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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 2012

Registration No. 333-182529

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   7389   20-0484934

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

Performant Financial Corporation

333 North Canyons Parkway

Livermore, California 94551

(925) 960-4800

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Lisa C. Im

Chief Executive Officer

Performant Financial Corporation

333 North Canyons Parkway

Livermore, California 94551

(925) 960-4800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Blair W. White, Esq.   Joshua N. Korff, Esq.
David E. Lillevand, Esq.   Michael Kim, Esq.
Matthew Hallinan, Esq.   Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP   601 Lexington Avenue
50 Fremont Street   New York, New York 10022
San Francisco, California 94105   (212) 446-4800
(415) 983-1000  

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   ¨      Non-accelerated filer   x   Smaller reporting company   ¨
       (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We and the selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we and the selling stockholders are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)

Issued July 23, 2012

             Shares

 

LOGO

COMMON STOCK

 

 

Performant Financial Corporation is offering              shares of its common stock and the selling stockholders are offering              shares of common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price of our common stock will be between $         and $         per share.

 

 

We have applied to list our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PFMT .”

 

 

Performant Financial Corporation is an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, may elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements in future reports after the completion of this offering.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 11.

 

 

PRICE $         A SHARE

 

 

 

     Price to Public      Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
     Proceeds to
Performant
     Proceeds to Selling
Stockholders
 

Per Share

     $                             $                             $                             $                       

Total

   $                $                $                $            

             have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional              shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on                     , 2012.

 

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY    GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
CREDIT SUISSE    WELLS FARGO SECURITIES

 

 

 

WILLIAM BLAIR

  

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY

                    , 2012


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

    Page  

Prospectus Summary

    1   

Risk Factors

    11   

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    25   

Use of Proceeds

    26   

Dividend Policy

    26   

Capitalization

    27   

Dilution

    29   

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

    31   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    33   

Business

    49   
    Page  

Management

    66   

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

    80   

Principal and Selling Stockholders

    83   

Description of Capital Stock

    85   

Certain Material U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders

    89   

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

    92   

Underwriting

    94   

Legal Matters

    100   

Experts

    100   

Where You Can Find Additional Information

    100   

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-1   
 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may specifically authorize to be delivered or made available to you. We have not, and the selling stockholders and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. The information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or of any sale of shares of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so.

Until                     , 2012 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the information set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in each case included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus, “Performant,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Performant Financial Corporation and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries.

Overview

We provide technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States. Our services help identify and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. Our clients typically operate in complex and regulated environments and outsource their recovery needs in order to reduce losses on billions of dollars of defaulted student loans, improper healthcare payments and delinquent state tax and federal treasury receivables. We generally provide our services on an outsourced basis, where we handle many or all aspects of our clients’ recovery processes.

We believe we have a leading position in our markets based on our proprietary technology-enabled services platform, long-standing client relationships and the large volume of funds we have recovered for our clients. In 2011, we provided recovery services on approximately $8.7 billion of combined student loans and other delinquent federal and state receivables and recovered approximately $189 million in improper Medicare payments. Our clients include 13 of the 33 public sector participants in the student loan industry and these relationships average more than 11 years in length, including a 22-year relationship with the U.S. Department of Education. In the healthcare market, we are currently one of four prime Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors, or RACs, in the United States for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS.

We utilize our technology platform to efficiently provide recovery and analytics services in the markets we serve. We have continuously developed and refined our technology platform for almost two decades by using our extensive domain and data processing expertise. We believe our technology platform allows us to achieve higher workforce productivity versus more traditional labor-intensive outsourcing business models, as we generated in excess of $130,000 of revenues per employee during 2011, based on the average number of employees during the year. In addition, we believe that our platform is easily adaptable to new markets and processes. For example, we utilized the same basic platform previously used primarily for student loan recovery activities to enter the healthcare market.

Our revenue model is generally success-based as we earn fees based on a percentage of the aggregate amount of funds that we enable our clients to recover. Our services do not require any significant upfront investments by our clients and we offer our clients the opportunity to recover significant funds otherwise lost. Furthermore, our business model does not require significant capital expenditures for us and we do not purchase loans or obligations. We believe we benefit from a significant degree of revenue visibility due to reasonably predictable recovery outcomes in a substantial portion of our business. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated approximately $163.0 million in revenues, $12.4 million in net income, $57.8 million in adjusted EBITDA and $25.0 million in adjusted net income. For the three-months ended March 31, 2012, we generated approximately $45.9 million in revenues, $2.5 million in net income, $13.7 million in adjusted EBITDA and $5.8 million in adjusted net income, and our total debt was $141.0 million at March 31, 2012. See “Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income” below for a definition of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income and reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

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Industry Overview

We operate in markets characterized by strong growth, a complex regulatory environment and a significant amount of delinquent, defaulted or improperly paid assets.

Student Lending

According to the Department of Education, total government-supported student loan originations were approximately $109 billion in the year ended September 30, 2011, and the aggregate dollar amount of these loans has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% from 2002 through 2011. The “cohort default rate,” which is the measure utilized by the Department of Education to track the percentage of government-supported loan borrowers that enter repayment in a certain year ended September 30 and default by the end of the next year ended September 30, has risen from approximately 5% in 2006 to approximately 9% in 2009, the last year for which data is available.

Healthcare

According to CMS, U.S. healthcare spending exceeded $2.6 trillion in 2010 and is forecast to grow at a 6% annual rate through 2020. CMS indicates that government-related healthcare spending for 2010 totaled approximately $1.2 trillion. This government-related spending included approximately $525 billion of payments under Medicare, of which $48 billion, or 9%, was estimated to be improper according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare improper payments generally involve incorrect coding, procedures performed which were not medically necessary, incomplete documentation or claims submitted based on outdated fee schedules, among other issues.

Other Markets

We believe that the demand for recovery of delinquent state taxes will grow as state governments struggle with revenue generation and face significant budget deficits. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, an independent think tank, 47 U.S. states faced budget shortfalls totaling $130 billion in the year ended September 30, 2011, with at least 43 states anticipating deficits for fiscal year 2012. The federal agency market consists of government debt subrogated to the Department of the Treasury. For the year ended September 30, 2011, federal agency recoveries in this market totaled more than $6.2 billion, a significant portion of which were made by private firms on behalf of the Department of Financial Management Service, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury.

Our Platform

Our technology-enabled services platform is based on over two decades of experience in recovering large amounts of funds on behalf of our clients across several markets. The components of our platform include our data management expertise, analytics capabilities and technology-based workflow processes. Our platform integrates these components to allow us to achieve optimized outcomes for our clients in the form of increased efficiency and productivity and high recovery rates. We believe our platform and workflow processes are also intuitive and easy to use for our recovery and claims specialists and allow us to increase our employee retention and productivity.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that our business is difficult to replicate, as it incorporates a combination of several important and differentiated elements, including:

 

   

Scalable and flexible technology-enabled services platform.   We have built a proprietary technology platform that is highly flexible, intuitive and easy to use for our recovery and claims specialists. Our platform is easily configurable and deployable across multiple markets and processes.

 

 

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Advanced, technology-enabled workflow processes.   Our technology-enabled workflow processes, developed over many years of operational experience in recovery services, disaggregate otherwise complex recovery processes into a series of simple, efficient and consistent steps that are easily configurable and applicable to different types of recovery-related applications.

 

   

Enhanced data and analytics capabilities.   Our data and analytics capabilities allow us to achieve strong recovery rates for our clients. We have collected recovery-related data for over two decades, which we combine with large volumes of client and third-party data to effectively analyze our clients’ delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments. We have also developed a number of analytics tools that we use to score our clients’ recovery inventory, determine the optimal recovery process and allocation of resources, and achieve higher levels of recovery results for our clients.

 

   

Long-standing client relationships.   We believe our long-standing focus on achieving superior recovery performance for our clients and the significant value our clients derive from this focus have helped us achieve long-tenured client relationships, strong contract retention and better access to new clients and future growth opportunities.

 

   

Extensive domain expertise in complex and regulated markets.   We have extensive experience and domain expertise in providing recovery services for government and private institutions that generally operate in complex and regulated markets. We have demonstrated our ability to develop domain expertise in new markets such as healthcare and state tax and federal Treasury receivables.

 

   

Proven and experienced management team.   Our management team has significant industry experience and has successfully grown our revenue base and service offerings beyond the original student loan market into healthcare and delinquent state tax and private financial institutions receivables.

Our Growth Strategy

Key elements of our growth strategy include the following:

 

   

Expand our student loan recovery volume.   We have long-standing relationships with some of the largest participants in the government-supported student loan market, and we believe there are significant opportunities within this growing market to increase the volume of student loans placed with us by existing and new clients.

 

   

Expand our recovery services in the healthcare market.   As healthcare spending grows, we expect the need for recovery services to increase in the public and private healthcare markets. We intend to expand our recovery services for existing clients, such as CMS, and offer analytics services to potential clients in the private healthcare market.

 

   

Pursue strategic alliances and acquisitions.   We intend to selectively consider opportunities to grow through strategic alliances or acquisitions that are complementary to our business.

Recent Developments (Unaudited)

Our consolidated financial statements for the three-months ended June 30, 2012 are not yet available. Our expectations with respect to our unaudited results for the period discussed below are based upon management estimates. The preliminary financial results presented below are subject to the completion of our financial closing procedures and those procedures have not yet been completed. Accordingly, these results may change and those changes may be material. This summary is not meant to be a comprehensive statement of our unaudited financial results for this quarter and our actual results may differ from these estimates. For additional information regarding the various risks and uncertainties inherent in estimates of this type, see “Forward Looking Statements,” elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

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We are providing the following preliminary estimates of our financial results and operating metrics for the three-months ended June 30, 2012:

GAAP

 

   

Revenues are expected to be between $52.0 million and $56.5 million, an increase of approximately 18% at the midpoint of the range as compared to the first quarter of 2012. The estimated increase is the result of increased revenues from the student lending and healthcare markets. Revenues from the student lending market are estimated to be between $35.0 million and $37.0 million, representing a sequential quarterly increase of approximately 23% at the midpoint of the range. This increase is attributable in part to recognition of student loan rehabilitation revenues from the Department of Education that had not been processed during the two preceding quarters due to the Department’s technology system upgrade. Revenues from the healthcare market are estimated to be between $12.5 million and $14.0 million, approximately a 10% sequential quarterly increase at the midpoint of the range, reflecting higher claim recovery volumes from CMS under our RAC contract. Revenues from other markets are estimated to be between $4.5 million and $5.5 million.

 

   

Net income is estimated to be between $7.5 million and $8.5 million, representing a sequential quarterly increase of approximately 218% at the midpoint of the range, reflecting higher revenues from our student lending and healthcare markets and a $3.7 million debt extinguishment charge in the first quarter of 2012. This increase in net income was partially offset by increased expenses associated with higher business volumes and the costs associated with the termination of our advisory services agreement.

Non-GAAP

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $19.5 million and $20.6 million, representing a sequential quarterly increase of approximately 46% at the midpoint of the range compared to adjusted EBITDA of $13.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to the increase in our estimated net income as described above.

 

   

Adjusted net income is estimated to be between $9.0 million and $10.0 million, representing a sequential quarterly increase of approximately 69% at the midpoint of the range primarily due to the increase in our estimated net income as described above.

See “Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income” on page 9 for a definition of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income, the reasons for providing these financial measures and the limitations of these measures, which do not reflect all items of income and expense as reported under GAAP. Also, see below for reconciliations of estimated adjusted EBITDA and estimated adjusted net income to estimated net income determined in accordance with GAAP.

Operating Metrics

 

   

Student loan Placement Volume is estimated to be between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion and Placement Revenue as a Percentage of Placement Volume is estimated to be between 2.9% and 2.7%.

 

   

Healthcare Net Claim Recovery Volume is estimated to be between $110.0 million and $120.0 million and Claim Recovery Fee Rate is estimated to be between 11.4% and 11.5%.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Operating Metrics” on page 33 for a definition of the operating metrics used above and the purposes for which management uses these metrics.

 

 

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The following tables present a reconciliation of estimated adjusted EBITDA and estimated adjusted net income for the three-months ended June 30, 2012 to estimated net income for this period:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Estimated Adjusted EBITDA:

  

Net income

   $ 7,500 to 8,500   

Provision for income taxes

     5,300 to 5,400   

Interest expense

     2,900   

Interest income

     (31

Depreciation and amortization

     2,342   

Advisory fee (1)

     1,400   

Stock based compensation

     55   
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 19,466 to 20,566   
  

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Estimated Adjus t ed Net Income:

  

Net income

   $ 7,500 to 8,500   

Advisory fee (1)

     1,400   

Stock based compensation

     55   

Amortization of intangibles (2)

     933   

Deferred financing amortization costs (3)

     156   

Tax adjustments (4)

     (1,018
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 9,026 to 10,026   
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents expenses incurred under an advisory services agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners, which was terminated in April 2012. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with Our Investors—Advisory Services Agreement.”

(2)  

Represents amortization of capitalized expenses related to the acquisition of Performant by an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners in 2004 and an acquisition in the first quarter of 2012 to enhance our analytics capabilities.

(3)  

Represents amortization of capitalized financing costs related to debt offerings conducted in 2012.

(4)  

Represents tax adjustments assuming a marginal tax rate of 40%.

Risks Associated With Our Business

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following the prospectus summary. Some of these risks include, among others, that:

 

   

Revenues generated from our five largest clients represented 74% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011, and any termination of or deterioration in our relationship with any of these clients would result in a decline in our revenues;

 

   

Many of our contracts with our clients for the recovery of student loans and other receivables are not exclusive and do not commit our clients to provide specified volumes of business and, as a consequence, there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our revenues and operating results;

 

   

We face significant competition in all of the markets in which we operate and an inability to compete effectively in the future could harm our relationships with our clients, which would impact our ability to maintain our revenues and operating results;

 

 

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The U.S. federal government accounts for a significant portion of our revenues, and any loss of business from, or change in our relationship with, the U.S. federal government would result in a significant decrease in our revenues and operating results;

 

   

Future legislative changes affecting the markets in which we operate could impair our business and operations;

 

   

Our business relationship with the Department of Education has accounted for a significant portion of our revenues and will take on increasing importance as a result of Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2010, or SAFRA. Our failure to maintain this relationship would significantly decrease our revenues;

 

   

We could lose clients as a result of consolidation among the Guaranty Agencies, or GAs, which would decrease our revenues;

 

   

Our ability to derive revenues under our RAC contract will depend in part on the number and types of potentially improper claims that we are allowed to pursue by CMS, and our results of operations may be harmed if CMS limits the scope of claims we are allowed to pursue;

 

   

A failure of our operating systems or technology infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors and subcontractors, could disrupt the operation of our business;

 

   

If our security measures are breached or fail and unauthorized access is obtained to our clients’ confidential data, our services may be perceived as insecure, the attractiveness of our recovery services to current or potential clients may be reduced, and we may incur significant liabilities;

 

   

We are subject to extensive regulations regarding our recovery practices and the use and disclosure of confidential personal and healthcare information and failure to comply with these regulations could cause us to incur liabilities and expenses; and

 

   

Our recovery business is subject to extensive regulation and consumer protection laws and our failure to comply with those regulations and laws may subject us to liability and result in significant costs.

Corporate Information

We commenced our operations in 1976 under the corporate name Diversified Collection Services, Inc., or DCS. We were incorporated in Delaware on October 8, 2003 under the name DCS Holdings, Inc. and subsequently changed our name to Performant Financial Corporation in 2005. Our principal executive offices are located at 333 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, California 94551 and our telephone number is (925) 960-4800. Our website address is www.performantcorp.com . The information on or accessible through our website is not part of this prospectus.

Our Principal Stockholder

Our principal stockholder, an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners, acquired its interest in us in 2004 and currently owns approximately 82% of our outstanding common stock. Parthenon Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm with approximately $2 billion of capital under management. Parthenon Capital Partners was founded in March of 1998 and focuses on investing in select middle-market companies. The firm invests in a variety of industry sectors with particular expertise in business and financial services, healthcare, distribution/logistics, and technology-enabled services.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us

             shares

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

             shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

             shares

 

Option to purchase additional shares offered by

             shares

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds received by us to pay fees under an agreement with an affiliate of our majority stockholder, with the remainder of our net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes and for other potential investments, including potential strategic alliances or acquisitions. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

NASDAQ Global Market symbol

“PFMT”

The number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding after this offering is based on the number of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012, and excludes:

 

   

2,862,375 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2012, at a weighted-average exercise price of approximately $1.77 per share;

 

   

             shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity compensation plans;

 

   

             additional shares of common stock that will be issued to Financial Technology Partners LP or FTP Securities LLC, whom we collectively refer to as FT Partners, contemporaneously with the closing of this offering. See “Underwriting” for a more complete description of our agreement with FT Partners; and

 

   

the repurchase of 49,010 shares of common stock by us from certain members of management on July 3, 2012.

Unless expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their right to purchase up to an additional              shares of common stock from                      to cover over-allotments; and

 

   

the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the effectiveness of our amended and restated bylaws in connection with this offering.

 

 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

We have derived the summary consolidated statement of operations data for 2009, 2010 and 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the summary consolidated statement of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The following summary consolidated financial data should be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2009     2010     2011            2011                   2012         
    (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)  
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:      

Revenues

       $   109,832           $   123,519           $   162,974           $   35,080           $   45,878   

Operating expenses:

         

Salaries and benefits

    53,728        58,113        67,082        16,729        18,641   

Other operating expense

    32,110        33,655        49,199        10,073        16,141   

Impairment of trade name

                  13,400                 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    85,838        91,768        129,681        26,802        34,782   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

    23,994        31,751        33,293        8,278        11,096   

Debt extinguishment costs (2)

                                (3,679

Interest expense

    (16,017     (15,230     (13,530     (3,443     (3,190

Interest income

    104        118        125        32        31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Income before provision for income taxes     8,081        16,639        19,888        4,867        4,258   

Provision for income taxes

    3,071        6,664        7,516        1,949        1,742   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

       $ 5,010           $ 9,975           $ 12,372           $ 2,918           $ 2,516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrual for preferred stock dividends

    5,128        5,771        6,495        1,531        1,571   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

    (118     4,204        5,877        1,387        945   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (3)

         

Basic

       $ (0.01        $ 0.20           $ 0.27           $ 0.06           $ 0.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

       $ (0.01        $ 0.19           $ 0.26           $ 0.06           $ 0.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares

         

Basic

    21,481        21,481        21,481        21,481        21,493   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    21,481        22,510        22,871        22,535        23,113   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share (unaudited) (4)

         

Basic

           $               $     
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted

           $               $     
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in computing pro forma net income per share (unaudited)

         

Basic

         
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted

         
     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)  

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated for the presentation of our Redeemable Preferred Stock, which affects our balance sheets and the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, which affects our statements of operations. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)  

Represents debt extinguishment costs comprised of approximately $3.3 million of fees paid to lenders in connection with our new credit facility and approximately $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with our old credit facility.

(3)

Please see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements for an explanation of the calculations of our basic and diluted net income per share of common stock.

(4)  

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our presentation of pro forma net income per share.

 

 

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       As of March 31, 2012  
       Actual       Pro
   Forma (2)   
    Pro
Forma As
Adjusted (3)
     (Restated) (1)            
    

(in thousands)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 12,312      $ 14,677     

Total assets

     183,023        186,209     

Total debt

     141,000        160,500     

Total liabilities

     180,676        200,176     

Redeemable preferred stock

     15,846            

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (13,499     (13,967  

 

(1)  

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated for the presentation of our Redeemable Preferred Stock, which affects our balance sheets and the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, which affects our statements of operations. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)  

On a pro forma basis, giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our series A preferred stock into 699,555 shares of common stock and 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock and the redemption of 699,555 shares of our series B preferred stock, both of which occurred on June 28, 2012, as if such conversion had occurred on March 31, 2012, as well as the increase in the amount of borrowings under our term B loan of $19.5 million, used primarily to refund the redemption, and the $0.8 million in transaction fees related to this increase.

(3)  

On a pro forma as adjusted basis, giving effect to the receipt of the estimated net proceeds from the sale of              shares of common stock offered by us in this offering, at the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we have disclosed in the table below and within this prospectus adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income, both of which are non-GAAP financial measures. We have provided a reconciliation below of adjusted EBITDA to net income and adjusted net income to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to these non-GAAP financial measures.

We have included adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income in this prospectus because they are key measures used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends and to prepare and approve our annual budget. Accordingly, we believe that adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income provide useful information to investors and analysts in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

Our use of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

   

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements;

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense on our indebtedness;

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

   

adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments;

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation;

   

adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income do not reflect the impact of certain non-operating expenses resulting from matters we do not consider to be indicative of our core operating performance; and

   

other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income differently than we do, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

 

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Because of these limitations, you should consider adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income alongside other financial performance measures, including net income and our other GAAP results.

The following tables present a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income for each of the periods indicated:

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
    2009     2010             2011                 2011             2012      
    (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

         

Net income

       $ 5,010           $ 9,975           $ 12,372           $ 2,918           $ 2,516   

Provision for income taxes

    3,071        6,664        7,516        1,949        1,742   

Interest expense

    16,017        15,230        13,530        3,443        3,190   

Interest income

    (104     (118     (125     (32     (31

Debt extinguishment costs (1)

    —          —          —          —          3,679   

Depreciation and amortization

    9,624        7,213        7,766        1,881        2,214   

Impairment of trade name (2)

    —          —          13,400        —          —     

Non-core operating expenses (3)

    —          1,108        2,548        226        29   

Advisory fee (4)

    684        759        634        109        309   

Stock based compensation

    580        629        120        28        52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

       $     34,882           $     41,460           $     57,761           $     10,522           $     13,700   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  
    (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income:

         

Net income

       $ 5,010           $ 9,975           $ 12,372           $ 2,918           $ 2,516   

Debt extinguishment costs (1)

                                3,679   

Impairment of trade name (2)

                  13,400                 

Non–core operating expenses (3)

           1,108        2,548        225        29   

Advisory fee (4)

    684        759        634        109        309   

Stock based compensation

    580        629        120        28        52   

Amortization of intangibles (5)

    5,795        3,043        3,043        761        875   

Deferred financing amortization costs (6)

    3,027        1,997        1,254        335        282   

Tax adjustments (7)

    (4,034     (3,014     (8,400     (583     (2,090
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

       $       11,062           $     14,497           $     24,971           $       3,793           $       5,652   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents debt extinguishment costs comprised of approximately $3.3 million of fees paid to lenders in connection with our new credit facility and approximately $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with our old credit facility.

(2)

Represents impairment expense to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible asset due to the plan to retire the Diversified Collection Services, Inc. trade name.

(3)

Represents professional fees and settlement costs related to strategic corporate development activities and a $1.2 million legal settlement in 2011.

(4)

Represents expenses incurred under an advisory services agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners, which was terminated in April 2012. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Arrangements with Our Investors—Advisory Services Agreement.”

(5)

Represents amortization of capitalized expenses related to the acquisition of Performant by an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners in 2004, the impairment expense to reduce the carrying amount of the intangible asset due to our decision to terminate a client contract in 2009 and an acquisition in the first quarter of 2012 to enhance our analytics capabilities.

(6)

Represents amortization of capitalized financing costs related to debt offerings conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

(7)

Represents tax adjustments assuming a marginal tax rate of 40%.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves substantial risks. In addition to the other information in this prospectus, you should carefully consider the following factors before investing in our common stock. Any of the risk factors we describe below could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The market price of our common stock could decline if one or more of these risks and uncertainties actually occurs, causing you to lose all or part of your investment in our shares. Certain statements in “Risk Factors” are forward-looking statements. See “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Risks Related to Our Business

Revenues generated from our five largest clients represented 74% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011, and any termination of or deterioration in our relationship with any of these clients would result in a decline in our revenues.

We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from a limited number of clients, including the Department of Education, CMS and three GAs. Revenues from our five largest clients represented 74% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011. We expect that our revenues will become increasingly concentrated with our major clients as a result of rising business volumes under our RAC contract, which accounted for approximately 26% of our revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to approximately 10% of our revenues in 2011. If we lose one of these clients or if the terms of our relationships with any of these clients becomes less favorable to us, our revenues would decline, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of our contracts with our clients for the recovery of student loans and other receivables are not exclusive and do not commit our clients to provide specified volumes of business and, as a consequence, there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our revenues and operating results.

Substantially all of our existing contracts for the recovery of student loan and other receivables, which represented approximately 70% of our revenues in 2011, enable our clients to unilaterally terminate their contractual relationship with us at any time without penalty, potentially leading to loss of business or renegotiation of terms. Our contracts generally are subject to a periodic rebidding process at the end of the contract term. Further, most of our contracts in this market allow our clients to unilaterally change the volume of loans and other receivables that are placed with us at any given time. In addition, most of our contracts are not exclusive, with our clients retaining multiple service providers with whom we must compete for placements of loans or other obligations. Therefore, despite our contractual relationships with our clients, our contracts do not provide assurance that we will generate a minimum amount of revenues or that we will receive a specific volume of placements.

Our revenues and operating results would be negatively affected if our student loans and receivables clients, which include four of our five largest clients in 2011, do not renew their agreements with us upon contract expiration, reduce the volume of student loan placements provided to us, modify the terms of service, including the success fees we are able to earn upon recovery of defaulted student loans, or any of these clients establish more favorable relationships with our competitors.

We face significant competition in all of the markets in which we operate and an inability to compete effectively in the future could harm our relationships with our clients, which would impact our ability to maintain our revenues and operating results.

We operate in very competitive markets. In providing our services to the student loan and other receivables markets, we face competition from many other companies. Initially, we compete with these companies to be one of typically several firms engaged to provide recovery services to a particular client and, if

 

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we are successful in being engaged, we then face continuing competition from the client’s other retained firms based on the client’s benchmarking of the recovery rates of its several vendors. Those recovery vendors who produce the highest recovery rates from a client often will be allocated additional placements and in some cases additional success fees. Accordingly, maintaining high levels of recovery performance, and doing so in a cost-effective manner, are important factors in our ability to maintain and grow our revenues and net income and the failure to achieve these objectives could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Similarly, we faced a highly competitive bidding process to become one of the four prime RAC contractors that provide recovery services for improper Medicare payments. This contract expires in 2014 and we expect again to face a very competitive process to retain or increase our position in this market. The failure to retain this contract or a significant adverse change in the terms of this contract, which generated approximately 26% of our revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2012, would seriously harm our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and operating results.

Some of our current and potential competitors in the markets in which we operate may have greater financial, marketing, technological or other resources than we do. The ability of any of our competitors and potential competitors to adopt new and effective technology to better serve our markets may allow them to gain market strength. Increasing levels of competition in the future may result in lower recovery fees, lower volumes of contracted recovery services or higher costs for resources. Any inability to compete effectively in the markets that we serve could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The U.S. federal government accounts for a significant portion of our revenues, and any loss of business from, or change in our relationship with, the U.S. federal government would result in a significant decrease in our revenues and operating results.

We have historically derived and are likely to continue to derive a significant portion of our revenues from the U.S. federal government. For the year ended December 31, 2011, revenues under contracts with the U.S. federal government accounted for approximately 27% of our total revenues. Furthermore, federal government revenues increased to approximately 33% in the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily as a result of increasing revenues from our RAC contract with CMS. In addition, fees payable by the U.S. federal government are expected to become a larger percentage of our total revenues in the near term as a result of the recent legislation that has transferred responsibility for all new student loan origination to the Department of Education. The continuation and exercise of renewal options on existing government contracts and any new government contracts are, among other things, contingent upon the availability of adequate funding for the applicable federal government agency. Changes in federal government spending could directly affect our financial performance. For example, the Obama Administration’s proposed budget for the year ending September 30, 2013, included a proposal designed to redirect federal government spending to an alternative federal program by decreasing the amount that GAs are compensated when they rehabilitate defaulted loans. While the Obama Administration’s budget proposal was not approved by Congress, in June 2012, a bill containing similar provisions reducing the compensation of GAs for rehabilitation of defaulted student loans was introduced in the U.S. Senate. If enacted, this bill could harm the financial condition of the GAs and, in turn, their ability to pay for our services. The loss of business from the U.S. federal government, or significant policy changes or financial pressures within the agencies of the U.S. federal government that we serve would result in a significant decrease in our revenues, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Future legislative changes affecting the markets in which we operate could impair our business and operations.

The two principal markets in which we provide our recovery services, government-supported student loans and the Medicare program, are a subject of significant legislative and regulatory focus and we cannot anticipate how future changes in government policy may affect our business and operations. For example,

 

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SAFRA significantly changed the structure of the government-supported student loan market by assigning responsibility for all new government-supported student loan originations to the Department of Education, rather than originations by private institutions and backed by one of 32 government-supported GAs. This legislation, and any future changes in the legislation and regulations that govern these markets, may require us to adapt our business to the new circumstances and we may be unable to do so in a manner that does not adversely affect our business and operations.

Our business relationship with the Department of Education has accounted for a significant portion of our revenues and will take on increasing importance to our business as a result of SAFRA. Our failure to maintain this relationship would significantly decrease our revenues.

The majority of our historical revenues from the student loan market have come from our relationships with the GAs. As a result of SAFRA, the Department of Education will ultimately become the sole source of revenues in this market, although the GAs will continue to service their existing student loan portfolios for many years to come. As a result, over time, defaults on student loans originated by the Department of Education will predominate and our ability to maintain the revenues we had previously received from a number of GA clients will depend on our relationship with a single client, the Department of Education. While we have 22 years of experience in performing student loan recovery services for the Department of Education, we are one of 17 unrestricted recovery service providers on the current Department of Education contract. In 2011, student loan recovery work for the Department of Education generated revenues of $17.9 million, or approximately 11% of our total revenues. If our relationship with the Department of Education terminates or deteriorates or if the Department of Education, ultimately as the sole holder of defaulted student loans, requires its contractors to agree to less favorable terms, our revenues would significantly decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.

We could lose clients as a result of consolidation among the GAs, which would decrease our revenues.

As a result of SAFRA, which terminated the ability of the GAs to originate government-supported student loans, some have speculated that there may be consolidation among the 32 GAs. If GAs that are our clients are combined with GAs with whom we do not have a relationship, we could suffer a loss of business. We currently have relationships with 12 of the 32 GAs and three of our GA clients were each responsible for more than 10% of our total revenues in 2011. The consolidation of our GA clients with others and the failure to provide recovery services to the consolidated entity could decrease our revenues, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to derive revenues under our RAC contract will depend in part on the number and types of potentially improper claims that we are allowed to pursue by CMS, and our results of operations may be harmed if CMS limits the scope of claims that we are allowed to pursue.

While we are the prime contractor responsible for review of Medicare records for all Part A and Part B claims in our region pursuant to the terms of our RAC contract with CMS, we are not permitted to seek the recovery of an improper claim unless that particular type of claim has been pre-approved by CMS to ensure compliance with applicable Medicare payment policies, as well as national and local coverage determinations. While the revenues we earn under our contract with CMS are determined primarily by the aggregate volume of Medicare claims in our region and our ability to successfully identify improper payments within these claims, the long-term growth of the revenues we derive under our RAC contract will also depend in part on CMS expanding the scope of potentially improper claims that we are allowed to pursue under our RAC contract. If we are unable to continue to identify improper claims within the types of claims that we are permitted to pursue from time to time or if CMS does not expand the scope of potentially improper claims that we are allowed to pursue, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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Our results of operations may fluctuate on a quarterly or annual basis and cause volatility in the price of our stock.

Our revenues and operating results could vary significantly from period-to-period and may fail to match our past performance because of a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control. Any of these factors could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate. Factors that could contribute to the variability of our operating results include:

 

   

the amount of defaulted student loans and other receivables that our clients place with us for recovery;

 

   

the timing of placements of student loans and other receivables which are entirely in the discretion of our clients;

 

   

our ability to successfully identify improper Medicare claims and the number and type of potentially improper claims that CMS authorizes us to pursue under our RAC contract;

 

   

the loss or gain of significant clients or changes in the contingency fee rates or other significant terms of our business arrangements with our significant clients;

 

   

technological and operational issues that may affect our clients and regulatory changes in the markets we service; and

 

   

general industry and macroeconomic conditions.

For example, a technology system upgrade at the Department of Education, which began in September 2011 and remains ongoing through March 31, 2012, has significantly decreased the volume of student loan placements by the Department of Education to all of its recovery vendors, including us, during this period. As a result, the dollar amount of placements that we received from the Department of Education in the first quarter of 2012 was 58% lower than in the first quarter of 2011. While it is expected that we and the other Department of Education recovery vendors will receive substantially larger than normal placements once this situation is resolved, the large majority of the revenues from these placements will be delayed because we do not begin to earn rehabilitation revenues from a given placement until at least nine months after receipt of the placement. In addition, the Department of Education has not been able to process a significant majority of rehabilitated student loans since September 2011 and accordingly, we have not been able to recognize a significant majority of the revenues associated with rehabilitation of loans for this client. However, the Department of Education has continued to pay us based on invoices submitted and we have recorded these cash receipts as deferred revenues on our balance sheet. We expect to recognize revenues on these rehabilitated loans in the period in which these rehabilitated loans are processed by the Department of Education. This has led to deferred revenues of $6.1 million as of March 31, 2012. Because our revenues are dependent on many factors, some of which are outside of our control, we may experience significant fluctuations in our results of operations and as a result volatility in our stock price.

Downturns in domestic or global economic conditions and other macroeconomic factors could harm our business and results of operations.

Various macroeconomic factors influence our business and results of operations. These include the volume of student loan originations in the United States, together with tuition costs and student enrollment rates, the default rate of student loan borrowers, which is impacted by domestic and global economic conditions, rates of unemployment and similar factors, and the growth in Medicare expenditures resulting from changes in healthcare costs. Changes in these factors could lead to a reduction in overall recovery rates by our clients, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, during the global financial crisis beginning in 2008, the market for securitized student loan portfolios was disrupted, resulting in delays in the ability of some GA clients to resell rehabilitated student loans and as a result delaying our ability to recognize revenues from these rehabilitated loans.

 

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We may not be able to maintain or increase our profitability, and our recent financial results may not be indicative of our future financial results.

We may not succeed in maintaining our profitability on a quarterly or annual basis and could incur quarterly or annual losses in future periods. We expect to incur additional operating expenses associated with being a public company and we intend to continue to increase our operating expenses as we grow our business. We also expect to continue to make investments in our proprietary technology platform and hire additional employees and subcontractors as we expand our healthcare recovery and other operations, thus incurring additional expenses. If our revenues do not increase to offset these increases in expenses, our operating results could be adversely affected. Our historical revenues and net income growth rates are not indicative of future growth rates.

We may not be able to manage our growth effectively and our results of operations could be negatively affected.

Our business has expanded significantly, especially in recent years with the expansion of our services in the healthcare market, and we intend to maintain our focus on growth. However, our continued focus on growth and the expansion of our business may place additional demands on our management, operations and financial resources and will require us to incur additional expenses. We cannot be sure that we will be able to manage our growth effectively. In order to successfully manage our growth, our expenses will increase to recruit, train and manage additional qualified employees and subcontractors and to expand and enhance our administrative infrastructure and continue to improve our management, financial and information systems and controls. If we cannot manage our growth effectively, our expenses may increase and our results of operations could be negatively affected.

A failure of our operating systems or technology infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors and subcontractors, could disrupt the operation of our business.

A failure of our operating systems or technology infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors and subcontractors, could disrupt our operations. Our operating systems and technology infrastructure are susceptible to damage or interruption from various causes, including acts of God and other natural disasters, power losses, computer systems failures, Internet and telecommunications or data network failures, operator error, computer viruses, losses of and corruption of data and similar events. The occurrence of any of these events could result in interruptions, delays or cessations in service to our clients, reduce the attractiveness of our recovery services to current or potential clients and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. While we have backup systems in many of our operating facilities, an extended outage of utility or network services may harm our ability to operate our business. Further, the situations we plan for and the amount of insurance coverage we maintain for losses as result of failures of our operating systems and infrastructure may not be adequate in any particular case.

If our security measures are breached or fail and unauthorized access is obtained to our clients’ confidential data, our services may be perceived as insecure, the attractiveness of our recovery services to current or potential clients may be reduced, and we may incur significant liabilities.

Our recovery services involve the storage and transmission of confidential information relating to our clients and their customers, including health, financial, credit, payment and other personal or confidential information. Although our data security procedures are designed to protect against unauthorized access to confidential information, our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access and disclosure of our clients’ confidential information. Further, we may not effectively adapt our security measures to evolving security risks, address the security and privacy concerns of existing or potential clients as they change over time, or be compliant with federal, state, and local laws and regulations with respect to securing confidential information. Unauthorized access to confidential information relating to our clients and their customers could lead to reputational damage which could deter our clients and potential clients from selecting our recovery services, termination of contracts with those clients affected by any such breach, regulatory action, and claims against us.

 

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In the event of any unauthorized access to personal or other confidential information, we may be required to expend significant resources to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities in our security procedures, and we may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation costs, and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us. If one or more of such failures in our security and privacy measures were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Our business may be harmed if we lose members of our management team or other key employees.

We are highly dependent on members of our management team and other key employees and our future success depends in part on our ability to retain these people. Our inability to continue to attract and retain members of our management team and other key employees could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The growth of our healthcare business will require us to hire and retain employees with specialized skills and failure to do so could harm our ability to grow our business.

The growth of our healthcare business will depend in part on our ability to recruit, train and manage additional qualified employees. Our healthcare-related operations require us to hire registered nurses and experts in Medicare coding. Finding, attracting and retaining employees with these skills is a critical component of providing our healthcare-related recovery and audit services, and our inability to staff these operations appropriately represents a risk to our healthcare service offering and associated revenues. An inability to hire qualified personnel, particularly to serve our healthcare clients, may restrain the growth of our business.

We rely on subcontractors to provide services to our clients and the failure of subcontractors to perform as expected could harm our business operations and our relationships with our clients.

We engage subcontractors to provide certain services to our clients. These subcontractors participate to varying degrees in our recovery activities with regards to all of the services we provide. While most of our subcontractors provide specific services to us, we engage one subcontractor to provide all of the audit and recovery services under our contract with CMS within a portion of our region. According to CMS, the geographic area allocated to this subcontractor accounted for approximately 17% of total Medicare spending in our region in 2009. While we believe that we perform appropriate due diligence before we hire subcontractors, our subcontractors may not provide adequate service or otherwise comply with the terms set forth in their agreements. In the event a subcontractor provides deficient performance to one or more of our clients, any such client may reduce the volume of services we are providing under an existing contract or may terminate the relevant contract entirely and we may face claims for breach of contract. Any such disruption in our relations with our clients as a result of services provided by any of our subcontractors could adversely affect our revenues and operating results.

If our software vendors or utility and network providers fail to deliver or perform as expected our business operations could be adversely affected.

Our recovery services depend in part on third-party providers, including software vendors and utility and network providers. Our ability to service our clients depends on these third-party providers meeting our expectations and contractual obligations in a timely and effective manner. Our business could be materially and adversely affected, and we might incur significant additional liabilities, if the services provided by these third-party providers do not meet our expectations or if they terminate or refuse to renew their relationships with us on similar contractual terms.

We are subject to extensive regulations regarding the use and disclosure of confidential personal information and failure to comply with these regulations could cause us to incur liabilities and expenses.

We are subject to a wide array of federal and state laws and regulations regarding the use and disclosure of confidential personal information and security. For example, the federal Health Insurance Portability and

 

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Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, or HIPAA, and related state laws subject us to substantial restrictions and requirements with respect to the use and disclosure of the personal health information that we obtain in connection with our audit and recovery services under our contract with CMS and we must establish administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality of this information. Similar protections extend to the type of personal financial and other information we acquire from our student loan, state tax and federal receivables clients. We are required to notify affected individuals and government agencies of data security breaches involving protected health and certain personally identifiable information. These laws and regulations also require that we develop, implement and maintain written, comprehensive information security programs containing safeguards that are appropriate to protect personally identifiable information or health information against unauthorized access, misuse, destruction or modification. Federal law generally does not preempt state law in the area of protection of personal information, and as a result we must also comply with state laws and regulations. Regulation of privacy, data use and security requires that we incur significant expenses, which could increase in the future as a result of additional regulations, all of which adversely affects our results of operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations can result in penalties and in some cases expose us to civil lawsuits.

Our student loan recovery business is subject to extensive regulation and consumer protection laws and our failure to comply with these regulations and laws may subject us to liability and result in significant costs.

Our student loan recovery business is subject to regulation and oversight by various state and federal agencies, particularly in the area of consumer protection. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, and related state laws provide specific guidelines that we must follow in communicating with holders of student loans and regulates the manner in which we can recover defaulted student loans. Some state attorney generals have been active in this area of consumer protection regulation. We are subject, and may be subject in the future, to inquiries and audits from state and federal regulators, as well as frequent litigation from private plaintiffs regarding compliance under the FDCPA and related state regulations. We are also subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, which regulates consumer credit reporting and may impose liability on us to the extent adverse credit information reported to a credit bureau is false or inaccurate. Our compliance with the FDCPA, FCRA and other federal and state regulations that affect our student loan recovery business may result in significant costs, including litigation costs. We may also become subject to regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, which was established in July 2011 as part of the Dodd-Frank Act to, among other things, establish regulations regarding consumer financial protection laws. In July 2012, the CFPB announced that regulations would be forthcoming that may impact our student loan recovery business and compliance with these regulations may increase our costs. Changes to existing regulations or the adoption of new regulations could adversely affect our business and results of operations if we are not able to adapt our services and client relationships to meet the new regulatory structure.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain executive management and qualified board members.

As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight will be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. Although we have already hired additional employees to comply with these requirements, we may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants, which will increase our costs and expenses.

 

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We also expect that being a public company will make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

However, for as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.”

We are unable to fully estimate the extra costs associated with becoming a public company; however, we anticipate that we will incur additional legal, accounting, investor relations and insurance costs in excess of $1.0 million annually.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any July 31 before that time, we would cease to be an “emerging growth company” as of the following January 31.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley would impair our ability to produce accurate and reliable financial statements, which would harm our stock price.

When we become a public company, we will be subject to reporting obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that will require us to include a management report on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. These requirements will first apply to our annual report on Form 10-K for the

 

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year ending December 31, 2013 and complying with these requirements can be difficult. For example, in June 2012, our independent registered accountants determined that we had incorrectly accounted for our mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, which required audit adjusting entries for the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. Our failure to detect this error was deemed to be a deficiency in internal control and this deficiency was considered to be a material weakness. To address this situation, our independent public accounting firm recommended that the Company emphasize the importance of thoroughly researching all new accounting policies and revisiting accounting policies set for existing transactions when changes in the business or reporting requirements occur or are expected to occur. To prevent issues like these in the future, we intend to bolster our technical accounting expertise and, where appropriate, engage outside consultants with specialized knowledge.

Our management may conclude that our internal control over our financial reporting is not effective. Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. If we fail to timely achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to produce reliable financial reports or help prevent fraud. Our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could prevent us from filing our periodic reports on a timely basis, which could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.

We will be required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis. However, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, if we take advantage of the exemptions contained in the JOBS Act. At such time, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed or operating. Our remediation efforts may not enable us to avoid a material weakness in the future.

Litigation may result in substantial costs of defense, damages or settlement, any of which could subject us to significant costs and expenses.

We are party to lawsuits in the normal course of business, particularly in connection with our student loan recovery services. For example, we are regularly subject to claims that we have violated the guidelines and procedures that must be followed under federal and state laws in communicating with consumer debtors. We may not ultimately prevail or otherwise be able to satisfactorily resolve any pending or future litigation, which may result in substantial costs of defense, damages or settlement. In the future, we may be required to alter our business practices or pay substantial damages or settlement costs as a result of litigation proceedings, which could adversely affect our business operations and results of operations.

We typically face a long period to implement a new contract which may cause us to incur expenses before we receive revenues from new client relationships.

If we are successful in obtaining an engagement with a new client or a new contract with an existing client, we typically have a subsequent long implementation period in which the services are planned in detail and we integrate our technology, processes and resources with the client’s operations. If we enter into a contract with a new client, we typically will not receive revenues until implementation is completed and work under the contract actually begins. Our clients may also experience delays in obtaining approvals or delays associated with technology or system implementations, such as the delays experienced with the implementation of our RAC contract with CMS due to an appeal by competitors who were unsuccessful in bidding on the contract. Because we generally begin to hire new employees to provide services to a new client once a contract is signed, we may incur significant expenses associated with these additional hires before we receive corresponding revenues under any such new contract. If we are not successful in maintaining contractual commitments after the expenses we incur during our typically long implementation cycle, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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If we are unable to adequately protect our proprietary technology, our competitive position could be harmed or we could be required to incur significant costs to enforce our rights.

The success of our business depends in part upon our proprietary technology platform. We rely on a combination of copyright, patent, trademark, and trade secret laws, as well as on confidentiality procedures and non-compete agreements, to establish and protect our proprietary technology rights. The steps we have taken to deter misappropriation of our proprietary technology may be insufficient to protect our proprietary information. Any infringement or misappropriation of our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights could adversely affect any competitive advantage we currently derive or may derive from our proprietary technology platform and we may incur significant costs associated with litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights.

Claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property could force us to incur significant costs or revise the way we conduct our business.

Our competitors protect their proprietary rights by means of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property. Any party asserting that we infringe, misappropriate or violate their intellectual property rights may force us to defend ourselves, and potentially our clients, against the alleged claim. These claims and any resulting lawsuit, if successful, could be time-consuming and expensive to defend, subject us to significant liability for damages or invalidation of our proprietary rights, prevent us from operating all or a portion of our business or force us to redesign our services or technology platform or cause an interruption or cessation of our business operations, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, any litigation relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights could harm our relationships with current and prospective clients. The risk of such claims and lawsuits could increase if we increase the size and scope of our services in our existing markets or expand into new markets.

We may make acquisitions that prove unsuccessful, strain or divert our resources and harm our results of operations and stock price.

We may consider acquisitions of other companies in our industry or in new markets. We may not be able to successfully complete any such acquisition and, if completed, any such acquisition may fail to achieve the intended financial results. We may not be able to successfully integrate any acquired businesses with our own and we may be unable to maintain our standards, controls and policies. Further, acquisitions may place additional constraints on our resources by diverting the attention of our management from other business concerns. Moreover, any acquisition may result in a potentially dilutive issuance of equity securities, the incurrence of additional debt and amortization of expenses related to intangible assets, all of which could adversely affect our results of operations and stock price.

Our current or future indebtedness could adversely affect our business and financial condition and reduce the funds available to us for other purposes, and our failure to comply with the covenants contained in our credit agreement could result in an event of default that could adversely affect our results of operations.

As of March 31, 2012, our total debt was $141.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our consolidated interest expense was approximately $13.5 million. Our ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance our debt obligations and to fund our other liquidity needs depends on our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot make assurances that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness and to fund our other liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and allow us to maintain compliance with the covenants under our credit agreement or to fund our other liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot ensure that we would be able to take

 

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any of these actions, that these actions would be successful and permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements, including our credit agreement. If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result, our debt holders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under our credit agreement could terminate their commitments to lend us money and foreclose against the assets securing our borrowings and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

Our debt agreements contain, and any agreements to refinance our debt likely will contain, financial and restrictive covenants that limit our ability to incur additional debt, including to finance future operations or other capital needs, and to engage in other activities that we may believe are in our long-term best interests, including to dispose of or acquire assets. Our failure to comply with these covenants may result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could accelerate the maturity of our indebtedness or result in modifications to our credit terms. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not have sufficient cash resources to satisfy our debt obligations and we may not be able to continue our operations as planned.

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Common Stock

Following the offering, we will be classified as a “controlled company” and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

Upon the closing of this offering, an entity affiliated with Parthenon Capital Partners (such entity and its affiliates individually and collectively referred to as “Parthenon Capital Partners”) will continue to control a majority of our common stock. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the applicable stock exchange corporate governance standards. Under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market, or NASDAQ, a company of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain stock exchange corporate governance requirements, including:

 

   

the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consists of independent directors;

 

   

the requirement that nominating and corporate governance matters be decided solely by independent directors; and

 

   

the requirement that employee and officer compensation matters be decided solely by independent directors.

Following this offering, we intend to utilize these exemptions. As a result, we may not have a majority of independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation functions may not be decided solely by independent directors. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the stock exchange corporate governance requirements.

The price of our common stock could be volatile, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the public offering price.

Before this offering, there has not been a public market for our common stock, and an active public market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. In particular, you may not be able to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the initial public offering price. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between the representatives of the underwriters and us. The overall market and the price of our common stock may fluctuate greatly. The trading price of our common stock may be significantly affected by various factors, including: quarterly fluctuations in our operating results; the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in those projections or our failure to meet those

 

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projections; changes in investors’ and analysts’ perception of the business risks and conditions of our business; our ability to meet the earnings estimates and other performance expectations of financial analysts or investors; unfavorable commentary or downgrades of our stock by equity research analysts; termination of lock-up agreements or other restrictions on the ability of our existing stockholders to sell their shares after this offering; changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt or equity securities; lawsuits threatened or filed against us; strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; new legislation or regulatory actions; changes in our relationship with any of our significant clients; fluctuations in the stock prices of our peer companies or in stock markets in general; and general economic conditions.

Future sales, or the perception of future sales, of our common stock may lower our stock price.

If our existing stockholders sell a large number of shares of our common stock following this offering, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly. In addition, the perception in the public market that our existing stockholders might sell shares of common stock could depress the market price of our common stock, regardless of the actual plans of our existing stockholders. Immediately after this offering, approximately              shares of our common stock will be outstanding, or              shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares,              shares will be available for immediate resale in the public market, including all of the shares in this offering, and              shares will be available for resale 90 days following completion of this offering. Of the remaining shares outstanding,              shares are subject to lock-up agreements restricting the sale of those shares for 180 days from the date of this prospectus. However, the underwriters may waive this restriction and allow the stockholders to sell their shares at any time. In addition, following this offering and the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares offered by them, assuming an initial public offering price of $             per share, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the holders of shares of common stock will have the right, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, to require us to register their shares of common stock under the Securities Act, and they will have the right to participate in future registrations of securities by us. Registration of any of these outstanding shares of common stock would result in such shares becoming freely tradable without compliance with Rule 144 upon effectiveness of the registration statement. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” After this offering, we intend to register approximately              shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under our stock option plans. Once we register these shares, they can be sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to restrictions under the securities laws applicable to resale by affiliates.

Investors in this offering will suffer immediate and substantial dilution.

The initial public offering price per share of common stock will be substantially higher than our pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering. As a result, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting our liabilities. At an offering price of $         per share, the mid-point of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in an amount of $         per share of common stock.

Our majority stockholder will have the ability to control significant corporate activities after the completion of this offering and our majority stockholder’s interests may not coincide with yours.

