Section 3.01. Security Interest. (a) As security for the performance by the Borrower of all the terms, covenants and agreements on the part of the Borrower to be performed under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including the punctual payment when due of the Aggregate Capital and all Interest in respect of the Loans and all other Borrower Obligations, the Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in, all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under all of the following, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising (collectively, the “Collateral”): (i) all Pool Receivables, (ii) all Related Security with respect to such Pool Receivables, (iii) all Collections with respect to such Pool Receivables, (iv) the Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and all amounts on deposit therein, and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time evidencing such Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and amounts on deposit therein, (v) all rights (but none of the obligations) of the Borrower under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, (vi) all goods (including inventory, equipment and any accessions thereto), instruments (including promissory notes), documents, accounts, chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), deposit accounts, securities accounts, securities entitlements, letter-of-credit rights, commercial tort claims, securities and all other investment property, supporting obligations, money, any other contract rights or rights to the payment of money, insurance claims and proceeds, and all general intangibles (including all payment intangibles) (each as defined in the UCC), and (vii) all proceeds of, and all amounts received or receivable under any or all of, the foregoing.

(b) The Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have, with respect to all the Collateral, and in addition to all the other rights and remedies available to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), all the rights and remedies of a secured party under any applicable UCC. The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements describing the collateral covered thereby as “all assets of the Debtor, wherever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, and all proceeds and products thereof” or words to that effect.

(c) Immediately upon the occurrence of the Final Payout Date, the Collateral shall be automatically released from the lien created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Credit Parties hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Borrower; provided, however, that promptly following written request therefor by the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent following any such termination, and at the sole expense of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower UCC-3 termination statements, Account Control Agreement termination letters and such other documents as the Borrower, the Servicer or any Originator shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

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ARTICLE IV

SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISION

Section 4.01. Settlement Procedures. (a) The Servicer shall set aside and hold in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties (or, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, segregate in a separate account in the name of the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent), for application in accordance with the priority of payments set forth below, all Collections or Deemed Collections on Pool Receivables that are received by the Servicer or the Borrower or received in any Lock-Box or Collection Account; provided, however, that so long as each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.03 are satisfied, the Servicer may release to the Borrower from such Collections the amount (if any) necessary to pay the purchase price for Receivables purchased by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Receivables Purchase Agreement or to pay amounts in respect of any Subordinated Note (each such release, a “Reinvestment”). On each Settlement Date, the Servicer (or, following its assumption of control of the Collection Accounts, the Administrative Agent) shall, distribute such non-released Collections or Deemed Collections in the following order of priority:

(i) first, to the Servicer for the payment of the accrued Servicing Fees payable for the immediately preceding Interest Period (plus, if applicable, the amount of Servicing Fees payable for any prior Interest Period to the extent the full amount owed has not been distributed to the Servicer);

(ii) second, to each Lender and other Credit Party (ratably, based on the amount then due and owing), all accrued and unpaid Interest, Fees and Breakage Fees due to such Lender and other Credit Party for the immediately preceding Interest Period (including any additional amounts or indemnified amounts payable under Sections 5.03 and 13.01 in respect of such payments), plus, if applicable, the amount of any such Interest, Fees and Breakage Fees (including any additional amounts or indemnified amounts payable under Sections 5.03 and 13.01 in respect of such payments) payable for any prior Interest Period to the extent such amount has not been distributed to such Lender or Credit Party;

(iii) third, as set forth in clause (x), (y) or (z) below, as applicable:

(x) prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, to the extent that a Borrowing Base Deficit exists on such date, to the Lenders (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time) for the payment of a portion of the outstanding Aggregate Capital at such time, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount necessary to reduce the Borrowing Base Deficit to zero ($0);

 

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(y) on and after the occurrence of the Termination Date, to each Lender (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time) for the payment in full of the aggregate outstanding Capital of such Lender at such time; or

(z) prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, at the election of the Borrower and in accordance with Section 2.02(d), to the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders at such time (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time);

(iv) fourth, to the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties (ratably, based on the amount due and owing at such time), for the payment of all other Borrower Obligations then due and owing by the Borrower to the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties;

(v) fifth, to the Borrower, for further payment to each Originator (i) to pay any accrued and unpaid interest due on the Subordinated Note (if any) held by such Originator and (ii) following the occurrence of the Termination Date, to pay the outstanding principal balance of the Subordinated Note (if any) held by such Originator; and

(vi) sixth, the balance, if any, to be paid to the Borrower for its own account.

(b) All payments or distributions to be made by the Servicer, the Borrower and any other Person to the Lenders (or their respective related Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties), shall be paid or distributed to the related Group Agent at its Group Agent’s Account. Each Group Agent, upon its receipt in the applicable Group Agent’s Account of any such payments or distributions, shall distribute such amounts to the applicable Lenders, Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties within its Group ratably; provided that if such Group Agent shall have received insufficient funds to pay all of the above amounts in full on any such date, such Group Agent shall pay such amounts to the applicable Lenders, Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties within its Group in accordance with the priority of payments forth above, and with respect to any such category above for which there are insufficient funds to pay all amounts owing on such date, ratably (based on the amounts in such categories owing to each such Person in such Group) among all such Persons in such Group entitled to payment thereof.

(c) If and to the extent the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to any Person (other than to any Person that is a party hereto as contemplated by this Agreement) any amount received on its behalf hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received but rather to have been retained by the Borrower and, accordingly, the Administrative Agent, such Credit Party, such Affected Person or such Borrower Indemnified Party, as the case may be, shall have a claim against the Borrower for such amount.

 

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(d) For the purposes of this Section 4.01:

(i) if on any day the Outstanding Balance of any Pool Receivable is reduced or adjusted as a result of any defective, rejected, returned, repossessed or foreclosed goods or services, or any revision, cancellation, allowance, rebate, credit memo, discount or other adjustment made by the Borrower, any Originator, the Servicer, or any Affiliate of the Servicer or any setoff, counterclaim or dispute between or among the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, an Originator or any Affiliate of an Originator, or the Servicer or any Affiliate of the Servicer, and an Obligor, the Borrower shall be deemed to have received on such day a Collection of such Pool Receivable in the amount of such reduction or adjustment. If the Termination Date or a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing or a Borrowing Base Deficit exists (or in each case would exist after giving effect to such reduction or adjustment), the Borrower shall immediately demand any amounts in respect thereof that are owing pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement or any other Transaction Document and pay any and all such amounts received in respect thereof to a Collection Account (or as otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent at such time) for the benefit of the Credit Parties for application pursuant to Section 4.01(a)) (Collections deemed to have been received pursuant to Section 4.01(d) are hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Deemed Collections”);

(ii) except as provided in clause (i) above or otherwise as required by Applicable Law or the relevant Contract, all Deemed Collections received from an Obligor of any Receivable shall be applied to the Receivables of such Obligor in the order of the age of such Receivables, starting with the oldest such Receivable, unless such Obligor designates in writing its payment for application to specific Receivables; and

(iv) if and to the extent the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to an Obligor (or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official in any Insolvency Proceeding) any amount received by it hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received by such Person but rather to have been retained by the Borrower and, accordingly, such Person shall have a claim against the Borrower for such amount, payable when and to the extent that any distribution from or on behalf of such Obligor is made in respect thereof.

Section 4.02. Payments and Computations, Etc. (a) All amounts to be paid by the Borrower or the Servicer to the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party hereunder shall be paid no later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the day when due in same day funds to the applicable Group Agent’s Account.

(b) Each of the Borrower and the Servicer shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, pay interest on any amount (other than in respect of Capital of the Loans, which shall accrue interest at the Bank Rate) for each day not paid or deposited by it when due hereunder, at an interest rate per annum equal to 2.00% per annum above the Base Rate, payable on demand.

 

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(c) All computations of interest under subsection (b) above and all computations of Interest, Fees and other amounts hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days (or, in the case of amounts determined by reference to the Base Rate, 365 or 366 days, as applicable) for the actual number of days (including the first but excluding the last day) elapsed. Whenever any payment or deposit to be made hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment or deposit shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of such payment or deposit.

ARTICLE V

INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; AND ILLEGALITY

Section 5.01. Increased Costs.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Affected Person (except any such reserve requirements reflected in Adjusted LIBOR or LMIR);

(ii) subject any Affected Person to any Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes, Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes, and Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Affected Person any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) (A) affecting the Collateral, this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, any Program Support Agreement, any Loan or any participation therein or (B) affecting its obligations or rights to make Loans;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Affected Person of (A) acting as the Administrative Agent, a Group Agent or a Lender hereunder or as a Program Support Provider with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (B) funding or maintaining any Loan or (C) maintaining its obligation to fund or maintain any Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Affected Person hereunder, then, upon request of such Affected Person (or its Group Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Affected Person such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Affected Person for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered in accordance with Section 5.01(d).

(b) Capital and Liquidity Requirements. If any Affected Person determines that any Change in Law affecting such Affected Person or any lending office of such Affected Person or such Affected Person’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of (x) increasing the amount of capital required to be maintained by such Affected Person or Affected Person’s holding company, if any, or increasing the amount of high quality liquid assets such Affected Person or Affected Person’s holding company, if any, is

 

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required to maintain as a result of any funding commitment made by such Affected Person under any Transaction Document, (y) reducing the rate of return on such Affected Person’s capital or on the capital of such Affected Person’s holding company, if any, or (z) causing an internal capital or liquidity charge or other imputed cost to be assessed upon such Affected Person or Affected Person’s holding company, if any, in each case, as a consequence of (A) this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) the commitments of such Affected Person hereunder or under any related Program Support Agreement, (C) the Loans made by such Affected Person, or (D) any Capital, to a level below that which such Affected Person or such Affected Person’s holding company would have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Affected Person’s policies and the policies of such Affected Person’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time, upon request by such Affected Person, the Borrower will pay to such Affected Person such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Affected Person or such Affected Person’s holding company for any such increase, reduction or charge suffered in accordance with Section 5.01(d).

(c) Adoption of Changes in Law. The Borrower acknowledges that any Affected Person may institute measures in anticipation of a Change in Law (including, without limitation, the imposition of internal charges on such Affected Person’s interests or obligations under any Transaction Document or Program Support Agreement), and may commence allocating charges to or seeking compensation from the Borrower under this Section 5.01 in connection with such measures, in advance of the effective date of such Change in Law, and the Borrower agrees to pay such charges or compensation to such Affected Person, following demand therefor in accordance with the terms of this Section 5.01, without regard to whether such effective date has occurred.

(d) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of an Affected Person (or its Group Agent on its behalf) setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Affected Person or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall, subject to the priorities of payment set forth in Section 4.01, pay such Affected Person the amount shown as due on any such certificate on the later of (i) the first Settlement Date occurring after the Borrower’s receipt of such certificate and (ii) ten (10) days after the Borrower’s receipt of such certificate.

(e) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Affected Person to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Affected Person’s right to demand such compensation provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate an Affected Person pursuant to this Section 5.01 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Affected Person notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Affected Person’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 5.02. Funding Losses.

(a) The Borrower will pay each Lender all Breakage Fees as and when due and owing.

 

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(b) A certificate of a Lender (or its Group Agent on its behalf) setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender, as specified in clause (a) above and delivered to the Borrower together with all backup information and documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall, subject to the priorities of payment set forth in Section 4.01, pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate on the later of (i) the first Settlement Date occurring after the Borrower’s receipt of such certificate and (ii) ten (10) days after the Borrower’s receipt of such certificate.

Section 5.03. Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation under any Transaction Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by such withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03), the applicable Affected Person or Borrower Indemnified Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Affected Person, within ten days after demand therefor, for the full amount of (I) any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03) payable or paid by such Affected Person or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Affected Person and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority and (II) the excess, if any of the amount of (A) any U.S. federal, state or local income and franchise Taxes payable by such Affected Person with respect to payments received by such Affected Person under this Agreement as a result of a Governmental Authority successfully challenging the Intended Tax Treatment of a Loan over (B) U.S. federal, state or local income and franchise Taxes that would have been payable by such Affected Person with respect to such payments described in clause (A) if such Loan were treated in accordance with the Intended Tax Treatment, provided that the amount described in this clause (II), if applicable, shall be increased to take into account the taxability of receipt of payments under this clause (II)). A certificate that states the amount of such payment or liability shall be delivered to the Borrower by an Affected Person (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) together with all backup information and documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of an Affected Person and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender (other than the Conduit Lenders) shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender, its Related Conduit Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons (but only to the extent that the Borrower and its Affiliates have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting any obligation of the Borrower, the Servicer or their Affiliates to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to the failure of such Lender, its Related Conduit Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons to comply with Section 14.03(f) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, its Related Conduit Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Transaction Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender (or its Group Agent) by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender (other than the Conduit Lenders) hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, its Related Conduit Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons under any Transaction Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender, its Related Conduit Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (d).

(e) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 5.03, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(f) Status of Credit Parties. (i) Any Credit Party that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Transaction Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Credit Party, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Credit Party is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 5.03(f)(ii)(A), 5.03(f)(ii)(B) and 5.03(g)) shall not be required if, in the Credit Party’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution or submission would subject such Credit Party to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Credit Party.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A) any Credit Party that is a “United States Person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or about the date on which such Credit Party becomes a party hereto (and from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Credit Party is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax;

(B) any Credit Party that is not a “United States Person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Foreign Credit Party”) shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) on or about the date on which such Foreign Credit Party becomes a Credit Party with respect to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of such a Foreign Credit Party claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Transaction Document, executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Transaction Document, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Credit Party claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Credit Party is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form); or

(4) to the extent such Foreign Credit Party is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E (or successor form), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if such Credit Party is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Credit Party are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Credit Party may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and

 

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(C) any Foreign Credit Party, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient), on or about the date on which such Foreign Credit Party becomes a party hereto (and from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(g) Documentation Required by FATCA. If a payment made to a Credit Party under any Transaction Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Credit Party were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Credit Party shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Credit Party has complied with such Credit Party’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 5.03 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Credit Party or any other Affected person, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the Borrower Obligations and the Servicer’s obligations hereunder.

(i) Updates. Each Credit Party agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 5.03 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(j) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.03 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.03), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 5.03 with respect to the Taxes giving

 

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rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (j) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (j), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (j) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

Section 5.04. Inability to Determine Euro-Rate; Change in Legality. (a) If any Group Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto absent manifest error) before the first day of any Interest Period (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR) or on any day (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to LMIR), by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank Eurodollar market, either that: (i) dollar deposits in the relevant amounts and for the relevant Interest Period or day, as applicable, are not available, (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Euro-Rate for such Interest Period or day, as applicable, or (iii) the Euro-Rate determined pursuant hereto does not accurately reflect the cost to the applicable Affected Person (as conclusively determined by such Group Agent) of maintaining any Portion of Capital during such Interest Period or day, as applicable, such Group Agent shall promptly give telephonic notice of such determination, confirmed in writing, to the Borrower before the first day of any Interest Period (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR) or on such day (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to LMIR). Upon delivery of such notice: (i) no Portion of Capital shall be funded thereafter at the Euro-Rate unless and until such Group Agent shall have given notice to the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist and (ii) with respect to any outstanding Portion of Capital then funded at the Euro-Rate, the Interest Rate with respect to such Portion of Capital shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate on the last day of the then-current Interest Period (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR) or immediately (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to LMIR).

(b) If, on or before the first day of any Interest Period (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR) or on any day (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to LMIR), any Group Agent shall have been notified by any Affected Person that such Affected Person has determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error) that any Change in Law, or compliance by such Affected Person with any Change in Law, shall make it unlawful or impossible for such Affected Person to fund or maintain any Portion of Capital at or by reference to the Euro-Rate, such Group Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Upon receipt of such notice, until the

 

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applicable Group Agent notifies the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer apply, (i) no Portion of Capital shall be funded thereafter at the Euro-Rate unless and until such Lender shall have given notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist and (ii) with respect to any outstanding Portion of Capital then funded at the Euro-Rate, the Interest Rate with respect to such Portion of Capital shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate on the last day of the then-current Interest Period (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR) or immediately (with respect to the Euro-Rate determined by reference to LMIR).

Section 5.05. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) If any Affected Person requests compensation under Section 5.01, or the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Affected Person or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Affected Person pursuant to Section 5.03, then such Affected Person (at the request of the Borrower) shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Affected Person, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or 5.03, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Affected Person to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Affected Person. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Affected Person in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If (i) any Affected Person requests compensation under Section 5.01, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Affected Person or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Affected Person pursuant to Section 5.03 or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the related Group Agent and the Administrative Agent, require such Group Agent to cause the related Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 14.03), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 5.01 or 5.03) and obligations under the Transaction Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which, in the case of a Lender, shall be an Eligible Assignee); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Affected Person, if a Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.01 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.03, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or an Affected Person or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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Section 5.06. Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts. If any Affected Person requests compensation under Section 5.01, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Affected Person or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Affected Person pursuant to Section 5.03, then such Affected Person shall (at the request of the Borrower) use commercially reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking the related Loans hereunder or to assign and delegate (or cause to be assigned and delegated) such Affected Person’s rights and obligations hereunder to another office, branch or Affiliate of such Affected Person if, in the judgment of such Affected Person, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or 5.03, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Affected Person to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Affected Person. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Affected Person in connection with any such designation or assignment and delegation.

Section 5.07. Successor Adjusted LIBOR; LMIR or EURO-Rate .

(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Documents, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Event, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace Adjusted LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment, with the consent of the Borrower, to all Lenders, Group Agents and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from the Lenders comprising the Majority Group Agents. Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Event will become effective on the date that Lenders comprising the Majority Group Agents have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Majority Group Agents accept such amendment. No replacement of Adjusted LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 5.07 will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Transaction Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower, the Group Agents and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Event, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Group Agents pursuant to this Section 5.07, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 5.07.

 

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(d) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Euro-Rate Loan of, conversion to or continuation of Euro-Rate Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period, the component of Base Rate based upon Adjusted LIBOR will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

Section 6.01. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Credit Extension. This Agreement shall become effective as of the Closing Date when (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the documents, agreements (in fully executed form), opinions of counsel, lien search results, UCC filings, certificates and other deliverables listed on the closing memorandum attached as Exhibit H hereto, in each case, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (b) all fees and expenses payable by the Borrower on the Closing Date to the Credit Parties have been paid in full in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.

Section 6.02. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions. Each Credit Extension hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent a Loan Request for such Loan, in accordance with Section 2.02(a);

(b) the Servicer shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent all Information Packages required to be delivered hereunder;

(c) the making of such Credit Extension will not result in any of the circumstances specified in Section 2.01(i) through (iv);

(d) on the date of such Credit Extension the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Credit Extension, the Borrower and the Servicer shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):

 

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(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event would result from such Credit Extension;

(iii) [Reserved];

(iv) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Credit Extension; and

(v) the Termination Date has not occurred.

Section 6.03. Conditions Precedent to All Reinvestments. Each Reinvestment hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a) after giving effect to such Reinvestment, the Servicer shall be holding in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties an amount of Collections sufficient to pay the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees, Interest, Fees and Breakage Fees, if any, (y) the amount of any Borrowing Base Deficit and (z) the amount of all other accrued and unpaid Borrower Obligations, in each case, that will be due and owing on the next Settlement Date; and

(b) on the date of such Reinvestment the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Reinvestment, the Borrower and the Servicer shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 (other than the representation and warranty set forth in Section 7.01(z)) and 7.02 (other than the representation and warranty set forth in Section 7.02(x)) are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Reinvestment as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and no Termination Event would result from such Reinvestment;

(iii) no Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing and shall not have been cured within four (4) Business Days after a Financial Officer of the Servicer has actual knowledge thereof, and no Early Amortization Event would result from such Reinvestment;

 

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(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred; and

(v) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists.

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 7.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The Borrower represents and warrants as of the Closing Date, on the date of each Reinvestment, and on each day on which a Credit Extension shall have occurred:

(a) Organization and Good Standing. The Borrower is a limited liability company and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.

(b) Due Qualification. The Borrower is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. The Borrower (i) has all necessary power and authority to (A) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (C) grant a security interest in the Collateral to the Administrative Agent on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided and (ii) has duly authorized by all necessary action such grant and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

(d) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which the Borrower is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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(e) No Conflict or Violation. The execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or be (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its organizational documents or any material indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of the Collateral other than Permitted Adverse Claims pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law.

(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings. (i) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, against the Borrower before any Governmental Authority and (ii) the Borrower is not subject to any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any Governmental Authority that, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), (A) asserts the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeks to prevent the grant of a security interest in any Collateral by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the ownership or acquisition by the Borrower of any Pool Receivables or other Collateral or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (C) seeks any determination or ruling that could materially and adversely affect the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (D) individually or in the aggregate for all such actions, suits, proceedings and investigations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Governmental Approvals. Except where the failure to obtain or make such authorization, consent, order, approval or action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, or other actions by, any Governmental Authority that are required to be obtained by the Borrower in connection with the grant of a security interest in the Collateral to the Administrative Agent hereunder or the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

(h) Margin Regulations. The Borrower is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meanings of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

 

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(i) Taxes. The Borrower has (i) timely filed or caused to be filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than (a) taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or (c) to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is properly classified as a “disregarded entity” which is wholly and beneficially owned by a “United States person” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(j) Solvency. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the Borrower is Solvent.

(k) Offices; Legal Name. The Borrower’s sole jurisdiction of organization is the State of Delaware and such jurisdiction has not changed within four months prior to the date of this Agreement. The office of the Borrower is located at the applicable address specified on Schedule III hereto. The legal name of the Borrower is Rackspace Receivables LLC.

(l) Investment Company Act; Volcker Rule. The Borrower is not, and is not controlled by, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not a “covered fund” under Section 13 of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder (the “Volcker Rule”). In determining that Borrower is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule, although other exemptions or exclusions under the Investment Company Act may apply, the Borrower relies on the exemption from the definition of “investment company” set forth in Section 3(c)(5) of the Investment Company Act and does not rely solely on the exemption from the definition of “investment company” set forth in Section 3(c)(1) and/or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act.

(m) No Material Adverse Effect. Since its date of formation there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower.

(n) Accuracy of Information. All Information Packages (if prepared by the Borrower or one of its Affiliates, or to the extent that the information contained therein is supplied by the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower), Loan Requests, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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(o) USA PATRIOT Act; OFAC.

(i) The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with the material provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and, at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent all information related to the Performance Guarantor, the Borrower and any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including names, addresses and tax identification numbers (if applicable)) reasonably requested in writing by the Administrative Agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and mutually agreed to be required under “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(ii) None of the Performance Guarantor, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Treasury Department, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union, the United Nations Security Council or Her Majesty’s Treasury (“Sanctions”). The Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any country that is the target of the Sanctions, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by sanctions laws and regulations administered by the United States, including OFAC and the U.S. State Department, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the European Union or relevant member states of the European Union (collectively, the “Sanctions Laws”), or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws applicable to any party hereto.

(p) Transaction Information. None of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator or any third party with which the Borrower has contracted, has delivered, in writing or orally, to any Rating Agency, any Transaction Information without providing such Transaction Information to the applicable Group Agent prior to delivery to such Rating Agency and has not participated in any oral communications with respect to Transaction Information with any Rating Agency without the participation of such Group Agent.

(q) Perfection Representations.

(i) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral that is of a type of property in which a security interest can be created pursuant to Article 9 of the UCC of the State of New York. Such valid and continuing security interest (A) will be perfected upon the filing of an appropriately completed financing statement naming the Borrower as debtor and listing the Collateral as the collateral covered thereby and, upon such perfection, is enforceable against creditors of and purchasers from the Borrower under Applicable Law and (B) will be free of all Adverse Claims in such Collateral other than Permitted Adverse Claims.

 

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(ii) The Receivables are “accounts” or “general intangibles” within the meaning of Section 9-102 of the UCC.

(iii) The Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Collateral free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person other than Permitted Adverse Claims.

(iv) All appropriate financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been filed or will be filed (within ten days after the Closing Date) in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect (and continue the perfection of) the sale of the Receivables and Related Security from each Originator to the Borrower pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Agreement and the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral.

(v) Other than the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Collateral except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Borrower has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements filed against the Borrower that include a description of collateral covering the Collateral other than any financing statement (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) that has been terminated. The Borrower is not aware of any judgment lien, ERISA lien or tax lien filings against the Borrower.

(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section 7.01(q) shall be continuing and shall remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

(r) The Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts.

(i) Nature of Collection Accounts. Each Collection Account is a “deposit account” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.

(ii) Ownership. Each Lock-Box and Collection Account is in the name of the Borrower and the Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Collection Accounts free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims.

 

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(iii) Perfection. The Borrower and/or the Servicer, as applicable, has delivered to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Account Control Agreement relating to each Lock-Box and Collection Account, pursuant to which each applicable Collection Account Bank has agreed to comply with the instructions originated by the Administrative Agent directing the disposition of funds in such Lock-Box and Collection Account without further consent by the Borrower, the Servicer or any other Person. The Administrative Agent has “control” (as defined in § 9-104 of the UCC) over each Collection Account.

(iv) Instructions. Neither the Lock-Boxes nor the Collection Accounts are in the name of any Person other than the Borrower. The Borrower has not consented to the applicable Collection Account Bank complying with instructions of any Person other than the Administrative Agent.

(s) Ordinary Course of Business. Each remittance of Collections by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Credit Parties under this Agreement will have been (i) in payment of a debt incurred by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower and (ii) made in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower.

(t) Compliance with Law. The Borrower has complied with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject, except where the failure to do so, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(u) Bulk Sales Act. No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

(v) Eligible Receivables. Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.

(w) Opinions. The facts regarding the Borrower, the Servicer, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Receivables, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

(x) Other Transaction Documents. Each representation and warranty made by the Borrower under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made, unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date.

 

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(y) Liquidity Coverage Ratio. The Borrower has not, does not and will not during this Agreement (x) issue any obligations that (A) are asset-backed commercial paper, or (B) are securities required to be registered under the Securities Act or that may be offered for sale under Rule 144A or a similar exemption from registration under the Securities Act or the rules promulgated thereunder, or (y) issue any other debt obligations or equity interest other than debt obligations substantially similar to the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement that are (A) issued to other banks or asset-backed commercial paper conduits in privately negotiated transactions, and (B) subject to transfer restrictions substantially similar to the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement. The Borrower further represents and warrants that its assets and liabilities are consolidated with the assets and liabilities of the Performance Guarantor for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles.

(z) Termination Events. No Termination Event or Unmatured Termination Event and, unless the Termination Date has been declared hereunder, no Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing.

(aa) Certificate of Beneficial Ownership. The Certificate of Beneficial Ownership executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the Borrower on or prior to the Closing Date, as updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, is accurate, complete and correct as of the Closing Date and as of the date any such update is delivered. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Certificate of Beneficial Ownership is one of the Transaction Documents.

(bb) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their directors, officers, agents or employees, are in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or similar law of a jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business and to which they are lawfully subject (“Anti-Corruption Laws”), in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used to make any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations and warranties contained in this Section 7.01 shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

Section 7.02. Representations and Warranties of the Servicer. The Servicer represents and warrants as of the Closing Date, on each Settlement Date, on the date of each Reinvestment, and on each day on which a Credit Extension shall have occurred:

(a) Organization and Good Standing. The Servicer is a duly organized and validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of the state of Delaware to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.

(b) Due Qualification. The Servicer is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business or the servicing of the Pool Receivables as required by this Agreement requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. The Servicer has all necessary power and authority to (i) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (ii) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by the Servicer by all necessary action.

(d) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Servicer, enforceable against the Servicer in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(e) No Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Servicer is a party, the performance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Servicer will not (i) result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, the organizational documents of the Servicer or any material indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other material agreement or instrument to which the Servicer is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument, other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) violate any Applicable Law, except to the extent that any such breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending, or to the Servicer’s knowledge threatened, against the Servicer before any Governmental Authority: (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents; (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that could materially and adversely affect the performance by the Servicer of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, except, in each case that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(g) No Consents. The Servicer is not required to obtain the consent of any other party or any consent, license, approval, registration, authorization or declaration of or with any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party that has not already been obtained or the failure of which to obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Compliance with Applicable Law. The Servicer (i) shall duly satisfy all obligations on its part to be fulfilled under or in connection with the Pool Receivables and the related Contracts, (ii) has maintained in effect all qualifications required under Applicable Law in order to properly service the Pool Receivables and (iii) has complied in all material respects with all Applicable Law in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables.

(i) Accuracy of Information. All Information Packages (if prepared by the Servicer or one of its Affiliates, or to the extent that information therein is supplied by the Servicer or an Affiliate of the Servicer), Loan Requests, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by the Servicer pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

(j) [Reserved].

(k) Credit and Collection Policy. The Servicer has complied in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contracts.

(l) Eligible Receivables. Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.

(m) Servicing Programs. No license or approval is required for the Administrative Agent’s use of any software or other computer program used by the Servicer, any Originator or any Sub-Servicer in the servicing of the Pool Receivables, other than those which have been obtained and are in full force and effect or where the failure to obtain such licenses or approvals could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(n) Servicing of Pool Receivables. Since the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the ability of the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to service and collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.

(o) Other Transaction Documents. Each representation and warranty made by the Servicer under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party (including, without limitation, the Receivables Purchase Agreement) is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made.

(p) No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2018 there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Servicer.

(q) Investment Company Act. The Servicer is not an “investment company,” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

(r) OFAC. Neither the Servicer nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Servicer, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Servicer or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any Sanctions. The Servicer will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that is currently the target of any Sanctions or for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction with or in any country that is the target of the Sanctions, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by sanctions laws and regulations administered by the Sanctions Laws, or in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions Laws applicable to any party hereto.

(s) Transaction Information. None of the Servicer, the Borrower, any Originator or any third party with which the Servicer has contracted, has delivered, in writing or orally, to any Rating Agency, or monitoring a rating of, any Notes, any Transaction Information without providing such Transaction Information to the applicable Group Agent prior to delivery to such Rating Agency and has not participated in any oral communications with respect to Transaction Information with any Rating Agency without the participation of such Group Agent.

(t) Financial Condition. The consolidated balance sheets of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and the related statements of income and shareholders’ equity of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Group Agents, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

(u) Bulk Sales Act. No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

 

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(v) Taxes. The Servicer has (i) timely filed or caused to be filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than (a) taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or (c) to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) Opinions. The facts regarding the Borrower, the Servicer, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Receivables, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

(x) Termination Events. No Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing.

(y) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Servicer and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Servicer or any of its Subsidiaries, their directors, officers, agents or employees, are in compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws, in each case, in all material respects. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder will be used to make any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations and warranties contained in this Section 7.02 shall be continuing, and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS

Section 8.01. Covenants of the Borrower. At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:

(a) Payment of Principal and Interest. The Borrower shall duly and punctually pay Capital, Interest, Fees and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) Existence. The Borrower shall keep in full force and effect its existence and rights as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, and shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the Collateral.

 

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(c) Financial Reporting. The Borrower will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and the Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent:

(i) Annual Financial Statements of the Borrower. Promptly upon completion and in no event later than 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, annual unaudited balance sheet of the Borrower certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower it fairly presents in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date indicated.

(ii) Information Packages. (x) Not later than two (2) Business Days prior to each Settlement Date, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month, and (y) at the request of any Lender following a Trigger Event, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month covering the most recently completed Fiscal Month or such other period as may be requested by such Lender on such frequency as may be requested by such Lender.

(iii) Other Information. Such other information (including non-financial information) as the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(iv) Quarterly Financial Statements of Performance Guarantor. Within 60 days following the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, the Performance Guarantor’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Performance Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the unaudited consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be in reasonable detail, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis (it being understood that the delivery of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) of the Performance Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 8.01(c)(iv) to the extent such quarterly reports include the information specified herein.

(v) Annual Financial Statements of Performance Guarantor. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019), the Performance Guarantor’s consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Performance Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, which consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash

 

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flows and owners’ equity shall be accompanied by customary management’s discussion and analysis and audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of the Performance Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary as a going concern, other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under any series of Indebtedness occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Performance Guarantor and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the delivery of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) of the Performance Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 8.01(c)(v) to the extent such annual reports include the information specified herein);

(vi) Other Reports and Filings. Promptly (but in any event within 10 days) after the filing or delivery thereof, copies of all financial information, proxy materials, reports, if any, which the Performance Guarantor or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries shall publicly file with the SEC or deliver to holders (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor) of any of its material Debt pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing the same.

(d) Notices. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will notify the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after (other than with respect to clause (v) below)) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Termination Events, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Events. A statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of any Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event that has occurred and that is continuing and the action which the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) [Reserved].

(iii) Litigation. The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding on the Borrower, the Servicer or any Originator, which with respect to any Person other than the Borrower that is reasonably expected to be adversely determined and, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(iv) Adverse Claim. (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim upon any material portion of the Collateral other than any Permitted Adverse Claim, (B) any Person other than the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent or the applicable Collection Account Bank shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Borrower, the Originators at the request of the Borrower, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

(v) Name Changes. Before any change in any Originator’s or the Borrower’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements, a notice setting forth such changes and the effective date thereof.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy. Any change in (A) the external accountants of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator or the Performance Guarantor, (B) any material accounting policy of the Borrower or (C) any material accounting policy of any Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(vii) Material Adverse Change. Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator, or the Performance Guarantor.

(viii) Reserved.

(ix) Material Contract and Credit and Collection Policy Changes. Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any material changes to the business of any Originator or the Servicer, any change in the Credit and Collection Policy and any material change in the standard form of contract used by any Originator in connection with a transaction with an Obligor that gives rise to a Receivable.

(e) Conduct of Business. The Borrower will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic organization in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except where the failure to maintain such authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(g) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables. The Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Collateral as the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent may reasonably request. The Borrower will, at the Borrower’s expense, during regular business hours with reasonable prior written notice (i) permit the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of the Borrower for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Collateral or the Borrower’s performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees or independent public accountants of the Borrower having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i) above, during regular business hours, at the Borrower’s expense, upon reasonable prior written notice from the Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to such Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided, that the Borrower shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent and any Group Agent for only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (i) and (ii) above and Section 8.02(e) in any twelve-month period, unless a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing.

(h) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator to, at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator to, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections and Deemed Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections and Deemed Collections from other property of the Servicer and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections or Deemed Collections are received by the Borrower (other than in a Collection Account), the Servicer or an Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Group Agents and the other Secured Parties and promptly (but in any event within one (1) Business Day after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. At all times after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to not permit funds other than Collections and Deemed Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will within two (2) Business Days identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. The Borrower will use commercially reasonable efforts to not commingle Collections or Deemed Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Group Agent or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds. The Borrower shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent

 

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has executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Borrower shall only terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Borrower shall cause each of the Collection Accounts (other than the Master Collection Account) to sweep to the Master Collection Account on a daily basis. The Servicer shall ensure that no disbursements are made from any Collection Account, other than such disbursements that are made at the direction and for the account of the Borrower.

(i) Sales, Liens, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim other than any Permitted Adverse Claim upon (including, without limitation, the filing of any financing statement) or with respect to, any Pool Receivable or other Collateral, or assign any right to receive income in respect thereof.

(j) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables. Except as otherwise permitted in Section 9.02, the Borrower will not, and will not permit the Servicer to, alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. The Borrower shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

(k) Change in Credit and Collection Policy. The Borrower will not make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the Borrower will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent.

(l) Fundamental Changes. The Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents, permit itself (i) to divide into one or more persons, merge or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person, (ii) undertake any division of its rights, assets, obligations, or liabilities pursuant to a plan of division or otherwise pursuant to Applicable Law or (iii) to be directly owned by any Person other than an Originator. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent prior written notice before making any change in the Borrower’s name or location or making any other change in the Borrower’s identity or corporate structure that could impair or otherwise render any UCC financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document “seriously misleading” as such term (or similar term) is used in the applicable UCC; each notice to the Administrative Agent and the Group Agents pursuant to this sentence shall set forth the applicable change and the proposed effective date thereof.

 

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(m) Books and Records. The Borrower shall maintain and implement (or cause the Servicer to maintain and implement) administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain (or cause the Servicer to keep and maintain) all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections and Deemed Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).

(n) Identifying of Records. The Borrower shall: (i) identify (or cause the Servicer to identify) its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts with a legend that indicates that the Pool Receivables have been pledged in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) cause each Originator so to identify its master data processing records with such a legend.

(o) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors. The Borrower shall not (and shall not permit the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in its (or their) instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received a signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) with respect to such new Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), and, solely with respect to the replacement or termination of a Collection Account, the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(p) Security Interest, Etc. The Borrower shall (and shall cause the Servicer to), at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims, in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Borrower shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. The Borrower shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by applicable law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for

 

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the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the Borrower to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of the Borrower, any Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Borrower shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, except as set forth in Section 3.01(c) hereof.

(q) Certain Agreements. Other than in connection with the Final Payout Date, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents, the Borrower will not (and will not permit any Originator or the Servicer to) amend, modify, waive, revoke or terminate any Transaction Document to which it is a party or any provision of the Borrower’s organizational documents which requires the consent of the “Independent Manager” (as such term is used in the Borrower LLC Agreement).

(r) Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not: (A) purchase or redeem any of its membership interests, (B) declare or pay any dividend or set aside any funds for any such purpose, (C) prepay, purchase or redeem any Debt (other than any Borrower Obligations), (D) lend or advance any funds or (E) repay any loans or advances to, for or from any of its Affiliates (the amounts described in clauses (A) through (E) being referred to as “Restricted Payments”), except that the Borrower may make Restricted Payments so long as such Restricted Payments are made only in the following way: the Borrower may declare and pay dividends and distributions and make repayments on the Subordinated Notes if, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Termination Event, no Unmatured Termination Event and no Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing.

(s) Other Business. The Borrower will not: (i) engage in any business other than the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) create, incur or permit to exist any Debt of any kind (or cause or permit to be issued for its account any letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances) other than pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or (iii) form any Subsidiary or make any investments in any other Person.

(t) Use of Collections Available to the Borrower. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Borrower shall apply the Collections available to the Borrower to make payments in the following order of priority: (i) the payment of its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and (ii) other legal and valid purposes.

 

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(u) Further Assurances; Change in Name or Jurisdiction of Origination, etc. (i) The Borrower hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce the Secured Parties’ rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at the Borrower’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(ii) The Borrower authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto and assignments thereof, relating to the Receivables, the Related Security, the related Contracts, Collections with respect thereto and the other Collateral without the signature of the Borrower. A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

(iii) The Borrower shall at all times be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall not take any action to change its jurisdiction of organization.

(iv) The Borrower will not change its name, location, identity or corporate structure unless (x) the Borrower, at its own expense, shall have taken all action necessary or appropriate to perfect or maintain the perfection of the security interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the filing of all financing statements and the taking of such other action as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with such change or relocation) and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to such UCC perfection and priority matters as the Administrative Agent may request at such time.

(v) [Reserved].

(w) [Reserved].

(x) Transaction Information. None of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator or any third party with which the Borrower has contracted, shall deliver, in writing or orally, to any Rating Agency, any Transaction Information without providing such Transaction Information to the applicable Group Agent prior to delivery to such Rating Agency and will not participate in any oral communications with respect to Transaction Information with any Rating Agency without the participation of such Group Agent.

 

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(y) [Reserved].

(z) [Reserved].

(aa) Payment of Obligations; Tax Status. The Borrower will (i) timely file all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable, all of its obligations and liabilities, including Tax liabilities, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall maintain its status as a “disregarded entity” which is wholly beneficially owned by a “United States person” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(bb) Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and Other Additional Information. The Borrower shall, following the Administrative Agent’s written request, deliver the following: (i) confirmation of the accuracy of the information set forth in the most recent Certificate of Beneficial Ownership provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; (ii) a new Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, when the individual(s) to be identified as a Beneficial Owner have changed; and (iii) such other information and documentation as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from time to time for purposes of compliance by the Administrative Agent or such Lender with Applicable Laws (including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and other “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations), and any policy or procedure implemented by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to comply therewith.

(cc) Post-Closing Obligations. Within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall deliver the Credit and Collection Policy in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Upon delivery, such Credit and Collection Policy will be deemed to be attached hereto as Exhibit E.

Section 8.02. Covenants of the Servicer. At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:

(a) Financial Reporting. The Servicer will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and the Servicer shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent:

(i) Compliance Certificates. (a) A compliance certificate promptly upon delivery to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent of the audited financial statements pursuant to Section 8.01(c)(v) and in no event later than 90 days after the close of the Servicer’s fiscal year, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit G signed by A Financial Officer of the Servicer solely in his or her capacity as an officer of the Servicer stating that no Termination

 

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Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, or if any Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, stating the nature and status thereof and (b) within 60 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of the Servicer, a compliance certificate in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit G signed by a Financial Officer of the Servicer solely in his or her capacity as an officer of the Servicer stating that no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, or if any Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, stating the nature and status thereof.

(ii) Information Packages. (x) Not later than two (2) Business Days prior to each Settlement Date, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month, and (y) at the request of any Lender following a Trigger Event, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month covering the most recently completed Fiscal Month or such other period as may be requested by such Lender on such frequency as may be requested by such Lender.

(iii) Other Information. Such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial conditions as the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent may from time to time reasonably request, including any information available to the Borrower, the Servicer or any Originator as the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent may reasonably request.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any financial information, proxy statements or other material required to be delivered pursuant to this paragraph (a) shall be deemed to have been furnished to each of the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent on the date that such report, proxy statement or other material is posted on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

(b) Notices. The Servicer will notify the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than two (2) Business Days after (other than with respect to clause (v) below)) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps taken or being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Termination Events, Early Amortization Events or Unmatured Termination Events. A statement of a Financial Officer of the Servicer setting forth details of any Termination Event, Early Amortization Events or Unmatured Termination Event that has occurred and is continuing and the action which the Servicer has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) [Reserved].

 

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(iii) Litigation. The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Adverse Claim. (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim other than any Permitted Adverse Claim upon the Collateral or any material portion thereof, (B) any Person other than the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent or the applicable Collection Account Bank shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Borrower, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

(v) Name Changes. Before any change in any Originator’s or the Borrower’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements, a notice setting forth such changes and the effective date thereof.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy. Any change in (A) the external accountants of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator or the Performance Guarantor, (B) any material accounting policy of the Borrower or (C) any material accounting policy of any Originator that is relevant to the Receivables (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(c) Conduct of Business. The Servicer will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic organization in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted if the failure to have such authority could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Compliance with Laws. The Servicer will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Servicer shall service the Receivables in accordance with the terms hereof and the terms of the related Contracts.

(e) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables. The Servicer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Collateral as the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent may reasonably request. The Servicer will, at the Servicer’s expense, during regular business hours with reasonable prior written notice, (i) permit the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of the Servicer for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Collateral or the Servicer’s

 

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performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees or independent public accountants of the Servicer (provided that representatives of the Servicer are present during such discussions) having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i) above, during regular business hours, at the Servicer’s expense, upon reasonable prior written notice from the Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to the Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided, that the Servicer shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent or a Group Agent, as applicable, for only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above and Section 8.01(g) in any twelve-month period unless a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing.

(f) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts. The Servicer will at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. The Servicer will, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections and Deemed Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections and Deemed Collections from other property of the Servicer and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections and Deemed Collections are received by the Borrower (other than in a Collection Account), the Servicer or an Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Group Agents and the other Secured Parties and promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. At all times after the Closing Date, the Servicer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to not permit funds other than Collections and Deemed Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Servicer will within two (2) Business Days identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. The Servicer will use commercially reasonable efforts not to commingle Collections and Deemed Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Group Agent or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds. At all times after the Closing Date, the Servicer shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box), or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Servicer shall cause each of the Collection Accounts (other than the Master Collection Account) to sweep to the Master Collection Account on a daily basis. The Servicer shall only terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

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(g) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables. Except as otherwise permitted in Section 9.02, the Servicer will not alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. The Servicer shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

(h) Change in Credit and Collection Policy. The Servicer will not make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the Servicer will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent.

(i) Records. The Servicer will maintain and implement administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections and Deemed Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).

(j) Identifying of Records. The Servicer shall identify its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts with a legend that indicates that the Pool Receivables have been pledged in accordance with this Agreement.

(k) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors. The Servicer shall not (and shall not permit any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in its instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) prior written notice of such addition, termination or change and (ii) signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreements with respect to such new Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box) and, solely with respect to the replacement or termination of a Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(l) Security Interest, Etc. The Servicer shall, at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than Permitted Adverse Claims in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent

 

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or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Servicer shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. The Servicer shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the Servicer to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of the Borrower, any Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Except in connection with the Final Payout Date, notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Servicer shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(m) Further Assurances. The Servicer hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Without limiting the foregoing, the Servicer hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at the Servicer’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(n) Transaction Information. None of the Servicer, the Borrower, any Originator or any third party contracted by the Servicer, shall deliver, in writing or orally, to any Rating Agency, any Transaction Information without providing such Transaction Information to the applicable Group Agent prior to delivery to such Rating Agency, and will not participate in any oral communications with respect to Transaction Information with any Rating Agency without the participation of such Group Agent.

(o) [Reserved].

(p) [Reserved].

 

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(q) Payment of Obligations; Tax Status. The Servicer will (i) timely file all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable, all of its obligations and liabilities, including Tax liabilities, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Servicer, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.03. Separate Existence of the Borrower. Each of the Borrower and the Servicer hereby acknowledges that the Secured Parties, the Group Agents and the Administrative Agent are entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in reliance upon the Borrower’s identity as a legal entity separate from any Originator, the Servicer and their Affiliates. Therefore, each of the Borrower and Servicer shall take all steps specifically required by this Agreement or reasonably required by the Administrative Agent or any Group Agent to continue the Borrower’s identity as a separate legal entity and to make it apparent to third Persons that the Borrower is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Originators, the Servicer and any other Person, and is not a division of the Originators, the Servicer, its Affiliates or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the other covenants set forth herein, each of the Borrower and the Servicer shall take such actions as shall be required in order that:

(a) Special Purpose Entity. The Borrower will be a special purpose company whose primary activities are restricted in the Borrower LLC Agreement as set forth therein.

(b) No Other Business or Debt. The Borrower shall not engage in any business or activity except as set forth in the Transaction Agreements or in its organizational documents nor, incur any indebtedness or liability other than the Borrower Obligations and as expressly permitted by the Transaction Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Subordinated Notes).

(c) Independent Manager. Not fewer than one member of the Borrower’s board of managers (the “Independent Manager”) shall be a natural person who (i) is provided by a Recognized Service Provider (as defined in the Borrower LLC Agreement), (ii) has never been, and shall at no time be, an equityholder, director, officer, manager, member, partner, officer, employee or associate, or any relative of the foregoing, of any member of the Parent Group (as hereinafter defined) (other than his or her service as an Independent Manager of the Borrower or an independent director or manager of any other bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity formed for the sole purpose of securitizing, or facilitating the securitization of, financial assets of any member or members of the Parent Group), (iii) is not a customer or supplier of any member of the Parent Group (other than his or her service as an Independent Manager of the Borrower or an independent director or manager of any other bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity formed for the sole purpose of securitizing, or facilitating the securitization of, financial assets of any member or members of the Parent Group), (iv) is not any member of the immediate family of a person described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, and (v) has (x) prior experience as an independent director or manager for a corporation or limited liability company whose

 

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organizational or charter documents required the unanimous consent of all independent directors or managers thereof before such corporation or limited liability company could consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it or could file a petition seeking relief under any applicable federal or state law relating to bankruptcy and (y) at least three years of employment experience with one or more entities that provide, in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, advisory, management or placement services to issuers of securitization or structured finance instruments, agreements or securities. For purposes of this clause (c), “Parent Group” shall mean (i) the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor and each Originator, (ii) each person that directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, or as a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, five percent (5%) or more of the ownership in the Performance Guarantor, (iii) each person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Performance Guarantor and (iv) each of such person’s officers, directors, managers, joint venturers and partners. For the purposes of this definition, “control” of a person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. A person shall be deemed to be an “associate” of (A) a corporation or organization of which such person is an officer, director, partner or manager or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of equity securities, (B) any trust or other estate in which such person serves as trustee or in a similar capacity and (C) any relative or spouse of a person described in clause (A) or (B) of this sentence, or any relative of such spouse.

The Borrower shall (A) give written notice to the Administrative Agent of the election or appointment, or proposed election or appointment, of a new Independent Manager of the Borrower, which notice shall be given not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the date such appointment or election would be effective (except when such election or appointment is necessary to fill a vacancy caused by the death, disability, or incapacity of the existing Independent Manager, or the failure of such Independent Manager to satisfy the criteria for an Independent Manager set forth in this clause (c), in which case the Borrower shall provide written notice of such election or appointment within one (1) Business Day) and (B) with any such written notice, certify to the Administrative Agent that the Independent Manager satisfies the criteria for an Independent Manager set forth in this clause (c).

The Borrower LLC Agreement shall provide consent of the Independent Manager is required to take any Material Action.

The Independent Manager shall not at any time serve as a trustee in bankruptcy for the Borrower, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator, the Servicer or any of their respective Affiliates.

(d) Organizational Documents. The Borrower shall maintain its organizational documents in conformity with this Agreement, such that it does not amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify its ability to comply with the terms and provisions of any of the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, Section 8.01(q).

 

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(e) Conduct of Business. The Borrower shall conduct its affairs strictly in accordance with its organizational documents and observe all necessary, appropriate and customary company formalities, including, but not limited to, holding all regular and special members’ and board of managers’ meetings appropriate to authorize all corporate action, keeping separate and accurate minutes of its meetings, passing all resolutions or consents necessary to authorize actions taken or to be taken, and maintaining accurate and separate books, records and accounts, including, but not limited to, payroll and intercompany transaction accounts.

(f) Compensation. Any employee, consultant or agent of the Borrower will be compensated from the Borrower’s funds for services provided to the Borrower, and to the extent that Borrower shares the same officers or other employees as the Servicer (or any other Affiliate thereof), the salaries and expenses relating to providing benefits to such officers and other employees shall be fairly allocated among such entities, and each such entity shall bear its fair share of the salary and benefit costs associated with such common officers and employees; provided, that the foregoing shall not require any Originator to make any additional capital contributions to the Borrower. The Borrower will not engage any agents other than its attorneys, auditors and other professionals, and a servicer and any other agent contemplated by the Transaction Documents for the Receivables Pool, which servicer will be fully compensated for its services by payment of the Servicing Fee.

(g) Servicing and Costs. The Borrower will contract with the Servicer to perform for the Borrower all operations required on a daily basis to service the Receivables Pool. The Borrower will not incur any indirect or overhead expenses for items shared with the Servicer (or any other Affiliate thereof) that are not reflected in the Servicing Fee. To the extent, if any, that the Borrower (or any Affiliate thereof) shares items of expenses not reflected in the Servicing Fee, such as legal, auditing and other professional services, such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis reasonably related to the actual use or the value of services rendered.

(h) Operating Expenses. The Borrower’s operating expenses will not be paid by the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator or any Affiliate thereof and no Originator shall have no obligation to make additional capital contributions to the Borrower for such operating expenses.

(i) Reserved.

(j) Books and Records. The Borrower’s books and records will be maintained separately from those of the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators and any of their Affiliates and in a manner such that it will not be difficult or costly to segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify the assets and liabilities of the Borrower.

 

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(k) Disclosure of Transactions. All financial statements of the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof that are consolidated to include the Borrower will includes statements generally to the effect that (i) the Borrower’s sole business consists of the purchase or acceptance through capital contributions of the Receivables and Related Security from the Originators and the subsequent retransfer of or granting of a security interest in such Receivables and Related Security to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (ii) the Borrower is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled, upon its liquidation, to be satisfied out of the Borrower’s assets prior to any assets or value in the Borrower becoming available to the Borrower’s equity holders and (iii) the assets of the Borrower are not available to pay creditors of the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof.

(l) [Reserved].

(m) Limited Liability Company Formalities. The Borrower will strictly observe corporate formalities in its dealings with the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators or any Affiliates thereof, and funds or other assets of the Borrower will not be commingled with those of the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators or any Affiliates thereof except as permitted by this Agreement in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables. The Borrower shall not maintain joint bank accounts or other depository accounts to which the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Servicer solely in its capacity as such) has independent access.

(n) Arm’s-Length Relationships. The Borrower will maintain arm’s-length relationships with the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators and any Affiliates thereof. Any Person that renders or otherwise furnishes services to the Borrower will be compensated by the Borrower at market rates for such services it renders or otherwise furnishes to the Borrower. Neither the Borrower on the one hand, nor the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator or any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, will be or will hold itself out to be responsible for the debts of the other or the decisions or actions respecting the daily business and affairs of the other. The Borrower, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators and their respective Affiliates will promptly correct any known misrepresentation with respect to the foregoing, and they will not operate or purport to operate as an integrated single economic unit with respect to each other or in their dealing with any other entity.

(o) Allocation of Overhead. To the extent that Borrower, on the one hand, and the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator or any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, have offices in the same location, there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs between them, and the Borrower shall bear its fair share of such expenses, which may be paid through the Servicing Fee or otherwise; provided, that the foregoing shall not require any holder of any equity interests in the Borrower to make any additional capital contributions to the Borrower.

 

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ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES

Section 9.01. Appointment of the Servicer. (a) The servicing, administering and collection of the Pool Receivables shall be conducted by the Person so designated from time to time as the Servicer in accordance with this Section 9.01. Until the Administrative Agent gives notice to Rackspace US (in accordance with this Section 9.01) of the designation of a new Servicer, Rackspace US is hereby designated as, and hereby agrees to perform the duties and obligations of, the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Majority Group Agents) and shall (at the direction of the Majority Group Agents) designate as Servicer any Person (including itself) to succeed Rackspace US or any successor Servicer, on the condition in each case that any such Person so designated shall agree in writing to perform the duties and obligations of the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. The Servicer shall be entitled to payment of all Servicing Fees and reimbursable expenses accrued prior to the date of such termination.

(b) Upon the designation of a successor Servicer as set forth in clause (a) above, Rackspace US agrees that it will terminate its activities as Servicer hereunder in a manner that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines will facilitate the transition of the performance of such activities to the new Servicer, and Rackspace US shall cooperate with and assist such new Servicer. Such cooperation shall include access to and transfer of records (including all Contracts) related to Pool Receivables and use by the new Servicer of all licenses (or the obtaining of new licenses), hardware or software reasonably necessary to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.

(c) Rackspace US acknowledges that, in making its decision to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and each member in each Group have relied on Rackspace US’s agreement to act as Servicer hereunder. Accordingly, Rackspace US agrees that it will not voluntarily resign as Servicer without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents, unless Rackspace US determines based on an opinion of counsel that it is prohibited by Applicable Law from performing its duties as Servicer hereunder.

(d) The Servicer may delegate its duties and obligations hereunder to any subservicer (each a “Sub-Servicer”); provided, that, in each such delegation: (i) the Servicer shall remain liable for the performance of the duties and obligations so delegated, (ii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Group Agent shall have the right to look solely to the Servicer for performance, (iii) such Sub-Servicer’s right to subservice shall immediately terminate upon the termination of the Servicer hereunder (unless such Sub-Servicer is only servicing Receivables that have been, consistent with past practices, been written off as uncollectible, in which case such subservicing is not required to immediately terminate) and (iv) if such Sub-Servicer is not an Affiliate of Rackspace US, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents shall have consented in writing in advance to such delegation (unless such Sub-Servicer is only servicing Receivables that have been, consistent with past practices, been written off as uncollectible, in which case such consent is not required).

 

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Section 9.02. Duties of the Servicer. (a) The Servicer shall take or cause to be taken all such action as may be necessary or reasonably advisable to service, administer and collect each Pool Receivable from time to time, all in accordance with this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, with reasonable care and diligence, and in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) and consistent with the past practices of the Originators. The Servicer shall set aside, for the accounts of each Group, the amount of Collections and Deemed Collections to which each such Group is entitled in accordance with Article IV hereof. The Servicer may, in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) and consistent with past practices of the Originators, take such action, including modifications, waivers or restructurings of Pool Receivables and related Contracts, as the Servicer may reasonably determine to be appropriate to maximize Collections thereof or reflect adjustments expressly permitted under the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) or as expressly required under Applicable Laws or the applicable Contract; provided, that for purposes of this Agreement: (i) such action shall not, and shall not be deemed to, change the number of days such Pool Receivable has remained unpaid from the date of the original due date related to such Pool Receivable, (ii) such action shall not alter the status of such Pool Receivable as a Delinquent Receivable or a Defaulted Receivable or limit the rights of any Secured Party under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) if (x) a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Servicer notice that such actions require the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Servicer may take such action only upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall deliver to the Servicer and the Servicer shall hold for the benefit of the Administrative Agent (individually and for the benefit of each Group), in accordance with their respective interests, all records and documents (including computer tapes or disks) with respect to each Pool Receivable.

(b) The Servicer shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following actual receipt of collected funds, turn over to the appropriate Person entitled thereto the collections of any indebtedness that is not a Pool Receivable, less, if Rackspace US or an Affiliate thereof is not the Servicer, all reasonable and appropriate out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Servicer of servicing, collecting and administering such collections. The Servicer, if other than Rackspace US or an Affiliate thereof, shall, as soon as reasonably practicable upon written demand, deliver to the appropriate Person entitled thereto all records in its possession that evidence or relate to any indebtedness that is not a Pool Receivable, and copies of records in its possession that evidence or relate to any indebtedness that is a Pool Receivable.

(c) The Servicer’s obligations hereunder shall terminate on the Final Payout Date. Promptly following the Final Payout date, the Servicer shall deliver to the Borrower all books, records and related materials that the Borrower previously provided to the Servicer, or that have been obtained by the Servicer, in connection with this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.03. Collection Account Arrangements. Prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower and/or the Servicer, as applicable, shall have entered into Account Control Agreements with all of the Collection Account Banks and delivered executed counterparts of each to the Administrative Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Termination Event, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Majority Group Agents) and shall (upon the direction of the Majority Group Agents) at any time thereafter give notice to each Collection Account Bank that the Administrative Agent is exercising its rights under the Collection Account Agreements to do any or all of the following: (a) to have the exclusive ownership and control of the Collection Accounts transferred to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and to exercise exclusive dominion and control over the funds deposited therein, (b) to have the proceeds that are sent to the respective Collection Accounts redirected pursuant to the Administrative Agent’s instructions rather than deposited in the applicable Collection Account and (c) to take any or all other actions permitted under the applicable Account Control Agreement. The Borrower hereby agrees that if the Administrative Agent at any time takes any action set forth in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) of the proceeds (including Collections and Deemed Collections) of all Pool Receivables and the Borrower hereby further agrees to take any other action that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to transfer such control. Any proceeds of Pool Receivables received by the Borrower or the Servicer thereafter shall be sent immediately to, or as otherwise instructed by, the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.04. Enforcement Rights. (a) At any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of a Termination Event:

(i) the Administrative Agent (at the Borrower’s expense) may direct the Obligors that payment of all amounts payable under any Pool Receivable is to be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee;

(ii) the Administrative Agent may instruct the Borrower or the Servicer to give notice of the Secured Parties’ interest in Pool Receivables to each Obligor, which notice shall direct that payments be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be, shall give such notice at the expense of the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be; provided, that if the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be, fails to so notify each Obligor within two (2) Business Days following instruction by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent (at the Borrower’s or the Servicer’s, as the case may be, expense) may so notify the Obligors;

(iii) the Administrative Agent may request the Servicer to, and upon such request the Servicer shall: (A) assemble all of the records necessary to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and transfer or license to a successor Servicer the use of all software reasonably necessary to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and make the same available to the Administrative Agent or its designee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) at a place selected by the Administrative Agent and (B) segregate all cash, checks and other instruments received by it from time to time constituting Collections in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, promptly upon receipt, remit all such cash, checks and instruments, duly endorsed or with duly executed instruments of transfer, to the Administrative Agent or its designee;

 

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(iv) the Administrative Agent may assume exclusive control of each Collection Account and notify the Collection Account Banks that the Borrower and the Servicer will no longer have any access to the Collection Accounts;

(v) the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Majority Group Agents shall) replace the Person then acting as Servicer; and

(vi) the Administrative Agent may collect any amounts due from an Originator under the Receivables Purchase Agreement or the Performance Guarantor under the Performance Guaranty.

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of the Borrower, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of the Borrower and on behalf of the Borrower necessary, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Termination Event, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Collateral, including endorsing the name of the Borrower on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.

(c) The Servicer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of the Servicer, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of the Servicer and on behalf of the Servicer necessary, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Termination Event, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Collateral, including endorsing the name of the Servicer on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.

Section 9.05. Responsibilities of the Borrower. (a) The Borrower shall: (i) perform all of its obligations, if any, under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables to the same extent as if interests in such Pool Receivables had not been transferred hereunder, and the exercise by the Administrative Agent, or any other Credit Party of their respective rights hereunder shall not relieve the Borrower from such obligations and (ii) pay when due any taxes, including any sales taxes payable in connection with the Pool Receivables and their creation and satisfaction. None of the Credit Parties shall have any obligation or liability with respect to any Collateral, nor shall any of them be obligated to perform any of the obligations of the Borrower, the Servicer or any Originator thereunder.

 

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(b) Rackspace US hereby irrevocably agrees that if at any time it shall cease to be the Servicer hereunder, it shall act (if the then-current Servicer so requests) as the data-processing agent of the Servicer and, in such capacity, Rackspace US shall conduct the data-processing functions of the administration of the Receivables and the Collections thereon in substantially the same way that Rackspace US conducted such data-processing functions while it acted as the Servicer. In connection with any such processing functions, the Borrower shall pay to Rackspace US its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses from the Borrower’s own funds (subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section 4.01).

Section 9.06. Servicing Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Servicer a fee (the “Servicing Fee”) equal to 1.00% per annum (the “Servicing Fee Rate”) of the monthly average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables.

ARTICLE X

TERMINATION EVENTS

Section 10.01. Termination Events. If any of the following events (each a “Termination Event”) shall occur:

(a) (i) the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor, or the Servicer shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be performed or observed by the Borrower, such Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, as applicable (other than any such failure which would constitute a Termination Event under clause (ii) of this paragraph (a)), and such failure, solely to the extent capable of cure, shall continue for thirty (30) days, (ii) the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall fail to make when due any payment of principal, interest or any other amount or deposit to be made by it under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and such failure shall continue unremedied for five (5) Business Days or (iii) Rackspace US shall resign as Servicer, and no successor Servicer reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been appointed;

(b) the Borrower shall fail to repay in full the outstanding Capital of each Lender on the Maturity Date;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer (or any of their respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any information or report delivered by the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered and such incorrect or untrue representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain false or misleading for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

 

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(d) the Borrower or the Servicer shall fail to deliver an Information Package when required and such failure shall remain unremedied for two (2) Business Days;

(e) this Agreement or any security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall for any reason (other than through an action of the Administrative Agent) cease to create, or for any reason cease to be, a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Collateral, free and clear of any Adverse Claim other than any Permitted Adverse Claim;

(f) the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall become subject to an Insolvency Proceeding as a debtor;

(g) a Change in Control shall occur;

(h) a Borrowing Base Deficit shall occur, and shall not have been cured within three (3) Business Days after a Financial Officer of the Servicer has actual knowledge thereof;

(i) (x) any event or condition occurs that (A) results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Material Indebtedness with respect to Permitted Securitization Financings) or (B) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; or (y) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided, that this clause (i) shall not apply to any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

(j) (i) the Borrower shall fail to have an Independent Manager who satisfies each requirement and qualification specified in Section 8.03(c) of this Agreement for Independent Managers on the Borrower’s board of managers for any reason other than the predecessor Independent Manager’s death, disability or incapacity or (ii) the Borrower shall fail to have an Independent Manager who satisfies each requirement and qualification specified in Section 8.03(c) of this Agreement for Independent Managers on the Borrower’s board of managers because of the predecessor Independent Manager’s death, disability or incapacity and such failure shall continue for more than (10) Business Days after Borrower’s knowledge thereof (or such longer period as may approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed));

 

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(k) a Reportable Event shall have occurred, (ii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings (including giving notice of intent thereof) to terminate any Pension Plan or Pension Plans, (iii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Pension Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(l) the Borrower shall be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act;

(m) any material provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall cease to be in full force and effect or any of the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall so state in writing; or

(n) the failure by the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Servicer or any Material Subsidiary to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of $75,000,000 (or solely with respect to the Borrower, $15,775) (in each case, to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor, the Servicer or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Majority Group Agents shall) by notice to the Borrower (x) declare the Termination Date to have occurred (in which case the Termination Date shall be deemed to have occurred) and (y) declare the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower Obligations to be immediately due and payable (in which case the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower Obligations shall be immediately due and payable); provided that, automatically upon the occurrence of any event (without any requirement for the giving of notice) described in subsection (e) of this Section 10.01 with respect to the Borrower, the Termination Date shall occur and the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower Obligations shall be immediately due and payable. Upon any such declaration or designation or upon such automatic termination, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies which they may have under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, all other rights and remedies provided after default under the UCC and under other Applicable Law, which rights and remedies shall be cumulative. Any proceeds from liquidation of the Collateral shall be applied in the order of priority set forth in Section 4.01.

Section 10.02. Early Amortization Events. Upon the occurrence of an Early Amortization Event, the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Majority Group Agents shall) by notice to the Borrower declare the Termination Date to have occurred (in which case the Termination Date shall be deemed to have occurred).

 

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ARTICLE XI

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 11.01. Authorization and Action. Each Credit Party hereby appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties other than those expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents, and no implied obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Transaction Document, or otherwise exist, against the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent does not assume, nor shall it be deemed to have assumed, any obligation to, or relationship of trust or agency with, the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any Credit Party except for any obligations expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in no event shall the Administrative Agent ever be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to any provision of any Transaction Document or Applicable Law.

Section 11.02. Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them as Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent’s servicing, administering or collecting Pool Receivables in the event it replaces the Servicer in such capacity pursuant to Section 9.01), in the absence of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (a) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for any Credit Party or the Servicer), independent certified public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (b) makes no warranty or representation to any Credit Party (whether written or oral) and shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made by any other party in or in connection with this Agreement; (c) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement on the part of any Credit Party or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Credit Party; (d) shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (e) shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in so relying, upon any notice (including notice by telephone), consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by facsimile) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

Section 11.03. Administrative Agent and Affiliates. With respect to any Credit Extension or interests therein owned by any Credit Party that is also the Administrative Agent, such Credit Party shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Credit Party and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any of its Affiliates may generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and any Person who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, all as if the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Secured Party.

 

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Section 11.04. Indemnification of Administrative Agent. Each Committed Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof), ratably according to the respective Pro Rata Percentage of such Committed Lender, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that no Committed Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 11.05. Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

Section 11.06. Action or Inaction by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to take action under any Transaction Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Group Agents or the Majority Group Agents, as the case may be, and assurance of its indemnification by the Committed Lenders, as it deems appropriate. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in accordance with a request or at the direction of the Group Agents or the Majority Group Agents, as the case may be, and such request or direction and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Credit Parties. The Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent agree that unless any action to be taken by the Administrative Agent under a Transaction Document (i) specifically requires the advice or concurrence of all Group Agents or (ii) may be taken by the Administrative Agent alone or without any advice or concurrence of any Group Agent, then the Administrative Agent may take action based upon the advice or concurrence of the Majority Group Agents.

Section 11.07. Notice of Termination Events or Early Amortization Events; Action by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from any Credit Party or the Borrower stating that an Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event has occurred hereunder and describing such Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event. If the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to each Group Agent, whereupon each Group Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to its respective Conduit Lender(s) and Related Committed Lender(s). The Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, concerning an Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event or any other matter hereunder as the Administrative Agent deems advisable and in the best interests of the Secured Parties.

 

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Section 11.08. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Parties. Each Credit Party expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent. Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, it has made and will continue to make its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, prospects, financial and other conditions and creditworthiness of the Borrower, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer and the Pool Receivables and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to take, or omit, action under any Transaction Document. Except for items expressly required to be delivered under any Transaction Document by the Administrative Agent to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Credit Party with any information concerning the Borrower, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer that comes into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

Section 11.09. Successor Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative Agent may, upon at least thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, the Servicer and each Group Agent, resign as Administrative Agent. Except as provided below, such resignation shall not become effective until (i) a successor Administrative Agent is appointed by the Majority Group Agents as a successor Administrative Agent and has accepted such appointment and (ii) the Borrower has consented to such successor Administrative Agent unless a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing (in which case the Borrower’s consent is not required). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Group Agents, within thirty (30) days after the departing Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, the departing Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Secured Parties, appoint a successor Administrative Agent as successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Group Agents within sixty (60) days after the departing Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, the departing Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Secured Parties, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Administrative Agent.

(b) Upon such acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the resigning Administrative Agent, and the resigning Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Transaction Documents. After any resigning Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XI and Article XIII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 11.10. Arranger. Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Arranger shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement. Each Credit Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Arranger in deciding to enter into this Agreement and to take, or omit to take, any action under any Transaction Document.

ARTICLE XII

THE GROUP AGENTS

Section 12.01. Authorization and Action. Each Credit Party that belongs to a Group hereby appoints and authorizes the Group Agent for such Group to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to such Group Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. No Group Agent shall have any duties other than those expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents, and no implied obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Transaction Document, or otherwise exist, against any Group Agent. No Group Agent assumes, nor shall it be deemed to have assumed, any obligation to, or relationship of trust or agency with the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, any Lender except for any obligations expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in no event shall any Group Agent ever be required to take any action which exposes such Group Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to any provision of any Transaction Document or Applicable Law.

Section 12.02. Group Agent’s Reliance, Etc. No Group Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them as a Group Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents in the absence of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Group Agent: (a) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or the Servicer), independent certified public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (b) makes no warranty or representation to any Credit Party (whether written or oral) and shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made by any other party in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; (c) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document on the part of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any other Person or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof; (d) shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other Transaction Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (e) shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in so relying, upon any notice (including notice by telephone), consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by facsimile) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

 

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Section 12.03. Group Agent and Affiliates. With respect to any Credit Extension or interests therein owned by any Credit Party that is also a Group Agent, such Credit Party shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not a Group Agent. A Group Agent and any of its Affiliates may generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and any Person who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any of their respective Affiliates, all as if such Group Agent were not a Group Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Secured Party.

Section 12.04. Indemnification of Group Agents. Each Committed Lender in any Group agrees to indemnify the Group Agent for such Group (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof), ratably according to the proportion of the Pro Rata Percentage of such Committed Lender to the aggregate Pro Rata Percentages of all Committed Lenders in such Group, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Group Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any action taken or omitted by such Group Agent under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that no Committed Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Group Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 12.05. Delegation of Duties. Each Group Agent may execute any of its duties through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Group Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

Section 12.06. Notice of Termination Events or Early Amortization Events. No Group Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event unless such Group Agent has received notice from the Administrative Agent, any other Group Agent, any other Credit Party, the Servicer or the Borrower stating that an Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event has occurred hereunder and describing such Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event. If a Group Agent receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to the Credit Parties in its Group and to the Administrative Agent (but only if such notice received by such Group Agent was not sent by the Administrative Agent). A Group Agent may take such action concerning an Unmatured Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Termination Event as may be directed by Committed Lenders in its Group representing a majority of the Commitments in such Group (subject to the other provisions of this Article XII), but until such Group Agent receives such directions, such Group Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as such Group Agent deems advisable and in the best interests of the Conduit Lenders and Committed Lenders in its Group.

 

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Section 12.07. Non-Reliance on Group Agent and Other Parties. Each Credit Party expressly acknowledges that neither the Group Agent for its Group nor any of such Group Agent’s directors, officers, agents or employees has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by such Group Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by such Group Agent. Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Group Agent for its Group that, independently and without reliance upon such Group Agent, any other Group Agent, the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, it has made and will continue to make its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, prospects, financial and other conditions and creditworthiness of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and the Receivables and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to take, or omit, action under any Transaction Document. Except for items expressly required to be delivered under any Transaction Document by a Group Agent to any Credit Party in its Group, no Group Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Credit Party in its Group with any information concerning the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that comes into the possession of such Group Agent or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

Section 12.08. Successor Group Agent. Any Group Agent may, upon at least thirty (30) days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Servicer and the Credit Parties in its Group, resign as Group Agent for its Group. Such resignation shall not become effective until (i) a successor Group Agent is appointed by the Lender(s) in such Group and (ii) the Borrower has consented to such successor Group Agent unless a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing (in which case the Borrower’s consent is not required). Upon such acceptance of its appointment as Group Agent for such Group hereunder by a successor Group Agent, such successor Group Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the resigning Group Agent, and the resigning Group Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Transaction Documents. After any resigning Group Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XII and Article XIII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was a Group Agent.

Section 12.09. Reliance on Group Agent. Unless otherwise advised in writing by a Group Agent or by any Credit Party in such Group Agent’s Group, each party to this Agreement may assume that (i) such Group Agent is acting for the benefit and on behalf of each of the Credit Parties in its Group, as well as for the benefit of each assignee or other transferee from any such Person and (ii) each action taken by such Group Agent has been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action on the part of the Credit Parties in its Group.

ARTICLE XIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 13.01. Indemnities by the Borrower. (a) Without limiting any other rights that the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “Borrower Indemnified Party”) may have hereunder or under Applicable Law, the Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Borrower Indemnified Party from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities (including Attorney Costs) (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as “Borrower Indemnified Amounts”)

 

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arising out of or resulting from this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of the Credit Extensions or the security interest in respect of any Pool Receivable or any other Collateral; excluding, however, (x) Borrower Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such Borrower Indemnified Amounts resulted primarily from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Borrower Indemnified Party seeking indemnification and (y) Taxes that are not attributable to either (A) a non-Tax-related Borrower Indemnified Amount or (B) a Tax-related Borrower Indemnified Amount specified below. Without limiting or being limited by the foregoing, the Borrower shall pay on written demand (which demand shall be accompanied by documentation of the Borrower Indemnified Amounts in reasonable detail) (it being understood that if any portion of such payment obligation is made from Collections or Deemed Collections, such payment will be made at the time and in the order of priority set forth in Section 4.01), to each Borrower Indemnified Party any and all amounts necessary to indemnify such Borrower Indemnified Party from and against any and all Borrower Indemnified Amounts relating to or resulting from any of the following (but excluding Borrower Indemnified Amounts and Taxes described in clauses (x) and (y) above):

(i) any Pool Receivable which the Borrower or the Servicer includes as an Eligible Receivable as part of the Net Receivables Pool Balance but which is not an Eligible Receivable at such time;

(ii) any written representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by the Borrower (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Information Package or any other written information or report (other than projections, forward-looking statements and information of a general economic or industry nature) delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(iii) the failure by the Borrower to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract; or the failure of any Pool Receivable or the related Contract to conform to any such Applicable Law;

(iv) the failure to vest in the Administrative Agent a first priority perfected security interest in all or any portion of the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim;

(v) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing statements, financing statement amendments, continuation statements or other similar instruments or documents under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other Applicable Laws with respect to any Pool Receivable and the other Collateral and Collections in respect thereof, whether at the time of any Credit Extension or at any subsequent time;

(vi) any dispute, claim or defense (other than any reduction, revision or discharge in bankruptcy) of an Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including, without limitation, a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from or relating to collection

 

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activities with respect to such Pool Receivable, or the sale of goods or the rendering of services related to such Pool Receivable or the furnishing or failure to furnish any such goods or services or other similar claim or defense not arising from the financial inability of any Obligor to pay undisputed indebtedness;

(vii) any failure of the Borrower to perform any of its duties or obligations in accordance with the provisions hereof and of each other Transaction Document related to Pool Receivables or to timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy (or the current and historical practices of the applicable Originator if the Credit and Collection Policy has not been delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(cc)) in regard to each Pool Receivable;

(viii) any products liability, environmental or other claim arising out of or in connection with any Pool Receivable or other merchandise, goods or services which are the subject of or related to any Pool Receivable;

(ix) the commingling of Collections and Deemed Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(x) any investigation, litigation or proceeding (actual or threatened) brought by a Person other than a Borrower Indemnified Party related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of any Credit Extensions or in respect of any Pool Receivable or other Collateral or any related Contract;

(xi) any failure of the Borrower to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

(xii) any setoff with respect to any Pool Receivable;

(xiii) any claim brought by any Person other than a Borrower Indemnified Party arising from any activity by the Borrower or the Servicer (if an Affiliate of the Borrower) in servicing, administering or collecting any Pool Receivable;

(xiv) the failure by the Borrower to pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, sales, excise or personal property taxes;

(xv) any failure of a Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreement or any amounts payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement;

(xvi) the failure or delay to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;

(xvii) any action taken by the Administrative Agent as attorney-in-fact for the Borrower, any Originator or the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

 

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(xviii) the use of proceeds of any Credit Extension; or

(xix) any reduction in Capital as a result of the distribution of Collections if all or a portion of such distributions shall thereafter be rescinded or otherwise must be returned for any reason.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, solely for purposes of the Borrower’s indemnification obligations in clauses (ii), (iii), (vii) and (xi) of this Article XIII, any representation, warranty or covenant qualified by the occurrence or non-occurrence of a material adverse effect or similar concepts of materiality shall be deemed to be not so qualified.

(c) If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Borrower Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Borrower shall contribute to such Borrower Indemnified Party the amount paid or payable by such Borrower Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Borrower on the one hand and such Borrower Indemnified Party on the other hand in the matters contemplated by this Agreement as well as the relative fault of the Borrower and such Borrower Indemnified Party with respect to such loss, claim, damage or liability and any other relevant equitable considerations. The reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations of the Borrower under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Borrower may otherwise have, shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to each Borrower Indemnified Party, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Borrower and the Borrower Indemnified Parties.

(d) Any indemnification or contribution under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 13.02. Indemnities by the Servicer. (a) The Servicer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “Servicer Indemnified Party”), from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained by reason of any of the events referenced in clauses (i) through (vii) below, including any judgment, award, settlement, Attorney Costs and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as, “Servicer Indemnified Amounts”):

(i) any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by the Servicer (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Information Package or any other written information or report (other than projections, forward-looking statements and information of a general economic or industry nature) delivered by or on behalf of the Servicer pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(ii) the failure by the Servicer to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract, or the failure of any Pool Receivable or the related Contract to conform to any such Applicable Law;

 

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(iii) any failure of the Servicer to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party in its capacity as Servicer;

(iv) the commingling of Collections and Deemed Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(v) any failure of a Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreement or any amounts payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement;

(vi) any failure or delay in invoicing any Pool Receivable; or

(vii) any Pool Receivable which the Servicer includes as an Eligible Receivable on any Information Package as part of the Net Receivables Pool Balance but which is not an Eligible Receivable at such time of such Information Package;

excluding, in each case above, (x) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such Servicer Indemnified Amounts resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Servicer Indemnified Party seeking indemnification, (y) Taxes that are both (A) covered by Section 5.03 and (B) not attributable to a non-Tax Servicer Indemnified Amount and (z) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent the same includes losses in respect of Pool Receivables that are uncollectible solely on account of the insolvency, bankruptcy or lack of creditworthiness of the related Obligor.

(b) If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Servicer Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Servicer shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Servicer Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Servicer on the one hand and such Servicer Indemnified Party on the other hand in the matters contemplated by this Agreement as well as the relative fault of the Servicer and such Servicer Indemnified Party with respect to such loss, claim, damage or liability and any other relevant equitable considerations. The reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations of the Servicer under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Servicer may otherwise have, shall extend upon the same terms and conditions to Servicer Indemnified Party, and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Servicer and the Servicer Indemnified Parties.

(c) Any indemnification or contribution under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 14.01. Amendments, Etc. (a) No failure on the part of any party to this Agreement to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party to this Agreement shall be effective unless in a writing signed by the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents (and, in the case of any amendment, also signed by the Borrower), and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Servicer, affect the rights or duties of the Servicer under this Agreement; (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent:

(i) change (directly or indirectly) the definitions of, Borrowing Base Deficit, Defaulted Receivable, Delinquent Receivable, Eligible Receivable, Facility Limit, Scheduled Termination Date, Net Receivables Pool Balance or Total Reserves contained in this Agreement, or increase the then existing Concentration Percentage for any Obligor or change the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

(ii) reduce the amount of Capital or Interest that is payable on account of any Loan or delay any scheduled date for payment thereof;

(iii) change any Termination Event or Early Amortization Event;

(iv) release all or a material portion of the Pool Receivables or Collateral from the Administrative Agent’s security interest created hereunder;

(v) release the Performance Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Performance Guaranty or terminate the Performance Guaranty.

(vi) change any of the provisions of this Section 14.01 or the definition of “Majority Group Agents”; or

(vii) change the order of priority in which Collections and Deemed Collections are applied pursuant to Section 4.01.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall increase any Committed Lender’s Commitment hereunder without the consent of such Committed Lender, (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall reduce any Fees payable by the Borrower to any member of any Group or delay the dates on which any such Fees are payable, in either case, without the consent of the Group Agent for such Group, and (C) no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clauses (i)-(v) above and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.

 

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Section 14.02. Notices, Etc. All notices and other communications hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (which shall include email and facsimile communication) and emailed, faxed or delivered, to each party hereto, at its address set forth under its name on Schedule III hereto or at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices and communications by facsimile shall be effective when sent (and shall be followed by hard copy sent by regular mail), notices and communications sent by email shall be effective when confirmed by electronic receipt or otherwise acknowledged, and notices and communications sent by other means shall be effective when received.

Section 14.03. Assignability; Addition of Lenders.

(a) Assignment by Conduit Lenders. This Agreement and the rights of each Conduit Lender hereunder (including each Loan made by it hereunder) shall be assignable by such Conduit Lender and its successors and permitted assigns (i) to any Program Support Provider of such Conduit Lender without prior notice to or consent from the Borrower or any other party, or any other condition or restriction of any kind, (ii) to any other Lender with prior notice to the Borrower but without consent from the Borrower or (iii) with the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that such consent shall not be required if a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing), to any other Eligible Assignee. Each assignor of a Loan or any interest therein may, in connection with the assignment or participation, disclose to the assignee or Participant any information relating to the Borrower and its Affiliates, including the Receivables, furnished to such assignor by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Affiliates or by the Administrative Agent; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or Participant agrees to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Borrower and its Affiliates received by it from any of the foregoing entities in a manner consistent with Section 14.06(b).

(b) Assignment by Committed Lenders. Each Committed Lender may assign to any Eligible Assignee or to any other Committed Lender all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and any Loan or interests therein owned by it); provided, however that

(i) except for an assignment by a Committed Lender to either an Affiliate of such Committed Lender or any other Committed Lender, each such assignment shall require the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that such consent shall not be required if a Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing);

(ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

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(iii) the amount being assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement with respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than the lesser of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) all of the assigning Committed Lender’s Commitment; and

(iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement.

Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement, and to the extent that rights and obligations under this Agreement have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Committed Lender hereunder and (y) the assigning Committed Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, relinquish such rights and be released from such obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Committed Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Committed Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain at its address referred to on Schedule III of this Agreement (or such other address of the Administrative Agent notified by the Administrative Agent to the other parties hereto) a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance Agreement delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Committed Lenders and the Conduit Lenders, the Commitment of each Committed Lender and the aggregate outstanding Capital (and stated interest) of the Loans of each Conduit Lender and Committed Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent, the Group Agents, and the other Credit Parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Committed Lender or Conduit Lender, as the case may be, under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Servicer, any Group Agent, any Conduit Lender or any Committed Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Procedure. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement executed and delivered by an assigning Committed Lender and an Eligible Assignee or assignee Committed Lender, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement has been duly completed, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and the Servicer.

(e) Participations. Each Committed Lender may sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, a “Participant”) in or to all or a portion of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and the interests in the Loans owned by it); provided, however, that

 

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(i) such Committed Lender’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment to the Borrower hereunder) shall remain unchanged, and

(ii) such Committed Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties to this Agreement for the performance of such obligations.

The Administrative Agent, the Group Agents, the Conduit Lenders, the other Committed Lenders, the Borrower and the Servicer shall have the right to continue to deal solely and directly with such Committed Lender in connection with such Committed Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

(f) Participant Register. Each Committed Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Committed Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under any this Agreement) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Committed Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(g) Assignments by Agents. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent herein shall be assignable by the Administrative Agent or such Group Agent, as the case may be, and its successors and assigns; provided that in the case of an assignment to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or such Group Agent, so long as no Termination Event or an Early Amortization Event has occurred and is continuing, such assignment shall require the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(h) Assignments by the Borrower or the Servicer. Neither the Borrower nor, except as provided in Section 9.01, the Servicer may assign any of its respective rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent (such consent to be provided or withheld in the sole discretion of such Person).

 

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(i) Addition of Lenders or Groups. The Borrower may, with written notice to the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent, add additional Persons as Lenders (by creating a new Group) or cause an existing Lender to increase its Commitment; provided, however, that the Commitment of any existing Lender may only be increased with the prior written consent of such Lender. Each new Lender (or Group) shall become a party hereto, by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, an assumption agreement (each, an “Assumption Agreement”) in the form of Exhibit C hereto (which Assumption Agreement shall, in the case of any new Lender, be executed by each Person in such new Lender’s Group).

(j) Pledge to a Federal Reserve Bank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) any Lender, Program Support Provider or any of their respective Affiliates may at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its interest in, to and under this Agreement (including, without limitation, rights to payment of Capital and Interest) and any other Transaction Document to secure its obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, without notice to or the consent of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Affiliate thereof or any Credit Party; provided, however, that that no such pledge shall relieve such assignor of its obligations under this Agreement.

(k) Pledges by Conduit Lenders and CP Issuers. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including this Section 14.03), any Conduit Lender or CP Issuer may at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, rights to payment of the principal balance of a Loan and any Interest thereon) to any Conduit Trustee without notice to or consent of the Borrower (and without entering into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement); provided, that no such pledge or grant of security interest shall release such Conduit Lender or CP Issuer from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such Conduit Trustee for such Conduit Lender or CP Issuer as a party hereto.

Section 14.04. Costs and Expenses. In addition to the rights of indemnification granted under Section 13.01 hereof, the Borrower agrees to pay within thirty days after written demand therefor (which demand shall be accompanied by documentation thereof in reasonable detail) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement, any Program Support Agreement (or any supplement or amendment thereof) specifically related to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements, consents and waivers, if any, from time to time hereto and thereto), including, without limitation, (i) the reasonable Attorney Costs for the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and any of their respective Affiliates with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates as to their rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and (ii) reasonable accountants’, auditors’ and consultants’ fees and expenses for the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and any of their respective Affiliates and the fees and charges of any nationally recognized statistical rating agency incurred in connection with the administration and maintenance of this Agreement or advising the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party as to their rights and remedies under this Agreement or as to any actual or reasonably claimed breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 14.04 in connection with the Closing of this Agreement, any Program Support specifically related to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall not exceed $225,000. In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay on written demand (which demand shall be accompanied by documentation thereof in reasonable detail) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs), of the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates, incurred in connection with the enforcement of any of their respective rights or remedies under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

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Section 14.05. No Proceedings; Limitation on Payments. (a) Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Servicer, each Group Agent, each Lender and each assignee of a Loan or any interest therein, hereby covenants and agrees that it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, any Conduit Lender any Insolvency Proceeding so long as any Notes or other senior indebtedness issued by such Conduit Lender shall be outstanding or there shall not have elapsed one year plus one day since the last day on which any such Notes or other senior indebtedness shall have been outstanding.

(b) Each of the Servicer, each Group Agent, each Lender and each assignee of a Loan or any interest therein, hereby covenants and agrees that it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Borrower any Insolvency Proceeding until one year and one day after the Final Payout Date; provided, that the Administrative Agent may take any such action in its sole discretion following the occurrence of a Termination Event.

(c) Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement to the contrary, a Conduit Lender shall not, and shall be under no obligation to, pay any amount, if any, payable by it pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document unless (i) such Conduit Lender has received funds which may be used to make such payment and which funds are not required to repay such Conduit Lender’s Notes when due and (ii) after giving effect to such payment, either (x) such Conduit Lender could issue Notes to refinance all of its outstanding Notes (assuming such outstanding Notes matured at such time) in accordance with the program documents governing such Conduit Lender’s securitization program or (y) all of such Conduit Lender’s Notes are paid in full. Any amount which any Conduit Lender does not pay pursuant to the operation of the preceding sentence shall not constitute a claim (as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) against or company obligation of such Conduit Lender for any such insufficiency unless and until such Conduit Lender satisfies the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) above. The provisions of this Section 14.05 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 14.06. Confidentiality. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Servicer covenants and agrees to hold in confidence, and not disclose to any Person, the terms of this Agreement (including any fees payable in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the identity of the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party), except as the Administrative Agent and each Group Agent may have consented to in writing prior to any proposed disclosure; provided, however, that it may disclose such information (i) to its Advisors and Representatives or to a Conduit Trustee, (ii) to the extent such information has become available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by or through the Borrower, the Servicer or their Advisors and Representatives, (iii) in connection with the enforcement of its rights and remedies under this Agreement, any other Transaction Agreement or any Applicable Law or (iv) to the extent it should be (A) required by Applicable Law, or in connection with any legal or regulatory proceeding or (B) requested by any Governmental Authority to disclose such information; provided, that, in the case of clause (iv) above, the Borrower and the Servicer will use reasonable efforts to maintain

 

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confidentiality and will use commercially reasonable efforts to (unless otherwise prohibited by Applicable Law) notify the Administrative Agent and the affected Credit Party of its intention to make any such disclosure prior to making such disclosure. Each of the Borrower and the Servicer agrees to be responsible for any breach of this Section by its Representatives and Advisors and agrees that its Representatives and Advisors will be advised by it of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to comply with this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly agreed that each of the Borrower, the Servicer and their respective Affiliates may publish a press release or otherwise publicly announce the existence and principal amount of the Commitments under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that the Administrative Agent shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to review such press release or other public announcement prior to its release and provide comment thereon; and provided, further, that no such press release shall name or otherwise identify the Administrative Agent, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates without such Person’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower consents to the publication by the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party of a tombstone or similar advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Each of the Administrative Agent and each other Credit Party, severally and with respect to itself only, agrees to hold in confidence, and not disclose to any Person, any confidential and proprietary information concerning the Borrower, the Servicer and their respective Affiliates and their businesses or the terms of this Agreement (including any fees payable in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents), except as the Borrower or the Servicer may have consented to in writing prior to any proposed disclosure; provided, however, that it may disclose such information (i) to its Advisors and Representatives and to any related Program Support Provider, (ii) to its assignees and Participants and potential assignees and Participants and their respective counsel if they agree in writing to hold it confidential, (iii) to the extent such information has become available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by or through it or its Representatives or Advisors or any related Program Support Provider, (iv) to any nationally recognized statistical rating organization in connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating of any Conduit Lender’s Notes or as contemplated by 17 CFR 240.17g-5(a)(3), (v) at the request of a bank examiner or other regulatory authority or in connection with an examination of any of the Administrative Agent, any Group Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or Program Support Providers or (vi) to the extent it should be (A) required by Applicable Law, or in connection with any legal or regulatory proceeding or (B) requested by any Governmental Authority to disclose such information; provided, that, in the case of clause (vi) above, the Administrative Agent, each Group Agent and each Lender will use reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality and will (unless otherwise prohibited by Applicable Law) notify the Borrower and the Servicer of its making any such disclosure as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter. Each of the Administrative Agent, each Group Agent and each Lender, severally and with respect to itself only, agrees to be responsible for any breach of this Section by its Representatives, Advisors and Program Support Providers and agrees that its Representatives, Advisors and Program Support Providers will be advised by it of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree to comply with this Section.

 

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(c) As used in this Section, (i) ”Advisors” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s accountants, attorneys and other confidential advisors and (ii) ”Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates, Subsidiaries, directors, managers, officers, employees, members, investors, financing sources (other than any Credit Party), insurers, professional advisors, representatives and agents; provided that such persons shall not be deemed to Representatives of a Person unless (and solely to the extent that) confidential information is furnished to such person.

Section 14.07. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

Section 14.08. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by facsimile or other electronic means shall be equally effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart.

Section 14.09. Integration; Binding Effect; Survival of Termination. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents contain the final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof superseding all prior oral or written understandings. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall create and constitute the continuing obligations of the parties hereto in accordance with its terms and shall remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 11.04, 11.06, 12.04, 13.01, 13.02, 14.04, 14.05, 14.07, 14.09, 14.11 and 14.13 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 14.10. Consent to Jurisdiction . (a) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in New York City, New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each party hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

Section 14.11. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, trial by jury in any judicial proceeding involving, directly or indirectly, any matter (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) in any way arising out of, related to, or connected with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

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Section 14.12. Ratable Payments. If any Credit Party, whether by setoff or otherwise, has payment made to it with respect to any Borrower Obligations in a greater proportion than that received by any other Credit Party entitled to receive a ratable share of such Borrower Obligations, such Credit Party agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase for cash without recourse or warranty a portion of such Borrower Obligations held by the other Credit Parties so that after such purchase each Credit Party will hold its ratable proportion of such Borrower Obligations; provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter recovered from such Credit Party, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

Section 14.13. Limitation of Liability. (a) No claim may be made by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any other Person against any Credit Party or their respective Affiliates, members, directors, officers, employees, incorporators, attorneys or agents for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in respect of any claim for breach of contract or any other theory of liability arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection herewith or therewith; and each of the Borrower and the Servicer hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. None of the Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates shall have any liability to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any other Person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof in connection with or as a result of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Credit Party in performing its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

(b) The obligations of each party to this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents are solely the corporate obligations of such Person. No recourse shall be had for any obligation or claim arising out of or based upon this Agreement or any other Transaction Document against any member, director, officer, employee or incorporator of any such Person.

Section 14.14. Intent of the Parties. The Borrower has structured this Agreement with the intention that the Loans and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder will be treated under United States federal, and applicable state, local and foreign tax law as debt (the “Intended Tax Treatment”). The Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties agree to file no tax return, or take any action, inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless required by Applicable Law. Each assignee and each Participant acquiring an interest in a Credit Extension, by its acceptance of such assignment or participation, agrees to comply with the immediately preceding sentence.

Section 14.15. USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each of the Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties hereby that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower and the Servicer that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower, the Servicer and the Performance Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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Section 14.16. Right of Setoff. Each Credit Party is hereby authorized (in addition to any other rights it may have), at any time during the continuance of a Termination Event, to setoff, appropriate and apply (without presentment, demand, protest or other notice which are hereby expressly waived) any deposits and any other indebtedness held or owing by such Credit Party (including by any branches or agencies of such Credit Party) to, or for the account of, the Borrower or the Servicer against amounts owing by the Borrower or the Servicer hereunder (even if contingent or unmatured); provided that such Credit Party shall notify the Borrower or the Servicer, as applicable, promptly following such setoff.

Section 14.17. Severability. Any provisions of this Agreement which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 14.18. Mutual Negotiations. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are the product of mutual negotiations by the parties thereto and their counsel, and no party shall be deemed the draftsperson of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any provision hereof or thereof or to have provided the same. Accordingly, in the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such inconsistency or ambiguity shall not be interpreted against any party because of such party’s involvement in the drafting thereof.

Section 14.19. Captions and Cross References. The various captions (including the table of contents) in this Agreement are provided solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this Agreement to any Section, Schedule or Exhibit are to such Section Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement, as the case may be, and references in any Section, subsection, or clause to any subsection, clause or subclause are to such subsection, clause or subclause of such Section, subsection or clause.

Section 14.20. Currency Equivalence. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from the Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties agree that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due to the Administrative Agent or any other Person hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such other Person, as applicable, of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency, the Administrative Agent or such other Person, as applicable, may in accordance with normal banking procedures

 

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purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or such other Person in the specified currency, the Borrower agrees to the extent such amount was originally due from the Borrower, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such other Person, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds the amount originally due to the Administrative Agent or such other Person in the specified currency.

Section 14.21. Originator Dispositions. If a related Originator (or any division of such Originator) is to be merged or consolidated with (or sold or otherwise transferred to), or any partial ownership interest of such Originator is to be sold or otherwise transferred to, any Person that is neither an Originator nor an Affiliate of any Originator (any such transaction, an “Originator Disposition”) and the such Originator determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it is impracticable to consummate such Originator Disposition unless all Receivables originated by such Originator (or related division) are also transferred by such Originator (or, in the case of any merger or consolidation, are owned by such Originator at the time of such merger or consolidation) in connection with the related Originator Disposition, the Borrower may transfer all (and not less than all) Pool Receivables (the “Repurchased Receivables”) originated by such Originator (or division), in any case, without recourse, representation, warranty or covenant of any kind, to such Originator for a repurchase price equal to the fair market value of such Repurchased Receivables subject to the conditions set forth below, and the Borrower may transfer such Repurchased Receivables, without recourse, representation, warranty or covenant of any kind, to such Originator for a repurchase price equal to the fair market value of such Repurchased Receivables subject to the conditions set forth below, and the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall release the liens on and security interests in the Pool Receivables being so repurchased if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) after giving effect to such transfer and release, there shall not exist any Early Amortization Event, Termination Event or Unmatured Termination Event;

(b) at least five (5) Business Days prior to any such transfer and release, the Borrower shall have delivered, true, correct and complete copies of all documents to be executed or delivered in connection with the repurchase of the Repurchased Receivables by the applicable Originator, all of which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Borrower shall not sign or be bound by any agreements in connection with an Originator Disposition other than an instrument or assignment without recourse, representation, warranty or covenant by the Borrower);

(c) at least five (5) Business Days prior to any such transfer and release, the Borrower shall have delivered a written notice to the Administrative Agent of such Originator Disposition, certifying that the foregoing condition described in clause (a) above shall be satisfied after giving effect to such transfer and release, together with a pro forma calculation after giving effect to such repurchase of Pool Receivable providing that there is no Borrowing Base Deficit; and

 

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(d) all Lenders have consented to such repurchase; provided, that no such consent with respect to repurchases of Pool Receivables in connection with any Originator Disposition shall be required if the Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables in connection with the related Originator Disposition does not exceed 10% of the Outstanding Balance on the date of such Originator Disposition.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Borrower shall have no obligation to any Originator to reconvey any Receivables to any Originator or any other Person in connection with any Originator Disposition.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective signatories thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC,
as the Borrower
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher Rosas
		Title:   Vice President
RACKSPACE US, INC.,
as the Servicer
By:		/s/ Christopher Rosas
		Name: Christopher Rosas
		Title:   Vice President, Global Tax & Internal Audit

 

 

[Signature Page to Receivables Financing Agreement]

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BMO CAPITAL MARKETS,
as Administrative Agent and Group Agent for the BMO Group
By:		/s/ Matthew Peters
		Name: Matthew Peters
		Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Receivables Financing Agreement]

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BANK OF MONTREAL,
as a Committed Lender
By:		/s/ Brian Banke
		Name: Brian Banke
		Title:   Managing Director

 

 

[Signature Page to Receivables Financing Agreement]

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FAIRWAY FINANCE COMPANY, LLC,
as Conduit Lender
By:		/s/ Irina Khaimova
		Name: Irina Khaimova
		Title:   Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to Receivables Financing Agreement]

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF LOAN REQUEST

[LETTERHEAD OF BORROWER]

[Date]

[Administrative Agent]

[Group Agents]

Re:                                                                           Loan Request

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2020, among Rackspace Receivables LLC (the “Borrower”), Rackspace US, Inc. as Servicer (the “Servicer”), the Lenders party thereto, the Group Agents party thereto and BMO Capital Markets, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and Arranger ,(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Loan Request and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Agreement.

This letter constitutes a Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby request a Loan in the amount of [$_______] to be made on [_____, 202_] (of which $[___] will be funded by the BMO Group, and $[___] will be funded by the ____ Group. The proceeds of such Loan should be deposited to [Account number], at [Name, Address and ABA Number of Bank]. After giving effect to such Loan, the Aggregate Capital will be [$_______].

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to such Credit Extension, as follows:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 of the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event would result from such Credit Extension;

 

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(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Credit Extension; and

(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred.

 

A-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this letter by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,
RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

A-3

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EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT]

Dated as of ___________, 202_

SECTION 1.

 

Commitment assigned:		$	[_____	]
Assignor’s remaining Commitment:		$	[_____	]
Capital allocable to Commitment assigned:		$	[_____	]
Assignor’s remaining Capital:		$	[_____	]
Interest (if any) allocable to Capital assigned:		$	[_____	]
Interest (if any) allocable to Assignor’s remaining Capital:		$	[_____	]

SECTION 2.

Effective Date of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement: [__________]

Upon execution and delivery of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement by the assignee and the assignor and the satisfaction of the other conditions to assignment specified in Section 14.03(b) of the Agreement (as defined below), from and after the effective date specified above, the assignee shall become a party to, and, to the extent of the rights and obligations thereunder being assigned to it pursuant to this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Committed Lender under that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2020 among Rackspace Receivables LLC, as Borrower, Rackspace US, Inc., as Servicer, the Lenders party thereto, the Group Agents party thereto and BMO Capital Markets, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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ASSIGNOR:
[________________________]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
ASSIGNEE:
[_________________________]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
[Address]

 

Accepted as of date first above
written:
BMO Capital Markets,
as Administrative Agent
By:
		Name:
		Title:
RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC,
as Borrower
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

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EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT]

THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [______ __, ____], is among Rackspace Receivables LLC (the “Borrower”), [________], as conduit lender (the “[_____] Conduit Lender”), [________], as the Related Committed Lender (the “[______] Committed Lender” and together with the Conduit Lender, the “[_____] Lenders”), and [________], as group agent for the [_____] Lenders (the “[______] Group Agent” and together with the [_____] Lenders, the “[_______] Group”).

BACKGROUND

The Borrower and various others are parties to a certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2020 (as amended through the date hereof and as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Receivables Financing Agreement”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meaning assigned to such terms in the Receivables Financing Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. This letter constitutes an Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section 14.03(i) of the Receivables Financing Agreement. The Borrower desires [the [_____] Lenders] [the [______] Committed Lender] to [become a Group] [increase its existing Commitment] under the Receivables Financing Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Receivables Financing Agreement, the [[________] Lenders] [[__________] Committed Lender] agree[s] to [become Lenders within a Group thereunder] [increase its Commitment to the amount set forth as its “Commitment” under the signature of such [______] Committed Lender hereto].

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the [________] Lenders and the [_________] Group Agent as of the date hereof, as follows:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Section 7.01 of the Receivables Financing Agreement are true and correct on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date;

(ii) no Termination Event, Early Amortization Event or Unmatured Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the assumption contemplated hereby; and

(iii) the Termination Date shall not have occurred.

 

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Section 2. Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Borrower and each member of the [______] Group, satisfaction of the other conditions with respect to the addition of a Group specified in Section 14.03(i) of the Receivables Financing Agreement (including the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Group Agents) and receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts of this Agreement (whether by facsimile or otherwise) executed by each of the parties hereto, [the [_____] Lenders shall become a party to, and have the rights and obligations of Lenders under, the Receivables Financing Agreement and the “Commitment” with respect to the Committed Lenders in such Group as shall be as set forth under the signature of each such Committed Lender hereto] [the [______] Committed Lender shall increase its Commitment to the amount set forth as the “Commitment” under the signature of the [______] Committed Lender hereto].

Section 3. Each party hereto hereby covenants and agrees that it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, any Conduit Lender, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding, or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the latest maturing commercial paper notes or other senior indebtedness issued by such Conduit Lender is paid in full. The covenant contained in this paragraph shall survive any termination of the Receivables Financing Agreement.

Section 4. THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except pursuant to a writing signed be each of the parties hereto and may not be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by the party to be charged. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and by the different parties on different counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

[___________],
as a Conduit Lender
By:
		Name Printed:

		Title:
[Address]
[___________],
as a Committed Lender

By:
		Name Printed:

		Title:

[Address]
[Commitment]
[_____________],
as Group Agent for [_________]
By:
		Name Printed:

		Title:
[Address]

 

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Rackspace Receivables LLC,
as Borrower
By:
		Name Printed:

		Title:

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF REDUCTION NOTICE

[LETTERHEAD OF BORROWER]

[Date]

[Administrative Agent]

[Group Agents]

Re:                                                                       Reduction Notice

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2020, among Rackspace Receivables LLC (the “Borrower”), Rackspace US, Inc. as Servicer (the “Servicer”), the Lenders party thereto, the Group Agents party thereto and BMO Capital Markets, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and Arranger, (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Reduction Notice and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Agreement.

This letter constitutes a Reduction Notice pursuant to Section 2.02(d) of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby notifies the Administrative Agent and the Group Agents that it shall prepay the outstanding Capital of the Lenders in the amount of [$_______] to be made on [_____, 202_]. After giving effect to such prepayment, the Aggregate Capital will be [$_______].

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this letter by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,
RACKSPACE RECEIVABLES LLC
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

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EXHIBIT E

CREDIT AND COLLECTION POLICY

(Attached)

 

E-1

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EXHIBIT F

FORM OF INFORMATION PACKAGE

(On file with the Administrative Agent)

 

F-1

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EXHIBIT G

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

To: BMO Capital Markets, as Administrative Agent

This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2020, among Rackspace Receivables LLC (the “Borrower”), Rackspace US, Inc., as Servicer (the “Servicer”), the Lenders party thereto, the Group Agents party thereto and BMO Capital Markets, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and Arranger, (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

1. I am the duly elected ________________of the Servicer.

2. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 above did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Termination Event, an Early Amortization Event or an Unmatured Termination Event, as each such term is defined under the Agreement, during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate [, except as set forth in paragraph 5 below].

4. Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial statements of the Servicer and its Subsidiaries for the period referenced on such Schedule I [and sets forth the calculation of [insert financial covenants if applicable].]

[5. Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 above by listing, in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event:]

 

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The foregoing certifications are made and delivered this ___ day of ___________________, 202_.

 

RACKSPACE US, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

G-I-2

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SCHEDULE I TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

A. Schedule of Compliance as of ____________, 202_ with the Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

This schedule relates to the month ended: _____________, 202__.

B. The following financial statements of the Servicer and its Subsidiaries for the period ending on ______________, 202_, are attached hereto:

C. The calculation of the ______ for the fiscal quarter ended __________, 202__ is set forth below:

 

G-I-1

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EXHIBIT H

CLOSING MEMORANDUM

(Attached)

 

H-1

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EXHIBIT I

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

(Attached)

 

I-1

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SCHEDULE I

COMMITMENTS

BMO GROUP

 

Party		Capacity		Maximum Commitment
Bank of Montreal		Committed Lender		$	100,000,000

 

Schedule I-1

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SCHEDULE III

NOTICE ADDRESSES

(A) in the case of the Borrower, at the following address:

Rackspace Receivables LLC

1 Fanatical Place

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attn: General Counsel

Telephone: 210-312-4000

with a copy to: legalnotices@rackspace.com

Rackspace US, Inc.

1 Fanatical Place

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attn: General Counsel

Telephone: 210-312-4000

and with a copy to: legalnotices@rackspace.com

(B) in the case of the Servicer, at the following address:

Rackspace US, Inc.

1 Fanatical Place

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attn: General Counsel

Telephone: 210-312-4000

with a copy to: legalnotices@rackspace.com

(C) in the case of BMO or the Administrative Agent, at the following address:

BMO Capital Markets

115 S. LaSalle Street

37th Floor West

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: Funding Desk

Telephone: 312-293-8005

with a copy to: fundingdesk@bmo.com

(D) in the case of any other Person, at the address for such Person specified in the other Transaction Documents; in each case, or at such other address as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice to the other parties to this Agreement.

 

Schedule III-1

Exhibit 10.11

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”), entered into on March 13, 2019, is made by and between Kevin Jones (the “Executive”) and Rackspace US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with any of its subsidiaries and Affiliates as may employ the Executive from time to time, and any and all successors thereto, the “Company”).

RECITALS

A. The Executive shall commence employment with the Company on or before June 6, 2019 (the Executive’s actual date of commencement of shall be referred to herein as the “Effective Date”).

B. The Company and the Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to assure the Company of the exclusive services of the Executive and to set forth the rights and duties of the parties hereto.

C. This Agreement is intended to supersede any prior agreements or understandings, whether formal or informal, between the Executive and the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined below).

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions.

(a) “Action” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.

(b) “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person, where “control” shall have the meaning given such term under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(c) “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(d) “Annual Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(e) “Annual Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).

(f) “Apollo” means, collectively, the investment funds managed, sponsored or advised by Apollo Management VIII, L.P. A reference to a member of Apollo is a reference to any such investment fund.

(g) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.

 

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(h) The Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 4(a)(iii) hereunder upon (i) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or other crime involving either fraud or a breach of the Executive’s duty of loyalty with respect to the Company or any Affiliates thereof, (ii) the Executive’s substantial and repeated failure to perform lawful duties as reasonably directed by the Board (other than as a consequence of Disability) after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, (iii) the Executive’s fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or material misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iv) the Executive’s violation of the written policies of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or other willful misconduct in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties that in either case results in material injury to the Company or any of its Affiliates, after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, (v) the Executive’s breach of this Agreement that results in material injury to the Company or any of its Affiliates, and failure to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days after written notice, or (vi) the Executive’s breach of the confidentiality or non-disparagement provisions (excluding unintentional breaches that are cured within fifteen (15) days after the Executive becomes aware of such breaches) or the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions to which the Executive is subject (including, without limitation, under Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement); provided, that any such event under sub-parts (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) above shall not constitute Cause unless and until the Company shall have provided the Executive with written notice thereof no later than thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of such event or omission and the Executive shall have failed to cure such event or omission within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such notice, and the Company shall have terminated the Executive’s employment with the Company promptly following the expiration of such remedial period.

(i) A “Change in Control” means the occurrence of either of the following: (i) (A) Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) cease to be the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Parent; and (B) a Person or group other than the Apollo Holders becomes the direct or indirect beneficial owner of a percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Parent that is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders; or (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a Person or group other than the Apollo Holders; provided, however, that a mere initial public offering or a merger or other acquisition or combination transaction after which the Apollo Holders retain control of the Company or Parent, or have otherwise not sold or disposed of more than 50% of its direct or indirect investment in the Company or Parent as of November 3, 2016 in exchange for cash or marketable securities, will not result in a Change in Control; provided, further, that following an initial public offering, the above clause (i) shall be deleted and replaced with: “a Person or group other than Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Parent, and such combined voting power beneficially owned is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders.”

(j) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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(k) “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii)-(vi), the date specified or otherwise effective pursuant to Section 4(b), or (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated upon expiration of the Term due to either party’s non-renewal in accordance with Section 2(b), the last day of the then-current Term.

(l) “Disability” shall mean a reasonable finding by the Company of the Executive’s incapacitation through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature that has resulted in his inability to perform the essential functions of his position, even with reasonable accommodations, for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days during any period of three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive calendar days, and such incapacity is expected to continue.

(m) “Executive” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(n) The Executive shall have “Good Reason” to resign from his employment pursuant to Section 4(a)(v) in the event that any of the following actions are taken by the Company or any of its subsidiaries without his express written consent: (i) a material reduction of the Executive’s duties, responsibilities or authority; (ii) a reduction in the Executive’s Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus, (iii) the Executive being required to work solely or substantially at a location more than 50 miles from a location where the Executive has been permitted to work as of the date of beginning employment; (iv) any material breach by the Company or its subsidiaries of any term or provision of this Agreement, or (v) any requirement that the Executive report to someone other than the Board; provided, that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until the Executive shall have provided the Company with written notice thereof no later than thirty (30) days following the initial occurrence of such event and the Company shall have failed to fully remedy such event within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, and the Executive shall have terminated the Executive’s employment with the Company promptly following the expiration of such remedial period.

(o) “Initial Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

(p) “Inventions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(i).

(q) “Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

(r) “Parent” shall mean Inception Topco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(s) “Performance-Based RSUs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(d)(ii).

(t) “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority, or other entity of whatever nature.

(u) “Proprietary Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(i).

(v) “Service-Based RSUs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(c)(ii).

 

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(w) “Sign-on Cash Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(c)(i).

(x) “Target Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).

(y) “Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

2. Employment.

(a) In General. The Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall be employed by the Company, for the period set forth in Section 2(b), in the position set forth in Section 2(c), and upon the other terms and conditions herein provided.

(b) Term of Employment. The initial term of employment under this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the fifth (5^th) anniversary of such date, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 4. In the event that the Executive’s prior employer waives all or part of the period of notice required to be given in advance of the Executive’s resignation from his prior employer, the Executive and the Company shall mutually agree on a start date earlier than June 6, 2019. The Initial Term shall automatically be extended for successive one (1) year periods (together with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless either party hereto gives notice of the non-extension of the Term to the other party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable Term.