After the consummation of this offering, Parthenon Capital Partners will beneficially own approximately     % of our common stock, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional shares. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, Parthenon Capital Partners will beneficially own approximately     % of our common stock. As a result of its ownership, Parthenon Capital Partners, so long as it holds a majority of our outstanding shares, will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and, through our board of directors, the ability to control decision-making with respect to our business direction and policies. Matters over which Parthenon Capital Partners will, directly or indirectly, exercise control following this offering include:

 

   

the election of our board of directors and the appointment and removal of our officers;

 

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mergers and other business combination transactions, including proposed transactions that would result in our stockholders receiving a premium price for their shares;

 

   

other acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or assets;

 

   

incurrence of indebtedness and the issuance of equity securities;

 

   

repurchase of stock and payment of dividends; and

 

   

the issuance of shares to management under our equity incentive plans.

Even if Parthenon Capital Partners’ ownership of our shares falls below a majority, it may continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions. In addition, Parthenon Capital Partners will have a contractual right to designate a number of directors proportionate to their stock ownership. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Nomination of our Directors.” Further, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Parthenon Capital Partners and its affiliates will not have any obligation to present to us, and Parthenon Capital Partners may separately pursue, corporate opportunities of which they become aware, even if those opportunities are ones that we would have pursued if granted the opportunity. See “Description of Capital Stock—Corporate Opportunities.”

If securities analysts do not publish research or if securities analysts or other third parties publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us, the price of our common stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that securities analysts and other third parties choose to publish about us. We do not control these analysts or other third parties. The price of our common stock could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade our common stock or if one or more securities analysts or other third parties publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us or cease publishing reports about us.

We will have broad discretion in how we use the proceeds of this offering and we may not use these proceeds effectively. This could affect our results of operations and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our management team will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether we are using the proceeds appropriately. We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes and possibly to fund acquisitions We may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that do not improve our results of operations or which cause our stock price to decline.

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could impair a takeover attempt that our stockholders may find beneficial.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an acquisition deemed undesirable by our board of directors. Our corporate governance documents include the following provisions: establishing a classified board of directors so that not all members of our board are elected at one time; providing that directors may be removed by stockholders only for cause at such time as Parthenon Capital Partners no longer beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding shares; authorizing blank check preferred stock, which could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock; limiting the ability of our stockholders to call and bring business before special meetings and to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting at such time as Parthenon Capital Partners no longer beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding shares; limiting our ability to engage in certain business combinations with any “interested stockholder,” other than Parthenon Capital Partners, for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder; requiring advance notice of stockholder proposals for business to

 

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be conducted at meetings of our stockholders and for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors; requiring a super-majority vote for certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws after the time when Parthenon Capital Partners ceases to beneficially own a majority of our outstanding shares; and limiting the determination of the number of directors on our board of directors and, when Parthenon Capital Partners is no longer our majority stockholder, the filling of vacancies or newly created seats on the board to our board of directors then in office. These provisions, alone or together, could have the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control, could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

Because we do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, you may not receive any return on investment unless you are able to sell your common stock for a price greater than your purchase price.

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictive covenants contained in our credit agreement. As a result, you may not receive any return on investment unless you are able to sell your common stock for a price greater than your purchase price.

 

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INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “design,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors.” In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

our opportunities and expectations for growth in the student lending, healthcare and other markets;

 

   

anticipated trends and challenges in our business and competition in the markets in which we operate;

 

   

our client relationships and future growth opportunities;

 

   

the adaptability of our technology platform to new markets and processes;

 

   

our ability to invest in and utilize our data and analytics capabilities to expand our capabilities;

 

   

our belief that we benefit from a significant degree of revenue visibility;

 

   

our growth strategy of expanding in our existing markets and considering strategic alliances or acquisitions;

 

   

our ability to meet our liquidity and working capital needs;

 

   

maintaining, protecting and enhancing our intellectual property;

 

   

our expectations regarding future expenses;

 

   

expected future financial performance;

 

   

our expectations regarding the use of proceeds from this offering; and

 

   

our ability to comply with and adapt to industry regulations and compliance demands.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

You may rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, nor sale of common stock, means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates, including those relating to market size and growth rates of the markets in which we participate, that we obtained from government and industry publications. These publications typically indicate that they have obtained their information from sources they believe to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their information. Although we have assessed the information in the publications and found it to be reasonable and believe the publications are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock that we are selling in this offering will be $         million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us by $         million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common stock by the selling stockholders, although we will bear the costs, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, associated with the sale of these shares. The selling stockholders include entities affiliated with or controlled by certain of our directors.

We intend to use the net proceeds received by us from this offering as follows:

 

   

to pay a $         million fee with respect to the termination of our Advisory Agreement with an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners and a transaction fee equal to 1% of the gross proceeds of this offering; and

 

   

the remainder for working capital and general corporate purposes and for other investments, including potential strategic alliances or acquisitions that may be complementary to our business. We have no agreement with respect to any material investments at this time.

Accordingly, our management team will have broad discretion in using the net proceeds to be received by us from this offering.

Pending such uses, we plan to invest the net proceeds in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S.  government.

DIVIDEND POLICY

Our board of directors does not currently intend to pay regular dividends on our common stock. However, we expect to reevaluate our dividend policy on a regular basis following this offering and may, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreement and other considerations, determine to pay dividends in the future. Our ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictive covenants contained in our credit agreement.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2012:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis, giving effect to (i) the conversion of all outstanding shares of our series A preferred stock into 699,555 shares of common stock and 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock and the redemption of 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock for an aggregate amount of approximately $16.3 million, both of which occurred on June 28, 2012, (ii) the increase in the amount of borrowings under our term B loan by $19.5 million, used primarily to fund the redemption and (iii) the payment of approximately $0.8 million in transaction fees related to the increase in our term B loan.

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis, giving effect to the receipt of the estimated net proceeds from the sale of              shares of common stock offered by us in this offering, at the initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

You should read the information in this table together with the sections titled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     As of March 31, 2012  
           Actual               Pro Forma         Pro Forma As
Adjusted (2)(3)
 
     (Restated) (1)              
     (in thousands, except share data)  

Cash and cash equivalents

        $ 12,312           $ 14,677           $                
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt:

      

Revolving credit facility

        $ 4,500           $ 4,500           $     

Term A loan

     57,000        57,000     

Term B loan

     79,500        99,000     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     141,000        160,500     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock:

      

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value. 18,000,000 shares authorized, 699,555 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     15,846            

Stockholders’ deficit:

      

Due from stockholders

     (2,294     (2,294  

Common stock, $0.01 par value. 25,000,000 shares authorized, 20,909,288 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 21,608,843 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma;              shares authorized,              shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     209        216     

Additional paid-in capital

     20,454        20,447     

Accumulated deficit

     (31,868     (32,336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (13,499     (13,967  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

        $ 143,347           $ 146,533           $     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated for the presentation of our Redeemable Preferred Stock, which affects our balance sheets and the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, which affects our statements of operations. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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(2)  

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity deficit and total capitalization by $         million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares were exercised in full, pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, total debt, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity deficit and total capitalization as of March 31, 2012 would be $         million, $         million, $         million, $         million and $         million, respectively.

 

(3)  

The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of our initial public offering determined at pricing.

The number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding actual, pro forma, and pro forma as adjusted in the table above excludes:

 

   

2,862,375 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding, at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.77 per share;

 

   

             shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans;

 

   

             additional shares of common stock that will be issued to Financial Technology Partners LP or FTP Securities LLC, whom we collectively refer to as FT Partners, contemporaneously with the closing of this offering. See “Underwriting” for a more complete description of our agreement with FT Partners; and

 

   

the repurchase of 49,010 shares of common stock by us from certain members of management on July 3, 2012.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after completion of this offering.

Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets less our total liabilities by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of March 31, 2012, was $         million, or $         per share. Our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2012 was $         million, or $         per share, based on the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2012, after giving effect to all outstanding shares of series A preferred stock converting into 699,555 shares of common stock and 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock and the redemption of 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock for an aggregate redemption payment of $16.3 million, both of which occurred on June 28, 2012.

After giving effect to (i) the items described in the preceding paragraph and (ii) our sale of shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $         per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $         per share to investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering, as illustrated in the following table:

 

Initial public offering price per share

      $               

Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2012

   $                   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2012

     

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to investors         purchasing shares of in the offering

     
  

 

 

    

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

     
     

 

 

 

Dilution in pro forma per share to investors in this offering

       $     
     

 

 

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $         million, or approximately $         per share, and the pro forma dilution per share to investors in this offering by approximately $         per share, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

If the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares from us is exercised in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be approximately $         per share, the increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be approximately $         per share, and the dilution to investors purchasing shares in this offering would be approximately $         per share.

 

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The following table presents on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of March 31, 2012, after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of series A preferred stock into common stock, which occurred on June 28, 2012, the differences between the existing stockholders and the investors purchasing shares in this offering with respect to the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid, which includes net proceeds received from the issuance of common and series A preferred stock, cash received from the exercise of stock options and the value of any stock issued for services and the average price paid per share (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages):

 

     Shares Purchased      Total Consideration (1)      Average Price
per Share
 
     Number    Percent        Amount            Percent       

Existing stockholders

        %           $           %           $            

New investors

              
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Totals

        100.0%           $                  100.0%           $     
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid to us by new investors and total consideration paid to us by all stockholder by $         million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, our existing stockholders would own     % and our new investors would own     % of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering.

The foregoing calculations are based on 21,608,843 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 assuming our outstanding convertible preferred stock converts into 699,555 shares of common stock, which occurred on June 28, 2012, and excludes:

 

   

2,862,375 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding, at a weighted-average exercise price of $1.77 per share;

 

   

             shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans;

 

   

             additional shares of common stock that will be issued to Financial Technology Partners LP or FTP Securities LLC, whom we collectively refer to as FT Partners, contemporaneously with the closing of this offering. See “Underwriting” for a more complete description of our agreement with FT Partners; and

 

   

the repurchase of 49,010 shares of common stock by us from certain members of management on July 3, 2012.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

We derived the selected consolidated financial data for 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 from our audited consolidated financial statements not included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the selected consolidated financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012 and as of March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring adjustments, that management considers necessary for the fair statement of the financial information set forth in those statements. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. You should read the following selected consolidated historical financial data below in conjunction with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial information included in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data in this section is not intended to replace the consolidated financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the consolidated financial statements and related notes and schedule included in this prospectus.

 

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    Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
    2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  
    (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)  
   

(in thousands)

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

             

Revenues

  $ 88,514      $ 98,967      $ 109,832      $ 123,519      $ 162,974      $ 35,080      $ 45,878   

Operating expenses:

             

Salaries and benefits

    51,805        49,109        53,728        58,113        67,082        16,729        18,641   

Other operating expense

    23,778        26,730        32,110        33,655        49,199        10,073        16,141   

Impairment of trade name

                                13,400                 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    75,583        75,839        85,838        91,768        129,681        26,802        34,782   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

    12,931        23,128        23,994        31,751        33,293        8,278        11,096   

Debt extinguishment costs (2)

                                    (3,679

Interest expense

    (17,966     (16,361     (16,017     (15,230     (13,530     (3,443     (3,190

Interest income

    488        217        104        118        125        32        31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

    (4,547     6,984        8,081        16,639        19,888        4,867        4,258   

Provision for income taxes

    (1,445     3,113        3,071        6,664        7,516        1,949        1,742   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  $ (3,102   $ 3,871      $ 5,010      $ 9,975      $ 12,372      $ 2,918      $ 2,516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrual for preferred stock dividends

    4,047        4,556        5,128        5,771        6,495        1,531        1,571   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

    (7,149     (685     (118     4,204        5,877        1,387        945   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders (3)

             

Basic

  $ (0.34   $ (0.03   $ (0.01   $ 0.20      $ 0.27      $ 0.06      $ 0.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  $ (0.34   $ (0.03   $ (0.01   $ 0.19      $ 0.26      $ 0.06      $ 0.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares

             

Basic

    21,255        21,327        21,481        21,481        21,481        21,481        21,493   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    21,255        21,327        21,481        22,510        22,871        22,535        23,113   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share (4)

             

Basic

          $          $     

Diluted

          $          $     
         

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in computing pro forma net income per share

             

Basic

             

Diluted

             
         

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)  

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated for the presentation of our Redeemable Preferred Stock, which affects our balance sheets and the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, which affects our statements of operations. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)

Represents debt extinguishment costs comprised of approximately $3.3 million of fees paid to lenders in connection with our new credit facility and approximately $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with our old credit facility.

(3)

Please see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements for an explanation of the calculations of our basic and diluted net income per share of common stock.

(4)  

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of our presentation of pro forma net income per share.

 

    As of December 31,     As of
March 31,
 
    2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012  
    (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)     (Restated) (1)  
    (in thousands)  
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:                                    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 11,869      $ 9,108      $ 8,924      $ 11,078      $ 20,004      $ 12,312   

Total assets

  $ 183,939      $ 183,783      $ 180,735      $ 181,390      $ 181,849      $ 183,023   

Total debt

  $ 142,180      $ 134,215      $ 127,298      $ 117,331      $ 103,383      $ 141,000   

Total liabilities

    174,410        167,617        161,077        151,231        139,306        180,676   

Redeemable preferred stock

    36,298        40,854        45,982        51,753        58,248        15,846   

Total stockholders’ deficit

    (26,769     (26,688     (26,324     (21,594     (15,705     (13,499

 

(1)  

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated for the presentation of our Redeemable Preferred Stock, which affects our balance sheets and the calculation of net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders, which affects our statements of operations. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We provide technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States. Our services help identify and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. Our clients typically operate in complex and regulated environments and outsource their recovery needs in order to reduce losses on billions of dollars of defaulted student loans, improper healthcare payments and delinquent state tax and federal treasury receivables. We generally provide our services on an outsourced basis, where we handle many or all aspects of our clients’ recovery processes.

Our revenue model is generally success-based as we earn fees on the aggregate amount of funds that we enable our clients to recover. Our services do not require any significant upfront investments by our clients and offer our clients the opportunity to recover significant funds otherwise lost. Because our model is based upon the success of our efforts and the dollars we enable our clients to recover, our business objectives are aligned with those of our clients and we are generally not reliant on their spending budgets. Furthermore, our business model does not require significant capital expenditures and we do not purchase loans or obligations. We believe we benefit from a significant degree of revenue visibility due to predictable recovery outcomes in a substantial portion of our business.

Sources of Revenues

We derive our revenues from services for clients in a variety of different markets. These markets include our two largest markets, student lending and healthcare, as well as our other markets which include but are not limited to delinquent state taxes and federal Treasury and other receivables.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
     2009      2010      2011      2011      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Student Lending

    $ 84,056        $ 103,672        $ 122,253        $ 26,404        $ 29,168   

Healthcare

             1,821         21,549         3,648         12,069   

Other

     25,776         18,026         19,172         5,028         4,641   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

    $ 109,832        $ 123,519        $ 162,974        $ 35,080        $ 45,878   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Student Lending

We derive the majority of our revenues from the recovery of student loans. These revenues are contract-based and consist primarily of contingency fees based on a specified percentage of the amount we enable our clients to recover. Our contingency fee percentage for a particular recovery depends on the type of recovery facilitated. We also receive incremental performance incentives based upon our performance as compared to other contractors with the Department of Education, which are comprised of additional inventory allocation volumes and incentive fees.

 

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We believe the size and the composition of our student loan inventory at any point provides us with a significant degree of revenue visibility for our student loan revenues. Based on data compiled from over two decades of experience with the recovery of defaulted student loans, at the time we receive a placement of student loans, we are able to make a reasonably accurate estimate of the recovery outcomes likely to be derived from such placement and the revenues we are likely able to generate based on the anticipated recovery outcomes.

There are five potential outcomes to the student loan recovery process from which we generate revenue. These outcomes include: full repayment, recurring payments, rehabilitation, loan restructuring and wage garnishment. Of these five potential outcomes, our ability to rehabilitate defaulted student loans is the most significant component of our revenues in this market. Generally, a loan is considered successfully rehabilitated after the student loan borrower has made nine consecutive monthly payments and our client has notified us that it is recalling the loan. Once we have structured and implemented a repayment program for a defaulted borrower, we (i) earn a percentage of each periodic payment collected up to and including the final periodic payment prior to the loan being considered “rehabilitated” by our clients, and (ii) if the loan is “rehabilitated,” then we are paid a one-time percentage of the total amount of the remaining unpaid balance. The fees we are paid vary by recovery outcome as well as by contract. For non-government-supported student loans we are generally only paid contingency fees on two outcomes: full repayment or recurring repayments. The table below describes our typical fee structure for each of these five outcomes.

 

 

Student Loan Recovery Outcomes

    Full Repayment   Recurring Payments         Rehabilitation   Loan Restructuring   Wage Garnishment
 

•Repayment in full of the loan

 

•Regular structured payments, typically according to a renegotiated payment plan

     

•After a defaulted borrower has made nine consecutive recurring payments, the loan is eligible for rehabilitation

 

•Restructure and consolidate a number of outstanding loans into a single loan, typically with one monthly payment and an extended maturity

 

•If we are unable to obtain voluntary repayment, payments may be obtained through wage garnishment after certain administrative requirements are met

 

•We are paid a percentage of the full payment that is made

 

•We are paid a percentage of each payment

   

•We are paid based on a percentage of the overall value of the rehabilitated loan

 

•We are paid based on a percentage of overall value of the restructured loan

 

•We are paid a percentage of each payment

                                     

For certain GA clients, we have entered into Master Service Agreements, or MSAs. Under these agreements, clients provide their entire inventory of outsourced loans or receivables to us for recovery on an exclusive basis, rather than just a portion, as with traditional contracts that are split among various service providers. In certain circumstances, we engage subcontractors to assist in the recovery of a portion of the client’s portfolio. We also receive success fees for the recovery of loans under MSAs and our revenues under MSA arrangements include fees earned by the activities of our subcontractors. As of March 31, 2012, we had four MSA clients in the student loan market.

 

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Healthcare

We derive revenue from the healthcare market primarily from our RAC contract, under which we are the prime contractor responsible for detecting improperly paid Part A and Part B Medicare claims in 12 states in the Northeastern United States. Revenues earned under the RAC contract are driven by the identification of improperly paid Medicare claims through both automated and manual review of such claims. We are paid contingency fees by CMS based on a percentage of the dollar amount of claims recovered by CMS as a result of our efforts. We recognize revenue when the provider pays CMS or incurs an offset against future Medicare claims. The revenue we recognize is net of our estimate of claims that will be overturned by appeal following payment by the provider.

To accelerate our ability to provide Medicare audit and recovery services across our region following our award of the RAC contract, we outsourced certain aspects of our healthcare recovery process to three different subcontractors. Two of these subcontractors provide a specific service to us in connection with our claims recovery process, and one subcontractor is engaged to provide all of the audit and recovery services for claims within a portion of our region. According to CMS, the geographic area allocated to this subcontractor represented approximately 17% of the total Medicare spending in our region in 2009. We recognize all of the revenues generated by the claims recovered through these subcontractor relationships, and we recognize the fees that we pay to these subcontractors in our expenses.

Other

We also derive revenue from the recovery of delinquent state taxes, and federal Treasury and other receivables, default aversion services for certain clients including financial institutions and the licensing of hosted technology solutions to certain clients. For our hosted technology services, we license our system and integrate our technology into our clients’ operations, for which we are paid a licensing fee. Our revenues for these services include contingency fees, fees based on dedicated headcount to our clients and hosted technology licensing fees.

Operating Metrics

We monitor a number of operating metrics in order to evaluate our business and make decisions regarding our corporate strategy. These key metrics include Placement Volume, Placement Revenue as a Percentage of Placement Volume, Net Claim Recovery Volume and Claim Recovery Fee Rate.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
     2009     2010     2011     2011     2012  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Student Lending:

          

Placement Volume

   $ 4,920,506      $ 5,294,971      $ 6,241,483      $ 1,679,002      $ 1,001,808   

Placement Revenue as a percentage of Placement Volume

     1.71     1.96     1.96     1.53     2.91

Healthcare:

          

Net Claim Recovery Volume

   $      $ 15,494      $ 188,573      $ 31,599      $ 106,100   

Claim Recovery Fee Rate

            11.76     11.43     11.54     11.38

Placement Volume.   Our Placement Volume represents the dollar volume of defaulted student loans first placed with us during the specified period by public and private clients for recovery. Placement Volume allows us to measure and track trends in the amount of inventory our clients in the student lending market are placing with us during any period. The revenue associated with the recovery of a portion of these loans may be recognized in subsequent accounting periods, which assists management in estimating future revenues and in allocating resources necessary to address current Placement Volumes.

 

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Placement Revenue as a Percentage of Placement Volume.   Placement Revenue as a Percentage of Placement Volume is calculated by dividing revenue recognized during the specified period by Placement Volume first placed with us during that same period. This metric is subject to some level of variation from period to period based upon certain timing differences including, but not limited to, the timing of placements received by us within a period and the fact that a significant portion of revenue recognized in a current period is often generated from the Placement Volume received in prior periods. However, we believe that this metric provides a useful indication of the revenues we are generating from Placement Volumes on an ongoing basis and provides management with an indication of the relative efficiency of our recovery operations from period to period.

Net Claim Recovery Volume.   Our Net Claim Recovery Volume measures the dollar volume of improper Medicare claims that we have recovered for CMS during the applicable period net of any amount that we have reserved to cover appeals by healthcare providers. We are paid recovery fees as a percentage of this recovered claim volume. We calculate this metric by dividing our claim recovery revenue by our Claim Recovery Fee Rate. This metric shows trends in the volume of improper payments within our region and allows management to measure our success in finding these improper payments, over time.

Claim Recovery Fee Rate.   Our Claim Recovery Fee Rate represents the weighted-average percentage of our fees compared to amounts recovered by CMS. This percentage primarily depends on the method of recovery and, in some cases, the type of improper payment that we identify. This metric helps management measure how much revenue we generate from Net Claim Recovery Volume.

Costs and Expenses

We generally report two categories of operating expenses: salaries and benefits and other operating expense. Salaries and benefits expenses consist primarily of salaries and performance incentives paid and benefits provided to our employees. Other operating expense includes expenses related to our use of subcontractors, other production related expenses, including costs associated with data processing, retrieval of medical records, printing and mailing services, amortization and other outside services, as well as general corporate and administrative expenses. In addition to our main components of operating expenses, we incurred a $13.4 million impairment expense to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible asset due to our plan to retire our Diversified Collection Services, Inc. trade name in 2011, which we report as Impairment of trade name. We expect a significant portion of our expenses to increase as we grow our business. However, we expect certain expenses, including our corporate and general administrative expenses, to grow at a slower rate than our revenues. As a result, and over the long term, we expect our overall expenses to modestly decline as a percentage of revenues.

We also expect to incur additional professional fees and other expenses resulting from future expansion and the compliance requirements of operating as a public company, including increased audit and legal expenses, investor relations expenses, increased insurance expenses, particularly for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and the costs of complying with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. While these costs may initially increase as a percentage of our revenues, we expect that in the future these expenses will increase at a slower rate than our overall business volume, and that they will eventually represent a smaller percentage of our revenues.

Factors Affecting Our Operating Results

Our results of operations are primarily influenced by allocation of placement volume, claim recovery volume, contingency fees, regulatory matters, effects of client concentration and macroeconomic factors.

Allocation of Placement Volume

Our clients have the right to unilaterally set and increase or reduce the volume of defaulted student loans or other receivables that we service at any given time. In addition, many of our recovery contracts for student loans and other receivables are not exclusive, with our clients retaining multiple service providers to service portions of their portfolios. Accordingly, the number of delinquent student loans or other receivables that are

 

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placed with us may vary from time to time, which may have a significant affect on the amount and timing of our revenues. We believe the major factors that influence the number of placements we receive from our clients in the student loan market include our performance under our existing contracts and our ability to perform well against competitors for a particular client. To the extent that we perform well under our existing contracts and differentiate our services from those of our competitors, we may receive a relatively greater number of placements under these existing contracts and may improve our ability to obtain future contracts from these clients and other potential clients.

Typically we are able to anticipate with reasonable accuracy the timing and volume of placements of defaulted student loans and other receivables based on historical patterns and regular communication with our clients. Occasionally, however, placements are delayed due to factors outside of our control. For example, a technology system upgrade at the Department of Education, which began in September 2011 and remains ongoing through March 31, 2012, has significantly decreased the volume of student loan placements by the Department of Education to all recovery vendors, including us, during this period. As a result, the dollar amount of placements that we received from the Department of Education in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 58% lower than in the comparable three months ended March 31, 2011. While it is expected that we and the other Department of Education recovery vendors will receive substantially larger than normal placements once this situation is resolved, the large majority of the revenues from these placements will be delayed because we do not begin to earn rehabilitation revenues from a given placement until at least nine months after receipt of the placement. In addition, since September 2011, the Department of Education has not been able to process a significant majority of rehabilitated student loans and accordingly we have not been able to recognize a significant majority of the revenues associated with rehabilitation of loans for this client. However, the Department of Education has continued to pay us based on invoices submitted and we have recorded these cash receipts as deferred revenues on our balance sheet. When these rehabilitated loans are processed by the Department of Education, we expect to recognize the revenues in the period in which these rehabilitated loans are processed by the Department of Education. This has led to deferred revenues of $6.1 million as of March 31, 2012. Delays in placement volume, as well as acceleration of placement volume, from any of our large clients may cause our revenue and operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Claim Recovery Volume

While we are entitled to review Medicare records for all Part A and Part B claims in our region, we are not permitted to identify an improper claim unless that particular type of claim has been pre-approved by CMS to ensure compliance with applicable Medicare payment policies as well as national and local coverage determinations. The growth of our revenues is determined primarily by the aggregate volume of Medicare claims in our region and our ability to identify improper payments within these claims. However, the long-term growth of these revenues will also be affected by the scope of the issues pre-approved by CMS.

Contingency Fees

Our revenues consist primarily of contract-based contingency fees. The contingency fee percentages that we earn are set by our clients, and may change from time to time either under the terms of existing contracts or pursuant to the terms of contract renewals. Any changes in the contingency fee percentages that we are paid under existing and future contracts could have a significant impact on our revenues.

Regulatory Matters

Each of the markets which we serve is highly regulated. Accordingly, changes in regulations that affect the types of loans, receivables and claims that we are able to service or the manner in which any such delinquent loans, receivables and claims can be recovered will affect our revenues and results of operations. For example, the passage of SAFRA in 2010 had the effect of transferring the origination of all government-supported student loans to the Department of Education, thereby ending all student loan originations guaranteed by the GAs. Loans guaranteed by the GAs represented approximately 70% of government-supported student loans originated in

 

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2009. While the GAs will continue to service existing outstanding student loans for years to come, this legislation will over time shift the portfolio of student loans that we manage toward the Department of Education, and further concentrate our sources of revenues and increase our reliance on our relationship with the Department of Education. In addition, our entry into the healthcare market was facilitated by passage of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which mandated CMS to contract with private firms to audit Medicare claims in an effort to increase the recovery of improper Medicare payments. Any changes to the regulations that affect the student loan industry or the recovery of defaulted student loans or the Medicare program generally or the audit and recovery of Medicare claims could have a significant impact on our revenues and results of operations.

Client Concentration

Our revenues from the student loan market depend on our ability to maintain our contracts with some of the largest providers of student loans. In 2011, four providers of student loans each accounted for more than 10% of our revenues during such period and they collectively accounted for 61% of our total revenues during this period. Our contracts with these clients entitle them to unilaterally terminate their contractual relationship with us at any time without penalty. If we lose one of our significant clients, including if one of our significant clients is consolidated by an entity that does not use our services, if the terms of compensation for our services change or if there is a reduction in the level of placements provided by any of these clients, our revenues could decline.

Our contract with CMS for the recovery of improper Medicare payments began generating significant revenues during 2011 and represented 26% of our total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2012. This contract expires in 2014 and we expect that renewal of the contract will be a competitive process. While we believe our performance under the existing agreement and the experience we have gained in performing this contract position us well to renew the agreement, failure to renew the agreement or renewal on substantially less favorable terms could significantly harm our revenues and results of operations.

Macroeconomic Factors

Certain macroeconomic factors influence our business and results of operations. These include the increasing volume of student loan originations in the U.S. as a result of increased tuition costs and student enrollment, the default rate of student loan borrowers, the growth in Medicare expenditures resulting from increasing healthcare costs, as well as the fiscal budget tightening of federal, state and local governments as a result of general economic weakness and lower tax revenues.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. 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. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The majority of our contracts are contingency fee based. We recognize revenue on these contingency fee based contracts when third-party payors remit payment to our clients or remit payment to us on behalf of our clients, and, consequently, the contingency is deemed to have been satisfied. Under our RAC contract with CMS,

 

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we recognize revenue when the healthcare provider has paid CMS for a given claim. Providers have the right to appeal a claim, and may pursue additional appeals if the initial appeal is found in favor of CMS. We accrue a reserve for appeals based on the amount that we estimate will be overturned in the provider’s favor. Our levels of reserves for appeals are based on assumptions derived from our limited experience under our contract with CMS, and our inability to correctly estimate these reserves could adversely affect our revenues.

Goodwill

We periodically review the carrying value of intangible assets not subject to amortization, including goodwill, to determine whether an impairment may exist. GAAP requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets not subject to amortization be assessed annually for impairment using fair value measurement techniques.

Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step test. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its book value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its book value, goodwill is considered not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the book value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the book value of that goodwill. If the book value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment . This ASU permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity concludes it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it need not perform the two-step impairment test. The ASU permits early adoption, and based on our qualitative assessment we concluded that we are not required to perform the two-step impairment test at December 31, 2011.

Impairments of Depreciable Intangible Assets

We evaluate depreciable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Depreciable intangible assets consist of client contracts and related relationships, and are being amortized over their estimated useful life, which is generally 20 years. We evaluate the client contracts intangible at the individual contract level. The recoverability of such assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. There was no impairment expense for depreciable intangible assets in 2010 and 2011. In 2009, an impairment charge of $2.6 million was recognized to account for our decision to discontinue a relationship with a client.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

The following table represents our historical operating results for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2011     2012  
     (in thousands)  
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:             

Revenues

        $ 35,080           $ 45,878   

Operating expenses:

    

Salaries and benefits

     16,729        18,641   

Other operating expense

     10,073        16,141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     26,802        34,782   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     8,278        11,096   

Debt extinguishment costs

            (3,679

Interest expense

     (3,443     (3,190

Interest income

     32        31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     4,867        4,258   

Provision for income taxes

     1,949        1,742   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        $         2,918           $         2,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues

Total revenues were $45.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $10.8 million, or 30.8%, compared to total revenue of $35.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase in revenues is primarily due to an increase of $8.4 million in revenues received from CMS under our RAC contract as a result of higher claim recovery volumes and an increase of $2.8 million in student loan recovery revenues. This increase was partially offset by a reduction of $2.4 million of student loan rehabilitation revenues from the Department of Education for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011, as a result of the inability of the Department of Education to process rehabilitated loans due to the delays created by their technology system upgrade.

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits expense was $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $1.9 million, or 11.4%, compared to salaries and benefits expense of $16.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase is primarily due to hiring of new employees to provide services under our RAC contract with CMS, an increase in administrative employees and an increase in expenses associated with the engagement of additional software engineers to assist in the integration of a newly acquired software license.

Other Operating Expense

Other operating expense was $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $6.1 million, or 60.2%, compared to other operating expense of $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase is primarily due to an additional $3.5 million of subcontractor expenses incurred in connection with increased services provided under the RAC contract and MSA contracts in our student lending market. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2012, we incurred an additional $0.9 million of data processing, retrieval of medical records, printing and mailing services expenses as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011, due to increases in payments to healthcare providers for the transfer of medical records in connection with the RAC contract.

 

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Income from Operations

As a result of the factors described above, income from operations was $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $8.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, representing an increase of $2.8 million, or 34.0%.

Debt Extinguishment Costs

As a result of the entry into our new credit facility and the repayment of all amounts owed under our then existing credit facility in March 2012, we incurred debt extinguishment costs of $3.7 million, comprised of approximately $3.3 million in fees paid to the lenders in connection with our new credit facility and approximately $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with our old credit facility.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 representing a decrease of 7.3%.

Net Income

As a result of the factors described above, net income was $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which represented a decrease of $0.4 million compared to net income of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Excluding the debt extinguishment costs incurred in March 2012, net income would have been $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2011

The following table presents our historical operating results for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010     2011  
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

    

Revenues

        $         123,519           $         162,974   

Operating expenses:

    

Salaries and benefits

     58,113        67,082   

Other operating expense

     33,655        49,199   

Impairment of trade name

            13,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     91,768        129,681   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     31,751        33,293   

Interest expense

     (15,230     (13,530

Interest income

     118        125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     16,639        19,888   

Provision for income taxes

     6,664        7,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        $ 9,975           $ 12,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues

Total revenues were $163.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $39.5 million, or 31.9%, compared to total revenues of $123.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Of this increase, $19.7 million is attributable to increased recovery activity on our RAC contract with CMS and reflects the first full-year of our recovery activity related to this contract. The remaining increase was primarily a result

 

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of an increase in revenues from our student lending markets, due largely to an approximately 17.9% increase in placement volume from 2010 to 2011.

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits was $67.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $9.0 million, or 15.4%, compared to salaries and benefits expense of $58.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase is primarily due to an increase in employee headcount associated with hiring to staff our operations under the RAC contract. Our employee headcount was 1,280 as of December 31, 2011, an increase of 160, or 14.3%, over the employee headcount of 1,120 as of December 31, 2010.

Other Operating Expense

Other operating expense was $49.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $15.5 million, or 46.2%, compared to other operating expense of $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase is primarily due to the use of subcontractors as we expand our operations in our healthcare market to help address the new and significant claims activity, along with increases in payments to healthcare providers for the transfer of medical records as required under the RAC contract. In addition, we recorded a $1.2 million expense in 2011 related to a legal settlement that was paid out in the first quarter of 2012.

Income From Operations

As a result of the factors described above, income from operations was $33.3 million, for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This reflects an expense of $13.4 million related to impairment expenses to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible assets due to the retirement of a former trade name. Income from operations excluding this expense totaled $46.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, which represents an increase of $14.9 million, or 47.1%, as compared to income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $1.7 million from $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The reduction in interest expense is due primarily to lower notes payable balances resulting from principal repayments.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, represented an effective tax rate of 37.8% of income before provision for income tax.

Net Income

As a result of the factors described above, net income was $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, which represented an increase of $2.4 million over net income of $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Excluding the impairment expenses to write off the carrying amount of the trade name, net income would have been $20.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2010

The following table presents our historical operating results for the periods presented:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2009     2010  
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

    

Revenues

        $         109,832           $         123,519   

Operating expenses:

    

Salaries and benefits

     53,728        58,113   

Other operating expense

     32,110        33,655   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     85,838        91,768   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     23,994        31,751   

Interest expense

     (16,017     (15,230

Interest income

     104        118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     8,081        16,639   

Provision for income taxes

     3,071        6,664   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        $ 5,010           $ 9,975   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues

Total revenues were $123.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $13.7 million, or 12.5%, compared to total revenues of $109.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Total revenues increased as a result of greater student loan revenue of $19.6 million driven by increased placement volume and $1.8 million of revenue associated with the commencement of operations under our RAC contract. This increase was partially offset by decrease in other revenue primarily attributable to a revenue benefit we experienced in 2009 related to tax amnesty programs in two states, which is estimated to be $7.3 million.

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries and benefits expense was $58.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $4.4 million, or 8.2%, compared to salaries and related expense of $53.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The change is due primarily to an increase in employee headcount required for the implementation of the RAC contract. Our employee headcount was 1,120 as of December 31, 2010, an increase of 61, or 5.8%, over the employee headcount of 1,059 as of December 31, 2009.

Other Operating Expense

Other operating expense was $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $1.5 million, or 4.8%, compared to other operating expense of $32.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The change is due mainly to increased use of subcontractors to help meet increased recovery activity, along with an increase in legal fees associated with a lawsuit.

Income from Operations

As a result of the factors described above, income from operations was $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $24.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in income from operations was primarily due to revenues growing at a higher rate than operating expenses as a result of operating efficiencies.

 

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Interest Expense

Interest expense was $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $0.8 million from $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The reduction in interest expense is primarily due to lower notes payable balances resulting from principal repayments.

Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes of $6.7 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $3.6 million compared to provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our effective tax rate increased to 40.0% from 38.0%.

Net Income

As a result of the factors described above, net income was $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, which represents an increase of $5.0 million as compared to net income of $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly operating data for each of the nine quarters during the period from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012. In our management’s opinion, the data has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus and reflect all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of these data. You should read this information together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Operating results for any fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    Mar 31,
2010
    Jun 30,
2010
    Sept 30,
2010
    Dec 31,
2010
    Mar 31,
2011
    Jun 30,
2011
    Sep 30,
2011
    Dec 31,
2011
    Mar 31,
2012
 
    (in thousands)  

Revenues

   $   29,135       $   31,319       $   29,362       $   33,703       $   35,080       $   43,244       $   42,009       $   42,641       $   45,878   

Operating expenses:

                 

Salaries and benefits

    14,715        14,232        14,185        14,981        16,729        17,252        16,456        16,645        18,641   

Other operating expense

    7,231        8,330        8,414        9,680        10,073        11,507        13,613        14,006        16,141   

Impairment of trade name (1)

                                                     13,400          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    21,946        22,562        22,599        24,661        26,802        28,759        30,069        44,051        34,782   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

    7,189        8,757        6,763        9,042        8,278        14,485        11,940        (1,410     11,096   

Debt extinguishment costs (2)

                                                            (3,679

Interest expense

    (3,991     (3,971     (3,667     (3,601     (3,443     (3,404     (3,366     (3,317     (3,190

Interest income

    25        28        34        31        32        31        31        31        31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

    3,223        4,814        3,130        5,472        4,867        11,112        8,605        (4,696     4,258   

Provision for income taxes

    1,291        1,928        1,254        2,191        1,949        4,451        3,439        (2,323     1,742   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,932       $ 2,886       $ 1,876       $ 3,281       $ 2,918       $ 6,661       $ 5,166       $ (2,373    $ 2,516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents impairment expense to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible asset due to the plan to retire the Diversified Collection Services, Inc. trade name.

(2)

Represents debt extinguishment costs comprised of approximately $3.3 million of fees paid to lenders in connection with our new credit facility and approximately $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with our old credit facility.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of liquidity is cash flows from operations. We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents combined with the amounts available under our credit agreement and the proceeds to us from sales of

 

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our common stock in this offering, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements may vary materially from those currently planned and will depend on many factors, among other things, including our future profitability, cash flows from operations, and the availability under our credit agreement.

Our cash and cash equivalents was $12.3 million as of March 31, 2012.

Cash Flows

The following table presents information regarding our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2010     2011         2011             2012      
     (in thousands)  

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ 15,633      $ 18,214      $ 28,985      $ 9,188      $ 2,842   

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (4,877     (4,921     (6,111     (1,046     (1,963

Net cash flows used in financing activities

     (10,940     (11,139     (13,948     (3,500     (8,571

Cash flows from operating activities

We generated $2.8 million of cash from operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily resulting from our net income of $2.5 million and non-cash depreciation and amortization of $2.2 million, partially offset by non-cash changes in operating assets and liabilities of $2.5 million. A change in our operating assets and liabilities resulted from a $3.9 million increase in deferred revenues as a result of cash receipts from the Department of Education with respect to rehabilitation of student loans that the Department of Education has not been able to process due to its technology upgrade project. In the three months ended March 31, 2011, cash flows from operating activities were $9.2 million, reflecting net income of $2.9 million, depreciation and amortization of $1.9 million and net changes in operating assets and liabilities of $4.0 million.

We generated $29.0 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily resulting from our net income of $12.4 million, non-cash depreciation and amortization of $7.8 million, an impairment expense to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible asset due to the retirement of the Diversified Collection Services, Inc. trade name of $13.4 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $3.8 million, offset by non-cash deferred income taxes of $9.6 million. We generated $18.2 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily reflecting from our net income of $10.0 million, non-cash depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $7.2 million and interest expense from debt issuance costs of $2.0 million, partially offset by non-cash changes in operating assets and liabilities of $1.5 million. We generated $15.6 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily resulting from our net income of $5.0 million, non-cash depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $9.6 million and interest expense from debt issuance costs of $3.0 million, partially offset by non-cash deferred income taxes of $2.9 million.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows for investing activities were used primarily for the acquisition and maintenance of computer equipment and software, to enhance our technology platform and to improve our telecommunications systems. We used $2.0 million of cash in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, resulting from $1.2 million related to purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements and $0.8 million related to the initial payment for the purchase of a perpetual software license and computer equipment. We used $4.9 million, $4.9 million and $6.1 million of cash in investing activities for the purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, primarily returning investments in information technology systems and infrastructure to support increased business volumes.

 

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Cash flows from financing activities

Our financing activities have consisted primarily of the entry into our new credit agreement, the repayment of our old credit agreement, the redemption of shares of preferred stock and the payment of deferred financing fees. We used $8.6 million of cash in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily resulting from $136.5 million of net proceeds received from borrowings under our new notes payable and $4.5 million of net proceeds received from borrowings under our new line of credit, which were partially offset by $44.0 million used for the redemption of preferred stock, $95.2 million used for the repayment of our old notes payable, $8.2 million used for the repayment of our old line of credit and $2.2 million used for debt issuance costs. We used $13.9 million of cash in financing activities for the repayment of notes payable during the year ended December 31, 2011. We used $11.1 million of cash in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2010, comprised of $10.0 million used for the repayment of notes payable and $1.2 million used for debt issuance costs. We used $10.9 million of cash in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to $10.9 million used for the repayment of notes payable, $1.0 million for debt issuance costs and $0.9 million of net proceeds received from borrowings under our old line of credit.

Long-term Debt

On March 19, 2012, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a $147.5 million credit agreement with Madison Capital Funding LLC as administrative agent, ING Capital LLC as syndication agent, and other lenders party thereto. The senior credit facility consists of (i) a $57.0 million term A loan, (ii) a $79.5 million term B loan, and (iii) a $11.0 million revolving credit facility, which had a borrowing capacity of $5.1 million as of March 31, 2012. On June 28, 2012, we increased the amount of our borrowings under our term B loan by $19.5 million. We may also request the lenders to increase the size of the term B loan or other term loans by up to an additional $10.5 million at any time prior to March 19, 2014.

All borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (i) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (a) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal or another national publication, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c) 2.5% or (ii) a London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, rate determined by reference to the highest of (a) a Libor rate published in Reuters or another national publication and (b) 1.5%. The term A loan and the revolving credit facility have an applicable margin of 4.25% for base rate loans and 5.25% for Libor rate loans. The term B loan has an applicable margin of 4.75% for base rate loans and 5.75% for Libor rate loans. The minimum per annum interest rate that we are required to pay is 6.75% for the term A loan and revolving credit facility and 7.25% for the term B loan. Interest is due at the end of each month for base rate loans and at the end of each Libor period for Libor rate loans unless the Libor period is greater than 3 months, in which case interest is due at the last day of each 3-month interval of such Libor period.

The credit agreement requires us to prepay the two term loans on a prorated basis and then to prepay the revolving credit facility under certain circumstances: (i) with 100% of the net cash proceeds of any asset sale or other disposition of assets by us or our subsidiaries where the net cash proceeds exceed $1 million, (ii) with a percentage of our annual excess cash flow each year where such percentage ranges from 25%-75% depending on our total debt to EBITDA ratio reduced by any voluntary prepayments that are made on our term loans during the same period and (iii) with any net cash proceeds from a qualified initial public offering by us, less net proceeds applied to redeem any outstanding preferred equity or convertible debt, to pay a common shareholder dividend not to exceed $20 million or, if we comply with an adjusted EBITDA ratio set forth in the agreement, to our cash balances in an amount not to exceed $75 million. We intend to apply the net proceeds of this offering, other than as described under “Use of Proceeds,” to our cash balances.

We have to abide by certain negative covenants for our credit agreement, which limit the ability for our subsidiaries and us to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

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create or permit liens;

 

   

pay dividends or other distributions to our equity holders;

 

   

purchase or redeem certain equity interests of our equity holders, including any warrants, options and other security rights;

 

   

pay management fees or similar fees to any of our equity holders;

 

   

make any redemption, prepayment, defeasance, repurchase or any other payment with respect to any subordinated debt;

 

   

consolidate or merge;

 

   

sell assets, including the capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 

   

enter into transactions with our affiliates;

 

   

enter into different business lines; and

 

   

make investments.

The credit agreement also requires us to meet certain financial covenants, including maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio and a total debt to EBITDA ratio as such terms are defined in the agreement for our credit agreement. These financial covenants are tested at the end of each quarter beginning on June 30, 2012. The table below further describes these financial covenants, as well as our current status under these covenants as of March 31, 2012.

 

Financial Covenant

   Covenant
Requirement
     Actual Ratio at
March  31, 2012
 

Fixed charge coverage ratio (minimum)

     1.20 to 1.0         1.79 to 1.0   

Total debt to EBITDA ratio (maximum)

     3.25 to 1.0         2.13 to 1.0   

Contractual Obligations

The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011, except for long-term debt obligations, which reflect the terms of the new credit agreement dated March 19, 2012:

 

    Payments Due by Period  
    Less Than
1 Year
    1 – 3
Years
    3 – 5
Years
    More Than
5 Years
    Total  
    (in thousands)  

Long-Term Debt Obligations (1)

      $         8,134          $         21,690          $         21,690          $         89,486          $         141,000   

Interest Payments (1)

    11,137        19,483        16,214        7,869        54,703   

Operating Lease Obligations

    1,402        1,386        135               2,923   

Purchase Obligation

    732                             732   

Deferred Compensation

           1,761                      1,761   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ 21,405          $ 44,320          $ 38,039          $ 97,355          $ 201,119   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) We entered into our new credit agreement on March 19, 2012, with all outstanding indebtedness under our prior loan facility paid in full. Long-term debt obligations and interest payments presented in this table relate solely to our new credit agreement.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. We conduct all of our business in U.S. currency and therefore do not have any direct foreign currency risk. All borrowings under our senior secured credit facility bear interest at a variable rate based on the prime rate or Libor. While we currently hold our excess cash in an operating account, in the future we may invest all or a portion of our excess cash in short-term investments, including money market accounts, where returns may reflect current interest rates. As a result, market interest rate changes impact our interest expense and interest income. This impact will depend on variables such as the magnitude of interest rate changes and the level of our borrowings under our credit facility or excess cash balances.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. However, we do not intend to elect to take advantage of this extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 as allowed by Section 107(b)(1) of the JOBS Act.

In December 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities . ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position, and to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The new standards are effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Retrospective application is required. We will implement the provisions of ASU 2011-11 as of January 1, 2013.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income . Under this ASU, an entity will have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The ASU eliminates the option in GAAP to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. An entity should apply the ASU retrospectively. For a nonpublic entity, the ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2012, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. In December 2011, the FASB decided to defer the effective date of those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate only to the presentation of reclassification adjustments in the statement of income by issuing ASU 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive income in Accounting Standards Update 2011-05 . We plan to implement the provisions of ASU 2011-05 by presenting a separate statement of other comprehensive income following the statement of income in 2012.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS . The new standards do not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provide guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or GAAP. For GAAP, most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align with IFRS. A nonpublic entity is required to apply the ASU prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We expect that the adoption of ASU 2011-04 in 2012 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We provide technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States. Our services help identify and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. Our clients typically operate in complex and regulated environments and outsource their recovery needs in order to reduce losses on billions of dollars of defaulted student loans, improper healthcare payments and delinquent state tax and federal treasury receivables. We generally provide our services on an outsourced basis, where we handle many or all aspects of our clients’ recovery processes.

We believe we have a leading position in our markets based on our proprietary technology-enabled services platform, long-standing client relationships and the large volume of funds we have recovered for our clients. In 2011, we provided recovery services on approximately $8.7 billion of combined student loans and other delinquent federal and state receivables and recovered approximately $189 million in improper Medicare payments. Our clients include 13 of the 33 public sector participants in the student loan industry and these relationships average more than 11 years in length, including a 22-year relationship with the Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, total government-supported student loan originations were approximately $109 billion in 2011, and, at the end of 2011, approximately $60 billion of government-supported student loans were in default. In the healthcare market, we are currently one of four prime Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors, or RACs, in the United States for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. According to the Government Accountability Office, Medicare paid $525 billion of claims in 2010, of which approximately $48 billion were estimated to be improper payments.

We utilize our technology platform to efficiently provide recovery and analytics services in the markets we serve. We have continuously developed and refined our technology platform for almost two decades by using our extensive domain and data processing expertise. Our technology platform allows us to disaggregate otherwise complex recovery processes into a series of simple, efficient and consistent component steps, which we refer to as workflows, for our recovery and healthcare claims review specialists. This approach enables us to continuously refine our recovery processes to achieve higher rates of recovery with greater efficiency. By optimizing what traditionally have been manually-intensive processes, we believe we achieve higher workforce productivity versus more traditional labor-intensive outsourcing business models. For example, we generated in excess of $130,000 of revenues per employee during 2011, based on the average number of employees during the year.

We believe that our platform is easily adaptable to new markets and processes. Over the past several years, we have successfully extended our platform into additional markets with significant recovery opportunities. For example, we utilized the same basic platform previously used primarily for student loan recovery activities to enter the healthcare market. Recently, we have enhanced our platform through investment in new data and analytics capabilities, which we believe will enable us to provide additional services such as services relating to the detection of fraud, waste and abuse.

Our revenue model is generally success-based as we earn fees based on a percentage of the aggregate amount of funds that we enable our clients to recover. Our services do not require any significant upfront investments by our clients and we offer our clients the opportunity to recover significant funds otherwise lost. Because our model is based upon the success of our efforts and the dollars we enable for our clients to recover, our business objectives are aligned with those of our clients and we are generally not reliant on their spending budgets. Further, our business model does not require significant capital expenditures for us and we do not purchase loans or obligations. We believe we benefit from a significant degree of revenue visibility due to reasonably predictable recovery outcomes in a substantial portion of our business.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated approximately $163.0 million in revenues, $12.4 million in net income, $57.8 million in adjusted EBITDA and $25.0 million in adjusted net income. For the three-months ended March 31, 2012, we generated approximately $45.9 million in revenues, $2.5 million in net

 

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income, $13.7 million in adjusted EBITDA and $5.8 million in adjusted net income. For a discussion on limitations associated with using adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income rather than GAAP measures and reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to net income see the section titled “Summary Consolidated Financial Data—non-GAAP financial measures.”

Our Markets

We operate in markets characterized by strong growth, a complex regulatory environment and a significant amount of delinquent, defaulted or improperly paid assets.

Student Lending

Student lending is a large and critically-important market in the United States. According to the Department of Education, total government-supported student loan originations were approximately $109 billion in the year ended September 30, 2011, and the aggregate dollar amount of these loans has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% from 2002 through 2011. This growth has been supported by general demographic trends, increased enrollment, and rising costs of tuition and other expenses that increase the need for borrowed funds among students. In addition to strong underlying origination growth, the default rates among student loan borrowers have increased in recent years. The “cohort default rate,” which is the measure utilized by the Department of Education to track the percentage of government-supported loan borrowers that enter repayment in a certain year ended September 30 and default by the end of the next year ended September 30, has risen from approximately 5% in 2006 to approximately 9% in 2009, the last year for which data is available.