(c) Position and Duties.

(i) During the Term, the Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall serve as a member of the Board, with responsibilities, duties, and authority customary for such position. The Executive shall also serve as an officer of Affiliates of the Company as requested by the Board. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional compensation for his service as a member of the Board or other positions or titles he may hold with any Affiliate of the Company to the extent he is so appointed. The Executive shall report to the Board. The Executive agrees to observe and comply with the Company’s rules and policies as adopted from time to time by the Company. The Executive shall devote his full business time, skill, attention, and best efforts to the performance of his duties hereunder; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to (A) serve on civic, charitable, and religious boards and (B) manage the Executive’s personal and family investments, in each case, to the extent that such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder, are not in conflict with the business interests of the Company or its Affiliates, and do not otherwise compete with the business of the Company or its Affiliates.

(ii) The Executive’s employment shall be principally based at the Company’s headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. The Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company at such principal place of employment and at such other location(s) to which the Company may reasonably require the Executive to travel for Company business purposes.

 

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3. Compensation and Related Matters.

(a) Annual Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive shall receive a base salary at a rate of not less than eight hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($825,000) per annum, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (the “Annual Base Salary”).

(b) Annual Bonus. With respect to each calendar year that ends during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the “Annual Bonus”), with a target Annual Bonus amount equal to one hundred and twenty five percent (125%) of the Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) and with a maximum Annual Bonus amount equal to two hundred percent (200%) of the Annual Base Salary. The Executive’s actual Annual Bonus for a given year, if any, shall be determined on the basis of the Executive’s and/or the Company’s attainment of objective financial and/or other subjective or objective criteria established by the Board and communicated to the Executive at the beginning of such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s Annual Bonus for the 2019 calendar year shall be equal to a prorated portion of the Target Bonus, determined based on the number of days worked in such calendar year beginning on the Effective Date. Each such Annual Bonus shall be payable on such date as is determined by the Board, but in any event within the period required by Section 409A of the Code such that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Department of Treasury Regulations (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Annual Bonus shall be payable with respect to any calendar year (except as provided in Sections 5(b)-5(c) below) unless the Executive remains continuously employed with the Company on the date of payment.

(c) Sign-on Compensation.

(i) Sign-on Cash Bonus. The Executive shall be paid a cash bonus equal to $10,000,000 (the “Sign-on Cash Bonus”), paid out semi-annually in four (4) equal installments of $2.5 million over an 18-month period (each an “Installment Payment”). The 1^st Installment Payment shall be paid on the Effective Date. The 2^nd Installment Payment shall be paid on the six-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The 3^rd Installment Payment shall be paid on the 12-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The 4^th Installment Payment shall be paid on the 18-month anniversary of the Effective Date. Each Installment Payment shall only be subject to the Executive not voluntarily resigning his employment without Good Reason prior to the date the Installment Payment is due.

(ii) Sign-on RSU Grant. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, the Executive shall receive an upfront restricted stock unit grant (the “Service-Based RSUs”) with respect to a number of shares of common stock of Parent with a fair market value equal to $5,500,000 as of the date of grant. The Service-Based RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Parent’s Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(iii) Additional Cash Bonus. Within ten (10) days of the Effective Date, to the extent that the Executive’s prior employer does not pay him all or any portion of his accrued and earned annual bonus in respect of calendar year 2018, the Company shall pay the Executive an additional cash bonus equal to $1,281,993.57 less any amount paid by the Executive’s prior employer.

 

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(d) Equity.

(i) Initial Option Grant. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase 200,000 shares of Parent common stock at an exercise price equal to the then-current fair market value, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Parent’s Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(ii) Performance-Based RSU Grant. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, the Executive shall be granted a performance-based restricted stock unit grant (the “Performance-Based RSUs”), that, subject to applicable performance criteria being satisfied, would entitle the Executive to receive shares with a value of up to $20,000,000 on the applicable determination date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Parent’s Equity Incentive Plan and an award agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

(e) Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements of the Company now (or, to the extent determined by the Board, hereafter) in effect, in accordance with their terms, including, without limitation, medical and welfare benefits.

(f) Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year, in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies. Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and the Executive.

(g) Business Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel (including first-class airfare) and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

(h) Relocation Reimbursement. The Executive shall relocate to San Antonio, Texas within 18 months following the Effective Date. The Company shall reimburse the Executive on an after-tax basis for the Executive’s out-of-pocket reasonable relocation expenses incurred in connection with such relocation and up to 18-months of temporary living accommodations in San Antonio, up to a maximum of $200,000, relating to general moving costs, temporary living costs and the cost of travel between Dallas and San Antonio until such 18-month anniversary. Any eligible reimbursements or payments (i) shall be subject to Executive’s presenting appropriate documentation to the Company and (ii) shall be paid to Executive in accordance with the Company’s expense policies, but in no event later than the year following the year in which they were incurred.

 

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4. Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term resulting from a non-renewal pursuant to Section 2(b) above by the Company or the Executive, as applicable, without any breach of this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

(a) Circumstances.

(i) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.

(ii) Disability. If the Executive has incurred a Disability, the Company may give the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In that event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the later of the thirtieth (30^th) day after receipt of such notice by the Executive and the date specified in such notice, provided that within the thirty (30) day period following receipt of such notice, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of his duties hereunder.

(iii) Termination with Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment with Cause.

(iv) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment without Cause.

(v) Resignation with Good Reason. The Executive may resign from his employment with Good Reason.

(vi) Resignation without Good Reason. The Executive may resign from his employment without Good Reason upon not less than thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to the Board.

(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive under this Section 4 (other than termination pursuant to Section 4(a)(i)) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other party hereto (i) indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) except with respect to a termination pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv) or (vi), setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) specifying a Date of Termination as provided herein (a “Notice of Termination”). If the Company delivers a Notice of Termination under Section 4(a)(ii), the Date of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date of such notice; provided, however, that such notice need not specify a Date of Termination, in which case the Date of Termination shall be determined pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii). If the Company delivers a Notice of Termination under Section 4(a)(iii) or 4(a)(iv), the Date of Termination shall be, in the Company’s sole discretion, the date on which the Executive receives such notice or any subsequent date selected by the Company (subject to the provisions of Section 1(h) above). If the Executive delivers a Notice of Termination under Section 4(a)(v) or (a)(vi), the Date of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days following the date of such notice; provided, however, that the Company may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the Date of Termination to any date that occurs following the Company’s receipt of such notice, without changing the characterization of such termination as voluntary, even if such date is prior to the date specified in such notice. The failure by the Company or the Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Company or the Executive hereunder or preclude the Company or the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company’s or the Executive’s rights hereunder.

 

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(c) Termination of All Positions. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason (unless otherwise requested by the Company), the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned, as of the Date of Termination, from all positions and offices that the Executive then holds with the Company and its Affiliates.

5. Company Obligations upon Termination of Employment.

(a) In General. Subject to Section 10(a), upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive (or the Executive’s estate) shall be entitled to receive (i) any amount of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any then-remaining unpaid installments of the Sign-on Cash Bonus, (iii) any expenses owed to the Executive under Section 3(g) or Section 3(h), and (iv) any amount arising from the Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements under Section 3(e) (other than severance plans, programs, or arrangements), which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements including, where applicable, any death and disability benefits (the “Accrued Obligations”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, upon a resignation without Good Reason, the Accrued Obligations shall not include any unpaid amounts set forth in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

(b) Termination due to Death. Subject to Section 10(a), if the Executive’s employment terminates due to the Executive’s death the Company shall, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, pay the Executive’s estate, if applicable, a prorated portion of the Annual Bonus payable with respect to the calendar year in which such termination occurs, determined on a daily basis, based on actual performance for such year, and payable if and when annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company with respect to such year but no later than March 15 of the year immediately after the year of termination.

(c) Termination due to Disability. Subject to Section 10(a) and subject to the Executive’s continued compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7, if the Executive’s employment terminates due to the Executive’s Disability pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii) the Company shall, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, pay the Executive a prorated portion of the Annual Bonus payable with respect to the calendar year in which such termination occurs, determined on a daily basis, based on actual performance for such year, and payable if and when annual bonuses are paid to other senior executives of the Company with respect to such year but no later than March 15 of the year immediately after the year of termination.

(d) Termination without Cause, Resignation with Good Reason or Non-Renewal by the Company. Subject to Section 10(a) and subject to the Executive’s continued compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7, if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv), the Executive resigns from his employment with Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(a)(v), or the Company elects not to renew the Term pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall, in addition to the Accrued Obligations:

 

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(i) continue to pay the Annual Base Salary in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the earlier to occur of (A) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Date of Termination and (B) the first date that the Executive violates any covenant contained in Section 6 or 7, and pay the Executive an amount equal to his Target Bonus in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination (the “Severance Payment”);

(ii) if continued coverage under the Company’s health and welfare plans is timely elected by the Executive, payment of any COBRA premiums from the Date of Termination until the earlier of (x) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Date of Termination and (y) the first date that the Executive is no longer eligible for COBRA;

provided, however, the installment payments payable pursuant to this Section 5(d) shall commence on the first payroll period following the effective date of the Release (as defined below), and the initial installment shall include a lump-sum payment of all amounts accrued under this Section 5(d) from the Date of Termination through the date of such initial payment.

(e) Release. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the amounts payable to the Executive under Sections 5(b), (c), and (d), other than the Accrued Obligations, shall be contingent upon and subject to the Executive’s (or the Executive’s estate, if applicable) execution and non-revocation of a general waiver and release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Release”) (and the expiration of any applicable revocation period), on or prior to the sixtieth (60^th) day following the Date of Termination.

(f) Survival. The expiration or termination of the Term shall not impair the rights or obligations of any party hereto, which shall have accrued prior to such expiration or termination.

6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive agrees that during the Executive’s employment with the Company, and for the one (1) year period following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest, or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, and (iii) all similar related services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

 

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(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive agrees that during the Executive’s employment with the Company, and for the eighteen (18) month period following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, on the Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.

(c) In the event that the terms of this Section 6 shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographical area or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, it will be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, over the maximum geographical area as to which it may be enforceable, or to the maximum extent in all other respects as to which it may be enforceable, all as determined by such court in such action. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the terms of this Section 6 are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company. The Executive hereby authorizes the Company to inform any future employer or prospective employer of the existence and terms of Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement without liability for interference with the Executive’s employment or prospective employment.

(d) As used in this Section 6, the term “Company” shall include Parent, the Company and any direct or indirect subsidiaries thereof or any successors thereto.

(e) The provisions contained in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) may be waived with the prior written consent of the Board.

7. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Nondisparagement; Intellectual Property.

(a) Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that he has access to confidential information and/or has had or will have material contact with the Company’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Executive agrees that during the Term and in perpetuity thereafter, the Executive shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Executive’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information

 

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or trade secrets. Upon the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes. The Executive may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (A) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding, and (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to or otherwise cooperating with or providing information requested by any governmental agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. The Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and Employee is not required to notify the Company that Employee has made such reports or disclosures. If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the Company’s trade secrets to the Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the Executive: (x) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (y) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

(b) Non-Disparagement. The Executive shall not, at any time during the Term and in perpetuity thereafter, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The Board shall not, at any time during the Term and in perpetuity thereafter, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Executive (excluding statements to or about the Executive in the course of preparing or providing normal performance reviews for the Executive). The foregoing shall not be violated by either parties’ truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(c) Intellectual Property Rights.

(i) The Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of the Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice

 

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or learned by the Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Executive’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Affiliates), and the Company or such Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Affiliates without any further payment to the Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Executive is required to assign, the Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Executive concerning such Invention. The Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

(ii) The Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 7(c)(ii) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Executive’s employment with, or service to, the Company. The Executive further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Executive shall assist the Company in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Executive shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Executive’s obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company.

(d) As used in this Section 7, the term “Company” shall include Parent, the Company and any direct or indirect subsidiaries thereof or any successors thereto.

 

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8. Injunctive Relief. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7 will cause irreparable damage to the Company and its goodwill, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 and 7, in addition to any other remedy that may be available at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled to specific performance and injunctive relief (without posting a bond). In the event of any breach or violation by the Executive of any of the covenants contained in Section 6 and 7, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Executive shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is enjoined.

9. Cooperation. The Executive agrees that during the three (3) year period after his employment with the Company, the Executive will reasonably assist the Company and its Affiliates in the defense of any claims or potential claims that may be made or threatened to be made against the Company or any of its Affiliates in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or otherwise, that are not adverse to the Executive (each, an “Action”), and will reasonably assist the Company and its Affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or any of its Affiliates in any Action, to the extent that such claims may relate to the Executive’s employment or the period of the Executive’s employment by the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if the Executive is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such Action. The Executive also agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if the Executive is asked to assist in any investigation (whether governmental or otherwise) of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or their actions) to the extent that such investigation may relate to the Executive’s employment or the period of the Executive’s employment by the Company, regardless of whether a lawsuit has then been filed against the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to such investigation. The Company or one of its Affiliates shall reimburse the Executive for all of the Executive’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and will compensate Executive at an hourly rate of $400 per hour for his time associated with such cooperation following his Date of Termination.

10. Section 409A of the Code.

(a) General. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Executive under Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Executive shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable

 

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hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder; provided, however, that this Section 10(a) does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(b) Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no amount shall be payable pursuant to Section 5(a), (b), (c) or (d) unless the termination of the Executive’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if the Executive is deemed at the time of his separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the termination benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such termination benefits under Section 409A), including, without limitation, any portion of the additional compensation awarded pursuant to Section 5(a), (b), (c) or (d), is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Executive’s termination benefits shall not be provided to the Executive prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of the Executive’s death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 11(b)(ii) shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether the Executive is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of his separation from service shall be made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Executive’s right to receive installment payments pursuant to Section 5 shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; (v) if the sixty day period following the Date of Termination ends in the calendar year following the year that includes the Date of Termination, then payment of any amount that is conditioned upon the execution of the Release and is subject to Section 409A shall not be paid until the first day of the calendar year following the year that includes the Date of Termination, regardless of when the Release is signed; and (vi) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year.

 

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11. Section 280G of the Code.

(a) If there is a change of ownership or effective control or change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) and any payment or benefit (including payments and benefits pursuant to this Agreement) that the Executive would receive from the Company or otherwise (“Transaction Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall cause to be determined, before any amounts of the Transaction Payment are paid to the Executive, which of the following two alternative forms of payment would result in the Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Transaction Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Transaction Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax: (1) payment in full of the entire amount of the Transaction Payment (a “Full Payment”), or (2) payment of only a part of the Transaction Payment so that the Executive receives the largest payment possible without the imposition of the Excise Tax (a “Reduced Payment”). For purposes of determining whether to make a Full Payment or a Reduced Payment, the Company shall cause to be taken into account all applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes). If a Reduced Payment is made, the reduction in payments and/or benefits will occur in the following order: (1) first, reduction of cash payments, in reverse order of scheduled payment date (or if necessary, to zero), (2) then, reduction of non-cash and non-equity benefits provided to the Executive, on a pro rata basis (or if necessary, to zero), and (3) then, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation in the reverse order of the date of grant of the Executive’s equity awards.

(b) Unless the Executive and the Company otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this section shall be made in good faith in writing by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company which is reasonably acceptable to the Executive (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all purposes absent manifest error. For purposes of making the calculations required by this section, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Company and the Executive as requested by the Company or the Executive. The Executive and the Company shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this section. The Company shall bear all costs of the Accountants in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 11(b).

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that no stock of the Company or its Affiliates is readily tradable on an established securities market or otherwise (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) at the time of the change in control, the Company shall, upon request of the Executive, submit to a vote of shareholders for approval the portion of the Transaction Payments that exceeds three times the Executive’s “base amount” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) (the “Excess Parachute Payments”) in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, and the parties shall cooperate with such vote of shareholders, including the execution of any required documentation subjecting the Executive’s entitlement to all Excess Parachute Payments to such shareholder vote.

 

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12. Assignment and Successors. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise, and may assign or encumber this Agreement and its rights hereunder as security for indebtedness of the Company and its Affiliates. The Executive may not assign his rights or obligations under this Agreement to any individual or entity. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel, legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable. In the event of the Executive’s death following a termination of his employment, all unpaid amounts otherwise due the Executive (including under Section 5) shall be paid to his estate.

13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of Delaware or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States.

14. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

15. Notices. Any notice, request, claim, demand, document, and other communication hereunder to any party hereto shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by telecopy or nationally recognized overnight courier, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the following address (or at any other address as any party hereto shall have specified by notice in writing to the other party hereto):

(a) If to the Company, to it at:

Rackspace US, Inc.

1 Fanatical Place

San Antonio, TX 78218

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

(b) If to the Executive, at his most recent address on the payroll records of the Company.

 

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16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

17. Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement (together with any other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby or referred to herein) are intended by the parties hereto to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. The parties hereto further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that to the extent there are any inconsistencies between the terms of this Agreement and any other long-term incentive or equity plans or agreements the terms of this Agreement shall control and govern.

18. Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. By an instrument in writing similarly executed and similarly identifying the waived compliance, the Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company may waive compliance by the other party or parties with any provision of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure to comply or perform. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.

19. No Inconsistent Actions. The parties hereto shall not voluntarily undertake or fail to undertake any action or course of action inconsistent with the provisions or essential intent of this Agreement. Furthermore, it is the intent of the parties hereto to act in a fair and reasonable manner with respect to the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement.

20. Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both of the parties hereto. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections, or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary: (a) the plural includes the singular, and the singular includes the plural; (b) “and” and “or” are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (c) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (d) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; and (e) “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section, or subsection.

21. Dispute Resolution. The parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding brought by or against a party in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment with or separation from the Company shall be brought solely in the state districts courts of Texas. Each party expressly and irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction, forum and venue of such courts in connection with any such legal proceedings, including to enforce this Agreement or

 

17

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its/his rights or obligations hereunder, and both parties agree to accept service of process by the other party or any of its agents in connection with any such proceeding. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST A PARTY IN RESPECT OF ITS RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.

22. Enforcement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

23. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, and foreign withholding and other taxes and charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

24. Employee Representations. The Executive represents, warrants and covenants that (i) that he has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on his own judgment, (ii) Executive has the full right, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (iii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, (iv) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment or agreement to which Executive is subject, and (v) the Executive shall keep all terms of this Agreement confidential, except with respect to disclosure to the Executive’s spouse, accountants or attorneys, each of whom shall agree to keep all terms of this Agreement confidential.

[signature page follows]

 

18

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The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE US, INC.
By:		/s/ David Sambur
		Name:
		Title:
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

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Exhibit A

Service-Based RSU Agreement

[See attached.]

 

A-1

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Exhibit B

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement

[See attached.]

 

B-1

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Exhibit C

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

[See attached.]

 

C-1

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Exhibit D

RELEASE OF CLAIMS (“Release”)

1. Release of Claims

In partial consideration of the payments and benefits described in Section 5 of the employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) dated March 13, 2019 between Rackspace US, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Company”), and Kevin Jones (“Executive”), to which Executive agrees that Executive is not entitled until and unless Executive executes this Release and it becomes effective in accordance with the terms hereof, Executive, for and on behalf of himself and his heirs, successors and assigns, subject to the last sentence of this Section 1, hereby waives and releases any common law, statutory or other complaints, claims, charges or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, both known and unknown, in law or in equity, which Executive ever had, now has or may have against the Company and its shareholders, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns, directors, officers, partners, members, managers, employees, trustees (in their official and individual capacities), employee benefit plans and their administrators and fiduciaries (in their official and individual capacities), representatives or agents, and each of their affiliates, successors and assigns, (collectively, the “Releasees”) by reason of facts or omissions which have occurred on or prior to the date that Executive signs this Release, including, without limitation, any complaint, charge or cause of action arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of employment, or any term or condition of that employment, or arising under federal, state, local or foreign laws pertaining to employment, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA,” a law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all as amended, and any other Federal, state and local laws relating to discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other protected class, all claims under Federal, state or local laws for express or implied breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs. Executive further agrees that this Agreement may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof which is or may be initiated, prosecuted or maintained by Executive, Executive’s descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators or permitted assigns. By signing this Release, Executive acknowledges that Executive intends to waive and release any rights known or unknown that Executive may have against the Releasees under these and any other laws; provided, that Executive does not waive or release claims with respect to (i) any rights he may have to any severance payments or benefits under the Employment Agreement, (ii) rights to any vested benefits under the Company’s employee benefit plans, (iii) any existing rights to indemnification protection that is otherwise provided to Executive by the Company or (iv) rights that cannot be released as a matter of law, (collectively, the “Unreleased Claims”).

 

D-1

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2. Proceedings

Executive acknowledges that Executive has not filed any complaint, charge, claim or proceeding, against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal or foreign agency, court or other body (each individually a “Proceeding”). Executive represents that Executive is not aware of any basis on which such a Proceeding could reasonably be instituted. Executive (i) acknowledges that Executive will not initiate or cause to be initiated on his behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law; and (ii) waives any right Executive may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). Further, Executive understands that, by executing this Release, Executive will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that Executive may have against the Company and limiting also the ability of Executive to pursue certain claims against the Releasees. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in Section 1 of this Release shall prevent Executive from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on his behalf any complaint, charge, claim or proceeding against the Company before any local, state or federal agency, court or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of his claims under the ADEA contained in Section 1 of this Release (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

3. Time to Consider

Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised that he has twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of this Release to consider all the provisions of this Release and he does hereby knowingly and voluntarily waive said given twenty-one (21) day period. EXECUTIVE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS READ THIS RELEASE CAREFULLY, HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE COMPANY TO, AND HAS IN FACT, CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY, AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS THAT BY SIGNING BELOW EXECUTIVE IS GIVING UP CERTAIN RIGHTS WHICH HE MAY HAVE TO SUE OR ASSERT A CLAIM AGAINST ANY OF THE RELEASEES, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1 OF THIS RELEASE AND THE OTHER PROVISIONS HEREOF. EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS NOT BEEN FORCED OR PRESSURED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER TO SIGN THIS RELEASE, AND EXECUTIVE AGREES TO ALL OF ITS TERMS VOLUNTARILY.

4. Revocation

Executive hereby acknowledges and understands that Executive shall have seven (7) days from the date of execution of this Release to revoke this Release (including, without limitation, any and all claims arising under the ADEA) and that neither the Company nor any other person is obligated to provide any benefits to Executive pursuant to Section 5 of the Employment Agreement until eight (8) days have passed since Executive’s signing of this Release without Executive having revoked this Release, in which event the Company immediately shall arrange and/or pay for any such benefits otherwise attributable to said eight- (8) day period, consistent with the terms of the Employment Agreement. If Executive revokes this Release, Executive will be deemed not to have accepted the terms of this Release, and no action will be required of the Company under any section of this Release.

 

D-2

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5. No Admission

This Release does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing of any kind by Executive or the Company.

6. General Provisions

A failure of any of the Releasees to insist on strict compliance with any provision of this Release shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or any other provision hereof. If any provision of this Release is determined to be so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable, and in the event that any provision is determined to be entirely unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severable, such that all other provisions of this Release shall remain valid and binding upon Executive and the Releasees.

7. Governing Law

The validity, interpretations, construction and performance of this Release shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflict of laws principles.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has executed and delivered this Release as of the date written below.

 

DATE				Kevin Jones

 

D-3

Exhibit 10.12

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Rackspace US, Inc. (“Company’’) and Dustin Semach (“Employee”).

 

1.	TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

This Agreement commences July 8, 2019 (“Effective Date”) and ends on July 23, 2021 (the “Employment Period’’); however, the Employment Period will thereafter be automatically extended for one year periods unless either Company or Employee gives written notice of non-renewal no later than ninety days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable Employment Period. The term “Employment Period” shall refer to the Employment Period if and as so extended.

 

2.	TITLE AND EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

 

(a)

Title and Duties. Employee’s title is Chief Transformation Officer. Employee will perform job duties that arc usual and customary for this position. This position will be based in San Antonio, Texas. The Company reserves the right to assign to the Employee duties of a different nature, either additional to, or instead of, those referred to above, it being understood that Employee will not be assigned duties that Employee cannot reasonably perform. Employee and Company each represent that they believe in good faith that Employee is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement or the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder.

 

(b)

Exclusive Services. Employee shall not be employed or render services elsewhere during the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision of this Section, during the Employment Period, Employee may devote reasonable time to activities other than those required under this Agreement, including activities of a charitable, educational, religious or similar nature (including professional associations), or activities related to corporate board or advisory board positions for non-competitive companies, subject to the company’s standard approval policy, and the management of the Employee’s personal investments, to the extent such activities do not compete in a material way with the business of the Company.

 

3.	COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a)	Base Salary. Employee shall be paid an annual base salary of $450,000 and shall be eligible for increases in base salary consistent with Company’s ordinary compensation cycles and process.

 

(b)	Annual Corporate Bonus. Employee is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 75% of annual salary, subject to the Rackspace Corporate Cash Bonus Plan {the “Plan’”) as approved by the board of directors or compensation committee.

 

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

1

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(c)

Equity Award. In consideration for signing this Agreement, Company will recommend to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Executive Committee”) a one-time recruiting grant of options to purchase 50,000 shares of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock, at a per share strike price equal to the fair market value of a share of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Award”). The Executive Committee has ultimate authority over this recommended award and would have to issue final approval before it would be granted. The recommended equity award is expected to be presented for review and approval within ninety (90) days of the first date of employment and would be issued pursuant and subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and a form of agreement for similarly situated employees of the Management Equity Program, which outline the vesting schedule and other terms.

 

(d)

Relocation Package. Employee agrees to relocate to San Antonio within three (3) months following the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Relocation Date.). To assist with that relocation, Employee is eligible to receive a relocation package, the details of which arc outlined in the attached Exhibit A. The relocation benefits will be administered by Company’s approved vendor, currently Relocation Synergy. In the event employment ends for any reason other than termination by the Company without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason within one year following the relocation to San Antonio, Employee agrees to reimburse the relocation expenses and relocation lump sum payment to Company. Employee agrees that the reimbursement amount owed to the Company shall be made immediately by a cash payment on or before Employee’s last date of employment. If Employee has not submitted the reimbursement amount to the Company as agreed to herein, Employee authorizes Company to deduct the reimbursement amount from any amount due to Employee, including any compensation or any pending expense reimbursements otherwise owed by Company to Employee. In the event Employee does not relocate to San Antonio on or before the Relocation Date, Employee agrees that Employee can be terminated for Cause under Section 8(d) and, in addition to any other available remedies, Employee will be required to reimburse the Company for any previously advanced relocation related payments made to Employee.

 

(e)	PTO. Employee is eligible for PTO (paid time off) subject to the Employee Handbook.

 

(f)

Employment Benefit Plans. Employee may participate in employee benefit plans in which other similarly situated employees may participate, according to the terms of applicable policies and as stated in the Employee Handbook. Employee acknowledges receipt of the Employee Handbook available on the intercompany website and will review and abide by its terms.

 

(g)	Expenses. Company will reimburse Employee for business expenses pursuant to Company policy.

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

 

2

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4.	NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Company has provided and will continue to provide to Employee confidential information and trade secrets including but not limited to Company’s operational, sales, marketing, personally identifiable information about employees, employee contact information and/or materials used for training and or/employee development, and engineering information, customer lists, business contracts, partner agreements, pricing and strategy information, product and cost or pricing data compensation information, strategic business plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information Company treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). This section is not intended to limit Employee’s rights to discuss Employee’s compensation or other terms and conditions of employment as allowed by law. Employee will not be liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a Federal, State or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or that is made in a document filed in a lawsuit so long as it is filed under seal. Employee acknowledges that such Confidential Information is proprietary and agrees not to disclose it to anyone outside Company except to the extent that (i) it is necessary in connection with performing his duties; (ii) Employee is required by court order to disclose the Confidential Information. provided that Employee shall promptly inform Company, shall cooperate with Company to obtain a protective order or otherwise restrict disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with the court order. Employee agrees to never use Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with Company. When employment ends, Employee will immediately return all Confidential Information to Company. The terms of this Section 4 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

5.	NON-HIRE OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES

To further preserve the Confidential Information, during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to Employee or any business associated with Employee. The terms of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

6.	NON-SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with Employee or any of Employee’s affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company. The terms of this Section 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

7.	NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

To further preserve the Confidential Information, Employee agrees that during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not work, as an employee, contractor. officer, owner, consultant, or director, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting or information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, including (i) provisioning, hosting,

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

 

3

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management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared, or virtual), and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, or (iii) any similar related IT services, all of the foregoing being defined for the purposes of this Agreement as “Competitive IT Services.’’ Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding interest in such business. Provided, that the forgoing restriction shall not prevent Employee from becoming an employee of or contractor for a division of any Competitive IT Services company so long as the division for which Employee will work does not provide Competitive IT Services, and as long as Employee does not, during the Restricted Period, perform services (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for any division of such company that provides Competitive IT Services. The terms of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

8.	TERMINATION

Employee’s employment may be terminated prior to the end of this Agreement only by mutual written agreement or:

 

(a)	Death. The date of Employee’s death shall be the termination date.

 

(b)	Disability. Company may terminate this Agreement and/or Employee’s employment if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s full-time position for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, subject to applicable law.

 

(c)

Termination By Employee For Good Reason. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment at any time for “Good Reason.” which is: (i) Company’s repeated failure to comply with a material term of this Agreement after written notice by Employee specifying the alleged failure; (ii) a substantial and unusual reduction in responsibilities and authority; (iii) reduction of Employee’s annual base salary in subsection 3(a); or (iv) failure to approve and issue the Equity Award within 180 days of the first date of employment. If Employee elects to terminate Employee’s employment for “Good Reason,” Employee must first provide Company written notice within thirty (30) days, after which Company shall have sixty (60) days to cure. If Company has not cured and Employee elects to terminate employment, Employee must do so within ten (10) days after the end of the cure period

 

(d)	Termination By Company. Company may terminate Employee’s employment with or without Cause and determine the termination date. “Cause” means:

(i) willful misconduct, including, without limitation, violation of sexual or other harassment policy, gross negligence. misappropriation of or material misrepresentation regarding property of Company, other than customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, as determined in the discretion of Company, or failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent material injury to the financial condition, business or reputation of the Company;

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

 

4

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(ii) abandonment of duties (other than by reason of disability) following a written warning and opportunity to cure for two business days;

(iii) failure to follow lawful directives of the Company, or failure to meet reasonable performance objectives following a written warning and opportunity to cure for thirty (30) days;

(iv) a felony conviction or indictment. a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee, or other conduct by Employee that has or would result in material injury to Company’s reputation, including indictment or conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement, or a crime involving moral turpitude;

(v) a material breach of this Agreement including violation of any material representation in Section 9; or

(vi) a significant violation of Company’s employment and management policies.

 

9.	OBLIGATIONS TO FORMER EMPLOYERS

 

(a)

Representations. As a material term of this Agreement, Employee represents that he has disclosed to Company all agreements, restrictions, or obligations that: (i) purport to impose on Employee any post-employment obligations with respect to a current or former employer; (ii) may affect Employee’s ability to assume employment with Rackspace; (iii) may affect Employee’s ability to perform the duties of Chief Transformation Officer of Rackspace; or (iv) may result in forfeiture or recoupment of any compensation (whether in the form of cash or equity) paid or payable by a current or former employer. As a material term of this Agreement, Employee represents that he is in compliance with, and will continue to comply with. the terms of all lawful, enforceable and ongoing post-employment restrictions from his prior employment with respect to: (i) nondisclosure of confidential information and trade secrets; and (ii) non-solicitation of employees, customers, and suppliers.

 

(b)

Legal Expenses Reimbursement. Notwithstanding Employee’s and Company’s good-faith belief that Employee is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement or the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, Employee and Company recognize that Employee’s current or former employers or other third parties may take a different view by initiating legal action against Executive or falsely accusing him of wrongdoing, and thus requiring Executive to obtain a legal defense in the event of such a dispute. Therefore, in the unexpected event of litigation against Employee that includes an allegation of a violation of an alleged noncompetition clause, unless Company terminates Employee for Cause or Employee terminates his employment without Good Reason, Company agrees to pay the cost to defend such a lawsuit; provided that Company has the right to select counsel and control the strategy and any resolution of the

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

 

5

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case; however, Company must seek consent from Employee if any such resolution would include admissions of liability or monetary obligations on the part of Employee, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event of a final judicial order of, or an agreed settlement for, recoupment regarding equity grants (“clawback damages”) in a case related primarily to an alleged noncompetition clause, Company will reimburse Employee, or at the Company’s option, pay the former employer directly, for the first $500,000 of loss to Employee at a rate of 100%, and will further reimburse Employee for any additional clawback damages thereafter at a rate of 50% (“Reimbursement Payment”); provided that if Employee is terminated for Cause or resigns without Good Reason within one year of any Reimbursement Payment, Employee will repay to Company the Reimbursement Payment, along with any payment made pursuant to Section 9(d), within thirty days of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company will not be required to make a Reimbursement Payment if there is more than insubstantial evidence that Employee has violated his obligations to a former employer related to confidentiality, trade secrets, or non-solicitation. The terms of this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement unless employment is terminated by Company for Cause or by Employee for any reason other than Good Reason.

 

(c)

Treatment of Reimbursement Payment. Employee and Company intend and understand that any Reimbursement Payment will not be included in Executive’s taxable income for federal income tax purposes, or his wages for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, either as reimbursements under an accountable plan as defined in §62(a)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Treasury Regulation §l.62-2(c)(2), or as working condition fringes as defined in Code §132(d) and Treasury Regulation §1.132-5. The parties, and any third party, shall construe and administer this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowable under any applicable laws and regulations, accordingly. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee shall provide to Company, not later than sixty (60) days after any Reimbursement Payment is paid to Employee, any information Company requests to enable Company to identify the specific nature of each reimbursed expense. If, for any reason, Company pays Employee an amount that exceeds the actual amount of the reimbursable expense, Company shall notify Employee after which Employee shall repay such amount to Company not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the expense is incurred.

 

(d)

Conditional Gross-Up Payment. Notwithstanding the parties treatment of any Reimbursement Payment in accordance with subsection (c), if at any time the Internal Revenue Service asserts that Employee is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a Reimbursement Payment, Company shall pay to Employee an additional gross-up amount such that the net amount paid to or on behalf of Employee after the payment of all applicable withholdings or taxes shall be equal to the amount that would have been paid had such payments not been subject to tax plus penalties and interest, if any; provided that Employee must first: (i) promptly notify Company of any audit of his personal tax return in the course of which the auditor raises the issue of whether such payments are taxable, and permit Company in its sole discretion to control the defense against the imposition of any such tax at Company’s expense; and (ii) in the event that Employee or Company are unsuccessful in the defense against the imposition of any such

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

6

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tax, use reasonable efforts to obtain a refund of any taxes paid with respect to the equity grants subject to recoupment. In the event that Employee obtains a partial or total refund of any taxes paid with respect to the equity grants subject to recoupment, any gross-up payment to be paid by Company hereunder shall be offset by such refund, or if the gross-up payment has already been made, Employee shall promptly pay to the Company the amount so refunded. The terms of this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement unless employment is terminated by Company for Cause or by Employee for any reason other than Good Reason.

 

(e)

Reimbursement Limitation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Reimbursement Payment paid to Employee, as supplemented by the gross-up payment, if any, shall not exceed $2,000,000. For the sake of clarity, in no event shall Company be required to pay more than $2,000,000 to Employee with respect to reimbursement of forfeiture damages and any applicable gross-up payment. This limitation does not apply to the cost to defend a lawsuit. The terms of this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement unless employment is terminated by Company for Cause or by Employee for any reason other than Good Reason.

 

(f)

Injunctive Relief. In the event Employee is enjoined from working in certain areas of the Company as a result of an alleged noncompetition clause, Company, in its sole discretion, may: (i) reassign Employee to an interim role that does not violate the injunction, which reassignment shall not constitute Good Reason; (ii) place Employee on a paid leave of absence, which leave shall not constitute Good Reason; or (iii) terminate employment without Cause provided Employee has not violated his obligations related to confidentiality, trade secrets, or non-solicitation.

 

10.	COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)

Death. Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee’s designee or, if no person is designated, to Employee’s estate, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the date of termination, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(b)	Disability. Company shall, within 30 days, pay all accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(c)

Termination By Company For Cause: Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits).

 

(d)

Non-Renewal By Employee. If Employee gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date and will pay accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

7

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benefits). If the termination date is before the end of the then current Employment Period, and if Employee signs and does not revoke a commercially reasonable Severance Agreement and General Release of claims with customary carve-outs in a form satisfactory to Company, then Company will, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, pay Employee an amount equal to Employee’s pro-rata base salary through the end of the then current Employment Period (the “Severance Payments or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(e)	Termination With Severance.

 

(1)

Termination By Company Without Cause or Termination by Employee for Good Reason - Severance: If Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause and not by reason of death or disability or if Employee terminates for Good Reason, Company will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a commercially reasonable Severance Agreement and General Release of claims with customary carve-outs in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, (i) in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on the Employee’s location, and (ii) a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro-rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which Employee’s termination occurs. The bonus amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees. The payment made pursuant to this section are referred to as (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(2)

Non-Renewal By Company - Severance: If Employee’s employment ends because Company gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date, even if such date is prior to the end of the Employment Period and will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a commercially reasonable Severance Agreement and General Release of claims with customary carve-outs in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination base on the Employee’s location (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

8

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(3)

Employment by Competitor or Re-hire During Severance Pay Period:

(i)        If Employee competes with Company, or is hired or engaged in any capacity by any competitor of Company (to be determined in Company’s discretion), during any Severance Pay Period, then the Severance Payments shall cease. The foregoing shall not affect Company’s right to enforce the Non-Compete pursuant to Section 7. For purposes of this sub-section, a “competitor” of Company means: any business anywhere in the world that sells Competitive IT Services as defined in Section 7.

(ii)        If Employee is rehired by Company or employed by or performing services in any non-competitive capacity or business during any Severance Pay Period, the Severance Payments shall cease. Furthermore, as a condition to receiving Severance Payments, Employee agrees to use reasonable efforts to obtain an offer of comparable employment. If Employee receives such an offer, the Severance Payments shall cease as of the offer’s proposed employment start date.

 

11.	OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS

Employee agrees that all inventions, improvements, discoveries, designs, technology, and works of authorship (including but not limited to computer software) made, created, conceived, or reduced to practice by Employee, whether alone or in cooperation with others, during employment, together with all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and other intellectual property rights related to any of the foregoing throughout the world, arc among other things works made for hire and belong exclusively to the Company, and Employee hereby assigns all such rights to the Company. Employee agrees to execute any documents, testify in any legal proceedings, and do all things necessary or desirable to secure Company’s rights to the foregoing, including without limitation executing inventors’ declarations and assignment forms. If there is a separate signed agreement between Employee and the Company including terms directly related to intellectual property rights, then the intellectual property terms of that agreement shall control.

 

12.	PARTIES BENEFITED; ASSIGNMENTS

This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee, Employee’s heirs and Employee’s personal representative or representatives, and upon Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Employee, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Company may assign its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise; provided, however, that Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume in writing on or prior to the effective date of such succession and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place.

 

13.	GOVERNING LAW

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

9

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This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of Texas or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Each of the Company and Employee (on behalf of itself and its affiliates) expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Texas state and federal courts for any lawsuit relating to this Agreement, waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to such personal jurisdiction or service of process, and waives any objection to jurisdiction based on improper venue or improper jurisdiction.

Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is advised to be represented by counsel in connection with his review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that entering into this Agreement is not a condition of Employee’s employment with the Company or its affiliates.

 

14.	DEFINITION OF COMPANY

“Company” shall include Rackspace US, Inc., and its past, present and future divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and successors.

 

15.	LITIGATION AND REGULATORY COOPERATION

During and after employment, Employee shall reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of claims, investigations, or other actions which relate to events or occurrences during employment. Employee agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Employee is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such claim, investigation or action. Employee’s cooperation shall include being available to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness. Company will pay an hourly rate (based on base salary as of the last day of employment) for cooperation that occurs after employment, and reimburse for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

16.	DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

(a)

Injunctive Relief: Employee agrees that irreparable damages to Company will result from Employee’s breach of this Agreement, including loss of revenue, loss of goodwill associated with Employee as a result of employment, and/or loss of the benefit to Company of any training, confidential, and/or trade secret information provided to Employee, and any other tangible and intangible investments made to and on behalf of Employee. A breach

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

10

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or threat of breach of this Agreement shall give the non-breaching party the right to seek a temporary restraining order and a preliminary or permanent injunction enjoining the breaching party from violating this Agreement in order to prevent immediate and irreparable harm. The breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with enforcement of this Agreement, including any appeals. Pursuit of equitable relief under this Agreement shall have no effect regarding the continued enforceability of the Arbitration Section below. Remedies for breach under this Section are cumulative and not exclusive; the parties may elect to pursue any remedies available under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Arbitration:The parties agree that any dispute or claim, that could be brought in court including discrimination or retaliation claims, relating to this Agreement or arising out of Employee’s employment or termination of employment, shall, upon timely written request of either party, be submitted to binding arbitration, except claims regarding: (i) workers’ compensation benefits; (ii) unemployment benefits; (iii) Company’s employee welfare benefit plans.if the plan contains a final and binding appeal procedure for the resolution of disputes under the plan; (iv) wage and hour disputes within the jurisdiction of any state Labor Commissioner; and (v) issues that could be brought before the National Labor Relations Board or covered by the National Labor Relations Act. This Agreement is not intended to prohibit the Employee from filing a claim or communicating with any governmental agency including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the Department of Labor. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in effect at the time the claim or dispute arose, unless other rules are agreed upon by the parties. Unless agreed to in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator from AAA or a comparable arbitration service, and who is selected pursuant to the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the AAA, or other rules as the parties may agree to in writing. Any claims received after the applicable statute of limitations period shall be deemed null and void. The parties further agree that by entering into this Agreement, the right to participate in a class or collective action is waived. CLAIMS MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative, collective or class proceeding. lf this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned award with findings of fact and conclusions of law. Either party may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement, or to enforce or vacate an arbitration award. However, in actions seeking to vacate an award, the standard of review to be applied by said court to the arbitrator’s findings of fact and conclusions of law will be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing a decision of a trial court sitting without a jury, unless state law requires otherwise. Company will pay the actual fee for the arbitrator and the claimant’s filing fee; unless otherwise provided by law and awarded by the arbitrator, each party will pay their own attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

11

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17.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPLOYEE

Employee shall keep all terms of this Agreement confidential, except as may be disclosed to Employee’s spouse, accountants or attorneys, each of whom shall agree to keep all terms of this Agreement confidential. Employee authorizes the Company to inform any prospective employer of the existence and terms of this Agreement without liability for interference with Employee’s prospective employment. Employee represents that Employee is under no disability that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of Employee’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee represents that Employee is represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement.

 

18.	SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE

 

(a)

General. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Employee under Section 409A(a)(l )(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Employee shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder, provided, however, that this Section does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or plan and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)

Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no Severance Payments shall be payable unless the termination of the Employee’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-l(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if the Employee is deemed at the time of Employee’s separation from service to be a “specified

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

12

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employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the Severance Payments (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such Severance Payment under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Severance Payments shall not be provided to the Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of the Employee’s death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 18(b) shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining Severance Payments shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether the Employee is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of Employee’s separation from service shall be made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-l(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Employee’s right to receive installment payments of the Severance Payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (v) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year. Reimbursements and in-kind benefits are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. With regard to any requirement that Employee sign and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release as a condition to receipt of payments under section 10, such Severance Agreement and General Release must become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms on or before the 60th day following Employee’s separation from service; provided that if the 60-day period begins in one taxable year of Employee and ends in a second taxable year of Employee, such payments under section 10 conditioned on such Severance Agreement and General Release shall not commence until the second taxable year.

 

19.	WITHHOLDING

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, and foreign withholding and other taxes and charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

20.	EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS

If it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement,

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

13

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policy, plan, program, or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right, or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) by reason of being contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest or penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then, in the event that the after-tax value of all Payments to Employee (such after-tax value to reflect the reduction for the Excise Tax and all federal, state, and local income, employment, and other taxes on such Payments) would, in the aggregate, be less than the after-tax value to Employee (reflecting a reduction for all such taxes in a like manner) of the amount that is 2.99 times Employee’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (the “Safe Harbor Amount”), (a) the cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under this Agreement shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (b) if the reduction of the cash portions of the Payments, payable under this Agreement, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then any cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under any other agreements, policies, plans, programs, or arrangements shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (c) if the reduction of all cash portions of the Payments, payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then non-cash portions of the Payments shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. All calculations under this Section shall be determined by a national accounting firm selected by the Company (which may include the Company’s outside auditors). The Company shall pay all costs to obtain and provide such calculations to Employee and the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change in ownership or effective control, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

 

21.	MISCELLANEOUS

This Agreement is not effective unless fully executed by all parties, including the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company, and approved by the Executive Committee as required by Company or its affiliates. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties on the subject matters in this agreement and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or understandings between the parties except as noted in Section 11 above. No modification shall be valid unless in writing and

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

14

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signed by the parties. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, a counterpart transmitted via electronic means, and all executed counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute sufficient proof of the parties’ entry into this Agreement. The parties agree to execute any further or future documents which may be necessary to allow the full performance of this Agreement. The failure of a party to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to later enforce any provision. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not control the meaning of any provision hereof.

If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, except as specifically noted in this Agreement, or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. Company and Employee agree that the restrictions contained in Section 4, 5, 6, and 7, are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect Confidential Information. If any restrictive covenant is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or geographic area of such restrictive covenant, the parties agree that a court or arbitrator may reduce the scope, duration, or geographic area, and in its reduced form, such provision shall be enforceable. Should Employee violate the provisions of Sections 5, 6, or 7, then in addition to all other remedies available to Company, the duration of these covenants shall be extended for the period of time when Employee began such violation until Employee permanently ceases such violation.

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable. Upon full execution by all parties, this Agreement shall be effective when signed below.

 

EMPLOYEE:		/s/ Dustin Semach
COMPANY:		/s/ Holly Windham
		Rackspace US, Inc.
		Printed Name:		Holly Windham
		Title:		Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel

 

		Initials:
		Company:		HW
		Employee:		DSS

 

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Exhibit A

Relocation Benefits Summary for Dustin Semach: Executive Package

Below is an outline of the relocation package being offered to you as part of your Employment Agreement.

The full relocation policy will be provided to you by the Company’s third-party relocation vendor during your initial consultation for your move to San Antonio. In the event of any conflicts between the policy and your Employment Agreement, the terms of your Employment Agreement will apply.

 

BENEFIT		DESCRIPTION
Lump Sum Allowance		Once your move is scheduled, Rackspace will provide you with a one-time lump sum allowance in the amount of $100,000.00 (gross), intended to assist with usual and customary out-of-pocket relocation expenses. The allowance will be funded by the relocation provider, currently Relocation Synergy Group (RSG). You are responsible for applicable taxes on the payment.
Temporary Living		Rackspace will provide you and your family with temporary accommodations up to a maximum of 60 days. RSG will book these arrangements for you in accordance with Rackspace guidelines. Rackspace will cover up to two trips home while in temporary living. Reimbursement of economy flights or mileage will be at the IRS current rate only.
Home Search Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Final Relocation Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Home Marketing Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker; assistance with marketing strategies and contract negotiations. No home sale closing costs.
Home Search/Rental Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker or rental agent; with preferred mortgage lender, if applicable. No new home closing costs will be covered.
Shipment and Unpacking of Household Goods		You are eligible for a full pack and move including unpacking services. (Pack, load, ship, unload, and unpack household goods.) Fully insured. Up to two (2) automobiles, if moving over 500 miles. No storage.

 

 

		Initials:		HW
		Company:
		Employee:		DSS

 

16

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FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Dustin Semach and Rackspace US, Inc. (hereinafter the “Agreement”) is made with an effective date as of the date both parties have signed below (“Amendment Effective Date”).

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreement contained in the Agreement, as amended, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the patties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

The Employment Period in Section 1 of the Agreement is amended to commence July 22, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) and end on July 14, 2021 (the “Employment Period”).

 

2.

Section 2(a) of the Agreement is amended to change Employee’s title to EVP and Chief Financial Officer.

 

3.

Section 3(a) of the Agreement is amended to change Employee’s annual base salary to $485,000.

 

4.

Section 9(a) of the Agreement is amended to change Employee’s title to EVP and Chief Financial Officer.

All other terms and conditions of the Agreement not expressly amended herein remain in full force and effect.

 

EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Dustin Semach				Date:		7/5/2019
Dustin Semach

 

COMPANY:
/s/ Holly B. Windham				Date:		July 7, 2019
Rackspace US, Inc.
By: Holly B. Windham
Title: General Counsel

Exhibit 10.13

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Racks pace US, Inc. (“Company”) and Siddharth Viswanathan (“Employee”).

 

1.	TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

The employment period commences July 29, 2019 (“Effective Date”) and ends on July 29, 2021 (the “Employment Period”); however, the Employment Period will thereafter be automatically extended for one year periods unless either Company or Employee gives written notice of non-renewal no later than ninety days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable Employment Period. The term “Employment Period” shall refer to the Employment Period if and as so extended.

 

2.	TITLE AND EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

 

(a)

Title and Duties. Employee’s title is Executive Vice-President and General Manager, Americas. Employee will perform job duties that are usual and customary for this position. This position will require performance of duties Monday through Friday in San Antonio, Texas, unless Employee is traveling for business purposes. The Company reserves the right to assign to the Employee duties of a different nature, either additional to, or instead of, those referred to above, it being understood that Employee will not be assigned duties which Employee cannot reasonably perform.

 

(b)

Exclusive Services. Employee shall not be employed or render services elsewhere during the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision of this Section, during the Employment Period, Employee may devote reasonable time to activities other than those required under this Agreement, including activities of a charitable, educational, religious or similar nature (including professional associations), or activities related to corporate board or advisory board positions for non-competitive companies, subject to the company’s standard approval policy, and the management of the Employee’s personal investments, to the extent such activities do not compete in a material way with the business of the Company.

 

3.	COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a)	Base Salary. Employee shall be paid an annual base salary of $650,000 and shall be eligible for increases in base salary consistent with Company’s ordinary compensation cycles and process.

 

(b)

Annual Corporate Bonus. Employee is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 90% of annual salary, subject to the Rackspace Corporate Cash Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) as approved by the board of directors or compensation committee. The parties agree that Employee’s potential 2019 bonus, if earned and approved under the Bonus Plan, will not be reduced to a pro rata amount on account of his start date in 2019. This means, for the sake of clarity, that Employee would be eligible to receive a 12-month bonus payment for

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

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2019 on the ordinary bonus payment date if he is employed on such payout date and is otherwise eligible for a bonus under the achievement requirements and other terms of the Bonus Plan.

 

(c)

Annual Variable Compensation. Employee is eligible for an annual regional sales performance incentive bonus of up to $300,000.00 per year based on sales-related objectives to be determined in the reasonable discretion of Company (the “Commission Bonus”) and subject to the applicable commissions plan. If the Commission Bonus is earned, it will be paid at the same time as the Annual Corporate Bonus which follows year-end financial reconciliations in Q1 of the following calendar year. For the 2019 year, the Commission Bonus will not be prorated.

 

(d)

Signing Bonuses. Employee will be paid a signing bonus of $1,037,500 less withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions within thirty days of the start of employment subject to the clawback outlined below. Employee will be paid a total of an additional $1,500,000 less withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions, payable in three equal installments of $500,000 each on the following dates subject to the clawback outlined below: August 16, 2019, the second payroll date in April 2020, and the second payroll date in January 2021. Except as provided in subsection 9(e), Employee must remain employed by Company through the applicable installment payment date to receive the installment payments. Clawback: if Employee resigns without Good Reason or is terminated for Cause prior to the one-year anniversary of employment, Employee shall repay to Company any Signing Bonuses that were paid within the prior one-year period, such clawback payment to be made within thirty days following the end of employment.

 

(e)

Equity Award. In consideration for signing this Agreement, Company will recommend to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Executive Committee”) a one-time recruiting grant of options to purchase 80,000 shares of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock, at a per share strike price equal to the fair market value of a share of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Award”). The Executive Committee has ultimate authority over this recommended award and would have to issue final approval before it would be granted. The recommended equity award is expected to be presented for review and approval within ninety (90) days of the first date of employment and would be issued pursuant and subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and a form of agreement for similarly situated employees of the Management Equity Program, which outline the vesting schedule and other terms.

 

(f)	PTO. Employee is eligible for PTO (paid time off) subject to the Employee Handbook.

 

(g)

Employment Benefit Plans. Employee may participate in employee benefit plans in which other similarly situated employees may participate, according to the terms of applicable policies and as stated in the Employee Handbook. Employee acknowledges receipt of the Employee Handbook available on the intercompany website and will review and abide by its terms.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

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(h)	Expenses. Company will reimburse or pay for Employee’s reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy. With respect to Employee’s travel to San Antonio, Company agrees to the following:

 

a.

Company will pay for all reasonable travel expenses to and from San Antonio for no more than six weeks to assist with Employee’s search for local housing. Thereafter, Company will pay for only airfare and transportation costs.

 

b.

Company will pay $36,000 per year to Employee, less withholding and ordinary payroll deductions, to assist with any other expenses associated with trips to San Antonio, including the cost of a potential apartment, meals, and other incidental costs.

 

(i)	Atlanta Home Sale Assistance. Company and Employee have agreed to the terms set forth in the attached Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein for all purposes.

 

4.	NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)

Company has provided and will continue to provide to Employee confidential information and trade secrets including but not limited to Company’s operational, sales, marketing, personally identifiable information about employees, employee contact information and/or materials used for training and or/employee development, and engineering information, customer lists, business contracts, partner agreements, pricing and strategy information, product and cost or pricing data, compensation information, strategic business plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information Company treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). This section is not intended to limit Employee’s rights to discuss Employee’s compensation or other terms and conditions of employment as allowed by law. Employee will not be liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a Federal, State or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or that is made in a document filed in a lawsuit so long as it is filed under seal. Employee acknowledges that such Confidential Information is proprietary and agrees not to disclose it to anyone outside Company except to the extent that (i) it is necessary in connection with performing his duties; (ii) Employee is required by court order to disclose the Confidential Information, provided that Employee shall promptly inform Company, shall cooperate with Company to obtain a protective order or otherwise restrict disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with the court order. Employee agrees to never use Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with Company. When employment ends, Employee will immediately return all Confidential Information to Company.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 4 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

3

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5.	NON-HIRE OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company: or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to Employee or any business associated with Employee.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

6.	NON-SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with Employee or any of Employee’s affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

7.	NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, Employee agrees that during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not work, as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, or director, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting or information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, including (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared, or virtual), and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, or (iii) any similar related IT services, all of the foregoing being defined for the purposes of this Agreement as “Competitive IT Services.” Notwithstanding the foregoing. Employee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding interest in such business. Provided, that the forgoing restriction shall not prevent Employee from becoming an employee of or contractor for a division of any Competitive IT Services company so long as the division for which Employee will work does not provide Competitive IT Services, and as long as Employee does not, during the Restricted Period, perform services (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for any division of such company that provides Competitive IT Services.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

4

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(b)	The terms of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

8.	TERMINATION. Employee’s employment may be terminated prior to the end of this Agreement only by mutual written agreement or:

 

(a)	Death. The date of Employee’s death shall be the termination date.

 

(b)	Disability. Company may terminate this Agreement and/or Employee’s employment if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s full-time position for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, subject to applicable law.

 

(c)

Termination By Employee For Good Reason. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment at any time for “Good Reason,” which is: (i) Company’s repeated failure to comply with a material term of this Agreement after written notice by Employee specifying the alleged failure; or (ii) a substantial and unusual reduction in responsibilities and authority. If Employee elects to terminate Employee’s employment for “Good Reason,” Employee must first provide Company written notice within thirty (30) days, after which Company shall have sixty (60) days to cure. If Company has not cured and Employee elects to terminate employment, Employee must do so within ten (10) days after the end of the cure period

 

(d)	Termination By Company. Company may terminate Employee’s employment with or without Cause and determine the termination date. “Cause” means:

(i) willful misconduct, including, without limitation, violation of sexual or other harassment policy, gross negligence, misappropriation of or material misrepresentation regarding property of Company, other than customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, as determined in the discretion of Company, or failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent material injury to the financial condition, business or reputation of the Company;

(ii) abandonment of duties (other than by reason of disability);

(iii) failure to follow lawful directives of the Company, or failure to meet reasonable performance objectives following a written warning and opportunity to cure for thirty (30) days;

(iv) a felony conviction or indictment, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by’ Employee, or other conduct by Employee that has or would result in material injury to Company’s reputation, including indictment or conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement, or a crime involving moral turpitude;

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

5

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(v) a material breach of this Agreement including violation of any material representation in section 9; or

(vi) a significant violation of Company’s employment and management policies.