Government-supported student loans are authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Historically, there have been two distribution channels for student loans: (i) the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, or FDSLP, which represents loans made and managed directly by the Department of Education; and (ii) the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFELP, which represents loans made by private institutions and currently backed by any of the 32 GAs.

In July 2010, the government-supported student loan sector underwent a structural change with the passage of SAFRA. This legislation transitioned all new government-supported student loan originations to the FDSLP, and away from originations made by private institutions within the FFELP that had previously utilized the GAs to guarantee, manage and service loans. The GAs are non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporations operating under contract with the U.S. Secretary of Education, pursuant to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, solely for the purpose of guaranteeing and managing student loans originated by lenders participating in the FFELP. Consequently, while the original distribution channels for student loans have been consolidated into one channel, the Department of Education, this does not impact the volume of government-supported student loan origination, which is a key driver of the volume of defaulted student loan inventory. In addition, despite this transition of all new loan originations to the FDSLP, GAs will continue to manage a significant amount of defaulted student loans for some period of time, due to their large outstanding portfolios of loans originated prior to July 2010. The outstanding portfolios of defaulted FFELP loans will, therefore, require recovery for the foreseeable future.

The Department of Education estimates that the balance of defaulted loans was approximately $29.6 billion in the FDSLP as of September 30, 2011 and approximately $30.4 billion in the FFELP as of December 31, 2011. These programs collectively guaranteed approximately $706 billion of federal government-supported student loans according to the Congressional Budget Office as of September 30, 2011. Given the operational and logistical complexity involved in managing the recovery of defaulted student loans, the Department of Education and the GAs generally choose to outsource these services to third parties.

 

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The tables below show government-supported student loan originations and government-supported default inventory for the years ended 2007 through 2011 as reported by the Department of Education.

 

Government-Supported Student Loan Originations   Government-Supported Default Inventory
($ in billions)   ($ in billions)

LOGO

 

(1)

Represents inventory as of September 30, 2011.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry represents a significant portion of the U.S. GDP. According to CMS, U.S. healthcare spending exceeded $2.6 trillion in 2010 and is forecast to grow at a 6% annual rate through 2020. In particular, CMS indicates that federal government-related healthcare spending for 2010 totaled approximately $1.2 trillion. This government-related spending included approximately $525 billion for Medicare, which provides a range of healthcare coverage primarily to elderly and disabled Americans, and $401 billion for Medicaid, which provides federal matching funds for states to finance healthcare for individuals at or below the public assistance level.

The tables below show total U.S. healthcare expenditures from 2010 through 2020 as estimated by CMS and total Medicare spending from 2010 through 2020 as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office.

 

Total U.S. Healthcare Expenditures   Medicare Spending
($ in trillions)   ($ in billions)
LOGO   LOGO

Medicare was initially established as part of the Social Security Act of 1965 and consists of four parts: Part A covers hospital and other inpatient stays; Part B covers hospital outpatient, physician and other services; Part C is known as Medicare Advantage, under which beneficiaries receive benefits through private health plans; and Part D is the Medicare outpatient prescription drug benefit.

Of the $525 billion of 2010 Medicare spending, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that approximately $48 billion, or 9%, was improper, and is the federal public assistance program with the largest amount of improper payments. Medicare improper payments generally involve incorrect coding,

 

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procedures performed which were not medically necessary, incomplete documentation or claims submitted based on outdated fee schedules, among other issues. Likewise, Medicaid improper payments were estimated to be $23 billion, or 6%, of total Medicaid payments for 2010. The following table illustrates the proportion of improper payments among federal public assistance programs in the year ended September 30, 2010, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Top Federal Programs with Improper Payments in the Year Ended
September 30, 2010

 

LOGO

Total = $125 billion

 

(1)

Other includes National School Lunch, Pell Grant, and 60 additional programs.

In accordance with the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, a demonstration program was conducted from March 2005 to March 2008 in six states to determine if the RAC program could be effectively used to identify improper payments for claims paid under Medicare Part A and Part B. Due to the success of this demonstration, under The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the U.S. Congress authorized the expansion of the RAC program nationwide. CMS relies on third-party contractors to execute the RAC program to analyze millions of Medicare claims annually for improper payments that have been paid to healthcare providers. The program was implemented by designating one prime contractor in each of the four major regions in the United States: West, Midwest, South, and Northeast.

In addition to government-related healthcare spending, significant growth is expected in the private healthcare market. According to the CMS’ National Health Expenditures survey, the private healthcare market accounted for approximately $1.4 trillion in spending in 2010 and private expenditures are projected to grow more than 5% annually through 2020.

Other Markets

State Tax Market

We believe that the demand for recovery of delinquent state taxes will grow as state governments struggle with revenue generation and face significant budget deficits. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, an independent think tank, 47 U.S. states faced budget shortfalls totaling $130 billion in the year ended September 30, 2011, with at least 43 states anticipating deficits for fiscal year 2012. The recent economic recession has led to lower income and sales taxes from both individuals and corporations, reducing overall tax revenues and leading to large budget deficits at the state government level. While many states have received federal aid, most have cut services and increased taxes to help close the budget shortfall and have evaluated outsourcing at least some aspect of delinquent tax recovery.

 

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Federal Agency Market

The federal agency market consists of government debt subrogated to the Department of the Treasury by numerous different federal agencies, comprising a mix of commercial and individual obligations and a diverse range of receivables. These debts are managed by the Department of Financial Management Service, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, or FMS. Since 1996, the FMS has recovered more than $54 billion in delinquent federal debt. For the year ended September 30, 2011, federal agency recoveries in this market totaled more than $6.2 billion, an increase of more than $700 million over 2010. A significant portion of these collections are processed by private collection firms on behalf of the FMS.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that our business is difficult to replicate, as it incorporates a combination of several important and differentiated elements, including:

 

   

Scalable and flexible technology-enabled services platform.   We have built a proprietary technology platform that is highly flexible, intuitive and easy to use for our recovery and claims specialists. Our platform is easily configurable and deployable across multiple markets and processes. For example, we have successfully extended our platform from the student loan market to the state tax, federal treasury receivables and the healthcare recovery markets, each having its own industry complexities and specific regulations.

 

   

Advanced, technology-enabled workflow processes.   Our technology-enabled workflow processes, developed over many years of operational experience in recovery services, disaggregate otherwise complex recovery processes into a series of simple, efficient and consistent steps that are easily configurable and applicable to different types of recovery-related applications. We believe our workflow software is highly intuitive and helps our recovery and claims specialists manage each step of the recovery process, while automating a series of otherwise manually-intensive and document-intensive steps in the recovery process. We believe our streamlined workflow technology drives higher efficiencies in our operations, as illustrated by our ability to generate in excess of $130,000 of revenues per employee during 2011, based on the average number of employees during the year. We believe our streamlined workflow technology also improves recovery results relative to more labor-intensive outsourcing models.

 

   

Enhanced data and analytics capabilities.   Our data and analytics capabilities allow us to achieve strong recovery rates for our clients. We have collected recovery-related data for over two decades, which we combine with large volumes of client and third-party data to effectively analyze our clients’ delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments. We have also developed a number of analytics tools that we use to score our clients’ recovery inventory, determine the optimal recovery process and allocation of resources, and achieve higher levels of recovery results for our clients. In addition, we utilize analytics tools to continuously measure and test our recovery workflow processes to drive refinements and further enhance the quality and effectiveness of our capabilities. Finally, through a recent strategic investment, we have acquired enhanced data analytics capabilities, which we refer to as Performant Insight. We believe this investment will allow us to expand our capabilities into several new areas including the detection of fraud, waste and abuse in various markets.

 

   

Long-standing client relationships.   We believe our long-standing focus on achieving superior recovery performance for our clients and the significant value our clients derive from this focus have helped us achieve long-tenured client relationships, strong contract retention and better access to new clients and future growth opportunities. We have business relationships with 13 of the 33 public sector participants in the student loan market and these relationships average more than 11 years in length, including an approximate 22-year relationship with the Department of Education. In the healthcare market, we have a seven-year relationship with CMS and are currently one of only four prime Medicare RAC contractors.

 

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Extensive domain expertise in complex and regulated markets.   We have extensive experience and domain expertise in providing recovery services for government and private institutions that generally operate in complex and regulated markets. We have demonstrated our ability to develop domain expertise in new markets such as healthcare and state tax and federal Treasury receivables. We believe we have the necessary organizational experience to understand and adapt to evolving public policy and how it shapes the regulatory environment and objectives of our clients. We believe this helps us identify and anticipate growth opportunities. For example, we successfully identified government healthcare as a potential growth opportunity that has thus far led to the award of three contracts to us by CMS. Together with our flexible technology platform, we have the ability to adapt our business strategy, to allocate resources and to respond to changes in our regulatory environment to capitalize on new growth opportunities.

 

   

Proven and experienced management team .   Our management team has significant industry experience and has demonstrated strong execution capabilities. Our senior management team, led by Lisa Im, has been with us for an average of approximately 12 years. This team has successfully grown our revenue base and service offerings beyond the original student loan market into healthcare and delinquent state tax and private financial institutions receivables. Our management team’s industry experience, combined with deep and specialized understanding of complex and highly regulated industries, has enabled us to maintain long-standing client relationships and strong financial results.

Our Growth Strategy

Key elements of our growth strategy include the following:

 

   

Expand our student loan recovery volume.   According to the Department of Education, total government-supported student loan originations were approximately $109 billion in 2011, and have grown at a 12% compound annual growth rate from 2002 through 2011. The balance of defaulted government-supported student loans was estimated to be approximately $60 billion as of December 31, 2011. While we have long-standing relationships with some of the largest participants in the government-supported student loan market, we believe there are significant opportunities within this growing market to increase the volume of student loans placed with us by existing and new clients. For example, under our contract with the Department of Education, we believe there is an opportunity to grow our placement volume through strong performance. Further, as a result of our relationships with five of the seven largest GAs, we believe we are well-positioned to benefit as a result of any consolidation of smaller GAs over the coming years.

 

   

Expand our recovery services in the healthcare market.   According to CMS’ National Health Expenditures Survey, Medicare spending totaled approximately $525 billion in 2010 and is expected to increase to $922 billion in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6%. In the private healthcare market, spending totaled $1.4 trillion in 2010 and is expected to grow more than 6% annually through 2020, according to CMS’ National Health Expenditures survey. As these large markets continue to grow, we expect the need for recovery services to increase in the public and private healthcare markets. In the public healthcare space, we intend to utilize the experience gained through our contracts with CMS to pursue additional recovery opportunities in areas such as Medicare Secondary Payor Recovery and state Medicaid recovery. In addition, through our recently enhanced analytics capabilities, we intend to pursue opportunities to find and eliminate losses prior to payment for healthcare services including the detection of fraud, waste and abuse in the public and private healthcare markets.

 

   

Pursue strategic alliances and acquisitions.   We intend to selectively consider opportunities to grow through strategic alliances or acquisitions that are complementary to our business. These opportunities may enhance our existing capability or enable us to enter new markets or provide new products or services, such as our licensing of new applied data modeling analytics capabilities that can be used to identify fraudulent or erroneous healthcare claims prior to payment.

 

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Our Platform

Our technology-enabled services platform is based on over two decades of experience in recovering large amounts of funds on behalf of our clients across several markets. The components of our platform include our data management expertise, analytics capabilities and technology-based workflow processes. Our platform integrates these components to allow us to achieve optimized outcomes for our clients in the form of increased efficiency and productivity and high recovery rates. Our platform and workflow processes are also intuitive and easy to use for our recovery and claims specialists and allow us to increase our employee retention and productivity.

The components of our platform include the following:

Data Management Expertise

Our platform manages and stores large amounts of data throughout the workflow process. This includes both proprietary data we have compiled over two decades as well as third-party data which we can integrate efficiently and in real-time to reduce errors, reduce cycle time processing and, ultimately, improve recovery rates. The strength of our data management expertise augments our analytics capabilities and provides our recovery and claims specialists with powerful workflow processes.

Data Analytics Capabilities

Our data analytics capabilities efficiently screen and allocate massive volumes of recovery inventory. For example, upon receipt of each placement of student loans, we utilize our proprietary algorithms to assist us in determining the most efficient recovery process and the optimal allocation of recovery specialist resources for each loan. In the healthcare market, we analyze millions of Medicare claims to find potential correlations between claims data and improper payments, which enhance our future recovery rates. Across all of our current markets, we utilize our proprietary analytics tools to continuously and rigorously test our workflow processes in real-time to drive greater process efficiency and improvement in recovery rates.

Furthermore, we believe our enhanced analytics capabilities will extend our potential markets, permitting us to pursue significant new business opportunities. We intend to accelerate the use of our data analytics capabilities in the healthcare sector to offer a variety of services from post and pre-payment audit of healthcare claims in both the public and private healthcare sector, to detection of fraud, waste and abuse of healthcare claims, to coordination of benefits and pharmacy fraud detection.

Workflow Processes

Over many years, we have developed and refined our recovery workflow processes, which we believe drive higher efficiency and productivity and reduce our reliance on labor-intensive methods relative to more traditional recovery outsourcing models. We refer to the patented technology that supports our proprietary workflows as “Smart Bins.” Smart Bins disaggregate otherwise complex recovery processes into a series of simple, efficient and consistent steps that are easily configurable and applicable to different types of recovery-related applications. Our workflow processes integrate a broad range of functions that encompass each stage of a recovery process.

Smart Bins have been designed to be highly intuitive and help our recovery and claims specialists manage each step in the recovery process and enhance their productivity to high levels, regardless of skill differences among specialists. Smart Bins direct specialists toward the most efficient and effective action, or step with respect to the management and recovery of a defaulted student loan, with some input by specialists. Our technology places expert system rules into the workflow engine, allowing employees at different skill levels to manage the more complex work steps that highly experienced workers would perform, while automating document management and compliance functionality as industry regulations and compliance demands change.

 

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The following recovery diagram illustrates how the various components of our platform work together to solve a typical client workflow:

 

LOGO

 

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Our Services

We use our technology-enabled services platform to provide recovery and analytics services in a broad range of markets for the identification and recovery of student loans, improper healthcare payments and delinquent state tax and federal treasury receivables. The table below summarizes our recovery services and related analytics capabilities and the markets we serve.

 

Recovery Services

 

 

Analytics
Capabilities

 

Student Loans   Healthcare   Other Markets    

 

 

• Provide recovery services to the Department of Education, GAs and private institutions

 

• Identify and track defaulted borrowers across our clients’ portfolios of student loans

 

• Utilize our proprietary technology, our history of borrower data and our analytics capabilities to rehabilitate and recover past due student loans

 

• Earn contingent, success-based fees calculated as a percentage of funds that we enable our clients to recover

 

• Provide recovery services to identify improper healthcare payments

 

• Analyze millions of Medicare Parts A and B claims as the prime contractor for recovery services for improper payments in the Northeast region of the United States

 

• Identify improper payments typically resulting from incorrect coding, procedures that were not medically necessary, incomplete documentation or claims submitted based on outdated fee schedules

 

• Earn contingent, success-based fees based on a percentage of claim amounts recovered

 

• Provide tax recovery services to state and municipal agencies

 

• Recover government debt for numerous different federal agencies under a contract with the Treasury

 

• Enable financial institutions to proactively manage loan portfolios and reduce the incidence of defaulted loan assets

 

• Earn contingent, success-based fees calculated as a percentage of the amounts recovered, fees based on dedicated headcount and hosted technology licensing fees

 

• Provide claims audit, pharmacy management and coordination of benefits functions for one of the nation’s largest health care organizations

 

• We intend to accelerate the use of our recently acquired enhanced data analytics capabilities, which we refer to as Performant Insight, to offer a variety of services from post- and pre-payment audit of healthcare claims to detection of fraud, waste and abuse of healthcare claims, to coordination of benefits and pharmacy fraud detection

Recovery Services

Student Loans

We provide recovery services primarily to the government-supported student loan industry, and our clients include the Department of Education and several of the largest GAs, as well as private financial institutions. We use our proprietary technology to identify, track and communicate with defaulted borrowers on behalf of our clients to implement suitable recovery programs for the repayment of outstanding student loan balances.

Our clients contract with us to provide recovery services for large pools of student loans generally representing a portion of the total outstanding defaulted balances they manage, which they provide to us as “placements” on a periodic basis. Generally, the volume of placements that we receive from our clients is influenced by our performance under our contracts and our ability to recover funds from defaulted student loans,

 

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as measured against the performance of competitors who may service a similar pool of defaulted loans for the same client. To the extent we perform well under our existing contracts and differentiate our services from those of our competitors, we may receive a relatively greater number of student loan placements under these contracts and may improve our ability to obtain future contracts from these clients and other potential clients.

We believe the size and the composition of our student loan inventory at any point provides us with significant degree of revenue visibility for our student loan revenues. We use algorithms derived from over two decades of experience with defaulted student loans to make reasonably accurate estimates of the recovery outcomes likely to be derived from a placement of defaulted student loans.

We also restructure and recover student loans issued directly by banks to students outside of federal lending programs. These types of loans typically supplement government-supported student loans to meet any shortfall in supply of student loan needs that cannot be met by grants or federal loans. Unlike government-supported student loans, private student loans do not have capped interest rates and, accordingly, involve higher instances of default relative to federally-backed student loans.

Healthcare

We provide recovery services related to improper payments in the healthcare market. In 2009 we were awarded the role as one of four prime RAC contractors in the United States, with exclusive responsibility for the Northeast region. Under our RAC contract, we identify and facilitate the recovery of improper Parts A and B Medicare payments. Our geographical region accounted for approximately 23% of all Medicare spending in 2009 according to CMS. Our relationship with CMS began in 2005 with an initial demonstration contract to recover improper payments for Medicare Secondary Payor claims.

We utilize our technology-enabled services platform to screen Medicare claims against several criteria, including coding procedures and medical necessity standards, to determine whether a claim should be further investigated for recoupment or adjustment by CMS. We conduct automated and, where appropriate, detailed medical necessity reviews. If we determine that the likelihood of finding potential improper payment warrants further investigation, we request and review healthcare provider medical records related to the claim, utilizing experts in Medicare coding and registered nurses. We interact and communicate with healthcare providers and other administrative entities, and ultimately submit the claim to CMS for correction.

To accelerate our ability to provide Medicare audit and recovery services across our region following our award of the RAC contract, we outsource certain aspects of our healthcare recovery process to three different subcontractors. Two of these subcontractors provide a specific service to us in connection with our claims recovery process, and one subcontractor is engaged to provide all of the audit and recovery services for claims within a portion of our region. According to CMS, the geographic area allocated to this subcontractor represented approximately 17% of the total Medicare spending in our region in 2009.

Other Markets

We also provide recovery services to several state and municipal tax authorities, the Department of the Treasury and a number of financial institutions.

For state and municipal tax authorities, we analyze a portfolio of delinquent tax and other receivables placed with us, develop a recovery plan and execute a recovery process designed to maximize the recovery of funds. In some instances, we have also run state tax amnesty programs, which provide one-time relief for delinquent tax obligations, and other debtor management services for our clients. We currently have relationships with ten state and municipal governments. Delinquent obligations are placed with us by our clients and we utilize a process that is similar to the student loan recovery process for recovering these obligations.

For the Department of the Treasury, we recover government debt subrogated to it by numerous different federal agencies. The placements we are provided represent a mix of commercial and individual obligations. We are one of four contractors for the most recent Treasury contract.

 

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We also provide risk management advisory services that enable these clients to proactively manage loan portfolios and reduce the incidence of defaulted loan assets over time. Our experience suggests that proactive default prevention practices produce significant net yield and earnings gains for our clients. We deliver these services in two forms. First, we contact and consult with borrowers to implement a repayment program, including payment through automatic debit arrangements, prior to the beginning of the repayment period in order to increase the likelihood that payments begin on time. Second, we offer a service that involves contacting delinquent borrowers in an effort to cure the delinquency prior to the loan entering default.

Analytics Capabilities

For several years, we have leveraged our data analytics tools to help filter, identify and recover delinquent and defaulted assets and improper payments as part of our core recovery services platform. Recently, through a strategic investment, we acquired enhanced data analytics capabilities, which we refer to as Performant Insight. Performant Insight adds new capabilities in data warehousing and data processing tools that accelerate our ability to review, aggregate, and synthesize very large volumes of structured and unstructured data, at high speeds, from the initial intake of disparate data sources, to the warehousing of the data, to the analysis and reporting of the data. We believe we have built a differentiated, next-generation “end-to-end” data processing solution that will maximize value for current and future customers.

Performant Insight provides numerous benefits for our recovery services platform. Performant Insight has not only enhanced our existing recovery services under our RAC contract by analyzing significantly higher volumes of healthcare claims at faster rates and reducing our cycle time to review and assess healthcare claims, but has also enabled us to develop improved and more sophisticated business intelligence rules that can be applied to our audit processes. We believe our enhanced analytics capabilities will extend our potential markets, permitting us to pursue significant new business opportunities. We intend to accelerate the use of our data analytics capabilities in the healthcare sector to offer a variety of services from post and pre-payment audit of healthcare claims in both the public and private healthcare sector, to detection of fraud, waste and abuse of healthcare claims, to coordination of benefits and pharmacy fraud detection.

While our revenues from analytics services are limited to date, we believe these services represent a meaningful future opportunity. We currently offer analytics services to one of the largest national healthcare organizations where our analytics services provide real-time financial and operational cost analyses to help support a broad range of compliance and fiscal management functions across the organization, including claims audit, pharmacy management and coordination of benefits. In addition, we are developing strategies to deploy these services in markets other than healthcare.

Our Clients

We provide our services across a broad range of government and private clients in several markets.

Department of Education

We have provided student loan recovery services to the Department of Education for approximately 22 years. We restructure and recover defaulted student loans distributed directly by the Department of Education as part of the FDSLP. Due to its limited resources and recovery capabilities, the Department of Education outsources much of its defaulted student loan portfolio to third-party vendors for recovery. Recovery fees are entirely contingency-based, and our fee for a particular recovery depends on the type of recovery facilitated. We also receive incremental performance incentives based upon our performance as compared to other contractors with the Department of Education, which are comprised of additional inventory allocation volumes and incentive fees. To participate in the Department of Education contracts, firms must follow a highly competitive selection process. For the latest Department of Education contract, the fourth major contract the Department of Education has outsourced to selected vendors, we were selected as one of 17 unrestricted vendors and initiated work on this contract in the fourth quarter of 2009. Because all federally-supported student loans are being originated by the Department of Education as a result of SAFRA, our relationship with the Department of Education will become

 

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increasingly more important over time. The Department of Education was responsible for approximately 11% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Guaranty Agencies

We restructure and recover defaulted student loans issued by private lenders and backed by GAs under the FFELP. Despite the transition from FFELP to FDSLP, we believe GA default volumes will continue to rise for several years as there is a lag between originations and defaults of at least three to four years. When a borrower stops making regular payments on a FFELP loan, the GA is obligated to reimburse the lender approximately 97% of the loan’s principle and accrued interest. GAs then seek to recover and restructure these obligations. The GAs with which we contract generally structure one to three-year initial term contracts with multiple renewal periods, and the fees that we receive are generally similar to the fees we receive from the Department of Education contract. For some GA clients, we provide services through MSAs, under which we manage a GA’s entire portfolio of defaulted student loans and, for certain clients, engage subcontractors to provide a portion of the recovery services associated with a GA’s student loan portfolio.

We have a relationship with 12 of the 32 active GAs in the U.S., including American Student Assistance Corporation, Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation and American Education Services, each of which was responsible for 19%, 18% and 13%, respectively, of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our relationships with each of our five largest GA clients, two of which are MSA clients, average 16 years.

CMS

We have a seven-year relationship with CMS. Under our RAC contract with CMS awarded in 2009, we identify and facilitate the recovery of improper Parts A and B Medicare payments in the Northeast region of the United States and which accounted for approximately 13% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 and increased to approximately 26% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The fees that we receive for identifying these improper payments from CMS are entirely contingency-based, and the contingency-fee percentage depends on the methods of recovery, and, in some cases, the type of improper payment that we identify.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

We have assisted the Department of the Treasury for 15 years in the recovery of delinquent receivables owed to a number of different federal agencies. The debt obligations we help to recover on behalf of the Department of the Treasury include commercial and individual debt obligations. We are one of the four firms servicing the current Department of the Treasury contract. Similar to our other recovery contracts, our fees under this contract are contingency-based. We view this as an important strategic relationship, as it provides us valuable insight into other business opportunities within the federal government.

State Tax and Municipal Agencies

We provide outsourced recovery services for individuals’ delinquent state tax and other municipal obligations on a hosted model and under MSAs. We currently have relationships with ten state and municipal governments.

Private Lenders

We provide recovery services for private student loans, that supplement federally guaranteed loans, and home mortgages to private lenders.

Sales and Marketing

Our new business opportunities have historically been driven largely by referrals and natural extensions of our existing client relationships, as well as a targeted outreach by senior management. Our sales cycles are often lengthy, and demand high levels of attention from our senior management. At any point in time, we are

 

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typically focused on a limited number of potentially significant new business opportunities. As a result, to date, we have operated with a small staff of experienced individuals with responsibility for developing new sales, relying heavily upon our executive staff, including a Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and a sales team covering various markets. We expect to increase the size of our sales and marketing staff as we continue to grow our business.

Technology Operations

Our technology center is based in Livermore, California, with a redundant capacity in our Grants Pass, Oregon office. Additionally, Performant Insight, our new data analytics business, is supported by staff in Miami Lakes, Florida. We have designed our infrastructure for scalability and redundancy, which allows us to continue to operate in the event of an outage at either datacenter. We maintain an information systems environment with advanced network security intrusion detection and prevention with 24x7 monitoring and security incident response capabilities. We utilize encryption technologies to protect sensitive data on our systems, all data during transmission and all data on redundancy or backup media. We also maintain a comprehensive enterprise-wide information security system based upon recognized standards, including the NIST800 53 and ISO 27002 Code of Practice for Information Security Program Management, to uphold high security standards needed for the protection of sensitive information. In addition, we hold SAEE 16 – SOC 1 Type II certification, which provides assurance to auditors of third parties that we maintain the necessary controls and procedures to effectively manage third-party data.

Competition

We face significant competition in all aspects of our business.

In recovery services for delinquent and defaulted assets, we face competition from a number of companies. Holders of these delinquent and defaulted assets typically engage several firms simultaneously to provide recovery services on different portions of their portfolios. The number of recovery firms engaged varies by client. For example, we are one of 17 unrestricted providers of recovery services on the current Department of Education contract, while some of the GAs may only engage a few recovery vendors at any time. Initially, we compete to be one of the retained firms in a competitive bidding process and, if we are successful, we then face continuing competition from the client’s other retained firms based on the client’s benchmarking of the recovery performance of its several vendors. Clients such as the Department of Education typically will allocate additional placements to those recovery vendors producing the highest recovery rates. We believe that we primarily compete on the basis of recovery rate performance, as well as maintenance of high standards of recovery practices and data security capabilities. We believe that we compete favorably with respect to most of these factors as evidenced by our long-standing relationships with our clients in these markets. Pricing is not usually a major competitive factor as all recovery services vendors in these markets typically receive the same contingency-based fee rate.

In the recovery of improper healthcare payments, we faced a highly competitive process, involving a large number of bidders, to become one of the four prime RAC contractors in the United States. In connection with the renewal of this contract, which expires in 2014, we expect that our competition will include the other three RAC service providers: Health Management Systems, Inc., Connolly Consulting, Inc. and CGI Group. We also may face competition from the subcontractors of the current prime RAC contractors, who may seek to use their experience as subcontractors to become prime contractors, and a variety of healthcare consulting and healthcare information services companies are potential competitors. Some of these potential competitors for the second RAC contract may have greater financial and other resources than we do. We believe that the competitive factors in this market are demonstrated experience in effective recovery services, sufficient capacity to address claims volumes, maintenance of high standards of recovery practices, and recovery fee rates. We believe that our seven year relationship with CMS and our related experience in providing recovery services to identify improper payments allows us to compete favorably with respect to many of these factors. We expect that our performance in identifying claims, managing the claims processes under the current RAC contract, and established systems integration with CMS and related Medicare administrative contractors will also be key factors in determining our continued service to CMS.

 

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Government Regulation

The nature of our business requires that we adhere to a complex array of federal and state laws and regulations. These include HIPAA, the FDCPA, the FCRA, and related state laws. We are also governed by a variety of state laws that regulate the collection, use, disclosure and protection of personal information. We have implemented and maintain physical, technical and administrative safeguards intended to protect all personal data and we have processes in place to assist us in complying with applicable laws and regulations regarding the protection of this data. Our compliance efforts include training of personnel and monitoring our systems and personnel.

HIPAA and Related State Laws

Our Medicare recovery business subjects us to compliance with HIPAA and various related state laws that contain substantial restrictions and requirements with respect to the use and disclosure of an individual’s protected health information. HIPAA prohibits us from using or disclosing an individual’s protected health information unless the use or disclosure is authorized by the individual or is specifically required or permitted under HIPAA. Under HIPAA, we must establish administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronic protected health information maintained or transmitted by us or by others on our behalf. We are required to notify affected individuals and government authorities of data security breaches involving unsecured protected health information. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights enforces HIPAA privacy violations; CMS enforces HIPAA security violations and the Department of Justice enforces criminal violations of HIPAA. We are subject to statutory penalties for violations of HIPAA.

Most states have enacted patient confidentiality laws that protect against the unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical information, and many states have adopted or are considering further legislation in this area, including privacy safeguards, security standards and data security breach notification requirements. These state laws, if more stringent than HIPAA requirements, are not preempted by the federal requirements, and we must comply with them even though they may be subject to different interpretations by various courts and other governmental authorities. In addition, numerous other state laws govern the collection, dissemination, use, access to and confidentiality of individually identifiable health and healthcare provider information.

Our compliance efforts include the encryption of protected health information that we hold and the development of procedures to detect, investigate and provide appropriate notification if protected health information is compromised. Our employees and contractors receive initial and periodic supplemental training and are tested to ensure compliance. As part of our certification and accreditation process, we must undergo audits by federal agencies as noted below. CMS regularly audits us for, among other items, compliance with their security standards.

Privacy Act of 1974

The Privacy Act of 1974 governs the collection, use, storage, destruction and disclosure of personal information about individuals by a government agency and extends to government contractors who have access to agency records performing services for government agencies. The Act requires maintenance of a code of conduct for employees with access to the agency records addressing the obligations under the Privacy Act, training of employees and discipline procedures for noncompliance. The Act also requires adopting and maintaining appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to insure the security and confidentiality of records and to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to their security or integrity.

As a contractor to federal government agencies we are required to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974. Our compliance effort includes initial and ongoing training of employees and contractors in their obligations under the Act. In addition we have implemented and maintain physical, technical and administrative safeguards and processes intended to protect all personal data consistent with or exceeding our obligations under the Privacy Act.

 

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Certification, Accreditation and Security

Business services that collect, store, transmit or process information for United States government agencies and organizations are required to undergo a rigorous certification and accreditation process to ensure that they operate at an acceptable level of security risk. As a government contractor, we currently have Authority to Operate, or ATO, licenses from both the Department of Education and CMS.

We maintain a comprehensive enterprise-wide information security system based upon recognized standards, including the NIST800 53 and ISO 27002 Code of Practice for Information Security Program Management, to uphold high security standards needed for the protection of sensitive information. In addition, we hold SAEE 16 – SOC 1 Type II certification, which provides assurance to auditors of third parties that we maintain the necessary controls and procedures to effectively manage third party data. We undergo an independent audit by our government agency clients on the award of the contract and periodically thereafter. We also conduct periodic self-assessments.

Our regulatory compliance group is charged with the responsibility of ensuring our regulatory compliance and security. All our facilities have security perimeter controls with segregated access by security clearance level. The information systems environment maintains advanced network security intrusion detection and prevention with 24x7 monitoring and security incident response capabilities. We utilize encryption technologies to protect sensitive data on our systems, all data during transmission and all data on redundancy or backup media. Employees undergo background and security checks appropriate to their position. This can include security clearances by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We also maintain compliant disaster recovery and business continuity plans, conduct an annually two table top disaster exercises, conduct routine security risk assessments and maintain a continuous improvement process as part of our security risk mitigation and management activity.

FDCPA and Related State Laws

The FDCPA regulates persons who regularly collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, consumer debts owed or asserted to be owed to another person. Certain of our debt recovery and loan restructuring activities may be subject to the FDCPA. The FDCPA establishes specific guidelines and procedures that debt recovery firms must follow in communicating with consumer debtors, including the time, place and manner of such communications. Further, it prohibits harassment or abuse by debt recovery firms, including the threat of violence or criminal prosecution, obscene language or repeated telephone calls made with the intent to abuse or harass. The FDCPA also places restrictions on communications with individuals other than consumer debtors in connection with the collection of any consumer debt and sets forth specific procedures to be followed when communicating with such third parties for purposes of obtaining location information about the consumer. In addition, the FDCPA contains various notice and disclosure requirements and prohibits unfair or misleading representations by debt recovery firms. Finally, the FDCPA imposes certain limitations on lawsuits to collect debts against consumers.

Debt recovery activities are also regulated at state level. Most states have laws regulating debt recovery activities in ways that are similar to, and in some cases more stringent than, the FDCPA. In addition, some states require debt recovery firms to be licensed.

Our compliance efforts include written procedures for compliance with the FDCPA and related state laws, employee training and monitoring, auditing client calls, periodic review, testing and retraining of employees, and procedures for responding to client complaints. In all states where we operate, we believe that we currently hold all required state licenses or are exempt from licensing. Violations of the FDCPA may be enforced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, or by a private action by an individual or class. Violations of the FDCPA are deemed to be an unfair or deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act, which can be punished by fines for each violation. Class action damages can total up to one percent of the net worth of the entity violating the statute. Attorney fees and costs are also recoverable. In the ordinary course of business we are sued for alleged violations of the FDCPA and comparable state laws, although the amounts involved in the disposition of settlement of any such claims have not been significant.

 

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FCRA

We are also subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, which regulates consumer credit reporting and which may impose liability on us to the extent that the adverse credit information reported on a consumer to a credit bureau is false or inaccurate. State law, to the extent it is not preempted by the FCRA, may also impose restrictions or liability on us with respect to reporting adverse credit information. Our compliance efforts include initial and ongoing training of employees working with consumer credit reports, monitoring of performance, and periodic review and risk assessments. Violations of FCRA, which are deemed to be unfair or deceptive acts under the Federal Trade Commission Act, are enforced by the FTC or by a private action by an individual or class. Civil actions by consumers may seek damages per violation, with punitive damages, attorneys fees and costs also recoverable. Under the Federal Trade Commissions Act, penalties for engaging in unfair or deceptive acts can be punished by fines for each violation.

State Law Compliance and Security Breach Response

Many states impose an obligation on any entity that holds personally identifiable information or health information to adopt appropriate security to protect such data against unauthorized access, misuse, destruction, or modification. Many states have enacted laws requiring holders of personal information to take certain actions in response to data breach incidents, such as providing prompt notification of the breach to affected individuals and government authorities. In many cases, these laws are limited to electronic data, but states are increasingly enacting or considering stricter and broader requirements. Massachusetts has enacted a regulation that requires any entity that holds, transmits or collects certain personal information about its residents to adopt a written data security plan meeting the requirements set forth in the statute. We have implemented and maintain physical, technical and administrative safeguards intended to protect all personal data and have processes in place to assist us in complying with applicable laws and regulations regarding the protection of this data and properly responding to any security incidents. We have adopted a system security plan and security breach incident response plans to address our compliance with these laws.

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property is a significant component of our business, most notably the intellectual property underlying our proprietary technology-enabled services platform through which we provide our defaulted asset recovery and other services. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights. We also utilize customary confidentiality and other contractual protections, including employee and third-party confidentiality and invention assignment agreements.

As of March 31, 2012, we have two U.S. patents, both covering aspects of the workflow management systems and methods incorporated into our technology-enabled services platform. These patents will expire in December 2019. We routinely assess appropriate occasions for seeking additional patent protection for those aspects of our platform and other technologies that we believe may provide competitive advantages to our business. We also rely on certain unpatented proprietary expertise and other know-how, licensed and acquired third-party technologies, and continuous improvements and other developments of our various technologies, all intended to maintain our leadership position in the industry.

As of March 31, 2012, we own four trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office: Performant, DCS, Looking Out For Your Future, and VFI. We are in the process of registering additional trademarks supporting our business, and we claim common law trademark rights in numerous additional trademarks.

We have registered copyrights covering various copyrighted material relevant to our business. We also have unregistered copyrights in many components of our software systems. We may not be able to use these unregistered copyrights to prevent misappropriation of such content by unauthorized parties in the future; however, we rely on our extensive information technology security measures and contractual arrangements with employees and third-party contractors to minimize the opportunities for any such misuse of this content.

 

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We are not subject to any material intellectual property claims alleging that we infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party, nor have we asserted any material intellectual property infringement claim against any third party.

Employees

As of March 31, 2012 we had approximately 1,300 full-time employees. None of our employees are members of a labor union and we consider our employee relations to be good.

Facilities

As of March 31, 2012, we operate five separate office locations throughout the United States. The largest of these facilities is in Livermore, California and serves as our corporate headquarters, as well as a data center and production location. Our Livermore facility represents approximately 50,291 square feet and has a lease expiration of September, 2017. We also lease production centers in California, Oregon and Texas and own a production/data center in Oregon. In addition, we intend to enter into a lease for an additional facility in Miami Lakes, Florida.

We believe that our facilities are adequate for current operations and that additional space will be available as required. See note (5) to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for information regarding our lease obligations.

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise from our normal business operations. These actions generally derive from our student loan recovery services, and generally assert claims for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar federal and state consumer credit laws. While litigation is inherently unpredictable, we believe that none of these legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of operations.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

Our executive officers and directors, and their ages and positions as of March 31, 2012 are as set forth below:

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Lisa C. Im

     47       Chief Executive Officer and Director

Dr. Jon D. Shaver

     61       Chairman of the Board of Directors

Harold T. Leach, Jr.

     54       Chief Operating Officer

Hakan L. Orvell

     54       Chief Financial Officer

John Y. Paik

     43       Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Bruce L. Calvin

     62       Senior Vice President of Corporate Services

Todd R. Ford (1)

     45       Director

Brian P. Golson

     41       Director

William D. Hansen (1)

     53       Director

William C. Kessinger

     45       Director

Jeffrey S. Stein (1)

     47       Director

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

Executive Officers

Lisa C. Im has served as our Chief Executive Officer since April 2004 and as a member of our board of directors since January 2004. From 2002 to 2004, she was Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of our predecessor before the acquisition by Parthenon Capital Partners. Prior to that, Ms. Im was at Bestfoods Corporation, a food products manufacturer, from 1996 to 2002 with a body of experience including general management as well as executive financial positions for various regions of Bestfoods Corporation. Ms. Im received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Loma Linda University, and a Masters in Business Administration, Finance from California State University, East Bay. Ms. Im’s experiences and perspectives as our Chief Executive Officer led to the conclusion that she should serve as a member of our board of directors.

Dr. Jon D. Shaver has been Chairman of our board of directors and a director since June 2007. Since 2004, he has served in various board and executive roles in Performant and its subsidiaries. From 2000 to 2004, he was chief operating officer of our predecessor before the acquisition by Parthenon Capital Partners. He was senior executive vice president of Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation from 1999 to 2000, was chief executive officer of EdFund from 1997 to 1999 while also serving as executive director of the California Student Aid Commission from 1995 through 1998. Dr. Shaver received and Associate’s degree from Monroe Community College, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Brockport, a Doctor of Education degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Dr. Shaver’s role as our Chairman benefits from his extensive expertise in educational finance, public policy development in education finance, tax policy, healthcare payment integrity, and federal and state government relations, and led to the conclusion the he should serve as a member of our board of directors. He is a board leadership fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Harold T. Leach, Jr. has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and our predecessor since May 1982. In this role, Mr. Leach was a key participant in the development of our recovery processes. He also serves as a director of each of our subsidiary corporations. Mr. Leach is responsible for operational strategy, production, and technology across all of our businesses. During his tenure, Mr. Leach led the development of our proprietary technology platform and has served as subject matter expert on key Congressional initiatives related

 

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to improving the efficacy of government debt management. Mr. Leach also led the development and implementation of our audit and recovery technology operations.

Hakan L. Orvell has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2006. He is responsible for the company’s corporate finance, accounting, financial planning and analysis. Mr. Orvell has over 20 years of experience from various industries and previous experience includes service as chief financial officer of Neopost, Inc., a manufacturer of office equipment. He has also held various financial leadership positions with Corporate Express (currently known as Staples), a large business-to-business distributor of office and computer products, including vice president and controller in both a division and regional capacity. He received his Certified Public Accountant accreditation in Illinois and received an MBA from the University of Stockholm.

John Y. Paik has been our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since November 2011. From November 2007 to November 2011, Mr. Paik held various leadership positions at Pfizer Inc., including Vice President, Customer Marketing and Innovation across all global business units for account management and sales. Prior to that, Mr. Paik served in various capacities at Aetna, Inc. including vice president, head of strategic marketing and planning for national businesses and vice president, head of strategic marketing, national accounts from April 2004 to October 2007. Mr. Paik received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Bruce L. Calvin has served as our Senior Vice President of Corporate Services since August 2007 and also serves as our Compliance Officer. From April 2007 to August 2007, Mr. Calvin served as our Vice President of Human Resources. Mr. Calvin has over 30 years of administration and global business management experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Troy University and a J.D. from John F. Kennedy University School of Law.

Board of Directors

Todd R. Ford has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2011. Mr. Ford has served as the managing director of Broken Arrow Capital, a venture capital firm, since he founded the firm in July 2007. From December 2002 to May 2007, Mr. Ford held various leadership positions at Rackable Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of server and storage products for large-scale data center deployments that subsequently changed its name to Silicon Graphics International Corp., including president and chief financial officer. Mr. Ford received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Santa Clara University. Mr. Ford’s executive experience with public companies, as well as his expertise in growing technology companies, provides valuable insight for the members of our board of directors.

Brian P. Golson has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2008. Since February 2002, Mr. Golson has served as the managing partner of Parthenon Capital Partners. Mr. Golson received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. Mr. Golson’s investment experience provides valuable insight for the members of our board of directors.

William D. Hansen has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2011. Since July 2011, Mr. Hansen has served as the chief executive officer of Madison Education Group, LLC, an education-related consulting firm. From July 2009 to December 2010, he served as the president of Scantron Corporation, a provider of assessment and survey solutions. Mr. Hansen also served as the chairman of Scantron Corporation from September 2010 to July 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Hansen held various leadership positions at Chartwell Education Group, LLC, an education-related consulting firm, from July 2005 to July 2009, including chief executive officer and senior managing director. Mr. Hansen served as the Deputy Secretary at the United States Department of Education from May 2001 to July 2003. Mr. Hansen also serves on the board of directors of First Marblehead Corporation, a student loan company. Mr. Hansen received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from George Mason University. Mr. Hansen’s extensive experience in the education market provides valuable insight for the members of our board of directors.

William C. Kessinger has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2003. Since October 2001, Mr. Kessigner has served as the managing partner, chief investment officer, of Parthenon Capital

 

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Partners. He has concurrently served as the managing partner of Vformation LLC, a venture capital fund, since June 2009. He received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University. Mr. Kessinger’s investment experience provides valuable insight for the members of our board of directors.

Jeffrey S. Stein has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2004. Since September 2002, Mr. Stein has served as the Executive in Residence at Parthenon Capital Partners. Mr. Stein received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Boston College Carroll School of Management. Mr. Stein’s financial and accounting expertise provides valuable insight for the members of our board of directors.

Board Composition

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board shall consist of not fewer than five and not more than fifteen directors as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Our board of directors will initially consist of seven directors. The authorized number of directors may be changed by resolution of our board of directors. Vacancies on our board of directors can be filled by resolution of our board of directors. Upon the completion of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes, each serving staggered, three-year terms:

 

   

Our Class I directors will be Todd R. Ford and Brian P. Golson and their terms will expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date of this prospectus;

 

   

Our Class II directors will be Jon D. Shaver and William D. Hansen and their terms will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the date of this prospectus; and

 

   

Our Class III directors will be Lisa C. Im, Jeffrey S. Stein and William C. Kessinger and their terms will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the date of this prospectus.

As a result, only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective terms.

We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exception under the applicable stock exchange rules which exempts us from certain requirements, including the requirements that we have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors and that we have compensation and nominating and governance committees composed entirely of independent directors. We will, however, remain subject to the requirement that we have an audit committee of at least three members composed entirely of independent directors by the first anniversary of this offering.

Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Ford and Mr. Hansen are “independent directors” as defined under the rules of NASDAQ. Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will meet to assess the independence of our other non-management directors.

In July 2012, we entered into a Director Nomination Agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners that provides Parthenon Capital Partners the right to designate nominees for election to our board of directors for so long as Parthenon Capital Partners owns 10% or more of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. The number of nominees that Parthenon Capital Partners is entitled to designate under this agreement shall bear the same proportion to the total number of members of our board of directors as the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by Parthenon Capital Partners bears to the total number of shares of common stock outstanding, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Parthenon Capital Partners shall also have the right to have its designees on our board of directors proportionate to its stock ownership, subject to applicable law and stock exchange rules. This agreement will terminate at such time as Parthenon Capital Partners owns less than 10% of our outstanding common stock.

Lead Director

Our board of directors has established certain corporate governance principles in connection with this offering. Our board of directors determined as part of our corporate governance principles that one of our

 

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independent directors should serve as a lead independent director, under the title of vice chairman, at any time when the title of chairman is held by an employee director. Our current chairman, Mr. Shaver, is not an independent director, and accordingly, our board of directors will appoint one of our independent directors as vice chairman. The person appointed vice chairman will, among other responsibilities, preside over periodic meetings of our independent directors and serve as a liaison between senior management and the independent directors.

Board Committees

Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Hansen, Ford and Stein. Mr. Ford serves as the chairperson of this committee. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Ford is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Pursuant to the phase-in provisions of NASDAQ and Rule 10A-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, our audit committee will be composed of three directors, of which two will be independent. Within one year following the effectiveness of the registration statement, our audit committee will have at least three members, all of whom will be independent.

After the completion of this offering, the audit committee will provide assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The audit committee will also oversee the audit efforts of our independent registered public accounting firm and will take those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent of management.

Compensation Committee

After completion of this offering, the compensation committee will determine our general compensation policies and the compensation provided to our directors and officers. The compensation committee will also review and determine bonuses for our officers and other employees. In addition, the compensation committee will review and determine equity-based compensation for our directors, officers, employees and consultants and will administer our stock option plans and employee stock purchase plan. The composition of this committee has yet to be determined. We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exemptions available under the NASDAQ rules, which exempt us from the requirement that we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

After completion of this offering, the nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for making recommendations to the board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of the board. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for overseeing our corporate governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the board of directors concerning corporate governance matters. The composition of this committee has yet to be determined. We intend to avail ourselves of the “controlled company” exemptions available under the NASDAQ rules, which exempt us from the requirement that we have a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.

Role of Our Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our board of directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our board of directors administers this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, and our audit committee will have the responsibility to consider and discuss our

 

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major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. The audit committee will also have the responsibility to review with management the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken, monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and review with our independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for periodically evaluating the Company’s risk management policies and system in light of the material risks that the Company faces and the adequacy of the Company’s policies and procedures designed to address risk. Our compensation committee will assess and monitor whether any of our compensation policies and programs are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No interlocking relationship exists between our board of directors or compensation committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity, nor has any interlocking relationship existed in the past.

Director Compensation

The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Messrs. Golson, Kessinger and Stein did not receive compensation paid by the Company for service as a director in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Name    Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
     Option
Awards
(1)
    

Total

 

William D. Hansen

   $ 1,500       $ 113,546       $ 115,046   

Todd R. Ford

   $ 1,500       $ 106,889       $ 108,389   

 

 

(1)

Represents the grant date fair value of stock options granted under our 2007 Stock Option Plan in October and December of 2011, as computed in accordance with the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our compensation philosophy is to align executive compensation with the interests of our stockholders and therefore to financial objectives that our board of directors believes are primary determinants of long-term stockholder value. The primary goal of our executive compensation program is to ensure that we hire and retain talented and experienced executives who are motivated to achieve or exceed our short-term and long-term corporate goals. Our executive compensation programs are designed to reinforce a strong pay-for-performance orientation and to serve the following purposes:

 

   

to reward our named executive officers for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence;

 

   

to align their interests with those of our stockholders; and

 

   

to encourage our named executive officer to remain with us for the long-term.

Elements of Compensation

Base Salary

We pay our named executive officers a base salary based on the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of each officer. We believe base salaries are an important element in our overall compensation program because base salaries provide a fixed element of compensation that reflects job responsibilities and value to us.

 

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Annual Incentive Plan

To date, our board of directors has not adopted a formal plan or set of formal guidelines with respect to annual incentive or bonus payments, and has rather relied on an annual assessment of the performance of our executives during the preceding year to make annual incentive and bonus determinations. In connection with our efforts to formalize our compensation practices, our board of directors intends to adopt an annual incentive plan to which our named executive officers will be eligible to participate. Our board of directors may retain the discretion to pay any amounts due under such incentive plan in cash or equity or a combination of both.

Long-Term Equity Compensation

To date, we have provided our named executive officers with long-term equity compensation through our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, 2004 Stock Option Plan and 2007 Stock Option Plan. In July 2012, we adopted a new equity incentive plan, our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, under which all future equity compensation to our named executive officers will be awarded. We believe that providing our named executive officers with an equity interest brings their interests in line with those of our stockholders and that including a vesting component to those equity interests encourages named executive officers to remain with us for the long-term.

Other Supplemental Benefits

Our named executive officers are eligible for the following benefits on a similar basis as other eligible employees:

 

   

health, dental and vision insurance;

 

   

vacation, personal holidays and sick days;

 

   

life insurance and supplemental life insurance;

 

   

short-term and long-term disability; and

 

   

401(k) plan.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents information concerning the total compensation of our named executive officers, or Named Executive Officers, for services rendered to us in all capacities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011:

 

Name and Principal Position

  Salary     Bonus     Option
Awards
    All Other
Compensation
    Total  

Lisa C. Im

    $400,005        $128,000               $21,807 (1)        $549,812   

Chief Executive Officer and Director

         

Dr. Jon D. Shaver

    $325,014        $119,000               $27,758 (2)        $471,772   

Chairman of the board of

directors and Director

         

Harold T. Leach, Jr.

    $350,002        $120,000               $23,811 (3)        $493,813   

Chief Operating Officer

         

 

(1)

Includes payments for life insurance benefits ($3,807) and a vehicle allowance ($18,000).

(2)

Includes payments for life insurance benefits ($7,358) and a vehicle allowance ($20,400).

(3)

Includes payments for life insurance benefits ($3,411) and a vehicle allowance ($20,400).