 

9.	OBLIGATIONS TO FORMER EMPLOYERS

 

(a)

Representations. As a material term of this Agreement, Employee represents that he has disclosed to Company all agreements, restrictions, or obligations that: (i) purport to impose on Employee any post-employment obligations with respect to a current or former employer; (ii) may affect Employee’s ability to assume employment with Rackspace; (iii) may affect Employee’s ability to perform his duties under this Agreement; or (iv) may result in forfeiture or recoupment of any compensation (whether in the form of cash or equity) paid or payable by a current or former employer. Employee and Company each represent that they believe in good faith that Employee is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement or the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder. As a material term of this Agreement, Employee represents that, to the best of his knowledge, he is in compliance with, and will not knowingly or intentionally violate, the terms of all lawful, enforceable and ongoing post-employment restrictions from his prior employment with respect to: (i) nondisclosure of confidential information and trade secrets; and (ii) non-solicitation of employees, customers, and suppliers. Company agrees that it will not require Employee to engage in solicitation of customers it believes in good faith to be in violation of any enforceable restrictions from prior employment, and agrees that any act that Employee performs at Company’s direction will not violate Employee’s representation in this subsection 9(a).

 

(b)

Legal Expenses Reimbursement. Notwithstanding Employee’s and Company’s good-faith belief that Employee is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement or the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, Employee and Company recognize that Employee’s current or former employers or other third parties may take a different view by initiating legal action against Executive or falsely accusing him of wrongdoing, and thus requiring Executive to obtain a legal defense in the event of such a dispute. Therefore, in the unexpected event of litigation against Employee that includes an allegation of a violation of an alleged noncompetition or customer nonsolicitation clause, Company agrees to pay the cost to defend such a lawsuit; provided that Company has the right to select counsel, and control the strategy and any resolution of the case; however, Company must seek consent from Employee if any such resolution would include admissions of liability or monetary obligations on the part of Employee, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event of a final judicial finding of recoupment regarding equity grants (“clawback damages”) related to an alleged noncompetition clause or to a violation of an alleged customer non-solicitation clause resulting from his organizational responsibilities (and not his unilateral conduct), Company will reimburse Employee, or at the Company’s option, pay the former employer directly, for the clawback damages up to $2,400,000 as a maximum cost to Company (“Reimbursement Payment”); provided that if Employee is terminated for Cause or resigns without Good Reason within one year of any Reimbursement Payment, Employee will repay to Company the Reimbursement Payment, along with any payment made pursuant to subsection 9(d), within thirty days of termination.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

6

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(c)

Treatment of Reimbursement Payment. Employee and Company intend and understand that any Reimbursement Payment will not be included in Executive’s taxable income for federal income tax purposes, or his wages for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, either as reimbursements under an accountable plan as defined in §62(a)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Treasury Regulation §1.62-2(c)(2), or as working condition fringes as defined in Code §132(d) and Treasury Regulation §1.132-5. The parties, and any third party, shall construe and administer this Agreement, to the fullest extent allowable under any applicable laws and regulations, accordingly. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee shall provide to Company, not later than sixty (60) days after any Reimbursement Payment is paid to Employee, any information Company requests to enable Company to identify the specific nature of each reimbursed expense. If, for any reason, Company pays Employee an amount that exceeds the actual amount of the reimbursable expense, Company shall notify Employee after which Employee shall repay such amount to Company not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the expense is incurred.

 

(d)

Conditional Gross-Up Payment. Prior to the payment of any Reimbursement Payment, Company will affirmatively seek additional tax advice with respect to the tax treatment of such payment, including, at Employee’s request, consideration of advice from a tax advisor of Employee’s choosing. Notwithstanding the parties’ treatment of any Reimbursement Payment in accordance with subsection (c), if, prior to any Reimbursement Payment, the Company’s tax advisor, after considering any tax advice from a tax advisor of Employee’s choosing, determines that Employee is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a Reimbursement Payment, or if at any later time the Internal Revenue Service asserts that Employee is subject to federal income tax or a FICA obligation by reason of a Reimbursement Payment, Company shall pay to Employee an additional gross-up amount, not to exceed $900,000, such that the net amount paid to or on behalf of Employee after the payment of all applicable withholdings, taxes, or penalties shall be equal to the amount that would have been paid had such payments not been subject to tax; provided that Employee must first: (i) promptly notify Company of any such assertion or of any audit of his personal tax return in the course of which the auditor raises the issue of whether such payments are taxable, and permit Company in its sole discretion to control the defense against the imposition of any such tax at Company’s expense; and (ii) in the event that Employee or Company are unsuccessful in the defense against the imposition of any such tax, use reasonable efforts to obtain a refund of any taxes paid with respect to the equity grants subject to recoupment. In the event that Employee obtains a partial or total refund of any taxes paid with respect to the equity grants subject to recoupment, any gross-up payment to be paid by Company hereunder shall be offset by such refund, or if the gross-up payment has already been made, Employee shall promptly pay to the Company the amount so refunded.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

7

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(e)

Injunctive Relief. In the event Employee is enjoined from working in certain areas of the Company as a result of an alleged noncompetition clause or nonsolicitation, if reasonably practicable, Company will reassign Employee to a role that does not violate the injunction, which reassignment shall not constitute Good Reason provided that, as soon as any such injunction ends, Company will return Employee to the position listed in subsection 2(a) with the same responsibilities and authority. If it is not reasonably practicable to reassign Employee to another role, Company may, in its sole discretion: (i) place Employee on a paid leave of absence, which leave shall not constitute Good Reason; or (ii) terminate employment; provided, however, that such termination will be considered a termination without Cause subject to section 10(e)(1) as long as Employee has not been found to have engaged in behavior that is a willful or intentional violation of his obligations related to confidentiality, trade secrets, or non-solicitation. In the event Company terminates Employee without Cause pursuant to this subsection 9(e), the terms of subsection 3(d) will survive such termination. The Signing Bonus in subsection 3(d) will, to the extent not already paid, become immediately due and will not be subject to the clawback provisions of subsection 3(d).

 

10.	COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)

Death. Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee’s designee or, if no person is designated, to Employee’s estate, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the date of termination, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(b)	Disability. Company shall, within 30 days, pay all accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(c)

Termination By Company For Cause: Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits).

 

(d)

Non-Renewal By Employee. If Employee gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date and will pay accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the termination date is before the end of the then current Employment Period, and if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, then Company will, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, pay Employee an amount equal to Employee’s pro-rata base salary through the end of the then current Employment Period (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

8

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(e)	Termination With Severance.

 

(1)

Termination By Company Without Cause or Termination by Employee for Good Reason—Severance: If Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause and not by reason of death or disability or if Employee terminates for Good Reason, Company will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, (i) in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on the Employee’s location, and (ii) a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro-rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which Employee’s termination occurs. The bonus amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees. The payment made pursuant to this section are referred to as (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(2)

Non-Renewal By Company - Severance: If Employee’s employment ends because Company gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date, even if such date is prior to the end of the Employment Period and will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination base on the Employee’s location (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(3)

Employment by Competitor or Re-hire During Severance Pay Period:

(i) If Employee competes with Company, or is hired or engaged in any capacity by any competitor of Company (to be determined in Company’s reasonable discretion), during any Severance Pay Period, then the Severance Payments shall cease. The foregoing shall not affect Company’s right to enforce the Non-Compete pursuant to Section 7. For purposes of this sub-section, a “competitor” of Company means: any business anywhere in the world that sells Competitive IT Services as defined in Section 7.

(ii) If Employee is rehired by Company during any Severance Pay Period, the Severance Payments shall cease.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

9

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11.	OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS

Employee agrees that all inventions, improvements, discoveries, designs, technology, and works of authorship (including but not limited to computer software) made, created, conceived, or reduced to practice by Employee, whether alone or in cooperation with others, during employment, together with all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and other intellectual property rights related to any of the foregoing throughout the world, are among other things works made for hire and belong exclusively to the Company, and Employee hereby assigns all such rights to the Company. Employee agrees to execute any documents, testify in any legal proceedings, and do all things necessary or desirable to secure Company’s rights to the foregoing, including without limitation executing inventors’ declarations and assignment forms. If there is a separate signed agreement between Employee and the Company including terms directly related to intellectual property rights, then the intellectual property terms of that agreement shall control.

 

12.	PARTIES BENEFITED; ASSIGNMENTS

This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee, Employee’s heirs and Employee’s personal representative or representatives, and upon Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Employee, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Company may assign its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise.

 

13.	GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of Texas or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Each of the Company and Employee (on behalf of itself and its affiliates) expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Texas state and federal courts for any lawsuit relating to this Agreement, waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to such personal jurisdiction or service of process, and waives any objection to jurisdiction based on improper venue or improper jurisdiction.

Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is advised to be represented by counsel in connection with his review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

10

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14.	DEFINITION OF COMPANY

“Company” shall include Rackspace US, Inc., and its past, present and future divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and successors.

 

15.	LITIGATION AND REGULATORY COOPERATION

During and after employment, Employee shall reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of claims, investigations, or other actions which relate to events or occurrences during employment. Employee agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Employee is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such claim, investigation or action. Employee’s cooperation shall include being available to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness. Company will pay an hourly rate (based on base salary as of the last day of employment) for cooperation that occurs after employment, and reimburse for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

16.	DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

(a)

Injunctive Relief: Employee agrees that irreparable damages to Company will result from Employee’s breach of this Agreement, including loss of revenue, loss of goodwill associated with Employee as a result of employment, and/or loss of the benefit to Company of any training, confidential, and/or trade secret information provided to Employee, and any other tangible and intangible investments made to and on behalf of Employee. A breach or threat of breach of this Agreement shall give the non-breaching party the right to seek a temporary restraining order and a preliminary or permanent injunction enjoining the breaching party from violating this Agreement in order to prevent immediate and irreparable harm. The breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with enforcement of this Agreement, including any appeals. Pursuit of equitable relief under this Agreement shall have no effect regarding the continued enforceability of the Arbitration Section below. Remedies for breach under this Section are cumulative and not exclusive; the parties may elect to pursue any remedies available under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Arbitration: The parties agree that any dispute or claim, that could be brought in court including discrimination or retaliation claims, relating to this Agreement or arising out of Employee’s employment or termination of employment, shall, upon timely written request of either party, be submitted to binding arbitration, except claims regarding: (i) workers’ compensation benefits; (ii) unemployment benefits; (iii) Company’s employee welfare benefit plans, if the plan contains a final and binding appeal procedure for the resolution of disputes under the plan; (iv) wage and hour disputes within the jurisdiction of any state Labor Commissioner; and (v) issues that could be brought before the National Labor Relations Board or covered by the National Labor Relations Act. This Agreement is not intended to prohibit the Employee from filing a claim or communicating with any governmental agency including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the Department of Labor. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

11

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Association (“AAA”) in effect at the time the claim or dispute arose, unless other rules are agreed upon by the parties. Unless agreed to in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator from AAA or a comparable arbitration service, and who is selected pursuant to the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the AAA, or other rules as the parties may agree to in writing. Any claims received after the applicable statute of limitations period shall be deemed null and void. The parties further agree that by entering into this Agreement, the right to participate in a class or collective action is waived. CLAIMS MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative, collective or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned award with findings of fact and conclusions of law. Either party may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement, or to enforce or vacate an arbitration award. However, in actions seeking to vacate an award, the standard of review to be applied by said court to the arbitrator’s findings of fact and conclusions of law will be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing a decision of a trial court sitting without a jury, unless state law requires otherwise. Company will pay the actual fee for the arbitrator and the claimant’s filing fee; unless otherwise provided by law and awarded by the arbitrator, each party will pay their own attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

 

17.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPLOYEE

Employee shall keep all terms of this Agreement confidential, except as may be disclosed to Employee’s spouse, accountants or attorneys, each of whom shall agree to keep all terms of this Agreement confidential. Employee authorizes the Company to inform any prospective employer of the existence and terms of this Agreement without liability for interference with Employee’s prospective employment. Employee represents that Employee is under no disability that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of Employee’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee represents that Employee is represented by counsel in connection with his review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

18.	SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE

 

(a)

General. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Employee under Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Employee shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

12

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amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder, provided, however, that this Section does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or plan and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)

Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no Severance Payments shall be payable unless the termination of the Employee’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if the Employee is deemed at the time of Employee’s separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the Severance Payments (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such Severance Payment under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Severance Payments shall not be provided to the Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of the Employee’s death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 18(b) shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining Severance Payments shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether the Employee is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of Employee’s separation from service shall be made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-l(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Employee’s right to receive installment payments of the Severance Payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (v) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year. Reimbursements and in-kind benefits are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

13

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19.	WITHHOLDING

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, and foreign withholding and other taxes and charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

20.	EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS.

If it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program, or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right, or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) by reason of being contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest or penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then, in the event that the after-tax value of all Payments to Employee (such after-tax value to reflect the reduction for the Excise Tax and all federal, state, and local income, employment, and other taxes on such Payments) would, in the aggregate, be less than the after-tax value to Employee (reflecting a reduction for all such taxes in a like manner) of the amount that is 2.99 times Employee’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (the “Safe Harbor Amount”), (a) the cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under this Agreement shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (b) if the reduction of the cash portions of the Payments, payable under this Agreement, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then any cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under any other agreements, policies, plans, programs, or arrangements shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (c) if the reduction of all cash portions of the Payments, payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then non-cash portions of the Payments shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. All calculations under this Section shall be determined by a national accounting firm selected by the Company (which may include the Company’s outside auditors). The Company shall pay all costs to obtain and provide such calculations to Employee and the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Parachute

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

14

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Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change in ownership or effective control, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

 

21.	MISCELLANEOUS

This Agreement is not effective unless fully executed by all parties, including the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company, and approved by the Executive Committee as required by Company or its affiliates. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties on the subject matters in this agreement and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or understandings between the parties except as noted in Section 11 above. No modification shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, a counterpart transmitted via electronic means, and all executed counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute sufficient proof of the parties entry into this Agreement. The parties agree to execute any further or future documents which may be necessary to allow the full performance of this Agreement. The failure of a party to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to later enforce any provision. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not control the meaning of any provision hereof.

If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, except as specifically noted in this Agreement, or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. Company and Employee agree that the restrictions contained in Section 4, 5, 6, and 7, are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect Confidential Information. If any restrictive covenant is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or geographic area of such restrictive covenant, the parties agree that a court or arbitrator may reduce the scope, duration, or geographic area, and in its reduced form, such provision shall be enforceable. Should Employee violate the provisions of Sections 5, 6, or 7, then in addition to all other remedies available to Company, the duration of these covenants shall be extended for the period of time when Employee began such violation until Employee permanently ceases such violation.

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

15

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Upon full execution by all parties, this Agreement shall be binding as of the later date of the two signature dates below.

 

EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Siddharth Viswanathan						Date: June 15th 2019
Siddharth Viswanathan (Sid Nair)
COMPANY:
/s/ Laura Sue D’Annunzio						Date: June 17th 2019
Rackspace US, Inc.
By: Laura Sue D’Annunzio
Its: Chief People Officer

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

16

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Exhibit A

Promptly after Employee signs this Employment Agreement, Company will direct Relocation Synergy Group (“RSG”) to purchase Employee’s residence located at                                                           (“Residence”) under its directed, Guaranteed Buy-Out process (“GBO process”) for a guaranteed purchase price of $3,100,000 (the “Purchase Price”). The purchase of the Residence by RGS will be subject to RGS’s standard terms and conditions relating to such transaction, the terms of which are generally summarized below.

After the Effective Date and promptly after Employee has delivered all required documentation to RSG (including evidence that Employee has title to the Residence) and caused the Residence to be vacated and possession to be delivered to RGS, RGS shall issue to Employee a check or wire funds in the amount of Employee’s equity in the Residence (such date, the “Equity Funding Date”). Employee’s “equity” in the Residence shall be the Purchase Price, adjusted as follows:

 

•

reduced by the amount required to secure the release of any mortgage, trust deed or other liens encumbering the Residence;

 

•

reduced by prorations of real estate taxes and other assessments which shall be apportioned as of the Equity Funding Date between RSG and the Employee; and

 

•

increased or reduced by any balances in escrow or deposit accounts with any mortgage, provided such sums are properly assigned to RSG.

Please note that RSG may, at its option, service any indebtedness secured by existing mortgage(s) or trust deed(s) which encumber the Residence, and RSG shall indemnify and hold harmless Employee from and against any personal obligation, liability, cost or expense arising or occurring as a result of such indebtedness or the failure to timely pay such indebtedness after the Equity Funding Date.

On the Equity Funding Date, RGS shall assume the benefits and burdens of ownership and take possession of the Residence. Thereafter, Employee shall have no further liability or obligation with respect to the Residence, including, but not limited to mortgage payments, utilities and insurance, except as specifically set forth in the applicable terms and conditions.

On the sale of the Residence to a third-party, RSG will pay the commission and normal seller’s closing costs directly to the appropriate service providers and shall cause any indebtedness secured by the Residence to be repaid.

Notwithstanding the terms of the Agreement, in the event that Employee does not commence employment with the Company on the Effective Date or if Employee is terminated for Cause within twelve months after the Effective Date, Employee shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its affiliates from and against, and pay or reimburse the Company and its affiliates, for any damages, losses, costs and expenses incurred or suffered by the Company and its affiliates resulting from or arising out of the purchase of the Residence by RGS and any subsequent sale thereof to a third-party, including without limitation, the costs and expenses of RGS, real estate brokerage commissions, property taxes and other fees payable to third-parties. Any amounts payable hereunder shall be made within ten (10) days after written demand thereof by Company.

 

		Initials:		LSD
		Company:
		Employee:		SV

 

17

Exhibit 10.14

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Rackspace US, Inc. (“Company”) and Subroto Mukerji (“Employee”).

 

1.	TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

This Agreement commences July 1, 2019 (“Effective Date”) and ends on June 30, 2021 (the “Employment Period”); however, the Employment Period will thereafter be automatically extended for one year periods unless either Company or Employee gives written notice of non-renewal no later than ninety days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable Employment Period. The term “Employment Period” shall refer to the Employment Period if and as so extended.

 

2.	TITLE AND EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

 

(a)

Title and Duties. Employee’s title is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for the following functions: Global Technical Support, Global Datacenters & Infrastructure, Global Enterprise Security, and Technical Enterprise Services (TES). Employee will perform job duties that are usual and customary for this position. This position will be based in San Antonio, Texas. The Company reserves the right to assign to the Employee duties of a different nature, either additional to, or instead of, those referred to above, it being understood that Employee will not be assigned duties that conflict with the terms of any lawful, enforceable and ongoing post-employment restrictions with a prior employer or that Employee cannot reasonably perform.

 

(b)

Exclusive Services. Employee shall not be employed or render services elsewhere during the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision of this Section, during the Employment Period, Employee may devote reasonable time to activities other than those required under this Agreement, including activities of a charitable, educational, religious or similar nature (including professional associations), or activities related to corporate board or advisory board positions for non-competitive companies, subject to the company’s standard approval policy, and the management of the Employee’s personal investments, to the extent such activities do not compete in a material way with the business of the Company.

 

3.	COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a)	Base Salary. Employee shall be paid an annual base salary of Four Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($460,000) and shall be eligible for increases in base salary consistent with Company’s ordinary compensation cycles and process.

 

(b)

Annual Corporate Bonus. Employee is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 80% of annual salary, subject to the Rackspace Corporate Cash Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) as approved by the board of directors or compensation committee. However, with respect to a 2019 bonus, the parties agree that Employee’s potential bonus, if earned and approved under the Plan, will be based on a hypothetical employment start date of April 1, 2019; in

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

1

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other words, for the sake of clarity, Employee is eligible to receive a 9-month bonus payment for 2019 on the ordinary bonus payment date in 2020 if he is employed on the payout date and is otherwise eligible for a bonus under the achievement requirements and other terms of the Bonus Plan.

 

(c)

Equity Award. In consideration for signing this Agreement, Company will recommend to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Executive Committee”) a one-time recruiting grant of options to purchase 70,000 shares of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock, at a per share strike price equal to the fair market value of a share of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘‘Equity Award”). The Executive Committee has ultimate authority over this recommended award and would have to issue final approval before it would be granted. The recommended equity award is expected to be presented for review and approval within ninety (90) days of the first date of employment and would be issued pursuant and subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and a form of agreement for similarly situated employees of the Management Equity Program, which outline the vesting schedule and other terms

 

(d)

Relocation Package. Employee agrees to relocate to San Antonio within three (3) months following the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Relocation Date”). To assist with that relocation, Employee is eligible to receive a relocation package, the details of which are outlined in the attached Exhibit A. The relocation benefits will be administered by Company’s approved vendor, currently Relocation Synergy. In the event employment ends for any reason other than termination by the Company without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason within one year following the relocation to San Antonio, Employee agrees to reimburse the relocation expenses and relocation lump sum payment to Company. Employee agrees that the reimbursement amount owed to the Company shall be made immediately by a cash payment on or before Employee’s last date of employment. If Employee has not submitted the reimbursement amount to the Company as agreed to herein, Employee authorizes Company to deduct the reimbursement amount from any amount due to Employee, including any compensation or any pending expense reimbursements otherwise owed by Company to Employee. In the event Employee does not relocate to San Antonio on or before the Relocation Date, Employee agrees that he can be terminated for Cause under Section 8(d) and, in addition to any other available remedies. Employee will be required to reimburse the Company for any previously advanced payments paid to Employee.

 

(e)	PTO. Employee is eligible for PTO (paid time off) subject to the Employee Handbook.

 

(f)

Employment Benefit Plans. Employee may participate in employee benefit plans in which other similarly situated employees may participate, according to the terms of applicable policies and as stated in the Employee Handbook. Employee acknowledges receipt of the Employee Handbook available on the intercompany website and will review and abide by its terms.

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

2

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(g)	Expenses. Company will reimburse Employee for business expenses pursuant to Company policy.

 

4.	NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)

Company has provided and will continue to provide to Employee confidential information and trade secrets including but not limited to Company’s operational, sales, marketing, personally identifiable information about employees, employee contact information and/or materials used for training and or/employee development, and engineering information, customer lists, business contracts, partner agreements, pricing and strategy information, product and cost or pricing data, compensation information, strategic business plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information Company treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). This section is not intended to limit Employee’s rights to discuss Employee’s compensation or other terms and conditions of employment as allowed by law. Employee will not be liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a Federal, State or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or that is made in a document filed in a lawsuit so long as it is filed under seal. Employee acknowledges that such Confidential Information is proprietary and agrees not to disclose it to anyone outside Company except to the extent that (i) it is necessary in connection with performing his duties; (ii) Employee is required by court order to disclose the Confidential Information, provided that Employee shall promptly inform Company, shall cooperate with Company to obtain a protective order or otherwise restrict disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with the court order. Employee agrees to never use Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with Company. When employment ends, Employee will immediately return all Confidential Information to Company.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 4 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

5.	NON-HIRE OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to Employee or any business associated with Employee.

 

(c)	The terms of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

3

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6.	NON-SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with Employee or any of Employee’s affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

7.	NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, Employee agrees that during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not work, as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, or director, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting or information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, including (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared, or virtual), and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, or (iii) any similar related IT services, all of the foregoing being defined for the purposes of this Agreement as “Competitive IT Services.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding interest in such business. Provided, that the forgoing restriction shall not prevent Employee from becoming an employee of or contractor for a division of any Competitive IT Services company so long as the division for which Employee will work does not provide Competitive IT Services, and as long as Employee does not, during the Restricted Period, perform services (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for any division of such company that provides Competitive IT Services.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

8.	TERMINATION

Employee’s employment may be terminated prior to the end of this Agreement only by mutual written agreement or:

 

(a)	Death. The date of Employee’s death shall be the termination date.

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

4

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(b)	Disability. Company may terminate this Agreement and/or Employee’s employment if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s full-time position for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, subject to applicable law.

 

(c)

Termination By Employee For Good Reason. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment at any time for “Good Reason,” which is: (i) Company’s repeated failure to comply with a material term of this Agreement after written notice by Employee specifying the alleged failure; or (ii) a substantial and unusual reduction in responsibilities and authority. If Employee elects to terminate Employee’s employment for “Good Reason,” Employee must first provide Company written notice within thirty (30) days, after which Company shall have sixty (60) days to cure. If Company has not cured and Employee elects to terminate employment, Employee must do so within ten (10) days after the end of the cure period

 

(d)	Termination By Company. Company may terminate Employee’s employment with or without Cause and determine the termination date. “Cause” means:

(i) willful misconduct, including, without limitation, violation of sexual or other harassment policy, gross negligence, misappropriation of or material misrepresentation regarding property of Company, other than customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, as determined in the discretion of Company, or failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent material injury to the financial condition, business or reputation of the Company;

(ii) abandonment of duties (other than by reason of disability);

(iii) failure to follow lawful directives of the Company, or failure to meet reasonable performance objectives following a written warning and opportunity to cure for thirty (30) days;

(iv) a felony conviction or indictment, a plea of nolo contendere by Employee, or other conduct by Employee that has or would result in material injury to Company’s reputation, including indictment or conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement, or a crime involving moral turpitude;

(v) a material breach of this Agreement including violation of any material representation in section 16; or

(vi) a significant violation of Company’s employment and management policies.

 

(e)

Other Circumstances. In the unexpected event of litigation against Employee that includes an allegation of a violation of an alleged noncompetition clause, Company agrees to pay the cost to defend such a lawsuit; provided that Company has the right to select counsel and control the strategy and any resolution subject to Employee’s consent, not to be unreasonably withheld. In the event of a final judicial finding of forfeiture,

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

5

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disgorgement, or monetary damages related solely to an alleged noncompetition clause, Company will indemnify Employee for the first $500,000 of loss to Employee and will indemnify at a rate of 50% any additional monetary loss thereafter up to a cap of an additional $1,500,000. In the event Employee is enjoined from working in certain areas of the Company, Company, in its sole discretion, may: (i) reassign Employee to a role that does not violate the injunction; (ii) place Employee on a paid leave of absence which shall not constitute Good Reason; or (iii) terminate employment without Cause provided Employee has not violated his obligations related to confidentiality, trade secrets, or non-solicitation.

 

9.	COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)

Death. Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee’s designee or, if no person is designated, to Employee’s estate, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the date of termination, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(b)	Disability. Company shall, within 30 days, pay all accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(c)

Termination By Company For Cause: Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits).

 

(d)

Non-Renewal By Employee. If Employee gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date and will pay accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the termination date is before the end of the then current Employment Period, and if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, then Company will, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, pay Employee an amount equal to Employee’s pro-rata base salary through the end of the then current Employment Period (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(e)	Termination With Severance.

 

(1)

Termination By Company Without Cause or Termination by Employee for Good Reason—Severance: If Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause and not by reason of death or disability or if Employee terminates for Good Reason, Company will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

6

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Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, (i) in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on the Employee’s location, and (ii) a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro-rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which Employee’s termination occurs. The bonus amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees. The payment made pursuant to this section are referred to as (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(2)

Non-Renewal By Company—Severance: If Employee’s employment ends because Company gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date, even if such date is prior to the end of the Employment Period and will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination base on the Employee’s location (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(3)	Employment by Competitor or Re-hire During Severance Pay Period:

(i) If Employee competes with Company, or is hired or engaged in any capacity by any competitor of Company (to be determined in Company’s discretion), during any Severance Pay Period, then the Severance Payments shall cease. The foregoing shall not affect Company’s right to enforce the Non-Compete pursuant to Section 7. For purposes of this sub-section, a “competitor” of Company means: any business anywhere in the world that sells Competitive IT Services as defined in Section 7.

(ii) If Employee is rehired by Company or employed by or performing services in any non-competitive capacity or business during any Severance Pay Period, the Severance Payments shall cease. Furthermore, as a condition to receiving Severance Payments, Employee agrees to use reasonable efforts to obtain an offer of comparable employment. If Employee receives such an offer, the Severance Payments shall cease as of the offer’s proposed employment start date.

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

7

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10.	OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS

Employee agrees that all inventions, improvements, discoveries, designs, technology, and works of authorship (including but not limited to computer software) made, created, conceived, or reduced to practice by Employee, whether alone or in cooperation with others, during employment, together with all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and other intellectual property rights related to any of the foregoing throughout the world, are among other things works made for hire and belong exclusively to the Company, and Employee hereby assigns all such rights to the Company. Employee agrees to execute any documents, testify in any legal proceedings, and do all things necessary or desirable to secure Company’s rights to the foregoing, including without limitation executing inventors’ declarations and assignment forms. If there is a separate signed agreement between Employee and the Company including terms directly related to intellectual property rights, then the intellectual property terms of that agreement shall control.

 

11.	PARTIES BENEFITED; ASSIGNMENTS

This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee, Employee’s heirs and Employee’s personal representative or representatives, and upon Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Employee, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Company may assign its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise.

 

12.	GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of Texas or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Each of the Company and Employee (on behalf of itself and its affiliates) expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Texas state and federal courts for any lawsuit relating to this Agreement, waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to such personal jurisdiction or service of process, and waives any objection to jurisdiction based on improper venue or improper jurisdiction.

Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is advised to be represented by counsel in connection with his review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

8

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Employee acknowledges and agrees that entering into this Agreement is not a condition of Employee’s employment with the Company or its affiliates.

 

13.	DEFINITION OF COMPANY

“Company” shall include Rackspace US, Inc., and its past, present and future divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and successors.

 

14.	LITIGATION AND REGULATORY COOPERATION

During and after employment, Employee shall reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of claims, investigations, or other actions which relate to events or occurrences during employment. Employee agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Employee is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such claim, investigation or action. Employee’s cooperation shall include being available to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness. Company will pay an hourly rate (based on base salary as of the last day of employment) for cooperation that occurs after employment, and reimburse for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

15.	DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

(a)

Injunctive Relief: Employee agrees that irreparable damages to Company will result from Employee’s breach of this Agreement, including loss of revenue, loss of goodwill associated with Employee as a result of employment, and/or loss of the benefit to Company of any training, confidential, and/or trade secret information provided to Employee, and any other tangible and intangible investments made to and on behalf of Employee. A breach or threat of breach of this Agreement shall give the non-breaching party the right to seek a temporary restraining order and a preliminary or permanent injunction enjoining the breaching party from violating this Agreement in order to prevent immediate and irreparable harm. The breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with enforcement of this Agreement, including any appeals. Pursuit of equitable relief under this Agreement shall have no effect regarding the continued enforceability of the Arbitration Section below. Remedies for breach under this Section are cumulative and not exclusive; the parties may elect to pursue any remedies available under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Arbitration: The parties agree that any dispute or claim, that could be brought in court including discrimination or retaliation claims, relating to this Agreement or arising out of Employee’s employment or termination of employment, shall, upon timely written request of either party, be submitted to binding arbitration, except claims regarding: (i) workers’ compensation benefits; (ii) unemployment benefits; (iii) Company’s employee welfare benefit plans, if the plan contains a final and binding appeal procedure for the resolution of disputes under the plan; (iv) wage and hour disputes within the jurisdiction of any state Labor Commissioner; and (v) issues that could be brought before the National Labor Relations Board or covered by the National Labor Relations Act. This Agreement is not

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

9

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intended to prohibit the Employee from filing a claim or communicating with any governmental agency including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the Department of Labor. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in effect at the time the claim or dispute arose, unless other rules are agreed upon by the parties. Unless agreed to in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator from AAA or a comparable arbitration service, and who is selected pursuant to the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the AAA, or other rules as the parties may agree to in writing. Any claims received after the applicable statute of limitations period shall be deemed null and void. The parties further agree that by entering into this Agreement, the right to participate in a class or collective action is waived. CLAIMS MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative, collective or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned award with findings of fact and conclusions of law. Either party may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement, or to enforce or vacate an arbitration award. However, in actions seeking to vacate an award, the standard of review to be applied by said court to the arbitrator’s findings of fact and conclusions of law will be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing a decision of a trial court sitting without a jury, unless state law requires otherwise. Company will pay the actual fee for the arbitrator and the claimant’s filing fee; unless otherwise provided by law and awarded by the arbitrator, each party will pay their own attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

 

16.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPLOYEE

Employee shall keep all terms of this Agreement confidential, except as may be disclosed to Employee’s spouse, accountants or attorneys, each of whom shall agree to keep all terms of this Agreement confidential. Employee represents that he believes in good faith that he is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, or the rights of Company. As a material term of this Agreement, Employee represents that he is in compliance with, and will continue to comply with, the terms of all lawful, enforceable and ongoing post-employment restrictions from his prior employment with respect to: (i) nondisclosure of confidential information and trade secrets; and (ii) non-solicitation of employees, customers, and suppliers. Employee authorizes the Company to inform any prospective employer of the existence and terms of this Agreement without liability for interference with Employee’s prospective employment. Employee represents that Employee is under no disability that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of Employee’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee represents that Employee is represented by counsel in connection with is review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

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17.	SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE

 

(a)

General. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Employee under Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Employee shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder; provided, however, that this Section does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or plan and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)

Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no Severance Payments shall be payable unless the termination of the Employee’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if the Employee is deemed at the time of Employee’s separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the Severance Payments (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such Severance Payment under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Severance Payments shall not be provided to the Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of the Employee’s death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 18(b) shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining Severance Payments shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether the Employee is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of Employee’s separation from service shall be made by the Company in

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

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accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Employee’s right to receive installment payments of the Severance Payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (v) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year. Reimbursements and in-kind benefits are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

18.	WITHHOLDING

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, and foreign withholding and other taxes and charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

19.	EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS.

If it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program, or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right, or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) by reason of being contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest or penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then, in the event that the after-tax value of all Payments to Employee (such after-tax value to reflect the reduction for the Excise Tax and all federal, state, and local income, employment, and other taxes on such Payments) would, in the aggregate, be less than the after-tax value to Employee (reflecting a reduction for all such taxes in a like manner) of the amount that is 2.99 times Employee’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (the “Safe Harbor Amount”), (a) the cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under this Agreement shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (b) if the reduction of the cash portions of the Payments, payable under this Agreement, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then any cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under any other agreements, policies,

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

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plans, programs, or arrangements shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (c) if the reduction of all cash portions of the Payments, payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then non-cash portions of the Payments shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. All calculations under this Section shall be determined by a national accounting firm selected by the Company (which may include the Company’s outside auditors). The Company shall pay all costs to obtain and provide such calculations to Employee and the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change in ownership or effective control, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

 

20.	MISCELLANEOUS

This Agreement is not effective unless fully executed by all parties, including the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company, and approved by the Executive Committee as required by Company or its affiliates. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties on the subject matters in this agreement and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or understandings between the parties except as noted in Section 10 above. No modification shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, a counterpart transmitted via electronic means, and all executed counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute sufficient proof of the parties’ entry into this Agreement. The parties agree to execute any further or future documents which may be necessary to allow the full performance of this Agreement The failure of a party to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to later enforce any provision. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not control the meaning of any provision hereof.

If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, except-as specifically noted in this Agreement, or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. Company and Employee agree that the restrictions contained in Section 4, 5, 6, and 7, are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect Confidential Information. If any restrictive covenant is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or geographic area of such restrictive covenant, the parties agree that a court or arbitrator may reduce the scope, duration, or geographic area, and in its reduced form, such provision shall be enforceable. Should Employee violate the provisions of Sections 5, 6, or 7, then in addition to all other remedies available to Company, the duration of these covenants shall be extended for the period of time when Employee began such violation until Employee permanently ceases such violation.

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

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If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

Upon full execution by all parties, this Agreement shall be effective on the later date of the two signature dates below.

 

EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Subroto Mukerji						Date:		May 23rd 2019
Subroto Mukerji
COMPANY:
/s/ K. Butler						Date:		6/17/19
Rackspace US, Inc.
By:		Kelly Butler
Its:		VP, Global Rewards

 

						Initials:
						Company:		KB
						Employee:		SM

 

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Exhibit A

Relocation Benefits Summary for Subroto Mukerji: Cumulonimbus Executive Package

Below is an outline of the relocation package being offered to you as part of your Employment Agreement.

The full relocation policy will be provided to you by the Company’s third-party relocation vendor during your initial consultation for your move to San Antonio. In the event of any conflicts between the policy and your Employment Agreement, the terms of your Employment Agreement will apply.

 

BENEFIT		DESCRIPTION
Lump Sum Allowance		Once your move is scheduled, Rackspace will provide you with a one-time lump sum allowance in the amount of $100,000.00 (gross), intended to assist with usual and customary out-of-pocket relocation expenses. The allowance will be funded by the relocation provider, currently Relocation Synergy Group (RSG). You are responsible for applicable taxes on the payment.
Temporary Living		Rackspace will provide you and your family with temporary accommodations up to a maximum of 60 days. RSG will book these arrangements for you in accordance with Rackspace guidelines. Rackspace will cover up to two trips home while in temporary living. Reimbursement of economy flights or mileage will be at the IRS current rate only.
Home Search Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Final Relocation Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Home Marketing Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker; assistance with marketing strategies and contract negotiations. No home sale closing costs.
Home Search/Rental Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker or rental agent; with preferred mortgage lender, if applicable. No new home closing costs will be covered.
Shipment of Household Goods		You are eligible for a full pack and move. (Pack, load, ship and unload household goods.) Fully insured. Up to two (2) automobiles, if moving over 500 miles. No storage.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  KB
						Employee: SM

 

15

Exhibit 10.15

FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to the Employment Agreement (the “First Amendment”) is dated September 11, 2019 (the “First Amendment Effective Date”) by and between Subroto Mukerji (“Employee”) and Rackspace US, Inc. (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement effective July 1, 2019 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreement contained in the Agreement, as amended, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this First Amendment shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

2.

The first sentence of Section 3(d) of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:

“Employee agrees to relocate to San Antonio within six (6) months following the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Relocation Date”).”

 

3.

The first sentence of the description of Temporary Living on Exhibit A of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:

“Rackspace will provide you and your family with temporary accommodations up to a maximum of six (6) months.”

All other terms and conditions of the Agreement not expressly amended herein remain in full force and effect.

 

EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Subroto Mukerji						Date: 9/18/19
Subroto Mukerji
COMPANY:
/s/ K Butler						Date: 9/23/19
Rackspace US, Inc.
By:		Kelly Butler
Title:		VP, Global Rewards

Exhibit 10.16

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Rackspace US. Inc. (“Company”) and Vikas Gurugunti (“Employee”).

 

1.	TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

The employment period commences Aug. 12^th, 2019 (“Start Date”) and ends on Aug. 13, 2021 (the “Employment Period”); however, the Employment Period will thereafter be automatically extended for one year periods unless either Company or Employee gives written notice of non-renewal no later than ninety days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable Employment Period. The term “Employment Period” shall refer to the Employment Period if and as so extended.

 

2.	TITLE AND EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

 

(a)

Title and Duties. Employee’s title is Executive Vice-President and General Manager, Rackspace Solutions and Services. Employee will perform job duties that are usual and customary for this position. This position will be based in San Antonio, Texas. The Company reserves the right to assign to the Employee duties of a different nature, either additional to, or instead of, those referred to above, it being understood that Employee will not be assigned duties which Employee cannot reasonably perform.

 

(b)

Exclusive Services. Employee shall not be employed or render services elsewhere during the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period Employee may devote reasonable time to activities other than those required under this Agreement, including activities of a charitable, educational, religious or similar nature (including professional associations), or activities related to corporate board or advisory board positions for non-competitive companies, subject to the company’s standard approval policy, and the management of the Employee’s personal investments, to the extent such activities do not compete in a material way with the business of the Company.

 

3.	COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

(a)	Base Salary. Employee shall be paid an annual base salary of $450,000 and shall be eligible for increases in base salary consistent with Company’s ordinary compensation cycles and process.

 

(b)	Annual Corporate Bonus. Employee is eligible for an annualized on-target bonus of 80% of annual salary, subject to the Rackspace Corporate Cash Bonus Plan and as approved by the board of directors or compensation committee.

 

(c)

Equity Award. In consideration for signing this Agreement, Company will recommend to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Executive Committee”) a one-time recruiting grant of options to purchase 60,000 shares of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock, at a per share strike price equal to the fair market

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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value of a share of Inception Topco, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Award”). The Executive Committee has ultimate authority over this recommended award and would have to issue final approval before it would be granted. The recommended equity award is expected to be presented for review and approval within ninety (90) days of the first date of employment and would be issued pursuant and subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and a form of agreement for similarly situated employees of the Management Equity Program, which outline the vesting schedule and other terms.

 

(d)

Signing Bonus. Subject to the clawback set forth below, Employee will be paid a signing bonus of $40,000, less withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions, on the first reasonable payroll date following commencement of employment. Clawback: if Employee resigns without Good Reason or is terminated for Cause prior to the one-year anniversary of his employment, Employee shall repay to Company a pro rata portion of the Signing Bonus within thirty days following the end of employment.

 

(e)

Relocation Package. Employee agrees to relocate to San Antonio by December 31, 2019 (the “Relocation Date”). To assist with that relocation, Employee is eligible to receive a relocation package, the details of which are outlined in the attached Exhibit A. The relocation benefits will be administered by Company’s approved vendor, currently Relocation Synergy. In the event employment ends for any reason other than termination by the Company without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason within one year following the relocation to San Antonio, Employee agrees to reimburse the relocation expenses and relocation lump sum payment to Company. Employee agrees that the reimbursement amount owed to the Company shall be made immediately by a cash payment on or before Employee’s last date of employment. If Employee has not submitted the reimbursement amount to the Company as agreed to herein, Employee authorizes Company to deduct the reimbursement amount from any amount due to Employee, including any compensation or any pending expense reimbursements otherwise owed by Company to Employee. In the event Employee does not relocate to San Antonio on or before the Relocation Date, Employee agrees that Employee can be terminated for Cause under Section 8(d) and, in addition to any other available remedies, Employee will be required to reimburse the Company for any previously advanced payments paid to Employee.

 

(f)	PTO. Employee is eligible for PTO (paid time off) subject to the Employee Handbook.

 

(g)

Employment Benefit Plans. Employee may participate in employee benefit plans in which other similarly situated employees may participate, according to the terms of applicable policies and as stated in the Employee Handbook. Employee acknowledges receipt of the Employee Handbook available on the intercompany website and will review and abide by its terms.

 

(h)	Expenses. Company will reimburse or pay for Employee’s reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy. Prior to Employee’s relocation to San Antonio, Company will pay for Employee to commute, including airfare, hotel, meals, and local transportation.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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4.	NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)

Company has provided and will continue to provide to Employee confidential information and trade secrets including but not limited to Company’s operational information, sales information, marketing information, personally identifiable information about employees, employee contact information and/or materials used for training and or/employee development, and engineering information, customer lists, business contracts, partner agreements, pricing and strategy information, product and cost or pricing data, compensation information, strategic business plans, budgets, financial statements, and other information Company treats as confidential or proprietary (collectively the “Confidential Information”). This section is not intended to limit Employee’s rights to discuss Employee’s compensation or other terms and conditions of employment as allowed by law. Employee will not be liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a Federal, State or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or that is made in a document filed in a lawsuit so long as it is filed under seal. Employee acknowledges that such Confidential Information is proprietary and agrees not to disclose it to anyone outside Company except to the extent that (i) it is necessary in connection with performing Employee’s duties; (ii) Employee is required by court order to disclose the Confidential Information, provided that Employee shall promptly inform Company, shall cooperate with Company to obtain a protective order or otherwise restrict disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to comply with the court order. Employee agrees to never use Confidential Information in competing, directly or indirectly, with Company. When employment ends, Employee will immediately return all Confidential Information to Company.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 4 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

5.	NON-HIRE OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES

 

(a)

To further preserve the Confidential Information, during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to Employee or any business associated with Employee.

 

(b)	The terms of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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6.	NON-SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly, on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with Employee or any of Employee’s affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company. The terms of this Section 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

7.	NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

To further preserve the Confidential Information, Employee agrees that during employment and for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), Employee will not work, as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, or director, in any business anywhere in the world that sells managed dedicated or cloud computing services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, including but not limited to (i) professional advisory services for the migration, deployment or management of cloud technologies; (ii) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet; (iii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking, applications, and similar services, or (iv) any related IT services or products substantially similar to the Company’s products or services, all of the foregoing being defined for the purposes of this Agreement as “Competitive IT Services.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding interest in such business. Provided, that the forgoing restriction shall not prevent Employee from becoming an employee of or contractor for a division of any Competitive IT Services company so long as the division for which Employee will work does not provide Competitive IT Services, and as long as Employee does not, during the Restricted Period, perform services (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for any division of such company that provides Competitive IT Services. The terms of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

8.	TERMINATION

Employee’s employment may be terminated prior to the end of this Agreement only by mutual written agreement or:

 

(a)	Death. The date of Employee’s death shall be the termination date.

 

(b)	Disability. Company may terminate this Agreement and/or Employee’s employment if Employee is unable to perform the essential functions of Employee’s full-time position for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, subject to applicable law.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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(c)

Termination By Employee For Good Reason. Employee may terminate Employee’s employment at any time for “Good Reason,” which is: (i) Company’s repeated failure to comply with a material term of this Agreement after written notice by Employee specifying the alleged failure; or (ii) a substantial and unusual reduction in responsibilities and authority. If Employee elects to terminate Employee’s employment for “Good Reason,” Employee must first provide Company written notice within thirty (30) days, after which Company shall have sixty (60) days to cure. If Company has not cured and Employee elects to terminate employment, Employee must do so within ten (10) days after the end of the cure period

 

(d)	Termination By Company. Company may terminate Employee’s employment with or without Cause and determine the termination date. “Cause” means:

(i) willful misconduct, including, without limitation, violation of sexual or other harassment policy, gross negligence, misappropriation of or material misrepresentation regarding property of Company, other than customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes, as determined in the discretion of Company, or failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent material injury to the financial condition, business or reputation of the Company;

(ii) abandonment of duties (other than by reason of disability);

(iii) failure to follow lawful directives of the Company, or failure to meet reasonable performance objectives following a written warning and opportunity to cure for thirty (30) days;

(iv) a felony conviction or indictment, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Employee, or other conduct by Employee that has or would result in material injury to Company’s reputation, including indictment or conviction of fraud, theft, embezzlement, or a crime involving moral turpitude;

(v) a material breach of this Agreement; or

(vi) a significant violation of Company’s employment and management policies.

 

9.	COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

 

(a)

Death. Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee’s designee or, if no person is designated, to Employee’s estate, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the date of termination, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

(b)	Disability. Company shall, within 30 days, pay all accrued and unpaid base salary and bonus, subject to the terms of any applicable bonus plan, through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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(c)

Termination By Company For Cause: Company shall, within 30 days, pay to Employee, Employee’s accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits).

 

(d)

Non-Renewal By Employee. If Employee gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date and will pay accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date, and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). If the termination date is before the end of the then current Employment Period, and if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, then Company will, in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, pay Employee an amount equal to Employee’s pro-rata base salary through the end of the then current Employment Period (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(e)	Termination With Severance.

 

(1)

Termination By Company Without Cause or Termination by Employee for Good Reason - Severance: If Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause and not by reason of death or disability or if Employee terminates for Good Reason, Company will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, (i) in periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination based on the Employee’s location, and (ii) a pro rata bonus, which represents the unpaid pro-rata portion of the actual annual performance bonus that Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance objectives for the fiscal year in which Employee’s termination occurs. The bonus amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time bonuses are paid to the Company’s other similarly situated employees. The payment made pursuant to this section are referred to as (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(2)

Non-Renewal By Company - Severance: If Employee’s employment ends because Company gives notice of non-renewal under Section 1, Company shall determine the termination date, even if such date is prior to the end of the Employment Period and will pay the accrued and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any payments required under applicable employee benefit plans (other than plans which provide for severance or termination payments or benefits). In addition, if Employee signs and does not revoke a Severance Agreement and General Release of claims in a form satisfactory to Company, Company will pay Employee, in

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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periodic payments in accordance with ordinary payroll practices and deductions, the greater of Employee’s current base salary for twelve (12) months or the amount that would be provided by the severance guidelines that are prevailing at the time of termination base on the Employee’s location (the “Severance Payments” or “Severance Pay Period”).

 

(3)

Employment by Competitor or Re-hire During Severance Pay Period:

(i) If Employee competes with Company or is hired or engaged in any capacity by any competitor of Company (to be determined in Company’s discretion) during any Severance Pay Period, then the Severance Payments shall cease. The foregoing shall not affect Company’s right to enforce the Non-Compete pursuant to Section 7. For purposes of this sub-section, a “competitor” of Company means: any business anywhere in the world that sells Competitive IT Services as defined in Section 7.

(ii) If Employee is rehired by Company during any Severance Pay Period, the Severance Payments shall cease.

 

10.	OWNERSHIP OF MATERIALS

Employee agrees that all inventions, improvements, discoveries, designs, technology, and works of authorship (including but not limited to computer software) made, created, conceived, or reduced to practice by Employee, whether alone or in cooperation with others, during employment, together with all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and other intellectual property rights related to any of the foregoing throughout the world, are among other things works made for hire and belong exclusively to the Company, and Employee hereby assigns all such rights to the Company. Employee agrees to execute any documents, testify in any legal proceedings, and do all things necessary or desirable to secure Company’s rights to the foregoing, including without limitation executing inventors’ declarations and assignment forms. If there is a separate signed agreement between Employee and the Company including terms directly related to intellectual property rights, then the intellectual property terms of that agreement shall control.

 

11.	PARTIES BENEFITED; ASSIGNMENTS

This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee, Employee’s heirs and Employee’s personal representative or representatives, and upon Company and its respective successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Employee, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Company may assign its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any entity, including any successor to all or substantially all the assets of the Company, by merger or otherwise.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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12.	GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of Texas or any other jurisdiction, and where applicable, the laws of the United States. Each of the Company and Employee (on behalf of itself and its affiliates) expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Texas state and federal courts for any lawsuit relating to this Agreement, waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to such personal jurisdiction or service of process, and waives any objection to jurisdiction based on improper venue or improper jurisdiction.

Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is advised to be represented by counsel in connection with Employee’s review and agreement to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

13.	DEFINITION OF COMPANY

“Company” shall include Rackspace US, Inc., and its past, present and future divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, affiliates and successors.

 

14.	LITIGATION AND REGULATORY COOPERATION

During and after employment, Employee shall reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of claims, investigations, or other actions which relate to events or occurrences during employment. Employee agrees, unless precluded by law, to promptly inform the Company if Employee is asked to participate (or otherwise become involved) in any such claim, investigation or action. Employee’s cooperation shall include being available to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness. Company will pay an hourly rate (based on base salary as of the last day of employment) for cooperation that occurs after employment, and reimburse for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

15.	DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

(a)

Injunctive Relief: Employee agrees that irreparable damages to Company will result from Employee’s breach of this Agreement, including loss of revenue, loss of goodwill associated with Employee as a result of employment, and/or loss of the benefit to Company of any training, confidential, and/or trade secret information provided to Employee, and any other tangible and intangible investments made to and on behalf of Employee. A breach or threat of breach of this Agreement shall give the non-breaching party the right to seek a temporary restraining order and a preliminary or permanent injunction enjoining the

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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breaching party from violating this Agreement in order to prevent immediate and irreparable harm. The breaching party shall pay to the non-breaching party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with enforcement of this Agreement, including any appeals. Pursuit of equitable relief under this Agreement shall have no effect regarding the continued enforceability of the Arbitration Section below. Remedies for breach under this Section are cumulative and not exclusive; the parties may elect to pursue any remedies available under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Arbitration: The parties agree that any dispute or claim, that could be brought in court including discrimination or retaliation claims, relating to this Agreement or arising out of Employee’s employment or termination of employment, shall, upon timely written request of either party, be submitted to binding arbitration, except claims regarding: (i) workers’ compensation benefits; (ii) unemployment benefits; (iii) Company’s employee welfare benefit plans, if the plan contains a final and binding appeal procedure for the resolution of disputes under the plan; (iv) wage and hour disputes within the jurisdiction of any state Labor Commissioner; and (v) issues that could be brought before the National Labor Relations Board or covered by the National Labor Relations Act. This Agreement is not intended to prohibit the Employee from filing a claim or communicating with any governmental agency including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board or the Department of Labor. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. The arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in effect at the time the claim or dispute arose, unless other rules are agreed upon by the parties. Unless agreed to in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator from AAA or a comparable arbitration service, and who is selected pursuant to the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the AAA, or other rules as the parties may agree to in writing. Any claims received after the applicable statute of limitations period shall be deemed null and void. The parties further agree that by entering into this Agreement, the right to participate in a class or collective action is waived. CLAIMS MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative, collective or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned award with findings of fact and conclusions of law. Either party may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement, or to enforce or vacate an arbitration award. However, in actions seeking to vacate an award, the standard of review to be applied by said court to the arbitrator’s findings of fact and conclusions of law will be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing a decision of a trial court sitting without a jury, unless state law requires otherwise. Company will pay the actual fee for the arbitrator and the claimant’s filing fee; unless otherwise provided by law and awarded by the arbitrator, each party will pay their own attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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16.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPLOYEE

Employee shall keep all terms of this Agreement confidential, except as may be disclosed to Employee’s spouse, accountants or attorneys, each of whom shall agree to keep all terms of this Agreement confidential. Employee represents that Employee is under no contractual or other restriction inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, or the rights of Company. Employee authorizes the Company to inform any prospective employer of the existence and terms of this Agreement without liability for interference with Employee’s prospective employment. Employee represents that Employee is under no disability that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of Employee’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

17.	SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE

 

(a)

General. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Employee under Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Employee shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder; provided, however, that this Section does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or plan and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Employee as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)

Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no Severance Payments shall be payable unless the termination of the Employee’s employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-l(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if the Employee is deemed at the time of Employee’s separation from service to be a “specified

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the Severance Payments (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such Severance Payment under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Severance Payments shall not be provided to the Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s Separation from service” with the Company (as such term defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of the Employee’s death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 18(b) shall be paid to the Employee in a lump sum, and any remaining Severance Payments shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether the Employee is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of Employee’s separation from service shall be made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Employee’s right to receive installment payments of the Severance Payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (v) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year. Reimbursements and in-kind benefits are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

18.	WITHHOLDING

The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local, and foreign withholding and other taxes and charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.

 

19.	EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS

If it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program, or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right, or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) by reason of being contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

11

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to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest or penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then, in the event that the after-tax value of all Payments to Employee (such after-tax value to reflect the reduction for the Excise Tax and all federal, state, and local income, employment, and other taxes on such Payments) would, in the aggregate, be less than the after-tax value to Employee (reflecting a reduction for all such taxes in a like manner) of the amount that is 2.99 times Employee’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code (the “Safe Harbor Amount”), (a) the cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under this Agreement shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (b) if the reduction of the cash portions of the Payments, payable under this Agreement, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then any cash portions of the Payments payable to Employee under any other agreements, policies, plans, programs, or arrangements shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, and (c) if the reduction of all cash portions of the Payments, payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, to zero would not be sufficient to reduce the Parachute Value of all Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount, then non-cash portions of the Payments shall be reduced, in the reverse order in which they are due to be paid commencing with the latest such payment, until the Parachute Value of all Payments paid to Employee, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount. All calculations under this Section shall be determined by a national accounting firm selected by the Company (which may include the Company’s outside auditors). The Company shall pay all costs to obtain and provide such calculations to Employee and the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the ‘‘Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change in ownership or effective control, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.

 

20.	MISCELLANEOUS

This Agreement is not effective unless fully executed by all parties, including the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company, and approved by the Executive Committee as required by Company or its affiliates. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and the President and CEO or authorized officer of the Company that expressly identifies the amended provision of this Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties on the subject matters in this agreement and supersedes any prior written or oral agreements or understandings between the parties except as noted in Section 10 above. No modification shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, a counterpart transmitted via electronic means, and all executed counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute sufficient proof of the parties’ entry into this Agreement. The parties agree to execute any further or future documents which may be necessary to allow the full performance of this Agreement. The failure of a party to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the right of such party to later enforce any provision. A waiver of the breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not control the meaning of any provision hereof.

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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If any provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, except as specifically noted in this Agreement, or the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, all of which shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law. Company and Employee agree that the restrictions contained in Section 4, 5, 6, and 7, are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect Confidential Information. If any restrictive covenant is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, duration or geographic area of such restrictive covenant, the parties agree that a court or arbitrator may reduce the scope, duration, or geographic area, and in its reduced form, such provision shall be enforceable. Should Employee violate the provisions of Sections 5, 6, or 7, then in addition to all other remedies available to Company, the duration of these covenants shall be extended for the period of time when Employee began such violation until Employee permanently ceases such violation.

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and enforceable.

Upon full execution by all parties, this Agreement shall be effective on the later date of the two signature dates below.

 

EMPLOYEE:
/s/ Vikas Gurugunti						Date: 07/02/2019
Vikas Gurugunti
COMPANY:
/s/ Mary Stich						Date: 7/2/19
Rackspace US, Inc.
By:		Mary Stich
Its:		Vice-President

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

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Exhibit A

Relocation Summary for Vikas Gurugunti

Below is an outline of the relocation package being offered to you as part of your Employment Agreement.

The full relocation policy will be provided to you by the Company’s third-party relocation vendor during your initial consultation for your move to San Antonio. In the event of any conflicts between the policy and your Employment Agreement, the terms of your Employment Agreement will apply.

 

BENEFIT		DESCRIPTION
Lump Sum Allowance		Once your move is scheduled, Rackspace will provide you with a one-time lump sum allowance in the amount of $75,000.00 (gross), intended to assist with usual and customary out-of-pocket relocation expenses. The allowance will be funded by the relocation provider, currently Relocation Synergy Group (RSG). You are responsible for applicable taxes on the payment.
Temporary Living		Rackspace will provide you and your family with temporary accommodations up to a maximum of 60 days. RSG will book these arrangements for you in accordance with Rackspace guidelines. Rackspace will cover up to two trips home while in temporary living. Reimbursement of economy flights or mileage will be at the IRS current rate only.
Home Search Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Final Relocation Trip		Covered by lump sum allowance.
Home Marketing Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker; assistance with marketing strategies and contract negotiations. No home sale closing costs.
Home Search/Rental Assistance		Referral to RSG approved broker or rental agent; with preferred mortgage lender, if applicable. No new home closing costs will be covered.
Shipment of Household Goods		You are eligible for a full pack and move. (Pack, load, ship and unload household goods.) Fully insured. Up to two (2) automobiles, if moving over 500 miles. No storage.

 

 

						Initials:
						Company:  MS
						Employee: VG

 

14

Exhibit 10.17

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated effective as of April 23, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Rackspace US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Joseph F. Eazor (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive was employed by the Company and the Executive and the Company are parties to an Employment Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2017 (as amended through the Effective Date, the “Employment Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Executive ceased to serve as the Chief Executive Officer or in any other officer position with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (the “Company Group”) effective as of April 22, 2019 (the “CEO Officer Termination Date”), and the Executive’s employment with the Company Group shall be terminated as of June 30, 2019, pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv) of the Employment Agreement;

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Executive has certain entitlements pursuant to Section 5 of the Employment Agreement in connection with such termination of employment;

WHEREAS, in consideration for the Executive’s additional agreements described in this Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide additional payments and consideration to which the Executive would not otherwise be entitled;

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Executive has agreed to comply with certain restrictive covenants during and after the Executive’s employment; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth in this Agreement the terms and conditions of the Executive’s separation from employment, and this Agreement shall govern the Executive’s and the Company’s respective rights and obligations in connection with such separation.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, mutual covenants and other good and valuable consideration set forth in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive and the Company (the “Parties”) agree as follows:

1. Entire Agreement

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement, and the Release (as defined below), is the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains all agreements, whether written, oral, express or implied, between the Parties relating thereto and supersedes and extinguishes all other agreements relating thereto, whether written, oral, express or implied, between the Parties.

2. Termination of Employment

The Parties agree that the Executive’s employment by the Company and any and all titles, positions and appointments the Executive holds with the Company or any member of the Company Group, whether as an officer, director, employee, consultant, trustee, committee member, agent or otherwise are terminated as of the CEO Officer Termination Date, except that the Executive shall retain his status as an employee through June 30, 2019 (the “Employment Termination Date”). Effective as of the CEO Officer Termination Date, the Executive shall have no authority to act on behalf of any member of the Company Group and shall not hold himself out as having such authority, enter into any agreement or incur any obligations on behalf of any member of the Company Group, commit any member of the Company Group in any manner or otherwise act in an executive or other decision-making capacity with respect to any member of the Company Group, except as specifically requested by the Company during the period from the CEO Officer Termination Date through the Employment Termination Date. The Executive agrees to promptly execute such documents as the Company, in its sole discretion, shall reasonably deem necessary to effect such resignations.

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3. Entitlements

In consideration for the Executive’s entering into this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the payments and benefits described in this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations) are subject to (i) the Executive’s execution and delivery of an irrevocable release of claims substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “Release”) within sixty (60) days following the CEO Officer Termination Date, and (ii) the Executive’s continued compliance with this Agreement. No payments or benefits described in this Agreement (other than the Accrued Obligations) shall be made until the Release becomes irrevocable and effective in accordance with its terms, and any payments or benefits that would have been due or payable prior to such date shall be aggregated and paid with the first payroll period following the Release Effective Date (as defined in the Release). Within five days following the Employment Termination Date, the Executive shall execute a second release of claims, identical to the Release, except that it shall be dated as of the Employment Termination Date.

A. Payments and Benefits.

1. The Company shall pay to the Executive: (i) any amount of the Executive’s base salary earned through the CEO Officer Termination Date not theretofore paid, (ii) any Annual Bonus for calendar year 2018, that was earned but not yet paid, (iii) any expenses owed to the Executive under Section 3(f) of the Employment Agreement through the CEO Officer Termination Date, and (iv) any amount arising from the Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements under Section 3(d) of the Employment Agreement (other than severance plans, programs, or arrangements), which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs, or arrangements including, where applicable, any death and disability benefits (the “Accrued Obligations”).

2. Subject to the Executive’s provision of transitional services through May 17, 2019, with such transition assistance to be provided in good faith in a manner consistent with his provision of services prior to the CEO Officer Termination Date, on Company premises for the first week and remotely for the three weeks thereafter, the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount equal to $1,143,750 (the “Transition Assistance Payment”), on the first payroll date coincident with or immediately following May 17, 2019.

3. The Company shall (i) (A) continue to pay the Executive his base salary (at his current annual rate of $825,000) in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices during the period the Executive continues to be employed from the CEO Officer Termination Date through the Employment Termination Date and (B) pay an additional amount as severance pay in an aggregate amount of $825,000 payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices in equal installments during the period beginning on the Employment Termination Date and ending on the six (6) month anniversary of the Employment Termination Date; provided that the Company shall cease any then-remaining payments on the first date that the Executive violates any covenant contained in Section 6 or 7 of the Employment Agreement and (ii) pay the Executive an amount equal to his Target Bonus ($1,031,250) in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the CEO Officer Termination Date (collectively, the “Severance Payment”).

4. If continued coverage under the Company’s health and welfare plans is timely elected by the Executive, the Company shall provide direct payment of any COBRA premiums from the Employment Termination Date until the earlier of (x) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Employment Termination Date and (y) the first date that the Executive is no longer eligible for COBRA.

5. To the extent the Executive is required following the CEO Officer Termination Date to continue to make lease payments on his current residence, the Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for any such remaining lease payments (plus the cancellation/breakage fee ($3,600) in connection with a new lease that the Executive had previously entered into for his new apartment, as separately disclosed previously to the Company), provided that such aggregate reimbursement amount does not exceed $50,000, and the Executive provides applicable documentation evidencing such lease payments and cancellation/breakage fee payment as reasonably requested by the Company.

6. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Company Group policy or otherwise, the Executive shall not be required to repay any amount of his relocation reimbursement as described in Section 3(g) of the Employment Agreement.

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B. Equity Awards and Co-Invest.

1. All of the Executive’s outstanding equity awards (i.e., stock options and restricted stock units in respect of common stock of Inception Topco, Inc. (“Parent”)), whether vested or unvested, shall be immediately cancelled and cease to be outstanding, and the Company shall pay the Executive in consideration therefor the aggregate amount of $1,500,000, which shall be payable on the date that the Transition Assistance Payment is made.

2. Parent agrees to repurchase Executive’s outstanding holdings of common stock (and any other equity interests, if any, after giving effect to the cancellation of the equity awards in Section 3.B.1 above) in Parent for a cash payment in the aggregate amount of $1,545,000, pursuant to the form of repurchase agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B, which shall be payable on the date that the Transition Assistance Payment is made.

C. Full Satisfaction. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) the Executive is not entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company or any member of the Company Group (including, without limitation, any severance or termination compensation or benefits) and (ii) as of and after the Employment Termination Date, the Executive shall no longer participate in, accrue service credit or have contributions made on his behalf under any employee benefit plan sponsored by any member of the Company Group in respect of periods commencing on and following the Employment Termination Date, including, without limitation, any plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

4. Survival of Certain Provisions; Additional Agreements. Sections 6 (“Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Non-Hire”), 7 (“Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Nondisparagement; Intellectual Property”), 8 (“Injunctive Relief”), and 9 (“Cooperation”) of the Employment Agreement (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) shall survive and be incorporated herein. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive shall remain bound by and subject to the covenants and obligations set forth in the Surviving Provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. In addition, the Company shall instruct its officers and directors not to, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Executive. The foregoing sentence shall not be violated by the making of truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

5. Miscellaneous

A. Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor may any rights under it be waived, except in a writing signed and agreed to by the Parties.

B. Notices. Any notice given pursuant to this Agreement to any party hereto shall be deemed to have been duly given when mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier, or by facsimile or telecopy, or when hand delivered as follows:

If to the Company:

Rackspace US, Inc.

c/o Apollo Management, L.P.

9 West 57^th Street, 43^rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: David Sambur, Partner and John Suydam, Chief Legal Officer

E-mail:                                       and                                             

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie Zeitzer

                Lawrence I. Witdorchic

E-mail:                                        and                                       

If to the Executive, at the Executive’s most recent address on the payroll records of the Company.

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or at such other address as either party shall from time to time designate by written notice, in the manner provided herein, to the other party hereto.

C. Successors. The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties, their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

D. Taxes. The Executive shall be responsible for the payment of any and all required federal, state, local and foreign taxes incurred, or to be incurred, in connection with any amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company or any member of the Company Group, as applicable, may withhold from all amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable laws and regulations.

E. Section 409A. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), will be compliant with or exempt from Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Executive (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. For purposes of Section 409A, each of the payments that may be made under this Agreement are designated as separate payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to the Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations) occurs; and provided, further, that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any life-time or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses), and in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive incurred such expenses, and in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

F. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall remain in full force and effect. In addition, if any provision is determined to be invalid or unenforceable due to its duration and/or scope, the duration and/or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced, such reduction shall be to the smallest extent necessary to comply with applicable law, and such provision shall be enforceable, in its reduced form, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

G. Non-Admission. Nothing contained in the Agreement shall be deemed or construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Executive or on the part of any member of the Company Group.

H. Governing Law.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE WHOLLY PERFORMED WITHIN THAT STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OR THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THAT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Each party to this Agreement irrevocably agrees for the exclusive benefit of the other that any and all suits, actions or proceedings relating to this Agreement (collectively, “Actions” and, individually, an “Action”) may be maintained in either the courts of the State of Delaware or the federal District Courts sitting in Wilmington, Delaware (collectively, the “Chosen Courts”) and that the Chosen Courts shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine or settle any such Action and that any such Actions may be brought in the Chosen Courts. Each

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party irrevocably waives any objection that it may have now or hereafter to the laying of the venue of any Actions in the Chosen Courts and any claim that any Actions have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further irrevocably agrees that a judgment in any Action brought in the Chosen Courts shall be conclusive and binding upon it and may be enforced in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

I. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of identification only and are not intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent, or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

J. Counterparts. The Agreement may be executed by one or more of the Parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts and all such counterparts shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Each party hereto confirms that any facsimile copy of such party’s executed counterpart of the Agreement (or its signature page thereof) shall be deemed to be an executed original thereof.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE US, INC.
By:		/s/ Holly B. Windham
Name:		Holly B. Windham
Title:		General Counsel
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Joseph F. Eazor
Joseph F. Eazor

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Exhibit

A

RELEASE OF CLAIMS (“Release”)

6. Release of Claims

In partial consideration of the payments and benefits described in the Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) dated effective as of April __, 2019, between Rackspace US Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Joseph F. Eazor (“Executive”), to which Executive agrees that Executive is not entitled until and unless Executive executes this Release and it becomes effective in accordance with the terms hereof, Executive, for and on behalf of himself and his heirs, successors and assigns, subject to the last sentence of this Section 1, hereby waives and releases any common law, statutory or other complaints, claims, charges or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, both known and unknown, in law or in equity, which Executive ever had, now has or may have against the Company and its shareholders, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns, directors, officers, partners, members, managers, employees, trustees (in their official and individual capacities), employee benefit plans and their administrators and fiduciaries (in their official and individual capacities), representatives or agents, and each of their affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”), by

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reason of facts or omissions which have occurred on or prior to the date that Executive signs this Release, including, without limitation, any complaint, charge or cause of action arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of employment, or any term or condition of that employment, or arising under federal, state, local or foreign laws pertaining to employment, including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA,” a law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age), the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all as amended, and any other federal, state and local laws relating to discrimination on the basis of age, sex or other protected class, all claims under federal, state or local laws for express or implied breach of contract, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs. Executive further agrees that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof which is or may be initiated, prosecuted or maintained by Executive, Executive’s descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators or permitted assigns. By signing this Release, Executive acknowledges that Executive intends to waive and release any rights known or unknown that Executive may have against the Releasees under these and any other laws; provided that Executive does not waive or release claims with respect to (i) any rights he may have to the payments and benefits under Section 3 of the Separation Agreement, (ii) any claims or rights under the Company’s indemnification policy in accordance with the operating agreement of the Company and (iii) rights that cannot be released as a matter of law (collectively, the “Unreleased Claims”). Executive hereby waives any and all claims to reemployment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agrees not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

If Executive has worked or is working in California, Executive expressly agrees to waive the protection of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASINGPARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, AND THAT IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

7. Proceedings

Executive acknowledges that Executive has not filed any complaint, charge, claim or proceeding, against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “Proceeding”). Executive represents that Executive is not aware of any basis on which such a Proceeding could reasonably be instituted, provided that if Executive is aware of any basis on which such a Proceeding could reasonably be instituted, then Executive has disclosed such basis to the Company in writing. Executive (i) acknowledges that Executive will not initiate or cause to be initiated on his behalf any Proceeding (except with respect to an Unreleased Claim) and will not participate in any Proceeding (except with respect to an Unreleased Claim), in each case, except as required by law; and (ii) waives any right Executive may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). Further, Executive understands that, by executing this Release, Executive will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that Executive may have against the Company and limiting also the ability of Executive to pursue certain claims against the Releasees. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in Section 1 of this Release shall prevent Executive from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on his behalf any complaint, charge, claim or proceeding against the Company before any local, state or federal agency, court or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of his claims under the ADEA contained in Section 1 of this Release (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

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8. Time to Consider

Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised that he has at least twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of this Release to consider all the provisions of this Release and to the extent Executive signs this Release prior to the expiration of such period he does hereby knowingly and voluntarily waive the remaining portion of such twenty-one (21) day period. EXECUTIVE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS READ THIS RELEASE CAREFULLY, HAS BEEN ADVISED BY THE COMPANY TO, AND HAS IN FACT, CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY, AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS THAT BY SIGNING BELOW EXECUTIVE IS GIVING UP CERTAIN RIGHTS WHICH HE MAY HAVE TO SUE OR ASSERT A CLAIM AGAINST ANY OF THE RELEASEES, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1 OF THIS RELEASE AND THE OTHER PROVISIONS HEREOF. EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS NOT BEEN FORCED OR PRESSURED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER TO SIGN THIS RELEASE, AND EXECUTIVE AGREES TO ALL OF ITS TERMS VOLUNTARILY.

9. Revocation

Executive hereby acknowledges and understands that Executive shall have seven (7) days from the date of execution of this Release to revoke this Release (including, without limitation, any and all claims arising under the ADEA) and that neither the Company nor any other person is obligated to provide any payments or benefits to Executive pursuant to the Separation Agreement until eight (8) days have passed since Executive’s signing of this Release without Executive having revoked this Release (such eighth (8^th) day, on which the Release becomes irrevocable and effective, the “Release Effective Date”). If Executive revokes this Release, Executive will be deemed not to have accepted the terms of this Release, and no action will be required of the Company under any section of this Release. Any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company in accordance with Section 5(B) of the Separation Agreement.

10. No Admission

This Release does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing of any kind by Executive or the Company.

11. General Provisions

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns. A failure of any of the Releasees to insist on strict compliance with any provision of this Release shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or any other provision hereof. If any provision of this Release is determined to be so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable, and in the event that any provision is determined to be entirely unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed severable, such that all other provisions of this Release shall remain valid and binding upon Executive and the Releasees.

12. Governing Law

The validity, interpretations, construction and performance of this Release shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflict of laws principles. By execution of this Release, the Executive waives any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has executed and delivered this Release as of the date written below.

 

4/23/19				/s/ Joseph F. Eazor
DATE				Joseph F. Eazor

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Exhibit B

Repurchase Agreement

[See attached.]

Exhibit 10.18

CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is between Louis Alterman (“Employee” or “You”) and Rackspace US, Inc. (“Rackspace” or the “Company”).

1. End of Employment. Your Employment End Date is August 30, 2019. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement (including Exhibit A to this Agreement), your termination shall be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause.

2. Severance Payments.

a. Severance Amount. Rackspace will pay you Nine Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($962,500), less applicable withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions (the “Severance Amount”). This Severance Amount does not include any unpaid wages or earned commissions, or the other payments outlined below, which will be paid separately. The Severance Amount will be paid in 24 equal, biweekly installments, beginning on the first Company payroll date that is at least 60 days after the Employment End Date These installment payments will continue until all payments have been made unless you are in breach of or do not comply with any of the restrictive covenants set forth in sections 8, 9 and 10, as determined by the Company.

b. Bonus for 2019. Rackspace will pay you a 2019 annual corporate bonus, less applicable withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions pursuant to the terms of the Corporate Bonus Plan. The payment amount will be equal to the annual performance bonus that you otherwise would have been entitled to receive if you had been employed by the Company for the full year 2019 and if you had been employed at the ordinary time of the payout for the 2019 corporate bonus in 2020 (the “Bonus Payment”). This Bonus Payment will be paid in a lump sum no later than March 15, 2020 when bonuses for 2019 are paid to other similarly situated employees.

c. Pro-rata Retention Bonus Amount. Rackspace will pay you Two Hundred Sixteen Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-Three Dollars ($216,363.64) as a pro-rata portion of the retention bonus outlined in the letter dated February 7, 2019. The pro-rata retention bonus amount will be paid in a lump sum, less applicable withholdings and other ordinary payroll deductions, on the second payroll date after the Effective Date of this Agreement.

d. Equity. The Company agrees to modify the terms of your equity agreements as set forth in that certain letter agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A and to be executed by the parties on the Effective Date (as defined below).

3. No Other Payments. After the Company pays you the amounts outlined in this Agreement, Rackspace is not obligated to make any additional severance, bonus or wage-related payments to you in any amount or for any purpose.

4.Release. In exchange for the promises in this Agreement, you agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release all Claims you may now have or that you could have asserted against the Released Parties as set forth in this section. The “Released Parties” are Rackspace US, Inc.,

 

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Rackspace Hosting, Inc., Datapipe, Inc. and all of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, partnerships, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and with respect to each entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, fiduciaries, agents, administrators, stockholders, owners, investors, and representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, both in their individual and corporate capacities, and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.

You understand and agree that you are waiving and releasing all claims against the Released Parties, of any known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, including but not limited to breach of contract, conversion, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, assault, battery, defamation, disparagement, negligence, fraud, torts, and any and all similar rights of any type (“Released Claims” or “Claim(s)”) that you may have against any Released Party. You further understand that the Claims that you are releasing may arise under many different laws (including statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and common law doctrines), including, but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act; Executive Order 11246; the Equal Pay Act; Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act; Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code; the WARN Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; the Defend Trade Secrets Act; any federal, state, or local laws restricting an employer’s right to terminate employees, or otherwise regulating employment; any federal, state, or local law enforcing express or implied employment contracts or requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith; Claims for physical or personal injury (including, but not limited to, Claims based on the negligence of the Released Parties), wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, fraud in the inducement, negligent misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, invasion of privacy, conversion, theft, interference with contract or with prospective economic advantage, negligent investigation, claims for wages, severance, bonus, salary, commission and/or benefits, breach of express or implied contract, and breach of covenants of good faith and fair dealing, and similar or related Claims.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF CLAIMS FOR NEGLIGENCE AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE. THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS.

You understand that you are releasing Claims that you may not know about. You affirm that this is your knowing and voluntary intent, even though you recognize that someday you might learn that some of all of the facts you currently believe to be true are untrue, and even though you might then regret having signed this Release. Nevertheless, you are assuming that risk, and you agree that this Release will remain effective in all respects in any such case. You expressly waive all rights you might have under any law that is intended to protect you from waiving unknown Claims. You understand the significance of doing so.

 

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Right to File Charge. Nothing in this Agreement should be construed as precluding or preventing you from filing a charge with any governmental agency or assisting any governmental agency in the investigation into any allegations of discrimination or retaliation against the Company.

Future Claims; Counsel. This Agreement does not release any claims or causes of action that accrue or arise after the date you sign this Agreement. You are advised to review this Agreement with an attorney, at your expense, concerning its effect prior to signing it.

5. Confidential Information, Company Property.

a. You will not, directly or indirectly, for your own benefit or for the benefit of another, reveal, use or disclose to any other person, firm, corporation, or other party or make, directly or indirectly, any commercial or other use of any information not publicly known about Rackspace or its prospects, services, suppliers, products, customers, finances, data processing, purchasing, accounting or marketing systems, whether current or in development such information being privileged, confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace(“Confidential Information”).

b. As a result of your employment by Rackspace, you may have had access to, or knowledge of, confidential business information or trade secrets of third parties. You also agree to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such third-party confidential information and trade secrets to the same extent, and on the same basis, as the privileged confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace.

c. All written materials, records, and other documents made by, or coming into the possession of, you during the period of your employment by Rackspace which contain or disclose privileged, confidential business and/or trade secret information will be and remain the property of Rackspace. Upon termination of your employment with Rackspace, you will promptly deliver the same, and all copies thereof, to Rackspace.

d. On or before the Employment End Date, you will return to Company all property belonging to Company that you possess or possessed but provided to a third party, including but not limited to, all equipment or other materials and all originals and copies of Company documents, files, memoranda, notes, computer-readable information (maintained on a removable drive, home computer, or in any other form) and video or tape recordings of any kind other than personal materials relating solely to you. You warrant and represent that you have not retained, distributed or caused to be distributed, and will not retain, distribute or cause to be distributed, any original or duplicates of any such Company property specified in this section.

6. Cooperation. You agree to cooperate with the Company and its designated attorneys, representatives and agents in connection with the transition of your duties, any actual or threatened judicial, administrative, or other legal or equitable proceeding in which Company is or may become involved. Upon reasonable notice, you agree to meet with and provide Company and its designated attorneys, representatives or agents all information and knowledge you may have relating to the subject matter of any such proceeding. Rackspace agrees to reimburse you for any reasonable pre-approved out of pocket expenses incurred by you as a result of your cooperation.

 

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7. Non-Disparagement. You will not, directly or indirectly, make false, misleading or disparaging statements or representations, or statements or representations that could be interpreted as such, whether written or oral, regarding Rackspace, including statements or representations regarding its products, services, management, employees and customers. However, this prohibition should not be construed as preventing you from complying with any legal subpoena or communicating with any governmental agency when required by law.

8. Non-Solicitation of Company Employees. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, you will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company, including anyone employed by or providing services to Company within the 6-month period preceding your last day of employment or engagement; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to you or any business associated with you.

9. Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, you agree not to directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with you or any of your affiliates for any business purpose deemed competitive with the business of the Company.

10. Non-Competition. To further preserve the Confidential Information, you agree that for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), you will not work, directly or indirectly, as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, or director, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, computer, virtual networking and substantially similar services, and (iii) all substantially similar related services, all of the foregoing being defined for the purposes of this Agreement as “Hosting.” Provided, that the foregoing restriction shall not prevent Employee from becoming an employee of or contractor for a division of any Hosting company that does not provide Hosting services, as long as you do not, for the Restricted Period, perform services, (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for a division of such company that provides Hosting services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

The Restricted Period outlined above will be tolled and will not run during any such time that you are in breach of the restrictive covenants in section 8, 9 and 10 , and once tolled will not begin to run again until such time as all violations have ceased.

 

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You recognize that the restrictions in this section may substantially limit your future flexibility in many ways. You acknowledge you have received adequate consideration for the promises and restrictions set forth in this agreement. You agree to waive any objection to the validity of these restrictions and acknowledge that these limited prohibitions are reasonable as to time, geographical area and scope of activities to be restrained and that these limited prohibitions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect Rackspace’s goodwill, proprietary information and other business interests. You further agree that any breach of these covenants will result in irreparable damage and injury to Rackspace and that Rackspace will be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of posting any bond.

11. Management Investors’ Rights Agreements. In the event that you own, or subsequently acquire through the exercise of any vested options, common stock of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Shares”), the parent company of Rackspace, you are bound by the terms of that certain Management Investors’ Rights Agreements, dated as of April 7, 2017 (the “MIRA”). Please be aware that if you own Shares, you will continue to be bound by the terms of the MIRA in all respects, including the obligation you (and/or your spouse and estate, as applicable) have, subject to the terms of the MIRA, to inform Rackspace upon the occurrence of certain events that may have implications on the ownership of the Shares, including divorce, death or bankruptcy. As long as you have the right to exercise vested options for the Shares, Rackspace will make available to you, on a confidential basis via secure website, certain periodic financial information with respect to Inception Topco, Inc. In order to receive this information you must provide your personal email address to                                              . Once your right to exercise any vested options has terminated, this periodic financial information may no longer be available to you (even if you own Shares). If you are a party to any equity grant agreements, you may have rights, obligations, and deadlines under the terms and conditions of those agreements.

12. Confidentiality. Except as provided below, you and Rackspace agree to maintain in confidence both the existence and terms of this Agreement. Rackspace may disclose the terms of this Agreement consistent with business necessity. You may disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement to your spouse or domestic partner and with your legal and or financial advisors or as otherwise required by law or governmental agency.

13. Section 409A.

a. General. You and Rackspace agree, to the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and incorporate the terms and conditions required by, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof. It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Section 409A of the Code, and Department of Treasury guidance, including the exemptions for short-term deferrals, separation pay arrangements, reimbursements, and in-kind distributions, and this Agreement shall administered accordingly, and interpreted and construed on a basis consistent with such intent. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable currently to the Employee under Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company and the Employee shall cooperate in good faith to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that they mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment

 

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of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement, and to avoid less-favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company, and/or (ii) take such other actions as mutually determined to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A of the Code or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder; provided, however, that this Section 13 does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to modify this Agreement or any other agreement, arrangement or plan and does not guarantee that the amounts payable hereunder will not be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A, and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on you as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

b. Separation from Service under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) no Severance Payments shall be payable unless the termination of your employment constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Department of Treasury Regulations; (ii) if you are deemed at the time of your separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent that delayed commencement of any portion of the Severance Payments (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such Severance Payment under Section 409A) is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Severance Payments shall not be provided to you prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of your “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Department of Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) and (B) the date of your death; provided, that upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 13(b) shall be paid to you in a lump sum, and any remaining Severance Payments shall be paid as otherwise provided herein; (iii) the determination of whether you are a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of your separation from service shall be made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Department of Treasury Regulations and any successor provision thereto); (iv) for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, your right to receive installment payments of the Severance Payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments; and (v) to the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in-kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of any in-kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any other year. Reimbursements and in-kind benefits are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. The preceding provisions, however, will not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax effect to you under this Agreement.

14. Tax Consequences. You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for the tax consequences to you of any benefits conferred on you, or any payments made to you or on your behalf, under the terms of this Agreement. Rackspace has not made any representations to you concerning any possible tax consequences of any payments made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement by and between the parties and there are no other agreements or understandings related to the subject matter herein other than the MIRA and your equity grant agreement(s), if any, which survive the end of your employment and continue in effect. This Agreement may not be changed except by written agreement signed by the parties.

16. Binding Heirs, Successors and Assigns. Except as herein expressly provided, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives of the parties.

17. Arbitration. All claims and matters in question arising out of this Agreement or the relationship between the Parties, whether sounding in contract, tort, a statutory cause of action or otherwise, will be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. Either Party, however, may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement; enforce or vacate an arbitration award; or seek injunctive relief. This arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“National Rules”) in effect at the time the dispute arose. There will be one arbitrator selected pursuant to the National Rules, unless the Parties agree on a different arbitration service. The arbitrator will issue a reasoned award within six (6) months of the filing of the arbitration notice. The Company will pay for your initial filing fee to the extent that it is more than a court filing.

18. Jurisdiction. The substantive laws of Texas govern this Agreement, and exclusive venue for any dispute will be Bexar County, Texas or in San Antonio, Texas.

19. Headings. The headings in this Agreement were used for administrative convenience only and will not be used in interpreting or construing the meaning of any provision.

20. Invalid Provision. If any provision of this Agreement is or may be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable to any extent, the validity of the remaining parts, terms or provision of this Agreement will not be affected thereby, and such illegal or invalid part, term, or provision will be deemed not to be part of this Agreement. The remaining provisions will nevertheless survive and continue in full force and effect.

21. Interpretation. This Agreement will be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It will not be construed strictly for or against you. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number will be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for the convenience of reference and will not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

22. Consideration of Agreement and Older Worker Benefit Protection Act. You acknowledge that you have been advised in writing by the Company that you should consult an attorney before executing this Agreement. You understand that you have twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date this Agreement is provided to you to decide whether to sign it. If you fail to sign and return this Agreement within twenty-one (21) days from the date that it was provided to you, all payment amounts offered in this Agreement are withdrawn and revoked automatically, and you will not be entitled to any payment or benefits that you are not otherwise entitled to under law. You may decide to sign this Agreement prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day period. However, if you choose to do so, then you affirm that this is your voluntary choice.

 

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23. Revocation Period. You understand and acknowledge that you have seven (7) calendar days following the date that you sign and return this Agreement to revoke your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement will not become effective and enforceable and the payment amounts offered in this Agreement will not become payable until after this revocation period has expired without revocation.

24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is deemed an original and all of which constitute collectively one Agreement.

25. Effective Date. This Agreement, if signed and returned to the Company, is effective and enforceable the later of: (i) your Employment End Date or (ii) seven (7) calendar days following the date it is signed and returned, if not revoked during the seven day period (the “Effective Date”).

26. Review by Employee. You acknowledge the following:

(1) That you carefully read this Agreement, and that you understood it;

(2) That you were advised and have had the opportunity to consult an attorney, at your expense, regarding the terms and meaning of this Agreement;

(3) That you understand your deadline of twenty-one (21) days, to consider whether to agree and accept this Agreement;

(4) That you understand that the Agreement is effective and enforceable on the Effective Date as defined above.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING IT. IT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS, INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE. IF YOU WISH, YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FULL REVIEW PERIOD AFFORDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOOSING.

 

Employee:
By:		Louis Alterman  (printed name)
		/s/ Louis Alterman  (signature)				Date: 30 August 2019

 

Rackspace:
By:		Kelly Butler  (printed name)
		/s/ Kelly Butler  (signature)				Date: 31 August 2019
		K Butler        (title)
On Behalf of Rackspace

IF YOU AGREE AND SIGN THIS AGREEMENT, PLEASE RETURN A SIGNED COPY OF THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT TO THE CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER OR GENERAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE.

 

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EXHIBIT A

August 30, 2019

Louis Alterman

Rackspace US, Inc.

One Fanatical Way

San Antonio, Texas 78218

 

Re:

Equity Acceleration Agreement

Dear Louis:

Reference is hereby made to the following:

 

•

Separation Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2019, by and between you and Rackspace US, Inc. (the “Separation Agreement”);

 

•

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2017, by and between you and Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Company”)( as amended by that certain Modification of Performance Options, dated as of November 6, 2018, the “Option Agreement”), pursuant to which you were granted (i) 26,667 Tranche A Options and (ii) 53,333 Tranche B Options (as each such term is defined in the Option Agreement); and

 

•

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2018 (the “RSU Agreement”), by and between you and the Company, pursuant to which you were granted (i) 20,000 Tranche A RSUs and (ii) 20,000 Tranche B RSUs (as each such term is defined in the RSU Agreement).

Terms used herein but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Option Agreement or the RSU Agreement, as applicable.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Separation Agreement and your acknowledgment and acceptance of this letter agreement, as evidenced by your signature below, you and the Company hereby agree as follows:

 

1.

Notwithstanding the terms set forth in the Option Agreement, the Company hereby accelerates the vesting of 5,334 Tranche A Options (the “Accelerated Options”) such that the Accelerated Options will be deemed to vest on the Employment End Date (as defined in the Separation Agreement). As of the Employment End Date, you (i) will have an aggregate of 16,964 vested Tranche A Options (including the Accelerated Options), and (ii) hereby forfeit all unvested Options except as otherwise set forth below. All vested Options shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement.

 

2.

Notwithstanding the terms set forth in the RSU Agreement, the Company hereby accelerates the vesting of 4,000 Tranche A RSUs (the “Accelerated RSUs”) such that the Accelerated RSUs will be deemed to vest on the Employment End Date. As of the Employment End Date, you (i) will have an aggregate of 7,200 vested RSUs (including the Accelerated RSUs), and (ii) hereby forfeit all unvested RSUs except as otherwise set forth below. All vested RSUs shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the RSU Agreement.

 

3.

The fourth paragraph of Section 4(b) of the Option Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

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If a Termination of Relationship occurs (x) prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and (y) as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (C) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason, (1) 100% of the unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option during the 90 day period following such Termination of Relationship (the “90-Day Period”) upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i), if applicable) during such 90-Day Period, and (2) in the event that the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i), if applicable) are not met during such 90-Day Period, 50% of the unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option during the 3-month period immediately following the expiration of the 90-Day Period (the “Additional Six Month Period”) upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i), if applicable) during the Additional Six Month Period, and in either case, any such portion that becomes a Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of Relationship occurred on the date of vesting; provided, that (I) 50% of the Tranche B Option which remains unvested as of 90-Day Period, (II) any portion of the Tranche B Option which remains unvested as of the end of the Additional Six Month Period, or (III) if earlier, after giving effect to the application of Section 4(c)(i) to the extent a Change in Control occurs and Apollo elects to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), shall be immediately forfeited; provided, further, that if a Change in Control occurs during such 90-Day Period or Additional Six Month Period, as applicable, and Apollo does not elect to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), any unvested portion of the Tranche B Option shall remain outstanding and the provisions of Section 4(b)(2) below (and not the provisions of Section 4(c)(ii)) will apply to such unvested portion of the Tranche B Option.

 

4.

Section 8(a) of the Option Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(b)(2), following a Termination of Relationship, the Option shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of:

 

(i)

The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; or

 

(ii)

The date it is determined that Optionee is a “Bad Leaver” (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement).

 

5.

The fourth paragraph of Section 3(b) of the RSU Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

If a Termination of Relationship occurs (x) prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and (y) as a result of (A) a termination of the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (B) the Grantee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (C) any resignation by the Grantee for Good Reason, (1) 100% of the unvested portion of the Tranche B RSUs (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested RSUs during the 90 day period following such Termination of Relationship (the “90-Day Period”) upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 3(b) (after giving effect to Section 3(c)(i), if applicable) during such 90-Day Period, and (2) in the event that the performance criteria set forth in Section 3(b) (after giving effect to Section 3(c)(i), if applicable) are not met during such

 

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90-Day Period, 50% of the unvested portion of the Tranche B RSUs (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become Vested RSUs during the 6-month period immediately following the expiration of the 90-Day Period (the “Additional Six Month Period”) upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 3(b) (after giving effect to Section 3(c)(i), if applicable) during the Additional Six Month Period; provided, that (I) 50% of the Tranche B RSUs which remain unvested as of 90-Day Period, (II) any portion of the Tranche B RSUs which remain unvested as of the end of the Additional Six Month Period, or (III) if earlier, after giving effect to the application of Section 3(c)(i) to the extent a Change in Control occurs and Apollo elects to give effect to Section 3(c)(i), shall be immediately forfeited; provided, further, that if a Change in Control occurs during such 90-Day Period or Additional Six Month Period, as applicable, and Apollo does not elect to give effect to Section 3(c)(i), any unvested portion of the Tranche B RSUs shall remain outstanding and the provisions of Section 3(b)(2) below (and not the provisions of Section 3(c)(ii)) will apply to such unvested portion of the Tranche B RSUs.

 

6.

Section 3(d) of the RSU Agreement is hereby amended by restating the proviso thereof in its entirety as follows:

provided, that, in the event that the Grantee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause or if it is later determined that the Grantee is a “Bad Leaver” (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), then all unvested RSUs then held by the Grantee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

 

7.

Neither Apollo nor any officer, director, employee or other representative of the Company or any of its affiliates had made, or is making, any representation and warranty to you (or any other person) regarding the likelihood or timing of a possible Change of Control, the achievement of any level of MOIC or any other fact or circumstance that could impact the vesting of your Tranche B Options and/or Tranche B RSUs. By your signature below, you hereby (i) acknowledge and accept the foregoing disclaimer of representations and warranties, and (ii) confirm that you are not relying on any such representation or warranty in making your decision to enter into this letter agreement or the Separation Agreement.

 

8.

Section 14 (Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction), 15 (Counterparts), 16 (Entire Agreement), 18 (Enforcement) and 19 (Waiver of Jury Trail) of the Option Agreement and the RSU Agreement shall apply to this letter agreement mutatis mutandis.

 

INCEPTION TOPCO, INC.
By:
Name:		Holly Windham
Title:		EVP, General Counsel

Acknowledged and Agreed this 30^th day of August, 2019.

 

Louis Alterman

 

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Exhibit 10.19

EXECUTION VERSION

CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Confidential Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is between Sandy Hogan (“Employee” or “You”) and Rackspace US, Inc. (“Rackspace” or the “Company”).

1. End of Employment. Your “Employment End Date” is August 16, 2019.

2. Severance Payment. Rackspace will pay you $892,000.00, as outlined on the attached Severance Summary Exhibit, less applicable withholdings and other required payroll deductions (the “Severance Amount”). This Severance Amount does not include unpaid wages through the end of employment, which will be paid separately. It also does not include payment for any accrued but unused paid time off, which will be paid in accordance with applicable law and current Company policy. The Severance Amount will be paid in 24 equal, biweekly installments of $37,166.66 (less applicable withholdings and other required payroll deductions), beginning on the next reasonable payroll date after the Effective Date of this Agreement. These installment payments will continue until all payments have been made unless you: (i) are in material breach of, or do not materially comply with, any of the obligations defined in this Agreement as determined by an arbitrator pursuant to Section 17 hereof, or (ii) are rehired by Rackspace in any capacity during the payment period. For the avoidance of doubt, you shall have no obligation to mitigate damages for payment of the Severance Amount, whether by seeking employment or otherwise and the Severance Amount shall not be reduced or offset by any payment or benefit that you may receive from any other source.

3. No Other Payments. After the Company pays you the amounts outlined in this Agreement, Rackspace is not obligated to make any additional severance, bonus, variable compensation, or wage-related payments to you in any amount or for any purpose.

4. Release. In exchange for the promises in this Agreement, you agree to irrevocably and unconditionally release all Claims you may now have or that you could have asserted against the Released Parties as set forth in this section. The “Released Parties” are Rackspace US, Inc., Rackspace Hosting, Inc., Datapipe, Inc. and all of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, partnerships, or joint ventures, and, with respect to each of them, their predecessors and successors; and with respect to each entity, all of its past and present employees, officers, directors, fiduciaries, agents, administrators, stockholders, owners, investors, and representatives, assigns, attorneys, agents, both in their individual and corporate capacities, and any other persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of the persons or entities listed in this subsection.

You understand and agree that, except as provided herein, you are waiving and releasing all claims against the Released Parties, of any known and unknown claims, promises, causes of action, including but not limited to breach of contract, conversion, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, assault, battery, defamation, disparagement, negligence, fraud, torts, and any and all similar rights of any type (“Released Claims” or “Claim(s)”) that you may have against any Released Party. You further understand that the Claims that you are releasing may arise under many different laws (including statutes, regulations, other administrative guidance, and common law doctrines), including, but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act; Executive Order

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

11246; the Equal Pay Act; Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act; Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code; the WARN Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; the Defend Trade Secrets Act; any federal, state, or local laws restricting an employer’s right to terminate employees, or otherwise regulating employment; any federal, state, or local law enforcing express or implied employment contracts or requiring an employer to deal with employees fairly or in good faith; Claims for physical or personal injury (including, but not limited to, Claims based on the negligence of the Released Parties), wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, fraud in the inducement, negligent misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, invasion of privacy, conversion, theft, interference with contract or with prospective economic advantage, negligent investigation, claims for wages, severance, bonus, salary, commission and/or benefits, breach of express or implied contract, and breach of covenants of good faith and fair dealing, and similar or related Claims.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF CLAIMS FOR NEGLIGENCE AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE. THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS.

You understand that you are releasing Claims that you may not know about. You affirm that this is your knowing and voluntary intent, even though you recognize that someday you might learn that some of all of the facts you currently believe to be true are untrue, and even though you might then regret having signed this Release. Nevertheless, you are assuming that risk, and you agree that this Release will remain effective in all respects in any such case. You expressly waive all rights you might have under any law that is intended to protect you from waiving unknown Claims. You understand the significance of doing so.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the release provided pursuant to this Section 4 shall not apply to and expressly excludes: (a) claims for vested benefits under any plan maintained by any of the Released Parties that provides for deferred compensation, equity compensation or pension or retirement benefits; (b) rights to health benefits under any policy or plan currently maintained by any of the Released Parties that provides for health insurance continuation or conversion rights;

(c) claims arising after the date of this Agreement is signed; (d) claims under any applicable directors’ and officers’ insurance policies that may provide coverage to or for you; and (e) rights to indemnification under the by-laws, certificate of incorporation or other governing documents of any of the Released Parties, or under applicable law.

Right to File Charge. Nothing in this Agreement should be construed as precluding or preventing you from filing a charge with any governmental agency or assisting any governmental agency in the investigation into any allegations of discrimination or retaliation against the Company.

Future Claims; Counsel. This Agreement does not release any claims or causes of action that accrue or arise after the date you sign this Agreement. You are advised to review this Agreement with an attorney, at your expense, concerning its effect prior to signing it.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

5. Confidential Information, Company Property.

a. You will not, directly or indirectly, for your own benefit or for the benefit of another, reveal, use or disclose to any other person, firm, corporation, or other party or make, directly or indirectly, any commercial or other use of any information not publicly known about Rackspace or its prospects, services, suppliers, products, customers, finances, data processing, purchasing, accounting or marketing systems, whether current or in development such information being privileged, confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace (“Confidential Information”).

b. As a result of your employment by Rackspace, you may have had access to, or knowledge of, confidential business information or trade secrets of third parties. You also agree to preserve and protect the confidentiality of such third-party confidential information and trade secrets to the same extent, and on the same basis, as the privileged confidential business and/or trade secret information of Rackspace.

c. All written materials, records, and other documents made by, or coming into the possession of, you during the period of your employment by Rackspace which contain or disclose privileged, confidential business and/or trade secret information will be and remain the property of Rackspace. Upon termination of your employment with Rackspace, you will promptly deliver the same, and all copies thereof, to Rackspace.

d. On or before the Employment End Date, you will return to Company all property belonging to Company that you possess or possessed but provided to a third party, including but not limited to, all equipment or other materials and all originals and copies of Company documents, files, memoranda, notes, computer-readable information (maintained on a removable drive, home computer, or in any other form) and video or tape recordings of any kind other than personal materials relating solely to you. You warrant and represent that you have not retained, distributed or caused to be distributed, and will not retain, distribute or cause to be distributed, any original or duplicates of any such Company property specified in this section.

6. Cooperation. You agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its designated attorneys, representatives and agents in connection with (a) the transition of your duties prior to the Employment End Date, and (b) any actual or threatened judicial, administrative, or other legal or equitable proceeding in which Company is or may become involved. Upon reasonable notice, and subject to the reasonable accommodation by the Company of your scheduling needs (including, without limitation, the needs of any future employment or other service engagement that you may have), you agree to meet with and provide Company and its designated attorneys, representatives or agents all information and knowledge you may have relating to the subject matter of any such proceeding. Rackspace agrees to reimburse you for any reasonable pre-approved out of pocket expenses incurred by you as a result of your cooperation.

7. Non-Disparagement.

a. You will not directly or indirectly make false, misleading or disparaging statements or representations, or statements or representations that could be interpreted as such, whether written or oral, regarding Rackspace, including statements or representations regarding its products, services, owners, employees, customers, management and executive leadership team, or the executive committee of Inception Topco, Inc.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

b. The Company in its official communications (e.g., press releases and public filings) will not, and will instruct the members of its Executive Leadership Team not to, directly or indirectly make false, misleading or disparaging statements or representations, or statements or representations that could be interpreted as such, whether written or oral, regarding you.

c. The prohibitions set forth in this Section 7 do not prevent you or the Company, and should not be construed as preventing you or the Company, from complying with any legal subpoena or communicating with any governmental agency when required by law.

8. Non-Hire of Company Employees. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, you will not, directly or indirectly, (i) hire or engage any current employee of Company for a period of at least six (6) months after the employment of such employee with the Company terminates; (ii) solicit or encourage any employee to terminate employment or services with Company; or (iii) solicit or encourage any employee to accept employment with or provide services to you or any business associated with you.

9. Non-Solicitation of Customers & Suppliers. To further preserve the Confidential Information, for twelve (12) months after employment ends, you agree not to directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, recruit or otherwise solicit or induce any customer or supplier of the Company, to terminate its employment or arrangement with the Company, otherwise change its relationship with the Company or establish any relationship with you or any of your affiliates for any business purpose reasonably deemed competitive with the business of the Company.

10. Non-Competition Agreement. To further preserve the Confidential Information, you agree that for twelve (12) months after employment ends (the “Restricted Period”), you will not have an ownership interest in any business anywhere in the world that sells managed, dedicated, or cloud computing services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company, including but not limited to (i) professional advisory services for the migration, deployment or management of cloud technologies, (ii) provisioning, hosting, managing, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (iii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, computer, virtual networking, applications, and similar services, or (iv) any related IT services or products substantially similar to the Company’s products or services (all of the foregoing referred to as “Competitive Services”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business. In addition to the foregoing restriction on your ability to have an ownership interest in a Competitive Services company, you agree that you will not work as an employee, contractor, officer, consultant, or director for the companies listed on the attached Exhibit A during the Restricted Period. The forgoing restrictions shall not prevent you from becoming an employee, consultant, or contractor for a division of any company listed on Exhibit A so long as the division does not provide Competitive Services, and as long as you do not, during the Restricted Period, perform services (including but not limited to providing information, advice, strategy, recruiting or any other interaction with regard to business matters) for any division of such company that provides Competitive Services.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

The Restricted Period outlined above will be tolled and will not run during any such time that you are in breach of this Agreement or in violation of any of the covenants contained in this agreement, and once tolled will not begin to run again until such time as all violations have ceased.

You recognize that the restrictions in this section may substantially limit your future flexibility in many ways. You acknowledge you have received adequate consideration for the promises and restrictions set forth in this agreement. You agree to waive any objection to the validity of these restrictions and acknowledge that these limited prohibitions are reasonable as to time, geographical area and scope of activities to be restrained and that these limited prohibitions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect Rackspace’s goodwill, proprietary information and other business interests. You further agree that any breach of these covenants will result in irreparable damage and injury to Rackspace and that Rackspace will be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of posting any bond.

11. Management Investors’ Rights Agreements. In the event that you own, or subsequently acquire through the exercise of any vested options, common stock of Inception Topco, Inc. (the “Shares”), the parent company of Rackspace, you are bound by the terms of that certain Management Investors’ Rights Agreements, dated as of April 7, 2017 (the “MIRA”). Please be aware that if you own Shares, you will continue to be bound by the terms of the MIRA in all respects, including the obligation you (and/or your spouse and estate, as applicable) have, subject to the terms of the MIRA, to inform Rackspace upon the occurrence of certain events that may have implications on the ownership of the Shares, including divorce, death or bankruptcy. As long as you have the right to exercise vested options for the Shares, Rackspace will make available to you, on a confidential basis via secure website, certain periodic financial information with respect to Inception Topco, Inc. In order to receive this information, you must provide your personal email address to                                       . Once your right to exercise any vested options has terminated, this periodic financial information may no longer be available to you (even if you own Shares). If you are a party to any equity grant agreements, you may have rights, obligations, and deadlines under the terms and conditions of those agreements.

12. Confidentiality. Except as provided below, you and Rackspace agree to maintain in confidence both the existence and terms of this Agreement. Rackspace may disclose the terms of this Agreement consistent with business necessity. You may disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement to your spouse or domestic partner and with your legal and or financial advisors or as otherwise required by law or governmental agency. In addition, you may also disclose the terms of Sections 8, 9, 10 of this Agreement, as well as Exhibit A, to any potential subsequent employer or other person to whom such terms may be relevant.

13. Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision will be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement will be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409(a)(1)(B) of the Code. If the Company determines in good faith that any provision of this Agreement would cause you to incur an additional tax, penalty,

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

or interest under Section 409A of the Code, you and the Company will use reasonable efforts to reform such provision, if possible, in a mutually agreeable fashion to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code or causing the imposition of such additional tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A of the Code. The preceding provisions, however, will not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax effect to you under this Agreement.

14. Tax Consequences. Except with respect to required tax withholding and reporting that will be undertaken by the Company, you acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for the tax consequences to you of any benefits conferred on you, or any payments made to you or on your behalf, under the terms of this Agreement. Rackspace has not made any representations to you concerning any possible tax consequences of any payments made pursuant to this Agreement.

15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement by and between the parties and there are no other agreements or understandings related to the subject matter herein other than the MIRA and your equity grant agreement(s), if any, which survive the end of your employment and continue in effect. This Agreement may not be changed except by written agreement signed by the parties.

16. Binding Heirs, Successors and Assigns. Except as herein expressly provided, the terms and provisions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives of the parties.

17. Arbitration. All claims and matters in question arising out of this Agreement or the relationship between the Parties, whether sounding in contract, tort, a statutory cause of action or otherwise, will be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act. Either Party, however, may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel arbitration under this Agreement; enforce or vacate an arbitration award; or seek injunctive relief. This arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with the National Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“National Rules”) in effect at the time the dispute arose. There will be one arbitrator selected pursuant to the National Rules, unless the Parties agree on a different arbitration service. The arbitrator will issue a reasoned award within six (6) months of the filing of the arbitration notice. The Company will pay for your initial filing fee to the extent that it is more than a court filing.

18. Jurisdiction. The substantive laws of Texas govern this Agreement, and exclusive venue for any dispute will be Bexar County, Texas or in San Antonio, Texas.

19. Headings. The headings in this Agreement were used for administrative convenience only and will not be used in interpreting or construing the meaning of any provision.

20. Invalid Provision. If any provision of this Agreement is or may be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable to any extent, the validity of the remaining parts, terms or provision of this Agreement will not be affected thereby, and such illegal or invalid part, term, or provision will be deemed not to be part of this Agreement. The remaining provisions will nevertheless survive and continue in full force and effect.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

21. Interpretation. This Agreement will be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning. It will not be construed strictly for or against you. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular or plural number will be deemed to include the other. Captions are intended solely for the convenience of reference and will not be used in the interpretation of this Agreement.

22. Consideration of Agreement and Older Worker Benefit Protection Act. You acknowledge that you have been advised in writing by the Company that you should consult an attorney before executing this Agreement. You understand that you have twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date this Agreement is provided to you to decide whether to sign it. If you fail to sign and return this Agreement within twenty-one (21) days from the date that it was provided to you, all payment amounts offered in this Agreement are withdrawn and revoked automatically, and you will not be entitled to any payment or benefits that you are not otherwise entitled to under law. You may decide to sign this Agreement prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day period. However, if you choose to do so, then you affirm that this is your voluntary choice.

23. Revocation Period. You understand and acknowledge that you have seven (7) calendar days following the date that you sign and return this Agreement to revoke your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement will not become effective and enforceable and the payment amounts offered in this Agreement will not become payable until after this revocation period has expired without revocation.

24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is deemed an original and all of which constitute collectively one Agreement.

25. Effective Date. This Agreement, if signed and returned to the Company, is effective and enforceable the later of: (i) your Employment End Date or (ii) seven (7) calendar days following the date it is signed and returned, if not revoked during the seven day period (the “Effective Date”).

26. Review by Employee. You acknowledge the following:

a. That you carefully read this Agreement, and that you understood it;

b. That you were advised and have had the opportunity to consult an attorney, at your expense, regarding the terms and meaning of this Agreement;

c. That you understand your deadline of twenty-one (21) days, to consider whether to agree and accept this Agreement;

d. That you understand that the Agreement is effective and enforceable on the Effective Date as defined above.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND CONSIDER ALL OF ITS PROVISIONS BEFORE SIGNING IT. IT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS, INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED ON NEGLIGENCE. IF YOU WISH, YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FULL REVIEW PERIOD AFFORDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOOSING.

 

Employee:
By:		Sandy Hogan		(printed name)
		/s/ Sandy Hogan		(signature)				Date:		August 2, 2019
Rackspace:
By:		Holly B. Windham		(printed name)
		/s/ Holly B. Windham		(signature)				Date:		August 2, 2019
		General Counsel		(title)
		On Behalf of Rackspace

 

[Signature Page to Confidential Separation Agreement and Release]

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SEVERANCE SUMMARY EXHIBIT

Severance Amount: $892,000 comprised of the following:

 

•

$465,000 as a severance payment equal to your current base salary for twelve months

 

•

$372,000 as an additional severance payment equal to 100% of your on-target bonus amount

 

•

$55,000 as an additional severance payment equal to one-quarter of your on-target regional sales bonus

 

[Severance Summary Exhibit]		Initials:    SH

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EXHIBIT A

2nd Watch

Accenture

Amazon

Atos

Bespin Global

Capgemini

Cloudreach

Cognizant

CSC

Deloitte

DXC Technology

Ensono

Google

HCL Technologies

IBM

Infosys

Logicworks

Microsoft

Nordcloud

NTT Data

Oracle

Samsung SDS

Smartronix

Tata Consultancy Services

Unisys

Wipro

 

[Exhibit A]		Initials:     SH

Exhibit 10.20

Form of Exit Option Award Agreement (Standard). Approved by the Executive Committee in July 2019.

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE CORP., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [            ] (the “Optionee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Optionee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an option under the Plan to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1.    The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article V). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Optionee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan and in Annex I attached hereto.

Section 2.    Option; Option Price. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Optionee shall have the option (the “Option”) to purchase Shares pursuant to the Tranche A option (the “Tranche A Option”) and the Tranche B option (the “Tranche B Option”), at the price per Share (the “Option Price”) and in the amounts set forth on the signature page hereto. Payment of the Option Price may be made in the manner specified by Section 5.9 of the Plan. The Option is not intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable as to all Vested Options (as defined in Section 4) until the expiration of the Option Term (as defined in Section 3). Except as otherwise provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, upon a Termination of Relationship, the unvested portion of the Option (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested Options) shall terminate.

Section 3.    Term. The term of the Option (the “Option Term”) shall commence on the Grant Date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, unless the Option shall have been terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 5.7 of the Plan) or this Agreement.