Grants of plan-based awards

Our Named Executive Officers did not receive plan-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end

The following table presents certain plan information of equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2011:

 

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options –
Exercisable
   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options –

  Unexercisable  

    

Exercise Price of

Options ($/share)  

     Expiration Date of
            Options             

Lisa C. Im

     178,125                1.00       01/08/2014
     65,625                1.00       01/25/2018
     27,808 (1)       7,692         1.00       01/25/2018
     55,000 ( 2 )       45,000         2.35       09/15/2019

Dr. Jon D. Shaver

     187,500                1.00       01/08/2014
     291,667 ( 2 )       58,333         1.00       10/17/2017

Harold T. Leach, Jr.

     116,667 ( 2 )       23,333         1.00       10/17/2017
     45,000 ( 2 )       55,000         2.35       09/15/2019

 

  (1)

The option award vests as to 1/24 th of the total number of shares subject to the option each month after the vesting commencement date.

  (2)

The option award vests as to 1/5 th of the total number of shares subject to the option 12 months after the vesting commencement date, and the remaining shares vest at a rate of 1/60 th of the total number of shares subject to the option each month thereafter.

Employment Agreements

The section below describes the employment agreements that we have entered into with our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our board of directors, as well as the form of employment agreement that each of our other executive officers entered into.

Lisa C. Im

We entered into an employment agreement with Lisa C. Im, our Chief Executive Officer, on April 2, 2002, and this agreement has been subsequently amended. As amended, the agreement grants Ms. Im a salary of $33,333 per month, as well as employee benefits including a life insurance plan. This agreement also contains confidential information and invention assignment provisions.

In connection with the acquisition of the Company by affiliates of Parthenon Capital Partners, Ms. Im entered into a deferred compensation agreement pursuant to which Ms. Im receives a payment upon the earlier of the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a sale of the Company or January 2013. The amount of this payment escalated for the first three years of the agreemen, and Ms. Im received a payment of $1,174,241 upon the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Dr. Jon D. Shaver

We entered into employment agreements with Dr. Jon D. Shaver, our Chairman of our board of directors on March 31, 2003 and this agreement has subsequently been amended. As amended, this agreement grants Dr. Shaver a salary of $18,750 per month and additional salary payments of $25,000 per quarter, as well as employee benefits including a life insurance plan. This agreement also contains confidential information and invention assignment provisions and also provides Mr. Shaver a severance payment of $100,000 if he is terminated without cause.

In connection with the acquisition of the Company by affiliates of Parthenon Capital Partners, Dr. Shaver entered into a deferred compensation agreement pursuant to which Dr. Shaver receives a payment upon the earlier of the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a sale of the Company or January 2013. The amount of this payment escalated for the first three years of the agreement, and Dr. Shaver received a payment of $587,121 upon the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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Employment Agreements

Each of our named executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman of the board of directors, has entered into our standard employment agreement. Our standard employment agreement provides for the named executive officer’s initial salary at the time of the agreement and grants the named executive officer the right to participate in our standard benefit plans. This agreement also contains confidential information and invention assignment provisions and does not provide for severance.

Potential Payments Upon Change of Control

We have also entered into change of control agreements with Ms. Im and Mr. Shaver. These agreements, as amended, provide that upon a triggering termination which follows a change of control by no more than two years, each executive is entitled to receive payment equal to his or her highest annual salary in effect during any period of 12 consecutive months within the 60 months immediately preceding the date of the triggering termination. As of March 31, 2012, this amount would be equal to $400,005 and $325,014 for Ms. Im and Mr. Shaver, respectively.

For purposes of these agreements:

 

   

A Change of control occurs (i) if any person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting securities, (ii) if certain changes of the individuals who constitute the board of directors occur during any period of two consecutive years, or (iii) upon consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation unless certain conditions are met.

 

   

Triggering termination is defined as the executive’s termination for any reason other than (i) the executive’s death, (ii) the executive’s disability that entitles the executive to receive long-term disability benefits from the Company, (iii) the retirement of the executive after the age of 65, (iv) the executive’s termination for cause, or (v) the executive terminates his or her employment for good reason.

 

   

Cause is defined as (i) the criminal conviction of an embezzlement from the Company, (ii) the violation of a felony committed in connection with employment, (iii) the willful refusal to perform the reasonable duties of his or her position with the Company, (iv) the willful violation of the policies of the Company which is determined in good faith by the board of directors to be materially injurious to the employees, directors, property, or financial condition of the Company, or (v) the willful violation of the provisions of a confidentiality or non-competition agreement with the Company.

 

   

Good reason is defined as (i) a reduction in the executive’s salary that was in effect immediately prior to a change of control, (ii) the relocation of the Company’s office that would add 15 miles or more to the executive’s commute, or (iii) if the Company reduces certain benefits or vacation days that the executive received prior to the change of control.

Retirement Plans

Except as described below, we currently have no plans that provide for the payment of retirement benefits, or benefits that will be paid primarily following retirement, including but not limited to tax-qualified defined benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, tax-qualified defined contribution plans and nonqualified defined contribution plans.

We do maintain a 401(k) plan that is tax-qualified for our employees, including its executive officers. We do not offer employer matching or other employer contribution to 401(k) plan.

 

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Employee Benefit Plans

2004 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors adopted our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of options.

1,800,000 shares were originally reserved for issuance under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan at inception and as of March 31, 2012 options to purchase a total of 534,250 shares of common stock were outstanding thereunder.

Upon the completion of this offering, our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan will be terminated. No shares of our common stock will remain available under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan other than for satisfying exercises of stock options granted under this plan prior to termination.

2004 Stock Option Plan

Our board of directors adopted our 2004 Stock Option Plan, which provides for the grant of options.

2,000,000 shares were originally reserved for issuance under our 2004 Stock Option Plan at inception and as of March 31, 2012 options to purchase a total of 365,625 shares of common stock were outstanding thereunder.

Upon the completion of this offering, our 2004 Stock Option Plan will be terminated. No shares of our common stock will remain available under our 2004 Stock Option Plan other than for satisfying exercises of stock options granted under this plan prior to termination.

2007 Stock Option Plan

Our board of directors adopted our 2007 Stock Option Plan, which provides for the grant of options.

The persons eligible to participate in the plan are employees and other service provider who have been selected to participate in the plan by our board of directors.

Share reserve

As of March 31, 2012, we had reserved a total of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance pursuant to our 2007 Stock Option Plan. As of March 31, 2012, options to purchase 1,962,500 shares of common stock were outstanding, and 17,141 shares were available for future grant under our 2007 Stock Option Plan.

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to adopt a new equity incentive plan. As such, no additional awards will be granted and no shares of our common stock will remain available for future issuance under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, 2004 Stock Option Plan and 2007 Stock Option Plan.

Administration

Our board of directors currently administers our 2007 Stock Option Plan. Under our 2007 Stock Option Plan, the plan administrator has the power to determine the terms of the awards, including the employees or other service providers who will receive awards, the exercise price or purchase price of awards, the number of shares subject to each award, the vesting schedule and exercisability of awards and the form of consideration payable for shares issued under the 2007 Stock Option Plan.

Stock options

With respect to all incentive stock options granted under our 2007 Stock Option Plan, the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to any holder of more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock as of the grant date must have an exercise price equal to 125% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. With respect to all non-statutory options granted under the 2007 Stock Option Plan, the exercise price shall be determined by the plan administrator. The term of an option may not exceed 10 years.

 

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After the separation of an employee or other service provider for cause, he or she may exercise his or her option, to the extent vested, for a period of fourteen (14) days following such termination. If termination is due to disability, the option will remain exercisable, to the extent vested, for a period of six months following such termination. If termination is due to death, the option will remain exercisable to the extent vested, for a period of six months following the date of death or such longer period of time as specified in the stock options agreement. However, an option may not be exercised later than the expiration of its term.

Transferability

Our 2007 Stock Option Plan does not allow for the transfer of stock options under our 2007 Stock Option Plan other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution. Only the recipient of a stock option may exercise such award during his or her lifetime.

Adjustments

Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the company, in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split, or combination or other change in the shares of common stock of the Company or any merger, consolidation or exchange of shares, our board of directors may, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights under any outstanding options, make such adjustments in the number and type of shares authorized by our 2007 Stock Option Plan, the number and type of shares covered by outstanding options and the exercise prices specified therein as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by our board of directors.

Corporate transaction

Our board of directors has certain discretion regarding outstanding options under our 2007 Stock Option Plan in the event of a sale of equity securities possessing the voting power under normal circumstances to elect a majority of our board of directors or all or substantially all of our assets determined on a consolidated basis, in either case, whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of our equity securities, sale or transfer of our consolidated assets or otherwise. Under these circumstances, our board of directors may provide that all options become immediately exercisable at the time of the transaction, that all of the options terminate if not exercised as of the date of the transaction or other prescribed period of time, or that the acquiring company assume the options with the understanding that different determinations may be made with respect to different participations in the 2007 Stock Option Plan.

Plan amendments and termination

According to its terms, the 2007 Stock Option Plan shall have a term of 10 years. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the 2007 Stock Option Plan at any time with the consent of the stockholders of the Company as required by law, but no amendment or termination shall be made that would materially or adversely affect the rights of any participant, without the consent of the participant affected.

2012 Stock Incentive Plan

General

Our board of directors approved our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan in July 2012 and our stockholders will approve the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan prior to the completion of this offering. Our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan will become effective when the Securities and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement effective and will expire on July 19, 2022, unless extended by approval of our board of directors and our stockholders.

Our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code to employees and the granting of nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, stock unit awards and cash-based awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan may be subject to performance goals and other terms in order to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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Administration

Our board of directors may elect to act as the plan administrator of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan but may also elect to appoint a committee to administer our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. The administration of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan includes the determination of the recipient of an award, the number of shares subject to each award, whether an option is to be classified as an incentive stock option or nonstatutory option, and the terms and conditions of each award, including the exercise and purchase prices and the vesting or duration of the award.

At the discretion of our board of directors, if appointed this committee would consist solely of two or more “non-employee directors.” To the extent required by our board of directors, the composition of this committee would satisfy the requirements for plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code. Our board of directors may appoint one or more separate committees of our board of directors, each consisting of one or more members of our board of directors, to administer our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan with respect to employees who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Subject to applicable law, our board of directors may also authorize one or more officers to designate employees, other than employees who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to receive awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan or determine the number of such awards to be received by such employees subject to limits specified by our board of directors.

Authorized shares

Under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, we will reserve 4,300,000 shares of our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code granted under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan will not exceed 4,300,000.

In addition, if awards are forfeited or terminate for any reason before being exercised or settled, or an award is settled in cash without the delivery of shares to the holder, then any shares subject to the award shall again become available for awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. Only the number of shares (if any) actually issued in settlement of awards (and not forfeited) shall reduce the number available and the balance shall again become available for awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. Any shares withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any award shall again become available for awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. However, shares that have actually been issued shall not again become available for awards, except for shares that are forfeited and do not become vested.

With respect to awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, no participant may receive options or stock appreciation rights that relate to an aggregate of more than 2,000,000 shares in any calendar year, or performance based restricted stock or stock unit awards that relate to an aggregate of more than 2,000,000 shares in any calendar year, and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable under cash-based performance awards granted to a participant in any calendar year is $10,000,000.

Stock options

A stock option is the right to purchase a certain number of shares of stock, at a certain exercise price, in the future. Under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, incentive stock options and nonstatutory options must be granted with an exercise price of at least 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, subject to limited exceptions. Incentive stock options granted to any holder of more than 10% of the voting shares of our company must have an exercise price of at least 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. No incentive stock option can be granted to an employee if as a result of the grant, the employee would have the right in any calendar year to exercise for the first time one or more incentive stock options for shares having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $100,000. The stock option agreement specifies the date when all or any installment of the option is to become exercisable. Each stock option

 

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agreement sets forth the term of the options, which is prohibited from exceeding 10 years (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to any holder of more than 10% of our voting shares), and the extent to which the optionee will have the right to exercise the option following termination of the optionee’s service with the company. Payment of the exercise price may be made in cash or cash equivalents or, if provided for in the stock option agreement evidencing the award, (a) by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, shares which have already been owned by the optionee, (b) by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell shares and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to us in payment of the aggregate exercise price, (c) by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker or lender to pledge shares and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to us in payment of the aggregate exercise price, (d) by a “net exercise” arrangement, (e) by delivering a full-recourse promissory note or (f) by any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.

Restricted stock

Restricted stock is a share award that may be subject to vesting conditioned upon continued service, the achievement of performance objectives or the satisfaction of any other condition as specified in a restricted stock agreement. Participants who are granted restricted stock awards generally have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such stock, other than the right to transfer such stock prior to vesting. Subject to the terms of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, the plan administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any restricted stock award, including any vesting arrangement, which will be set forth in a restricted stock agreement to be entered into between us and each recipient. Restricted stock may be awarded for such consideration as the plan administrator may determine, including without limitation cash, cash equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, future services or services rendered prior to the award, without cash payment by the recipient.

Stock units

Stock units give recipients the right to acquire a specified number of shares of stock at a future date upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including any vesting arrangement, established by the plan administrator and as set forth in a stock unit agreement. Unlike restricted stock, the stock underlying stock units will not be issued until the stock units have vested and are settled, and recipients of stock units generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time the vesting conditions are satisfied and the award is settled. However, at the discretion of the plan administrator, any stock unit may entitle the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one share of our common stock while the stock unit is outstanding. The plan administrator may elect to settle vested stock units in cash or in common stock or in a combination of cash and common stock. Subject to the terms of our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, the plan administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any stock unit award, which will be set forth in a stock unit agreement to be entered into between us and each recipient.

Stock appreciation rights

Stock appreciation rights typically will provide for payments to the recipient based upon increases in the price of our common stock over the exercise price of the stock appreciation right. The exercise price of a stock appreciation right will be determined by the plan administrator, which shall not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The plan administrator may elect to pay stock appreciation rights in cash or in common stock or in a combination of cash and common stock.

Cash-based awards

Cash-based awards shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment rages as determined by the board of directors. Payment, if any, shall be made in accordance with the terms of the cash-based award and may be made in cash or in shares of common stock. The plan administrator may elect to grant cash-based awards in such number or amount and upon such terms as the board of directors shall determine.

 

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Other plan features

Under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan:

 

   

Unless the agreement evidencing an award expressly provides otherwise, no award granted under the plan may be transferred in any manner (prior to the vesting and lapse of any and all restrictions applicable to shares issued under such award), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

   

In the event of a recapitalization, stock split or similar capital transaction, the plan administrator will make appropriate and equitable adjustments to the number of shares reserved for issuance under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, including the limitation regarding the total number of shares underlying incentive stock option awards and the limitations on awards given to an individual participant in any calendar year and other adjustments in order to preserve the benefits of outstanding awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

   

Generally, if we merge with or into another corporation, we will provide for full exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of outstanding awards or settlement of the intrinsic value of the outstanding awards in cash or cash equivalents followed by cancellation of such awards unless the awards are continued if we are the surviving entity, or assumed or substituted for by any surviving entity or a parent or subsidiary of the surviving entity.

 

   

If we are involved in an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger or similar transaction with another entity, the plan administrator may make awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan by the assumption, substitution or replacement of awards granted by another entity. The terms of such assumed, substituted or replaced awards will be determined by the plan administrator in its discretion.

 

   

Awards under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance criteria including cash flows, earnings per share, earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, return on equity, total stockholder return, share price performance, return on capital, return on assets or net assets, revenues, income or net income, operating income or net operating income, operating profit or net operating profit, operating margin or profit margin, return on operating revenues, return on invested capital, market segment shares, costs, expenses, regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product or implementation or completion of critical projects.

 

   

Our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan terminates 10 years after its initial adoption, unless terminated earlier by our board of directors. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the plan at any time, subject to stockholder approval where required by applicable law. Any amendment or termination may not materially impair the rights of holders of outstanding awards without their consent.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that limit the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

   

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we are required to indemnify our directors and our bylaws provide that we are required to indemnify our directors, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our bylaws also provide that we shall advance expenses incurred by a director in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. We have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors. We expect to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. With certain exceptions, these agreements will provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of our directors in any action or proceeding. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty of care. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In addition to the cash and equity compensation arrangements of our directors and executive officers discussed above under “Management—Director Compensation” and “—Executive Compensation,” the following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2009, to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any of our directors, executive officers, beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or entities affiliated with them, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Related Person Transaction Policy

In December 2011, we adopted a formal policy, effective upon the closing of this offering, that our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, and any member of the immediate family of and any entity affiliated with any of the foregoing persons, are not permitted to enter into a related party transaction with us without the prior consent of our audit committee, or other independent members of our board of directors in the event it is inappropriate for our audit committee to review such transaction due to a conflict of interest. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, principal stockholder, or any of their immediate family members or affiliates, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 must first be presented to our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our audit committee is required to conduct a review of all relevant facts reasonably available to our audit committee, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described below were entered into prior to the adoption of such policy.

Arrangements With Our Investors

On January 8, 2004, in connection with the consummation of our acquisition by investment funds controlled by Parthenon Capital Partners and certain other stockholders, or the Acquisition, we entered into an investment agreement, stockholders agreement and a registration agreement. These agreements contain agreements among the parties with respect to election of directors, preemptive rights, restrictions on transfer of shares, “drag along” obligations, registration rights and covenants regarding the conduct and operation of our business. In addition, we entered into an advisory services agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners for the provision of certain advisory services to us.

Stockholders Agreement

In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into a stockholders agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners and certain other holders of series A preferred stock under which Parthenon Capital Partners was granted certain rights to elect members of our board of directors and the stockholders were granted preemptive rights over future issuances of securities by us and became subject to certain transfer restrictions and drag along obligations. All provisions of the stockholders agreement will terminate upon consummation of this offering.

Registration Agreement

In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into a registration agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners and certain other stockholders. In connection with the consummation of this offering, the registration rights will be amended, effective upon the closing of this offering. The registration agreement, as amended, provides the stockholders party thereto with certain demand registration rights in respect of the shares of our common stock held by them. In addition, in the event that we register additional shares of common stock for sale to the public following the consummation of this offering, we will be required to give notice of such registration to the stockholders who are party to the registration agreement of our intention to effect such a registration, and, subject to certain limitations, such holders will have piggyback registration rights providing them with the right to require us to include shares of common stock held by them in such registration. We will be required to bear the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, associated with any registration of shares by the stockholders described above. The registration rights agreement includes lock up

 

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obligations that restrict the sale of securities during the initial 180 day period following the effective date of any demand registration or piggyback registration effected pursuant to the terms of the registration agreement. We are also restricted from engaging in any public sale of equity securities during the initial 180 day period following the effective date of any demand registration or piggyback registration effected pursuant to the terms of the registration agreement. The registration agreement includes customary indemnification provisions in favor of the stockholders who are parties and any person who is or might be deemed a controlling person of the stockholders within the meaning of the Securities Act and related parties against liabilities under the Securities Act incurred in connection with the registration of any of our securities. These provisions provide indemnification against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and certain liabilities resulting from violations of other applicable laws in connection with any filing or other disclosure made by us under the securities laws relating to any such registrations. We have agreed to reimburse such persons for any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such liability, action or proceeding, except that we will not be required to indemnify any such person or reimburse related legal or other expenses if such loss or expense arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information provided by such person.

Investment Agreement

In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an investment agreement with certain of our stockholders who initially purchased shares of our series A preferred stock. The investment agreement contains certain covenants regarding the delivery of financial statements and other information, inspection rights and restrictions on the conduct and operation of our business. The investment agreement will terminate upon consummation of this offering.

Advisory Services Agreement

In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an advisory services agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners, pursuant to which Parthenon Capital Partners has provided us with certain advisory services. In exchange for these services, we agreed to pay Parthenon Capital Partners (i) a quarterly amount equal to the product of 0.25 multiplied by the cumulative amount of funds invested in us by Parthenon Capital Partners and its affiliates as of start of each quarter, (ii) a one-time closing fee payable upon closing of the Acquisition equal to approximately $1.8 million and (iii) a placement fee in connection with any equity or debt financing by us following the Acquisition equal to 1% of the gross amount of any such financing. We also agreed to reimburse Parthenon Capital Partners for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them, their members, or their respective affiliates in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the advisory services agreement. In connection with a separate compensation arrangement with Parthenon Capital Partners, Jeffrey Stein, one of our directors, received a portion of certain of the fees received by Parthenon Capital Partners from us. In each of 2009, 2010 and 2011, we accrued fees payable to Parthenon Capital Partners of approximately $684,489, $759,489 and $634,489, respectively. In the first quarter of 2012, we accrued fees payable to Parthenon Capital Partners of approximately $1,783,622.

Pursuant to a letter agreement dated April 13, 2012, between us and PCP Managers, LLC, an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners, under which the advisory services agreement was terminated, we agreed to pay Parthenon Capital (i) an aggregate amount of $1,300,000, payable in equal quarterly installments of $108,622.22 with the first quarter paid in April 2012; provided that the remaining balance will become due and payable immediately upon the closing of this offering or the sale of our company and (ii) upon the closing of this offering or a sale of our company, an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate gross proceeds of this offering or 1% of the aggregate consideration paid in connection with the sale of our company, as applicable.

Expense Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement

In connection with the termination of the advisory services agreement entered into on April 13, 2012, we also entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification letter agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners under which we agreed to reimburse Parthenon Capital Partners for (i) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the provision of any services Parthenon Capital Partners provides to us,

 

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notwithstanding the termination of the advisory services agreement, (ii) any legal, accounting or consulting fees incurred by Parthenon Capital Partners in the continuing provision of any services to us and (iii) any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Parthenon Capital Partners in connection with any acquisitions or financings completed by us or our affiliates. Further, we agreed to indemnify Parthenon Capital Partners and its affiliates against liabilities and expenses arising out of, or in connection with, Parthenon Capital Partners’ former engagement under the advisory services agreement and the termination thereof or any continuing services provided by Parthenon Capital Partners to us.

Nomination of our Directors

In July 2012, we entered into a Director Nomination Agreement with Parthenon Capital Partners that provides Parthenon Capital Partners the right to designate nominees for election to our board of directors for so long as Parthenon Capital Partners owns 10% or more of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. The number of nominees that Parthenon Capital Partners is entitled to designate under this agreement shall bear the same proportion to the total number of members of our board of directors as the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by Parthenon Capital Partners bears to the total number of shares of common stock outstanding, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Parthenon Capital Partners shall also have the right to have its designees on our board of directors proportionate to its stock ownership, subject to applicable law and stock exchange rules. This agreement will terminate at such time as Parthenon Capital Partners owns less than 10% of our outstanding common stock.

Arrangements with our Directors and Officers

Indemnification Agreements

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and our officers in connection with the consummation of this offering. The indemnification agreements and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, subject to certain exceptions. See “Management—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Promissory notes

On January 8, 2004 in connection with the Acquisition, we loaned $1 million and $500,000 to each of Lisa Im and Jon Shaver, respectively, the proceeds of which were used for the purchase of shares of our series A preferred stock. The principal amount under these notes accrue interest at the rate of 5% per annum. The outstanding principal and accrued interest under these two promissory notes was originally due and payable on January 15, 2013. The outstanding principal and accrued interest under these two promissory notes as of July 3, 2012 was approximately $1.5 million and $0.8 million for Lisa Im and Jon Shaver, respectively. The promissory notes were repaid by Lisa Im and Jon Shaver on July 3, 2012 with after tax proceeds received under their respective deferred compensation agreements and with proceeds from the Company’s repurchase of 33,675 shares of common stock from Lisa Im and 15,335 shares of common stock from Jon Shaver.

 

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned on March 31, 2012, immediately following consummation of this offering, by:

 

   

Each person who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock;

 

   

Each of our directors and named executive officers;

 

   

All of our directors and executive officers as a group; and

 

   

Each selling stockholder.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with SEC rules. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Applicable percentage ownership is based on 21,608,843 shares of common stock outstanding at March 31, 2012, assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 699,555 shares of common stock, which occurred on June 28, 2012, but does not reflect the exercise of any options to purchase common stock or convertible preferred stock. For purposes of the table below, we have assumed that              shares of common stock will be outstanding upon completion of this offering. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of common stock subject to options or other convertible securities held by that person or entity that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Beneficial ownership representing less than one percent is denoted with an “*.”

Except as otherwise set forth below, the address of each of the persons listed below is 333 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore, California 94551.

 

     Shares Beneficially Owned
Prior to this Offering
    Shares
to be
Sold in the
Offering
   Beneficial Ownership of
Shares after the Offering

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Number (1)      Percentage        Number(1)    Percentage

Executive Officers and Directors:

             

Lisa C. Im (2)

     1,367,733         6.2        

Dr. Jon D. Shaver (3)

     889,074         4.0        

Harold T. Leach, Jr. (4)

     271,666         1.2        

Hakan L. Orvell (5)

     161,000         *           

John Y. Paik

             *           

Bruce L. Calvin (6)

     68,750         *           

Todd R. Ford

     3,646         *           

Brian P. Golson (7)

     17,672,846         81.8        

William D. Hansen

     2,604         *           

William C. Kessinger (7)

     17,672,846         81.8        

Jeffrey S. Stein (8)

     45,000         *           

All Executive Officers and Directors as a group (9)  (11 persons)

     20,482,319         89.6        

5% Stockholders:

             

Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC (7)

     17,672,846         81.8        

 

 

    *

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 

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  (1)

Unless otherwise indicated, includes shares owned by a spouse, minor children and relatives sharing the same home, as well as entities owned or controlled by the named person. Also includes options to purchase shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days. Unless otherwise noted, shares are owned of record and beneficially by the named person.

(2)

Includes 327,850 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012. Also includes 33,675 shares repurchased by the Company on July 3, 2012, and Ms. Im has an option to purchase these shares.

(3)

Includes 508,333 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012. Also includes 15,335 shares repurchased by the Company on July 3, 2012, and Mr. Shaver has an option to purchase these shares.

(4)

Includes 181,666 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012.

(5)

Includes 161,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012.

(6)

Includes 68,750 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012.

(7)

The reported shares are owned of record by Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC (“DCS Holdings”). Parthenon Investors II, L.P., as the manager of DCS Holdings; PCAP Partners II, LLC, as the general partner of Parthenon Investors II, L.P.; PCAP II, LLC, as the managing member of PCAP Partners II, LLC; PCP Managers, LLC, as the managing member of PCAP II, LLC; and each of Messrs. Kessinger and Golson and David Ament, as managing members of PCP Managers, LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned of record by DCS Holdings. Messrs. Kessinger and Golson are Managing Directors of Parthenon Capital Partners, an affiliate of PCAP Partners II, LLC. Each of the foregoing persons disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address for the foregoing persons is c/o Parthenon Capital Partners, Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3610, San Francisco, California 94111.

(8)

The address for Mr. Stein is c/o Parthenon Capital Partners, Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3610, San Francisco, California 94111.

(9)

Includes 1,247,599 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2012. Also includes 17,672,846 shares held by DCS Holdings.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following is a summary of the rights of our common stock and preferred stock and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as they will be in effect immediately following the completion of this offering. The description is intended as a summary, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the form of our amended and restated bylaws to become effective in connection with the completion of this offering and which that have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Immediately following the completion of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of              shares, with a par value of $0.01 per share, of which:

 

   

            shares will be designated as common stock; and

 

   

            shares will be designated as preferred stock.

As of March 31, 2012, there were 21,608,843 shares of common stock outstanding, after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of series A preferred stock into 699,555 shares of common stock and 699,555 series B preferred stock and the redemption of 699,555 shares of series B preferred stock for an aggregate redemption payment of approximately $16.3 million, both of which occurred on June 28, 2012. Our outstanding capital stock was held by              stockholders of record as of March 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2012, we also had outstanding options to acquire              shares of common stock.

Common Stock

Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect in connection with the completion of this offering, the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. The vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders and entitled to vote shall decide any question submitted to a vote, except as otherwise required by law or provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds, payable either in cash, property or shares of capital stock.

Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the company, subject to the rights, if any of the holders of our preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the company of whatever kind available for distribution ratable in proportion to the number of shares held by them respectively.

The holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of the board of directors and issued in the future.

Preferred Stock

The board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further vote or action by the stockholders, to issue from time to time shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Each such series of preferred stock shall have such number of shares, voting powers,

 

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designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, as shall be determined by the board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated Bylaws

Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws to become effective immediately following the completion of this offering contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of us. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals, including proposals that are priced above the then-current market value of our common stock, because, among other reasons, the negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

These provisions include:

Classified Board

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. We believe that the classification of our board of directors will facilitate the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies. However, our classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.

Number of Directors; Removal of Directors and Filling of Vacancies

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors has the authority to determine the number of directors within a range of between five and 15 directors. It also provides that once Parthenon Capital Partners ceases to beneficially own a majority of our outstanding shares (i) vacancies in our board of directors, including vacancies created by an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled solely by a majority vote of the directors then in office, and (ii) directors or the entire board may be removed only for cause.

Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting once Parthenon Capital Partners cease to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provides that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors or, until the date that investment funds affiliated with Parthenon Capital Partners cease to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares, at the request of holders of 50% or more of our outstanding shares. Except as described above, stockholders will not be permitted to call a special meeting or to require the board of directors to call a special meeting.

Advance Notice Procedures

Our amended and restated bylaws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting will only be able to consider proposals or

 

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nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given our Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. Although our amended and restated bylaws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, our amended and restated bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

Super Majority Approval Requirements

The DGCL generally provides that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless either a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws require a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66  2 / 3 % of the total votes eligible to be cast in the election of directors will be required to amend, alter, change or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or specified provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation once Parthenon Capital Partners ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding shares. This requirement of a supermajority vote to approve amendments to our amended and restated bylaws and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could enable a minority of our stockholders to exercise veto power over any such amendments.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. In addition, preferred stock could be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of our common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders

We have elected in our certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an antitakeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are not subject to any anti-takeover effects of Section 203. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions that have the same effect as Section 203, except that they provide that Parthenon Capital Partners will not be deemed to be an “interested stockholder,” regardless of the percentage of our voting stock owned by them, and accordingly will not be subject to such restrictions.

Corporate Opportunities

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce any interest or expectancy of the Company in the business opportunities that are from time to time presented to Parthenon Capital Partners and its officers, directors, agents, shareholders, members, partners, affiliates and subsidiaries, even if the opportunities are ones that the Company might have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity, and each such person shall not have any obligation to offer to us those opportunities and shall not be liable for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or otherwise, if any such person pursues or acquires such opportunity, directs the opportunity to another person or fails to present the opportunity to us.

 

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Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will limit the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and will provide that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such law. We expect to enter into indemnification agreements with our current directors and executive officers prior to the completion of this offering and expect to enter into a similar agreement with any new directors or executive officers. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will also permit us to purchase insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions as our officer, director, employee or agent, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We believe that the limitation of liability provision, indemnification agreements and provision of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance will facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers of the Company.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PFMT.”

 

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion summarizes certain material United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Common stock by certain non-United States holders (as defined below). This discussion only applies to non-United States holders who purchase and hold our Common stock as a capital asset for United States federal income tax purposes (generally property held for investment). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-United States holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances.

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-United States holder” means a person that for United States federal income tax purposes is not a partnership and is not any of the following:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and that has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This discussion is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. These authorities may change, perhaps retroactively, which could result in United States federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxes and does not describe any non-United States, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-United States holders in light of their particular circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not describe the United States federal income and estate tax consequences applicable to a non-United States holder who is subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax laws (including, without limitation, certain former citizens and former long-term residents, a “controlled foreign corporation,” a “passive foreign investment company,” a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid United States federal income tax, a partnership or other “pass through” entity or an investor in any such entity, a tax-exempt organization, a bank or other financial institution, a broker, dealer or trader in securities, commodities or currencies, a person holding our Common stock as part of a hedging, conversion, straddle, constructive sale or other risk reduction transaction or an insurance company). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not significantly alter the tax considerations that we describe in this discussion.

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our Common stock, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner of that partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Common stock, you should consult your tax advisors.

YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Distributions on Common Stock

In general, if distributions are made with respect to our Common stock, such distributions will be treated as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for United States

 

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federal income tax purposes and will be subject to withholding as discussed below. Any portion of a distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be applied to reduce the non-United States holder’s basis in the Common stock, but not below zero, and, to the extent such portion exceeds the non-United States holder’s basis, the excess will be treated as gain from the disposition of the Common stock, the tax treatment of which is discussed below under “Dispositions of Common Stock.”

Dividends paid to a non-United States holder of our Common stock generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-United States holder within the United States (and, where an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-United States holder in the United States) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-United States holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-United States holder of our Common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty for dividends will be required to provide us with a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalties of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits. If our Common stock is held through a foreign partnership or foreign intermediary, the foreign partnership or foreign intermediary will also be required to comply with additional certification requirements under applicable Treasury regulations.

A non-United States holder of our Common stock eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

Dispositions of Common Stock

Any gain realized by a non-United States holder on the disposition of our Common stock generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the non-United States holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-United States holder in the United States);

 

   

the non-United States holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the calendar year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

   

we are or have been a United States real property holding corporation, as such term is defined in section 897(c) of the Code, during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or your holding period of our Common stock.

Gain described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. A non-United States holder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30%, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. An individual non-United States holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be required to pay (subject to applicable income tax treaties) a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. As long as our Common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, within the meaning of section 897(c)(3) of the Code, the rules described in the third bullet point above

 

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will apply to you only if you actually or constructively hold more than five percent of such regularly traded common stock at any time during the applicable period that is specified in the Code (the “regularly traded stock exception”). We believe we are not and do not expect to become a United States real property holding corporation. If, however, it turns out that we are or become a United States Real Property holding corporation, a non-United States holder for whom the regularly traded stock exception is not applicable or who is not otherwise exempt will be required to pay United States federal income tax under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates with respect to the gain recognized.

United States Federal Estate Tax

Our Common stock beneficially owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will generally be includable in the decedent’s gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-United States holder the amount of dividends paid to such non-United States holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-United States holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or tax information exchange agreement.

Payments of dividends in respect of, or proceeds on the disposition within the United States (or conducted through certain U.S. related intermediaries) of, our Common stock made to a non-United States holder will be subject to additional information reporting and backup withholding unless such non-United States holder establishes an exemption, for example by properly certifying that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code on an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or another appropriate version of Form W-8 (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-United States holder is a United States person as defined under the Code).

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will reduce the non-United States holder’s United States federal income tax liability. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Recent Legislative Developments

Legislation enacted in 2010 will generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends on our Common stock and the gross proceeds of a disposition of our Common stock paid after December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such institution enters into an agreement with the United States Treasury requiring, among other things, that such institution undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or certain foreign entities wholly or partially owned by United States persons, annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold at a rate of 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements, and (ii) a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the payor with a certification identifying the direct and indirect United States owners of the entity. Accordingly, the entity through which our Common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Under proposed regulations that are not yet effective, this new withholding tax will not apply (i) to dividend income on Common stock that is paid on or before December 31, 2013 or (ii) to gross proceeds from the disposition of Common stock paid on or before December 31, 2014. Under certain circumstances, a non-United States holder of our Common stock may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our Common stock.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Before this offering, there has not been a public market for shares of our common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, in the public market after this offering, or the possibility of these sales occurring, could cause the prevailing market price for our common stock to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon the completion of this offering, a total of              shares of common stock will be outstanding, assuming that there are no exercises of options after March 31, 2012. Of these shares,              shares of common stock sold in this offering by us, plus any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, will be freely tradable in the public market without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless these shares are held by “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

The remaining              shares of common stock will be upon issuance, “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rules 144 or 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

Subject to the lock-up agreements described below and the provisions of Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, these restricted securities will be available for sale in the public market as follows:

 

Date

   Number of Shares

On the date of this prospectus

  

Between 90 and 180 days after the date of this prospectus

  

At various times beginning more than 180 days after the date of this prospectus

  

In addition, of the              shares of our common stock that were subject to stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2012, options to purchase              shares of common stock were vested as of March 31, 2012 and will be eligible for sale at various times beginning more than 180 days following the effective date of this offering.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not our affiliate and has not been our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months will be entitled to sell any shares of our common stock that such person has beneficially owned for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, without regard to volume limitations. Sales of our common stock by any such person would be subject to the availability of current public information about us if the shares to be sold were beneficially owned by such person for less than one year.

In addition, under Rule 144, a person may sell shares of our common stock acquired from us immediately upon the closing of this offering, without regard to volume limitations or the availability of public information about us, if:

 

   

the person is not our affiliate and has not been our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months; and

 

   

the person has beneficially owned the shares to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates.

Beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, our affiliates who have beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of

 

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our affiliates, would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of our common stock then-outstanding, which will equal approximately              shares immediately after this offering; and

 

   

the average weekly trading volume in our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date of filing of a Notice of Proposed Sale of Securities Pursuant to Rule 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchase shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement in a transaction before the effective date of this offering that was completed in reliance on Rule 701 and complied with the requirements of Rule 701 will, subject to the lock-up restrictions described below, be eligible to resell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with certain restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.

Lock-Up Agreements

In connection with this offering, we and our officers, directors, and holders of substantially all of our common stock have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock, file or cause to be filed a registration statement covering shares of common stock or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for, or represent the right to receive, common stock or any substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing restrictions, during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. This agreement does not apply to the issuance by us of shares under any existing employee benefit plans. This agreement is subject to certain exception in certain circumstances. See “Underwriting” for a more complete description of the lock-up agreements.

Registration Statements

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering all of the shares of common stock subject to options outstanding or reserved for issuance under our stock plans. We expect to file this registration statement as soon as practicable after this offering. However, none of the shares registered on Form S-8 will be eligible for resale until the expiration of the lock-up agreements to which they are subject.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we and the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:

 

Name

   Number of
Shares

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

  
  

 

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’ option to purchase additional shares described below. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased, or, in the case of a default with respect to the shares covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below, the underwriting agreement may be terminated. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are among several lenders under our credit agreement.

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 a price that represents a concession not in excess of $         per share under the public offering price. 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.

             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. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase 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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The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us and the selling stockholders. 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

       $             $             $     

The selling stockholders

       $             $             $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

       $             $             $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to selling stockholders

       $             $             $     

The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $             million. The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for a portion of our out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this offering.

The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of common stock offered by them.

Upon the completion of this offering and based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range shown on the cover of this prospectus, we will pay FT Partners a fee of $             for financial advisory services in respect of this offering. This fee will be paid through the issuance of shares of our common stock valued at the initial public offering price per share. We have also agreed to indemnify FT Partners against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities in connection with FT Partners’ financial advisory services. FT Partners has entered into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters with respect to these shares and these shares will also be subject to limitations on resale imposed by Rule 144, each as described under the heading “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” elsewhere in this prospectus. FT Partners’ financial advisory services included assistance in financial and valuation modeling and advice with respect to the initial public offering process and equity capital market alternatives. None of Financial Technology Partners LP, FTP Securities LLC, or any of their affiliates is acting as an underwriter of this offering.

We expect to list our common stock on NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “PFMT.”

We and all directors and officers and the holders of substantially all of our outstanding stock and stock options, including holders of all of our unregistered securities acquired within the past 180 days, have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the underwriters, and subject to certain exceptions, we and they will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus (or such earlier date or dates as agreed between us and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co.):

 

   

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock beneficially owned or any other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

 

   

file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 the common stock;

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written

 

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consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to:

 

   

the sale of shares to the underwriters; or

 

   

the issuance by the Company of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of this prospectus of which the underwriters have been advised in writing; or

 

   

the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), for the transfer of shares of common stock, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, as amended, regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required or shall be voluntarily made.

The restricted period described in the preceding paragraph will be extended if:

 

   

during the last 17 days of the restricted period we issue an earnings release or material news event relating to us occurs, or

 

   

prior to the expiration of the restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period,

in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

In order to facilitate the offering of the common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the 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 option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option to purchase additional shares 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 option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the option to purchase additional shares, 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 the 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 common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

We, the selling stockholders and the several underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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 representative may agree to

 

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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 representative to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Pricing of the Offering

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be 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.

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 the issuer, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

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 account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise). The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/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 and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares of our common stock may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any shares of our common stock may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of shares of our common stock shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of our common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares of our common stock, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus

 

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Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

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, or 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.

Hong Kong

The shares 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), or (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 the shares 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 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 the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares 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 under 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), 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 the shares 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 (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, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or 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) by operation of law.

 

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Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, 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 resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, San Francisco, California. Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York, New York, is representing the underwriters in this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Performant Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us and the common stock offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Upon completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov .

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Consolidated Financial Statements of Performant Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

Consolidated Financial Statements For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2012 (Unaudited)

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-23   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     F-24   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-25   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-26   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-27   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Performant Financial Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Performant Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in redeemable preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule II. These consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Performant Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1(b) to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 have been restated to correct for errors in accounting for preferred stock.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

March 22, 2012, except for Note 1(l) and schedule II,

as to which the date is May 21, 2012 and Note 1(b) and

Note 1(s), as to which the date is June 25, 2012.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2010 and 2011

(In thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

Assets    2010     2011  
     (Restated)     (Restated)  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,078       20,004  

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $45 and $77, respectively

     14,006       18,948  

Deferred income taxes

     2,170       5,348  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,198       3,292  

Debt issuance costs, current portion

     1,254       595  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     31,706       48,187  

Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net

     13,525       14,915  

Identifiable intangible assets

     52,959       36,516  

Goodwill

     81,572       81,572  

Debt issuance costs

     595         

Other assets

     1,033       659  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 181,390       181,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Liabilities:

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of notes payable

   $ 12,500       8,134  

Accrued salaries and benefits

     4,596       7,138  

Accounts payable

     63       60  

Other current liabilities

     3,761       8,945  

Deferred revenue

            2,214  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     20,920       26,491  

Notes payable, net of current portion

     96,633       87,051  

Line of credit, drawn

     8,198       8,198  

Deferred compensation

     1,761       1,761  

Deferred income taxes

     21,109       14,647  

Other liabilities

     2,610       1,158  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     151,231       139,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Redeemable preferred stock (see Note 1)

    

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized, 18,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,648 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2011

     51,753       58,248  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ deficit (see Note 1)

    

Due from stockholders

     (2,158     (2,266

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized, 25,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 18,833 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2011

     188       188  

Additional paid-in capital

     19,067       19,187  

Accumulated deficit

     (38,691     (32,814
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (21,594     (15,705
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 181,390       181,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

       2009      2010     2011  
       (Restated)      (Restated)     (Restated)  

Revenues

     $     109,832            123,519           162,974  

Operating expenses:

         

Salaries and benefits

       53,728        58,113       67,082  

Other operating expenses

       32,110        33,655       49,199  

Impairment of trade name

       —           —          13,400  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       85,838        91,768       129,681  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

       23,994        31,751       33,293  

Interest expense

       (16,017      (15,230     (13,530

Interest income

       104        118       125  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

       8,081        16,639       19,888  

Provision for income taxes

       3,071        6,664       7,516  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     $ 5,010        9,975       12,372  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrual for preferred stock dividends

       5,128         5,771        6,495   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

       (118      4,204        5,877   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders

(see Note 1)

         

Basic

     $ (0.01      0.20        0.27   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     $ (0.01      0.19        0.26   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares (see Note 1)

         

Basic

       21,481        21,481       21,481  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

       21,481        22,510       22,871  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share (unaudited)

         

Basic

          $     
         

 

 

 

Diluted

          $     
         

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in computing pro forma net income per share (unaudited)

         

Basic

          $     
         

 

 

 

Diluted

          $     
         

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

(In thousands)

 

    Redeemable Preferred Stock                                              
      Series A
Convertible preferred stock
            Series A
Convertible preferred stock
    Due from
stockholders
    Common stock     Additional
paid-in

capital
    Accumulated
deficit
       
      Shares     Amount             Shares     Amount       Shares     Amount         Total  

Balance, December 31, 2008 (as Reported)

         $              2,648      $ 40,854        (2,169     18,833      $ 188        18,070        (42,777     14,166   
 

 

 

   

 

 

                       

Adjustment

    2,648        40,854              (2,648     (40,854                                        (40,854
 

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2008 (as Restated)

    2,648        40,854                            (2,169     18,833        188        18,070        (42,777     (26,688

Increase in redemption value of Series A preferred stock

           5,128                                                        (5,128     (5,128

Interest on notes receivable from stockholders

                                      (98                                 (98

Stock-based compensation expense

                                      106                      474               580   

Net income

                                                                  5,010        5,010   
 

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2009 (as Restated)

    2,648        45,982                            (2,161     18,833        188        18,544        (42,895     (26,324

Increase in redemption value of Series A preferred stock

           5,771                                                        (5,771     (5,771

Interest on notes receivable from stockholders

                                      (103                                 (103

Stock-based compensation expense

                                      106                      523               629   

Net income

                                                                  9,975        9,975   
 

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2010 (as Restated)

    2,648        51,753                            (2,158     18,833        188        19,067        (38,691     (21,594

Increase in redemption value of Series A preferred stock

           6,495                                                        (6,495     (6,495

Interest on notes receivable from stockholders

                                      (108                                 (108

Stock-based compensation expense

                                                           120               120   

Net income

                                                                  12,372        12,372   
 

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011 (as Restated)

    2,648      $ 58,248                   $        (2,266     18,833      $     188        19,187        (32,814     (15,705
 

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

(In thousands)

 

       2009      2010     2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

Net income

     $ 5,010        9,975       12,372  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

         

Loss on disposal of assets

       52               

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment of intangible assets

       9,624        7,213       21,166  

Deferred income taxes

       (2,924      32       (9,640

Stock option compensation

       580        629       120  

Interest expense from debt issuance costs

       3,027        1,997       1,254  

Interest income on notes receivable from stockholders

       (98      (103     (108

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

         

Trade accounts receivable

       (1,431      1,610       (4,942

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       (1,392      (664     (94

Other assets

       (116      (394     372  

Accrued salaries and benefits

       1,349        (69     2,542  

Accounts payable

       (91      (255     (3

Other current liabilities

       1,015        (1,882     5,184  

Deferred revenue

                    2,214  

Other liabilities

       1,028        125       (1,452
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       15,633        18,214       28,985  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Purchase of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements

       (4,877      (4,921     (6,111
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

       (4,877      (4,921     (6,111
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Borrowings under line of credit

       948               

Debt issuance costs paid

       (1,023      (1,172      

Repayment of notes payable

         (10,865      (9,967       (13,948
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

       (10,940        (11,139     (13,948
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

       (184      2,154       8,926  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

       9,108        8,924       11,078  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     $ 8,924        11,078       20,004  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash financing activities:

         

Note payable payment-in-kind

     $ 3,000               

Supplemental disclosures information:

         

Cash paid for income taxes

     $ 9,397        6,209       15,830  

Cash paid for interest

       14,095        13,048       12,246  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011

 

(1) Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Organization

These consolidated financial statements of Performant Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) include the operations of Performant Financial Corporation (PFC), its wholly owned subsidiary DCS Business Services, Inc. (DCSBS), and DCSBS’ wholly owned subsidiaries Diversified Collection Services, Inc. (DCS), and Vista Financial, Inc. (VFI). PFC is a Delaware corporation headquartered in California and was formed in 2003. DCSBS is a Nevada corporation founded in 1997. DCS is a California corporation founded in 1976. VFI is a California corporation that was formed in 2004.

The Company is a leading provider of collections and default management services for various forms of delinquent debt for the U.S. Department of Education, state and national guarantors of student loans, and defaulted debts owed to the federal and state governments. The Company contracts with its clients to provide collection services on a contingency-fee basis. The Company has collection offices in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Company also provides services to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where the Company audits and recovers improper payments made by Medicare for medical claims submitted by healthcare providers. VFI offers risk management services that enable financial institutions to proactively manage private student loan portfolios to mitigate the incidence of nonperforming loan assets.

 

  (b) Restatement

These financial statements have been restated to correct an error in the balance sheet presentation of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred shares (the Shares). The purpose of the restatement is to classify the balances outside of permanent equity, as they are redeemable at the option of the holders via conversion units, as more fully described in Note 6. The following financial statement line items were affected (in thousands):

 

     As originally reported      As adjusted     Effect of the change  

2011

       

Redeemable preferred stock

   $ -             58,248        58,248   

Total stockholders equity/deficit

                         42,543         (15,705     (58,248

2010

       

Redeemable preferred stock

   $ -             51,753        51,753   

Total stockholders equity/deficit

     30,159         (21,594     (51,753

 

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As the conversion of the Shares discussed above results in the issuance of common shares, we have corrected the weighted average shares outstanding and earnings per share disclosures. The per share impact of these changes is shown below.

 

     As originally reported      As adjusted      Effect of the change  

2011

        

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $                         0.31       $             0.27       $             (0.04)   

Diluted

   $ 0.29       $ 0.26       $ (0.03)   

Weighted average shares (in thousands)

  

     

Basic

     18,833         21,481         2,648   

Diluted

     20,223         22,871         2,648   

2010

        

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $ 0.22       $ 0.20       $ (0.02)   

Diluted

   $ 0.21       $ 0.19       $ (0.02)   

Weighted average shares (in thousands)

  

     

Basic

     18,833         21,481         2,648   

Diluted

     19,862         22,510         2,648   

2009

        

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $ (0.01)       $ (0.01)       $ -       

Diluted

   $ (0.01)       $ (0.01)       $ -       

Weighted average shares (in thousands)

  

     

Basic

     18,833         21,481         2,648   

Diluted

     19,493         21,481         1,988   

The restatement had no effect on the cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. The restatement also impacted Note 1(s).

 

  (c) Principles of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PFC, DCSBS, VFI, and DCS. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

  (d) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements; the allowance for doubtful accounts; and the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  (e) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. These investments can include money market funds that invest in highly liquid U.S. government and agency obligations, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper.

 

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The Company collects monies on behalf of its clients. Cash is often held on behalf of the clients in various trust accounts and is subsequently remitted to the clients based on contractual agreements. Cash held in these trust accounts for contracting agencies is not included in the Company’s assets (Note 11(a)).

 

  (f) Hosted Service Installation and Implementation Deliverables

In 2008, the Company entered into a long-term contract to provide hosted services to a client beginning in March 2009. The Company determined that certain installation and implementation deliverables were not separate units of accounting within the contract, and should be combined for revenue recognition purposes with the hosted service deliverable. Accordingly, revenue for these contract elements is being taken ratably from the commencement of hosted services in March 2009 through the contract period of March 2018. Additionally, the Company deferred the direct incremental costs associated with the installation and implementation deliverables, with the costs being expensed ratably from the March 2009 commencement of services through March 2018.

 

  (g) Property, Equipment, and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over 31.5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. Computer software and computer hardware are depreciated using the straight-line method over 3 years and 5 years, respectively.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Improvements that extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized.

When property is sold or retired, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any gain or loss from the transaction is included in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

  (h) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the fair value assigned to the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In accordance with Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment , the Company performed a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill fair value is less than its carrying amount for 2011, and concluded that there was no need to perform an impairment test. The Company applied impairment tests to its goodwill and determined that no impairment loss had occurred during 2010 and 2009.

Identifiable intangible assets consist of customer contracts and related relationships, trademarks and trade names, and covenants not to compete. Customer contracts and related relationships are amortized over their estimated useful life of 20 years. Covenants not to compete are amortized over their contractual terms of 2 to 5 years. Trademarks and trade names have been determined to have an indefinite life, and are not amortized.

 

  (i) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets or intangibles may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. In 2011, the Company recorded $13,400,000 of impairment expense to write off the carrying amount of the trade name intangible asset due to the

 

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Company’s contemplation of the retirement of the Diversified Collection Services, Inc. (DCS) trade name. The Company considers it unlikely that the DCS name will be used in the future. There was no impairment expense for intangible assets in 2010. The Company recorded $2,568,000 of impairment expense to reduce the carrying amount of the intangible asset due to the loss of a customer during 2009.

 

  (j) System Developments

The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASC) Subtopic 350-40, Internal-Use Software , which specifies that costs incurred during the application stage of development should be capitalized. All other costs are expensed as incurred. During 2009, 2010 and 2011, costs of $2,484,000, 2,112,000 and $2,532,000 respectively, were capitalized for projects in the application stage of development, with depreciation expense of $1,126,000, $1,469,000 and $2,080,000 respectively, for completed projects.

 

  (k) Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs represent loan, legal, and accounting fees paid in connection with the issuance of long-term debt. Debt issuance cost is amortized to interest expense in accordance with key terms of the notes as amended.

 

  (l) Revenues and Accounts Receivable

Collection revenue is recognized upon the collection of defaulted loan and debt payments. Bonus revenue is recognized upon receipt of official notification of bonus award from customers. Loan rehabilitation revenue is recognized when the rehabilitated loans are sold (funded) by clients.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company had 3 clients whose individual revenues were greater than 10 percent of the Company’s total revenues. The dollar amount and percent of total revenue of each of these 3 clients is summarized in the table below (in thousands):

 

Description

   2009 Revenue      Percent of
total  revenue
 

1

   $         25,915         23.6

2

     19,670         17.9

3

     12,496         11.4

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company had 4 clients whose individual revenues were greater than 10 percent of the Company’s total revenues. The dollar amount and percent of total revenue of each of these 4 clients is summarized in the table below (in thousands):

 

Description

   2010 Revenue      Percent of
total  revenue
 

1

   $         27,881         22.6

2

     20,776         16.8

3

     17,287         14.0

4

     15,445         12.5

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had 5 clients whose individual revenues were greater than 10 percent of the Company’s total revenues. The dollar amount and percent of total revenue of each of these 5 clients is summarized in the table below (in thousands):

 

Description

   2011 Revenue      Percent of
total  revenue
 

1

   $         30,732         18.9

2

     28,504         17.5

3

     21,812         13.4

4

     21,549         13.2

5

     17,934         11.0

The Company derived approximately 24%, 23% and 19% of revenues in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, from a contract with one customer. Revenue from the largest three customers was 53%,

 

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53% and 50% of total revenue in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Accounts receivable due from these three customers were 41%, 41% and 25% of total trade receivables at December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by specific identification. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

  (m) Legal Expenses

The Company recognizes legal fees related to litigation as they are incurred.

 

  (n) Comprehensive Income

The Company has no components of comprehensive income other than its net income. Accordingly, comprehensive income is equivalent to net income.

 

  (o) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, short-term debt and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values based on quoted market values or due to their short-term maturities. The carrying values of short-term debt, and long-term debt approximate fair value due to their variable interest rates, which approximate market rates.

 

  (p) Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset-and-liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for taxation purposes. Deferred incomle tax assets and liabilities are measured using the rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

Beginning with the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes , included in FASB ASC Subtopic 740-10, Income Taxes – Overall , as of January 1, 2009, the Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Prior to the adoption of Interpretation No. 48, the Company recognized the effect of income tax positions only if such positions were probable of being sustained.

The Company believes its tax positions to be highly certain and thus has recorded no tax reserves during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The Company records interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in selling, general, and administrative expenses. There were no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions incurred during the year ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

 

  (q) Preferred Stock

The carrying amounts of preferred stock are periodically increased by amounts representing dividends not currently declared or paid, but which would be payable under certain redemption features. Such increases in carrying amounts are recorded against retained earnings.

 

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  (r) Stock Options

The Company accounts for its employee stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . FASB ASC Topic 718 requires that all employee stock-based compensation is recognized as a cost in the financial statements and that for equity-classified awards, such cost is measured at the grant date fair value of the award. The Company estimates grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model.

FASB ASC Topic 718 also requires that excess tax benefits recognized in equity related to stock option exercises are reflected as financing cash inflows. While the Company did not have such tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options in 2009, 2010 and 2011, to the extent they occur, future benefits will be so presented.

 

  (s) Earnings per Share

Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of Series A preferred shares outstanding during the period. The Series A shares are included in the basic denominator because they can be converted into common shares for no cash consideration (via conversion units as further described in Note 6), and are thus considered outstanding common shares in computing basic earnings per share. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Our common share equivalents consist of stock options and restricted stock awards and units.

The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding using the treasury stock method (shares in thousands):

 

       Year Ended December 31,  
     2009      2010      2011  

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

     21,481         21,481         21,481   

Dilutive effect of stock options

     0         1,029         1,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     21,481         22,510         22,871   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (t) Pro Forma Net Income Per Share (unaudited)

Pro forma net income per share has been calculated to give effect to the following:

In addition to historical basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, the number of offering shares whose proceeds would be necessary to redeem all of the shares of Series B preferred stock as of December 31, 2011 for $58.2 million, as well as the number of offering shares whose proceeds would be necessary to pay Parthenon Capital Partners for the termination of the Advisory Agreement of $         million and the 1% transaction fee of $             million has been added to the denominator for purposes of the pro forma disclosure.

 

  (u) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities . ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position, and to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The new standards are effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Retrospective application is required. The Company will implement the provisions of ASU 2011-11 as of January 1, 2013.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income . Under this ASU, an entity will have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The ASU

 

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eliminates the option in U.S. GAAP to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. An entity should apply the ASU retrospectively. For a nonpublic entity, the ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2012, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. In December 2011, the FASB decided to defer the effective date of those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate only to the presentation of reclassification adjustments in the statement of operations by issuing ASU 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 . The Company plans to implement the provisions of ASU 2011-05 by presenting a separate statement of other comprehensive income following the statement of operations in 2012.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs . The new standards do not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provide guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under IFRS or U.S. GAAP. For U.S. GAAP, most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align with IFRS. A nonpublic entity is required to apply the ASU prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company expects that the adoption of ASU 2011-04 in 2012 will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

  (v) Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2009 and 2010 balances to conform to the 2011 presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income or retained earnings as previously reported.

 

(2) Property, Equipment, and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements consist of the following at December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

       2010      2011  

Land

     $   1,767             1,767    

Building and leasehold improvements

     4,672          4,797    

Furniture, equipment, and automobile

     3,310          3,612    

Computer hardware and software

     25,630          31,197    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     35,379          41,373    

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

       (21,854)         (26,458)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 13,525           14,915    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements amounted to $3,828,000, $4,168,000 and $4,721,000 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

(3) Identifiable Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2010

   Gross value      Accumulated
amortization
     Net value  

Customer contracts and related relationships

     $ 62,046               (22,487)               39,559     

Covenants not to compete

     3,600           (3,600)           —     

Trademarks and trade names

     13,400           —           13,400     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets

     $ 79,046           (26,087)           52,959     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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December 31, 2011

   Gross value      Accumulated
amortization
     Net value  

Customer contracts and related relationships

     $ 62,046               (25,530)               36,516     

Covenants not to compete

     3,600               (3,600)           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets

     $ 65,646           (29,130)           36,516     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets amounted to $3,227,000, $3,043,000 and $3,043,000 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five following fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):

 

2012

   $ 3,043   

2013

     3,043   

2014

     3,043   

2015

     3,043   

2016

     3,043   

After 2016

     21,301   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 36,516   
  

 

 

 

 

(4) Notes Payable

Notes payable consist of the following at December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

       2010     2011  

Term A-1 Loan, interest at Prime +3.00% or LIBOR (subject to a 2.00% floor) + 4.00%, which was 6.00% at December 31, 2010

   $ 3,000          

Term A-2 Loan, interest at Prime +4.50% or LIBOR (subject to a 2.00% floor) + 5.50%, which was 7.50% at December 31, 2010 and LIBOR +5.50%, which was 7.75% at December 31, 2011

     44,133        33,185   

Term B Loan, interest at Prime + 10.75% or LIBOR (subject to a 2.00% floor effective June 25, 2010) + 11.75%, which was 13.75% at December 31, 2010, and LIBOR + 11.75%, which was 14.00% at December 31, 2011

     62,000        62,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Term A-1 Loan, Term A-2 Loan, and the Term B Loan are subject to Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 25, 2010, Waiver and Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 9, 2009, Waiver and Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 10, 2008, Waiver and Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 25, 2007, Consent, Waiver, and Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 28, 2006, and to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 4, 2005, secured by all assets and liabilities

     109,133        95,185   

Less current portion

     (12,500     (8,134
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 96,633        87,051   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The maturities of the notes outstanding as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2012

   $ 95,185   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 95,185   
  

 

 

 

See revised maturities table at Note 12 for debt recapitalization that occurred subsequent to year end.

Principal and interest payments are due and paid periodically in accordance with the note terms. The Term A-2 Note and the Term B Note are held by a number of lenders, some of whom are also minority shareholders of the Company and therefore are related parties.

On June 25, 2010, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Fifth Amendment). As part of the Fifth Amendment, the existing Term A Loan was replaced by

 

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new Term A-1 and Term A-2 loans in the amount of $10.5 million and $44.1 million, respectively. The final maturity of Term A-1 is February 2011, and the final maturity of Term A-2 is March 2012. In addition, the Term-B loan amount was reset to $62.0 million, with a final maturity of September 2012. Fees associated with the Fifth Amendment of $1,172,000 were capitalized, and are being amortized to interest expense over the lives of the respective loans along with existing fees at June 25, 2010 of $1,501,000.

On June 9, 2009, the Company entered into a Waiver and Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Fourth Amendment) in which certain restrictive covenants were amended or waived through February 4, 2011.

Fees associated with the Fourth Amendment totaling $1,023,000 were capitalized and were expensed over the amendment period up to the signing of the Fifth Amendment on June 25, 2010, after which they have been expensed over the lives of the loans as laid out in the Fifth Amendment. These fees were paid in cash.

On June 10, 2008, the Company entered into a Waiver and Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Third Amendment) in which certain restrictive covenants were amended or waived. The Third Amendment called for the Company to refinance its debt by June 15, 2009 in which case it would not be required to pay-in-kind (by addition to the principal of the outstanding term loans) to the lenders an additional amendment fee of $3,000,000. The Company did not refinance its debt by the June 15, 2009 date, and as a consequence, $1,100,000 was added to the principal balance of the Term A loan, and $1,900,000 was added to the principal balance of the Term B loan. The $3,000,000 fee was being expensed over the period June 15, 2009 – February 4, 2011 up to the signing of the Fifth Amendment on June 25, 2010, after which it has been expensed over the lives of the loans as laid out in the Fifth Amendment.

The February 4, 2005, Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive financial covenants, which require, among other things, that the Company meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio, maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio, and maximum capital expenditures limit. The Fifth Amendment amended certain of these financial covenants for the period June 25, 2010 through September 30, 2012, while the Fourth Amendment amended certain of these financial covenants for the period June 9, 2009 through February 4, 2011.

The Company has a line of credit subject to the terms of the Fifth Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Third Amendment, the Second Amendment, and the February 4, 2005 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the agreements, borrowings may not exceed $10 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. Borrowings accrue interest at Prime (subject, under the Fifth Amendment, to a floor equal to the greatest of the Prime Rate per The Wall Street Journal , the Federal Funds Rate +0.50%, or 3.00%) + 2.75% or LIBOR (subject, under the Fifth Amendment, to a floor of 2.00%) + 3.75%, which was 6.00% at December 31, 2011, and at Prime + 2.75% or LIBOR + 3.75%, which was 5.75% at December 31, 2010. The line expires March 30, 2012. Borrowings under this line of credit at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $8,198,000. In addition, the Company has letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $1,400,000 and $1,410,000 that are secured by the line of credit, leaving remaining borrowing capacity under the line of credit of $402,000 and $392,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

(5) Commitments under Operating Leases

The Company leases office facilities and certain equipment. Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31:

  

2012

   $ 1,402   

2013

     699   

2014

     687   

2015

     128   

2016

     7   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,923   
  

 

 

 

 

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Lease expense was $1,835,000, $1,949,000 and $1,950,000 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

(6) Capital Stock

The total number of shares of capital stock that the Company has authority to issue is 61,000,000, consisting of 18,000,000 shares of Series A Participating Senior Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock), $0.01 par value per share (Series A Preferred Stock); 18,000,000 shares of Series B Redeemable Senior Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (Series B Preferred Stock); and 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share.

 

  (a) Series A Preferred Stock

Issuanc e – On May 23, 2006, the Company sold 2,647,838 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to shareholders at a price of $11.33 per share, receiving gross proceeds of $30,000,000, and net proceeds of $29,925,000 after issuance costs of $75,000.

Dividends – The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends as declared by the board of directors. The dividends accrue on a daily basis at the rate of 12% per annum on the sum of the Liquidation Value plus accumulated dividends and accrued and unpaid dividends thereon from the date of issuance of the Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has accrued dividends payable of $28,248,000 recorded as an increase to the Series A Preferred Stock.

Voting – Each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holder to cast a number of votes per share equal to the number of votes that the holder would be entitled to cast assuming that such shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been converted into shares of Common Stock.

Liquidation – In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, before any distribution or payment to holders of Common Stock, but on parity with the holders of Series B Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid an amount equal to the Liquidation Value of $11.33 per share plus any accumulated or accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. In addition to the payments set forth above, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to participate, on a parity and ratably on a per-share basis with the holders of Common Stock, with respect to all such distributions or payments that the holders of Series A Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such holders’ shares of Series A Preferred Stock were convertible immediately prior to any relevant record date or payment date in connection with liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, but only to the extent that shares of Common Stock would participate in such distributions or payments (and such payment shall be junior to all equity securities of the Company that rank senior to the Common Stock, including without limitation the Series B Preferred Stock).

Conversion – The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into Conversion Units (as defined below), at a rate of one Conversion Unit for one share of Series A Preferred Stock. A Conversion Unit consists of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the Liquidation Value of the Series A Preferred Stock by the Conversion Price then in effect (the Common Portion) and (ii) one share of Series B Preferred Stock (the Series B Portion) subject to adjustments. If upon conversion there are any unpaid, accrued, or accumulated dividends due on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such dividends continue to be deferred, but are considered unpaid, accrued, or accumulated dividends (as the case may be) due on the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

   

Optional conversion – Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, into a Conversion Unit at any time after the date of issuance of such share.

 

   

Automatic conversion – Each share of Series A Preferred Stock automatically can be converted into Conversion Units on the date specified by written consent or agreement of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

   

Conversion price – The initial Conversion Price of the shares issued in May 2006 is $11.33 per share. In order to prevent dilution of the conversion rights granted to the holders of the Series A Preferred

 

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Stock, the Conversion Price is subject to adjustment from time to time under certain circumstances. If the Company (i) declares a dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of its capital stock (including Common Stock), (ii) subdivides the outstanding Common Stock, (iii) combines the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Stock, then, in each such case, the Conversion Price is to be proportionately adjusted so that, in connection with a conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock after such date, the holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock, which, if the conversion had occurred immediately prior to such date, the holder would have owned upon such conversion and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination, or reclassification.

 

  (b) Series B Preferred Stock

Issuances – There are no outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

Dividends – The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends, as declared by the Board of Directors. Dividends accrue on a daily basis at the rate of 12% per annum on the sum of the Liquidation Value thereof plus all accumulated dividends and accrued and unpaid dividends thereon from and including the date of issuance of such Preferred Stock. Such dividends accrue whether or not they are declared.

Voting – The holders of Series B Preferred Stock do not have any right to vote.

Liquidation – In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, before any distribution or payment to holders of Common Stock, but on parity with the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid an amount equal to the Liquidation Value ($11.33 per share) plus any accumulated or accrued but unpaid dividends thereon.

Redemption – The Company, at its option, has the ability to redeem all or any portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding. The total sum payable by the Corporation per share of Series B Preferred Stock so redeemed equals the Liquidation Value thereof plus an amount equal to all accumulated or accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (the Series B Redemption Price).

The Series B Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption in the event of an initial public offering at a price per share equal to the Series B Redemption Price.

The Series B Preferred Stock is subject to redemption on or after January 7, 2011 at the request of the holders of a majority of the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock (together as a single class).

 

(7) Stock-Based Compensation

 

  (a) Stock Options

The Company has established the 2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan, the DCS Holdings, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (Performant Financial Corporation is the new name of DCS Holdings, Inc.), and the Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan (the Plans). Under the terms of the 2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan, stock options may be granted for up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued Common Stock. “Tranche I” options granted under the 2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan generally vest over a five-year period. “Tranche II” options granted under the plan allow for accelerated vesting in as few as five years if certain performance criteria are met, with full vesting occurring in no later than the end of seven years.

Under the terms of the DCS Holdings, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock bonuses, and rights to acquire restricted stock may be granted for up to 1,800,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued Common Stock. Options granted under the DCS Holdings, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan generally vest over a four-year period.

 

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Under the terms of the Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan, incentive and nonqualified stock options may be granted for up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued Common Stock. Options granted under the Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan generally vest over a five-year period.

The exercise price of incentive stock options shall generally not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the date that the option is granted. The exercise price of nonqualified stock options shall generally not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the date that the option is granted. Options issued under the Plans have a maximum term of 10 years and vest over schedules determined by the board of directors. Options issued under the Plans generally provide for immediate vesting of unvested shares in the event of a sale of the Company.

In 2005, in accordance with the guidance contained in FASB Topic ASC 718, the payment of $35.6 million in dividends to Common Stockholders at the February 4, 2005 recapitalization date was determined to be a deemed modification to the terms of the Company’s outstanding stock option agreements. The value of the Company’s outstanding stock options was therefore remeasured, resulting in a total of $11.5 million of noncash compensation costs as of the recapitalization date. Of this amount, $521,000, $415,000 and $0 have been amortized to compensation expense in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, based on the vesting status of the underlying option shares.

The fair value of each new option award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the assumptions in the following table:

 

     2009     2010     2011  

Valuation assumptions:

      

Expected volatility

     37.5     40.6     39.8

Expected term (years)

     6.3        6.3        6.3   

Risk-free interest rate

     3.1     2.8     1.2

The volatility rate is derived from historical volatility data of comparable peer companies over a term comparable to the expected term of the options issued. The expected term of the award is determined based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term.

Options have been granted, exercised, and canceled as follows:

 

     Outstanding
options
    Weighted
average
exercise price
per share
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual life
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

     2,349,875      $ 1.00         7.4   

Granted

     435,000        2.35      

Forfeited

     (63,125     1.00      

Exercised

            
  

 

 

      

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     2,721,750      $ 1.22         6.9   

Granted

     101,000        3.00      

Forfeited

     (67,375     1.12      

Exercised

            
  

 

 

      

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     2,755,375        1.28         6.0   

Granted

     90,000        11.01      

Forfeited

     (12,641     1.47      

Exercised

     (359     1.00      
  

 

 

      

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     2,832,375        1.59         5.2   
  

 

 

      

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

     2,220,275        1.16         4.6   

 

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Options available for issuance as of December 31, 2011 are 939,628.

Nonvested options outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and changes during 2011 were as follows:

 

     Nonvested
options
outstanding
    Weighted
average
exercise price
per share
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual life
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

     1,127,100      $ 1.56         6.8   

Granted

     90,000        11.01      

Vested

     (602,401     1.33      

Forfeited

     (2,599     2.54      
  

 

 

      

Nonvested at December 31, 2011

     612,100        3.17         7.4   
  

 

 

      

At December 31, 2010 and 2011, there was $367,000 and $568,000, respectively, of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested stock awards included as a component of additional paid-in capital.

At December 31, 2010, options with a weighted average exercise price of $1.09 were exercisable on 1,628,275 shares. Cash received from option exercises was $0 during 2010 and $359 during 2011. The intrinsic value associated with the exercise of options was $0 in 2009 and 2010, and $3,400 in 2011.

 

  (b) Restricted Stock

Option Agreements issued under the 2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan allow for the participants to exercise options whether or not vesting has occurred, provided that the participants enter into a restricted stock agreement. The restricted stock agreement is to specify that the stock issued for unvested options will continue vesting, with the unvested shares subject to repurchase at the lower of original cost and fair market value.

In January 2005, two executives exercised a portion of their options, including unvested options, by entering into restricted stock agreements with the Company. The restricted stock agreements allow for the executives to receive dividend payments, subject to forfeiture if the executives leave the Company prior to the vesting of the restricted shares. On February 4, 2005, forfeitable dividends of $972,000 were paid on the executives’ unvested restricted shares. This amount has been recorded as “due from stockholders” in the equity caption of the consolidated balance sheet, and is being amortized into compensation expense as the underlying unvested restricted shares vest. Compensation expense associated with the forfeitable dividends received on unvested restricted shares was $106,000, $106,000 and $0 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

(8) Employee Benefit Plans

 

  (a) 401(k) Salary Deferral Plan

The Company has a 401(k) Salary Deferral Plan (the Plan) covering all full-time employees who have met certain service requirements. Employees may contribute a portion of their salary up to the maximum limit established by the Internal Revenue Code for such plans. Employer contributions are discretionary. No matching contributions were made during 2009, 2010 and 2011.

 

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(9) Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     2009      2010      2011  

Current:

        

Federal

   $ 4,697          5,500             14,053    

State

     1,298          1,132          3,103    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,995          6,632          17,156    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

        

Federal

   $  (2,260)         (172)         (7,350)   

State

     (664)         204          (2,290)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (2,924)         32          (9,640)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,071              6,664           7,516    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The reconciliation between the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to income before taxes and the Company’s tax provision for 2009, 2010 and 2011 is as follows:

 

     2009      2010      2011  

Expected federal income tax provision (benefit)

          35%              35%              35%   

State tax, net of federal benefit

     5             5             3       

Permanent differences

     2             2             1       

Other

     (4)           (2)           (1)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     38%         40%         38%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

     2010      2011  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Bad debt reserve

   $       18          30    

Vacation accrual

     341          315    

Remeasurement expense nonqualified stock options

     1,156          1,137    

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     1,806          1,822    

Acquisition costs

     266          229    

Bonus accrual

     —          483    

State tax deferral

     433          1,041    

Stock option compensation

     702          690    

Legal settlement

     —          516    

Deferred revenue

     —          1,284    

State tax credits

     —          386    

Other

     —          409    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,722          8,342    

Valuation allowance

     —          (148)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,722          8,194    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     2010      2011  

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Identifiable intangible assets

     (21,095)         (14,307)   

Book versus tax depreciation

     (2,104)         (3,029)   

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     (428)         (135)   

State net operating loss carryforward

     (34)         (22)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (23,661)             (17,493)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

   $   (18,939)         (9,299)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets, except for certain state tax credits. Income tax expense is allocated to the subsidiaries included in the consolidated tax return on the basis of the subsidiaries’ stand-alone tax provision.

The Company files federal and state income tax returns. For years before 2007, the Company is no longer subject to federal or state tax examinations.

The Company has state tax credits of $593,228 which can be carried forward indefinitely.

 

(10) Related-Party Transactions

The Company’s notes payable are held by a number of lenders, some of whom also invested in stock or option shares of the Company. As a result, these entities are considered related parties. Interest expense under these arrangements totaled $12,989,000, $13,233,000 and $12,276,000 for 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. During 2010 and 2011, the debt agreements were amended. See further discussion at Note 4.

The Company is a party to an advisory services agreement with an entity associated with its majority stockholder. Expenses incurred under this agreement totaled $684,000, $759,000 and $634,000 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

In 2010, the Company entered into a year-to-year lease for condominium owned by a Company executive commencing March 2010. Payments for the unit totaled $22,500 and $27,000 in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

(11) Other Commitments and Contingencies

 

  (a) Trust Funds

The Company collects principal and interest payments and collection costs on defaulted loans for various contracting agencies. Cash collections for some of the Company’s customers are held in trust in bank accounts controlled by the Company. The Company remits trust funds to the contracting agencies on a regular basis. The amount of cash held in trust and the related liability are separated from and not included in the Company’s assets and liabilities. Cash held in trust for customers totaled $2,101,000 and $1,797,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 

  (b) Litigation

The Company, during the ordinary course of its operations, has been named in various legal suits and claims, several of which are still pending. In the opinion of management and the Company’s legal counsel, such legal actions will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.

 

(12) Subsequent Events

On March 19, 2012, the Company recapitalized, entering into a credit agreement consisting of a Term A Loan of $57.0 million, a Term B Loan of $79.5 million, and a revolving credit facility of $11.0 million, of which $4.5 million has been drawn. In connection with the recapitalization, the Company’s old credit facility, scheduled to mature in 2012, was extinguished, and the Company’s indebtedness on the old facility

 

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was paid in full. Accordingly, the line of credit drawn and the notes payable presented on the December 31, 2011 balance sheet have been reclassified to long-term liabilities to the extent that payments under the new credit agreement extend beyond 2012. Payments under the credit agreement are as follows:

 

2012

   $ 8,134   

2013

     10,845   

2014

     10,845   

2015

     10,845   

2016

     10,845   

Thereafter

     84,986   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 136,500   
  

 

 

 

Proceeds from the new Term A, Term B, and revolving credit facility borrowings were used along with $14.5 million of Company cash to redeem 1,948,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (via conversion units as described in Note 6) plus accrued dividends for a total of $44.0 million. Fees paid in conjunction with the credit agreement totaled $6.5 million, including an agency fee for $1.5 million to an entity associated with the Company’s majority stockholder, and an agreement to grant 107,500 shares of common stock valued at approximately $1.2 million to an investment bank acting as advisor.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events from the balance sheet date through March 22, 2012, the date at which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011

Allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):

 

     Balance at      Additions                   Balance at  

Description

   Beginning of Period      Charged against Revenue      Recoveries      Charge-offs     End of Period  

2009

   $ 290                         (69     221   

2010

     221         37            (213     45   

2011

     45         28         14         (10     77   

Reserve for Appeals – RAC Contract (in thousands):

 

     Balance at      Additions      Appeals found in     Balance at  

Description

   Beginning of Period      Charged against Revenue      Providers favor     End of Period  

2009

   $                          

2010

             101                101   

2011

     101         1,743         (910     934   

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Assets    December 31,
2011
    March 31,
2012
 
     (Restated)     (Restated)  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20,004       12,312  

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $63 and $77, respectively

     18,948       23,082  

Deferred income taxes

     5,348       5,348  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,292       2,486  

Debt issuance costs, current portion

     595       1,245  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     48,187       44,473  

Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net

     14,915       15,059  

Identifiable intangible assets

     36,516       39,042  

Goodwill

     81,572       81,572  

Debt issuance costs

            2,183  

Other assets

     659       694  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 181,849       183,023  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities:

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of notes payable

   $ 8,134       10,845  

Accrued salaries and benefits

     7,138       5,065  

Accounts payable

     60       709  

Other current liabilities

     8,945       8,435  

Deferred revenue

     2,214       6,108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     26,491       31,162  

Notes payable, net of current portion

     87,051       125,655  

Line of credit, drawn

     8,198       4,500  

Deferred compensation

     1,761       1,761  

Deferred income taxes

     14,647       14,647  

Other liabilities

     1,158       2,951  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     139,306       180,676  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Redeemable preferred stock (see Note 1)

    

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized, 18,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,648 and 700 shares at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively

     58,248        15,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ deficit (see Note 1)

    

Due from stockholders

     (2,266     (2,294

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized, 25,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 18,833 and 20,909 shares at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively

     188        209   

Additional paid-in capital

     19,187        20,454   

Accumulated deficit

     (32,814     (31,868
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (15,705     (13,499
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 181,849        183,023   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

       2011     2012  
       (Restated)     (Restated)  

Revenues

     $     35,080           45,878  

Operating expenses:

      

Salaries and benefits

       16,729       18,641  

Other operating expenses

       10,073       16,141  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       26,802       34,782  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

       8,278       11,096  

Debt extinguishment costs

              (3,679

Interest expense

       (3,443     (3,190

Interest income

       32       31  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

       4,867       4,258  

Provision for income taxes

       1,949       1,742  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     $ 2,918       2,516  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrual for preferred stock dividends

       1,531       1,571  

Net income available to common shareholders

     $ 1,387       945  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 1)

      

Basic

     $ 0.06        0.04   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     $ 0.06        0.04   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares (see Note 1)

      

Basic

       21,481       21,493  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

       22,535       23,113  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net income per share

      

Basic

       $     
      

 

 

 

Diluted

       $     
      

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in computing pro forma net income per share

      

Basic

      
      

 

 

 

Diluted

      
      

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

For the Three months ended March 31, 2012

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Redeemable Preferred Stock                                                  
    Series A
Convertible preferred stock
    Series A
Convertible preferred stock
    Due from
stockholders
    Common stock     Additional
paid-in

capital
    Accumulated
deficit
    Total  
        Shares             Amount             Shares             Amount           Shares     Amount        

Balance, December 31, 2011 (as Reported)

         $        2,648      $ 58,248        (2,266     18,833      $ 188        19,187        (32,814     42,543   
 

 

 

   

 

 

                 

Adjustment

    2,648        58,248        (2,648     (58,248                                        (58,248
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011 (as Restated)

    2,648       58,248                     (2,266     18,833       188       19,187       (32,814     (15,705
 

Increase in redemption value of Series A preferred stock

           1,570                                                 (1,570     (1,570

Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock to Series B Preferred Stock which was immediately redeemed for cash

           (43,972                                                        

Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock to common stock

    (1,948                                 1,948       20       (20              

Exercise of stock options

                                       20             20              20  

Issuance of stock

                                       108       1       1,215               1,216   

Interest on notes receivable from stockholders

                                (28                                 (28

Stock-based compensation expense

                                                     52              52  

Net income

                                                            2,516       2,516  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2012 (as Restated)

      700     $   15,846                       (2,294       20,909     $   209         20,454         (31,868)          (13,499
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

       2011      2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

       

Net income

     $     2,917        2,516  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization

       1,881        2,214  

Write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs

               335  

Deferred income taxes

       39          

Stock option compensation

       28        52  

Interest expense from debt issuance costs

       336        282  

Interest income on notes receivable from stockholders

       (26      (29

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

       

Trade accounts receivable

       (3,631      (4,134

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       1,586        806  

Other assets

       (25      (35

Accrued salaries and benefits

       694        (2,073

Accounts payable

       381        649  

Other current liabilities

       4,948        (1,583

Deferred revenue

               3,894  

Other liabilities

       60        (52
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       9,188        2,842  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

       

Purchase of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements

       (1,046      (1,203

Purchase of HOPS perpetual software license and computer equipment

               (760
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

       (1,046      (1,963
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

Borrowing under notes payable

               136,500  

Borrowing under line of credit

               4,500  

Redemption of preferred stock

               (43,973

Repayment of notes payable

       (3,500      (95,185

Repayment of line of credit

               (8,198

Debt issuance costs paid

               (2,235

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

               20  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

       (3,500      (8,571
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

       4,642        (7,692

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

       11,078        20,004  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     $ 15,720        12,312  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures information:

       

Cash paid for income taxes

     $ 143        1,740  

Cash paid for interest

       41        2,912  

Cash paid as debt extinguishment

               3,344  

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

       

Note payable to sellers of perpetual license

               3,250  

Issuance of common stock as part of debt issuance costs

               1,216  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim financial statements furnished herein include all adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) for a fair presentation of our and our subsidiaries’ financial position at March 31, 2012, the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012. Interim financial statements are prepared on a basis consistent with our annual financial statements. The financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form S-1 for the year ended December 31, 2011, which we refer to as our Annual Report.

As more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report, the accompanying financial statements have been restated to correct an error in the balance sheet presentation of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred shares. The purpose of the restatement is to classify the balances outside of permanent equity, as they are redeemable at the option of the holders. The following financial statement line items were affected (in thousands):

 

     As originally reported      As adjusted     Effect of the change  

March 31, 2012

       

Redeemable preferred stock

   $         15,846        15,846   

Total stockholders equity/deficit

     2,347         (13,499     (15,846

December 31, 2011

       

Redeemable preferred stock

   $         58,248        58,248   

Total stockholders equity/deficit

     42,543         (15,705     (58,248

As the conversion of the Shares discussed above results in the issuance of common shares, we have corrected the weighted average shares outstanding and earnings per share disclosures. The per share impact of these changes is shown below.

 

     As originally reported      As adjusted      Effect of the change  

Three months ended March 31, 2012

        

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $ 0.05       $ 0.04       $ (0.01

Diluted

   $ 0.05       $ 0.04       $ (0.01

Weighted average shares (in thousands)

        

Basic

     19,105         21,493         2,388   

Diluted

     20,725         23,113         2,388   

Three months ended March 31, 2011

        

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $ 0.07       $ 0.06       $ (0.01

Diluted

   $ 0.07       $ 0.06       $ (0.01

Weighted average shares (in thousands)

        

Basic

     18,833         21,481         2,648   

Diluted

     19,887         22,535         2,648   

 

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The restatement had no effect on the cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. The restatement also impacted Note 9.

We are a leading provider of technology-enabled recovery and analytics services in the United States. Our services help identify, restructure and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. Our clients typically operate in complex and regulated environments and outsource their recovery needs in order to reduce losses on billions of dollars of defaulted student loans, improper healthcare payments and delinquent state tax and federal treasury receivables. We generally provide our services on an outsourced basis, where we handle many or all aspects of the clients’ recovery processes.

These consolidated financial statements include our accounts and transactions and those of our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We are managed and operated as one business, with a single management team that reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, primarily accounts receivable, intangible assets and accrued expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Our actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(2) Acquisitions

HOPS, Inc.

In February 2012, we purchased a perpetual software license and computer equipment from HOPS, a non-public Florida company, in a transaction valued at $3.7 million. The purchase agreement calls for a total of $4,000,000 in cash payments to be made over an approximate 3 year period, beginning with an initial payment of $750,000 which was made in February, 2012, followed by quarterly payments of $250,000. As part of the transaction valuation, these payments were discounted to a present value using an estimate of the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. The purchase is being treated as a business combination for accounting purposes; the following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired at the acquisition date (in thousands)

 

     February 1, 2012  

Computer equipment

   $ 280   

Identifiable intangible assets

     3,400   
  

 

 

 

Total identifiable assets acquired

   $ 3,680   
  

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the intangible assets acquired from HOPS (in thousands):

 

     February 1, 2012  

Perpetual license

   $ 3,250   

Customer relationships

     150   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,400   
  

 

 

 

 

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The following represents our pro forma Consolidated Statements of Income as if HOPS had been included in our consolidated results for the three months ending March 31, 2011 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

(unaudited)

   For the three months
ending March 31,
2011
 

Total revenue

   $ 36,127   
  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,632   
  

 

 

 

Earnings per share

  

Basic

   $ 0.00   

Diluted

   $ 0.00   

 

(3) Identifiable Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets consist of the following at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2011

   Gross value      Accumulated
amortization
    Net value  

Customer contracts and related relationships

   $ 62,046         (25,530     36,516   

Covenants not to compete

     3,600         (3,600       
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets

   $ 65,646         (29,130     36,516   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   Gross value      Accumulated
amortization
    Net value  

Customer contracts and related relationships

   $ 62,196         (26,296     35,900   

Covenants not to compete

     3,600         (3,600       

Perpetual license

     3,250         (108     3,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets

   $ 69,046         (30,004     39,042   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, amortization expense related to intangible assets amounted to $761,000 and $875,000, respectively.

The estimated aggregate amortization expense is expected to be (in thousands):

 

Remainder of 2012

   $ 2,798   

2013

     3,731   

2014

     3,731   

2015

     3,731   

2016

     3,696   

After 2016

     21,355   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 39,042   
  

 

 

 

 

(4) Credit Agreement

On March 19, 2012 the Company recapitalized, entering into a credit agreement (the Agreement) consisting of a Term A Loan of $57.0 million, a Term B Loan of $79.5 million, and a revolving credit facility of $11.0 million, of which $4.5 million has been drawn. In connection with the recapitalization, the Company’s old credit facility, scheduled to mature in 2012, was extinguished, and the Company’s indebtedness on the old facility was paid in full. Payments under the Agreement are as follows:

 

Remainder of 2012

   $ 8,134   

2013

     10,845   

2014

     10,845   

2015

     10,845   

2016

     10,845   

Thereafter

     84,986   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 136,500   
  

 

 

 

 

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Proceeds from the new Term A, Term B, and revolving credit facility borrowings were used along with $14.5 million of Company cash to redeem 1,948,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (via conversion units as described in Note 6) plus accrued dividends for a total of $44.0 million. Fees paid in conjunction with the credit agreement totaled $6.5 million, including an agency fee for $1.5 million to an entity associated with the Company’s majority stockholder, and an agreement to grant 107,500 shares of common stock valued at approximately $1.2 million to an investment bank acting as advisor.

The Term A Loan is charged interest either at Prime (subject to a 2.50% floor) +4.25% or LIBOR (subject to a 1.50% floor) +5.25%, which was 7.50% at March 31, 2012. The Term A loan requires quarterly payments of $2.5 million beginning in June, 2012, with the remaining outstanding principal balance due March 19, 2017.

The Term B loan is charged interest at Prime +4.75% (subject to a 2.50% floor) or LIBOR (subject to a 1.50% floor) +5.75% which was 8.00% at March 31, 2012. The Term B loan requires quarterly payments of $0.2 million beginning in June, 2012, with the outstanding principal balance due March 19, 2018.

The Company has a line of credit under the Agreement which allows for borrowings of up to $11 million. Borrowings accrue interest at Prime + 4.25% or LIBOR + 5.25%, which was 7.50% at March 31, 2012. Both the Prime and the LIBOR alternatives are subject to minimum rate floors. Borrowings under this line of credit at March 31, 2012 were $4,500,000, and the Company has a letter of credit outstanding in the amount of $1,400,000, leaving remaining borrowing capacity under the line of credit of $5,100,000 at March 31, 2012. The line of credit expires in March 19, 2017.

The Agreement contains certain restrictive financial covenants, which require, among other things, that the Company meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio, and maximum capital expenditures limit.

Debt issuance costs of $3,450,000 were capitalized, including $1,475,000 of agent fees paid to an entity associated with the Company’s majority stockholder, and $760,000 paid to third parties for legal and other services and a grant of 107,500 shares of common stock issued as compensation to an investment bank acting as advisor valued at approximately $1,215,000. These costs are being amortized to expense over the life of the new loans. Accumulated amortization of debt issuance costs amounted to $22,000 at March 31, 2012.

Debt extinguishment costs of $3,679,000 were expensed, including $3,344,000 of fees paid to lenders, and $335,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the old credit facility.

 

(5) Commitments under Operating Leases

The Company leases office facilities and certain equipment. In January 2012, the Company renewed two of its facilities leases and entered into a new lease agreement for approximately 6,000 square feet in Livermore, California.

Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases as of March 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Remainder of 2012

   $  1,086   

2013

     1,219   

2014

     1,230   

2015

     694   

2016

     595   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,824   
  

 

 

 

Lease expense was $485,000 and $600,000, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

 

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(6) Capital Stock

 

  (a) Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock

On March 19, 2012, the Company recapitalized. As part of the recapitalization, 1,948,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into conversion units, which consisted of one share of Series B Preferred Stock and one share of Common stock. The Series B Preferred shares plus accrued dividends were redeemed for cash of $44,000,000, and 1,948,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to the holders of the redeemed Preferred Series A shares.

 

  (b) Issuance of Common Shares as Compensation

As part of the March 19th recapitalization, the Company granted 107,500 shares of common stock valued at approximately $1,216,000 as compensation to an investment bank acting as advisor.

 

(7) Stock-Based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation expense charged as salaries and benefits expense in the consolidated statements of operations was $52,000 and $28,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

The fair value of each new option award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the assumptions in the following table (no options were granted in the three months ended March 31, 2011):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2011     2012  

Valuation assumptions:

    

Expected volatility

         39.8

Expected term (years)

            6.5   

Risk-free interest rate

         1.6

The volatility rate is derived from historical volatility data of comparable peer companies over a term comparable to the expected term of the options issued. The expected term of the award is determined based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury Notes.

Options have been granted, exercised, and canceled as follows:

 

     Outstanding
options
    Weighted
average
exercise price
per share
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual life
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     2,832,375        1.59         5.2   

Granted

     50,000        11.30      

Forfeited

     0             

Exercised

     (20,000     1.00      
  

 

 

      

Outstanding at March 31, 2012

     2,862,375        1.77         5.2   
  

 

 

      

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

     2,294,525        1.15         4.7   

 

(8) Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate increased from 40.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 40.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

We file income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2008. We operate in a number of state and local jurisdictions, most of which have never audited our records. Accordingly, we are subject to state and local income tax examinations based upon the various statutes of limitations in each jurisdiction. We are currently being examined by the IRS and the States of New York and California.

 

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(9) Earnings per Share

Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of series A preferred shares outstanding during the period. The series A shares are included in the basic denominator because they can be converted to common shares for no cash consideration and are thus considered outstanding common shares in computing basic earnings per share. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Our common share equivalents consist of stock options and restricted stock awards and units.

The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding using the treasury stock method (shares in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended March 31,  
         2011              2012      

Weighted average shares outstanding –

     

basic

     21,481         21,493   

Dilutive effect of stock options

     1,054         1,620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding –

     

diluted

     22,535         23,113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(10) Pro Forma Net Income Per Share

Pro forma net income per share has been calculated to give effect to the following:

In addition to historical basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, the number of offering shares whose proceeds would be necessary to repay the amount the Company borrowed in March 2012 to redeem $44.0 million of Series B preferred stock less the corresponding interest expense that would not have been incurred; the number of offering shares whose proceeds would be necessary to redeem the remaining $15.8 million of Series B preferred stock as of March 31, 2012; and the number of offering shares whose proceeds would be necessary to pay an affiliate of Parthenon Capital Partners for the termination of the Advisory Agreement of $         million and the 1% transaction fee of $         million have been added to the denominator for purposes of the pro forma disclosure.

 

(11) Related-Party Transactions

The Company’s notes payable, both before and after the recapitalization of March 19, 2012, are held by a number of lenders, some of whom also invested in stock of the Company. As a result, these entities are considered related parties. Interest expense under these arrangements totaled $3,443,000 and $3,190,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively. Debt extinguishment expense associated with the recapitalization totaled $0 and $3,679,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, respectively.

 

(12) Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events from the balance sheet date through May 21, 2012, the date at which the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

 

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LOGO


Table of Contents

Part II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the various expenses expected to be incurred by the Registrant in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 17,190   

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee

     22,500   

Blue Sky fees and expenses

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Printing and engraving expenses

     *   

Registrar and Transfer Agent’s fees

     *   

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

  * To be filed by amendment.

 

Item 14.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 102 of the DGCL allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of the DGCL or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that we may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding—other than an action by or in the right of the Registrant—by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, agent or employee of the Registrant, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, agent or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (a) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or (b) if such person acting in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the Registrant, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the Registrant as well but only to the extent of defense expenses, including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event of any adjudication of liability to the Registrant, unless the court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.

Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director, who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the

 

II-1


Table of Contents

time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

The Registrant’s amended and restated bylaws, attached as Exhibit 3.2(b) hereto, provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law. In addition, the Registrant has entered into separate indemnification agreements, attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, with its directors and officers which would require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities which may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. The Registrant also intends to maintain director and officer liability insurance, if available on reasonable terms.

The form of Underwriting Agreement, to be attached as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, and affords certain rights of contribution with respect thereto.

 

Item 15.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Since May 1, 2009, the Registrant has sold the following unregistered securities:

(1) In August 2009, the Registrant granted options under the 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase 400,000 common shares to officers and employees at a price of $2.35 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $940,000.

(2) In February 2010, the Registrant granted options under the 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase 5,000 common shares to employees at a price of $3.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $15,000.

(3) In October 2011, the Registrant granted options under the 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase 25,000 common shares to directors at a price of $10.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $262,500.

(4) In November and December 2011, the Registrant granted options under the 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase 65,000 common shares to employees and directors at a price of $11.20 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $728,000.

(5) In February 2012, the Registrant granted options under the 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase 50,000 common shares to employees at a price of $11.30 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $565,000.

(6) In March 2012, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 107,522 shares of common stock with a deemed value of $1,215,000 to Financial Technology Partners, LP and FTP Partners LLC as consideration for financial services rendered.

No underwriters were involved in the foregoing sales of securities. The issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act or on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The recipients of securities in each such transaction represented their intention to acquire 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 stock certificates and option agreements issued in such transactions.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 16.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Exhibits

The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated herein by reference:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1*   

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

  3.1(a)*   

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, and amendments thereto.

  3.1(b)   

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering.

  3.2(a)**   

Bylaws of Registrant, as amended.

  3.2(b)   

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering.

  4.1*   

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

  4.2   

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of             , 2012, among the Registrant and the persons listed therein.

  5.1*   

Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

10.1*   

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers and directors.

10.2**   

2004 Equity Incentive Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.3**   

2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.4   

2007 Stock Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.5   

Recovery Audit Contractor contract by and between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services dated as of October 3, 2008, as amended.

10.6   

Credit Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2012, by and among DCS Business Services, Inc., the Lenders Party Hereto, Madison Capital Funding LLC, and ING Capital.

10.7*   

Form of Change of Control Agreement.

10.8   

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Lisa Im, dated as of April 15, 2002, as amended.

10.9   

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Jon D. Shaver, dated as of March 31, 2003, as amended.

10.10**   

Repurchase Agreement between the Registrant and Lisa C. Im, dated as of July 3, 2012.

10.11**   

Repurchase Agreement between the Registrant and Dr. Jon D. Shaver, dated as of July 3, 2012.

10.12   

Director Nomination Agreement between the Registrant and Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC dated as of July 20, 2012.

10.13   

Advisory Services Agreement between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Parthenon Capital, LLC dated as of January 8, 2004, as amended.

10.14   

Termination of the Advisory Services Agreement between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Parthenon Capital, LLC dated as of January 8, 2004, as amended, dated as of April 13, 2012.

10.15   

2012 Stock Incentive Plan.

21.1   

List of Subsidiaries.

23.1   

Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2*   

Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*   

Power of Attorney (see page II - to this Registration Statement on Form S-1).

99.1**   

Confidential Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1.

99.2**   

Amendment No. 1 to Confidential Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1.

 

  * To be filed by amendment.
  ** Previously filed.

 

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Table of Contents
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

Financial statement schedule II is included on page F-21. All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, or not applicable or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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 of 1933 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 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 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 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 of 1933, 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 the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Livermore, State of California, on the 23 rd of July, 2012.

 

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By

 

/s/ Lisa C. Im      

 

Lisa C. Im

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Lisa C. Im      

Lisa C. Im

   Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   July 23, 2012

/s/ Hakan L. Orvell      

Hakan L. Orvell

  

Chief Financial Officer 

  July 23, 2012

*

Dr. Jon D. Shaver

   Chairman of the Board and Directors   July 23, 2012

*

Todd R. Ford

   Director   July 23, 2012

*

Brian P. Golson

   Director   July 23, 2012

*

William D. Hansen

   Director   July 23, 2012

*

William C. Kessinger

   Director   July 23, 2012

*

Jeffrey S. Stein

   Director   July 23, 2012

 

*By:

 

/s/ Hakan L. Orvell      

 

Hakan L. Orvell

Attorney-in-fact

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

  1.1*  

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

  3.1(a)*
 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, and amendments thereto.

  3.1(b)  

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering.

  3.2(a)**  

Bylaws of Registrant, as amended.

  3.2(b)  

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering.

  4.1*  

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

  4.2  

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of             , 2012, among the Registrant and the persons listed therein.

  5.1*  

Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

10.1*  

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers and directors.

10.2**  

2004 Equity Incentive Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.3**  

2004 DCS Holdings Stock Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.4  

2007 Stock Option Plan and form of agreements thereunder.

10.5  

Recovery Audit Contractor contract by and between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services dated as of October 3, 2008, as amended.

10.6  

Credit Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2012, by and among DCS Business Services, Inc., the Lenders Party Hereto, Madison Capital Funding LLC, and ING Capital.

10.7*  

Form of Change of Control Agreement.

10.8  

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Lisa Im, dated as of April 15, 2002, as amended.

10.9  

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Jon D. Shaver, dated as of March 31, 2003, as amended.

10.10**  

Repurchase Agreement between the Registrant and Lisa C. Im, dated as of July 3, 2012.

10.11**  

Repurchase Agreement between the Registrant and Dr. Jon D. Shaver, dated as of July 3, 2012.

10.12  

Director Nomination Agreement between the Registrant and Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC dated as of July 20, 2012.

10.13  

Advisory Services Agreement between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Parthenon Capital, LLC dated as of January 8, 2004, as amended.

10.14  

Termination of the Advisory Services Agreement between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Parthenon Capital, LLC dated as of January 8, 2004, as amended, dated as of April 13, 2012.

10.15  

2012 Stock Incentive Plan.

21.1  

List of Subsidiaries.

23.1  

Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2*  

Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*  

Power of Attorney (see page II - 5 to this Registration Statement on Form S-1).

99.1**  

Confidential Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1.

99.2**  

Amendment No. 1 to Confidential Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1.

 

  * To be filed by amendment.
  ** Previously filed.

Exhibit 3.1(b)

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Performant Financial Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

FIRST: The name of the corporation is Performant Financial Corporation.

SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 8, 2003 under the name DCS Holdings, Inc.

THIRD: Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, as amended.

FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation shall be amended and restated to read in full as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation is Performant Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) .

ARTICLE II

The registered agent and the address of the registered offices in the State of Delaware are:

Corporation Service Company

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400

Wilmington, Delaware 19808

County of New Castle

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) .

ARTICLE IV

A. Classes of Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 550,000,000, of which 500,000,000 shares shall be

 

1


Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and of which 50,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”) . The number of authorized shares of 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 of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such Preferred Stock holders is required pursuant to the provisions established by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such Preferred Stock, and if such holders of such Preferred Stock are so entitled to vote thereon, then, except as may otherwise be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, the only stockholder approval required shall be the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock so entitled to vote, voting as one class.

B. Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issue, in one or more series, of all or any of the remaining shares of Preferred Stock and, in the resolution or resolutions providing for such issue, to establish for each such series the number of its shares, the voting powers, full or limited, of the shares of such series, or that such shares shall have no voting powers, and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized (unless forbidden in the resolution or resolutions providing for such issue) to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series. In case the number of shares of any 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.

C. Common Stock .

1. Relative Rights of Preferred Stock and Common Stock. All preferences, voting powers, relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges, and qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of the Common Stock are expressly made subject and subordinate to those that may be fixed with respect to any shares of the Preferred Stock.

2. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

3. Dividends. Subject to the preferential rights of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of the assets of the Corporation which are by law available therefor, dividends payable either in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock.

4. Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding Up. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after distribution in full of the

 

2


preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled, unless otherwise provided by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.

ARTICLE V

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware:

A. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation, without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the vote of at least a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, the bylaws may also be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as one class; provided, however, that, with respect to the power of stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws, from and after the Trigger Date (as defined in Article XII below), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as one class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.

B. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

C. The books of the Corporation may be kept at such place within or without the State of Delaware as the bylaws of the Corporation may provide or as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

A. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15) members. The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office. The Board of Directors, other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the term of office of directors of one class shall expire at each annual meeting of stockholders, and in all cases as to each director until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Upon the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “ Effective Time ”), the Board of Directors shall assign all members of the Board of Directors then in office to a class and those directors assigned to Class I shall hold office for a term expiring at the first

 

3


regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, those directors assigned to Class II shall hold office for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, and those directors assigned to Class III shall hold office for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, a number of directors equal to the number of directors whose term expires at the time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of directors properly nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

B. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled by vote of the holders of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors or by a majority vote of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, provided that that from and after the Trigger Date any such newly created directorship or vacancy shall be filled solely by a majority vote of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; and provided, further, that in filling any such newly created directorship or vacancy before or after the Trigger Date the Board of Directors shall comply with the Director Nomination Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2012, by and between the Corporation and Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. Directors chosen pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions shall hold office for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires and until their successors are duly elected and have qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors pursuant to paragraph A of this Article VI shall be apportioned among the three classes as equally as possible. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, or by the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation, may exercise the powers of the full board until the vacancy is filled.

C. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that from and after the Trigger Date stockholders may effect such removal only for cause.

ARTICLE VII

A. From and after the Trigger Date, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by any consent in writing by the stockholders without a meeting.

B. Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a

 

4


written resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, or (ii) prior to the Trigger Date, by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.

D. A state or federal court located within the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forums for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said state or federal court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensible parties named as defendants therein. Any Person (as defined in Article XII below) purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in the shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VII, paragraph D.

ARTICLE VIII

A. Opt Out of DGCL 203 . The Corporation shall not be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

B. Limitations on Business Combinations . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Article XII below), 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:

1. prior to such time, the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

2. 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 by (a) persons who are directors and also officers or (b) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not

 

5


have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

3. at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder; or

4. the stockholder became an interested stockholder inadvertently and (a) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder; and (b) would not, at any time within the three (3) year period immediately prior to a business combination between the corporation and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

5. 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 (a) constitutes one (1) of the transactions described in the second sentence of this paragraph, (b) is with or by a person who either was not an interested stockholder during the previous three (3) years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of the Board of Directors, and (c) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office (but not less than one (1)) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three (3) 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, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one (1) transaction or a series of transactions), 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 (50%) or more of either that aggregate market value of all of 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 (50%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation. The Corporation shall give not less than twenty (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 paragraph.

C. Definitions . For purposes of this Article VIII, references to:

1. “ 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.

2. “ associate ,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (a) 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; (b) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial

 

6


interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

3. “ business combination ,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

a. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (i) with the interested stockholder, or (ii) 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 paragraph B of this Article VIII is not applicable to the surviving entity.

b. 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 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;

c. 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: (i) 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; (ii) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (iii) 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; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (v) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (iii)-(v) of this subsection 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);

d. 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 any

 

7


purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

e. 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 a-d above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

4. “ 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 the 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 Article VIII, 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.

5. “ interested stockholder ” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (a) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (b) 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; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include (i) the Parthenon Entities (as defined in Article XII below), or (ii) 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 such person specified in this clause (ii) 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.

6. “ 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:

a. beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

b. has (i) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,

 

8


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 (ii) 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

c. 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 (ii) of the immediately preceding subsection, or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

7. “ person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

8. “ stock ” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

9. “ voting stock ” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

ARTICLE IX

A. Scope . The provisions of the Article IX are set forth to define, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the duties of Exempted Persons (as defined below) to the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities. “ Exempted Persons ” means each of the Parthenon Entities (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) and all of their respective partners, principals, directors, officers, members, managers and/or employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Corporation.

B. Competition and Allocation of Corporate Opportunities . The Exempted Persons shall not have any fiduciary duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to the Exempted Persons, even if the opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each such Exempted Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as director or officer or otherwise, by

 

9


reason of the fact that such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another Person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

C. Amendment of this Article . No amendment or repeal of this Article IX in accordance with the provisions of Article XI shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to any activities or opportunities of which such Exempted Person becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE X

A. Limitation on Liability . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended (including, but not limited to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL), 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. If the DGCL hereafter is amended to further eliminate or limit the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Any repeal or modification of this paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

B. Indemnification . The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any individual made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, any predecessor of the corporation or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such individual). The Corporation shall indemnify any individual made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation, any predecessor to the Corporation or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Corporation (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such individual), as and to the extent (and on the terms and subject to the conditions) set forth in the bylaws of the Corporation or in any contract of indemnification entered into by the Corporation and any such individual.

C. Insurance . The Corporation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss incurred by such individual in any such capacity or arising out of such individual’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such individual against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

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D. Repeal and Modification . Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article X shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE XI

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the certificate of incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the DGCL, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the certificate of incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provisions of paragraph A of Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX, Article X, Article XI and Article XII may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or bylaw inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by the certificate of incorporation or otherwise required by law, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as one class, and (ii) from and after the Trigger Date, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as one class, at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.

ARTICLE XII

For purposes of this certificate of incorporation, the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning set forth below:

A. “ Affiliate ” means, respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; the term “ control ” as used in this definition, means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ controlled ,” “ controlling ” and “ Affiliated ” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

B. “ Beneficially Own ” means that a specified Person has or shares the right, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to vote shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

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

D. “ Parthenon Entities ” means PCP Managers, LLC and its successors and Affiliates.

 

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E. “ Person ” means an individual, any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

F. “ Trigger Date ” means the first date on which the Parthenon Entities cease, collectively, to Beneficially Own more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

FIFTH: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

SIXTH: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Written consent of the stockholders has been given with respect to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and written notice of the amendments reflected herein has been given to all stockholders who did not consent in writing to such amendments, as provided in Section 228.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this      day of             , 201    .

 

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By  

 

  Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:
By  

 

 

[Name], Secretary

 

12

Exhibit 3.2(b)

AMENDED AND RESTATED

B Y L A W S

OF

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(a Delaware corporation)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             Page  
ARTICLE 1 Offices      1   
  1.1  

Registered Office

     1   
  1.2  

Other Offices

     1   
ARTICLE 2 Meeting of Stockholders      1   
  2.1  

Place of Meeting

     1   
  2.2  

Annual Meeting

     1   
  2.3  

Special Meetings

     4   
  2.4  

Notice of Meetings

     5   
  2.5  

List of Stockholders

     5   
  2.6  

Organization and Conduct of Business

     5   
  2.7  

Quorum

     5   
  2.8  

Adjournments

     5   
  2.9  

Voting Rights

     6   
  2.10  

Action at Meetings

     6   
  2.11  

Record Date for Stockholder Notice and Voting

     6   
  2.12  

Proxies

     6   
  2.13  

Inspectors of Election

     7   
  2.14  

Action by Written Consent

     7   
ARTICLE 3 Directors      7   
  3.1  

Election, Tenure and Qualifications

     7   
  3.2  

Enlargement and Vacancies

     10   
  3.3  

Resignation and Removal

     11   
  3.4  

Powers

     11   
  3.5  

Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board

     11   
  3.6  

Place of Meetings

     11   
  3.7  

Annual Meetings

     11   
  3.8  

Regular Meetings

     11   
  3.9  

Special Meetings

     11   
  3.10  

Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments

     12   
  3.11  

Action Without Meeting

     12   
  3.12  

Telephone Meetings

     12   
  3.13  

Committees

     12   
  3.14  

Fees and Compensation of Directors

     13   
ARTICLE 4 Officers      13   
  4.1  

Officers Designated

     13   
  4.2  

Election

     13   

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

             Page  
 

4.3

 

Tenure

     13   
 

4.4

 

Chief Executive Officer

     14   
 

4.5

 

Chair of the Board

     14   
 

4.6

 

President

     14   
 

4.7

 

Chief Financial Officer

     14   
 

4.8

 

Vice President

     14   
 

4.9

 

Secretary

     14   
 

4.10

 

Assistant Secretary

     15   
 

4.11

 

Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers

     15   
 

4.12

 

Delegation of Authority

     15   
ARTICLE 5 Notices      15   
 

5.1

 

Delivery

     15   
 

5.2

 

Waiver of Notice

     15   
ARTICLE 6 Indemnification and Insurance      16   
 

6.1

 

Indemnification

     16   
 

6.2

 

Advance Payment

     17   
 

6.3

 

Non-Exclusivity and Survival of Rights; Amendments

     17   
 

6.4

 

Insurance

     17   
 

6.5

 

Severability

     18   
 

6.6

 

Reliance

     18   
 

6.7

 

Indemnification of Other Persons

     18   
ARTICLE 7 Capital Stock      18   
 

7.1

 

Uncertificated Shares

     18   
 

7.2

 

Transfer of Stock

     19   
 

7.3

 

Registered Stockholders

     19   
 

7.4

 

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

     19   
ARTICLE 8 General Provisions      19   
 

8.1

 

Dividends

     19   
 

8.2

 

Checks

     19   
 

8.3

 

Corporate Seal

     19   
 

8.4

 

Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

     20   
 

8.5

 

Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

     20   
ARTICLE 9 Amendments      20   

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED

B Y L A W S

OF

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(a Delaware corporation)

ARTICLE 1

Offices

1.1 Registered Office . The registered office of the corporation shall be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

1.2 Other Offices . The corporation may also have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors of the corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time designate or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE 2

Meeting of Stockholders

2.1 Place of Meeting . Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner provided in these bylaws, or, if not so designated, at the principal executive offices of the corporation. In lieu of holding a meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that any meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication.

2.2 Annual Meeting . Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held each year at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting. At each such annual meeting, the stockholders shall elect the number of directors equal to the number of directors of the class whose term expires at such meeting (or, if fewer, the number of directors properly nominated and qualified for election) to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. The stockholders shall also transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

To be properly brought before the annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record of the corporation at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. The requirements of this Section shall apply to any

 

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business to be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, other than (i) the nomination of a person for election as a director, which must be made in compliance with, and shall be exclusively governed by, Section 3.1 of these bylaws, and (ii) matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 (or any successor rule or regulation) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and included in the corporation’s notice of meeting.

For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice to the Secretary of the corporation in proper written form of the stockholder’s intent to propose such business and the business proposed must be otherwise proper to be brought before the meeting. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the corporation not more than 120 days nor less than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the preceding year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received by the Secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to the date of such scheduled annual meeting and (y) the 10th day following the earlier to occur of the day on which notice of the date of the scheduled annual meeting was mailed or the day on which public announcement (as defined below) of the date of such scheduled annual meeting was first made. 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 the stockholder’s notice as described above.

A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth the following as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, 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 these bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the business is being proposed, (A) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder, the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, and the name and address of any person who is an associated person (as defined below) of the stockholder or the beneficial owner, (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record by the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will provide the corporation in writing the information required by this clause (B) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, (C) any material interest in such business of the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner, (D) a representation as to whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends, or is or intends to be part of a group that intends, to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding shares that, together with shares owned by the stockholder or the beneficial owner

 

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and any such group, would be required to approve or adopt such business and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such business, and (E) any other information that would be required to be provided by the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner pursuant to the Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder assuming that the stockholder or the beneficial owner were to request that the corporation include such business in the corporation’s proxy statement as a stockholder proposal; (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the business is being proposed, as to the beneficial owner, (A) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially by the stockholder or beneficial owner and any associated person thereof as of the date of the notice, (B) any derivative or short positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or beneficial owner and any associated person thereof and whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any profit interests, options, and borrowed or loaned shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, the stockholder or beneficial owner or any associated person thereof with respect to the corporation’s securities, (C) a representation that the stockholder will provide the corporation in writing the information required by the preceding clauses (A) and (B) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, and (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to such business between or among the stockholder or beneficial owner and any associated person thereof, and any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing (including any agreement that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder or beneficial owner), and a representation that the stockholder or beneficial owner will provide the corporation in writing the information required by this clause (D) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made; and (iv) a representation that the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business.

Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, (a) no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before the annual meeting; and (b) unless otherwise required by law, if a stockholder intending to propose business at an annual meeting pursuant to the preceding paragraph does not provide the updated information required under clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding paragraph to the corporation promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, or the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business, such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business may have been received by the corporation. For purposes of this Section, 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 a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the

 

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writing) delivered to the corporation prior to the proposing of the business at the meeting by the stockholder stating that the person is authorized to act for the stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, 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 Section; provided, however, that any references in this Section to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals as to any business to be considered pursuant to the preceding paragraph. The requirements set forth in the preceding paragraph of this Section are intended to provide the corporation with notice of a stockholder’s intention to bring business before an annual meeting and related information and shall in no event be construed as imposing upon any stockholder the requirement to seek approval from the corporation as a condition precedent to bringing any such business before an annual meeting. Nothing in this Section 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 (or any successor rule or regulation) promulgated under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, to make nominations of persons for election to the Board if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws.

The Chairman of the Board (or such other person presiding at the meeting in accordance with these bylaws) shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

For purposes of these bylaws, (1) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release issued through Business Wire or PR Newswire or reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (2) “associated person” of a person shall mean any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such person, and (3) “group” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

2.3 Special Meetings . Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the corporation may be called only (i) by or at the direction of the Board pursuant to a written resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, or (ii) prior to the Trigger Date (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), by the Secretary of the corporation at the written request of the holders of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding shares of common stock. Such written request or resolution shall state the purpose or purposes of the special meeting. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

 

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2.4 Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, annual or special, stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such special meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.

2.5 List of Stockholders . The officer in charge of the stock ledger of the corporation or the transfer agent shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to gain access to such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

2.6 Organization and Conduct of Business . The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the Vice Chairman of the Board (if one has been appointed by the Board) or, in their absence, such person as the Board may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman of the meeting appoints.

The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as, in the judgment of the chairman of the meeting, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.

2.7 Quorum . Except where otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders.

2.8 Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these bylaws, which time and place shall be announced at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to

 

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another place, date or time, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than 30 days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, if any, date, time and means of remote communications, if any, of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith.

2.9 Voting Rights . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder.

2.10 Action at Meetings . When a quorum is present at any meeting, except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a series of preferred stock is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such series, except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.

2.11 Record Date for Stockholder Notice and Voting . For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any right in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 days nor fewer than 10 days before the date of any such meeting nor more than 60 days before any other action to which the record date relates. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. If the Board does not so fix a record date, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice 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.

2.12 Proxies . Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. All proxies must be filed with the Secretary of the corporation or the inspector of election for the meeting at the beginning of such meeting in order to be counted in any vote at the meeting. Subject to the limitation set forth in the last clause of the first sentence of this Section 2.12, a duly executed proxy that does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person

 

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executing the proxy, or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted.

2.13 Inspectors of Election . The corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The corporation may designate one or more persons to act as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of 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.

2.14 Action by Written Consent . The right of the stockholders to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting shall be as set forth in Section A of Article VII of the Certificate of Incorporation and after the Trigger Date, the stockholders will have no right to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing or electronic transmission, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the stockholders who gave the consent or consents, shall be given by the holders of outstanding shares of stock having not less than a majority of the shares entitled to vote, or, if greater, 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 by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, or the corporation’s principal executive office, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book or books in which proceedings of meetings of the stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. No written or electronic consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation as required by this Section 2.14, consents given by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so recorded. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written or electronic consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented. Any action taken pursuant to such written or electronic consent of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used; provided, however, that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

ARTICLE 3

Directors

3.1 Election, Tenure and Qualifications . At each annual meeting of the stockholders, directors shall be elected for that class of directors whose terms are then expiring, except as otherwise provided in Section 3.2, and each director so elected shall hold office until such

 

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director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier resignation, removal, death or incapacity.

Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations of persons for election to the Board at an annual or special meeting may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (ii) by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section and at the time of the annual or special meeting, who is entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. A stockholder may make such a nomination only if such stockholder has given timely notice to the Secretary of the corporation in proper written form of the stockholder’s intent to make such a nomination.

To be timely, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the corporation, not more than 120 days nor less than 90 days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the preceding year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received by the Secretary of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the 10th day following the earlier to occur of the day on which notice of the date of the scheduled annual meeting was mailed or the day on which public announcement of the date of such scheduled annual meeting was first made. 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 the stockholder’s notice as described above.

In the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, to be timely the notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the corporation, not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (y) the 10th day following the earlier to occur of the day on which notice of the date of the scheduled special meeting was mailed or the day on which public announcement of the date of such scheduled special meeting was first made. 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 the stockholder’s notice as described above.

A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth the following: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation that are owned of record and beneficially by the person, (D) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and

 

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understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the stockholder, the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is being made, if any, or any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner, on the one hand, and the person, and such person’s respective affiliates and associates, or others (including their names) acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC assuming for this purpose that the stockholder, the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is being made, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner were the “registrant” and such person were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (E) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (F) the person’s written consent to serve as a director if elected; (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, (A) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder, the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, and the name and address of any person who is an associated person of the stockholder and the beneficial owner, (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record by the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder and the beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will provide the corporation in writing the information required by this clause (B) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, (C) a representation as to whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends, or is or intends to be part of a group that intends, to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding shares that, together with the shares owned by the stockholder or the beneficial owner and any such group, would be required to approve the nomination or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of the nomination, and (D) any other information relating to the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and any person who is an associated person of the stockholder or the beneficial owner 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 the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is being made, as to the beneficial owner, (A) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially by the stockholder or beneficial owner and any person who is an associated person thereof as of the date of the notice, (B) any derivative or short positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or beneficial owner and any person who is an associated person thereof and whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any profit interests, options, and borrowed or loaned shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, the stockholder or beneficial owner or any person who is an associated person thereof with respect to the corporation’s securities, (C) a representation that the stockholder will provide the corporation in writing the information required by the preceding clauses (A) and (B) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of

 

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the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, and (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among the stockholder or beneficial owner and any person who is an associated person thereof, and any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing (including any agreement that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder or beneficial owner), and a representation that the stockholder or beneficial owner will provide the corporation in writing the information required by this clause (D) updated as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made; and (iv) a representation that the stockholder giving the notice (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation 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. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, 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 Section; provided, however, that any references in this Section to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals as to any nomination to be considered pursuant to this Section.

In connection with any meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board (or such other person presiding at such meeting in accordance with these bylaws) shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if a stockholder intending to make a nomination at a meeting of stockholders pursuant to the preceding paragraph does not provide the updated information required under clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding paragraph to the corporation promptly following the later of the record date or the date on which public announcement of the record date was first made, or the stockholder giving the notice (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the corporation. For purposes of this Section, 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 a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered to the corporation prior to the proposing of the nomination at the meeting by the stockholder giving the notice stating that the person is authorized to act for the stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.

3.2 Enlargement and Vacancies . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the

 

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authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled as provided in Section B of Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation. In the event of a vacancy in the Board, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled.

3.3 Resignation and Removal . Removal of directors of the corporation shall be governed by the provisions of Section C of Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing, including by electronic transmission, to the corporation.

3.4 Powers . The business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

3.5 Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board . If the Board appoints a Chairman of the Board, such Chairman shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board. The Chairman shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are customarily vested in the office of the Chairman of the Board or as may be vested in the Chairman by the Board. The Board may appoint a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties and possess such powers as may be vested in the Vice Chairman by the Board. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board shall also perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board.

3.6 Place of Meetings . The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

3.7 Annual Meetings . The annual meetings of the Board shall be held immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the Board, provided a quorum shall be present, or shall be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board or at such other date, time and place as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting. The annual meetings shall be for the purposes of organization, and an election of officers and the transaction of other business.

3.8 Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as may be determined from time to time by the Board; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given prompt notice of such determination.

3.9 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or on the written request of two or more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only one director in office. Notice of the time and place, if any, of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each director, or sent by first-class mail or commercial delivery service, facsimile transmission, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, charges prepaid, sent to such director’s business or home address as they appear upon the records of the

 

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corporation. In case such notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days prior to the time of holding of the meeting. In case such notice is delivered personally or by telephone or by commercial delivery service, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail or other electronic means, it shall be so delivered at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board need not specify the purposes of the meeting.

3.10 Quorum, Action at Meeting, Adjournments . A majority of the number of directors last fixed by the Board as the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as provided below with respect to adjournment of meetings. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

3.11 Action Without Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

3.12 Telephone Meetings . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any member of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or of any committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or by any form of communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.13 Committees . The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption), designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not the member or members present constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any of these bylaws. Such committee or

 

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committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and make such reports to the Board as the Board may request. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these bylaws for the conduct of its business by the Board.

3.14 Fees and Compensation of Directors . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

ARTICLE 4

Officers

4.1 Officers Designated . The officers of the corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who shall be elected by the Board. The Board may also elect a Chairman of the Board, a Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents, and one or more Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the Board may deem desirable or appropriate and may give any of them such further designations or alternate titles as it considers desirable. In addition to officers elected by the Board, the corporation may have one or more appointed Vice Presidents, an appointed Treasurer and one or more appointed Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers. Such appointed officers may be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide.

4.2 Election . The Board at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer. Other officers may be elected by the Board at such meeting, at any other meeting, or by written consent.

4.3 Tenure . Each officer of the corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote choosing or appointing such officer, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed with or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or a committee duly authorized to do so and, unless provided otherwise by Board resolution, an officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer also may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer. Designation of an officer shall not of itself create any contractual rights. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation may be filled by the Board, at its discretion. Any officer may resign by delivering such officer’s written resignation to the corporation at its principal place of business or to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.

 

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4.4 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer (if a director) may call meetings of the Board to be held, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or these bylaws. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for providing general supervision, direction and management of the business of the corporation and its officers and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and have such other duties as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

4.5 Chair of the Board . The Chairman of the Board (if one is appointed as an officer) shall perform such duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board.

4.6 President . The President shall perform such duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed for such person by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

4.7 Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall supervise the corporation’s treasury functions and financial reporting to external bodies. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or as the Chief Financial Officer deems appropriate. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board, at its regular meetings, or when the Board so requires, an account of all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform such other duties and have other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

4.8 Vice President . Unless provided otherwise by resolution of the Board, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the President or in the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President(s) shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed for them by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

4.9 Secretary . The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board, committees of the Board and the stockholders when requested by the person presiding at such meetings and shall record all votes and the proceedings of the meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision he or she shall act. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be

 

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attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

4.10 Assistant Secretary . The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, any Assistant Secretaries in the order designated by the Board (or in the absence of any designation, in the order of their election) shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his or her duties and, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board.

4.11 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers . The Treasurer (if one is appointed) shall have such duties as may be specified by the Chief Financial Officer to assist the Chief Financial Officer in the performance of his or her duties and shall perform such other duties and have other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. It shall be the duty of any Assistant Treasurers to assist the Treasurer in the performance of his or her duties and to perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

4.12 Delegation of Authority . The Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

ARTICLE 5

Notices

5.1 Delivery . Whenever, under the provisions of law, or of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, written notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail or delivered to a nationally recognized courier service. Unless written notice by mail is required by law, written notice may also be given by commercial delivery service, facsimile transmission, electronic mail or similar electronic means addressed to such director or stockholder at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation, in which case such notice shall be deemed to be given when delivered into the control of the persons charged with effecting such transmission, or when actually transmitted by the person giving the notice by facsimile or electronic mail or similar electronic means, to the recipient. Oral notice or other in-hand delivery, in person or by telephone, shall be deemed given at the time it is actually given.

5.2 Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, a written waiver,

 

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signed by the person entitled to 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 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 regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.

ARTICLE 6

Indemnification and Insurance

6.1 Indemnification .

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened 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 a director or officer of the corporation (or any predecessor), or such director or officer of the corporation is or was serving at the request of the corporation (or any predecessor) as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the corporation, or other enterprise (or any predecessor of any of such entities) (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment), or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith. Each director or officer of the corporation (or any predecessor) who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary of the corporation shall be deemed to be serving, or have served, at the request of the corporation (or any predecessor). The corporation shall not be required to indemnify or make advances to a person (A) in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board, either generally or in the specific instance, and (B) if the obligation to indemnify or make advances under the circumstances is specifically limited by the terms of any agreement between Indemnitee and the corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 shall be a contract right.

Any indemnification (but not advancement of expenses) under this Article 6 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances

 

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because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment). Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (A) by a majority vote of the directors who are not or were not parties to the proceeding in respect of which indemnification is being sought by Indemnitee (the “Disinterested Directors”), even though less than a quorum, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (D) by the stockholders.

6.2 Advance Payment . The right to indemnification under this Article 6 shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the corporation within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the corporation of a statement or statements (containing reasonable detail of the expenses incurred) from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, 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) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under Section 6.1 or otherwise.

6.3 Non-Exclusivity and Survival of Rights; Amendments . The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article 6 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Any repeal or modification of the provisions of this Article 6 shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.

6.4 Insurance . The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

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6.5 Severability . If any word, clause, provision or provisions of this Article 6 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 6 (including, without limitation, each portion of any section or paragraph of this Article 6 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 6 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any section or paragraph of this Article 6 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.

6.6 Reliance . Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors or officers of the corporation shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article 6 in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 6 shall apply to claims made against an Indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions that occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.

6.7 Indemnification of Other Persons . This Article 6 shall not limit the right of the corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than those persons identified in Section 6.1 when and as authorized by the Board or by the action of a committee of the Board or designated officers of the corporation established by or designated in resolutions approved by the Board; provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking by such person to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 6 or otherwise.

ARTICLE 7

Capital Stock

7.1 Uncertificated Shares . Shares of the corporation shall be uncertificated and shall not be represented by certificates, except to the extent required by applicable law or as may otherwise be authorized by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. In the event shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be registered upon the books of the corporation and shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation, shall bear the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof, and shall be countersigned by a transfer agent and the registrar for the shares. No certificate for a fractional share of common stock shall be issued. Certificates signed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation, being such at the time of such signing, if properly countersigned as set forth above by a transfer agent and the registrar, and if regular in other respects, shall be valid, whether such officers hold their respective positions at the date of issue

 

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or not. Any signature or countersignature on certificates may be an actual signature or a printed or engraved facsimile thereof.

7.2 Transfer of Stock . Transfer of shares represented by certificates shall be made on the books of the corporation only upon the surrender of a valid certificate or certificates for not less than such number of shares, duly endorsed by the person named in the certificate or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. Transfer of uncertificated shares shall be made on the books of the corporation upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of the uncertificated shares, an instruction from an approved source duly authorized by such owner or from an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. The corporation may impose such additional conditions to the transfer of its shares as may be necessary or appropriate for compliance with applicable law or to protect the corporation, a transfer agent or the registrar from liability with respect to such transfer.

7.3 Registered Stockholders . The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, 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 provided by the laws of Delaware.

7.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Board may designate certain persons to authorize the issuance of new certificates or uncertificated shares to replace certificates alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the filing with such designated persons of both an affidavit or affirmation of such loss or destruction and a bond of indemnity or indemnity agreement covering the issuance of such replacement certificates or uncertificated shares, as may be requested by and be satisfactory to such designated persons.

ARTICLE 8

General Provisions

8.1 Dividends . Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to any restrictions contained in the DGCL or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting or by unanimous written consent. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

8.2 Checks . All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board, or such officers of the corporation as may be designated by the Board to make such designation, may from time to time designate.

8.3 Corporate Seal . The Board may, by resolution, adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the word “Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced. The seal may be altered from time to time by the Board.

 

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8.4 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments . The Board, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

8.5 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations . The Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the corporation is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any corporation or corporations or similar ownership interests of other business entities standing in the name of the corporation. The authority herein granted to said officers to vote or represent on behalf of the corporation any and all shares or similar ownership interests held by the corporation in any other corporation or corporations or other business entities may be exercised either by such officers in person or by any other person authorized so to do by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by said officers.

ARTICLE 9

Amendments

The Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation, without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the vote of at least a majority of the directors of the corporation then in office. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, the bylaws may also be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class; provided, however, that, with respect to the power of stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws, from and after the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I, the undersigned, hereby certify:

1. That I am the duly elected, acting and qualified Secretary of Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation; and

2. That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 20 pages (excluding this Certificate), constitute the Bylaws of such corporation as duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such corporation on                  , 201    , which Bylaws became effective                     .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name as of this      day of             , 201    .

 

 

Secretary

 

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Exhibit 4.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of [ ], 2012 by and among Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation f/k/a DCS Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”), the Persons listed from time to time on the Investor Registrable Securities Schedule attached hereto (each, an “ Investor ,” and collectively, the “ Investors ”), each of the Persons listed from time to time on the Other Registrable Securities Schedule attached hereto and each of the other holders of Registrable Securities who may from time to time become a party hereto by executing a counterpart signature page to this Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein are defined in Section 10 .

WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s intended initial public offering of the Company’s common stock to the public (the “ IPO ”), the Company and the Investors wish to amend and restate that certain Registration Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2004, by and among the Company and the Investors party thereto;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and understandings contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Demand Registration .

 

  (a) Requests for Registration . At any time and from time to time, the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the Investor Registrable Securities (i) on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration (“ Long-Form Registrations ”), (ii) on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar short-form registration (“ Short-Form Registrations ”) if available, or (iii) on any applicable form pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “ Shelf Registration ”), any of which may be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an “ Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ”) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (a “ WKSI ”) at the time any request for a Demand Registration is submitted to the Company, and such request for a Demand Registration requests that the Company file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement. All registrations requested as described in this Section 1 are referred to herein as “ Demand Registrations .” Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered. As promptly as practicable (and in any event within 10 days) after receipt of any such request, the Company shall give written notice of such requested registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities and, subject to Section 1(e) below, shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests indicating the holder of such Registrable Securities and the number of Registrable Securities that such holder elects to include in such registration within 10 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice.

 

  (b)

Long-Form Registrations . The holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Long-Form Registrations from the Company in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (as defined in Section 5 hereof). The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Long-Form Registration whether or not it has become effective. All Long-Form Registrations shall be underwritten registrations, unless


  otherwise requested by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities requesting such registration.

 

  (c) Short-Form Registrations . The holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short-Form Registrations from the Company in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Short-Form Registration whether or not it has become effective. Demand Registrations shall be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. After the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company shall use its best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations on Form S-3 or any other short form available for the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

  (d) Shelf Registrations .

 

  (i) The holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Shelf Registrations from the Company in which the Company shall pay all Registration Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration initiated as a Shelf Registration whether or not it has become effective. Subject to the availability of required financial information, within 45 days after the Company receives written notice of a request for a Shelf Registration, the Company shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act for the Shelf Registration (a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause any Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after filing, and once effective, the Company shall (subject to Section 6 hereof) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to remain continuously effective for such time period as is specified in such request, but for no time period longer than the period ending on the earliest of (A) the third anniversary of the date of filing of such Shelf Registration or (B) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration or (C) the date as of which there are no longer any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration in existence.

 

  (ii)

In the event that a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an offering (including an Underwritten Offering) Registrable Securities available for sale pursuant to such registration statement (“ Shelf Registrable Securities ”), so long as the Shelf Registration Statement remains in effect, and the Company shall all Registration Expenses in connection therewith. The holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities shall make such election by delivering to the Company a written request (a “ Shelf Offering Request ”) for such offering specifying the number of Shelf Registrable Securities that the holders desire to sell pursuant to such offering (the “ Shelf Offering ”). As promptly as practicable, but no later than two business days after receipt of a Shelf Offering Request, the Company shall give written notice (the “ Shelf Offering Notice ”) of such Shelf Offering Request to all other holders of Shelf Registrable Securities. The Company, subject to Sections 1(e) and 8 hereof, shall

 

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  include in such Shelf Offering (x) the Investor Registrable Securities and (y) the Registrable Securities of any other holder of Registrable Securities which shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Shelf Offering (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such holder) within seven days after the receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice, it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that only holders of Investor Registrable Securities shall have the right to initiate a Shelf Offering. The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within 20 days after the receipt of a Shelf Offering Request), but subject to Section 1(f) hereof, use its best efforts to facilitate such Shelf Offering. Each Holder agrees that such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of the Shelf Offering Notice and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such Shelf Offering Notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

  (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities wish to engage in an underwritten block trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, such holders only need to notify the Company of the block trade Shelf Offering two business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall notify other holders of Investor Registrable Securities and such other holders of Investor Registrable Securities must elect whether or not to participate on the day prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its best efforts to facilitate such offering (which may close as early as three business days after the date it commences); provided that the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the underwritten block trade; provided further that no holder of Registrable Securities other than holders of Investor Registrable Securities shall be entitled to participate in an underwritten block trade Shelf Offering without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities.

 

  (iv) The Company shall, at the request of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities, file any prospectus supplement or, if the applicable Shelf Registration Statement is an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities to effect such Shelf Offering. Once a Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities may request, and the Company shall be required to facilitate, an unlimited number of Shelf Offerings with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

  (e)

Priority on Demand Registrations and Shelf Offerings . The Company shall not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the

 

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  prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities initially requesting such registration. If a Demand Registration or a Shelf Offering is an Underwritten Offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold therein without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include, subject to Section 1(h) below, in such offering (i) first, the quantity of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such offering (to the extent permitted to be so included, in the case of an underwritten block trade) by each such holder and (ii) second, (if permitted by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering) other securities requested to be included in such registration, which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such registration (to the extent permitted to be so included, in the case of securities which are not Registrable Securities) by each such holder. Any Persons other than holders of Registrable Securities who participate in Demand Registrations must pay their share of the Registration Expenses as provided in Section 5 hereof.

 

  (f) Restrictions on Demand Registrations .

 

  (i) The Company shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within 90 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration or a previous registration in which the holders of Registrable Securities were given piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2 hereof and in which there was no reduction in the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included.

 

  (ii) If the Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) reasonably and in good faith determines that the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement in connection with any requested Demand Registration would be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect any material contemplated acquisition, divestiture, registered primary offering or other transaction as to which the Company has then taken substantial steps, or would require disclosure of facts or circumstances which disclosure would be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect any material contemplated acquisition, divestiture, registered primary offering or other transaction as to which the Company has then taken substantial steps, then the Company may delay such registration for a period of up to 60 days so long as the Company is still pursuing the transaction that allowed such delay (it being agreed that the Company may not delay requested registrations pursuant to this clause (ii) more than once in any rolling twelve-month period).

 

  (g)

Selection of Underwriters . The holders of a majority of Registrable Securities who have initially requested to be included in any Demand Registration shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering relating to such Demand Registration, subject to the Company’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. If any Shelf Offering is an Underwritten Offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such

 

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  Underwritten Offering shall have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering relating to such Shelf Offering, subject to the Company’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

  (h) Restrictions on Other Registrable Securities . Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not include in any underwritten Demand Registration any portion of Other Registrable Securities held by any members of Management of the Company which the underwriter of such Demand Registration reasonably believes is likely to adversely affect such offering.

2. Piggyback Registrations .

 

  (a) Right to Piggyback . Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act (other than any registration effected pursuant to Form S-4 or S-8 and other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to participants in a Company employee plan, a registration relating to a reorganization of the Company or other transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, or a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of Registrable Securities) and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities (a “ Piggyback Registration ”), the Company shall give prompt written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and shall, subject to Sections 2(c) and 2(d) below, include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 20 days after the receipt of the Company’s notice; provided that the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities may provide by written notice to the Company that no holder of Registrable Securities will have the right to include Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration (in which case the Company need not give such notice or include any such Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration).

 

  (b) Piggyback Expenses . The Registration Expenses of the Company and of the holders of Registrable Securities shall be paid by the Company in all Piggyback Registrations.

 

  (c) Priority on Primary Registrations . If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the Company or the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include, subject to Section 2(e) , in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such registration (to the extent permitted to be so included, in the case of securities which are not Registrable Securities) by each such holder and (iii) third, (if permitted by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities) other securities of the Company requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such registration (to the extent permitted to be so included, in the case of securities which are not Registrable Securities) by each such holder.

 

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  (d) Priority on Secondary Registrations . If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of holders of the Company’s securities other than Registrable Securities, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, the Company shall include, subject to Section 2(e) , in such registration, (i) first, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders initially requesting such registration and any Registrable Securities requested (including under this Section) to be included therein, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such registration by each such holder and (ii) second, (if permitted by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities) any other securities of the Company requested to be included in such registration, in each instance which in the opinion of such underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the number of shares requested to be included in such registration (to the extent permitted to be so included, in the case of securities which are not Registrable Securities) by each such holder.

 

  (e) Restrictions on Other Registrable Securities . Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not include in any underwritten Piggyback Registration any portion of Other Registrable Securities held by any members of Management of the Company which the underwriter of such Piggyback Registration reasonably believes is likely to adversely affect such offering.

 

  (f) Selection of Underwriters . If any Piggyback Registration is an Underwritten Offering, the selection of investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the offering must be approved by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such offering.

3. Holdback Agreements .

 

  (a)

Holders of Registrable Securities . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if requested in writing by a managing underwriter, if any, of any Underwritten Offering, each holder of Registrable Securities (whether or not participating in any such Underwritten Offering) shall agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144, but excluding, to the extent permitted by the underwriter managing the registered public offering, sales effected to pay the exercise price of a stock option pursuant to any broker-assisted exercise or “cashless” exercise of such stock option) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any economic consequences of ownership of such securities, whether any such aforementioned transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, in each case during the period commencing on the earlier of the date of distribution of a preliminary prospectus in connection with an Underwritten Offering or the “pricing” of such offering and continuing for not more than 180 days (in the case of the IPO) or not more than 90 days (in the case of any other underwritten public offering) after the date of the final prospectus (or prospectus supplement, in the case of a Shelf Offering) for the Underwritten Offering (a “ Lock-Up Period ”), except as otherwise agreed to by the

 

6


  managing underwriter and the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Offering and except for sales made as part of such Underwritten Offering, if otherwise permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holder of Other Registrable Securities that is not an officer or director of the Company shall be subject to the Lock-Up Period in connection with an underwritten block Shelf Offering unless such holder of Other Registrable Securities was provided notice one day prior to such Underwritten Offering and provided the opportunity to participate therein (whether or not such holder elects to participate in such underwritten block trade). In the event that (a) the Company issues an earnings release or discloses other material information or a material event relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries occurs during the last 17 days of the Lock-up Period or (B) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16 day period beginning upon the expiration of such period, then to the extent necessary for a managing or co-managing underwriter of a registered offering hereunder to comply with FINRA Rule 2711(f)(4), if agreed to by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities selling in such Underwritten Offering, the Lock-up Period shall be extended until 18 days after the earnings release or disclosure of other material information or the occurrence of the material event, as the case may be (a “ Holdback Extension ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the provisions or restrictions set forth in this Section 3(a) shall in any way limit Parthenon Capital Partners or any of its affiliates from engaging in any brokerage, investment advisory, financial advisory, market-making, arbitrage and other similar activities conducted in the ordinary course of their business. Each holder of Registrable Securities shall execute such agreements with the underwriter for any Underwritten Offering evidencing the agreements set forth in this Section 3(a) in a form agreed to by (and executed by) the holders of majority of the Investor Registrable Securities participating in such Underwritten Offering. Each Holder agrees that the Company may direct the Company’s transfer agent to enter a stop transfer order during any Lock-Up Period applicable to such Holder, including during any Holdback Extension.

 

  (b) The Company . The Company (i) shall not file any registration statement for a public offering or cause any such registration statement to become effective during any Lock-up Period, as extended during any Holdback Extension, or effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during a Lock-Up Period, as extended during any Holdback Extension, and (ii) shall use its best efforts to cause each of its executive officers and directors and holders of more than 1% of its equity securities (calculated on a fully diluted, as-converted and as-exchanged to Common Stock basis), or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for more than 1% of its equity securities (calculated on the foregoing basis), purchased from the Company at any time after January 8, 2004 (other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during a Lock-Up Period, as extended during any Holdback Extension, except as otherwise agreed to by the managing underwriter and the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Offering and except for sales made as part of such Underwritten Offering, if otherwise permitted.

4. Registration Procedures . Whenever the holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement or have initiated a Shelf Offering, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall as

 

7


expeditiously as possible (unless waived by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities participating in such registration or Shelf Offering or if no Investor Registrable Securities are participating and were never participating in such registration, by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such registration):

 

  (a) prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective ( provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review and comment of such counsel);

 

  (b) notify each holder of Registrable Securities of the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective until the date as of which there are no longer any Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;

 

  (c) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

 

  (d) cause the chief executive officer and senior Management of the Company to participate in any “road show” presentations to investors in connection with such registration for such period of time as is reasonably requested by the underwriters or of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities;

 

  (e) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller (including any underwriter) reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subsection, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

  (f)

promptly notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto 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 contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus and/or registration statement so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities,

 

8


  such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

  (g) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if not so listed, to be listed on a national securities exchange selected by the Company or, if such listing is not practicable, to arrange for the quotation of such securities on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board and at least two market makers to register as such with respect to such Registrable Securities with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.;

 

  (h) provide a transfer agent and registrar and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of the first registration statement relating to Registrable Securities or securities of any class of the Company;

 

  (i) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering (including effecting a stock split or a combination of shares or a recapitalization or reorganization);

 

  (j) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

 

  (k) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

  (l) permit any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its reasonable judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling person of the Company, to participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material which, in the reasonable judgment of such holder and the Company, should be included;

 

  (m) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any securities included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

 

  (n)

obtain one or more comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form addressed to the holders of the Investor Registrable Securities (if

 

9


  participating in such registration), and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request;

 

  (o) provide a legal opinion of the Company’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such registration statement (or, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), addressed to the holders of the Investor Registrable Securities (if participating in such registration), with respect to the registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included therein (including the preliminary prospectus) and such other documents relating thereto in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal opinions of such nature;

 

  (p) use best efforts to cause certificates for the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be delivered by the holders thereof to the underwriters in such denominations and registered in such names as the underwriters may request;

 

  (q) use best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities in the United States or any political subdivisions thereof as may be necessary to enable the sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

  (r) cause its Management to participate fully in the sale process, including, without limitation, the preparation of the registration statement and the preparation and presentation of any “road shows,” whether domestic or international;

 

  (s) give written notice to the holders of the Registrable Securities included in the registration statement:

 

  (i) when such registration statement or any amendment thereto has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and when such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

  (ii) of any request by the Securities and Exchange Commission for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information;

 

  (iii) of the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;

 

  (iv) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and

 

  (v) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in such registration statement or the prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading (which notice shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made);

 

10


  (t) if the Company files an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering any Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is required to remain effective;

 

  (u) if the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is filed, pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold; and

 

  (v) if the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year, refile a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities, and, if at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, use its best efforts to refile the Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.

Any member of Management who is a holder of Other Registrable Securities agrees that if and for so long as he is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, he shall participate fully in the sale process in a manner customary for persons in like positions and consistent with his or her other duties with the Company, including the preparation of the registration statement and the preparation and presentation of any road shows. Prior to the effectiveness of any registration statement relating to any offering hereunder, (i) any holder of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering may withdraw any or all of such Registrable Securities from such offering by written notice to the Company to that effect (whereupon such withdrawn Registrable Securities will no longer be considered to have been requested to be included in such offering), and no such withdrawal will adversely affect the rights of any holder of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering and (ii) notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities may withdraw all Registrable Securities (and any other securities) from such offering by written notice to the Company to that effect and require the registration be delayed or not declared effective and such withdrawal may adversely affect the rights of each holder of Registrable Securities hereunder.

If the Company files any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the holders of Registrable Securities, and the holders of Investor Registrable Securities do not request that their Registrable Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company agrees that, at the request of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities, it shall include in such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act in order to ensure that the holders of Investor Registrable Securities may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

Upon receipt of notice from the Company of the existence of any event of the kind described in Section 4(f) or 4(m) above, each seller of Registrable Securities shall immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement until the registration statement has been supplemented or amended in accordance with Section 4(f) or until withdrawal of the stop order referred to in Section 4(m) .

 

11


5. Registration Expenses .

 

  (a) All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of custodians, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company (all such expenses being herein called “ Registration Expenses ”), shall be borne by the Company, whether or not a registration statement is filed or becomes effective or any offering is consummated, and the Company shall pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or on the NASD automated quotation system.

 

  (b) In connection with each Demand Registration, each Piggyback Registration and each Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration or offering for the fees and disbursements of one counsel and other Persons retained by the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration. All other Registration Expenses to the extent not expressly reimbursed pursuant to this Section 5 shall be borne by all of the sellers of securities included in such registration in proportion to the aggregate selling price of the securities to be so registered (it being understood that all fees and expenses (including with respect to any fees and expenses of counsel and other advisors) of any holder of Registrable Securities (other than as otherwise explicitly set forth herein) shall be borne by such holder).

6. Black-Out Periods .

 

  (a)

Notwithstanding Section 4, and subject to the provisions of this Section 6, the Company shall (with the consent of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities, if any, registered under a Shelf Registration Statement) be permitted, in limited circumstances, to suspend the use, from time to time, of the Prospectus that is part of a Shelf Registration Statement (and therefore suspend sales of the Registrable Securities under such Shelf Registration Statement), by providing written notice (a “Suspension Notice”) to the holders of Registrable Securities registered under such Self Registration Statement for such times as the Company reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable (but in no event for more than an aggregate of sixty (60) days in any rolling twelve (12) month period commencing on the date of this Agreement or more than thirty (30) consecutive days, except as a result of a refusal by the Commission to declare any post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement effective after the Company has used all commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the post-effective amendment to be declared effective by the Commission, in which case, the Company must terminate the black-out period immediately following the effective date of the post-effective amendment) if the following events shall occur: (i) a majority of the Board determines in good faith that (A) the offer or sale of any Registrable Securities would materially impede, delay or interfere with any material contemplated acquisition, divestiture, registered primary offering or other transaction involving the Company, (B) after the advice of counsel, the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf

 

12


  Registration Statement would require disclosure of non-public material information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law, and (C) (x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of such transaction, (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Company’s ability to consummate such transaction, or (z) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause the Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) to become effective or to promptly amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement on a post effective basis, as applicable; or (ii) a majority of the Board determines in good faith, upon the advice of counsel, that it is in the Company’s best interest or it is required by law, rule or regulation to supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement in order to ensure that the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (1) contains the information required under Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (2) discloses any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement (or of the most recent post-effective amendment) that, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth therein; or (3) discloses any material information with respect to the plan of distribution that was not disclosed in the Shelf Registration Statement or any material change to such information. The Company may extend the Suspension Period for an additional consecutive 30 days (not to exceed ninety (90) days in any rolling twelve- month period) with the consent of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities registered under the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Upon the occurrence of any such suspension, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become effective or to promptly amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement on a post effective basis or to take such action as is necessary to make resumed use of the Shelf Registration Statement as soon as possible.

 

  (b) In the case of an event that causes the Company to suspend the use of a Shelf Registration Statement as set forth in paragraph (a) above (a “Suspension Event”), the Company shall give a Suspension Notice to the holders of Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such Self Registration Statement to suspend sales of the Registrable Securities and such notice shall state generally the basis for the notice and that such suspension shall continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing and the Company is using its commercially reasonable efforts and taking all reasonable steps to terminate suspension of the use of the Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as possible. A Holder shall not effect any sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice (as defined below). Each Holder agrees that such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of the Suspension Notice and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such Suspension Notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement. The Holders may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders and to the Selling Holders’ Counsel, if any, promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect.

 

13


  (c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company shall give a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 6, the Company agrees that it shall extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice and provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume sales, with respect to each Suspension Event; provided that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that Common Stock covered by such Shelf Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities.

7. Indemnification .

 

  (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, such holder’s officers, directors, agents and employees, and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by, or relating to any action or proceeding arising out of or based upon, 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 in any application or other document or communication executed by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify any securities covered by such registration statement under the “blue sky” or securities laws thereof, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable Securities.

 

  (b)

In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such holder to the Company expressly for use therein; provided that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual, not joint and several, for each holder and shall be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. The Company and each holder of Registrable Securities hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by such

 

14


  holder to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such Registration Statement, preliminary, final or summary Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus, are statements specifically relating to (i) the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by such holder and its affiliates as disclosed in the section of such document entitled “Selling Stockholders” or “Principal and Selling Stockholders” or other documents thereof and (ii) the name and address of such holder. If any additional information about such holder or the plan of distribution (other than for an underwritten offering) is required by law to be disclosed in any such document, then such holder shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such holder.

 

  (c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification or the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which the indemnified party intends to claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement ( provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party and then, only to the extent thereof) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to participate in, and to the extent it may wish to assume the defense at its own expense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and participate in the defense of the claim at its own expense. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim.

 

  (d)

If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities

 

15


  and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. If the allocation provided in this paragraph (d)  is not permitted by applicable law, the parties shall contribute based upon the relevant benefits received by the Company from the offering of the Registrable Securities on the one hand and the net proceeds received by the holders of the Registrable Securities included in the registration from the sale of Registrable Securities on the other.

 

  (e) The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company also agrees to make such provisions, as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party, for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s indemnification provided for herein is unavailable for any reason.

 

  (f) No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of each indemnified 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 (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise, or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim without any payment or consideration provided or obligation incurred by any indemnified party and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability, or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

  (g) The indemnification and contribution by any such party provided for under this Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract.

 

  (h) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 7 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred.

8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Person may directly or indirectly participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements, and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents that are standard and customary and are required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no holder of Registrable Securities included in any underwritten registration shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company, the underwriters or any other Person (other than representations and warranties regarding such holder and such holder’s intended method of distribution) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company with respect thereto, except in each case, (i) as otherwise provided in Section 7(b) hereof or (ii) to the extent either (x) the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities and/or (y) PCP Partners, LLC or any of its affiliates are doing so; provided that, in any such case of (x) or (y), such holder’s aggregate liability for any and all breaches of any such representations and warranties and under any such indemnification obligation shall be individual, not joint and several, for each holder of Registrable Securities and shall be expressly limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

 

16


9. Current Public Information; Form S-8 . At all times after the Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of either the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act, the Company will file all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and will take such further action as any holder or holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required to enable such holders to sell, without registration, Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act (as such rule may be amended from time to time) or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As soon as practicable after the Company becomes eligible for registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act, the Company agrees to file one or more registration statements on such form covering such of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the parties listed on the Other Registrable Securities Schedule as are then eligible to be registered on such form, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement(s) under the Securities Act subject to customary lock-ups (if signed by similarly situated people) for so long (and during such time) as the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that such effectiveness will not adversely effect any other offerings or registrations (or proposed offering or registration).

10. Definitions .

Common Stock ” means the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, as constituted on the date hereof, and any stock into which any such Common Stock shall have been changed or any stock resulting from any reclassification of any such Common Stock.

Holder ” means a holder Investor Registrable Securities, Other Registrable Securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable.

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial underwritten public offering of capital stock of the Company registered under the Securities Act pursuant to an effective registration statement.

Investor Registrable Securities ” means (i) all shares of Common Stock originally issued (at any time or from time to time), directly or indirectly, to an Investor or its affiliates (including shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock originally issued, directly or indirectly, to an Investor or its affiliates), or (ii) any Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i)  above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular Investor Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Investor Registrable Securities when they have been (a) distributed to the public pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) sold to the public in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force), (c) repurchased by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or purchased or otherwise acquired by any employee of the Company, and, if such Investor Registrable Securities are purchased or otherwise acquired by any employee of the Company, then such Investor Registrable Securities shall be deemed Other Registrable Securities, (d) in the case of a holder which is a limited partnership or limited liability company, unless such holder otherwise elects, when they have been distributed to the partners or members of such holder, or (e) otherwise transferred, new certificates 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 under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Investor Registrable Securities, and the Investor Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such Investor Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of

 

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securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Investor Registrable Securities hereunder.