Section 4.    Vesting. Subject to the Optionee’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through each applicable vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 4), the Option shall become non-forfeitable (when the Option becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested Option”) and shall become exercisable according to the following provisions:

(a)     Twenty percent (20%) of the Tranche A Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable on each of the first five (5) anniversaries of the Grant Date; provided, however, that:

 

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(i)    the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable on the sixth (6) monthly anniversary of a Change in Control; provided, further, that if a Termination of Relationship occurs within six (6) months following a Change in Control as a result of (a) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (b) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Relationship and shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a), and

(ii)    if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time prior to a Change in Control as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, (1) the installment of the Tranche A Option scheduled to vest on the anniversary of the Grant Date next following such Termination of Relationship (if any) shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Relationship and shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) with respect to the number of Option Shares equal to 20% of the Tranche A Option, multiplied by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the last anniversary of the Grant Date prior to the date of the Termination of Relationship or, if no such anniversary date has yet occurred, the Grant Date, and (y) the denominator of which is equal to 365, and (2) if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such Termination of Relationship, the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control (notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4(a)(i)) and such Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of the Relationship occurred on the date of the Change in Control.

(b)    The Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as follows:

(i)    Fifty percent (50%) of the Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable upon any Measurement Date if Apollo has achieved a MOIC of at least one and three-quarters (1.75), as calculated by the Committee; and

(ii)    Up to fifty percent (50%) of the Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable upon any Measurement Date if Apollo has achieved a MOIC of greater than one and three-quarters (1.75) and up to two and one-quarter (2.25), determined based on linear interpolation between such MOIC achievement levels, as calculated by the Committee.

If a Termination of Relationship occurs (x) prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and (y) as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, the unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option during the 90 day period following such Termination of

 

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Relationship upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i), if applicable) during such 90 day period, and any such portion that becomes a Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of Relationship occurred on the date of vesting; provided, that any portion of the Tranche B Option which remains unvested as of (I) the end of such 90 day period, or, (II) if earlier, after giving effect to the application of Section 4(c)(i) to the extent a Change in Control occurs and Apollo elects to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), shall be immediately forfeited; provided, further, that if a Change in Control occurs during such 90 day period and Apollo does not elect to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), any unvested portion of the Tranche B Option shall remain outstanding and the provisions of Section 4(b)(2) below (and not the provisions of Section 4(c)(ii)) will apply to such unvested portion of the Tranche B Option.

If a Termination of Relationship occurs (a) following the occurrence of a Change in Control in which Apollo elected to give effect to Section 4(c)(ii) and (b) as a result of (x) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (y) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, then Apollo shall elect one of the following two alternatives:

 

(1)

The term Measurement Date shall be deemed amended to also mean the date of such Termination of Relationship, and the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of the date of such termination of any Non- Cash Consideration received by the Apollo Holders upon or prior to such Measurement Date (that has not previously become, or been treated as, Cash Consideration) shall be treated as Cash Consideration. Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Termination of Relationship, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to this Section 4(b)(1)), shall be immediately forfeited. Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(b)(1) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a); or

 

(2)

The unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) as of the date of such Termination of Relationship shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option upon any future Measurement Date, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b), until the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date or, if earlier, the date on which the Tranche B Option terminates pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan for any reason other than set forth in Section 8(a)(ii) or 8(a)(iii). Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(b)(2) shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of (A) the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, (B) the date of the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee for Cause and (C) the 90th day following the date that the applicable unvested portion of the Tranche B Option becomes a Vested Option.

 

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(c)    Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control with respect to which the Apollo Holders receive any Non-Cash Consideration in lieu of, or in addition to, Cash Consideration, Apollo shall elect one of the following two alternatives:

(i)    The term Measurement Date shall be deemed amended to also mean the date of such Change in Control, and the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of the date of such Change in Control of any such Non-Cash Consideration shall be treated as Cash Consideration. Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to this Section 4(c)(i)), shall be immediately forfeited. Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c)(i) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a); or

(ii)    Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Change in Control shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option upon any future Measurement Date in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b), until the Tranche B Option terminates pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan (including, without limitation, in connection with a Termination of Relationship pursuant to Section 8(a)). Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c)(ii) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a).

(d)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the Option shall cease vesting as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason and no portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option as of such time shall become a Vested Option thereafter (i.e., the portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option shall be forfeited immediately); provided, that, in the event that the Optionee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause, all Options then held by the Optionee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

Section 5.    Restrictive Covenants. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the Options issued hereunder, the Optionee shall be bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in this Section 5, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

(a)    Non-Solicitation; No Hire. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, on the Optionee’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof,

 

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on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company Group until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company Group has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand.

(b)     Non-Competition. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to further preserve the confidentiality of the Company Group’s confidential information, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest, or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells managed dedicated or cloud computing services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company Group, including but not limited to (i) professional advisory services for the migration, deployment or management of cloud technologies; (ii) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet; (iii) hosted or managed email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking, applications, and similar services, or (iv) any related IT services or products substantially similar to the Company Group’s products or services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

(c)     Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Optionee recognizes and acknowledges that he or she has access to the confidential information and/or has had material contact with the Company Group’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Optionee agrees that at any time during or after such time as the Optionee is a Participant in the Plan, the Optionee shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Optionee’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company Group, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company Group’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets. Upon the Optionee’s termination of employment for any reason, the Optionee shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company Group’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes. The Optionee may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the

 

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Company Group the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company Group and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company Group, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

(d)     Non-Disparagement. The Optionee shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company Group, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The foregoing shall not be violated by the Optionee’s truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(e)     Intellectual Property Rights.

(i)     The Optionee agrees that the results and proceeds of the Optionee’s services for the Company Group (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company Group and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice or learned by the Optionee, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company Group) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company Group under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Optionee hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Optionee’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), and the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Optionee is required to assign, the Optionee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Optionee concerning such Invention. The Optionee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company Group any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Optionee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company Group.

(ii)     The Optionee agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall do any and all

 

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things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company Group’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Optionee has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Optionee unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 5(e) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company Group of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company Group may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Optionee’s employment with, or service to, the Company Group. The Optionee further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall assist the Company Group in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Optionee shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Optionee shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Optionee’s obligation to assist the Company Group with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship.

(f)     Restrictive Covenants Generally. If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants contained in this Section 5 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein 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 the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by applicable law. The Optionee hereby acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company Group. The Optionee further acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are being agreed to by the Optionee in connection with the Company’s issuance of an Award to the Optionee under the Plan, and are in addition to, not in substitution for, any restrictive covenants to which the Optionee is or may become subject in connection with any relationship with the Company Group.

(g)     Enforcement. If the Optionee breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company Group shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity: (i) the right and remedy to seek to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction (without posting a bond), it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group; and (ii) the right and remedy to require the Optionee to account for and pay over to the Company any profits, monies, accruals, increments or other

 

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benefits derived or received by the Optionee as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of the Restrictive Covenants. In the event of any breach or violation by the Optionee of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Optionee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is resolved.

Section 6.     Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Optionee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the Option may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Optionee and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. If the Optionee dies, the Option shall thereafter be exercisable, during the period specified in Section 8 of this Agreement, by his or her executors or administrators to the full extent to which the Option was exercisable by the Optionee at the time of his or her death. The Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the Option, shall be null and void and without effect. Upon the exercise of an Option, to the extent such Optionee is not then a party to the Investor Rights Agreement, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company an Adoption Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee, pursuant to which the Optionee agrees to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement. The Company agrees that the Optionee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.

Section 7.     Optionee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the Option shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Optionee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the Option is a onetime benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the Option does not form part of the Optionee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his or her employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 8.     Termination.

(a)     Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(b)(2), following a Termination of Relationship, the Option shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of:

(i)     The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii)     The first anniversary of any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s death or by the Company due to the Optionee’s Disability;

 

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(iii)     The 90^th day following any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s resignation for any reason or the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship without Cause;

(iv)     The date of the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee for Cause.

(b)    Option Shares acquired upon the exercise of Vested Options may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 9.    Payment of Option Price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Optionee may, following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship as a result of (i) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (ii) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, or at any other time with the consent of the Committee, and provided that the Fair Market Value per Share is, at the time of exercise, greater than the Option Price per Share, pay for the exercise of a Vested Option by instructing the Company to withhold from the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised a number of Shares having, as of the date of such exercise, a Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. As a condition to exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall also remit a cash amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state, local and foreign withholding tax and employment tax requirements in connection with exercise of the Option so that the Company may satisfy its tax withholding obligations, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Section 10.    Notices.

(a)    The Optionee shall be entitled to receive notice of an event that would entitle the Optionee to notice under the Investor Rights Agreement were the Optionee a holder of the Option Shares in sufficient time to afford the Optionee with an opportunity to exercise a Vested Option (or the unvested portion of the Option that would become a Vested Option upon such event) in advance of such event.

(b)    All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, by email, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

Email:

 

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and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

Email:

If to the Optionee, to him or her at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent), (d) in the case of email, when transmitted via email (in each case, if no “system error” or other notice of non-delivery is generated) to the applicable party and its legal counsel set forth above, and (e) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

Section 11.    Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 12.    Optionee’s Undertaking. The Optionee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Optionee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 13.    Modification of Rights. The rights of the Optionee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the Options granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement and the Plan may not be impaired without the Optionee’s consent.

Section 14.    Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a)    NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL

 

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THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Service Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction.

Section 15.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 16.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 17.    Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or

 

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unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 18.    Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Optionee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

Section 19.    Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE CORP.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

OPTIONEE
[Name]
Date of Acceptance:
Residence Address:

Number of Shares of Common Stock

subject to Tranche A Option: [            ]¹

Number of Shares of Common Stock

subject to Tranche B Option: [            ]²

Option Price for Tranche A Option: $[            ]

Option Price for Tranche B Option: $[            ]

 

 

1	1/3 of the Options granted

2	2/3 of the Options granted

[Signature Page to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement]

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ANNEX I

DEFINITIONS

“Cash Consideration” means any consideration received by the Apollo Holders in respect of Shares in the form of cash, cash equivalents or Marketable Securities (including the Shares themselves to the extent they become Marketable Securities). Cash Consideration shall include any Non-Cash Consideration that is converted to or becomes cash, cash equivalents or Marketable Securities, and any Non-Cash Consideration that Apollo elects to treat as Cash Consideration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

“Invested Capital” means, with respect to the Apollo Holders, the amount of money and the initial book value of any property contributed to the Company by the Apollo Holders in exchange for Shares.

“Marketable Securities” means shares of common stock of another entity or, following an initial public offering of Common Stock, Shares, in each case, that (i) are freely tradeable without violating any “lockup” agreements, other contractual restrictions, or federal, state, or local securities laws; and (ii) are listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Market, or another United States or foreign traded public exchange reasonably acceptable to the Apollo. The value of Marketable Securities on any given Measurement Date shall be deemed to equal the volume weighted average trading price of such securities over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately preceding such Measurement Date. For purposes of clause (i) above, Shares shall be treated as freely tradeable without violating any federal, state, or local securities laws if the Company is eligible to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form S-3 (or any successor form) for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC) covering such Shares, and the Apollo Holders have the right to cause the Company to file such a registration statement covering such Shares.

“Measurement Date” means each date on which the Apollo Holders receive Cash Consideration. For so long as the Apollo Holders beneficially own Marketable Securities in the form of Shares, a Measurement Date shall occur on each trading day such Marketable Securities are so owned. In addition, if any portion of a Tranche B Option remains outstanding and unvested on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, and prior thereto the Apollo Holders received Non-Cash Consideration in connection with a Change in Control, the day before such tenth anniversary shall be deemed a Measurement Date, and all Non-Cash Consideration not previously taken into account as Cash Consideration shall be treated as Cash Consideration based on the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of such day of any such Non-Cash Consideration.

“Non-Cash Consideration” means any consideration received by the Apollo Holders in respect of Shares that is not in the form of Cash Consideration, including any contingent right to receive Cash Consideration on or at a future date or time. In the event of a Change in Control involving the acquisition of less than 100% of the equity securities beneficially owned by the Apollo Holders, the equity securities of the Company that are retained by the Apollo Holders shall be treated as Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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“MOIC” means as of each Measurement Date, the multiple equal to the ratio of (i) the amount of all Cash Consideration received on or prior to such Measurement Date, to (ii) the amount of all Invested Capital contributed on or prior to such Measurement Date.

*            *              *

 

I-2

Exhibit 10.21

FINAL FORM

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Kevin Jones (the “Optionee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Optionee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an option under the Plan to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Optionee shall be employed with the Company pursuant to a written employment agreement (“Employment Agreement”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article V). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Optionee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan and in Annex I attached hereto.

Section 2. Option; Option Price. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Optionee shall have the option (the “Option”) to purchase Shares pursuant to the Tranche A option (the “Tranche A Option”) and the Tranche B option (the “Tranche B Option”), at the price per Share (the “Option Price”) and in the amounts set forth on the signature page hereto. Payment of the Option Price may be made in the manner specified by Section 5.9 of the Plan and as further described in Section 9 below. The Option is not intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable as to all Vested Options (as defined in Section 4) until the expiration of the Option Term (as defined in Section 3). Except as otherwise provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, upon a Termination of Relationship, the unvested portion of the Option (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested Options) shall terminate.

Section 3. Term. The term of the Option (the “Option Term”) shall commence on the Grant Date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, unless the Option shall have been terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 5.7 of the Plan) or this Agreement.

Section 4. Vesting. Subject to the Optionee’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through each applicable vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 4), the Option shall become non-forfeitable (when the Option becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested Option”) and shall become exercisable according to the following provisions:

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(a) Twenty percent (20%) of the Tranche A Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable on each of the first five (5) anniversaries of the Grant Date; provided, however, that:

(i) the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable on the third (3rd) monthly anniversary of a Change in Control; provided, further, that if a Termination of Relationship occurs within three (3) months following a Change in Control as a result of (a) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause (as defined in the Optionee’s Employment Agreement), (b) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (c) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Relationship and shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a), and

(ii) if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time prior to a Change in Control as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (C) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason, (1) the installment of the Tranche A Option scheduled to vest on the anniversary of the Grant Date next following such Termination of Relationship (if any) shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Relationship and shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) with respect to the number of Option Shares equal to 20% of the Tranche A Option, multiplied by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the last anniversary of the Grant Date prior to the date of the Termination of Relationship or, if no such anniversary date has yet occurred, the Grant Date, and (y) the denominator of which is equal to 365, and (2) if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such Termination of Relationship, the entire Tranche A Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control (notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4(a)(i)) and such Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of the Relationship occurred on the date of the Change in Control.

(b) The Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as follows:

(i) Fifty percent (50%) of the Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable upon any Measurement Date if Apollo has achieved a MOIC of at least one and three-quarters (1.75) as calculated by the Committee; and

(ii) Up to fifty percent (50%) of the Tranche B Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable upon any Measurement Date if Apollo has achieved a MOIC of greater than one and three-quarters (1.75) and up to two and one-quarter (2.25), determined based on linear interpolation between such MOIC achievement levels as calculated by the Committee.

 

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If a Termination of Relationship occurs (x) prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and (y) as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (C) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason, the unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option during the 90 day period following such Termination of Relationship upon achievement of the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to Section 4(c)(i), if applicable) during such 90 day period, and any such portion that becomes a Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of Relationship occurred on the date of vesting; provided, that any portion of the Tranche B Option which remains unvested as of (I) the end of such 90 day period, or, (II) if earlier, after giving effect to the application of Section 4(c)(i) to the extent a Change in Control occurs and Apollo elects to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), shall be immediately forfeited; provided, further, that if a Change in Control occurs during such 90 day period and Apollo does not elect to give effect to Section 4(c)(i), any unvested portion of the Tranche B Option shall remain outstanding and the provisions of Section 4(b)(2) below (and not the provisions of Section 4(c)(ii)) will apply to such unvested portion of the Tranche B Option.

If a Termination of Relationship occurs (a) following the occurrence of a Change in Control in which Apollo elected to give effect to Section 4(c)(ii) and (b) as a result of (x) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (y) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (z) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason, then Apollo shall elect one of the following two alternatives:

(1) The term Measurement Date shall be deemed amended to also mean the date of such Termination of Relationship, and the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of the date of such termination of any Non-Cash Consideration received by the Apollo Holders upon or prior to such Measurement Date (that has not previously become, or been treated as, Cash Consideration) shall be treated as Cash Consideration. Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Termination of Relationship, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to this Section 4(b)(1)), shall be immediately forfeited. Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(b)(1) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a); or

(2) The unvested portion of the Tranche B Option (if any) as of the date of such Termination of Relationship shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option upon any future Measurement Date, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b), until the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date or, if earlier, the date on which the Tranche B Option terminates pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan for any reason other than set forth in Section 8(a)(ii) or 8(a)(iii). Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(b)(2) shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of (A) the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, (B) the date of the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee for Cause and (C) the 90^th day following the date that the applicable unvested portion of the Tranche B Option becomes a Vested Option.

 

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(c) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control with respect to which the Apollo Holders receive any Non-Cash Consideration in lieu of, or in addition to, Cash Consideration, Apollo shall elect one of the following two alternatives:

(i) The term Measurement Date shall be deemed amended to also mean the date of such Change in Control, and the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of the date of such Change in Control of any such Non-Cash Consideration shall be treated as Cash Consideration. Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b) (after giving effect to this Section 4(c)(i)), shall be immediately forfeited. Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c)(i) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a); or

(ii) Any portion of the Tranche B Option which does not become a Vested Option upon the occurrence of such Change in Control shall remain outstanding and eligible to become a Vested Option upon any future Measurement Date in accordance with the performance criteria set forth in Section 4(b), until the Tranche B Option terminates pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan (including, without limitation, in connection with a Termination of Relationship pursuant to Section 8(a)). Any portion of the Tranche B Option that becomes a Vested Option in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c)(ii) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a).

(d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the Option shall cease vesting as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason and no portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option as of such time shall become a Vested Option thereafter (i.e., the portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option shall be forfeited immediately); provided, that, in the event that the Optionee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause, all Options then held by the Optionee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

(e) “Good Reason,” when used in connection with the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee, shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in the Optionee’s Employment Agreement.

Section 5. Restrictive Covenants. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the Options issued hereunder, the Optionee shall be bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in this Section 5, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

 

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(a) Non-Solicitation; No Hire. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the eighteen (18) month period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, on the Optionee’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company Group until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company Group has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand.

(b) Non-Competition. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest, or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company Group, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, and (iii) all similar related services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

(c) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Optionee recognizes and acknowledges that he has access to the confidential information and/or has had material contact with the Company Group’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Optionee agrees that at any time during or after such time as the Optionee is a Participant in the Plan, the Optionee shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Optionee’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company Group, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company Group’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets. Upon the Optionee’s termination of employment for any reason, the Optionee shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company Group’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes. The Optionee

 

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may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company Group the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company Group and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company Group, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

(d) Non-Disparagement. The Optionee shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company Group, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The foregoing shall not be violated by the Optionee’s truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(e) Intellectual Property Rights.

(i) The Optionee agrees that the results and proceeds of the Optionee’s services for the Company Group (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company Group and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice or learned by the Optionee, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company Group) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company Group under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Optionee hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Optionee’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), and the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Optionee is required to assign, the Optionee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Optionee concerning such Invention. The Optionee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company Group any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Optionee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company Group.

 

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(ii) The Optionee agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company Group’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Optionee has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Optionee unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 5(e) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company Group of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company Group may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Optionee’s employment with, or service to, the Company Group. The Optionee further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall assist the Company Group in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Optionee shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Optionee shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Optionee’s obligation to assist the Company Group with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship.

(f) Restrictive Covenants Generally. If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants contained in this Section 5 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein 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 the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by applicable law. The Optionee hereby acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company Group. The Optionee further acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are being agreed to by the Optionee in connection with the Company’s issuance of an Award to the Optionee under the Plan, and are in addition to, not in substitution for, any restrictive covenants to which the Optionee is or may become subject in connection with any relationship with the Company Group.

(g) Enforcement. If the Optionee breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company Group shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity: (i) the right and remedy to seek to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction (without posting a bond), it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group; and (ii) the right and remedy to require the Optionee to account for and pay over to the Company any profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by the Optionee as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of the Restrictive Covenants. In the event of any breach or violation by the Optionee of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Optionee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is resolved.

 

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Section 6. Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Optionee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the Option may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Optionee and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. If the Optionee dies, the Option shall thereafter be exercisable, during the period specified in Section 8 of this Agreement, by his executors or administrators to the full extent to which the Option was exercisable by the Optionee at the time of his death. The Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the Option, shall be null and void and without effect. Upon the exercise of an Option, to the extent such Optionee is not then a party to the Investor Rights Agreement, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company an Adoption Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee, pursuant to which the Optionee agrees to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement. The Company agrees that the Optionee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.

Section 7. Optionee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the Option shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Optionee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the Option is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the Option does not form part of the Optionee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 8. Termination.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(b)(2), following a Termination of Relationship, the Option shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of:

(i) The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii) The first anniversary of any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s death or by the Company due to the Optionee’s Disability;

(iii) The 90^th day following any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s resignation for any reason or the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship without Cause;

 

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(iv) The date of the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee for Cause.

(b) Option Shares acquired upon the exercise of Vested Options may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

(c) For purposes of Section 8(b), the Investor Rights Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Within ten (10) days following receipt of a Repurchase Notice (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), the Optionee (including for all purposes hereof the representative of the Optionee’s estate) may by written notice to the Company require that Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) be determined by an appraisal performed by a qualified independent appraiser, selected by mutual agreement of the Company and the Optionee, and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by such appraisal shall be binding on both parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an appraiser within thirty (30) days of the Optionee’s notice to the Company, then within seven (7) days, each party shall submit the names of four nationally-recognized firms that are engaged in the business of valuing non-public securities, and each party shall be entitled to strike two names from the other party’s list of firms, and the appraiser shall be selected by lot from the remaining four appraisal firms. If the Optionee does not comply with the Optionee’s obligations in this Section 8(c) regarding the selection and appointment of the appraiser, the Optionee shall be deemed to have agreed to the Board’s determination of Fair Market Value of the Common Stock notwithstanding the Optionee’s disagreement therewith. The Company shall initially pay for the cost of the appraisal; provided, however, that if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by the appraisal does not exceed the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as initially determined by the Company by at least ten percent (10%), the cost of the appraisal shall be borne by the Optionee and such cost shall be recovered from an offset and reduction from the purchase price paid to the Optionee.

Section 9. Payment of Option Price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Optionee may, following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship as a result of (i) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (ii) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (iii) any resignation by the Optionee for Good Reason, or at any other time with the consent of the Committee, pay for the exercise of a Vested Option by instructing the Company to withhold from the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised a number of Shares having, as of the date of such exercise, a Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement, and subject to the appraisal rights as described in Section 8(c)) equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. As a condition to exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall remit a cash amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state, local and foreign withholding tax and employment tax requirements in connection with exercise of the Option (the “Optionee Tax Obligation”) so that the Company may satisfy its tax withholding obligations; provided, however, that the Optionee may, following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship as a result of (i) a termination of the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, (ii) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability or (iii) any resignation by the

 

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Optionee for Good Reason, or at any other time with the consent of the Committee, instruct the Company to withhold from the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised a number of Shares having, as of the date of such exercise, a Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (subject to the appraisal rights as described in Section 8(c)) equal to the Optionee Tax Obligation so that the Company may satisfy its tax withholding obligations.

Section 10. Notices.

(a) The Optionee shall be entitled to receive notice of an event that would entitle the Optionee to notice under the Investor Rights Agreement were the Optionee a holder of the Option Shares in sufficient time to afford the Optionee with an opportunity to exercise a Vested Option (or the unvested portion of the Option that would become a Vested Option upon such event) in advance of such event.

(b) All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

If to the Optionee, to him at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent), and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

 

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Section 11. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 12. Optionee’s Undertaking. The Optionee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Optionee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 13. Modification of Rights. The rights of the Optionee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the Options granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement, the Employment Agreement or the Plan may not be impaired without the Optionee’s consent.

Section 14. Governing Law.

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b) Intentionally Omitted.

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Optionee’s Employment Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 17. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the

 

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validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 18. Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Optionee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

Section 19. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OPTIONEE
Kevin Jones
Residence Address:

Number of Shares of Common Stock

subject to Tranche A Option: 66,667

Number of Shares of Common Stock

subject to Tranche B Option: 133,333

Option Price for Tranche A Option: $[●]¹

Option Price for Tranche B Option: $[●]²

 

 

1	Note to Draft: To be FMV on date of grant.

2	Note to Draft: To be FMV on date of grant.

 

[Signature Page to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement]

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ANNEX I

DEFINITIONS

“Cash Consideration” means any consideration received by the Apollo Holders in respect of Shares in the form of cash, cash equivalents or Marketable Securities (including the Shares themselves to the extent they become Marketable Securities). Cash Consideration shall include any Non-Cash Consideration that is converted to or becomes cash, cash equivalents or Marketable Securities, and any Non-Cash Consideration that Apollo elects to treat as Cash Consideration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

“Invested Capital” means, with respect to the Apollo Holders, the amount of money and the initial book value of any property contributed to the Company by the Apollo Holders in exchange for Shares.

“Marketable Securities” means shares of common stock of another entity or, following an initial public offering of Common Stock, Shares, in each case, that (i) are freely tradeable without violating any “lockup” agreements, other contractual restrictions, or federal, state, or local securities laws; and (ii) are listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Market, or another United States or foreign traded public exchange reasonably acceptable to the Apollo. The value of Marketable Securities on any given Measurement Date shall be deemed to equal the volume weighted average trading price of such securities over the thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately preceding such Measurement Date. For purposes of clause (i) above, Shares shall be treated as freely tradeable without violating any federal, state, or local securities laws if the Company is eligible to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form S-3 (or any successor form) for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC) covering such Shares, and the Apollo Holders have the right to cause the Company to file such a registration statement covering such Shares.

“Measurement Date” means each date on which the Apollo Holders receive Cash Consideration. For so long as the Apollo Holders beneficially own Marketable Securities in the form of Shares, a Measurement Date shall occur on each trading day such Marketable Securities are so owned. In addition, if any portion of a Tranche B Option remains outstanding and unvested on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, and prior thereto the Apollo Holders received Non-Cash Consideration in connection with a Change in Control, the day before such tenth anniversary shall be deemed a Measurement Date, and all Non-Cash Consideration not previously taken into account as Cash Consideration shall be treated as Cash Consideration based on the fair value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Apollo Holders) as of such day of any such Non-Cash Consideration.

“Non-Cash Consideration” means any consideration received by the Apollo Holders in respect of Shares that is not in the form of Cash Consideration, including any contingent right to receive Cash Consideration on or at a future date or time. In the event of a Change in Control involving the acquisition of less than 100% of the equity securities beneficially owned by the Apollo Holders, the equity securities of the Company that are retained by the Apollo Holders shall be treated as Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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“MOIC” means as of each Measurement Date, the multiple equal to the ratio of (i) the amount of all Cash Consideration received on or prior to such Measurement Date, to (ii) the amount of all Invested Capital contributed on or prior to such Measurement Date.

*             *             *

 

I-2

Exhibit 10.22

FINAL FORM

SERVICE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Kevin Jones (the “Grantee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Grantee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an award of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) under the Plan in respect of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.

WHEREAS, the Grantee shall be employed with the Company pursuant to a written employment agreement (“Employment Agreement”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Grantee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.

Section 2. Grant of RSUs. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee RSUs in the amount set forth on the signature page hereto. The RSUs shall be credited to a book entry account maintained for the Grantee on the books of the Company. Upon a Termination of Relationship due to the Grantee’s resignation without Good Reason (as defined below), the unvested portion of the RSUs (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested RSUs) shall terminate.

Section 3. Vesting. Subject to the Grantee’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through each applicable vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 3), all RSUs shall become non-forfeitable (when a RSU becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested RSU”) according to the following provisions:

(a) One-third (1/3) of the RSUs shall become Vested RSUs on each of the first three (3) anniversaries of the Grant Date; provided, however, that:

(i) all of the RSUs shall immediately become Vested RSUs on the third (3rd) monthly anniversary of a Change in Control; and

(ii) if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time other than by the Grantee without Good Reason, all of the RSUs shall immediately become Vested RSUs as of the date of such Termination of Relationship.

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(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the RSUs shall cease vesting as of the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries due to a resignation by the Grantee without Good Reason and no portion of the RSUs that are not Vested RSUs as of such time shall become Vested RSUs thereafter (i.e., the portion of the RSUs that are not Vested RSUs shall be forfeited immediately).

(c) “Good Reason” when used in connection with the Termination of Relationship of the Grantee, shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantee’s Employment Agreement.

Section 4. Settlement; Investor Rights Agreement. Each Vested RSU shall be settled as promptly as reasonably practicable following the applicable vesting date (but in any event by March 15 of the year following the year in which such applicable vesting date occurs). As a condition to the delivery of all or any portion of the Shares underlying the RSUs, the Grantee shall be required to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement and agree to be bound by the terms thereof. The Grantee acknowledges being provided with a copy of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 5. Restrictive Covenants. The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the RSUs issued hereunder, the Grantee remains bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in Section 5 of that certain Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

Section 6. Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Grantee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the RSUs may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Grantee. The RSUs shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the RSUs contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the RSUs, shall be null and void and without effect. The Company agrees that the Grantee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs.

Section 7. Grantee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the RSUs shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Grantee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the RSUs does not form part of the Grantee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his or her employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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Section 8. Repurchase. Shares acquired upon the settlement of Vested RSUs may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 8, the Investor Rights Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Within ten (10) days following receipt of a Repurchase Notice (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), the Grantee (including for all purposes hereof the representative of the Grantee’s estate) may by written notice to the Company require that Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) be determined by an appraisal performed by a qualified independent appraiser, selected by mutual agreement of the Company and the Grantee, and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by such appraisal shall be binding on both parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an appraiser within thirty (30) days of the Grantee’s notice to the Company, then within seven (7) days, each party shall submit the names of four nationally-recognized firms that are engaged in the business of valuing non-public securities, and each party shall be entitled to strike two names from the other party’s list of firms, and the appraiser shall be selected by lot from the remaining four appraisal firms. If the Grantee does not comply with the Grantee’s obligations in this Section 8 regarding the selection and appointment of the appraiser, the Grantee shall be deemed to have agreed to the Board’s determination of Fair Market Value of the Common Stock notwithstanding the Grantee’s disagreement therewith. The Company shall initially pay for the cost of the appraisal; provided, however, that if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by the appraisal does not exceed the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as initially determined by the Company by at least ten percent (10%), the cost of the appraisal shall be borne by the Grantee and such cost shall be recovered from an offset and reduction from the purchase price paid to the Grantee.

Section 9. Taxes. Settlement of the RSUs shall be subject to the Grantee satisfying all applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax withholding obligations and non-U.S. tax obligations, and none of the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Grantee (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes. The Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to deduct from any amounts payable to the Grantee in connection with the RSUs or otherwise the amount of any applicable taxes, and the Company may take any such other action as it or the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. In addition, the Grantee shall have the right to require the Company to deduct and withhold from the Shares otherwise distributable upon the settlement of RSUs, in satisfaction of all such tax obligations, a number of Shares with a value equal to the amount deemed necessary by the Committee to satisfy all such tax obligations.

 

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Section 10. Notices. All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

If to the Grantee, to him at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent) and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

Section 11. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 12. Grantee’s Undertaking. The Grantee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Grantee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 13. Modification of Rights. The rights of the Grantee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the RSUs granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement, his Employment Agreement or the Plan may not be impaired without the Grantee’s consent.

 

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Section 14. Governing Law.

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b) Intentionally omitted.

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Grantee’s Employment Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 17. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 18. Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Grantee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

 

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Section 19. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
GRANTEE
Kevin Jones
Residence Address:

Number of Shares of Common Stock

subject to RSUs: [        ]¹

 

1	Note to Draft: Insert number of shares of common stock in Parent equal to $5.5 million as of the Grant Date.

 

{Signature Page to Service-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement}

Exhibit 10.23

FINAL FORM

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Kevin Jones (the “Grantee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Grantee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an award of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) under the Plan in respect of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Grantee shall be employed with the Company pursuant to a written employment agreement (“Employment Agreement”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Grantee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan and in Annex I attached hereto.

Section 2. Grant of RSUs. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee RSUs in the amount set forth in Annex I attached hereto. The RSUs shall be credited to a book entry account maintained for the Grantee on the books of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Agreement, upon a Termination of Relationship, the unvested portion of the RSUs (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested RSUs) shall terminate.

Section 3. Vesting.

(a) Subject to the Grantee’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through March 31, 2022, a number of RSUs shall become non-forfeitable (when a RSU becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested RSU”) as of the Determination Date according to the provisions set forth on Annex I attached hereto.

(b) If a Termination of Relationship occurs after March 31, 2022, but prior to the Determination Date, the RSUs shall remain eligible to become Vested RSUs in accordance with Annex I as of the Determination Date. To the extent the RSUs do not become Vested RSUs in accordance with the preceding sentence, the RSUs shall terminate and become null and void as of the Determination Date.

(c) If a Change in Control occurs prior to March 31, 2022, the Committee shall determine the number of Vested RSUs based on the special rules set forth on Annex I (the “Vested CIC RSUs”), subject to the Grantee’s continued employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through the consummation of such Change in Control. Following the occurrence of a Change in Control, any RSUs (other than the Vested CIC RSUs) shall immediately be forfeited.

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(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, the RSUs shall cease vesting as of the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason and no portion of the RSUs that are not Vested RSUs as of such time shall become Vested RSUs thereafter (i.e., the portion of the RSUs that are not Vested RSUs shall be forfeited immediately); provided, that, in the event that the Grantee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause (as defined in the Grantee’s Employment Agreement), all RSUs then held by the Grantee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

Section 4. Settlement; Investor Rights Agreement. Each Vested RSU shall be settled as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Determination Date (but in any event by March 15 of the year following the year in which such Determination Date occurs). As a condition to the delivery of all or any portion of the Shares underlying the RSUs, the Grantee shall be required to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement and agree to be bound by the terms thereof. The Grantee acknowledges being provided with a copy of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 5. Restrictive Covenants. The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the RSUs issued hereunder, the Grantee remains bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in Section 5 of that certain Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

Section 6. Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Grantee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the RSUs may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Grantee. The RSUs shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the RSUs contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the RSUs, shall be null and void and without effect. The Company agrees that the Grantee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs.

Section 7. Grantee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the RSUs shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Grantee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the RSUs does not form part of the Grantee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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Section 8. Repurchase. Shares acquired upon the settlement of Vested RSUs may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 8, the Investor Rights Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Within ten (10) days following receipt of a Repurchase Notice (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), the Grantee (including for all purposes hereof the representative of the Grantee’s estate) may by written notice to the Company require that Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) be determined by an appraisal performed by a qualified independent appraiser, selected by mutual agreement of the Company and the Grantee, and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by such appraisal shall be binding on both parties. If the parties are unable to agree on an appraiser within thirty (30) days of the Grantee’s notice to the Company, then within seven (7) days, each party shall submit the names of four nationally-recognized firms that are engaged in the business of valuing non-public securities, and each party shall be entitled to strike two names from the other party’s list of firms, and the appraiser shall be selected by lot from the remaining four appraisal firms. If the Grantee does not comply with the Grantee’s obligations in this Section 8 regarding the selection and appointment of the appraiser, the Grantee shall be deemed to have agreed to the Board’s determination of Fair Market Value of the Common Stock notwithstanding the Grantee’s disagreement therewith. The Company shall initially pay for the cost of the appraisal; provided, however, that if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as determined by the appraisal does not exceed the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as initially determined by the Company by at least ten percent (10%), the cost of the appraisal shall be borne by the Grantee and such cost shall be recovered from an offset and reduction from the purchase price paid to the Grantee.

Section 9. Taxes. Settlement of the RSUs shall be subject to the Grantee satisfying all applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax withholding obligations and non-U.S. tax obligations, and none of the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Grantee (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes. The Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to deduct from any amounts payable to the Grantee in connection with the RSUs or otherwise the amount of any applicable taxes, and the Company may take any such other action as it or the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. In addition, the Grantee shall have the right to require the Company to deduct and withhold from the Shares otherwise distributable upon the settlement of RSUs, in satisfaction of all such tax obligations, a number of Shares with a value equal to the amount deemed necessary by the Committee to satisfy all such tax obligations.

 

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Section 10. Notices. All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

If to the Grantee, to him or her at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent) and (d) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

Section 11. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 12. Grantee’s Undertaking. The Grantee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Grantee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 13. Modification of Rights. The rights of the Grantee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the RSUs granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement, his Employment Agreement or the Plan may not be impaired without the Grantee’s consent.

 

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Section 14. Governing Law.

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b) Intentionally Omitted.

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Grantee’s Employment Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 17. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 18. Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Grantee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

 

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Section 19. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
GRANTEE
Kevin Jones
Residence Address:

{Signature Page to Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement}

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ANNEX I

 

EBITDA CAGR		Value of RSUs ($)
Less than 5% EBITDA CAGR		$	0
Greater than or equal to 5% EBITDA CAGR but less than 10%		$	5 million
Greater than or equal to 10% EBITDA CAGR but less than 15%		$	10 million
Greater than or equal to 15% EBITDA CAGR		$	20 million

The number of Vested RSUs shall be equal to the Value of RSUs determined as set forth above divided by the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock as of the Determination Date.

“Determination Date” means the date of the Committee’s certification of EBITDA CAGR.

“EBITDA” means, for any applicable period, consolidated net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, extraordinary items and management or similar fees payable to the Apollo Holders as reflected on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for such period. Consolidated net income shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles except that gains or losses from extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items may be excluded in the discretion of the Committee. EBITDA shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and shall be calculated pro forma for acquisitions.

“EBITDA CAGR” means the compound annual growth in EBITDA from March 31, 2019 through March 31, 2022, expressed as a percentage, determined by comparing the last twelve months (“LTM”) EBITDA for the period ending March 31, 2022 to the LTM EBITDA for the period ending March 31, 2019. Purely for illustrative purposes, if LTM EBITDA for March 31, 2019 was $300 million, and LTM EBITDA for March 31, 2022 was $400 million, the EBITDA CAGR would be 10.064%.

Special CIC Rule. If a Change in Control occurs prior to March 31, 2022, then for purposes of determining the EBITDA CAGR, the EBITDA for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the calendar quarter ended immediately prior to such Change in Control shall be used in lieu of the LTM EBITDA for the period ending March 31, 2022. Purely for illustrative purposes, if a Change in Control were to occur on October 15, 2021, the applicable EBITDA (to be used in lieu of the LTM EBITDA ending March 31, 2022) would be the EBITDA for the 12-month period ending on September 30, 2021.

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.24

Form of Director Option Award Agreement

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [___________], 20[_] (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [____________] (the “Optionee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Optionee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an option under the Plan to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article V). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Optionee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.

Section 2. Option; Option Price. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Optionee shall have the option (the “Option”) to purchase Shares at the price per Share (the “Option Price”) and in the amount set forth on the signature page hereto. Payment of the Option Price may be made in the manner specified by Section 9 of this Agreement or Section 5.9 of the Plan. The Option is not intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable as to all Vested Options (as defined in Section 4) until the expiration of the Option Term (as defined in Section 3). Except as otherwise provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, upon a Termination of Relationship, the unvested portion of the Option (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested Options) shall terminate.

Section 3. Term. The term of the Option (the “Option Term”) shall commence on the Grant Date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, unless the Option shall have been terminated sooner in accordance with the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 5.7 of the Plan) or this Agreement.

Section 4. Vesting. Subject to the Optionee’s continued service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through the vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 4), the entire Option shall become non-forfeitable (when the Option becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested Option”) and shall become exercisable in full on [the first anniversary of the Grant Date]; provided, however, that:

(a) the entire Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control; and

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(b) if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time prior to a Change in Control as a result of (A) a termination of the Optionee’s service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (B) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, (1) the Option shall become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of the date of such Termination of Relationship and shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) with respect to the aggregate number of Option Shares subject to the Option, multiplied by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the Grant Date and (y) the denominator of which is equal to 365, and (2) if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such Termination of Relationship, the entire Option shall immediately become a Vested Option and shall become exercisable as of immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control and such Vested Option shall remain outstanding pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) as if the Termination of the Relationship occurred on the date of the Change in Control.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the Option shall cease vesting as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason and no portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option as of such time shall become a Vested Option thereafter (i.e., the portion of the Option that is not a Vested Option shall be forfeited immediately); provided, that, in the event that the Optionee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause, all Options then held by the Optionee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

Section 5. Restrictive Covenants. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the Options issued hereunder, the Optionee shall be bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in this Section 5, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

(a) Non-Solicitation; No Hire. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, on the Optionee’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company Group until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company Group has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand.

(b) Non-Competition. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Optionee agrees that during the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee will not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest,

 

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or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company Group, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, and (iii) all similar related services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

(c) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Optionee recognizes and acknowledges that he or she has access to the confidential information and/or has had material contact with the Company Group’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Optionee agrees that at any time during or after such time as the Optionee is a Participant in the Plan, the Optionee shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Optionee’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company Group, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company Group’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets. Upon the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Optionee shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company Group’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes. The Optionee may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company Group the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company Group and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company Group, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

(d) Non-Disparagement. The Optionee shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company Group, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The foregoing shall not be violated by the Optionee’s truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(e) Intellectual Property Rights.

(i) The Optionee agrees that the results and proceeds of the Optionee’s services for the Company Group (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters

 

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of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company Group and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice or learned by the Optionee, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company Group) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company Group under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Optionee hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Optionee’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), and the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates without any further payment to the Optionee whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Optionee is required to assign, the Optionee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Optionee concerning such Invention. The Optionee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company Group any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Optionee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company Group.

(ii) The Optionee agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company Group’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Optionee has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Optionee unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 5(e) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company Group of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company Group may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Optionee’s employment with, or service to, the Company Group. The Optionee further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Optionee shall assist the Company Group in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Optionee shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting,

 

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evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Optionee shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Optionee’s obligation to assist the Company Group with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship.

(f) Restrictive Covenants Generally. If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants contained in this Section 5 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein 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 the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by applicable law. The Optionee hereby acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company Group. The Optionee further acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are being agreed to by the Optionee in connection with the Company’s issuance of an Award to the Optionee under the Plan, and are in addition to, not in substitution for, any restrictive covenants to which the Optionee is or may become subject in connection with any relationship with the Company Group.

(g) Enforcement. If the Optionee breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company Group shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity: (i) the right and remedy to seek to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction (without posting a bond), it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group; and (ii) the right and remedy to require the Optionee to account for and pay over to the Company any profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by the Optionee as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of the Restrictive Covenants. In the event of any breach or violation by the Optionee of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Optionee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is resolved.

Section 6. Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Optionee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the Option may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Optionee and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee. If the Optionee dies, the Option shall thereafter be exercisable, during the period specified in Section 8 of this Agreement, by his or her executors or administrators to the full extent to which the Option was exercisable by the Optionee at the time of his or her death. The Option shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the Option, shall be null and void and without effect. Upon the exercise of an Option, to the extent such Optionee is not then a party to the Investor Rights Agreement, the Optionee shall deliver to the

 

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Company an Adoption Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee, pursuant to which the Optionee agrees to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement. The Company agrees that the Optionee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option.

Section 7. Optionee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the Option shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Optionee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Optionee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the Option is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the Option does not form part of the Optionee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his or her employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 8. Termination.

(a) Following a Termination of Relationship, the Option shall automatically terminate without consideration and shall become null and void and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of:

(i) The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii) The first anniversary of any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s death or by the Company due to the Optionee’s Disability;

(iii) The 90^th day following any Termination of Relationship of the Optionee due to the Optionee’s resignation for any reason or the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship without Cause;

(iv) The date of the Termination of Relationship of the Optionee for Cause.

(b) Option Shares acquired upon the exercise of Vested Options may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 9. Payment of Option Price. The Optionee shall be responsible for all applicable U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. income tax obligations payable in respect of the Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Optionee may, following the Optionee’s Termination of Relationship as a result of (i) a termination of the Optionee’s service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (ii) the Optionee’s death, serious illness or Disability, or at any other time with the consent of the Committee, pay for the exercise of a Vested Option by instructing the Company to deduct from the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised a number of Shares having, as of the date of such exercise, a Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised.

 

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Section 10. Notices.

(a) The Optionee shall be entitled to receive notice of an event that would entitle the Optionee to notice under the Investor Rights Agreement were the Optionee a holder of the Option Shares in sufficient time to afford the Optionee with an opportunity to exercise a Vested Option (or the unvested portion of the Option that would become a Vested Option upon such event) in advance of such event.

(b) All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, by email, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

Email:

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

Email:

If to the Optionee, to him or her at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent), (d) in the case of email, when transmitted via email (in each case, if no “system error” or other notice of non-delivery is generated) to the applicable party and its legal counsel set forth above, and (e) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

 

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Section 11. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 12. Optionee’s Undertaking. The Optionee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Optionee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 13. Modification of Rights. The rights of the Optionee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the Options granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement and the Plan may not be impaired without the Optionee’s consent.

Section 14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Service Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution

 

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of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction.

Section 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 17. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 18. Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Optionee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

Section 19. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC
By:
		Name:
		Title:
OPTIONEE
[Name]
Residence Address:

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock subject to Option: [________]

Option Price: $[_____]

Exhibit 10.25

Form of Director RSU Award Agreement

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [___________], 20[_] (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [____________] (the “Grantee”).

WHEREAS, the Company, acting through a Committee (as defined in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), has granted to the Grantee, effective as of the date of this Agreement, an award of Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) under the Plan in respect of shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth herein in their entirety (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article V). In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan may be obtained from the Company by the Grantee upon request. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.

Section 2. Grant of RSUs. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee RSUs in the amount set forth on the signature page hereto. The RSUs shall be credited to a book entry account maintained for the Grantee on the books of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3(a) of this Agreement, upon a Termination of Relationship, the unvested portion of the RSUs (i.e., that portion that does not constitute Vested RSUs) shall terminate.

Section 3. Vesting and Settlement.

(a) Vesting. Subject to the Grantee’s continued service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through the vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 3(a)), all RSUs shall become non-forfeitable (when a RSU becomes non-forfeitable, a “Vested RSU”) [on the first anniversary of the Grant Date]; provided, however, that:

(i) all RSUs shall immediately become Vested RSUs as of immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control; and

(ii) if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time prior to a Change in Control as a result of (A) a termination of the Grantee’s service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause or (B) the Grantee’s death, serious illness or Disability, (1) the number of RSUs shall become Vested RSUs as of the date of such Termination of Relationship that is equal to the aggregate number of RSUs, multiplied by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the Grant Date and (y) the denominator of which is equal to 365, and (2) if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such Termination of Relationship, all RSUs shall become Vested RSUs as of immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control.

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Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3(a), the RSUs shall cease vesting as of the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason and no portion of the RSUs shall become Vested RSUs thereafter (i.e., the RSUs that are not Vested RSUs shall be forfeited immediately); provided, that, in the event that the Grantee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause, all RSUs then held by the Grantee (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately be forfeited.

(b) Settlement. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Vested RSU shall be settled as promptly as reasonably practicable following the applicable vesting date (but in any event by March 15 of the year following the year in which such applicable vesting date occurs).

(c) Investor Rights Agreement. As a condition to the delivery of all or any portion of the Shares underlying the RSUs, the Grantee shall be required to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement and agree to be bound by the terms thereof. The Grantee acknowledges being provided with a copy of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 4. Restrictive Covenants. The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the RSUs issued hereunder, the Grantee shall be bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants set forth in this Section 4, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in (but subject to any exceptions set forth in) any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such grant.

(a) Non-Solicitation; No Hire. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Grantee agrees that during the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee will not, directly or indirectly, on the Grantee’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company Group until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company Group has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand.

(b) Non-Competition. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Grantee agrees that during the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee will not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest, or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company

 

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Group, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, and (iii) all similar related services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

(c) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Grantee recognizes and acknowledges that he or she has access to the confidential information and/or has had material contact with the Company Group’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Grantee agrees that at any time during or after such time as the Grantee is a Participant in the Plan, the Grantee shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Grantee’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company Group, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company Group’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets. Upon the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company Group’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes. The Grantee may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company Group the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company Group and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company Group, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

(d) Non-Disparagement. The Grantee shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company Group, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The foregoing shall not be violated by the Grantee’s truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(e) Intellectual Property Rights.

(i) The Grantee agrees that the results and proceeds of the Grantee’s services for the Company Group (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company Group and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that

 

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were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice or learned by the Grantee, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company Group) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Grantee whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company Group under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Grantee hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Grantee’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), and the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates without any further payment to the Grantee whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Grantee is required to assign, the Grantee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Grantee concerning such Invention. The Grantee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company Group any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Grantee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company Group.

(ii) The Grantee agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Grantee shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company Group’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Grantee has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Grantee unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 4(e) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company Group of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company Group may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Grantee’s employment with, or service to, the Company Group. The Grantee further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Grantee shall assist the Company Group in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Grantee shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Grantee shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Grantee’s obligation to assist the Company Group with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship.

 

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(f) Restrictive Covenants Generally. If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants contained in this Section 4 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein 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 the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by applicable law. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company Group. The Grantee further acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are being agreed to by the Grantee in connection with the Company’s issuance of an Award to the Grantee under the Plan, and are in addition to, not in substitution for, any restrictive covenants to which the Grantee is or may become subject in connection with any relationship with the Company Group.

(g) Enforcement. If the Grantee breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company Group shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity: (i) the right and remedy to seek to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction (without posting a bond), it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group; and (ii) the right and remedy to require the Grantee to account for and pay over to the Company any profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by the Grantee as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of the Restrictive Covenants. In the event of any breach or violation by the Grantee of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Grantee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is resolved.

Section 5. Restriction on Transfer. Except for transfers to an Affiliate (determined as if the Grantee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) for estate planning purposes, the RSUs may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Grantee. The RSUs shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the RSUs contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the RSUs, shall be null and void and without effect. The Company agrees that the Grantee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs.

 

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Section 6. Grantee’s Employment or Other Service Relationship. Nothing in the RSUs shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Grantee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the RSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of the RSUs does not form part of the Grantee’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his or her employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 7. Repurchase. Shares acquired upon the settlement of Vested RSUs may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 8. Taxes. Settlement of the RSUs shall be subject to the Grantee satisfying all applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax withholding obligations and non-U.S. tax obligations, and none of the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Grantee (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes. The Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to deduct from any amounts payable to the Grantee in connection with the RSUs or otherwise the amount of any applicable taxes, and the Company may take any such other action as it or the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.

Section 9. Notices. All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, by email, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

Email:

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019 Fax: (212) 757-3990

Attention: Taurie M. Zeitzer

Email:

 

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If to the Grantee, to him or her at the address set forth on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent), (d) in the case of email, when transmitted via email (in each case, if no “system error” or other notice of non-delivery is generated) to the applicable party and its legal counsel set forth above, and (e) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

Section 10. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 11. Grantee’s Undertaking. The Grantee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Grantee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

Section 12. Modification of Rights. The rights of the Grantee are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the RSUs granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement and the Plan may not be impaired without the Grantee’s consent.

Section 13. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Service Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New

 

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Castle County, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction.

Section 14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 16. Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 17. Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Grantee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

Section 18. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
GRANTEE
[Name]
Residence Address:

Number of RSUs: [________]

Exhibit 10.26

Form of Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [                ] (the “Grant Date”), by and among RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [                ] (the “Grantee”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Equity Inventive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company has granted a Restricted Stock Award (“Restricted Stock”) to the Grantee for the number of Shares of the Company’s Common Stock designated in Section 2 below, as compensation for the Grantee’s non-employee director services to the Company for calendar year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, as set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1.    The Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference (specifically including Article VI governing Restricted Stock). In the event of a conflict between any provision in this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan provisions control. A copy of the Plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement is attached hereto. Capitalized terms in this Agreement not otherwise defined herein have the definition set forth in the Plan.

Section 2.    Grant of Restricted Stock.

(a)    Terms of Grant. The Company hereby grants [                ] Shares of Restricted Stock to the Grantee, subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2(c) below, the unvested portion of this Restricted Stock Award shall terminate upon a Termination of Relationship between the Company and the Grantee. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, the Shares shall not be certificated and will be evidenced by a book entry.

(b)    Investor Rights Agreement. As a condition to the grant hereunder, and before the Company enters a book entry (or, if applicable, issues a stock certificate) evidencing the Shares in the Restricted Stock Award, the Grantee is first required to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee acknowledges having been provided with a copy of the Investor Rights Agreement.

(c)    Rights as Stockholder. The Grantee shall have no rights as a stockholder until the date on which book entry entered evidencing the Award (or, if applicable, the date on which a stock certificate is issued). In the event that the Company decides to certificate the Shares, it may require that any stock certificate issued in connection with the Award be held in escrow with the Company or its designee, together with an attached stock power endorsed in blank. Subject to the requirements above and applicable vesting requirements, the Grantee shall have all of the rights of a stockholder (including voting and dividend rights) with respect to the vested Shares of Restricted Stock in the Award. If any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distributions of property other than ordinary cash dividends, the Shares or other property shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the underlying Restricted Stock with respect to which the dividends were paid. Each dividend shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividend is paid to holders of Common Stock or, if later, the 15^th day of the third month following the later of the date the dividends are paid to the holders of Common Stock and the date on which the dividends are no longer subject to forfeiture.

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Section 3.    Vesting/Lapse of Restrictions. Subject to the Grantee’s continuous service relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries through the vesting date (except as otherwise provided in this Section 3), the grant restrictions shall lapse, and all Shares of Restricted Stock in the Award shall become vested and non-forfeitable [on the first anniversary of the Grant Date]; provided, however, that:

(a)    immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control, the restrictions shall lapse, and all outstanding Shares of Restricted Stock in the Award automatically shall fully vest; and

(b)    if a Termination of Relationship occurs at any time prior to a Change in Control as a result of (A) a termination of the Grantee’s service relationship by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, or (B) the Grantee’s death, serious illness or Disability, (1) the number Shares of Restricted Stock that become vested with a lapse of restrictions as of the date of such Termination of Relationship shall equal the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Shares in the grant, multiplied by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of calendar days that have elapsed since the Grant Date and (y) the denominator of which is equal to 365, and (2) if a Change in Control occurs within 90 days following such Termination of Relationship, all Shares of Restricted Stock shall become immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, the Shares of Restricted Stock in the Award shall cease vesting as of the date of the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason, and no portion of the Restricted Stock Award shall vest thereafter, so that any unvested Shares on such date shall be forfeited immediately; provided, that, if the Grantee experiences a Termination of Relationship for Cause, all Shares of Restricted Stock then held by the Grantee (whether vested or unvested) immediately shall be forfeited.

Section 4.    Restrictive Covenants. The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that by accepting the Restricted Stock Award granted hereunder, the Grantee is bound by, and shall abide by, the covenants in this Section 4, in addition to any other representations, warranties, and covenants set forth in any Service Agreement or other document required by the Committee with respect to such Award.

(a)    Non-Solicitation; No Hire. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Grantee agrees that during the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee shall not, directly or indirectly, on the Grantee’s own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce any officer, director or employee of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with or leave the employ of the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and any officer, director or employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire (or other similar arrangement) any Person (in any capacity whether

 

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as an officer, director, employee or consultant) who is or at any time was an officer, director or employee of the Company Group until six (6) months after such individual’s relationship (whether as an officer, director or employee) with the Company Group has ended, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or other business relation of the Company Group to cease doing business with the Company Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, prospect, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company Group, on the other hand.

(b)    Non-Competition. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Grantee agrees that during the Grantee’s employment or other service relationship with the Company Group, and for the one (1) year period following the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee shall not, directly or indirectly, have any equity or equity-based interest, or work or otherwise provide services as an employee, contractor, officer, owner, consultant, partner, director or otherwise, in any business anywhere in the world that sells hosting and information technology services substantially similar to those services provided by the Company Group, namely (i) provisioning, hosting, management, monitoring, supporting, or maintenance of applications, computer servers (whether dedicated, shared or virtual) and network connectivity in a datacenter for remote use via the Internet, (ii) hosted email, storage, collaboration, compute, virtual networking and similar services, and (iii) all similar related services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee shall be permitted to acquire a passive stock or equity interest in such a business, provided that the stock or other equity interest acquired is not more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding interest in such business.

(c)     Nondisclosure of Confidential Information; Return of Property. The Grantee recognizes and acknowledges that he or she has access to the confidential information and/or has had material contact with the Company Group’s customers, suppliers, licensees, representatives, agents, partners, licensors, or business relations. The Grantee agrees that at any time during or after such time as the Grantee is a Participant in the Plan, the Grantee shall maintain in confidence and shall not directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, disseminate, disclose or publish, or use for the Grantee’s benefit or the benefit of any Person, any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of or relating to the Company Group, including, without limitation, information with respect to the Company Group’s operations, processes, products, inventions, business practices, finances, principals, vendors, suppliers, customers, potential customers, marketing methods, costs, prices, contractual relationships, regulatory status, compensation paid to employees or other terms of employment, or deliver to any Person any document, record, notebook, computer program or similar repository of or containing any such confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets. Upon the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship for any reason, the Grantee shall promptly deliver to the Company (with the cost of shipping reimbursed by the Company) all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents concerning the Company Group’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products or processes.    The Grantee may respond to a lawful and valid subpoena or other legal process but shall give the Company Group the earliest possible notice thereof, shall, as much in advance of the return date as possible, make available to the Company Group and its counsel the documents and other information sought and, if requested by the Company Group, shall reasonably assist such counsel in resisting or otherwise responding to such process.

 

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(d)    Non-Disparagement. The Grantee shall not, at any time, directly or indirectly, knowingly disparage, criticize, or otherwise make derogatory statements regarding the Company Group, or any of its successors, directors or officers. The foregoing shall not be violated by the Grantee’s truthful responses to legal process or inquiry by a governmental authority.

(e)    Intellectual Property Rights.

(i)    The Grantee agrees that the results and proceeds of the Grantee’s services for the Company Group (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, matters of a literary, musical, dramatic or otherwise creative nature, writings and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed for the Company Group and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice or learned by the Grantee, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company Group) shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Proprietary Rights”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to the Grantee whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company Group under the immediately preceding sentence, then the Grantee hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of the Grantee’s right, title and interest thereto, including, without limitation, any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, to the Company (or, if applicable or as directed by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), and the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company or such Subsidiaries or Affiliates without any further payment to the Grantee whatsoever. As to any Invention that the Grantee is required to assign, the Grantee shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to the Grantee concerning such Invention. The Grantee hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company Group any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that the Grantee now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company Group.

(ii)    The Grantee agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Grantee shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company Group’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions,

 

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including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent the Grantee has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, the Grantee unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 4(e) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict or constitute any waiver by the Company Group of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company Group may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Grantee’s employment with, or service to, the Company Group. The Grantee further agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, the Grantee shall assist the Company Group in every proper and lawful way to obtain and from time to time enforce Proprietary Rights relating to Inventions in any and all countries. To this end, the Grantee shall execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, the Grantee shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. The Grantee’s obligation to assist the Company Group with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the Grantee’s Termination of Relationship.

(f)    Restrictive Covenants Generally. If, at the time of enforcement of the covenants contained in this Section 4 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), a court shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein 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 the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by applicable law. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in terms of duration, scope and area restrictions and are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Company Group. The Grantee further acknowledges and agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are being agreed to by the Grantee in connection with the Company’s issuance of this Restricted Stock Award and are in addition to, not in substitution for, any restrictive covenants to which the Grantee is or may become subject in connection with any relationship with the Company Group.

(g)    Enforcement. If the Grantee breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company Group shall have the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the others and severally enforceable, and each of which is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity: (i) the right and remedy to seek to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction (without posting a bond), it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group; and (ii) the right and remedy to require the Grantee to account for and pay over to the Company any profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits derived or received by the Grantee as the result of any transactions constituting a breach of the Restrictive Covenants. In the event of any breach or

 

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violation by the Grantee of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the time period of such covenant with respect to the Grantee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be tolled until such breach or violation is resolved.

Section 5.    Restriction on Transfer Shares of the Restricted Stock may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Grantee; provided, however, vested and non-forfeitable Shares of the Restricted Stock may be transferred to an Affiliate (determined as if the Grantee were a Holder, as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement). The Restricted Stock shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Restricted Stock contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon the Restricted Stock, shall be null and void and without effect. The Company agrees that the Grantee shall be treated as an Other Shares Holder under Section 10.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares acquired when the Restricted Stock vests.

Section 6.    Grantee’s Service Relationship. Nothing in the Restricted Stock grant shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue the Grantee’s service relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates or stockholders, as the case may be, to terminate the Grantee’s service relationship with the Company or its Affiliates or to increase or decrease the Grantee’s compensation at any time. The grant of the Restricted Stock a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future.

Section 7.    Repurchase. Shares acquired upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock may be repurchased pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement.

Section 8.    Taxes. The Restricted Stock granted hereunder is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and is to be construed accordingly. The Grantee acknowledges having been advised to promptly confer with a professional tax advisor to consider whether the Grantee should make a Code Section 83(b) election with respect to the Shares. To be effective, any such election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with regulations within thirty (30) days after the Grant Date. Upon vesting of the Restricted Stock (or upon filing a Code Section 83(b) election if applicable), the Grantee shall be responsible for satisfying all applicable U.S. federal, state and local income tax withholding obligations and non-U.S. tax obligations, and none of the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold the Grantee (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes, including taxes imposed by Code Section 409A. The Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to deduct from any amounts payable to the Grantee (including the withholding of Shares) in the amount of any applicable taxes, and the Company may take any such other action as it or the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.

 

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Section 9.    Notices. All notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and delivered if personally delivered or sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, by facsimile, email, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to it at its current executive offices.

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Apollo Global Management

9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (646) 607-0546

Attention: David Sambur

and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Rackspace Technology, Inc.

c/o Rackspace

One Fanatical Place

City of Windcrest

San Antonio, Texas 78218

Attention Legal Department

If to the Grantee, at the Grantee’s address on the signature page hereto or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received (a) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery (or if such date is not a business day, on the next business day after the date of delivery), (b) in the case of nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day after the date sent, (c) in the case of facsimile transmission, when received (or if not sent on a business day, on the next business day after the date sent), (d) in the case of email, when transmitted via email (in each case, if no “system error” or other notice of non-delivery is generated) to the applicable party and its legal counsel set forth above, and (e) in the case of mailing, on the third business day following that on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted.

Section 10.    Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Section 11.    Grantee’s Undertaking. The Grantee hereby agrees to take whatever additional actions and execute whatever additional documents the Company may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or advisable to carry out one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on the Grantee pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.

 

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Section 12.    Modification of Rights. The rights of the Grantee are subject to modification and termination upon certain events provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with respect to the Restricted Stock granted hereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement and the Plan may not be impaired without the Grantee’s consent.

Section 13.    Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a)    NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN ANY SERVICE AGREEMENT, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SHALL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTION’S CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Service Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which a party hereto is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction.

 

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Section 14.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.

Section 15.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan (and the other writings referred to herein), and the Investor Rights Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior written or oral negotiations, commitments, representations and agreements with respect thereto.

Section 16.    Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 17.    Enforcement. In the event the Company or the Grantee institutes litigation to enforce or protect its rights under this Agreement or the Plan, each party shall be solely responsible for all attorneys’ fees, out-of-pocket costs and disbursements it incurs relating to such litigation.

Section 18.    Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent that it may legally and effectively do so, trial by jury in any suit, action or proceeding arising hereunder.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Restricted Stock Award Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
GRANTEE
[Name]
Residence Address:

Attachment

4810-5243-4520.1

112619\000184

Exhibit 10.27

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Equity Incentive Plan¹

 

 

1	Conformed Copy. Reflects amendments through April 10, 2020.

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ARTICLE I

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The purpose of the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is (a) to further the growth and success of Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) by enabling directors and employees of, and consultants to, the Company and its Subsidiaries to acquire Shares (as hereinafter defined), thereby increasing their personal interest in such growth and success, and (b) to provide a means of rewarding outstanding performance by such persons for the Company and/or its Subsidiaries. Awards granted under the Plan (the “Awards”) shall be options to purchase Shares (“Options”) (which Options may be either incentive stock options (“ISOs”) intended to qualify as such under the provisions of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or non-qualified stock options (“NSOs”) to purchase Shares), “sweet equity” Shares that are subject to certain vesting and other restrictions (“Restricted Stock”) and Restricted Stock Units (as defined below). An Award may consist of only Options, only Restricted Stock, only Restricted Stock Units or a combination of Options and/or Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. In this Plan, the terms “Parent” and “Subsidiary” mean “Parent Corporation” and “Subsidiary Corporation,” respectively, as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code. Unless the context otherwise requires, any ISO or NSO is referred to in this Plan as an “Option.”

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Adoption Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10 hereof.

“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

“Apollo” means, collectively, the investment funds managed, sponsored or advised by Apollo Management VIII, L.P. A reference to a member of Apollo is a reference to any such investment fund.

“Award” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Award Agreement” means any writing setting forth the terms of an Award that has been duly authorized and approved by the Committee.

“Cause” when used in connection with the Termination of Relationship of a Participant, shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in any Service Agreement, or, if no such Service Agreement containing a definition of “Cause” is then in effect, it shall mean the following, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise: (i) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, any felony or other crime involving either fraud or a breach of Participant’s duty of loyalty with respect to the Company or any Subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof, or any of its customers or suppliers, (ii) the Participant’s substantial and

 

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repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Board (other than as a consequence of Disability) after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, (iii) the Participant’s fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or material misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (iv) the Participant’s violation of the written policies of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or other misconduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties that in either case results in material injury to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, to the extent curable, (v) the Participant’s breach of any Service Agreement that results in material injury to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and failure to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days after written notice, or (vi) the Participant’s breach of the confidentiality or non-disparagement provisions (excluding unintentional breaches that are cured within fifteen (15) days after the Participant becomes aware of such breaches, to the extent curable) or the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions to which the Participant is subject, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or elsewhere, if, within six (6) months subsequent to a Participant’s Termination of Relationship for any reason other than by the Company for Cause, the Company discovers facts that such Participant’s Termination of Relationship could have been for Cause, such Participant’s Termination of Relationship will be deemed to have been for Cause for all purposes, and such Participant will be required to disgorge to the Company all amounts received under this Plan, any Award Agreement or otherwise that would not have been payable to such Participant had such Termination of Relationship been by the Company for Cause.

“Change in Control” means the occurrence of either of the following: (i) (A) Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) cease to be the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Rackspace Hosting, Inc. (“Rackspace”); and (B) a person, entity or group other than the Apollo Holders becomes the direct or indirect beneficial owner of a percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Rackspace that is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders; or (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to a person, entity or group other than the Apollo Holders; provided, however, that a mere initial public offering or a merger or other acquisition or combination transaction after which the Apollo Holders retain control or shared control of the Company or Rackspace, or have otherwise not sold or disposed of more than 50% of its direct or indirect investment in the Company or Rackspace as of November 3, 2016 in exchange for cash or marketable securities, will not result in a Change in Control; provided, further, that following an initial public offering, the above clause (i) shall be deleted and replaced with: “a person, entity or group other than Apollo and its Affiliates (the “Apollo Holders”) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company or Rackspace, and such combined voting power beneficially owned is greater than the percentage of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity that is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Apollo Holders.

“Code” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

 

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“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other Governmental Authority at the time administering the Securities Act.

“Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

“Company” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Company Group” means the Company and its Subsidiaries.

“Data” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.5 hereof.

“Disability,” when used in connection with the Termination of Relationship of a Participant, shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term (or words of like import) in any Service Agreement, or, if no such Service Agreement containing a definition of “Disability” is then in effect, it shall mean the following, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise: a finding by the Committee of the Participant’s incapacitation through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature that has resulted in his or her inability to perform the essential functions of his or her position, even with reasonable accommodations, for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days during any period of three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive calendar days, and such incapacity is expected to continue.

“Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Article XIV hereof.

“Dividend Equivalent” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6 hereof.

“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Article X hereof.

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

“Executive Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.

“Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of a Share as determined by the Committee.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any international, national, federal, state, provincial or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency, commission, court, tribunal, arbitral body or self-regulated entity, whether domestic or foreign.

“Investor Rights Agreement” means the Rackspace Technology, Inc. Management Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2017, among the Company, AP VIII Inception Topco, L.P. and the holders party thereto, as it is amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

“ISOs” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10 hereof.

 

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“NSOs” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Option” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Option Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6 hereof.

“Option Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(b) hereof.

“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

“Person” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

“Plan” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 hereof.

“Reserved Shares” means the number of shares of Common Stock approved by the Committee from time to time for issuance hereunder.

“Restricted Stock” has the meaning set forth in Article I hereof.

“Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Committee equal to the value thereof as of such payment date, which right may be subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

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

“Service Agreement” means a written employment agreement, consultancy agreement, directorship agreement or similar services agreement or offer letter between a Participant and any member of the Company Group.

“Shares” means shares of Common Stock.

“Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

“Termination Date” means the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

“Termination of Relationship” means (a) if the Participant is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the termination of the Participant’s employment relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason; (b) if the Participant is a consultant to the Company or any Subsidiary, the termination of the Participant’s consulting relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason; and (c) if the Participant is a director of the Company or any Subsidiary, the termination of the Participant’s service relationship with the Company or Subsidiary for any reason; provided, that there shall be no “Termination of Relationship” in situations where the Participant, in agreement with the Company or its Affiliates, around the same time enters into a new employment or service agreement with the Company or any of its Affiliates or takes up a director mandate in the Company or any of its Affiliates or continues another existing employment or service agreement or director mandate with/in the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

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“Vested Options” means Options that have vested in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.

“Vested Restricted Stock Units” means Restricted Stock Units that have vested in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN; SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

3.1	Committee.

The Plan shall be administered by, and all Awards under the Plan shall be authorized by, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Executive Committee”) or such other committee that has been authorized to administer the Plan (the “Committee”). The term “Committee” shall, for all purposes of the Plan be deemed to refer to the Executive Committee if the Executive Committee is administering the Plan.

 

3.2	Procedures.

The Committee shall adopt such rules and regulations as it shall deem appropriate concerning the holding of meetings and the administration of the Plan.

 

3.3	Interpretation.

Except as may otherwise be expressly reserved to the Committee as provided herein, and with respect to any Award, except as may otherwise be provided in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award, the Committee shall have all powers with respect to the administration of the Plan, including the interpretation of the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement (including, without limitation, whether any particular Termination of Relationship is for Cause), and all decisions of the Committee, as the case may be, shall be reasonable and made in good faith and shall be conclusive and binding on all Participants in the Plan.

 

3.4	Binding Determinations.

Any action taken by, or inaction of, the Company, the Committee relating or pursuant to the Plan and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all Persons. Any interpretations, decisions or determinations of the Committee need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are similarly situated). Neither the Company nor the Committee, nor any member thereof or Person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan (or any Award), and all such Persons shall be entitled to

 

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indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time.

 

3.5	Reliance on Experts.

In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under the Plan, the Committee may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including employees of and professional advisors to the Company. No director, officer or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.

 

3.6	Delegation.

The Committee may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or to third parties.

 

3.7	Number of Shares.

Subject to the provisions of Article VIII (relating to adjustments upon changes in capital structure and other corporate transactions), an aggregate of 1,370,679 Shares shall be Reserved Shares hereunder; provided, however, in the event that the Fair Market Value of the Underlying Option Shares is less than $100.00 the number of Reserved Shares referred to in this sentence will be automatically, and without any further action of the Committee, be increased by that number of shares equal to the difference between (i) $20,000,000 divided by the then Fair Market Value of the Underlying Option Shares, and (ii) 200,000. In each fiscal year of the Company beginning with fiscal 2017, the Reserved Shares shall increase on each day that an Option is granted by the number of Shares subject to the Options granted on such date (the “Underlying Option Shares”), provided, that no additional Shares shall be added to the Reserved Shares for a fiscal year once the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Underlying Option Shares (determined as of the applicable date of grant) equals $50,000,000 (or $57,000,000 for fiscal years 2017 and 2018) (the “Annual Increase”). The maximum number of Shares that may be delivered in respect of ISOs shall equal 1,020,081 Shares; provided, that in each fiscal year of the Company beginning with fiscal 2017, the number of Shares available for delivery in respect of ISOs shall increase by the lesser of the Annual Increase and 50,000 Shares. Shares that are subject to or underlie Awards granted under the Plan that expire or for any reason are canceled or terminated, are forfeited, are repurchased, fail to vest or for any other reason are not issued or delivered under the Plan will again, except to the extent prohibited by law or applicable listing or regulatory requirements, be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan.

 

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ARTICLE IV

ELIGIBILITY; AWARD AGREEMENTS

 

4.1

General.

Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Persons who are employees or directors of, or consultants to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of grant. A Person’s eligibility to be granted an Award under the Plan is not a commitment that any Award will be granted to that Person under the Plan. Each Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan is referred to herein as a “Participant.”

 

4.2	Exceptions.

Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 4.1 to the contrary, no ISO may be granted under the Plan to an employee who owns, directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Sections 422(b)(6) and 424(d) of the Code), stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent, if any, or any of its Subsidiaries, unless (a) the Option Price of the Shares subject to such ISO is fixed at not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of the grant (as determined in accordance with the definition thereof), and (b) such ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date on which it is granted.

 

4.3	Award Agreements.

Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form approved by the Committee. The Award Agreement shall contain the terms established by the Committee for that Award, as well as any other terms, provisions, or restrictions that the Committee may impose on the Award or any Shares subject to the Award, in each case subject to the applicable provisions and limitations of the Plan. The Committee may require that the spouse of any married recipient of an Award also promptly execute and return to the Company the Award Agreement evidencing the Award granted to the recipient or such other spousal consent form that the Committee may require in connection with the grant of the Award.

ARTICLE V

OPTIONS

 

5.1

General.

Options may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the Termination Date; provided that (a) Options granted to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be, in the discretion of the Committee, either ISOs or NSOs on the date of the grant and (b) Options granted to consultants and non-employee directors shall be NSOs. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary authority, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to determine:

 

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(a) The Persons (from among the class of Persons eligible to receive Options under the Plan) to whom Options shall be granted;

(b) The time or times at which Options shall be granted; and

(c) The number of Shares for which an Option may be exercisable.

 

5.2	Option Terms.

Each Option granted under the Plan shall be designated as an ISO or an NSO and shall be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to ISOs and/or NSOs (as the case may be) set forth in the Plan. Each Option shall specify the number of Shares for which such Option shall be exercisable and the exercise price for such Shares. In addition, each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall be executed by the Company and the Participant.

 

5.3

Vesting.

The Committee shall determine whether and to what extent any Options that are exercisable for Shares are also subject to vesting based upon the Participant’s continued service to, and/or the performance of duties for, the Company and its Subsidiaries and/or the attainment of specified performance goals.

 

5.4	Date of Grant.

The date of grant of an Option under this Plan shall be the date as of which the Committee approves the grant.

 

5.5	Shares Subject to Options.

Options shall be granted to purchase a specified number of Shares not to exceed, in the aggregate, the Reserved Shares. Options may be exercisable for whole Shares only.

 

5.6	Option Price.

The price (the “Option Price”) at which each Share underlying an Option may be purchased shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that in the case of an ISO, such Option Price shall in no event be less than 100% (or 110% if Section 4.2 hereof is applicable) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of the grant.

 

5.7	Automatic Termination of Options.

Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate automatically and shall become null and void and be of no further force or effect upon such date or dates set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, consistent with the terms of this Plan. Any Shares that are not acquired as a result of an Option’s expiration without being fully exercised shall be available for award by the Committee to another eligible Person.

 

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5.8	Limitations on ISOs; Notice to Participants Granted ISOs.

In accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of all stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) exceeds $100,000, such ISOs shall be treated as NSOs.

 

5.9	Payment of Option Price.

A Participant shall pay for the exercise of a Vested Option in United States currency by either (i) cash or personal or certified check payable to the Company in an amount equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised or (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by instructing the Company to withhold from the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised a number of Shares having, as of the date of such exercise, a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised.

 

5.10	Notice of Exercise.

A Participant (or other Person, as provided in Section 9.2) may exercise an Option (for the Shares represented thereby) in whole or in part (but for the purchase of whole Shares only), as provided in the Award Agreement evidencing his or her Option, by delivering a written notice (the “Notice”) to the Secretary of the Company. The Notice shall state:

(a) That the Participant elects to exercise the Option;

(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised (the “Option Shares”);

(c) The method of payment for the Option Shares (which method must be available to the Participant under the terms of his or her Award Agreement);

(d) The date upon which the Participant desires to consummate the purchase (which date must be prior to the termination of such Option);

(e) A copy of any election filed or intended to be filed by the Participant with respect to such Option Shares pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code; and

(f) Any additional provisions consistent with the Plan as the Committee may from time to time require.

The exercise date of an Option shall be the date on which the Company receives the Notice from the Participant. Such Notice shall also contain, to the extent that such Participant is not then a party to the Investor Rights Agreement, an adoption agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee, pursuant to which the Participant agrees to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement (an “Adoption Agreement”). The Participant shall also execute any other documentation as reasonably required by the Committee.

 

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5.11	Issuance of Certificates.

The Company shall issue stock certificates in the name of the Participant (or such other Person exercising the Option in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2), for the securities purchased upon exercise of an Option as soon as practicable after receipt of the Notice and payment of the aggregate Option Price for such securities; provided that the Company may elect to not issue any fractional Shares upon the exercise of any Options (determining the fractional Shares after aggregating all Shares issuable to a single holder as a result of an exercise of an Option for more than one Share) and in lieu of issuing such fractional Shares, shall pay the Participant the Fair Market Value thereof. Neither the Participant nor any Person exercising an Option in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2 shall have any privileges as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares subject to an Option granted under the Plan until the date of issuance of stock certificates pursuant to this Section 5.11. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver stock certificates to the Participant evidencing the Shares issued in connection with the exercise of Options if instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

ARTICLE VI

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

6.1

General.

Restricted Stock may be granted or sold under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the Termination Date. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary authority, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to determine:

(a) The Persons (from among the class of Persons eligible to receive Restricted Stock under the Plan) to whom Restricted Stock Awards shall be granted or sold;

(b) The time or times at which Restricted Stock shall be granted or sold;

(c) The number of Shares covered by a Restricted Stock Award; and

(d) The per-Share purchase price, if any, for the Shares of Restricted Stock (the “Purchase Price”).

 

6.2	Restricted Stock Award Terms.

Each Restricted Stock Award shall specify the number of Shares covered thereby and the purchase price, if any, for such Shares. In addition, each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall be executed by the Company and the Participant.

 

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6.3

Vesting.

The Committee shall determine whether and to what extent any Shares covered by Restricted Stock Awards are also subject to vesting based upon the Participant’s continued service to, or the performance of duties for, the Company and its Subsidiaries and/or the attainment of specified performance goals.

 

6.4	Payment of Purchase Price.

The Purchase Price, if any, for the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. A Participant shall pay the Purchase Price for the Shares of Restricted Stock in United States currency by cash or personal or certified check payable to the Company in an amount equal to the aggregate Purchase Price of the Shares covered by the Restricted Stock Award. In the event that the Participant files an election under Section 83(b) of the Code in connection with the purchase of the Restricted Stock, the Participant must promptly provide a copy of such election to the Secretary of the Company.

 

6.5	Issuance of Certificates.

The Company shall issue stock certificates in the name of the Participant for the securities purchased or granted pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award as soon as practicable after the grant of the Award and receipt of the payment, if any, of the aggregate Purchase Price for such securities. The Participant shall not have any privileges as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares covered by a Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan unless the Participant is a party to the Investor Rights Agreement (or has signed an Adoption Agreement with respect thereto) and until the date of issuance of stock certificates pursuant to this Section 6.5. The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver stock certificates to the Participant evidencing the Shares issued in connection with the Restricted Stock Award if instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

 

6.6	Dividends.

Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Each dividend payment will be made as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, but in no event later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to holders of the Common Stock or, if later, the 15^th day of the third month following the later of (A) the date the dividends are paid to the holders of the Common Stock, and (B) the date the dividends are no longer subject to forfeiture.

 

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ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS

 

7.1

General.

Restricted Stock Units may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the Termination Date. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary authority, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to determine:

(a) The Persons (from among the class of Persons eligible to receive Restricted Stock Units under the Plan) to whom Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be granted;

(b) The time or times at which Restricted Stock Units shall be granted and the settlement date for such Restricted Stock Units; and

(c) The number of Shares with respect to which a Restricted Stock Unit Award relates.

 

7.2	Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms.

Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall specify the number of Restricted Stock Units covered thereby and the settlement date for such Restricted Stock Units. In addition, each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall be executed by the Company and the Participant.

 

7.3

Vesting.

The Committee shall determine whether and to what extent the Restricted Stock Unit Awards are also subject to vesting based upon the Participant’s continued service to, or the performance of duties for, the Company and its Subsidiaries and/or the attainment of specified performance goals.

 

7.4	Settlement.

Upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one Share or an amount of cash or other property equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the settlement date, as provided in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or shall instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code and other applicable law.

 

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7.5	Issuance of Certificates.

The Company shall issue stock certificates in the name of the Participant for the securities issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award as soon as practicable after the settlement of the Award and the issuance of such securities. The Participant shall not have any privileges as a stockholder of the Company, including any voting rights, with respect to any Shares underlying Restricted Stock Unit Awards granted under the Plan prior to the settlement date, and the Participant shall not have any privileges as a stockholder of the Company with respect to Shares issued in connection with the settlement of such Award until the Participant is a party to the Investor Rights Agreement (or has signed an Adoption Agreement with respect thereto) and until the date of issuance of stock certificates pursuant to this Section 7.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to deliver stock certificates to the Participant evidencing the Shares issued in connection with the settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award if instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

 

7.6	Dividend Equivalents.

To the extent provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or in Shares) of ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to the Shares (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, may be settled in Shares and/or cash or other property and will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which they were are paid, as determined by the Committee, subject, in each case, to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

ADJUSTMENTS

 

8.1	Changes in Capital Structure.

If the Common Stock is changed (including as to its value) by reason of a stock split, reverse stock split, or stock combination, stock dividend or distribution, or converted into or exchanged for other securities as a result of a merger, consolidation or reorganization, or in connection with extraordinary cash dividends on the Common Stock, the Committee shall make such adjustments in the number and class of shares of stock available under the Plan as shall be necessary, in the Committee’s good faith discretion, to preserve for a Participant rights substantially proportionate to his or her rights existing immediately prior to such transaction or event (but subject to the limitations and restrictions on such rights), including, without limitation, a corresponding adjustment changing the number and class of shares allocated to, and the Option Price or Purchase Price of, each Award or portion thereof outstanding at the time of such change. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, in the case of ISOs, no adjustment under this Section 8.1 shall be appropriate if such adjustment (a) would constitute a modification, extension or renewal of such ISOs within the meaning of Sections 422 and 424 of the Code, and the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department thereunder, or (b) would, under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department thereunder, be considered the adoption of a new plan requiring stockholder approval. The Company will not, in any event, permit the exercise price of any Option to be less than the par value of the Common Stock.

 

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8.2	Special Rules.

The following rules shall apply in connection with Section 8.1 above:

(a) No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends (except as described in Section 8.1) or the issuance to stockholders of rights to subscribe for additional Shares or other securities; and

(b) Any adjustments referred to in Section 8.1 shall be made by the Committee in its reasonable discretion and shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Persons holding any Awards granted under the Plan.

 

8.3	Deemed Repurchase and Come-Along Rights.

(a) Without limiting the application of any provisions of the Investor Rights Agreement, and without regard to whether a Participant is already a party to the Investor Rights Agreement, upon the occurrence of any event that would give rise to a Repurchase Right (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) or a Come-Along Right (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), in each case to which Shares underlying an Option or Restricted Stock Unit would have been subject had such Option been exercised, or such Restricted Stock Unit been settled, as applicable, and had the Participant been delivered such Shares, immediately prior thereto, the Company or its designee may, but shall not be obligated to, cancel all or any portion of the Subject Awards (as defined below) for an amount of consideration equal to the consideration that would have been paid to a holder of the Shares underlying such Subject Awards in connection with the exercise of such Repurchase Right or Come-Along Right, as applicable, under the Investor Rights Agreement, less applicable tax withholding (and in the case of Options, less the Option Price thereof, and in the event that such amount would be equal to or less than zero, such Option may be canceled for no consideration); provided, that if necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, such amount shall not be payable with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit until the earliest time permitted by Section 409A of the Code. As used herein, the term “Subject Award” means, with respect to an Award, the portion of such Award relating to the number of Shares that would be subject to such Repurchase Right or Come-Along Right had they been issued to the Participant holding such Award and outstanding immediately prior thereto. Such cancellation and payment may be effected pursuant to any arrangement deemed appropriate by the Committee.

(b) For the sake of clarity, notwithstanding the foregoing, the outstanding Options, Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units shall otherwise be subject to such adjustments as determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 8.1. Further, in no event shall the failure of the Company or its designee to exercise its rights under this Section 8.3 in connection with a Repurchase Right or Come-Along Right prejudice any of the Company’s or its designee’s rights under the Investor Rights Agreement with respect to either (i) any other Shares held by any Participant that may be subject to such Repurchase Right or Come-Along Right or (ii) any Shares issued to a Participant in the future upon exercise or settlement of any Subject Award that may in the future be subject to a future Repurchase Right or Come-Along Right.

 

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ARTICLE IX

RESTRICTIONS ON AWARDS

 

9.1	Compliance With Securities Laws.

No Awards shall be granted under the Plan, and no securities shall be issued and delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, unless and until the Company and/or the Participant shall have complied with all applicable registration, listing and/or qualification requirements under any applicable law and all other requirements of law or of any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction.

The Committee in its discretion may, as a condition to the delivery of any Shares pursuant to any Award granted under the Plan, require a Participant (a) to represent in writing that the securities received pursuant to such Award are being acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution and (b) to make such other representations and warranties as are deemed reasonably appropriate by the Company. Stock certificates representing securities acquired under the Plan that have not been registered under the Securities Act shall, if required by the Committee, bear the legends as may be required by the Investor Rights Agreement and Award Agreement evidencing a particular Award.

 

9.2	Nonassignability of Awards.

No Award granted under this Plan shall be assignable or otherwise transferable by the Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement. An Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. If a Participant dies, his or her Awards shall thereafter be exercisable, during the period specified in the applicable Award Agreement (as the case may be), by his or her executors or administrators to the full extent (but only to such extent) to which such Awards were exercisable by the Participant at the time of his or her death.

 

9.3	No Evidence of Employment or Other Service Relationship; No Rights to Future Awards.

Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to the continuation of his or her employment by or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Subsidiary (subject to the terms of any separate agreement to the contrary) at any time to terminate such employment or other service relationship or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant from the rate in existence at the time of the grant of an Award. The grant of Awards under the Plan is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive any other grant of other Awards under the Plan in the future. The grant of an Award does not form part of the Participant’s entitlement to remuneration or benefits in terms of his or her employment or other service relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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9.4	Provisions for Foreign Participants – In General.

The Committee may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

 

9.5	Data Privacy.

As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this paragraph by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares of stock held in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, details of all Awards, in each case, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have data privacy laws and protections that are different from those of the recipients’ country. Through acceptance of an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws his or her consents as described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

 

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ARTICLE X

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

This Plan shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the Executive Committee (the “Effective Date”); provided, however, that no ISO shall be exercisable by a Participant unless and until the Plan shall have been approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, which approval shall be obtained by a simple majority vote of stockholders, voting either in person or by proxy, at a duly held stockholders’ meeting, or by written consent, within twelve months before or after the adoption of the Plan by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

No Awards may be granted after the Termination Date. Any Awards outstanding as of the Termination Date shall remain in effect in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of the Plan.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENT OF PLAN

The Plan may be modified or amended in any respect by the Committee with the prior approval of the Executive Committee; provided, however, that the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes that may be cast by all of the holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to vote (voting together as a single class, with each such holder entitled to cast one vote per share held by such holder) shall be obtained prior to any such amendment becoming effective if such approval is required by law or is necessary to comply with regulations promulgated by the Commission under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or with Section 422 of the Code or the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may not be modified or amended with respect to any existing Award Agreement without the consent of such Participant if such change would materially impair the rights of such Participant.

ARTICLE XIII

CAPTIONS

The use of captions in this Plan is for convenience. The captions are not intended to provide substantive rights.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITIONS

If securities acquired by exercise of an ISO granted under this Plan are disposed of within two years following the date of grant of the ISO or one year following the issuance of the securities to the Participant (a “Disqualifying Disposition”), the holder of such securities shall, immediately prior to such Disqualifying Disposition, notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such Disqualifying Disposition and provide such other information regarding the Disqualifying Disposition as the Company may reasonably require.

ARTICLE XV

WITHHOLDING TAXES

Whenever any taxes are required by law to be withheld in connection with Shares delivered to a Participant pursuant to Awards under the Plan (including, without limitation, upon exercise of an NSO (or an exercise of an ISO that will be taxed as an NSO)), such Participant shall remit or, in appropriate circumstances, agree to remit when due, an amount sufficient to satisfy all current or estimated future federal, state, local and foreign withholding tax and employment tax requirements relating thereto. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, allow the Participant to satisfy the withholding tax obligations arising in connection with the delivery of such Shares pursuant to an Award under the Plan by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.

ARTICLE XVI

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

16.1	Other Provisions.

Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each ISO granted under the Plan shall include those terms and conditions that are necessary to qualify the ISO as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder and shall not include any terms or conditions that are inconsistent therewith.

 

16.2	Separability of Provisions.

If any particular provision of this Plan shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Plan or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Plan or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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ARTICLE XVII

NUMBER AND GENDER

With respect to words used in this Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, and vice-versa, as the context requires.

ARTICLE XVIII

SECTION 409A OF THE CODE

It is intended that Awards granted under the Plan will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code on such Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with the Company, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments hereunder that would be treated as deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code until the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months after his or her separation from service with the Company for any reason other than death and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death. Any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant following the Termination of Relationship that are not so paid by reason of this Article XVIII shall be paid as soon as practicable after the date that is six (6) months after the Participant’s separation from service with the Company (or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death). The provisions of this Article XVIII shall apply only if, and to the extent, required to comply with Section 409A of the Code. No provision of this Plan or any Award granted thereunder shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A from any Participant or any other individual to the Company or any of its Affiliates, employees or agents. Each Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or for the account of such Participant in connection with payments and benefits provided in accordance with the terms of the Plan or Award Agreements (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each payment that may be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be designated as a separate and distinct payment for purposes under Section 409A of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i)(F), 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B)).

 

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ARTICLE XIX

GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

All questions concerning the construction, interpretation and validity of this Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether in 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. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal law of the State of Delaware will control the interpretation and construction of this Plan, even if under such jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

Each of the Company and, by acceptance of an Award, each Participant irrevocably (i) consents to submit itself, himself or herself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event (but only in the event) that the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such United States District Court for the District of Delaware also does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such legal action or proceeding, any Delaware state court sitting in New Castle County, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the actions of the parties hereof, (ii) agrees that it, he, or she will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court, and (iii) agrees that it, he, or she will not bring any action relating to the Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award made thereunder in any court other than the courts of the State of Delaware, as described above. Each of the Company and, by acceptance of an Award, each Participant agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the addresses set forth above, with respect to the Company, and to the addresses set forth in the ledgers of the Company, with respect to any Participant, shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with the Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award made thereunder. Each of the Company and, by acceptance of an Award, each Participant hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to the Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award made thereunder, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Article XIX, that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that the Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award made thereunder may not be enforced in or by such courts and further irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any defense that would hinder, fetter or delay the levy, execution or collection of any amount to which the Company or a Participant is entitled pursuant to the final judgment of any court having jurisdiction. Each of the Company and, by acceptance of an Award, each Participant expressly acknowledges that the foregoing waiver is intended to be

 

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irrevocable under the laws of the State of Delaware and of the United States of America; provided, that the Company’s and any Participant’s consent to jurisdiction and service contained in this Article XIX is solely for the purpose referred to in this Article XIX and shall not be deemed to be a general submission to said courts or in the State of Delaware other than for such purpose.

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND, BY ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD, EACH PARTICIPANT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLAN, ANY AWARD AGREEMENT, OR ANY AWARD MADE THEREUNDER.

* * * * * *

As adopted by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Inception Topco, Inc. on April 10, 2017.

Version History:

 

•

First sentence of Section 3.7 was amended on February 26, 2019 to increase the number of Reserved Shares.

 

•

First sentence of Section 3.7 was amended on May 24, 2019 to increase the number of Reserved Shares (#50315v3).

 

•

On March 31, 2020, the name of the Company was changed from Inception Topco, Inc. to Rackspace Corp. The name of the Plan was changed on April 10, 2020 to Rackspace Corp. Equity Incentive Plan (#50315v4).

 

•

On June 11, 2020, the name of the Company was changed from Rackspace Corp. to Rackspace Technology, Inc. The name of the Plan was changed on June 11, 2020 to Rackspace Technology, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (#56886v2).

 

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Exhibit 10.28

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE 1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Rackspace Technology, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the long-term success and enhance the value of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) by assisting the Company in attracting, motivating and retaining highly-qualified Employees, Directors and Consultants and linking the interests of such eligible individuals to those of Company’s stockholders by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to Company stockholders.

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

2.1 “Administrator” shall mean the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee.

2.2 “Affiliate” shall mean any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

2.3 “Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.

2.4 “Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including, without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether U.S. or non-U.S., federal, state or local; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

2.5 “Award” shall mean any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Stock or Cash Based Award, or a Dividend Equivalent award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

2.6 “Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.

 

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2.7 “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

2.8 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.9 “Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise specifically provided in any applicable Award Agreement or in any other written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant, with respect to any Participant: (a) the Participant’s indictment for, conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any (A) felony, (B) misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or (C) other crime (including equivalent offenses to (A) or (B) under Applicable Law) involving either fraud or a breach of Participant’s duty of loyalty with respect to the Company or any Subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof, or any of its customers or suppliers, (b) the Participant’s substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Board and/or the Participant’s direct or indirect supervisor, as applicable (other than as a consequence of Disability) after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, (c) the Participant’s fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or material misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (d) the Participant’s willful violation of the written policies of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or other misconduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties that in either case results in material injury to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, after written notice thereof and failure to cure within fifteen (15) days, to the extent curable, (e) the Participant’s breach of any of the material terms of any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other applicable agreement that results in material injury to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and failure to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days after written notice, or (f) the Participant’s breach of the confidentiality or non-disparagement provisions (excluding unintentional breaches that are cured within fifteen (15) days after the Participant becomes aware of such breaches, to the extent curable) or the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions to which the Participant is subject, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or elsewhere, if, within six (6) months subsequent to a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate for Cause, the Company discovers facts that such Participant’s Termination of Service could have been for Cause, such Participant’s Termination of Service will be deemed to have been for Cause for all purposes, and such Participant will be required to disgorge to the Company all amounts received under this Plan, any Award Agreement or otherwise that would not have been payable to such Participant had such Termination of Service been by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate for Cause.

2.10 “Change in Control” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless otherwise specifically provided in any applicable Award Agreement or in any other written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant, the first to occur of any of the following events:

(a) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons, or Persons acting jointly or in concert, of Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of 50% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of the then-Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or the Investor, its Permitted Transferees or any of their respective Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(b) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such terms is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons, or Persons acting jointly or in concert, of Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of 35% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of the then-Outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided that at such time the Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of the Investor is less than 35% (on a fully diluted basis) of the then-Outstanding Company Voting Securities;

 

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(c) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

(d) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; and

(d) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “Business Combination”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “Sale”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “Surviving Company”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company), and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. Further, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award only if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

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2.11 “Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.

2.12 “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee that has been authorized to administer the Plan, which may be comprised of one or more Directors and/or executive officers of the Company as appointed by the Board, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, as set forth in Article 11 hereof.

2.13 “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

2.14 “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.15 “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or adviser engaged to provide services to the Company or any parent of the Company or Subsidiary who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.

2.16 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

2.17 “Director Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

2.18 “Disability” when used in connection with a Participant’s Termination of Service, shall mean, unless otherwise specifically provided in any applicable Award Agreement or in any other written agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant, a finding by the Committee of the Participant’s incapacitation through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature that has resulted in his or her inability to perform the essential functions of his or her position, even with reasonable accommodations, for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days during any period of three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive calendar days, and such incapacity is expected to continue.

2.19 “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 9.2.

2.20 “Effective Date” shall mean the business day prior to the IPO Date. For avoidance of doubt, no Awards shall be granted under the Plan prior to the Effective Date.

2.21 “Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.

2.22 “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or of any parent of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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2.23 “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a cash dividend, in each case to the extent above and beyond normal cash dividends or amounts in substitution therefor, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

2.24 “Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.25 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, (a) with respect to Common Stock on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of a share of Common Stock reported on such exchange on such date, or if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported, or (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock, or (b) with respect to any other property on any given date, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of such other property as of such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of any Awards granted on the IPO Date, the Fair Market Value will be the initial price to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included with the registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock.

2.26 “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) or parent corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code).

2.27 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

2.28 “Investor” means, collectively, the investment funds managed, sponsored or advised by Apollo Management VIII, L.P. or its Affiliates. A reference to a member of Investor is a reference to any such investment fund.

2.29 “IPO Date” means the date of the underwritten, firm commitment initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the offer and sale by the Company of its Common Stock to the public.

2.30 “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

2.31 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

2.32 “Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 5. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that any Option granted to a Non-Employee Director or a Consultant shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

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2.33 “Option Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.

2.34 “Organizational Documents” shall mean, collectively, (a) the Company’s articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar organizational documents relating to the creation and governance of the Company, and (b) the Committee’s charter or other similar organizational documentation relating to the creation and governance of the Committee, each as may be amended from time to time.

2.35 “Other Stock or Cash Based Award” shall mean a cash payment, cash bonus award, stock payment, stock bonus award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 9.1, which may include, without limitation, deferred stock, deferred stock units and performance awards.

2.36 “Outstanding Company Common Stock” shall mean the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock, including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock.

2.37 “Outstanding Company Voting Securities” shall mean the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors.

2.38 “Participant” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.

2.39 “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria that the Administrator selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that may be used to establish Performance Goals which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis, include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (b) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (c) net revenue, net revenue growth, annualized recurring revenue, or net revenue retention rates; (d) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (e) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (f) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, net assets, capital, gross revenue or gross revenue growth, invested capital, equity or sales); (g) cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per-share basis; (h) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA); (i) bookings and customer churn metrics; (j) gross or net operating margins; (k) productivity ratios; (l) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); (m) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (n) operating efficiency; (o) customer satisfaction; (p) working capital targets; (q) measures of economic value added or other ‘‘value creation’’ metrics; (r) enterprise value; (s) stockholder return; (t) client or customer retention; (u) competitive market metrics; (v) employee retention; (w) personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (x) system-wide revenues; (y) cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value; (z) strategic objectives, development of new product lines and related revenue, sales and margin targets, or international operations; or (aa) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the aforementioned Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above performance criteria may be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or a published or special index that the Committee deems appropriate, or as

 

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compared to various stock market indices. The Performance Criteria may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall occur). The Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Criteria as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

2.40 “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, one or more goals (and adjustments) established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual, or a combination thereof, or in such other manner determined by the Administrator. The permissible forms in which a Performance Goal may be expressed further include, without limitation, percentage growth, performance against an index or peer companies, absolute growth, cumulative growth, a designated absolute amount, percent of sales, and per share of Common Stock outstanding. The achievement of each Performance Goal may be determined with reference to Applicable Accounting Standards or other methodology as determined appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that one or more adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals.

2.41 “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, vesting of, and/or the payment in respect of, an Award.

2.42 “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.

2.43 “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (a) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (b) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (c) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (d) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company.

2.44 “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.45 “Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article 7 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.

2.46 “Restricted Stock Units” shall mean the right to receive Shares awarded under Article 8.

2.47 “SAR Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.

2.48 “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date.

2.49 “Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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2.50 “Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.

2.51 “Share Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

2.52 “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean an Award entitling the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion thereof (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per Share of such Award from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such Award by the number of Shares with respect to which such Award shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.

2.53 “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

2.54 “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

2.55 “Termination of Service” shall mean the time when the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Individual for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge (with or without Cause), Disability, death or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment with the Company or any parent of the Company or Subsidiary. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for Cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then-applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Subsidiary employing or engaging such Participant ceases to remain a Subsidiary following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off or divestiture).

 

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ARTICLE 3.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1 Number of Shares.

(a) Subject to Sections 3.1(b) and 12.2, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be no more than                Shares (the “Share Limit”). All of the Shares reserved under the Plan may be designated as Incentive Stock Options. The Share Limit shall be reduced, on the date of grant of an Award, by the relevant number of shares of Common Stock for each Award granted under the Plan that is valued by reference to a share of Common Stock; provided that Awards that are valued by reference to shares of Common Stock but are required to be paid in cash pursuant to their terms shall not reduce the Share Limit. Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.

(b) The following Shares subject to an Award shall again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan: (i) Shares subject to an Award that is forfeited or expires (including Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 7.4 at the same price paid by the Participant), (ii) Shares converted to shares of another person in connection with a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, exchange of shares or other similar event, (iii) Shares subject to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash, (iv) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option; (v) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; (vi) Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Rights on exercise thereof and (vii) Shares purchased on the open market by the Company with the cash proceeds received from the exercise of Options. Further, the payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

(c) Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code, and Shares subject to such Substitute Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 3.1(b) above. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 3.1(b) above); provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall be made only to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

ARTICLE 4.

GRANTING OF AWARDS

4.1 Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly. Participation by each Participant in the Plan shall be voluntary and nothing in the Plan shall be construed as mandating that any Eligible Individual or other person shall participate in the Plan.

 

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4.2 Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion (consistent with the requirements of the Plan). Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards to Eligible Individuals that are based on one or more Performance Criteria or achievement of one or more Performance Goals or any such other criteria or goals as the Administrator shall establish.

4.3 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

4.4 At-Will Service. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or Consultant of, the Company or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way any rights of the Company and any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.

4.5 Director Limit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or in any policy of the Company regarding compensation payable to a Non-Employee Director, the sum of the grant date fair value (determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all Awards payable in Shares and the maximum cash value of any other Award granted under the Plan to an individual as compensation for services as a Non-Employee Director, together with cash compensation paid to such Director in the form of Board and Committee retainer, meeting or similar fees, during any fiscal year of the Company shall not exceed $                     (the “Director Limit”), provided, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply in respect of any compensation payable in the year of a Non-Employee Director’s initial appointment or election to the Board. For avoidance of doubt, compensation will count towards this limit for the fiscal year in which it was granted or earned, and not later when distributed, in the event it is deferred. The foregoing limit may not be increased without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

4.6 Non-U.S. Participants. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any non-U.S. securities exchange or other Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with Applicable Law (including, without limitation, applicable non-U.S. laws or listing requirements of any non-U.S. securities exchange); (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable; provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share Limit contained in Section 3.1 or the Director Limit; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any non-U.S. securities exchange.

 

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ARTICLE 5.

GRANTING OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

5.1 Granting of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.

5.2 Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of the Company’s present or future “parent corporations” or “subsidiary corporations” as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code. No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan, and all other plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively), exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the fair market value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. Any interpretations and rules under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any liability to a Participant, or any other person, (a) if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or (b) for any action or omission by the Company or the Administrator that causes an Option not to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, including, without limitation, the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option or the grant of an Option intended as an Incentive Stock Option that fails to satisfy the requirements under the Code applicable to an Incentive Stock Option.

5.3 Option and Stock Appreciation Right Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.

 

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5.4 Option and SAR Term. The term of each Option (the “Option Term”) and the term of each Stock Appreciation Right (the “SAR Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Option Term or SAR Term, as applicable, shall not be more than (a) ten (10) years from the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted to an Eligible Individual or (b) five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 5.4 and without limiting the Company’s rights under Section 10.7, the Administrator may extend the Option Term of any outstanding Option or the SAR Term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, and may extend the time period during which vested Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Participant or otherwise, and may amend, subject to Section 10.7 and 12.1, any other term or condition of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right relating to such Termination of Service of the Participant or otherwise. Further, unless determined otherwise by the Company, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (other than an Incentive Stock Option) (i) the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right is prohibited by Applicable Law, as determined by the Company, or (ii) Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods), the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is thirty (30) days after the end of the legal prohibition or black-out period, as determined by the Company; provided, however, in no event shall the extension last beyond the ten (10) year (or shorter) term of the applicable Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

5.5 Option and SAR Vesting. The period during which the Participant may have a right to vest in and exercise, in whole or in part, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. At any time after the grant of an Option, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, accelerate the vesting of the Option; provided, however, that in no event shall an Option become exercisable following its expiration, termination or forfeiture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in the Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (i) no portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable and (ii) the portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire on the date of such Termination of Service.

5.6 Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may provide in the applicable Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price, vesting schedule and remaining term as the substituted Option.

ARTICLE 6.

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

6.1 Exercise and Payment. An exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised in whole or in part. However, unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares. Payment of the amounts payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Article 6 shall be in cash, Shares (based on the Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised), or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.

 

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6.2 Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, the stock plan administrator of the Company or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a) A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed or otherwise acknowledged electronically by the Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right or such portion thereof;

(b) Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law.

(c) In the event that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised pursuant to Section 10.3 by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and

(d) Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes for the Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by the Administrator in accordance with Sections 10.1 and 10.2.

6.3 Notification Regarding Disposition. The Participant shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option which occurs within (a) two (2) years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Participant, or (b) one (1) year after the date of transfer of such Shares to such Participant. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Participant in such disposition or other transfer.

ARTICLE 7.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1 Award of Restricted Stock. The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate. The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.

7.2 Rights as Stockholders. Subject to Section 7.4, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan and/or the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares to the extent such dividends and other distributions have a record date that is on or after the date on which the Participant to whom such Restricted Stock are granted becomes the record holder of such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that, any dividends and distributions with respect to the Shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.3.

 

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7.3 Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide in the applicable Award Agreement. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

7.4 Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, if no price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration on the date of such Termination of Service. If a price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that upon certain events, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or Disability or any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.

7.5 Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

ARTICLE 8.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit.

8.2 Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, vesting based upon the Participant’s duration of service to the Company or any Subsidiary, or vesting based on achievement of one or more Performance Goals, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. By action taken after the Restricted Stock Units are granted, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock Units by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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8.3 Settlement and Payment. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the settlement date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Participant (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, and subject to compliance with Section 409A, in no event shall the settlement date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the 15^th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the 15^th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the settlement date, the Company shall, in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 10.4(f), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the settlement date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator.

8.4 Payment upon Termination of Service. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be payable only while the Participant is an Employee, a Non-Employee Director or a Consultant; provided, however, that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide (in an Award Agreement or otherwise) that a Restricted Stock Unit award may be paid subsequent to a Termination of Service in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or Disability or any other specified Termination of Service.

ARTICLE 9.

AWARD OF OTHER STOCK OR CASH BASED AWARDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

9.1 Other Stock or Cash Based Awards. The Administrator is authorized to grant Other Stock or Cash Based Awards, including awards entitling a Participant to receive Shares or cash to be delivered immediately or in the future, to any Eligible Individual. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including the term of the Award, any exercise or purchase price, any Performance Criteria and Performance Goals, transfer restrictions, vesting conditions and other terms and conditions applicable thereto, which shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator, and may be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan, as stand-alone payments, as a part of a bonus, deferred bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, and/or as payment in lieu of compensation to which an Eligible Individual is otherwise entitled.

9.2 Dividend Equivalents and Dividends. Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Participant and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall be paid out to the Participant only to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests and in no event may any Award provide for a Participant’s receipt of any other dividends prior to the vesting of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

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ARTICLE 10.

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS

10.1 Payment. The Administrator shall determine the method or methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) or Shares held for such minimum period of time as may be established by the Administrator, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (d) having the Company withhold from the number of Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of Shares with a Fair Market Value on such date equal to the aggregate payments required; (e) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion, or (f) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

10.2 Tax Withholding. The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes (including the Participant’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required or permitted by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of the Plan or any Award. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, allow a Participant to satisfy such obligations by any payment means described in Section 10.1 hereof, including without limitation, by allowing such Participant to elect to have the Company withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares that have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum statutory withholding rates in such Participant’s applicable jurisdictions for U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income (or such other rate as may be required to avoid adverse accounting consequences). The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code and other Applicable Law, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

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10.3 Transferability of Awards.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 10.3(b) and 10.3(c):

(i) No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution;

(ii) No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 10.3(a)(i); and

(iii) During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise any exercisable portion of an Award granted to such Participant under the Plan. After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.3(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant); (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer; and (iv) the transfer of an Award to a Permitted Transferee shall be without consideration. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 10.3(a), hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 10.3(a), a Participant may, in the sole discretion of and manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant and any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Participant’s beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time; provided that the change or revocation is delivered in writing to the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

 

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10.4 Conditions to Issuance of Shares.

(a) The Administrator shall determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all Applicable Laws and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law. The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained, and shall constitute circumstances in which the Administrator may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Shares, with or without consideration to the Participant.

(b) All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock).

(c) The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

(d) Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, no fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

(e) The Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing Shares until any restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (ii) require that the stock certificates evidencing such Shares be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Shares.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

10.5 Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award and any payments of a portion of an incentive-based bonus pool allocated to a Participant) shall be subject to forfeiture and/or repayment

 

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to the Company to the extent and in the manner required (a) to comply with any requirements imposed under applicable laws and/or the rules and regulations of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and (b) under the terms of any policy, guideline or Board committee charter adopted by the Company as may be amended from time to time for reasons related to fraud prevention, governance, avoidance of monetary or reputational damage to the Company and its Affiliates or similar considerations, whether or not such policy or guideline was in place at the time of grant of an Award (and such requirements shall be deemed incorporated into this Plan without the consent of Participant).

10.6 Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 12.2, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per Share, (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares, in its sole discretion, or (c) cancel an Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price than such original Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

10.7 Amendment of Awards. Subject to Applicable Law and Section 10.6 above, the Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or settlement, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant, or (ii) the change is otherwise permitted under the Plan (including, without limitation, under Section 12.2, 12.7 or 12.10).

ARTICLE 11.

ADMINISTRATION

11.1 Administrator. The Committee shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3, it is intended that each member of the Committee will be, at the time the Committee takes any action with respect to an Award that is subject to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. Additionally, to the extent required by Applicable Law, each of the individuals constituting the Committee shall be an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 11.1 or the Organizational Documents. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Organizational Documents or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, (a) appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment, (b) Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board and (c) vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the term “Administrator” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (ii) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 11.6.

 

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11.2 Duties and Powers of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and all Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend the Plan or any Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Participant of the Award that is the subject of any such Award Agreement are not materially and adversely affected by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under the Plan, including, without limitation, under Section 12.2, Section 12.7 or Section 12.10. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee in its capacity as the Administrator under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

11.3 Action by the Administrator. Unless otherwise established by the Board, set forth in any Organizational Documents or as required by Applicable Law, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. Neither the Administrator nor any member or delegate thereof shall have any liability to any person (including any Participant) for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award.

11.4 Authority of Administrator. Subject to the Organizational Documents, any specific designation in the Plan and Applicable Law, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

(a) Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

(b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual (including, without limitation, any Awards granted in tandem with another Award granted pursuant to the Plan);

(c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

(d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any Performance Criteria and/or Performance Goals, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and claw-back and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

(e) Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

(f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

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(g) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

(h) Establish, adopt, or revise any policies, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(i) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any policy or any Award Agreement;

(j) determine the circumstances under which the delivery of cash, property or other amounts payable with respect to an Award may be deferred, either automatically or at the Participant’s or the Administrator’s election

(k) Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, pursuant to any terms and conditions it selects, subject to Section 12.2; and

(l) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

11.5 Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan and any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

11.6 Delegation of Authority. The Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more Directors or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 11; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under any Organizational Documents and Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegate. At all times, the delegate appointed under this Section 11.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.

ARTICLE 12.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

12.1 Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 12.1(b), the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board; provided that, except as provided in Section 10.7, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding Section 12.1(a), the Board may not, except as provided in Section 12.2, take any of the following actions without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after such action: (i) increase the Share Limit imposed in Section 3.1 on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan; (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan or take any action prohibited under Section 10.6; or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 10.6.