Management ” means any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date hereof) or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Other Registrable Securities ” means (i) all shares of Common Stock originally issued, directly or indirectly (including shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock), to any Person listed on the Other Registrable Securities Schedule attached hereto or to any other holders of Registrable Securities (other than holders of Investor Registrable Securities) who become a party hereto by executing a counterpart signature page to this Agreement, or (ii) any Common Stock issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i)  above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization; provided that Other Registrable Securities shall not include securities of the Company that (x) are subject to vesting to the extent that such securities have not vested or (y) are subject to repurchase by the Company; provided , further , that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or modify the Company’s rights under any agreement with the Company that restricts transfer of such securities in an underwritten public offering of securities. As to any particular Other Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Other Registrable Securities when they have been (a) distributed to the public pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) sold to the public in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force), (c) repurchased by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or purchased or otherwise acquired by an Investor, and, if such Other Registrable Securities are purchased or otherwise acquired by an Investor, then such Other Registrable Securities shall be deemed Investor Registrable Securities, (d) otherwise transferred, new certificates 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 under the Securities Act, or (e) for purposes other than Section 3(a) hereof, the date on which the Other Registrable Securities may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule) in a single transaction without regard to volume and manner of sale limitations. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a holder of Other Registrable Securities, and the Other Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, such Other Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right other than vesting), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Other Registrable Securities hereunder.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, a limited liability company, a joint stock company, an unincorporated organization or a government or any department or agency thereof.

Registrable Securities ” means the Investor Registrable Securities and Other Registrable Securities. All Registrable Securities shall be Securities.

Securities ” means the Common Stock and any other class of securities or interests of any other Person which is not limited to a fixed sum or percentage of par value or stated value in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer of such securities (including, by way of example and without limitation, the Common Stock).

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

 

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

Subsidiaries ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (a) any corporation a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock of which is entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or

 

  (b) any partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest of which 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.

 

  (c) For purposes of this definition, a Person is deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity if such Person is allocated a majority of the gains or losses of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity or is or controls the managing director, managing member or general partner of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity.

Underwritten Offering ” means the sale of Securities of the Company to an underwriter or underwriters for reoffering to the public.

11. Miscellaneous .

 

  (a) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company has not entered into and shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

 

  (b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities . The Company shall not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities which would materially and adversely affect the ability of the holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would materially and adversely affect the marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares).

 

  (c) Remedies . Any Person having rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) for specific performance and for other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  (d)

Amendments and Waivers . Except to add additional parties as contemplated by Section 11(n) hereof, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only upon the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities;

 

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  provided that if any such modification, amendment or waiver would adversely and disproportionately affect any holder of Registrable Securities with respect to their Registrable Securities in a manner different than the holders of Investor Registrable Securities voting in favor thereof, such modification, amendment or waiver will also require the prior written approval of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the holder(s) so adversely and disproportionately affected.

 

  (e) Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of purchasers or holders of Registrable Securities are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent holder of Registrable Securities.

 

  (f) Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall 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 prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.

 

  (g) 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 shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

  (h) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. The use of the words “include” or “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. The parties agree that prior drafts of this Agreement shall be deemed not to provide any evidence as to the meaning of any provision hereof or the intent of the parties hereto with respect hereto. References to any statute, rule, regulation or form shall be to such statute, rule, regulation or form as amended from time to time or any successor thereto.

 

  (i)

GOVERNING LAW . ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES HERETO 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 CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE

 

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  THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

 

  (j) Notices . All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) telecopied to the recipient (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if telecopied before 5:00 p.m. Boston, Massachusetts time on a business day, and otherwise on the next business day, or (c) one business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to a recipient at the address indicated on the attached Investor Registrable Securities Schedule or Other Registrable Securities Schedule, as applicable, and to the Company at the address indicated below:

 

Performant Financial Corporation
333 North Canyons Parkway
Livermore, California 94551
Facsimile:  

(925) 960-4880

Attention:  

Lisa C. Im, Chief Executive Officer

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
50 Fremont Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Attention: Blair W. White

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

  (k) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE VALIDITY, PROTECTION, INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

  (l) Transfer . Except as otherwise agreed by the holder or holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities, prior to transferring any Registrable Securities (other than a transfer pursuant to which such Securities cease to be Registrable Securities) to any Person, the Person transferring such Securities will cause the prospective transferee to execute and deliver to the Company (for itself and as the agent of the other parties hereto), a counterpart to this Agreement pursuant to which the prospective transferee agrees to be bound by this Agreement to the same extent as the Person transferring such Securities with respect to the Securities so transferred.

 

  (m)

Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this agreement and the other agreements referred to herein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and

 

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  preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way; provided that this agreement shall not supersede or preempt any other agreement between any Holder, on the one hand, and the Company or any underwriter, on the other hand, regarding the transfer of any securities.

 

  (n) Additional Parties . A Person may be added as a party to this Agreement upon (i) the issuance of additional Securities to such Person and (ii) the approval of the Board and the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities.

 

  (o) Delivery by Facsimile . This Agreement and any amendments hereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto, each other party hereto shall reexecute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto shall raise the use of a facsimile machine to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

  (p) Other Registration Rights . The Company represents and warrants that it is not a party to, or otherwise subject to, any other agreement granting registration rights to any other Person with respect to any securities of the Company. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall not grant to any Persons the right to request the Company to register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Investor Registrable Securities.

 

  (q) Effective Time . This Agreement shall be effective upon consummation of the Company’s IPO.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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INVESTOR REGISTRABLE SECURITIES SCHEDULE

Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC

Address for notices:

c/o Parthenon Capital Partners

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3610

San Francisco, California 94111

Fax: (415) 913-3913

Att: William Kessinger, Managing Partner, and Brian Golson, Managing Partner

With a copy that will not constitute notice to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Fax: (312) 862-2200

Attn: Jeffrey Seifman, P.C.


OTHER REGISTRABLE SECURITIES SCHEDULE

Madison Capital Funding LLC

Allied Capital Corporation

Converge Capital

Lisa Im

Jon Shaver

Jim Tracey

Onezime Biagas

Chris Crissman

Daniel Exline

Harold Leach

Bruce Mackinlay

Guy McDonald

Joseph Tagupa

David Yim

Paul Lauffenburger

Rolland Tracey

Bob Schramm

Ed Keenan

Kevin Hansen

Elizabeth Warda

Nauman Bashir

Said Shawwa

Ernesto Martinez Granata

Scott Carrier

Dennis Christie

Christine Sorich

Lavon Arnett

Dominic Queirolo

Rashid Nasim

Jean Hsien

Chris Domingue

Vince Ramirez

Fiorello Danielli

Irina Tchabanov

Ares Capital Corporation

Bruce Calvin

Todd Ford

William D. Hansen

Ian Johnston

David Lubets

Jeff Nelson

Hakan Orvell

Jeffrey Stein

James Stone

Exhibit 10.4

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN

ARTICLE I

Purpose of Plan

The 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “ Plan ”) of Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), adopted by the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Company on May 25, 2007, for certain employees and service providers of the Company, is intended to advance the best interests of the Company by providing those persons who have a substantial responsibility for its management and growth with additional incentives by allowing them to acquire an ownership interest in the Company and thereby encouraging them to contribute to the success of the Company and to remain in its employ. The availability and offering of stock options under the Plan also increases the Company’s ability to attract and retain individuals of exceptional managerial talent upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress, growth and profitability of the Company depends.

This Plan is intended to be a “compensatory benefit plan” within the meaning of such term under Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all Options granted under the Plan are intended to qualify for an exemption (the “ Exemptions ”) from the registration requirements (i) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act and (ii) under applicable state or other securities laws, including, without limitation, Section 25102(o) of the California Securities Act. In the event that any provision of the Plan would cause any Option granted under the Plan to not qualify for any Exemptions, the Plan shall be deemed automatically amended to the extent necessary to cause all Options granted under the Plan to qualify for such Exemptions.

ARTICLE II

Definitions

For purposes of the Plan, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.

Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause ” shall mean (i) a Participant’s theft or embezzlement, or attempted theft or embezzlement, of money or property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a Participant’s perpetration or attempted perpetration of fraud, or a Participant’s participation in a fraud or


attempted fraud, on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Participant’s unauthorized appropriation of, or a Participant’s attempt to misappropriate, any tangible or intangible assets or property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any act or acts of disloyalty, misconduct or moral turpitude by a Participant injurious to the interest, property, operations, business or reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Participant’s conviction of a crime the commission of which results in injury to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) a Participant’s failure or inability (other than by reason of Disability) to carry out effectively his duties and obligations to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to participate effectively and actively in the management of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as determined in the good faith judgment of the Board.

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

Committee ” shall mean the committee of the Board which may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

Common Stock ” shall mean the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, or if the outstanding Common Stock is hereafter changed into or exchanged for different stock or securities of the Company, such other stock or securities.

Company ” shall mean Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation.

Disability ” shall mean the inability, due to documented illness, accident, injury, physical or mental incapacity or other disability, of any Participant to carry out effectively his duties and obligations to the Company or to participate effectively and actively in the management of the Company for a period of at least 90 consecutive days or for shorter periods aggregating at least 120 days (whether or not consecutive) during any twelve-month period, as determined in the reasonable judgment of the Board.

Fair Market Value ” of the Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee or, in the absence of the Committee, by the Board.

Issued Shares ” shall mean (i) all Common Stock issued upon the proper exercise of an Option and (ii) all securities issued with respect to the Common Stock referred to in clause (i) above and the securities referred to in this clause (ii) by way of dividend or split or in connection with any conversion, merger, consolidation or recapitalization or other reorganization affecting the Common Stock or other securities described in this clause (ii). Unless provided otherwise herein or in a Participant’s Option Agreement (as defined below), Issued Shares will continue to be Issued Shares in the hands of any holder other than the Participant (except for the Company), and each such transferee thereof will succeed to the rights and obligations of a holder of Issued Shares hereunder.

Options ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article IV .

Parthenon ” means Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its Affiliates.

 

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Participant ” shall mean any employee or other service provider of the Company who has been selected to participate in the Plan by the Committee or the Board.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, 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.

Public Offering ” means a public offering and sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; provided that a Public Offering shall not include an offering made in connection with a business acquisition or combination or an employee benefit plan.

Sale of the Company ” means any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Person or group of related Persons (other than Parthenon) acquires, directly or indirectly, (i) equity securities of the Company possessing the voting power under normal circumstances to elect a majority of the Board, or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets determined on a consolidated basis (in either case, whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of the Company’s equity securities, sale or transfer of the Company’s consolidated assets or otherwise), provided that a Sale of the Company shall not include a Public Offering or a simple reincorporation of the Company in another jurisdiction.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

ARTICLE III

Administration

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided that if for any reason the Committee shall not have been appointed by the Board, all authority and duties of the Committee under the Plan shall be vested in and exercised by the Board. Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and complete authority to: (i) select Participants, (ii) grant Options (as defined in Article IV below) to Participants in such forms and amounts as it shall determine, (iii) impose such limitations, restrictions and conditions upon such Options as it shall deem appropriate, (iv) interpret the Plan and adopt, amend and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Plan, (v) correct any defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option granted hereunder, (vi) determine whether the Options comply with requirements of Section 409A of the Code and (vii) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan. The Committee’s determinations on matters within its authority shall be conclusive and binding upon the Participants, the Company and all other Persons. All expenses associated with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may, as approved by the Board and to the extent permissible by law, delegate any of its authority hereunder to such persons as it deems appropriate.

The Company may establish a committee of outside directors meeting the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code to (i) approve the grant of Options that might reasonably be

 

3


anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration deductible for income tax purposes by the Company pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and (ii) administer the Plan. In such event, the powers reserved to the Committee in the Plan shall be exercised by such compensation committee. In addition, Options under the Plan shall be granted upon satisfaction of the conditions to such grants provided pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

It is the Company’s intent that the options not be treated as a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and that any ambiguities in construction be interpreted in order to effectuate such intent. Options under the Plan shall contain such terms as the Committee determines are appropriate to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In the event that, after the issuance of an option under the Plan, Section 409A of the Code or regulations thereunder are issued or amended, or the Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department issues additional guidance interpreting Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may (but shall have no obligation to do so) amend or modify the terms of any such previously issued option to the extent the Committee determines that such amendment or modification is necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE IV

Limitation on Aggregate Shares

The number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options may be granted under the Plan (the “ Options ”) and which may be issued upon the exercise thereof shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 1,500,000 shares (all of which shares may be, but are not required to be, issued pursuant to incentive stock options); provided that the type and the aggregate number of shares which may be subject to Options shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.8 below, and further provided that to the extent any Options expire unexercised or are canceled, terminated or forfeited in any manner without the issuance of Common Stock thereunder, such shares shall again be available under the Plan. The 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock available under the Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or a combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine.

ARTICLE V

Awards

5.1 Options . The Committee may grant Options to Participants in accordance with this Article V .

5.2 Form of Option . It is within the Company’s discretion whether to grant nonqualified stock options or “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422A of the Code or any successor provision, be granted under the Plan. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time grant to eligible participants nonqualified Stock Options or incentive stock options. The options granted shall take such form as the Committee shall determine, subject to the terms and conditions herein.

 

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5.3 Exercise Price . The option exercise price per share of Common Stock shall be fixed by the Committee at, at least, 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant, or such other price as may be determined by the Committee, unless the holder of such Option, in the case of incentive stock options, owns more than 10% of the Company’s or any of the Company’s Affiliates’ voting stock, in which case the exercise price will equal 125% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant.

5.4 Exercisability . Options shall be exercisable at such time or times as the Committee shall determine, but in no event more than ten years from the date of grant.

5.5 Payment of Exercise Price . Options, to the extent exercisable, shall be exercised in whole or in part by written notice to the Company (to the attention of the Company’s Secretary) accompanied by payment in full of the option exercise price.

5.6 Terms of Options . The Committee shall determine the term of each Option, which term shall in no event exceed ten years from the date of grant.

ARTICLE VI

General Provisions

6.1 Conditions and Limitations on Exercise . Options may be made exercisable only upon the earlier of one or more of the events described in Section 5.4 , and to the extent not exercised in accordance with Section 5.4 , the Options shall not be exercisable and shall immediately terminate, except that: (i) if the separation from service of a Participant arises other than in connection with Participant’s discharge for Cause, such Participant’s Option shall expire 30 days after the date of such discharge, but in no event after the Expiration Date or a Sale of the Company and (ii) if the separation from service of a Participant is due to Participant being discharged for Cause, such Participant’s Option shall expire 14 days after the date of such discharge, but in no event after the Expiration Date or a Sale of the Company.

6.2 Sale of the Company . In the event of a Sale of the Company, the Committee or the Board may provide, in its discretion, without further notice to holders of the Options, (i) that the Options shall become immediately exercisable by any Participants who are employed by the Company at the time of the Sale of the Company, (ii) that all Options shall automatically terminate if not exercised as of the date of the Sale of the Company or other prescribed period of time and/or (iii) for the assumption of the Options pursuant to Section 6.8 , it being understood that different determinations may be made with respect to different Participants.

6.3 Written Agreement . Each Option granted hereunder to a Participant shall be embodied in a written agreement (an “ Option Agreement ”) which shall be signed by the Participant and by the Chief Executive Officer or another senior executive officer of the Company for and in the name and on behalf of the Company and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan prescribed in the Agreement (including, but not limited to, (i) the right

 

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of the Company and such other Persons as the Committee shall designate (“ Designees ”) to repurchase from each Participant, and such Participant’s transferees, all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to such Participant upon the exercise of an Option in the event of such Participant’s termination of employment, (ii) rights of first refusal granted to the Company and Designees, (iii) holdback and other registration right restrictions in the event of a public registration of any equity securities of the Company and (iv) any other terms and conditions which the Committee shall deem necessary and desirable).

6.4 Listing, Registration and Compliance with Laws and Regulations . Options shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to the Options upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal securities or other law or regulation, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition to or in connection with the granting of the Options or the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder, no Options may be granted or exercised, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee. The holders of such Options shall supply the Company with such certificates, representations and information as the Company shall request and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval. In the case of officers and other Persons subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Committee may at any time impose any limitations upon the exercise of an Option that, in the Committee’s discretion, are necessary or desirable in order to comply with such Section 16(b) and the rules and regulations thereunder. If the Company, as part of an offering of securities or otherwise, finds it desirable because of federal or state regulatory requirements to reduce the period during which any Options may be exercised, the Committee, may, in its discretion and without the Participant’s consent, so reduce such period on not less than 15 days written notice to the holders thereof.

6.5 Nontransferability . Options may not be transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the lifetime of the Participant, may be exercised only by such Participant (or his legal guardian or legal representative). In the event of the death of a Participant, exercise of Options granted hereunder shall be made only:

(i) by the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased Participant or the Person or Persons to whom the deceased Participant’s rights under the Option shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution; and

(ii) to the extent that the deceased Participant was entitled thereto at the date of his death, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in such Participant’s Option Agreement.

6.6 Normal Expiration of Options . In no event shall any part of any Option be exercisable after the date of expiration thereof (the “ Expiration Date ”), as determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 5.6 above.

6.7 Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall be entitled, if necessary or desirable, to withhold from any Participant from any amounts due and payable by the Company to such

 

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Participant (or secure payment from such Participant in lieu of withholding) the amount of any withholding or other tax due from the Company with respect to any shares issuable under the Options, and the Company may defer such issuance unless indemnified to its satisfaction. In the event that the Company or its Affiliates does not make such deductions or withholdings, Participant shall indemnify the Company and its Affiliates for any amounts paid or payable by the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to any such taxes, together with any interest, penalties and additions to tax and any related expenses thereto.

6.8 Organic Change . Unless the Options held by a Participant are terminated in accordance with Section 6.2 above or pursuant to the terms of any Option Agreement, after the consummation of any “ Corporate Transaction ” (as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.424-1(a)(3) and including any merger to effect the reincorporation of the Company in another jurisdiction), if the requirements of Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 would be met with respect to the substitution or assumption of such Option assuming the Option were or is an incentive stock option as described in Code §422, the corporation that is the employer of the Participant after such Corporate Transaction or a related corporation (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.421-1(i)(2)) shall, by reason of the Corporate Transaction, (i) substitute a new option for such Options or (ii) assume such Options. If the requirements of Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 cannot be satisfied even assuming the Option were an incentive stock option as described in Code §422, then such Options shall automatically be terminated and the Company, in the Board’s sole discretion, shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to issue substantially similar options to Participants of the Plan.

6.9 Adjustments . Subject to Section 6.2 , in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split, or combination or other change in the shares of Common Stock or any merger, consolidation or exchange of shares, the Board or the Committee may, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights under outstanding Options, make such adjustments in the number and type of shares authorized by the Plan, the number and type of shares covered by outstanding Options and the exercise prices specified therein as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable.

6.10 Rights of Participants . Nothing in this Plan or in any Option Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant’s employment at any time (with or without Cause), nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time or to continue his present (or any other) rate of compensation, and except as otherwise provided under this Plan or by the Committee in the Option Agreement, in the event of any Participant’s termination of employment (including, but not limited to, the termination by the Company without Cause) any portion of such Participant’s Option that was not previously vested and exercisable shall expire and be forfeited as of the date of such termination. No employee shall have a right to be selected as a Participant or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant.

6.11 Amendment, Suspension and Termination of Plan . The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time and may amend it from time to time in such respects as the Board or the Committee may deem advisable; provided that no such amendment shall be made without stockholder approval to the extent such approval is required by law, agreement or the rules of any exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed,

 

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and no such amendment, suspension or termination shall impair the rights of Participants under outstanding Options without the consent of the Participants affected thereby. No Options shall be granted hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan.

6.12 Amendment, Modification and Cancellation of Outstanding Options . The Committee may amend or modify any Option in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority under the Plan initially to grant such Option; provided that no such amendment or modification shall impair the rights of any Participant under any Option without the consent of such Participant. With the Participant’s consent, the Committee may cancel any Option and issue a new Option to such Participant.

6.13 Indemnification . In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which they or any of them may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Option granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that any such Committee member shall be entitled to the indemnification rights set forth in this Section 6.12 only if such member has acted in good faith and in a manner that such member reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful, and further provided that upon the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding a Committee member shall give the Company written notice thereof and an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such Committee member undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf.

* * * *

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

This Stock Option Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of                  , 2009, 1 by and between Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                    ] (“ Grantee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan (as defined below).

1. Grant of Option . Pursuant to The 2007 Stock Option Plan of Performant Financial Corporation (the “ Plan ”), the Company hereby grants to Grantee, as of the date hereof, an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Option is intended not to qualify as an incentive stock option as prescribed by Code Section 422. The number of Option Shares, and the corresponding exercise price per share (the “ Exercise Price ”), subject to this Option is as follows:

 

Option Shares

  

Exercise Price

 

[            ]

   $ 2.35 share   

Upon certain events, the number of Option Shares and/or the Exercise Price may be adjusted as provided in the Plan. Your Option shall expire at the close of business on                  , 2019 (the “ Expiration Date ”), subject to earlier expiration as provided in Section 9 below.

2. Grantee Bound by Plan . Attached hereto as Annex A is a copy of the Plan which is incorporated herein by reference and made apart hereof. Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. In the event that an inconsistency exists between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Plan shall control. The Plan should be carefully examined before any decision is made to exercise the Option.

3. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the indicated meanings:

(a) “ Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.

(b) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

 

1   Note to Company: A filing pursuant to Section 25102(f) of the California Securities Act must be made within 15 days of the date of the first grant in any round of options issuances under the Stock Option Plan.


(d) “ Committee ” means the committee of the Board which may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

(e) “ Fair Market Value ” of the Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee or, in the absence of such Committee, by the Board.

(f) “ Family Group ” means Grantee’s spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted) and any trust solely for the benefit of Grantee and/or Grantee’s spouse and/or descendants (natural or adopted) and any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity the equity holders of which solely include such Grantee, his or her spouse or descendants (natural or adopted) or any trust for the benefit of Grantee, his or her spouse or descendants (natural or adopted).

(g) “ Parthenon ” means Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its Affiliates.

(h) “ Public Offering ” means a public offering and sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; provided that a Public Offering shall not include an offering made in connection with a business acquisition or combination or an employee benefit plan.

(i) “ Sale of the Company ” means any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Person or group of related Persons (other than Parthenon) acquires, directly or indirectly, (i) equity securities of the Company possessing the voting power under normal circumstances to elect a majority of the Board, or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets determined on a consolidated basis (in either case, whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of the Company’s equity securities, sale or transfer of the Company’s consolidated assets or otherwise), provided that a Sale of the Company shall not include a Public Offering or a reincorporation of the Company in another jurisdiction (whether by merger or otherwise).

(j) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

(k) “ Subsidiary ” means with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote 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 (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing director, managing member, manager or a general partner of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity.

 

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(l) “ Termination Date ” means the date that Grantee ceases to be employed, or, if a service provider that is and was not an employee, engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary, for any reason.

4. Exercise of Option . Subject to the earlier termination of the Option as provided herein and subject to the conditions precedent and other terms set forth herein, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, to the extent it has become vested, by providing five (5) days advance written notice (or such lesser time period as may be determined by the Committee, or in the absence of a Committee, by the Board in its sole discretion) to the Company at any time and from time to time after the date of grant (with it being understood that in the five day period after delivery of the notice of exercise, the Company shall be entitled to deliver to Grantee any information that it believes necessary to comply with the Securities Act and other applicable laws, and during such five day period Grantee shall cooperate with the Company, take any actions reasonably requested by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, including, if the Company deems it necessary, appointing a purchaser representative designated by the Company, and during such period may revoke his exercise by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Company prior to the expiration of such five day period). An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

5. Vesting of Options . Subject to Section 5(b) the Option may be exercised only to the extent it has become vested.

(a) Time Vesting Option . Grantee’s Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, in each case if and only so long as Grantee is and has continued to be employed by the Company or any Subsidiary through such vesting date: 20% of the Option shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement (and no percentage shall vest prior to such first anniversary) and the remainder of the Option shall vest on a straight line monthly basis (e.g., 1.6666% per month) thereafter, with the last installment of Grantee’s Option vesting on fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement. No portion of Grantee’s Option shall vest at any time after the date on which Grantee’s employment terminates for any reason.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such time as the Option has expired pursuant to this Agreement, Grantee may exercise the Option pursuant to Section 4 above whether or not such Option has vested pursuant to subsection (a)  above; provided that Grantee shall enter into a restricted stock agreement with respect to such Issued Shares in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that such restricted stock agreement will provide, among other things, that the Issued Shares issued in respect of the unvested portion of the Option will continue to be subject to vesting and repurchase (pursuant to the same vesting schedule as provided in subsection (a)  above), the unvested Issued Shares shall be subject to repurchase as set forth with respect to Issued Shares herein and such unvested Issued Shares will be subject to voting restrictions (including, without limitation, Grantee shall grant a proxy to give to Parthenon the vote for all of the unvested Issued Shares in Parthenon’s sole discretion)).

6. Conditions to Exercise . The Option may not be exercised by Grantee unless the following conditions are met:

 

3


(a) The Option has become vested with respect to the Option Shares to be acquired pursuant to such exercise and has not expired or become forfeited;

(b) Grantee must pay at the time of exercise the full purchase price for the Option Shares being acquired hereunder plus any withholding tax required in connection with such exercise, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Company from participating in a so-called “cashless exercise” if permitted by the Board, provided that Grantee or other person exercising the Option and each other party involved in any such exercise (in each case as permitted hereunder and under the Plan) shall comply with such procedures and conditions, including, without limitation, such conditions, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary to avoid adverse accounting effects to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and enter into such agreements, of indemnity or otherwise, as the Company shall specify;

(c) Grantee must deliver, if a resident of a community property jurisdiction, an executed spousal consent in the form of Exhibit A hereto; and

(d) all other conditions to exercise set forth in the Plan and this Agreement have been satisfied.

7. Withholding Tax Requirements .

(a) Amount of Withholding . It shall be a condition of the exercise of any Option that Grantee make appropriate payment or other provision acceptable to the Company with respect to any withholding tax requirement arising from such exercise. The amount of withholding tax required, if any, with respect to any Option exercise (the “ Withholding Amount ”) shall be determined by the Committee or the Treasurer or other appropriate officer of the Company, and Grantee shall furnish such information and make such representations as the Committee or such officer requires to make such determination.

(b) Withholding Procedure . If the Company determines that withholding tax is required with respect to any Option exercise, the Company shall notify Grantee of the Withholding Amount, and Grantee shall pay to the Company an amount not less than the Withholding Amount. All amounts paid to the Company pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall be deposited in accordance with applicable law by the Company as withholding tax for Grantee’s account. If the Committee or the Treasurer or other appropriate officer of the Company determines that no withholding tax is required with respect to the exercise of any Option but subsequently it is determined that the exercise resulted in taxable income as to which withholding is required (as a result of a disposition of Issued Shares or otherwise), Grantee shall promptly, upon being notified of the withholding requirement, pay to the Company, by means acceptable to the Company, the amount required to be withheld. Payment of withholding taxes by Grantee shall be made in cash (including check, bankdraft, money order or wire transfer of immediately available funds) and at the option of the Committee, in its sole discretion, may also be made (i) by surrendering shares of Common Stock that have been owned by the holder for at least six months and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of withholding taxes, (ii) by delivery of an irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the withholding taxes, (iii) by requesting in the notice of

 

4


exercise that the Company not issue a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise whose aggregate Fair Market Value equals the minimum amount of withholding tax, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.

(c) Code Section 409A . Grantee hereby agrees and acknowledges, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates makes any representations with respect to the application of Code §409A to the Option or the Option Shares or any other tax, economic or legal consequences of the Option or the Option Shares and, by the acceptance of the Option, Grantee agrees to accept the potential application of Code §409A to the Option or the Option Shares and the other tax, economic or legal consequences of the issuance, vesting, ownership, modification, adjustment, and disposition of the Option or the Option Shares. Grantee agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Company from any adverse tax consequences with respect to the Option or the Option Shares, any withholding or other tax obligations of the Company with respect to the Option or the Option Shares, and from any action or inaction or omission of the Company pursuant to the Plan or otherwise that may cause such Option or the Option Shares to be or become subject to Code §409A.

8. Notification of Inquiries and Agreements . Grantee and each Permitted Transferee (as defined below) shall notify the Company in writing within 20 days after the date Grantee or Permitted Transferee (i) first obtains actual knowledge of any Internal Revenue Service inquiry, audit, assertion, determination, investigation, or question in writing relating in any manner to the value of any Option granted hereunder; (ii) includes or agrees (including, without limitation, in any settlement, closing or other similar agreement) to include in gross income with respect to any Option granted hereunder (A) any amount in excess of the amount reported on Form 1099 or Form W-2 to Grantee by the Company, or (B) if no such Form was received, any amount; and/or (iii) sells, disposes of, or otherwise transfers an Option acquired hereunder. Upon request, Grantee or a Permitted Transferee shall provide to the Company any information or document relating to any event described in the preceding sentence which the Company (in its sole discretion) reasonably requires in order to calculate and substantiate any change in the Company’s tax liability as a result of such event.

9. Expiration of Options .

(a) Normal Expiration . In no event shall any part of any Option be exercisable (and, accordingly, both (x) all unvested Options and (y) all vested and unexercised Options shall automatically terminate, expire and become forfeited) on the Expiration Date.

(b) Early Expiration Upon Termination of Employment . Any part of any Option that is not vested on Grantee’s Termination Date shall expire and be forfeited on such date, and any part of any Option that is vested on the Termination Date shall also expire and be forfeited to the extent not theretofore exercised as follows: (i) if such Termination Date arises other than in connection with Grantee’s discharge for Cause, 30 days after such Termination Date, (ii) if Grantee is terminated due to Grantee being discharged for Cause, 14 days after the date of such discharge, but in no event after the Expiration Date and (iii) if such Termination Date arises in connection with the death or Disability of Grantee, six months after such death or Disability.

 

5


(c) Consequences of Expiration of Options . The Company shall have no liability or obligations for any Option that expires and is forfeited pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9 .

10. Right to Purchase Issued Shares Upon Termination of Employment .

(a) Repurchase Right . Effective upon the Termination Date, all or any portion of Grantee’s Issued Shares (whether held by Grantee or one or more transferees and including any Issued Shares acquired subsequent to such termination of employment) will be subject to repurchase by the Company and/or Parthenon pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 10 (the “ Repurchase Option ”) at a price per Issued Share equal to (i) in the event of Grantee’s termination (x) by the Company other than for Cause, (y) by Grantee where circumstances of Cause do not exist or (z) due to Grantee’s death or Disability, the Fair Market Value per Issued Share determined as of the date of the Repurchase Notice (as defined below) or the Supplemental Repurchase Notice (as defined below), as the case may be, and (ii) in the event of Grantee’s termination by the Company for Cause or by Grantee where circumstances of Cause exist, the lower of the Exercise Price or the Fair Market Value per Issued Share determined as of the date of the Repurchase Notice or the Supplemental Repurchase Notice, as the case may be.

(b) Repurchase Procedures . The Company may elect or decline to exercise the Repurchase Option by delivering written notice (the “ Repurchase Notice ”) to the holder or holders of the applicable Issued Shares within 75 days after (i) the Termination Date or (ii) if later, the date which is 75 days after the date that Grantee exercises additional Options in accordance with Section 9(b) hereof. The Repurchase Notice will set forth the number of Issued Shares to be acquired from each holder(s), an estimate of the aggregate consideration to be paid for such holder’s Issued Shares and the time and place for the closing of the transaction. The number of Issued Shares to be repurchased by the Company shall first be satisfied to the extent possible from the Issued Shares held by grantee at the time of delivery of the Repurchase Notice. If the number of Issued Shares then held by Grantee is less than the total number of Issued Shares that the Company has elected to purchase, the Company shall purchase the remaining Issued Shares elected to be purchased from the other holder(s) thereof, pro rata according to the number of Issued Shares held by such other holder(s) at the time of delivery of such Repurchase Notice (determined as close as practicable to the nearest whole share).

(c) Repurchase by Parthenon . If for any reason the Company does not elect to purchase all of the Issued Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option, Parthenon shall be entitled to exercise the Repurchase Option for all or any portion of the Issued Shares that the Company has not elected to purchase (the “ Available Shares ”). As soon as practicable after the Company has determined that there will be Available Securities, but in any event within 75 after the Termination Date, the Company shall give written notice (the “ Option Notice ”) to Parthenon setting forth the number of Available Shares and the purchase price for the Available Shares. Parthenon may elect to purchase any or all of the Available Shares by giving written notice to the Company within 15 days after delivery of the Option Notice. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Company shall notify each holder of Issued Shares as to the number of shares being purchased from such holder by Parthenon (the “ Supplemental Repurchase Notice ”). At the time the Company delivers the Supplemental Repurchase Notice to the holder(s) of Issued Shares, the Company shall also deliver written notice to Parthenon setting forth (i) the number of Issued

 

6


Shares Parthenon are entitled to purchase, pro rata according to the number of shares held by each Investor at the time of delivery of the Supplemental Repurchase Notice (determined as close as practicable to the nearest whole share), (ii) the aggregate purchase price and (iii) the time and place of the closing of the transaction.

(d) Closing of Repurchase . The closing of a repurchase transaction will take place on the date designated by the Company in the Repurchase Notice or Supplemental Repurchase Notice, as the case may be, which date shall not be more than one month nor less than five days after the delivery of the later of either such notice to be delivered (or, if later, the date which is 90 days after Grantee exercises additional Options in accordance with Section 9(b) hereof). The Company will pay for the Issued Shares to be purchased by it pursuant to the Repurchase Option by first offsetting amounts outstanding under any debts owed by Grantee (or one or more of Grantee’s transferees, other than the Company or Parthenon) to the Company or any of its Affiliates and will pay the remainder of the purchase price by, at its option, (A) a certified or cashier’s check or wire transfer of funds, (B) a subordinate note or notes bearing interest (payable on the maturity date) at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time, in the aggregate amount of the remaining purchase price for such Issued Shares or (C) both (A) and (B), in the aggregate amount of the purchase price for such Issued Shares. Each Investor will pay for the Issued Shares to be purchased by it pursuant to the Supplemental Repurchase Notice by first offsetting amounts outstanding under any debts owed by Grantee (or one or more of Grantee’s transferees, other than the Company or Parthenon) to Parthenon and will pay the remainder of the purchase price by, at its option, (A) a certified or cashier’s check or wire transfer of funds, (B) a subordinate note or notes bearing interest (payable on the maturity date) at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time, in the aggregate amount of the remaining purchase price for such Issued Shares or (C) both (A) and (B), in the aggregate amount of the purchase price for such Issued Shares. The Company and Parthenon will be entitled to receive customary representations and warranties from each seller of Issued Shares regarding such sale and such seller’s ownership and title to the Issued Shares, capacity to transfer the Issued Shares and residence status for tax purposes where required, and to require that all sellers’ signatures be guaranteed.

(e) Repurchasing Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Grantee acknowledges that all repurchases of Issued Shares shall be subject to applicable restrictions and covenants contained in applicable law and in the Company’s and its affiliates’ financing agreements. If any such restrictions or covenants contained in such financing agreements or applicable law prohibit the repurchase by cash of Issued Shares hereunder which the Company is otherwise entitled to make, or such repurchase for cash would result in a default or acceleration under such financing agreements, or (B) the Company does not have adequate cash availability (as determined in its sole discretion) (collectively, the “ Repurchasing Circumstances ”), then the Company will not be required to make such repurchase (and may defer making such repurchase even though it has exercised the Repurchase Option) until the Repurchasing Circumstances cease to exist.

(f) Termination . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Repurchase Option shall terminate (to the extent not previously exercised) after the first to occur of (i) a Sale of the Company or (ii) a Public Offering.

 

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11. Restrictions on Transfer of Issued Shares .

(a) Transfer of Issued Shares . Grantee will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (a “ Transfer ”) any interest in any Issued Shares without the prior written consent of the Board (which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion), except (i) pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 above and Section 13 below, (ii) pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution, or (iii) among Grantee’s Family Group; provided, that the restrictions contained in this Section 11 will continue to be applicable to Issued Shares after any Transfer of the type referred to in clause (ii)  or iii above and, as a condition to any such Transfer, the transferees of such Issued Shares must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Any transferee of Issued Shares pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with clause (ii) or (iii) above is herein referred to as a “ Permitted Transferee .” Upon the proposed Transfer of any Issued Shares pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above, Grantee or such Permitted Transferee Transferring such Issued Shares will deliver a written notice (a “ Transfer Notice ”) to the Company, which discloses in reasonable detail the identity of the Permitted Transferee(s) and compliance with this Section 11 and shall provide the Company with evidence satisfactory to the Company that such transferee has agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, this Section 11 and Section 13 below).

(b) Termination of Transfer Restrictions . The provisions of this Section 11 will terminate upon a Public Offering or a Sale of the Company.

12. Additional Restrictions on Transfer .

(a) Legend . The certificates, if any, representing Issued Shares will bear the following legend:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, CERTAIN REPURCHASE OPTIONS AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE ISSUER’S 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT CHARGE.”

The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates evidencing any securities which cease to be Issued Shares.

(b) Transfer Requirement . No holder of Issued Shares may Transfer any Issued Shares (except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act) without first delivering to the Company an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company (which counsel will be reasonably acceptable to the Company) that

 

8


registration under the Securities Act is not required in connection with such Transfer and that such Transfer is in compliance with the provisions herein. If such opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company further states that no subsequent Transfer of such Issued Shares will require registration under the Securities Act, the Company will promptly upon such Transfer deliver new certificates (in the event such Issued Shares are certificated) for such securities which do not bear the Securities Act legend set forth in Section 12(a) .

13. Approved Sale .

(a) Each holder of Issued Shares hereby agrees that if at any time Parthenon and, in the case of clauses (x) and (z) below, the Board approves a Sale of the Company (an “ Approved Sale ”), each holder of Issued Shares will vote for, consent to and raise no objections against such Approved Sale, regardless of the consideration being paid in such Approved Sale. If the Approved Sale is structured (x) as a merger or consolidation, each such holder will waive any dissenters rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in conjunction with such merger or consolidation, (y) as a sale of equity, each such holder will agree to sell up to all of such holder’s Issued Shares on the terms and conditions approved by Parthenon, or (z) as a sale of assets, each such holder will vote in favor of any subsequent liquidation or other distribution of the proceeds therefrom in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as approved by Parthenon. The Company and each holder of Options and Issued Shares will take all actions in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale as requested by Parthenon, including, without limitation, the execution of all agreements, documents and instruments in connection therewith requested by Parthenon (including, without limitation, noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements, holdback and expense agreements, letters of transmittal or other similar arrangements containing representations, warranties, covenants and agreements (it being understood and agreed that the Grantee and its transferees may be required to execute certain documents which Parthenon and/or other shareholders of the Company will not be required to execute)).

(b) If the Company enters into a negotiation for an Approved Sale or an Approved Sale transaction for which Rule 506 (or any similar rule then in effect) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction (including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), the holders of Issued Shares will, at the request of the Board, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501) reasonably acceptable to the Board. If any holder of Issued Shares appoints a purchaser representative designated by the Board, the Company will pay the fees of such purchaser representative, but if any holder of Issued Shares declines to appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Board such holder will appoint another purchaser representative, and such holder will be responsible for the fees of the purchaser representative so appointed.

(c) The provisions of this Section 13 shall terminate upon a Public Offering.

14. Holdback Agreement . Before and after the effective date of any underwritten Public Offering, no holder of Issued Shares will effect any sale or distribution of Issued Shares during the period designated by the underwriters managing such underwritten Public Offering with respect to such holder of Issued Shares.

 

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15. Transferability of Options . The Option may not be Transferred or assigned by Grantee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the lifetime of Grantee, the Option may be exercised only by Grantee (or, if Grantee is incapacitated, by Grantee’s legal guardian or legal representative). In the event of the death of Grantee, Options which are not vested on the date of death shall terminate; and the exercise of Options which are vested as of the date of death, may be made only by the executor or administrator of Grantee’s estate or the Person or Persons to, whom Grantee’s rights under the Options pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If Grantee or anyone claiming under or through Grantee attempts to violate this Section 15 , such attempted violation shall be null and void and without effect, and the Company’s obligation hereunder shall terminate. Any Issued Shares received upon exercise of this Option is subject to the repurchase right, restrictions on Transfer and other rights and obligations set forth in the Plan and hereunder.

16. Voting Agreement . From and after the date hereof until the provisions of this Section 16 cease to be effective, Grantee and Grantee’s transferees shall vote all of their Issued Shares and take all other reasonably necessary or desirable actions in connection with the voting of Issued Shares within their control (including, without limitation, attendance at meetings in person or by proxy for purposes of obtaining a quorum and execution of written consents in lieu of meetings) as requested from time to time by the Company. The provisions of this Section 16 shall cease to be effective upon the earlier of the consummation of (i) a Public Offering, or (ii) a Sale of the Company.

17. Administration . All actions, decisions and determinations arising out of or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation or effect of the Plan or this Agreement shall be made by the Committee and the Board (or their delegates) in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on Grantee and all persons claiming under or through Grantee. By accepting this grant or other benefit under the Plan, Grantee and each person claiming under or through Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken by the Committee and the Board (or their delegates) in furtherance of the foregoing.

18. Investment Representation . Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Issued Shares which Grantee may acquire by exercising the Option shall not be Transferred in the absence of an effective registration statement for the Issued Shares under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws and, in any event, in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan. Grantee also agrees that the Issued Shares which Grantee may acquire by exercising the Option will not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner which would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws.

19. Power of Attorney . In order to secure Grantee’s and Grantee’s transferees’ obligation to vote his, her or its Issued Shares and other voting securities of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 and Section 16 , hereof and for other good and valuable consideration, each of Grantee and Grantee’s transferees hereby appoints Parthenon, as his, her or its true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power to act as such Grantee’s true and lawful representative and with full power of substitution, to act on behalf of such

 

10


Grantee in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power:

(a) to vote all of any Grantee’s Issued Shares and other voting securities of the Company for the election and/or removal of directors and all such other matters as expressly provided for herein (including, without limitation, Section 13 and Section 16 );

(b) to assign and transfer the Issued Shares to the appropriate acquirer thereof pursuant to Sections 10 and 13 above;

(c) to act for any Grantee with regard to matters pertaining to the indemnification provisions referred to in this Agreement or in connection with a Sale of the Company, including the power to compromise any indemnity claim on behalf of such Grantee;

(d) to receive funds, make payments of funds, hold back funds and give receipts for funds (including in connection with a Sale of the Company);

(e) to do or refrain from doing all such further acts, and things on behalf of any Grantee, and to execute all such documents on behalf of any Grantee as Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(f) to take all related actions and execute all related documents and instruments on behalf of Grantee and its transferees in furtherance of the foregoing.

Parthenon may exercise the irrevocable proxy granted to it hereunder at any time. The proxies and powers granted by Grantee (and its transferees) pursuant to this Section 19 are coupled with an interest and are given to, among other things, secure the performance of Grantee and its transferees obligations to the Company and Parthenon. Such proxies and powers will be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and will survive the death, incompetency, disability, insolvency and/or dissolution of Grantee and the respective holders of its Issued Shares.

Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall act for Grantees on all of the matters set forth in this Agreement in the manner Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, believes to be in the best interest of Grantees and consistent with the obligations of Grantees under this Agreement, but Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall not be responsible to any Grantee for any loss or damages which such Grantee may suffer by the performance of Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, duties under this Agreement, other than loss or damages arising from willful violation of the law or gross negligence in the performance of such duties under this Agreement.

20. Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Hire . The Grantee agrees as follows:

(a) Grantee hereby acknowledges that Grantee has had access to the confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its Subsidiaries (“ Confidential Information ”). Grantee agrees that Grantee shall not, without the written consent of the Company, use for itself or anyone else, and shall not disclose to others, any Confidential Information, except to the extent such use or disclosure is required pursuant to applicable law (in which event Grantee shall, to the extent practicable, inform the Company in advance of any such required disclosure,

 

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shall, to the extent practicable, inform the Company in advance of any such required disclosure, shall cooperate with the Company in all reasonable ways in obtaining a protective order or other protection in respect of such required disclosure, and shall limit such disclosure to the extent reasonably possible while still complying with such requirements). Grantee will keep confidential the terms and status of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending one (1) year after Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Grantee shall not and shall cause Grantee’s Affiliates to not directly or indirectly through another Person (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee to leave the employ of the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) hire or employ any person who was an employee of the Company or its Affiliates at any time during the six month period immediately prior to the date Grantee ceased to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) call on, solicit, or service any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation or prospective client of the Company or its Affiliates in a manner which is competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates or (iv) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation of the Company or its Affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or its Affiliates.

(c) It is specifically recognized by Grantee that Grantee’s position with respect to the business of the Company and its Affiliates is special, unique, and of extraordinary value, that the Company and its Affiliates have a protectable interest in prohibiting Grantee as provided in this Section 20 and that money damages are insufficient to protect such interest. Grantee further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 20 do not impose an undue hardship on Grantee and, since Grantee has general business skills which may be used in industries other than that in which the Company and its Affiliates conducts their business and do not deprive either Grantee of Grantee’s livelihood.

(d) If, at the time of enforcement of this Agreement, a court or arbitrator’s award holds that the restrictions stated in this Section 20 are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area. The parties hereto agree that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of this Section 20 . Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any provisions of this Section 20 that is continuing, the Company or its Affiliates or their successors and assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). Grantee agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section 20 are reasonable.

(e) Grantee acknowledges and represents that: (i) sufficient consideration has been given by each party to this Agreement to the other as it relates hereto; (ii) Grantee has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Grantee’s rights and obligations under this Section 20, (iii) that each of Grantee fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein, (iv) that the agreements in this Section 20 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its Affiliates and are an essential inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and (v) that that the agreements in this Section 20 are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any similar or related covenants to which Grantee is party or by which Grantee is bound.

 

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21. Rights of Grantee . Neither this Agreement nor the Plan creates any employment, advisor or service provider rights in Grantee and the Company shall not have any liability arising out of the Plan or this Agreement for terminating Grantee’s engagement with the Company or reducing Grantee’s responsibilities.

22. Notices . Any notice hereunder to the Company shall be addressed to the Company’s principal executive office, Attention: Compensation Committee, and any notice hereunder to Grantee shall be addressed to Grantee at Grantee’s last address on the records of the Company, subject to the right of either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address. Any notice shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, one day following dispatch if sent by reputable overnight courier, fees prepaid, or three days following mailing if sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed as set forth above.

23. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors and assigns to the Company, Parthenon and all persons lawfully claiming under Grantee.

24. Third Party Beneficiaries . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that Parthenon are third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and the Plan.

25. Governing Law . The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan, and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to the Plan and to this Agreement, shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware.

26. Company References . All rights of the Company and its affiliates hereunder, may at the request of the Company or such affiliates, be exercised in whole or in part by one or more of affiliates or designees of the Company or its affiliates.

27. 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 shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Any counterpart may be executed by facsimile signature and such facsimile signature shall be deemed an original.

28. Construction . References; herein to this Agreement and any other agreement shall be references to such agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented or waived from time to time.

*            *             *            *            *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Grantee have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:
Its:
GRANTEE:

 

[GRANTEE]

 

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Exhibit A

CONSENT

The undersigned spouse hereby acknowledges that I have read the following agreements to which my spouse is a party:

Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan

Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Agreement

and that I understand their contents. I am aware that the such agreements provide for the repurchase of my spouse’s shares of Common Stock of Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), under certain circumstances and impose other restrictions on such shares of Common Stock. I agree that my spouse’s interest in the Common Stock is subject to the agreements referred to above and the other agreements referred to therein and any interest I may have in such Common Stock shall be irrevocably bound by these agreements and the other agreements referred to therein and further that my community property interest (if any) shall be similarly bound by these agreements.

The undersigned spouse irrevocably constitutes and appoints [ Grantee ], who is the spouse of the undersigned spouse (the “ Securityholder ”) as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney and proxy in the undersigned’s name, place and stead to sign, make, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all documents which may be required, and to manage, vote, act and make all decisions with respect to (whether necessary, incidental, convenient or otherwise), any and all Common Stock of the Company in which the undersigned now has or hereafter acquires any interest and in (including but not limited to the right, without further signature, consent or knowledge of the undersigned spouse, to exercise or not to exercise any and all options under any appropriate agreements and to exercise amendments and modifications of and to terminate the foregoing agreements and to dispose of any and all shares of such Common Stock and options), with all powers the undersigned spouse would possess if personally present, it being expressly understood and intended by the undersigned that the foregoing power of attorney and proxy is coupled with an interest; and this power of attorney is a durable power of attorney and will not be affected by disability, incapacity or death of the Securityholder, or dissolution of marriage and this proxy will not terminate without consent of the Securityholder and the Company:

 

Securityholder:     Spouse of Securityholder:

 

   

 

Signature     Signature

 

   

 

Printed Name     Printed Name


Annex A

Performant Financial Corporation

2007 Stock Option Plan

[please see attached]


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

This Stock Option Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of                  , 2009, 1 by and between Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                    ] (“ Grantee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan (as defined below).

1. Grant of Option . Pursuant to The 2007 Stock Option Plan of Performant Financial Corporation (the “ Plan ”), the Company hereby grants to Grantee, as of the date hereof, an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Option is intended not to qualify as an incentive stock option as prescribed by Code Section 422. The number of Option Shares, and the corresponding exercise price per share (the “ Exercise Price ”), subject to this Option is as follows:

 

Option Shares

  

Exercise Price

 
   $ 2.35 per share   

Upon certain events, the number of Option Shares and/or the Exercise Price may be adjusted as provided in the Plan. Your Option shall expire at the close of business on                  , 2019 (the “ Expiration Date ”), subject to earlier expiration as provided in Section 9 below.

2. Grantee Bound by Plan . Attached hereto as Annex A is a copy of the Plan which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. In the event that an inconsistency exists between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Plan shall control. The Plan should be carefully examined before any decision is made to exercise the Option.

3. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the indicated meanings:

(a) “ Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.

(b) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

 

1   Note to Company: A filing pursuant to Section 25102(f) of the California Securities Act must be made within 15 days of the date of the first grant in any round of options issuances under the Stock Option Plan.


(d) “ Committee ” means the committee of the Board which may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

(e) “ Fair Market Value ” of the Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee or, in the absence of such Committee, by the Board.

(f) “ Family Group ” means Grantee’s spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted) and any trust solely for the benefit of Grantee and/or Grantee’s spouse and/or descendants (natural or adopted) and any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity the equity holders of which solely include such Grantee, his or her spouse or descendants (natural or adopted) or any trust for the benefit of Grantee, his or her spouse or descendants (natural or adopted).

(g) “ Parthenon ” means Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its Affiliates.