(c) No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan. Unless earlier terminated by the Board under Section 12.1(a), the Plan shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years from the Effective Date; provided that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the earlier of ten (10) years from the date of the (i) adoption of the Plan by the Board and (ii) the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Any Awards that are outstanding on the date that the Plan is terminated shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

12.2 Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

(a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable Performance Goals or Performance Criteria with respect thereto); and (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.

(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 12.2(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards:

(i) To provide for the termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property with a value equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 12.2 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment);

 

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(ii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

(iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future;

(iv) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement;

(v) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or

(vi) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

(c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 12.2(a) and 12.2(b):

(i) The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted (and the adjustments provided under this Section 12.2(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company); and/or

(ii) The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitation in Section 3.1 on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan).

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, outstanding Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, the agreement evidencing the Change in Control transaction, or treated as otherwise determined in the Administrator’s discretion without the Participant’s consent, and such treatment need not apply to all outstanding Award in an identical manner. The Administrator’s determination as to the treatment of outstanding Awards upon a Change in Control shall be final, binding, and conclusive and may include, without limitation, any of the alternatives provided for in Section 12.2(b) above.

(e) The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

(f) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Section 12.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent it would (i) cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code; (ii) result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act; or (iii) cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A.

 

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(g) The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreement and/or the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(h) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

12.3 Approval of Plan by Stockholders. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

12.4 No Stockholder Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares.

12.5 Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

12.6 Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

12.7 Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to U.S. state, federal and Non-U.S. securities law and margin requirements), and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such

 

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restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

12.8 Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

12.9 Governing Law. The Plan and any Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

12.10 Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. In that regard, to the extent any Award under the Plan or any other compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to Section 409A, and such Award or other amount is payable on account of a Participant’s Termination of Service (or any similarly defined term), then (a) such Award or amount shall only be paid to the extent such Termination of Service qualifies as a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and (b) if such Award or amount is payable to a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A then, to the extent required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such Award or other compensatory payment shall not be payable prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, or (ii) the date of the Participant’s death. To the extent applicable, the Plan and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that, following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may (but is not obligated to), without a Participant’s consent, adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (A) exempt the Award from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under Section 409A. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 12.10 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A.

12.11 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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12.12 Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

12.13 Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Exhibit 10.29

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

1. Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide an opportunity for Eligible Employees of the Company and its Designated Companies to purchase Common Stock at a discount through voluntary Contributions, thereby attracting, retaining and rewarding such persons and strengthening the mutuality of interest between such persons and the Company’s stockholders. The Company intends for offerings under the Plan to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code (each, a “Section 423 Offering”); provided, however, that the Committee may also authorize the grant of rights under offerings of the Plan that are not intended to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, pursuant to any rules, procedures, agreements, appendices, or sub-plans adopted by the Committee for such purpose (each, a “Non-423 Offering”).

2. Definitions.

(a) “Affiliate” means any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b) “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under state corporate laws, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction where rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

(c) “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Change in Control” means, the first to occur of any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons, or Persons acting jointly or in concert, of Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of 50% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of the then- Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or the Investor, its Permitted Transferees or any of their respective Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(ii) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such terms is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons, or Persons acting jointly or in concert, of Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of 35% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of the then-Outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided that at such time the Beneficial Ownership (including control or direction) of the Investor is less than 35% (on a fully diluted basis) of the then-Outstanding Company Voting Securities;

 

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(iii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

(iv) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; and

(v) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “Business Combination”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “Sale”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “Surviving Company”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company), and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

(f) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any purchase right.

(g) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any subcommittee or other plan administrator referred to in Section 4(e).

(h) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, as the same may be converted, changed, reclassified or exchanged.

(i) “Company” means Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor to all or substantially all of the Company’s business that adopts the Plan.

 

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(j) “Contributions” means the amount of Eligible Pay contributed by a Participant through payroll deductions or other payments that the Committee may permit a Participant to make to fund the exercise of rights to purchase Shares granted pursuant to the Plan. Without limitation, Contributions may include direct payments from a Participant as may be accepted by the Company to adjust for the Company’s delay or mistake in processing an enrollment form or in otherwise effecting a Participant’s election under the Plan or as advisable to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

(k) “Designated Company” means any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, whether now existing or existing in the future, that has been designated by the Committee from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan. The Committee may designate any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate as a Designated Company in a Non-423 Offering. For purposes of a Section 423 Offering, only the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary may be Designated Companies; provided, however, that at any given time, a Parent or Subsidiary that is a Designated Company under a Section 423 Offering will not be a Designated Company under a Non-423 Offering.

(l) “Effective Date” means the business day prior to the IPO Date, as provided in Section 18 hereof.

(m) “Eligible Employee” means any individual in an employee-employer relationship with the Company or a Designated Company for income tax and employment tax withholding and reporting purposes. For purposes of clarity, the term “Eligible Employee” will not include the following, regardless of any subsequent reclassification as an employee by the Company or a Designated Company, any governmental agency, or any court: (i) any independent contractor; (ii) any consultant; (iii) any individual performing services for the Company or a Designated Company who has entered into an independent contractor or consultant agreement with the Company or a Designated Company; (iv) any individual performing services for the Company or a Designated Company under a purchase order, a supplier agreement or any other agreement that the Company or a Designated Company enters into for services; (v) any individual classified by the Company or a Designated Company as contract labor (such as contractors, contract employees, job shoppers), regardless of length of service; (vi) any individual whose base wage or salary is not processed for payment by the payroll department(s) or payroll provider(s) of the Company or a Designated Company; and (vii) any leased employee. The Committee will have exclusive discretion to determine whether an individual is an Eligible Employee for purposes of the Plan.

(n) “Eligible Pay” means the total amount paid by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to the Eligible Employee (other than amounts paid after termination of employment, even if such amounts are paid for pre-termination date services) as base salary or wages (including 13th/14th month payments or similar concepts under local law) and any portion of such amounts voluntarily deferred or reduced by the Eligible Employee (i) under any employee benefit plan of the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate available to all levels of employees on a non-discriminatory basis upon satisfaction of eligibility requirements, and (ii) under any deferral plan of the Company (provided such amounts would not otherwise have been excluded had they not been deferred), but excluding cash bonuses, commissions, overtime pay, stipends, lump sum payments in lieu of foregone merit increases, “bonus buyouts” as the result of job changes, pension, retainers, severance pay, special stay-on bonus, income derived from stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and dispositions of stock acquired thereunder, any other allowances, and any other special remuneration or variable pay. For Eligible Employees in the United States, Eligible Pay will include elective amounts that are not includible in gross income of the Eligible Employee by reason of Sections 125, 132(f), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b) of the Code. The Committee, in its discretion, may establish a different definition of Eligible Pay for a subsequent Offering Period, which for Section 423 Offerings shall apply on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis. Further, the Committee will have discretion to determine the application of this definition to Eligible Employees outside the United States.

 

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(o) “Enrollment Period” means the period during which an Eligible Employee may elect to participate in the Plan, with such period generally occurring before the first day of each Offering Period, as prescribed by the Committee.

(p) “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from time to time, or any successor law thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(q) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date and unless the Committee determines otherwise, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of a Share reported on such exchange on such date, or if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported;

(ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock; or

(iii) for the Initial Offering Period, if the date for which the Fair Market Value is determined is the first day when trading prices for the Common Stock are reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or another national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the initial price to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included with the registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock.

(r) “Initial Offering Period” means the Offering Period commencing on the IPO Date and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the start of the next applicable Offering Period set forth in Section 6, and consisting of a single Purchase Period which shall run concurrently with the Initial Offering Period.

(s) “Investor” means, collectively, the investment funds managed, sponsored or advised by Apollo Management VIII, L.P. or its Affiliates. A reference to a member of Investor is a reference to any such investment fund.

(t) “IPO Date” means the date of the underwritten, firm commitment initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale by the Company of its Common Stock to the public.

(u) “Offering” means a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering of a right to purchase Shares under the Plan during an Offering Period as further described in Section 6. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, each Offering under the Plan in which Eligible Employees of one or more Designated Companies may participate will be deemed a separate offering for purposes of Section 423 of the Code, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Periods of each such Offering are identical, and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. With respect to Section 423 Offerings, the terms of separate Offerings need not be identical provided that all Eligible Employees granted purchase rights in a particular Offering will have the same rights and privileges, except as otherwise may be permitted by Code Section 423; a Non-423 Offering need not satisfy such requirements.

(v) “Offering Period” means the periods established in accordance with Section 6 during which rights to purchase Shares may be granted pursuant to the Plan and Shares may be purchased on one or more Purchase Dates. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Sections 6 and 17.

 

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(w) “Outstanding Company Common Stock” shall mean the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock, including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock.

(x) “Outstanding Company Voting Securities” shall mean the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors.

(y) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(z) “Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company.

(aa) “Participant” means an Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.

(bb) “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Committee after taking into account Applicable Law.

(cc) “Plan” means the Rackspace Technology, Inc., Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as may be amended from time to time.

(dd) “Purchase Date” means the last Trading Day of each Purchase Period (or such other Trading Day as the Committee may determine).

(ee) “Purchase Period” means a period of time within an Offering Period, as may be specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 6, generally beginning on the first Trading Day of each Offering Period and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering Period may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.

(ff) “Purchase Price” means the purchase price at which Shares may be acquired on a Purchase Date and which will be set by the Committee; provided, however, that the Purchase Price for a Section 423 Offering will not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the first Trading Day of the Offering Period or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Purchase Date. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee prior to the commencement of an Offering Period, the Purchase Price will be 85% of the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the first Trading Day of the Offering Period or (b) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Purchase Date.

(gg) “Shares” means the shares of Common Stock.

(hh) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

(ii) “Tax-Related Items” means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising in relation to the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(jj) “Trading Day” means a day on which the principal exchange that Shares are listed on is open for trading.

 

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3. Number of Reserved Shares. Subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 16 hereof,                Shares may be sold pursuant to the Plan. Such Shares may be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased in the open market. For avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of Shares reserved under this Section 3 may be used to satisfy purchases of Shares under Section 423 Offerings and any remaining portion of such maximum number of Shares may be used to satisfy purchases of Shares under Non-423 Offerings.

4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Committee as Administrator. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, subject to Applicable Law, any authority or responsibility that, under the terms of the Plan, may be exercised by the Committee may alternatively be exercised by the Board. Subject to Applicable Law, no member of the Board or Committee (or its delegates) will be liable for any good faith action or determination made in connection with the operation, administration or interpretation of the Plan. In the performance of its responsibilities with respect to the Plan, the Committee will be entitled to rely upon, and no member of the Committee will be liable for any action taken or not taken in reliance upon, information and/or advice furnished by the Company’s officers or employees, the Company’s accountants, the Company’s counsel and any other party that the Committee deems necessary.

(b) Powers of the Committee. The Committee will have full power and authority to: administer the Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to (i) construe, interpret, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default in and supply any omission in, and apply the terms of the Plan and any enrollment form or other instrument or agreement relating to the Plan, (ii) determine eligibility and adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan, including whether Eligible Employees will participate in a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering and which Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Company (or Parent, if applicable) will be Designated Companies participating in either a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering, (iii) determine the terms and conditions of any right to purchase Shares under the Plan, (iv) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it deems appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, (v) amend an outstanding right to purchase Shares, including any amendments to a right that may be necessary for purposes of effecting a transaction contemplated under Section 16 hereof (including, but not limited to, an amendment to the class or type of stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of a right or the Purchase Price applicable to a right), provided that the amended right otherwise conforms to the terms of the Plan, and (vi) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan including, without limitation, the adoption of such any rules, procedures, agreements, appendices, or sub-plans (collectively, “Sub-Plans”) as are necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the Plan by employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, as further set forth in Section 4(c) below.

(c) Non-U.S. Sub-Plans. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Plan, the Committee may adopt such Sub-Plans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate local laws, customs and procedures for jurisdictions outside of the United States, the terms of which Sub-Plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 3 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such Sub-Plan, the provisions of this Plan will govern the operation of such Sub-Plan. To the extent inconsistent with the requirements of Section 423, any such Sub-Plan will be considered part of a Non-423 Offering, and purchase rights granted thereunder will not be required by the terms of the Plan to comply with Section 423 of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is authorized to adopt Sub-Plans for particular non-U.S. jurisdictions that modify the terms of the Plan to meet applicable local requirements, customs or procedures regarding, without limitation, (i) eligibility to participate, (ii) the definition of Eligible Pay, (iii) the dates and duration of Offering Periods or other periods during which Participants may make Contributions towards the purchase of

 

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Shares, (iv) the method of determining the Purchase Price and the discount from Fair Market Value at which Shares may be purchased, (v) any minimum or maximum amount of Contributions a Participant may make in an Offering Period or other specified period under the applicable Sub-Plan, (vi) the treatment of purchase rights upon a Change in Control or a change in capitalization of the Company, (vii) the handling of payroll deductions, (viii) establishment of bank, building society or trust accounts to hold Contributions, (ix) payment of interest, (x) conversion of local currency, (xi) obligations to pay payroll tax, (xii) determination of beneficiary designation requirements, (xiii) withholding procedures and (xiv) handling of Share issuances.

(d) Binding Authority. All determinations by the Committee in carrying out and administering the Plan and in construing and interpreting the Plan and any enrollment form or other instrument or agreement relating to the Plan will be made in the Committee’s sole discretion and will be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes and upon all interested persons.

(e) Delegation of Authority. To the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, the Committee may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to a subcommittee or subcommittees of the Committee or to one or more officers of the Company or other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. For purposes of the Plan, reference to the Committee will be deemed to refer to any subcommittee, subcommittees, or other persons or groups of persons to whom the Committee delegates authority pursuant to this Section 4(e).

5. Eligible Employees.

(a) General. Any individual who is an Eligible Employee as of the commencement of an Offering Period will be eligible to participate in the Plan, subject to the requirements of Section 7.

(b) Non-U.S. Employees. An Eligible Employee who works for a Designated Company and is a citizen or resident of a jurisdiction other than the United States (without regard to whether such individual also is a citizen or resident of the United States or is a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the participation of such Eligible Employee is prohibited under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or if complying with the laws of the applicable jurisdiction would cause the Plan or a Section 423 Offering to violate Section 423 of the Code. In the case of a Non-423 Offering, an Eligible Employee (or group of Eligible Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the Committee has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Eligible Employee(s) is not advisable or practicable for any reason.

(c) Code Section 423 Limitations. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, no Eligible Employee will be granted a right to purchase Shares (i) to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Eligible Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Eligible Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to purchase capital stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) under a Section 423 Offering, to the extent that his or her rights to purchase capital stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and any Parent and Subsidiaries accrues at a rate that exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars (US$25,000) worth of such stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares of such stock at the time such right is granted) for each calendar year in which such purchase right is outstanding.

 

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(d) Other Limitations on Eligibility. The Committee, in its discretion, from time to time may, prior to an Enrollment Period for all purchase rights to be granted in an Offering, determine (on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis for Section 423 Offerings) that the definition of Eligible Employee will or will not include an individual if he or she: (i) has not completed at least two (2) years of service since his or her last hire date (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion), (ii) customarily works not more than twenty (20) hours per week (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion), (iii) customarily works not more than five (5) months per calendar year (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion), (iv) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code, or (v) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code with compensation above a certain level or who is an officer or subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, provided the exclusion is applied with respect to each Section 423 Offering in an identical manner to all highly compensated individuals of the Designated Company whose employees are participating in that Offering.

6. Offering Periods. The Plan will be implemented by consecutive Offering Periods with a new Offering Period commencing on the first Trading Day of the relevant Offering Period and terminating on the last Trading Day of the relevant Offering Period. After the Initial Offering Period has ended, unless and until the Committee determines otherwise in its discretion, each Offering Period will consist of one (1) approximately six (6)-month Purchase Period, which will run simultaneously with the Offering Period. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, Offering Periods will run from January 1st (or the first Trading Day thereafter) through June 30th (or the first Trading Day prior to such date) and from July 1st (or the first Trading Day thereafter) through December 31st (or the first Trading Day prior to such date). The Committee has authority to establish additional or alternative sequential or overlapping Offering Periods, a different number of Purchase Periods within an Offering Period, a different duration for one or more Offering Periods or Purchase Periods or different commencement or ending dates for such Offering Periods with respect to future offerings without stockholder approval if such change is announced prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter, provided, however, that no Offering Period may have a duration exceeding twenty-seven (27) months. To the extent that the Committee establishes additional or overlapping Offering Periods, the Committee will have discretion to structure an Offering Period so that if the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first Trading Day of the Offering Period in which a Participant is currently enrolled is higher than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first Trading Day of any subsequent Offering Period, the Company will automatically enroll such Participant in the subsequent Offering Period and will terminate his or her participation in such original Offering Period.

7. Participation.

(a) Enrollment and Payroll Deductions. An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in an Offering Period under the Plan during any Enrollment Period. Any such election will be made by completing the online enrollment process through the Company’s designated Plan broker or, if permitted by the Company, by completing and submitting an enrollment form to the Company during such Enrollment Period, authorizing Contributions in whole percentages from one percent (1%) to fifteen percent (15%) of the Eligible Employee’s Eligible Pay for the Purchase Period within the Offering Period to which the deduction applies. A Participant may elect to increase or decrease the rate of such Contributions during any subsequent Enrollment Period by submitting the appropriate form online through the Company’s designated Plan broker or, if permitted by the Company, to the Company, provided that no change in Contributions will be permitted to the extent that such change would result in total Contributions exceeding fifteen percent (15%) of the Eligible Employee’s Eligible Pay, or such other maximum amount as may be determined by the Committee.

(b) Election Changes. A Participant may reduce his or her rate of Contributions twice during a Purchase Period to become effective as soon as possible after completing an amended enrollment form (either through the Company’s online Plan enrollment process, or if permitted by the Company, by submitting the appropriate form to the Company). A Participant may increase his or her rate of Contributions only during an Enrollment Period. If a Participant reduces his or her rate of Contributions to zero percent (0%) during an Offering Period, the Contributions made by the Participant prior to such reduction will be applied to the purchase of Shares on the next Purchase Date, but if the Participant does not increase such rate of Contributions above zero percent (0%) prior to the commencement of the next subsequent Offering Period under the Plan, such action will be treated as the Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan in accordance with Section 14 hereof.

 

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(c) Automatic Enrollment for Initial Offering Period. Each person who, on the Effective Date, is an Eligible Employee will be automatically enrolled in the Initial Offering Period. An Eligible Employee will be entitled to continue to participate in the Initial Offering Period only if such individual authorizes Contributions under the procedures described in Section 7(a) above (i) no earlier than the effective date of the Form S-8 registration statement with respect to the issuance of Common Stock under the Plan and (ii) no later than ten (10) Trading Days following the effective date of such Form S-8 registration statement or such other period of time as the Committee may determine (the “Enrollment Window”). An Eligible Employee’s failure to authorize Contributions during the Enrollment Window will result in the automatic termination of such individual’s participation in the Initial Offering Period.

(d) Participation in Subsequent Offering Periods. Once an Eligible Employee elects to participate in an Offering Period (including the Initial Offering Period), then such Participant will automatically participate in the Offering Period commencing immediately following the last day of such prior Offering Period at the same contribution level as was in effect in the prior Offering Period unless the Participant elects to increase or decrease the rate of Contributions or withdraws or is deemed to withdraw from this Plan as described above in this Section 7. A Participant that is automatically enrolled in a subsequent Offering Period pursuant to this Section 7 is not required to file any additional documentation in order to continue participation in the Plan.

(e) Committee Authority. The Committee has the authority to change the foregoing rules set forth in this Section 7 regarding participation in the Plan.

8. Contributions. The Company will establish an account in the form of a bookkeeping entry for each Participant for the purpose of tracking Contributions made by each Participant during the Offering Period, and will credit all Contributions made by each Participant to such account. The Company will not be obligated to segregate the Contributions from the general funds of the Company or any Designated Company nor will any interest be paid on such Contributions, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by Applicable Law. All Contributions received by the Company for Shares sold by the Company on any Purchase Date pursuant to this Plan may be used for any corporate purpose.

9. Limitation on Number of Shares That an Employee May Purchase. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5(c), each Participant will have the right to purchase as many whole Shares as may be purchased with the Contributions credited to his or her account as of the last day of the Offering Period (or such other date as the Committee may determine) at the Purchase Price applicable to such Offering Period; provided, however, that a Participant may not purchase in excess of 500 Shares under the Plan per Offering Period or such other maximum number of Shares as may be established for an Offering Period by the Committee (in each case subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 16 hereof). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any amount remaining in a Participant’s account that was not applied to the purchase of Shares on a Purchase Date because it was not sufficient to purchase a whole Share will be carried forward for the purchase of Shares on the next following Purchase Date. However, any amounts not applied to the purchase of Shares during an Offering Period for any reason other than as described in the foregoing sentence shall be promptly refunded following such Purchase Date and will not be carried forward to any subsequent Offering Period.

 

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10. Taxes. At the time a Participant’s purchase right is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time a Participant disposes of some or all of the Shares acquired under the Plan, the Participant will make adequate provision for any Tax-Related Items. In their sole discretion, and except as otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company or the Designated Company that employs the Participant may satisfy their obligations to withhold Tax-Related Items by (a) withholding from the Participant’s wages or other compensation, (b) withholding a sufficient whole number of Shares otherwise issuable following purchase having an aggregate Fair Market Value sufficient to pay the Tax-Related Items required to be withheld with respect to the Shares, or (c) withholding from proceeds from the sale of Shares issued upon purchase, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company.

11. Brokerage Accounts or Plan Share Accounts. By enrolling in the Plan, each Participant will be deemed to have authorized the establishment of a brokerage account on his or her behalf at a securities brokerage firm selected by the Committee. Alternatively, the Committee may provide for Plan share accounts for each Participant to be established by the Company or by an outside entity selected by the Committee which is not a brokerage firm. Shares purchased by a Participant pursuant to the Plan will be held in the Participant’s brokerage or Plan share account. The Company may require that Shares be retained in such brokerage or Plan share account for a designated period of time, and/or may establish procedures to permit tracking of dispositions of Shares.

12. Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any rights granted under this Plan or any Shares deliverable under this Plan unless and until recorded in the books of the brokerage firm selected by the Committee or, as applicable, the Company, its transfer agent, stock plan administrator or such other outside entity which is not a brokerage firm.

13. Rights Not Transferable. Rights granted under this Plan are not transferable by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant.

14. Withdrawals. A Participant may withdraw from an Offering Period by submitting the appropriate form online through the Company’s designated Plan broker or, if permitted by the Company, to the Company. A notice of withdrawal must be received by the relevant deadline as prescribed by the Committee. Upon receipt of such notice, automatic deductions of Contributions on behalf of the Participant will be discontinued commencing with the payroll period immediately following the effective date of the notice of withdrawal, and such Participant will not be eligible to participate in the Plan until the next Enrollment Period. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, amounts credited to the contribution account of any Participant who withdraws prior to the date set forth in this Section 14 will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable.

15. Termination of Employment.

(a) General. Upon a Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Employee for any reason prior to a Purchase Date, Contributions for such Participant will be discontinued and any amounts then credited to the Participant’s contribution account will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

(b) Leave of Absence. Subject to the discretion of the Committee, if a Participant is granted a paid leave of absence, payroll deductions on behalf of the Participant will continue and any amounts credited to the Participant’s contribution account may be used to purchase Shares as provided under the Plan. If a Participant is granted an unpaid leave of absence, payroll deductions on behalf of the Participant will be discontinued and no other Contributions will be permitted (unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by Applicable Law), but any amounts then credited to the Participant’s contribution account may be used to purchase Shares on the next applicable Purchase Date. Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed by statute or by contract, the employment relationship will be deemed to have terminated three (3) months and one (1) day following the commencement of such leave.

 

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(c) Transfer of Employment. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company or a Designated Company will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from a Section 423 Offering to a Non-423 Offering, the exercise of the Participant’s purchase right will be qualified under the Section 423 Offering only to the extent that such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from a Non-423 Offering to a Section 423 Offering, the exercise of the Participant’s purchase right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Offering.

16. Adjustment Provisions.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any change affecting the number, class, value, or terms of the shares of Common Stock resulting from a recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, spinoff, split up, combination, reclassification or exchange of Shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, separation, reorganization or liquidation or any other change in the corporate structure or Shares, including any extraordinary dividend or extraordinary distribution (but excluding any regular cash dividend), then the Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and class of Common Stock that may be delivered under the Plan (including the numerical limits of Sections 3 and 9), the Purchase Price per Share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each right under the Plan that has not yet been exercised. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee may not delegate its authority to make adjustments pursuant to this Section. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, will affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof will be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to a purchase right.

(b) Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding right to purchase Shares will be equitably adjusted and assumed or an equivalent right to purchase Shares substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation (or parent or subsidiary thereof) in a Change in Control refuses to assume or substitute for the purchase right or the successor corporation is not a publicly traded corporation, the Offering Period then in progress will be shortened by setting a New Purchase Date and will end on the New Purchase Date. The “New Purchase Date” will be before the date of the Company’s proposed Change in Control. The Committee will notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) Trading Days prior to the New Purchase Date, that the Purchase Date for the Participant’s purchase right has been changed to the New Purchase Date and that Shares will be purchased automatically for the Participant on the New Purchase Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period, as provided in Section 14 hereof. Notwithstanding in the foregoing, in the case of a Change in Control event under Section 2(e)(iv) of the Plan, the Board or Committee shall, in its discretion, determine the treatment of outstanding rights to purchase Shares under the Plan.

17. Amendments and Termination of the Plan. The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time, provided that, if stockholder approval is required pursuant to Applicable Law, then no such amendment will be effective unless approved by the Company’s stockholders within such time period as may be required. The Board may suspend the Plan or discontinue the Plan at any time, including shortening an Offering Period in connection with a spin-off or other similar corporate event. Upon termination of the Plan, all Contributions will cease and all amounts then credited to a Participant’s account will be equitably applied to the purchase of whole Shares then available for sale, and any remaining amounts will be promptly refunded, without interest, to Participants. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board or Committee, as applicable herein, may not delegate its authority to make amendments to or suspend the operations of the Plan pursuant to this Section.

 

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18. Stockholder Approval; Effective Date. The Plan shall take effect on the date immediately preceding, and contingent upon, the IPO Date, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board may not delegate its authority to approve the Plan pursuant to this Section.

19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless there is an available exemption from any registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the Shares, the Company will not be required to deliver any Shares issuable upon exercise of a right under the Plan prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Shares under any local, state, federal or foreign securities or exchange control law or under rulings or regulations of any governmental regulatory body, or prior to obtaining any approval or other clearance from any local, state, federal or foreign governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Committee will, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. The Company is under no obligation to register or qualify the Shares with any state or foreign securities commission, or to seek approval or clearance from any governmental authority for the issuance or sale of the Shares. If, pursuant to this Section 19, the Committee determines that the Shares will not be issued to any Participant, any Contributions credited to such Participant’s account will be promptly refunded, without interest, to the Participant, without any liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any Parent, if applicable).

20. Code Section 409A; Tax Qualification.

(a) Code Section 409A. Rights to purchase Shares granted under a Section 423 Offering are exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code and rights to purchase Shares granted under a Non-423 Offering are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code pursuant to the “short-term deferral” exemption contained therein. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Committee determines that a right granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause a right under the Plan to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding right granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Committee determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the Participant’s consent, to exempt any outstanding right or future right that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such rights to comply with Section 409A of the Code, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Committee would not violate Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the right to purchase Shares under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with respect thereto. The Company makes no representation that the right to purchase Shares under the Plan is compliant with Section 409A of the Code.

(b) Tax Qualification. Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a right to purchase Shares for favorable tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, including Section 20(a) hereof. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants under the Plan.

21. No Employment Rights. Participation in the Plan will not be construed as giving any Participant the right to be retained as an employee of the Company, its Subsidiary, or one of its Affiliates or Parent, as applicable. Furthermore, the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliate (or Parent, if applicable) may dismiss any Participant from employment at any time, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan.

 

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22. Governing Law; Choice of Forum. Except to the extent that provisions of this Plan are governed by applicable provisions of the Code or any other substantive provision of United States federal law, this Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company and each Participant, as a condition to such Participant’s participation in the Plan, hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or U.S. federal court located in the District of Delaware over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to or concerning the Plan. The Company and each Participant, as a condition to such Participant’s participation in the Plan, acknowledge that the forum designated by this Section 22 has a reasonable relation to the Plan and to the relationship between such Participant and the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the Plan will preclude the Company from bringing any action or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 22. The agreement by the Company and each Participant as to forum is independent of the law that may be applied in the action, and the Company and each Participant, as a condition to such Participant’s participation in the Plan, (i) agree to such forum even if the forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law, (ii) hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which the Company or such Participant now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any court referred to in this Section 22, (iii) undertake not to commence any action arising out of or relating to or concerning the Plan in any forum other than the forum described in this Section 22 and (iv) agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court will be conclusive and binding upon the Company and each Participant.

23. Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

24. Expenses. Unless otherwise set forth in the Plan or determined by the Committee, all expenses of administering the Plan, including expenses incurred in connection with the purchase of Shares for sale to Participants, will be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any Parent, if applicable).

 

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Exhibit 10.30

Rackspace Technology, Inc.

Annual Cash Incentive Plan

This Rackspace Technology, Inc. Annual Cash Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted by Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Plan has been approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”).

 

1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain, motivate and reward Participants by providing them with the opportunity to earn annual incentive awards under the Plan based upon achievement of pre-established Performance Goals.

 

2.	DEFINITIONS

2.1    “Award” shall mean an incentive award providing a Participant the opportunity to earn cash compensation under the Plan, subject to the achievement of one or more Performance Goals, established pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan, and such other terms as the Committee may establish.

2.2    “Award Level” shall mean the amount of incentive compensation (expressed as a percentage of the Participant’s Base Salary) that may be paid to a Participant under the Plan for the achievement in a given Plan Year of an associated, specified level of performance measured in terms of Performance Goals. Award Levels may be established at threshold, target and maximum levels.

2.3    “Award Notice” shall mean a written or electronic document or agreement from the Company to the Participant that sets forth and notifies the Participant of Performance Goals, Award Levels and the amounts potentially payable under the Award, as established and set under this Plan.

2.4    “Award Payment” shall mean the actual dollar amount paid to a Participant under an Award pursuant to the Plan.

2.5    “Base Salary” shall mean with respect to any Participant the annual base salary actually paid to such Participant during the Plan Year. For the sake of clarity, Base Salary does not include any bonus or incentive compensation, whether under the Plan, any other short-term or long-term incentive plan or otherwise. Base Salary shall be determined without reduction for salary deferrals under any company-sponsored nonqualified deferred compensation plan, Code Section 401(k) plan or flexible spending account plan (under Code Section 125), and without inclusion of any amounts previously deferred under any Company-sponsored nonqualified deferred compensation plan, Code Section 401(k) plan or and flexible spending account plan (under Code Section 125) that become subject to inclusion in gross income for Federal tax purposes.

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2.6    “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7    “CEO” shall mean the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

2.8     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including rules, regulations, and guidance promulgated thereunder and successor provisions and rules and regulations thereto.

2.9    “Company Performance Goals” shall mean goals or levels of performance based upon achievement of certain financial or operational criteria established by the Committee for a Plan Year in accordance with Section 5.4 of the Plan, which may be based upon one or more of the performance measures listed in Section 5.2 of the Plan.

2.10    “Disability” shall mean, unless otherwise specifically provided in a written agreement entered into between the Company or a Subsidiary and a Participant, a finding by the Committee (or its delegate) of the Participant’s incapacitation through any illness, injury, accident or condition of either a physical or psychological nature that has resulted in his or her inability to perform the essential functions of his or her position, even with reasonable accommodations, for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days during any period of three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive calendar days, and such incapacity is expected to continue.

2.11    “Executive Officer” shall mean each officer whose compensation is approved by the Committee on an annual basis.

2.12    “Individual Modifier” shall be defined as set forth in Section 5.5(b) of the Plan.

2.13    “Participant” shall mean an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who is selected by the CEO, and approved by the Committee, for participation in the Plan for a given Plan Year in accordance with Section 4.

2.14    “Performance Goals” shall mean the Company Performance Goals and/or Personal Performance Goals established for each Award pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan, against which a Participant’s performance shall be measured to determine if an Award Payment may be payable under the Plan.

2.15    “Personal Performance Goal” shall mean goals or levels of performance based upon achievement of certain individual business objectives and/or personal performance objectives, in each case which support the business plan of the Company. Personal Performance Goals may include personal performance objectives such as teamwork, interpersonal skills, employee development, project management skills and leadership, or individual business objectives.

2.16    “Retirement” shall mean the termination of a Participant by his or her resignation from continuous service upon or after attainment of (a) normal retirement age of 65; (b) age 55 and completion of 10 years of continuous service; or (c) as may be approved by the Committee, in its discretion; but in each case under (a) or (b) hereof only if such termination is approved as a Retirement by, in the case of an Executive Officer, the Committee, and, in the case of any other officer or employee, the CEO.

 

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2.17    “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

 

3.

TERM

The effective date of this Plan is January 1, 2021. The Plan will remain in effect for successive fiscal years beginning on January 1 of each year (each, a “Plan Year”), until terminated by the Committee at its sole discretion.

 

4.	ELIGIBILITY

4.1    In order to be eligible to participate in the Plan for any Plan Year, an individual must be (a) an officer or employee, employed on a full-time or part-time basis with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) hired, transferred or promoted to a Plan-eligible position, as determined by the CEO and/or the Committee, as applicable, before the commencement of the fourth quarter of the Plan Year, and (c) employed continuously through the date the Award Payment is paid as set forth herein. Directors who are not employees of the Company, temporary employees, leased employees, consultants, and independent contractors shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

4.2    An officer or employee who first becomes eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with Section 4.1 during a Plan Year, will participate in the Plan on a pro rata basis as of the date the officer or employee was hired, transferred or promoted, as the case may be.

4.3    No officer or employee shall have any right to participate in the Plan, regardless of prior participation in the Plan, unless otherwise separately provided in a written agreement with the Company.

 

5.	PERFORMANCE AWARDS

5.1    Establishment of Awards.

(a)    As promptly as practicable after the beginning of each Plan Year with respect to which any Awards are to be granted to Participants, and, in any event, before April 1 of such Plan Year (or, in the case of an officer or employee who is hired, transferred or promoted after the beginning of such Plan Year, as provided in Section 4.2, by no later than 30 days after the date of such hire, transfer or promotion) the CEO and the Committee shall take those actions for which they are respectively responsible under this Plan to (i) designate those eligible officers and employees who are to be Participants in the Plan for such Plan Year, (ii) establish the Performance Goals, Award Levels and, if applicable, the threshold Award Level, target Award Level and maximum Award Level, for each Participant, and (iii) establish such other terms and conditions for each Award as they deem appropriate.

 

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(b)    In the case of the CEO and each of the Executive Officers, the Committee will establish for each Plan Year the Award Levels, the Performance Goals, performance measures and the weighting of the Performance Goals. With respect to all other Participants, the Committee will approve the Award Levels and Company Performance Goals for each such Participant but the Personal Performance Goals and the weighting of such Performance Goals shall be determined by the CEO or by the Participant’s supervisor with the approval of the CEO.

(c)    The Award Levels, Performance Goals and the weighting of the Performance Goals will vary among Participants depending on the Participant’s role and responsibilities. The Award Levels and Performance Goals may change from Plan Year to Plan Year.

(d)    The CEO and/or the Committee may, but are not required to, provide each Participant with an Award Notice that sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award, including the correlation of the Award Payment to be paid under an Award to the attainment of the Performance Goals and, to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, the Award Payment payable in cases where the results of the Performance Goals for a Plan Year are between the levels of Performance Goals set forth in the Award Notice.

5.2    Performance Measures. The performance measures from which the Committee may establish Performance Goals may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following performance measures or such other measures as determined appropriate by the Committee, in its discretion, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis: (a) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (b) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (c) net revenue, net revenue growth, annualized recurring revenue, or net revenue retention rates; (d) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (e) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (f) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, net assets, capital, gross revenue or gross revenue growth, invested capital, equity or sales); (g) cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per-share basis; (h) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA); (i) bookings and customer churn metrics; (j) gross or net operating margins; (k) productivity ratios; (l) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); (m) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (n) operating efficiency; (o) customer satisfaction; (p) working capital targets; (q) measures of economic value added or other ‘‘value creation’’ metrics; (r) enterprise value; (s) stockholder return; (t) client or customer retention; (u) competitive market metrics; (v) employee retention; (w) personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (x) system-wide revenues; (y) cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value; (z) strategic objectives, development of new product lines and related revenue, sales and margin targets, or international operations; or (aa) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the aforementioned performance measures may be stated as a percentage of another performance measure, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the of the Company and/or one or more affiliates as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business

 

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units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above performance measures may be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or a published or special index that the Committee deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. These performance measures may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made, levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made, and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made. The Committee shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the performance measures as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

5.3    Measurement of Performance.

(a)    The Committee shall have sole discretion to determine (i) with respect to all Participants, the Award Levels which represent the amounts potentially payable under each Award, the Company Performance Goals applicable to each Award, and the method of determining whether each Company Performance Goal has been met, and (ii) with respect to the Executive Officers, the Personal Performance Goals, the method of determining whether each such Personal Performance Goal has been met and the weighting of each Performance Goal. The CEO shall have the sole discretion to determine the Personal Performance Goals, the method of determining whether each such Personal Performance Goal has been met and the weighting of each Performance Goal for all Participants other than Executive Officers, including by means of approving such Personal Performance Goals and parameters as recommended by a Participant’s supervisor.

(b)    Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, each Award shall include a threshold Performance Goal that must be attained in order for a threshold Award Level to be payable, a target Performance Goal that must be attained for a target Award Level to be payable, and a maximum Performance Goal that must be attained for a maximum Award Level to be payable. The amount of each Award and the Performance Goals may vary among Participants and may be determined based on the Participant’s ability to directly impact the Company’s performance or on an assessment of the Participant’s overall contributions to the Company’s success.

5.4    Company Performance Goals. To the extent the Committee elects to base Award opportunities and Performance Goals on a Company Performance Goal, the Committee shall select the performance measures for the Plan Year from the measures listed in Section 5.2 or establish such other measures as the Committee may determine appropriate. The Committee shall also establish the threshold, target and maximum Award Levels applicable for each Company Performance Goal.

5.5    Personal Performance Goals.

(a)    To the extent the Committee elects to base Award opportunities and Performance Goals on one or more Personal Performance Goals, the components of the Personal Performance Goals will: (i) be established for the Participant’s position for the Plan Year by the Participant’s supervisor with the approval of the CEO; provided, however, that the Personal

 

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Performance Goals for the Executive Officers will be established by the Committee; (ii) include only components that support the business plan of the Company; and (iii) identify how the Participant will support the achievement of such goals. The determination of whether a Participant (other than an Executive Officer) has attained his or her Personal Performance Goals and the Award Payment payable with respect to the attainment of such Personal Performance Goals shall be made by the CEO, subject to final approval by the Committee. The determination of whether an Executive Officer has attained his or her Personal Performance Goals and the Award Payment payable with respect to the attainment of such Personal Performance Goals shall be made by the Committee.

(b)    In addition to the Personal Performance Goals described in Section 5.5(a), the Committee and/or CEO, as applicable, may also take into account a Participant’s individual performance and apply an individual performance modifier to the Participant’s Award (“Individual Modifier”). The Individual Modifier gives the Committee and/or CEO, as applicable, the discretion to modify, positively or negatively (including to eliminate), the Award Payment to any Participant based on such Participant’s exceptional (or unsatisfactory) individual performance, subject to a maximum percentage increase above the target Award Level that shall be established by the Committee, in its discretion, for each applicable Plan Year.

5.6    Certification and Payment.

(a)    As soon as practicable after the Company’s audited financial statements are available for a Plan Year with respect to which the Awards are outstanding, the performance of the Company, on a consolidated basis, and each applicable division, business unit, Subsidiary or line of business will be determined for such Plan Year. The financial and operational performance shall then be evaluated to determine the extent to which the Company Performance Goals have been achieved, based upon standards established for such Plan Year. In performing such evaluation, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the method of calculating attainment of the Company Performance Goals, including, but not limited to, the authority:

(i)    to adjust or exclude the dilutive or anti-dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures;

(ii)     to adjust the impact of the disposition of any businesses divested by the Company during a Plan Year;

(iii)     to exclude, in whole or in part, restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges;

(iv)     to exclude, in whole or in part, exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings;

(v)     to exclude, in whole or in part, the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting standards (“GAAP”) made by the relevant accounting authority;

(vi)     to exclude, in whole or in part, the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate taxes;

 

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(vii)    to exclude, in whole or in part, the impact of any “unusual or nonrecurring items” as determined under GAAP;

(viii)    to exclude, in whole or in part, the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends;

(ix)     to give effect to or to ignore, in whole or in part, any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss or other extraordinary item; and

(x)     to give effect to or to ignore, in whole or in part, any other facts, circumstances or considerations deemed appropriate by the Committee.

Award Payments for a Plan Year will be included as an expense in determining the Company’s financial performance under the Plan for that Plan Year.

(b)    The Committee and each of its members shall be entitled to rely upon information provided by appropriate officers of the Company with respect to financial and other data in order to determine if the Performance Goals for any Participant in a Plan Year have been met.

(c)    Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee or deferred in accordance with the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, Award Payments for any Plan Year shall be paid in cash as soon as practicable after the Committee and/or the CEO, as applicable, determines that the Performance Goals specified for such Award were in fact satisfied. For Participants who are U.S. federal taxpayers, it is intended that payment will be made no later than required to ensure that no amount paid or to be paid hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code and all such payments are intended to be eligible for the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code, except to the extent a payment is deferred under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

5.7    Termination Of Employment; Leave of Absence.

(a)    Unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, if a Participant’s employment is terminated for any reason other than death, Disability or the elimination of the Participant’s position by the Company or a Subsidiary (a “Job Elimination”), whether such termination occurs during a Plan Year or after the end of a Plan Year but prior to payment to the Participant of the Award Payment otherwise payable (or any portion thereof) under an Award, such Participant will not be eligible to receive an Award Payment for that Plan Year and will forfeit any then-unpaid amounts under such Award without any entitlement to any amount or compensation in lieu thereof.

 

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(b)    Unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary:

(i)     if a Participant’s employment is terminated during a Plan Year by reason of death or Disability, the Participant or the Participant’s heir or legal representative will, upon the Committee’s approval, be eligible to be paid a prorated portion of the Award Payment for that Plan Year, to be determined and paid as set forth in Section 5.6;

(ii)    if a Participant’s employment is terminated during a Plan Year by reason of Job Elimination, such Participant shall forfeit any then-unpaid amounts under such Award and shall not be entitled to any amount or compensation in lieu thereof; however, in the event that the Participant’s employment is terminated due to Job Elimination more than six months after start of such Plan Year, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide that such Participant will be eligible to be paid a prorated portion of the Award Payment for that Plan Year, to be determined, and, if approved, paid, as set forth in Section 5.6; and

(iii)     if a Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death, Disability, Job Elimination or Retirement after the end of a Plan Year, but prior to payment to that Participant of the Award Payment otherwise payable (or any portion thereof) under an Award, the Participant or the Participant’s heir or legal representative will, upon the Committee’s approval, be eligible to be paid the entire Award Payment for that Plan Year.

(c)    Subject to applicable laws, a Participant who is on an unpaid, Company-approved leave of absence during a Plan Year shall be eligible to receive a prorated Award Payment for such Plan Year; provided, however, that the Committee shall have discretion to determine the extent to which an Award Payment will be made to a Participant who is on such a leave of absence on the date the Award Payment for a Plan Year is paid to other applicable Participants.

 

6.	WITHHOLDING TAXES

The Company shall have the right, at the time of payment of an Award Payment, to make adequate provision for any federal, state, local or foreign taxes (including social contributions and any other applicable taxes) which it believes are or may be required by law to be withheld with respect to an award under the Plan (“Tax Liability”), to ensure the payment of any such Tax Liability. The Company may provide for the payment of any Tax Liability by withholding from the amount of the Award Payment or by any other method deemed appropriate by the Committee.

 

7.	ADMINISTRATION

7.1    Compensation Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, with day-to-day administration delegated to the CEO. The Committee and the CEO may further delegate their administrative powers under the Plan to the extent not prohibited by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange listing rules. Without limitation, the Committee shall have full power, discretion and authority to administer, interpret and construe the Plan and any Award Notice (if applicable) or agreement made pursuant to the Plan, to prescribe and rescind rules,

 

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regulations and policies for administration of the Plan, and to Amend, modify, or cancel any Award, and authorize the exchange, substitution, or replacement of Awards. The Committee’s actions, interpretations and constructions with regard to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons for all purposes.

7.2    Limitation on Liability. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award pursuant to it. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and the Board, and the estate and heirs of each such member, against all claims, liabilities, expenses, penalties, damages or other pecuniary losses, including legal fees, which such Committee member or Board member or his or her estate or heirs may suffer as a result of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, to the extent that insurance, if any, does not cover the payment of such items.

 

8.	AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Committee may at any time and in its sole discretion suspend, amend or terminate the Plan.

 

9.	MISCELLANEOUS

9.1    No Guarantee of Employment. Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted hereunder shall confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate his or her employment at any time.

9.2    Not Compensation for Other Plans. Except as otherwise explicitly required under the terms of an employee benefit plan of the Company that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, no Award under this Plan and no amount payable or paid under any Award shall be deemed to be or counted as salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any employee benefit plan or other arrangement of the Company for the benefit of any employee.

9.3    Compliance with Law. The Plan and the grant of awards under it shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.

9.4    Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of state of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws, and construed accordingly.

9.5    Interpretation. All Awards and, if applicable, Award Notices shall be subject to the terms of this Plan, and the terms of this Plan, as amended from time to time and as interpreted by the Committee, shall prevail over the terms of any Award Notice in all cases, if applicable.

 

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9.6    No Alienation. No right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party other than the Company or an affiliate of the Company, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company or an affiliate of the Company. No Award shall be assignable or transferable, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by a Participant, including as between spouses or pursuant to a domestic relations order in connection with a dissolution of marriage, or by operation of law, except pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.

9.7    Section 409A. This Plan may be amended at any time, without the consent of any party, to avoid the application of Section 409A of the Code in a particular circumstance or that is necessary or desirable to satisfy any of the requirements under Section 409A of the Code, but the Company shall not be under any obligation to make any such amendment. Nothing in the Plan shall provide a basis for any person to take action against the Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate based on matters covered by Section 409A of the Code, including the tax treatment of any amount paid or Award made under the Plan, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates shall under any circumstances have any liability to any Participant or any other party for any taxes, penalties or interest due on amounts paid or payable under the Plan, including taxes, penalties or interest imposed under Section 409A of the Code.

9.8    Forfeiture and Recoupment. All Awards shall be subject to forfeiture and/or repayment to the Company to the extent and in the manner required (a) to comply with any requirements imposed under applicable laws, rules, and/or regulations, and (b) under the terms of any policy, guideline or Board committee charter adopted by the Company as may be amended from time to time for reasons related to fraud prevention, governance, avoidance of monetary or reputational damage to the Company and its affiliates or similar considerations, whether or not such policy or guideline was in place at the time of grant of an Award (and such requirements shall be deemed incorporated into the Plan without the consent of Participant).

9.9.    Participants Outside the United States. Awards may be granted to employees who are foreign nationals or residents or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to employees who are not foreign nationals or residents or who are employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law, regulations or tax policy. If any provision of the Plan is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law outside the United States where an employee is based, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the sole determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

9.10    Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be enforced and construed as if such provision had not been included.

9.11    Unfunded Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan for incentive compensation. Prior to the payment of any Award, nothing contained herein shall give any Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. No amounts awarded or accrued under the Plan shall be funded, set aside, subject to interest

 

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payment or otherwise segregated prior to payment of an Award. Any Award payable under the Plan is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive Awards in future years or benefits in lieu of such Awards.

 

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Exhibit 10.31

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

Effective         , 2020

 

1.

General. This Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Policy”), sets forth the cash and equity-based compensation that has been approved by the board of directors (the “Board”) of Rackspace Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) as payable to eligible non-employee members of the board of directors of the Company (“Non-Employee Directors”) commencing on the date of the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “IPO Date”). The cash and equity-based compensation described in this Policy shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each Non-Employee Director who is eligible to receive such compensation. Any member of the Board who is employed by a party who was a stockholder of the Company prior to the IPO Date shall not be considered an eligible Non-Employee Director and shall not be entitled to receipt of compensation under the Policy. This Policy shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board.

 

2.	Cash Compensation.

 

(a)

Annual Retainers. Each Non-Employee Director shall be eligible to receive an annual cash retainer of $100,000 for service on the Board. In addition, subject to paragraph 2(b) below, a Non-Employee Director shall receive the following additional annual cash retainers, as applicable:

 

Non-Employee Director Position		Additional Annual Retainer Fee
Lead Director (if CEO is Chair of the Board)		$	30,000
Audit Committee Member Fee		$	20,000
Compensation Committee Member Fee		$	15,000
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member Fee		$	15,000

 

(b)

Additional Retainer Fee Limitation. At any one time, each Non-Employee Director may receive only one of the above additional annual retainer fees in connection with service as Lead Director or as a committee member (i.e., Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee), regardless of such director’s service on multiple committees or in multiple

 

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roles. For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director may simultaneously serve on more than one committee or in more than one position, but will receive for such service only one additional annual retainer fee, equal to the highest of the additional annual retainer fees associated with his or her positions.

 

(c)

Payment of Retainers. The annual retainer fees and additional annual retainer fees described in Section 2 shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears within ten (10) days following the end of the applicable quarter. In the event that a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable position or on the applicable committee described in Section 2 for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Non-Employee Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as a Non-Employee Director, in such position or on such committee, as applicable.

 

3.

Equity Compensation. Non-Employee Directors shall be granted the equity awards described below in this Section 3. The awards shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Rackspace Technology, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and shall be granted subject to an award agreement in substantially the same form approved by the Board prior to or as of the grant date, setting forth the terms of the award (the “Award Terms”), consistent with the Equity Plan, which may include provisions for accelerated vesting of the equity award in certain circumstances. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares subject to any restricted stock unit award will be determined by dividing the grant date dollar value specified under subsection (a), (b) or (c) hereof by the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

 

(a)

Annual Equity Award. On the fifth (5th) market trading day following each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, each person then serving as a Non-Employee Director shall be automatically granted a restricted stock unit award with a grant date value equal to $200,000 (the “Annual Equity Award”). The Annual Equity Award shall vest on the date of the Company’s next subsequent annual meeting of stockholders following the applicable grant date.

 

(b)

Pro-Rated Annual Equity Award. On the fifth (5th) market trading day following a person’s initial appointment as a Non-Employee Director, and provided such person has not otherwise received an Annual Equity Award for the relevant year under Section 3(a), the Non-Employee Director shall be automatically granted a restricted stock unit award with a grant date value equal to $200,000, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is 365 less the number of days that have elapsed between the date of the Company’s last annual meeting of stockholders (or if an annual stockholder meeting has yet to be held by the Company, then February 24, 2020) and the date of the Non-Employee Director’s initial appointment, and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro-Rated Award”). The Pro-Rated Award shall vest on the date of the Company’s next subsequent annual meeting of stockholders following the date of the Non-Employee Director’s appointment to the Board.

 

2

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(c)

Non-Executive Chair Equity Award. In the event that the Chair of the Board is a Non-Employee Director (and therefore is not the Company’s Chief Executive Officer), on the fifth (5th) market trading day following such Non-Employee Director’s election to serve as Chair of the Board, the Non-Employee Director shall be automatically granted an additional restricted stock unit award with a grant date value equal to $100,000 (the “Non-Executive Chair Equity Award”); provided, however, that if the Non-Employee Director’s election to serve as Chair of the Board occurs at a time other than at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, the Non-Executive Chair Equity Award shall be pro-rated in the same manner as provided for under Section 3(b). For each year that the Non-Employee Director continues to serve as Chair of the Board, he or she will automatically receive an additional Non-Executive Chair Equity Award on the fifth (5th) market trading day following the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. Each Non-Executive Chair Equity Award shall vest on the date of the Company’s next subsequent annual meeting of stockholders following the grant date.

 

4.

Stock Ownership Guideline. Within a period of five (5) years from the date of a person’s initial appointment as a Non-Employee Director, each Non-Employee Director is required to attain ownership of at least $350,000 in the Company’s common stock and must maintain such ownership until retirement from the Board.

 

5.

Director Compensation Limit. As further set forth in the Equity Plan, the sum of the grant date value of all equity awards granted and all cash compensation paid by the Company to a Non-Employee Director as compensation for services as a Non-Employee Director shall not exceed $750,000 during any calendar year, provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply in respect of any compensation payable in the year of a Non-Employee Director’s initial appointment or election to the Board. For avoidance of doubt, compensation shall count towards this limit for the calendar year in which it is granted or earned.

 

6.

Policy Subject to Amendment, Modification and Termination. This Policy may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board in the future at its sole discretion, provided that no such action that would materially and adversely impact the rights with respect to annual retainers payable in the calendar quarter during which a Non-Employee Director is then performing services shall be effective without the consent of the affected Non-Employee Director.

 

3

Exhibit 21.1

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES

OF

RACKSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

Name of Subsidiary		Jurisdiction
Adapt Group Limited		United Kingdom
Adapt Services Limited		United Kingdom
Centric Telecom Limited		United Kingdom
Database Specialists, LLC		California
Datapipe Asia Limited		Hong Kong
Datapipe Europe Limited		United Kingdom
Datapipe Germany GmbH		Germany
Datapipe Israel Limited		Israel
Datapipe Singapore Pte Ltd		Singapore
Datapipe, Inc.		Delaware
Drake Merger Sub II, LLC		Delaware
DualSparks Partners, LLC		California
Elinia Webservices Limited		United Kingdom
Elinia Limited		United Kingdom
Geekspace, LLC		Delaware
GoGrid AMS B.V.		Netherlands
GoGrid, LLC		Delaware
Group Basis, LLC		Wisconsin
Inception Intermediate, Inc.		Delaware
Inception Parent, Inc.		Delaware
Macro Capital Management, Inc.		Delaware
Netbrains, LLC		Delaware
ObjectRocket, LLC		Delaware
Onica Egypt LLC		Egypt
Onica Group LLC		Delaware
Onica Holdings LLC		Delaware
Onica Technologies Canada, Inc.		Canada
Rackspace Asia (Shanghai) Limited		China
Rackspace Asia Limited		Hong Kong
Rackspace Benelux BV		Netherlands
Rackspace Canada, Inc.		Canada
Rackspace Cloud Academy, LLC (fka Open Cloud Academy, LLC)		Delaware
Rackspace Cloud Office, LLC		Delaware
Rackspace DAL1DC Management, LLC		Texas
Rackspace Germany GmbH		Germany
Rackspace Government Solutions, Inc.		Delaware
Rackspace Hosting Australia Pty Ltd		Australia
Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. (fka Rackspace Hosting, Inc.)		Delaware
Rackspace India Private Limited		India

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Rackspace International GmbH		Switzerland
Rackspace International Holdings, Inc.		Delaware
Rackspace International Mobility GmbH		Switzerland
Rackspace Israel Holdings Ltd		Israel
Rackspace Limited		United Kingdom
Rackspace Mexico s.de R.L. de C.V.		Mexico
Rackspace New Zealand Limited		New Zealand
Rackspace Professional Services Japan GK		Japan
Rackspace Receivables, LLC		Delaware
Rackspace Reno Acquisition, LLC		Delaware
Rackspace Singapore Ptd. Ltd.		Singapore
Rackspace UK Leasing Limited		United Kingdom
Rackspace US, Inc.		Delaware
RelationEdge, LLC		Delaware
RSUS4, LLC		Delaware
Sleek Networks Limited		United Kingdom
SpinUp Cloud, LLC		Delaware
Sturdy Networks, LLC		Delaware
Tricore DBS, LLC		Delaware
Tricore Solutions Private Limited		India
Tricore Solutions, LLC		Massachusetts

 

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Rackspace Technology, Inc. of our report dated May 6, 2020 relating to the financial statements of Rackspace Technology, Inc. (formerly known as Rackspace Corp.), which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Austin, Texas

July 10, 2020