(h) “ Public Offering ” means a public offering and sale of common equity securities of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; provided that a Public Offering shall not include an offering made in connection with a business acquisition or combination or an employee benefit plan.

(i) “ Sale of the Company ” means any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Person or group of related Persons (other than Parthenon) acquires, directly or indirectly, (i) equity securities of the Company possessing the voting power under normal circumstances to elect a majority of the Board, or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets determined on a consolidated basis (in either case, whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of the Company’s equity securities, sale or transfer of the Company’s consolidated assets or otherwise), provided that a Sale of the Company shall not include a Public Offering or a reincorporation of the Company in another jurisdiction (whether by merger or otherwise).

(j) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

(k) “ Subsidiary ” means with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote 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 (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity a majority of, the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing director, managing member, manager or a general partner of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity.

 

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(l) “ Termination Date ” means the date that Grantee ceases to be employed, or, if a service provider that is and was not an employee, engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary, for any reason.

4. Exercise of Option . Subject to the earlier termination of the Option as provided herein and subject to the conditions precedent and other terms set forth herein, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, to the extent it has become vested, by providing five (5) days advance written notice (or such lesser time period as may be determined by the Committee, or in the absence of a Committee, by the Board in its sole discretion) to the Company at any time and from time to time after the date of grant (with it being understood that in the five day period after delivery of the notice of exercise, the Company shall be entitled to deliver to Grantee any information that it believes necessary to comply with the Securities Act and other applicable laws, and during such five day period Grantee shall cooperate with the Company, take any actions reasonably requested by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, including, if the Company deems it necessary, appointing a purchaser representative designated by the Company, and during such period may revoke his exercise by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Company prior to the expiration of such five day period). An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

5. Vesting of Options . Subject to Section 5(b) the Option may be exercised only to the extent it has become vested.

(a) Time Vesting Option . Grantee’s Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, in each case if and only so long as Grantee is and has continued to be employed by the Company or any Subsidiary through such vesting date: 20% of the Option shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement (and no percentage shall vest prior to such first anniversary) and the remainder of the Option shall vest on a straight line monthly basis (e.g., 1.6666% per month) thereafter, with the last installment of Grantee’s Option vesting on fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement. No portion of Grantee’s Option shall vest at any time after the date on which Grantee’s employment terminates for any reason.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such time as the Option has expired pursuant to this Agreement, Grantee may exercise the Option pursuant to Section 4 above whether or not such Option has vested pursuant to subsection (a)  above; provided that Grantee shall enter into a restricted stock agreement with respect to such Issued Shares in form and substance satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that such restricted stock agreement will provide, among other things, that the Issued Shares issued in respect of the unvested portion of the Option will continue to be subject to vesting and repurchase (pursuant to the same vesting schedule as provided in subsection (a)  above), the unvested Issued Shares shall be subject to repurchase as set forth with respect to Issued Shares herein and such unvested Issued Shares will be subject to voting restrictions (including, without limitation, Grantee shall grant a proxy to give to Parthenon the vote for all of the unvested Issued Shares in Parthenon’ sole discretion)).

6. Conditions to Exercise . The Option, may not be exercised by Grantee unless the following conditions are met:

 

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(a) The Option has become vested with respect to the Option Shares to be acquired pursuant to such exercise and has not expired or become forfeited;

(b) Grantee must pay at the time of exercise the full purchase price for the Option Shares being acquired hereunder plus any withholding tax required in connection with such exercise, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Company from participating in a so-called “cashless exercise” if permitted by the Board, provided that Grantee or other person exercising the Option and each other party involved in any such exercise (in each case as permitted hereunder and under the Plan) shall comply with such procedures and conditions, including, without limitation, such conditions, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary to avoid adverse accounting effects to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and enter into such agreements, of indemnity or otherwise, as the Company shall specify;

(c) Grantee must deliver, if a resident of a community property jurisdiction, an executed spousal consent in the form of Exhibit A hereto; and

(d) all other conditions to exercise set forth in the Plan and this Agreement have been satisfied.

7. Withholding Tax Requirements .

(a) Amount of Withholding . It shall be a condition of the exercise of any Option that Grantee make appropriate payment or other provision acceptable to the Company with respect to any withholding tax requirement arising from such exercise. The amount of withholding tax required, if any, with respect to any Option exercise (the “ Withholding Amount ”) shall be determined by the Committee or the Treasurer or other appropriate officer of the Company, and Grantee shall furnish such information and make such representations as the Committee or such officer requires to make such determination.

(b) Withholding Procedure . If the Company determines that withholding tax is required with respect to any Option exercise, the Company shall notify Grantee of the Withholding Amount, and Grantee shall pay to the Company an amount not less than the Withholding Amount. All amounts paid to the Company pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall be deposited in accordance with applicable law by the Company as withholding tax for Grantee’s account. If the Committee or the Treasurer or other appropriate officer of the Company determines that no withholding tax is required with respect to the exercise of any Option but subsequently it is determined that the exercise resulted in taxable income as to which withholding is required (as a result of a disposition of Issued Shares or otherwise), Grantee shall promptly, upon being notified of the withholding requirement, pay to the Company, by means acceptable to the Company, the amount required to be withheld. Payment of withholding taxes by Grantee shall be made in cash (including check, bankdraft, money order or wire transfer of immediately available funds) and at the option of the Committee, in its sole discretion, may also be made (i) by surrendering shares of Common Stock that have been owned by the holder for at least six months and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of withholding taxes, (ii) by delivery of an irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the withholding taxes, (iii) by requesting in the notice of

 

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exercise that the Company not issue a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise whose aggregate Fair Market Value equals the minimum amount of withholding tax, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.

(c) Code Section 409A . Grantee hereby agrees and acknowledges, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates makes any representations with respect to the application of Code §409A to the Option or the Option Shares or any other tax, economic or legal consequences of the Option or the Option Shares and, by the acceptance of the Option, Grantee agrees to accept the potential application of Code §409A to the Option or the Option Shares and the other tax, economic or legal consequences of the issuance, vesting, ownership, modification, adjustment, and disposition of the Option or the Option Shares. Grantee agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Company from any adverse tax consequences with respect to the Option or the Option Shares, any withholding or other tax obligations of the Company with respect to the Option or the Option Shares, and from any action or inaction or omission of the Company pursuant to the Plan or otherwise that may cause such Option or the Option Shares to be or become subject to Code §409A.

8. Notification of Inquiries and Agreements . Grantee and each Permitted Transferee (as defined below) shall notify the Company in writing within 20 days after the date Grantee or Permitted Transferee (i) first obtains actual knowledge of any Internal Revenue Service inquiry, audit, assertion, determination, investigation, or question in writing relating in any manner to the value of any Option granted hereunder; (ii) includes or agrees (including, without limitation, in any settlement, closing or other similar agreement) to include in gross income with respect to any Option granted hereunder (A) any amount in excess of the amount reported on Form 1099 or Form W-2 to Grantee by the Company, or (B) if no such Form was received, any amount; and/or (iii) sells, disposes of, or otherwise transfers an Option acquired hereunder. Upon request, Grantee or a Permitted Transferee shall provide to the Company any information or document relating to any event described in the preceding sentence which the Company (in its sole discretion) reasonably requires in order to calculate and substantiate any change in the Company’s tax liability as a result of such event.

9. Expiration of Options .

(a) Normal Expiration . In no event shall any part of any Option be exercisable (and, accordingly, both (x) all unvested Options and (y) all vested and unexercised Options shall automatically terminate, expire and become forfeited) on the Expiration Date.

(b) Early Expiration Upon Termination of Employment . Any part of any Option that is not vested on Grantee’s Termination Date shall expire and be forfeited on such date, and any part of any Option that is vested on the Termination Date shall also expire and be forfeited to the extent not theretofore exercised as follows: (i) if such Termination Date arises other than in connection with Grantee’s discharge for Cause, 30 days after such Termination Date, (ii) if Grantee is terminated due to Grantee being discharged for Cause, 14 days after the date of such discharge, but in no event after the Expiration Date and (iii) if such Termination Date arises in connection with the death or Disability of Grantee, six months after such death or Disability.

 

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(c) Consequences of Expiration of Options . The Company shall have no liability or obligations for any Option that expires and is forfeited pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9 .

10. Right to Purchase Issued Shares Upon Termination of Employment .

(a) Repurchase Right . Effective upon the Termination Date, all or any portion of Grantee’s Issued Shares (whether held by Grantee or one or more transferees and including any Issued Shares acquired subsequent to such termination of employment) will be subject to repurchase by the Company and/or Parthenon pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 10 (the “ Repurchase Option ”) at a price per Issued Share equal to (i) in the event of Grantee’s termination (x) by the Company other than for Cause, (y) by Grantee where circumstances of Cause do not exist or (z) due to Grantee’s death or Disability, the Fair Market Value per Issued Share determined as of the date of the Repurchase Notice (as defined below) or the Supplemental Repurchase Notice (as defined below), as the case may be, and (ii) in the event of Grantee’s termination by the Company for Cause or by Grantee where circumstances of Cause exist, the lower of the Exercise Price or the Fair Market Value per Issued Share determined as of the date of the Repurchase Notice or the Supplemental Repurchase Notice, as the case may be.

(b) Repurchase Procedures . The Company may elect or decline to exercise the Repurchase Option by delivering written notice (the “ Repurchase Notice ”) to the holder or holders of the applicable Issued Shares within 75 days after (i) the Termination Date or (ii) if later, the date which is 75 days after the date that Grantee exercises additional Options in accordance with Section 9(b) hereof. The Repurchase Notice will set forth the number of Issued Shares to be acquired from each holder(s), an estimate of the aggregate consideration to be paid for such holder’s Issued Shares and the time and place for the closing of the transaction. The number of Issued Shares to be repurchased by the Company shall first be satisfied to the extent possible from the Issued Shares held by grantee at the time of delivery of the Repurchase Notice. If the number of Issued Shares then held by Grantee is less than the total number of Issued Shares that the Company has elected to purchase, the Company shall purchase the remaining Issued Shares elected to be purchased from the other holder(s) thereof, pro rata according to the number of Issued Shares held by such other holder(s) at the time of delivery of such Repurchase Notice (determined as close as practicable to the nearest whole share).

(c) Repurchase by Parthenon . If for any reason the Company does not elect to purchase all of the Issued Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option, Parthenon shall be entitled to exercise the Repurchase Option for all or any portion of the Issued Shares that the Company has not elected to purchase (the “ Available Shares ”). As soon as practicable after the Company has determined that there will be Available Securities, but in any event within 75 after the Termination Date, the Company shall give written notice (the “ Option Notice ”) to Parthenon setting forth the number of Available Shares and the purchase price for the Available Shares. Parthenon may elect to purchase any or all of the Available Shares by giving written notice to the Company within 15 days after delivery of the Option Notice. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Company shall notify each holder of Issued Shares as to the number of shares being purchased from such holder by Parthenon (the “ Supplemental Repurchase Notice ”). At the time the Company delivers the Supplemental Repurchase Notice to the holder(s) of Issued Shares, the Company shall also deliver written notice to Parthenon setting forth (i) the number of Issued

 

6


Shares Parthenon are entitled to purchase, pro rata according to the number of shares held by each Investor at the time of delivery of the Supplemental Repurchase Notice (determined as close as practicable to the nearest whole share), (ii) the aggregate purchase price and (iii) the time and place of the closing of the transaction.

(d) Closing of Repurchase . The closing of a repurchase transaction will take place on the date designated by the Company in the Repurchase Notice or Supplemental Repurchase Notice, as the case may be, which date shall not be more than one month nor less than five days after the delivery of the later of either such notice to be delivered (or, if later, the date which is 90 days after Grantee exercises additional Options in accordance with Section 9(b) hereof). The Company will pay for the Issued Shares to be purchased by it pursuant to the Repurchase Option by first offsetting amounts outstanding under any debts owed by Grantee (or one or more of Grantee’s transferees, other than the Company or Parthenon) to the Company or any of its Affiliates and will pay the remainder of the purchase price by, at its option, (A) a certified or cashier’s check or wire transfer of funds, (B) a subordinate note or notes bearing interest (payable on the maturity date) at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time, in the aggregate amount of the remaining purchase price for such Issued Shares or (C) both (A) and (B), in the aggregate amount of the purchase price for such Issued Shares. Each Investor will pay for the Issued Shares to be purchased by it pursuant to the Supplemental Repurchase Notice by first offsetting amounts outstanding under any debts owed by Grantee (or one or more of Grantee’s transferees, other than the Company or Parthenon) to Parthenon and will pay the remainder of the purchase price by, at its option, (A) a certified or cashier’s check or wire transfer of funds, (B) a subordinate note or notes bearing interest (payable on the maturity date) at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time, in the aggregate amount of the remaining purchase price for such Issued Shares or (C) both (A) and (B), in the aggregate amount of the purchase price for such Issued Shares. The Company and Parthenon will be entitled to receive customary representations and warranties from each seller of Issued Shares regarding such sale and such seller’s ownership and title to the Issued Shares, capacity to transfer the Issued Shares and residence status for tax purposes where required, and to require that all sellers’ signatures be guaranteed.

(e) Repurchasing Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Grantee acknowledges that all repurchases of Issued Shares shall be subject to applicable restrictions and covenants contained in applicable law and in the Company’s and its affiliates’ financing agreements. If any such restrictions or covenants contained in such financing agreements or applicable law prohibit the repurchase by cash of Issued Shares hereunder which the Company is otherwise entitled to make, or such repurchase for cash would result in a default or acceleration under such financing agreements, or (B) the Company does not have adequate cash availability (as determined in its sole discretion) (collectively, the “ Repurchasing Circumstances ”), then the Company will not be required to make such repurchase (and may defer making such repurchase even though it has exercised the Repurchase Option) until the Repurchasing Circumstances cease to exist.

(f) Termination . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Repurchase Option shall terminate (to the extent not previously exercised) after the first to occur of (i) a Sale of the Company or (ii) a Public Offering.

 

7


11. Restrictions on Transfer of Issued Shares .

(a) Transfer of Issued Shares . Grantee will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (a “ Transfer ”) any interest in any Issued Shares without the prior written consent of the Board (which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion), except (i) pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 , above and Section 13 below, (ii) pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution, or (iii) among Grantee’s Family Group; provided, that the restrictions contained in this Section 11 will continue to be applicable to Issued Shares after any Transfer of the type referred to in clause (ii)  or iii above and, as a condition to any such Transfer, the transferees of such Issued Shares must agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Any transferee of Issued Shares pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with clause (ii) or (iii) above is herein referred to as a “ Permitted Transferee .” Upon the proposed Transfer of any Issued Shares pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above, Grantee or such Permitted Transferee Transferring such Issued Shares will deliver a written notice (a “ Transfer Notice ”) to the Company, which discloses in reasonable detail the identity of the Permitted Transferee(s) and compliance with this Section 11 and shall provide the Company with evidence satisfactory to the Company that such transferee has agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, this Section 11 and Section 13 below).

(b) Termination of Transfer Restrictions . The provisions of this Section 11 will terminate upon a Public Offering or a Sale of the Company.

12. Additional Restrictions on Transfer .

(a) Legend . The certificates, if any, representing Issued Shares will bear the following legend:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, CERTAIN REPURCHASE OPTIONS AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN THE ISSUER’S 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT CHARGE.”

The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates evidencing any securities which cease to be Issued Shares.

(b) Transfer Requirement . No holder of Issued Shares may Transfer any Issued Shares (except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act) without first delivering to the Company an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company (which counsel will be reasonably acceptable to the Company) that

 

8


registration under the Securities Act is not required in connection with such Transfer and that such Transfer’ is in compliance with the provisions herein. If such opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company further states that no subsequent Transfer of such Issued Shares will require registration under the Securities Act, the Company will promptly upon such Transfer deliver new certificates (in the event such Issued Shares are certificated) for such securities which do not bear the Securities Act legend set forth in Section 12(a) .

13. Approved Sale .

(a) Each holder of Issued Shares hereby agrees that if at any time Parthenon and, in the case of clauses (x) and (z) below, the Board approves a Sale of the Company (an “ Approved Sale ”), each holder of Issued Shares will vote for, consent to and raise no objections against such Approved Sale, regardless of the consideration being paid in such Approved Sale. If the Approved Sale is structured (x) as a merger or consolidation, each such holder will waive any dissenters rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in conjunction with such merger or consolidation, (y) as a sale of equity, each such holder will agree to sell up to all of such holder’s Issued Shares on the terms and conditions approved by Parthenon, or (z) as a sale of assets, each such holder will vote in favor of any subsequent liquidation or other distribution of the proceeds therefrom in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as approved by Parthenon. The Company and each holder of Options and Issued Shares will take all actions in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale as requested by Parthenon, including, without limitation, the execution of all agreements, documents and instruments in connection therewith requested by Parthenon (including, without limitation, noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements, holdback and expense agreements, letters of transmittal or other similar arrangements containing representations, warranties, covenants and agreements (it being understood and agreed that the Grantee and its transferees may be required to execute certain documents which Parthenon and/or other shareholders of the Company will not be required to execute)).

(b) If the Company enters into a negotiation for an Approved Sale or an Approved Sale transaction for which Rule 506 (or any similar rule then in effect) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction (including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), the holders of Issued Shares will, at the request of the Board, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501) reasonably acceptable to the Board. If any holder of Issued Shares appoints a purchaser representative designated by the Board, the Company will pay the fees of such purchaser representative, but if any holder of Issued Shares declines to appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Board such holder will appoint another purchaser representative, and such holder will be responsible for the fees of the purchaser representative so appointed.

(c) The provisions of this Section 13 shall terminate upon a Public Offering.

14. Holdback Agreement . Before and after the effective date of any underwritten Public Offering, no holder of Issued Shares will effect any sale or distribution of Issued Shares during the period designated by the underwriters managing such underwritten Public Offering with respect to such holder of Issued Shares.

 

9


15. Transferability of Options . The Option may not be Transferred or assigned by Grantee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and; during the lifetime of Grantee, the Option may be exercised only by Grantee (or, if Grantee is incapacitated, by Grantee’s legal guardian or legal representative). In the event of the death of Grantee, Options which are not vested on the date of death shall terminate; and the exercise of Options which are vested as of the date of death, may be made only by the executor or administrator of Grantee’s estate or the Person or Persons to whom Grantee’s rights under the Options pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If Grantee or anyone claiming under or through Grantee attempts to violate this Section 15 , such attempted violation shall be null and void and without effect, and the Company’s obligation hereunder shall terminate. Any Issued Shares received upon exercise of this Option is subject to the repurchase right, restrictions on Transfer and other rights and obligations set forth in the Plan and hereunder.

16. Voting Agreement . From and after the date hereof until the provisions of this Section 16 cease to be effective, Grantee and Grantee’s transferees shall vote all of their Issued Shares and take all other reasonably necessary or desirable actions in connection with the voting of Issued Shares within their control (including, without limitation, attendance at meetings in person or by proxy for purposes of obtaining a quorum and execution of written consents in lieu of meetings) as requested from time to time by the Company. The provisions of this Section 16 shall cease to be effective upon the earlier of the consummation of (i) a Public Offering, or (ii) a Sale of the Company.

17. Administration . All actions, decisions and determinations arising out of or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation or effect of the Plan or this Agreement shall be made by the Committee and the Board (or their delegates) in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on Grantee and all persons claiming under or through Grantee. By accepting this grant or other benefit under the Plan, Grantee and each person claiming under or through Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken by the Committee and the Board (or their delegates) in furtherance of the foregoing.

18. Investment Representation . Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Issued Shares which Grantee may acquire by exercising the Option shall not be Transferred in the absence of an effective registration statement for the Issued Shares under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws and, in any event, in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan. Grantee also agrees that the Issued Shares which Grantee may acquire by exercising the Option will not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner which would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws.

19. Power of Attorney . In order to secure Grantee’s and Grantee’s transferees’ obligation to vote his, her or its Issued Shares and other voting securities of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 and Section 16 hereof and for other good and valuable consideration, each of Grantee and Grantee’s transferees hereby appoints Parthenon, as his, her or its true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power to act as such Grantee’s true and lawful representative and with full power of substitution, to act on behalf of such

 

10


Grantee in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power:

(a) to vote all of any Grantee’s Issued Shares and other voting securities of the Company for the election and/or removal of directors and all such other matters as expressly provided for herein (including, without limitation, Section 13 and Section 16 );

(b) to assign and transfer the Issued Shares to the appropriate acquirer thereof pursuant to Sections 10 and 13 above;

(c) to act for any Grantee with regard to matters pertaining to the indemnification provisions referred to in this Agreement or in connection with a Sale of the Company, including the power to compromise any indemnity claim on behalf of such Grantee;

(d) to receive funds, make payments of funds, hold back funds and give receipts for funds (including in connection with a Sale of the Company);

(e) to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things on behalf of any Grantee, and to execute all such documents on behalf of any Grantee as Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(f) to take all related actions and execute all related documents and instruments on behalf of Grantee and its transferees in furtherance of the foregoing.

Parthenon may exercise the irrevocable proxy granted to it hereunder at any time. The proxies and powers granted by Grantee (and its transferees) pursuant to this Section 19 are coupled with an interest and are given to, among other things, secure the performance of Grantee and its transferees obligations to the Company and Parthenon. Such proxies and powers will be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and will survive the death, incompetency, disability, insolvency and/or dissolution of Grantee and the respective holders of its Issued Shares.

Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall act for Grantees on all of the matters set forth in this Agreement in the manner Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, believes to be in the best interest of Grantees and consistent with the obligations of Grantees under this Agreement, but Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, shall not be responsible to any Grantee for any loss or damages which such Grantee may suffer by the performance of Parthenon, as attorney-in-fact, duties under this Agreement, other than loss or damages arising from willful violation of the law or gross negligence in the performance of such duties under this Agreement.

20. Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Non-Hire . The Grantee agrees as follows:

(a) Grantee hereby acknowledges that Grantee has had access to the confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its Subsidiaries (“ Confidential Information ”). Grantee agrees that Grantee shall not, without the written consent of the Company, use for itself or anyone else, and shall not disclose to others, any Confidential Information, except to the extent such use or disclosure is required pursuant to applicable law (in which event Grantee

 

11


shall, to the extent practicable, inform the Company in advance of any such required disclosure, shall cooperate with the Company in all reasonable ways in obtaining a protective order or other protection in respect of such required disclosure, and shall limit such disclosure to the extent reasonably possible while still complying with such requirements). Grantee will keep confidential the terms and status of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending the later of (i) the date Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company and (ii) in the event that all of Grantee’s Issued Shares are repurchased by the Company and/or Parthenon pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement or are otherwise sold by the Grantee to any Person, one (1) year after Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Grantee shall not, in the United States, directly or indirectly, either for themselves or for any other Person, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, permit its name to be used or in any other manner engage in any business which provides similar goods or services to those provided or planned to be provided by the Company or its Affiliates (a “ Competitive Business ”), or any business or enterprise which engages such Grantee in order to assist such business or enterprise in any manner with preparing or planning to engage in any Competitive Business.

(c) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending one (1) year after Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Grantee shall not and shall cause Grantee’s Affiliates to not directly or indirectly through another Person (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee to leave the employ of the Company or its Affiliates, (ii) hire or employ any person who was an employee of the Company or its Affiliates at any time during the six month period immediately prior to the date Grantee ceased to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) call on, solicit, or service any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation or prospective client of the Company or its Affiliates in a manner which is competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates or (iv) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation of the Company or its Affiliates to cease doing business with the Company or its Affiliates.

(d) It is specifically recognized by Grantee that Grantee’s position with respect to the business of the Company and its Affiliates is special, unique, and of extraordinary value, that the Company and its Affiliates have a protectable interest in prohibiting Grantee as provided in this Section 20 and that money damages are insufficient to protect such interest. Grantee further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Section 20 do not impose an undue hardship on Grantee and, since Grantee has general business skills which may be used in industries other than that in which the Company and its Affiliates conducts their business and do not deprive either Grantee of Grantee’s livelihood.

(e) If, at the time of enforcement of this Agreement, a court or arbitrator’s award holds that the restrictions stated in this Section 20 are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area. The parties hereto agree that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of this Section 20 . Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any provisions of this Section 20 that is continuing, the Company or its Affiliates or their successors and assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent

 

12


jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). Grantee agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section 20 are reasonable.

(f) Grantee acknowledges and represents that: (i) sufficient consideration has been given by each party to this Agreement to the other as it relates hereto; (ii) Grantee has consulted with independent legal counsel regarding Grantee’s rights and obligations under this Section 20 , (iii) that each of Grantee fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein, (iv) that the agreements in this Section 20 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its Affiliates and, are an essential inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and (v) that the agreements in this Section 20 are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any similar or related covenants to which Grantee is party or by which Grantee is bound.

21. Rights of Grantee . Neither this Agreement nor the Plan creates any employment, advisor or service provider rights in Grantee and the Company shall not have any liability arising out of the Plan or this Agreement for terminating Grantee’s engagement with the Company or reducing Grantee’s responsibilities.

22. Notices . Any notice hereunder to the Company shall be addressed to the Company’s principal executive office, Attention: Compensation Committee, and any notice hereunder to Grantee shall be addressed to Grantee at Grantee’s last address on the records of the Company, subject to the right of either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address. Any notice shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, one day following dispatch if sent by reputable overnight courier, fees prepaid, or three days following mailing if sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed as set forth above.

23. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors and assigns to the Company, Parthenon and all persons lawfully claiming under Grantee.

24. Third Party Beneficiaries . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that Parthenon are third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and the Plan.

25. Governing Law . The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan, and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to the Plan and to this Agreement, shall be governed by the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware.

26. Company References . All rights of the Company and its affiliates hereunder, may at the request of the Company or such affiliates, be exercised in whole or in part by one or more of affiliates or designees of the Company or its affiliates.

27. 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 shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Any counterpart may be executed by facsimile signature and such facsimile signature shall be deemed an original.

 

13


28. Construction . References herein to this Agreement and any other agreement shall be references to such agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented or waived from time to time.

*            *             *            *            *

 

14


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Grantee have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Its:  
GRANTEE:

 

[ GRANTEE ]

 

15


Exhibit A

CONSENT

The undersigned spouse hereby acknowledges that I have read the following agreements to which my spouse is a party:

Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan

Performant Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Option Agreement

and that I understand their contents. I am aware that the such agreements provide for the repurchase of my spouse’s shares of Common Stock of Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), under certain circumstances and impose other restrictions on such shares of Common Stock. I agree that my spouse’s interest in the Common Stock is subject to the agreements referred to above and the other agreements referred to therein and any interest I may have in such Common Stock shall be irrevocably bound by these agreements and the other agreements referred to therein and further that my community property interest (if any) shall be similarly bound by these agreements.

The undersigned spouse irrevocably constitutes and appoints [ Grantee ], who is the spouse of the undersigned spouse (the “ Securityholder ”) as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney and proxy in the undersigned’s name, place and stead to sign, make, execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all documents which may be required, and to manage, vote, act and make all decisions with respect to (whether necessary, incidental, convenient or otherwise), any and all Common Stock of the Company in which the undersigned now has or hereafter acquires any interest and in (including but not limited to the right, without further signature, consent or knowledge of the undersigned spouse, to exercise or not to exercise any and all options under any appropriate agreements and to exercise amendments and modifications of and to terminate the foregoing agreements and to dispose of any and all shares of such Common Stock and options), with all powers the undersigned spouse would possess if personally present, it being expressly understood and intended by the undersigned that the foregoing power of attorney and proxy is coupled with an interest; and this power of attorney is a durable power of attorney and will not be affected by disability, incapacity or death of the Securityholder, or dissolution of marriage and this proxy will not terminate without consent of the Securityholder and the Company:

 

Securityholder :      Spouse of Securityholder :

 

    

 

Signature      Signature

 

    

 

Printed Name      Printed Name


Annex A

Performant Financial Corporation

2007 Stock Option Plan

[please see attached]

Exhibit 10.5

 

LOGO


LOGO


HHSM-500-2009-00005C– RECOVERY AUDIT CONTRACTOR

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

 

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

 

B.1      DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

    6   

B.2      TYPE OF CONTRACT

    6   

B.3      CONTINGENCY FEE

    6   

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

 

C.1      STATEMENT OF WORK

    8   

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

 

D.1     PACKAGING AND MARKING

    9   

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

 

E.1      FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

    10   

E.2      INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (SERVICES)

    10   

E.3      ACCEPTANCE BY THE PROJECT OFFICER

    10   

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

 

F.1      FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

    11   

F.2      PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

    11   

F.3      ITEMS TO BE FURNISHED AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

    11   

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

 

G.1     INVOICING AND PAYMENT

    12   

G.2     PROJECT DIRECTOR/PROJECT MANAGER

    13   

G.3     HHSAR 352.270-5 KEY PERSONNEL

    14   

G.4     GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

    14   

G.5     GOVERNMENT PROJECT OFFICER (PO)

    15   

G.6     TECHNICAL DIRECTION

    16   

G.7     CONTRACTING OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY

    17   

G.8     USE OF GOVERNEMNT – DATA (REPORTS/FILES/COMPUTER TAPES OR DISKETTES)

    17   

G.9     DATA TO BE DELIVERED

    18   

G.10   DISSEMINATION, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION

    18   

G.11   PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

    19   

G.12   SERVICE OF CONSULTANTS/ SUBCONTRACTORS

    20   

G.13   RESERVED

    20   

 

Page 3 of 49


HHSM-500-2009-00005C– RECOVERY AUDIT CONTRACTOR

 

G.14   SUBCONTRACT CONSENT

 

20

G.15   SUBCONTRACTING REPORTING

 

21

G.16   SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM FOR SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES

 

21

G.17   PAST PERFORMANCE REGISTRATION

 

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

 

H.1     CODE OF CONDUCT

 

22

H.2     CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

 

22

H.3     CORRESPONDENCE PROCEDURES

 

23

H.4     HHSAR 352.270-7 PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT (JAN 2001)

 

24

H.5     CONDITIONS FOR PERFORMANCE

 

24

H.6     RESERVED

 

24

H.7     RESERVED

 

24

H.8     CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

24

H.9     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT REQUEST

 

31

H.10   MONITORING

 

31

H.11   EMPLOYMENT OF CMS PERSONNEL RESTRICTED

 

31

H.12   POST-AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

 

31

H.13   HIPPA BUISINESS ASSOCIATE PROVISION II

 

32

H.14   ADP SYSTEM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

 

36

H.15   HHSAR 352.270-19 ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY (JAN 2006)

 

36

H.16   APPROVAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT REQUEST

 

36

H.17   SECURITY CLAUSE

 

37

H.18   HHSAR 352.270-11 PRIVACY ACT

 

41

H.19   SYSTEMS OF RECORDS

 

42

H.20   WAGE DETERMINATION

 

42

 

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PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

 

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

 

I.1       FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

 

43

I.2       HHSAR 352-252-20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION

            REGULATIONS (HHSAR) http://knownet.hhs.gov/acquisition/hhsar/default.htm

 

45

I.3       FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

 

45

I.4       FAR 52.222-39 NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS CONCERNING PAYMENT OF UNION DUES

            OR FEES (DEC 2004)

 

45

I.5       FAR 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR FEDERAL HIRES (MAY 1989)

 

I.6       FAR 52.222-49 SERVICE CONTRACT ACT - PLACE OF PERFORMANCE UNKNOWN (MAY 1989)

 

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

 

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

 

J.1       STATEMENT OF WORK

 

1

J.2       RESERVED FOR THE INCORPORATION OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS

 

J.3       SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

 

J.4       ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATE

 

 

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SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

 

B.1 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The purpose of the Recovery Audit Contract (RAC) program is to reduce Medicare improper payments through the efficient detection and collection of overpayments, the identification of underpayments and the implementation of actions that will prevent future improper payments. The identification of underpayments and overpayments and the recoupment of overpayments will occur for claims paid under the Medicare program for services which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This contract includes the identification and recovery of Non-MSP overpayments. At CMS discretion it may include the identification and referral of MSP occurrences identified through complex medical review. This contract does not include the identification and/or recovery of MSP occurrences in any other format.

 

B.2 TYPE OF CONTRACT

Per the requirements of Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, this contract is a contingency fee type contract.

 

B.3 CONTINGENCY FEE

 

  a. All payments shall be paid only on a contingency fee basis. The contingency fees shall be paid once the recovery audit contractor collects the Medicare overpayment. The recovery audit contractor shall not receive any payments for the identification of the underpayments or overpayments. If, during the period of performance of this contract, the RAC determination is overturned at any level of appeal the recovery audit contractor shall repay Medicare the contingency payment for that recovery.

 

  b. The following payment methodology scale shall be used to determine payment:

 

  1. (12.45%) - When non-MSP recovery is made through RACs efforts (check sent in by provider in response to demand letters, phone calls…);

 

  (i) 75% ( 9.33% ) of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when non-MSP recovery is made through the offset process by the Medicare fiscal intermediary shared system (FISS);

 

  (ii) 50% ( 6.23 %) of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when non-MSP recovery is made through the offset process by the Multi-Carrier System (MCS) or VIPS Medicare System (VMS);

 

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  (iii) 50% ( 6.23 %) of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when non-MSP recovery is made after the debt is referred to the Department of Treasury;

 

  (iv) 50% ( 6.23 %) of the contingency fee specified in number 1 when a self-disclosure is made by a provider in result of a prior RAC identified request for medical requests or demand letter/ Self disclosed service and time period must be included in the RAC’s project plan;

 

  (v) 100% ( 12.45 %) of the contingency fee specified in number 1 when a non-MSP underpayment is identified as a result of automated or complex review. Payment occurs after the Fiscal Intermediary or Carrier validates the underpayment and determines the actual amount;

 

  (vi) 0% when no recovery is made for a non-MSP overpayment.

 

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SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

 

C.1 STATEMENT OF WORK

Independently and as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work (SOW) as identified in SECTION J, ATTACHMENT J-1, entitled “Recovery Audit Contractor Program” Statement of Work, attached hereto and made a part of this solicitation.

 

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SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

 

D.1 PACKAGING AND MARKING

Deliverables shall be marked in accordance with the contract Section H.3, Correspondence Procedures, and SECTION J, ATTACHMENT J-1, entitled “Recovery Audit Contractor Program” Statement of Work, including the Deliverables Schedule.

 

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SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

 

E.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: www.arnet.gov/far

52.246-4        INSPECTION OF SERVICES – FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1996)

 

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (SERVICES)

 

  a. All work under this contract is subject to inspection and final acceptance by the Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative of the Government.

 

  b. The Government’s Project Officer is a duly authorized representative of the Government and is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all items to be delivered under this contract.

 

  c. Inspection and acceptance of the Contractor’s performance shall be in accordance with the applicable FAR Clauses in Section E.1 above.

 

E.3 ACCEPTANCE BY THE PROJECT OFFICER

All items to be delivered to the PO who will be deemed to have been accepted 60 calendar days after the date of delivery, except as otherwise specified in this contract if written approval or disapproval has not been given within such period. The PO’s acceptance or revision to the items submitted shall be within the general scope of the work stated in this contract.

 

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SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

 

F.1 52.252-2 CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1989)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov

52.242-15          STOP-WORK ORDER (AUG 1989)

52.242-17          GOVERNMENT DELAY OF WORK (APR 1984)

52.247-34          F.O.B. DESTINATION (NOV 1991)

 

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance (PoP) of this contract is October 6, 2008 through October 5, 2009, plus four (4) one (1) year options to be exercised at the discretion of the Government. If the Government exercises options, the Period of Performance will be increased accordingly.

 

F.3 ITEMS TO BE FURNISHED AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall furnish the items required under this contract in accordance with the reporting instructions and delivery schedule set forth in the Section J.1, Recovery Audit Contractor Program SOW including Deliverable Schedule.

 

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SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

 

G.1 INVOICING AND PAYMENT

 

  a. Once each month following the effective date of the contract the Contractor may submit to the Government an invoice (or public voucher) for payment, in accordance with FAR 52.232-1 “Payments.”

 

  b. To expedite payment, invoices must be submitted as follows:

 

  1. Original and four (4) copies must be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

OFM/ Division of Accounting Operations

P.O. BOX 7520

Baltimore, Maryland 21207-0520

 

  2. If overnight delivery is desired:

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

OFM/Division of Accounting Operations

7500 Security Boulevard, M/S C3-11-03

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

 

  c. Content of Invoice:

 

  1. Contractor’s name;

 

  2. Invoice date;

 

  3. Period of Performance

 

  4. Contract number or other authorization for delivery of property and/or services;

 

  5. Description, cost or price, and quantity of property and/or services actually delivered or rendered; Shipping and payment terms;

 

  6. Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the contract; Period of performance or delivery date of goods or services provided; and

 

  7. Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent.

 

  d. Method of Payment

In accordance with FAR 52.232-33, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shall only make an electronic funds transfer/payment through the Automated Clearing House (ACH), subject to the rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association. The rules governing Federal payments through the ACH are contained in 31 CFR part 210.

 

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In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, the contractor must register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Failure to register in CCR may prohibit CMS from making awards to your organization. The contractor shall notify CMS’ Division of Accounting Operations of all EFT and address changes in CCR via the following email address: CCRChanges@cms.hhs.gov

Reimbursement for invoices/vouchers submitted under this contract shall be made not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the original invoice and requested copies from the contractor at the paying office designated above. The documents furnishing the information must be dated and contain the signature, title, and telephone number of the Contractor’s official authorized to provide it, as well as the Contractor’s name and contract number.

Payment will be authorized after the Division of Financial Operations has audited the invoice in accordance with Federal regulations. This audit includes certification of the invoice by the Project Officer and verification that the invoice amount is consistent with the payment schedule set forth under Section B, Price and Payment. Any discrepancies determined as a result of the audit could delay the processing of the invoice and may result in the invoice being returned to the contractor for corrections. Inquiries relating to payments should be directed to the Chief, Payment Management Branch, Administrative Payments Unit or to the following contacts Jean Katzen on (410) 786-5423 or Suzanne Turgeon on (410) 786-1924.

Any changes shall be furnished to CMS, Division of Accounting, Chief, Accounting Operations Branch, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to furnish the changes promptly to avoid payment to erroneous addresses or bank accounts, or delays in payments otherwise properly due.

 

  e. Interest on Overdue Payment

The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-177 (96 Stat.85, 31 U.S.C. 1801) is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment of interest on payments made more than 30 days after receipt of an invoice by the Division of Accounting Operations. Determinations of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-125.

 

G.2 PROJECT DIRECTOR/PROJECT MANAGER

Catherine Till will serve as the Diversified Collection Services, Inc. Project Director/Project Manager. It will be his responsibility to obtain the staff necessary and to direct the work for the conduct of this project. The Government reserves the right to approve any necessary successor to be designated as Project Director/Project Manager.

 

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G.3 HHSAR 352.270-5 KEY PERSONNEL

The personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer reasonably in advance and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the program.

No diversion shall be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer provided, that the Contracting Officer may ratify in writing such diversion and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the Contracting Officer required by the clause. The contract may be amended from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or delete personnel, as appropriate.

 

* All proposed substitutions shall be submitted, in writing, to CMS at least 30 days prior to the proposed substitution. Each request shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstance necessitating the proposed substitution, a complete résumé and any other information required by CMS. All proposed substitutions shall have qualifications equal to or greater than the person being replaced.

The following individuals are considered key personnel under this contract:

 

David Yim   Outreach Director and Project Principal
Catherine Till   Project Director
Peg Stessman   Complex Claims Review Director
Richard Pozen   Contractor, Medical Director
Leah G. Brown   Alternate Contractor, Medical Director
Rebekah Ocker, RN   Deputy Project Director
Dianna H. Jackson   Provider Relations and Outreach Manager
Irina Rchabanov   Senior IT Manager and Project CIO
Felix Santos   Chief Information Security Officer

 

G.4 GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

 

  a. Project Officer (PO):

Ms. Connie Leonard

OFM/FSG/Division of Demonstrations Management

Email: Connie.Leonard@cms.hhs.gov

Phone: (410) 786-0627

 

  b. Contracting Officer (CO):

Ms. Debra Stidham

OAGM/MCG/Division of Medicare Support Contracts

7500 Security Boulevard, M/S C2-21-15

Baltimore, MD 21244

Phone: (410)786-5129

Email: Debra.Stidham@CMS.HHS.Gov

 

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  c. Contract Specialist (CS):

Ms. Robin Evans

OAGM/MCG/Division of Medicare Support Contracts

7500 Security Boulevard, M/S C2-21-15

Baltimore, MD 21244

Phone: (410)786-7909

Email: Robin.Evans@CMS.HHS.Gov

 

G.5 GOVERNMENT PROJECT OFFICER (PO)

The following Project Officer (PO) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

 

Region A:    Ebony Brandon
   Phone: 410-786-1585
   Ebony.Brandon@CMS.HHS.Gov
Region B:    Scott Wakefield
   Phone: 410-786-4301
   Scott.Wakefield@cms.hhs.gov
Region C:    Marie Casey
   Phone: 410-786-7861
   Marie.Casey@cms.hhs.gov
Region D:    Connie Leonard
   Phone: 410-786-0627
   Connie.Leonard@cms.hhs.gov

In the event your respective PO is not available, please contact:

Connie Leonard

Phone: 410-786-0627

Email: Connie.Leonard@cms.hhs.gov

The Project Officer is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor’s technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and compliance with all substantive project objectives; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance; and (6) providing technical direction in accordance with Section G-6, and, (7) reviewing of invoices/vouchers.

The Project Officer does not have authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any

 

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changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract.

 

G.6 TECHNICAL DIRECTION

 

  a. Performance of the work under this contract shall be subject to the technical direction of the PO. The term “Technical Direction” is defined to include, without limitation, the follows:

 

  1. Directions to the Contractor that redirect the contract effort, shift work emphasis between work areas or tasks, require pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fill in details or otherwise serve to accomplish the contractual statement of work.

 

  2. Provision of information to the Contractor that assists in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, or technical portions of the work description.

 

  3. Review and, where required by the contract, approval of technical reports, drawings, specifications, and technical information to be delivered by the Contractor to the Government under the contract.

 

  b. Technical direction must be within the general Statement of Work stated in the contract. The Project Officer does not have the authority to, and may not issue, any technical directions which:

 

  1. Constitutes an assignment of additional work outside the general Statement of Work of the contract.

 

  2. Constitutes a change as defined in FAR 52.243-1 Changes – Fixed-Price (Aug 1987) – Alternate I (Apr 1984)

 

  3. In any manner causes an increase or decrease in the total estimated contract cost, fixed-fee, or the time required for contract performance.

 

  4. Change any of the expressed terms, conditions, or specifications of the contract.

 

  c. All technical direction shall be issued in writing by the Project Officer or shall be confirmed by him/her in writing within 5 working days after issuance.

 

  d. The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical direction duly issued by the Project Officer in the manner prescribed by this article and within his/her authority under the provisions of this article.

 

  e.

If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any instruction or direction issued by the Project Officer is within one of the categories as defined in G.6.b(l) through (4)

 

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above, the Contractor shall not proceed but shall notify the Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 52.243-7 Notification of Changes.

 

G.7 CONTRACTING OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY

In accordance with HHSAR 352.202-1 Definitions, the term Contracting Officer means a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority delegated by the Contracting Officer.

Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Contract, the Contracting Officer shall be the ONLY individual authorized to:

 

  a. enter into and commit/bind the Government by contract for supplies or services;

 

  b. accept nonconforming work or waive any requirement of this Contract;

 

  c. authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of the Contract, and

 

  d. modify any term or condition of this Contract, i.e., make any changes in the Statement of Work; modify/extend the period of performance; change the delivery schedule.

 

G.8 USE OF GOVERNEMNT – DATA (REPORTS/FILES/COMPUTER TAPES OR DISKETTES)

Any data given to the Contractor by the Government shall be used only for the performance of the contract unless the Contracting Officer specifically permits another use, in writing. Should the Contracting Officer permit the Contractor the use of Government-supplied data for a purpose other than solely for performance of this contract and, if such use could result in a commercially viable product, the Contracting Officer and the Contractor must negotiate a financial benefit to the Government. This benefit should most often be in the form of a reduction in the price of the contract; however, the Contracting Officer may negotiate any other benefits he/she determines is adequate compensation for the use of these data.

Upon the request of the Contracting Officer, or the expiration date of this contract, whichever shall come first, the Contractor shall return or destroy all data given to the Contractor by the Government. However, the Contracting Officer may direct that the data be retained by the Contractor for a specific period of time, which period shall be subject to agreement by the Contractor. Whether the data are to be returned, retained, or destroyed shall be the decision of the Contracting Officer with the exception that the Contractor may refuse to retain the data. The Contractor shall retain no data, copies of data, or parts thereof, in any form, when the Contracting Officer directs that the data be

 

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returned or destroyed. If the data are to be destroyed, the Contractor shall directly furnish evidence of such destruction in a form the Contracting Officer shall determine is adequate.

 

G.9 DATA TO BE DELIVERED

 

  a. Any working papers, interim reports, data given by the Government or first produced by the Contractor under the contract or collected or otherwise obtained by the Contractor under the contract, or results obtained or developed by the Contractor (subcontractor or consultants) pursuant to the fulfillment of this contract are to be delivered, documented, and formatted as directed by the Contracting Officer.

 

  b. In addition, information and/or data, which are held by the Contractor related to the operation of their business and/or institution and which are obtained without the use of Federal funds, shall be considered “PROPRIETARY DATA” and are not subject data to be delivered under this contract.

 

G.10 DISSEMINATION, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION

 

  a. Data and information either provided to the Contractor, or to any subcontractor or generated by activities under this contract or derived from research or studies supported by this contract, shall be used only for the purposes of the contract. It shall not be duplicated, used or disclosed for any purpose other than the fulfillment of the requirements set forth in this contract. This restriction does not limit the contractor’s right to use data or information obtained from a non-restrictive source.

Any questions concerning “privileged information” shall be referred to the Contracting Officer.

 

  b. Some data or information may require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure so that preliminary findings which could create erroneous conclusions are not stimulated. Also, some data or information, which relate to policy matters under consideration by the Government, may also require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure so that the open and vigorous debate, within the government, of possible policy options is not damaged.

 

  c. Any questions about use or release of the data or information or handling of material under this contract, shall be referred to the Contracting Officer who must render a written determination. The Contracting Officer’s determinations will reflect the results of internal coordination with appropriate program and legal officials.

 

  d.

Written advance notice of at least forty-five (45) days shall be provided to the Contracting Officer of the Contractor’s desire to release findings of studies or research or data or information described above. If the Contractor disagrees with the Contracting Officer’s determination, and if this disagreement cannot be settled

 

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by the Contractor and the Contracting Officer in a mutually satisfactory manner, then the issue will be settled pursuant to the “Disputes” clause.

 

  e. Any presentation of any report, statistical or analytical material based on information obtained from this contract shall be subject to review by the Project Officer before dissemination, publication, or distribution. Presentation includes, but is not limited to, papers, articles, professional publications, speeches, testimony or interviews with public print or broadcast media. This does not apply to information that would be available under the Federal Freedom of Information Act.

 

  f. The Project Officer review shall cover accuracy, content, manner of presentation of the information, and also the protection of the privacy of individuals. If the review finds that the Privacy Act is or may be violated, the release/use of the presentation shall be denied until the offending material is removed or until the Contracting Officer makes a formal determination, in writing, that the privacy of individuals is not being violated.

 

  g. If the review shows that the accuracy, content, or manner of presentation is not correct or is inappropriate in the light of the purpose of the project, the Project Officer shall immediately inform the Contractor, in writing, of the nature of the problem. If the Contractor disagrees, the Project Officer may insist that the presentation contain, in a manner of equal importance, materials which show the government’s problem with the presentation.

 

  h. The Contractor agrees to acknowledge support by CMS whenever reports of projects funding, in whole or in part, by this contract are published in any medium. The Contractor shall include in any publication resulting from work under this contract, an acknowledgement substantially, as follows:

“The analyses upon which this publication is based were performed under Contract Number [            ], entitled, “[            ],” sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services.”

Any deviation from the above legend shall be approved, in writing, by the Contracting Officer.

 

G.11 PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

 

  1. Pursuant to FAR Part 45 – Government Property 52.245-1, of this Contract, the Contractor is hereby authorized to purchase the following equipment for use under this contract. It is understood and agreed, that title to all such equipment shall vest in the Government:

Property Identified: NONE

 

  2.

The Contractor is responsible for an annual physical inventory accounting for all Government property under this contract. The inventory must be conducted by

 

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September 30th and the form 565 Report of Accountable Personal Property submitted by October 31st of each year.

 

  a) The inventory report shall include all items acquired, furnished, rented or leased under the contract and shall include subcontractor inventory information as well. Employees who conduct the inventories should not be the same individuals who maintain the property records. Following the physical inventory, the Contractor shall prepare an inventory report and submit the report to the CMS Property Administrator at the following address (with courtesy copy to the CMS Contracting Officer):

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

OOM, Administrative Services Group

Division of Property and Space Management

7500 Security Boulevard, MS SLL-14-06

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

 

  b) Commercially leased software is subject to these reporting requirements.

 

  c) Upon contract performance completion, a comprehensive physical inventory of all Government property shall be performed and reported IAW above. The final inventory report shall indicate all items required for continued CMS contract performance (if applicable), and are of acceptable quality. Property which is no longer usable, or required for continuing CMS contract performance shall be reported as such and shall be reported, along with condition, with CMS disposition requested.

 

G.12 SERVICE OF CONSULTANTS/ SUBCONTRACTORS

 

  a. For the purposes of this contract, consultants are considered subcontractors.

 

  b. When requesting Contracting Officer consents to subcontract for Consultants and/or other subcontracts. The Contractor shall follow the procedures established in:

 

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses:
52.244-2    Subcontracts (AUG 1998)
52.244-5    Competition in Subcontracting (DEC 1996)
52.244-6    Subcontracts for Commercial Items (APR 2006)

 

G.13 RESERVED

 

G.14 SUBCONTRACT CONSENT

The Contractor shall be in compliance with FAR Part 44 when entering into a subcontract arrangement for the purpose of performing this contract. The Contractor shall be required to complete and submit the Subcontract Checklist in order to obtain subcontract

 

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consent after award of the contract.

Consent is granted to the following subcontracts: None at this time

 

G.15 SUBCONTRACTING REPORTING

The Contractor shall report all subcontract awards to small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZones, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. The reports shall be prepared using the electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) via the internet at http://www.esrs.gov . The Individual Subcontracting Report (ISR), SF 294 , shall be submitted semi-annually for the periods of October 1 through March 31 and April 1 through September 30 . Due dates are Apr 30 and Oct 31 . The Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR), SF 295, shall be submitted annually for the period of October 1 through September 30; Due date Oct 31.

 

Calendar Period

   Report due    Date due in eSRS

10/01—03/31

   SF 294    04/30

04/01—09/30

   SF 294    10/31

10/01—09/30

   SF 295    10/31

 

G.16 SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM FOR SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES

The subcontracting plan submitted for work under this contract with small, disadvantaged, woman-owned, HUBZone, and veteran owned small business concerns, shall be approved by the Contracting Officer and incorporated as Attachment J.4 of this contract and made a part hereof. Contractors should strive to achieve the following Dept. of Health and Human Services minimum small business utilization goals when developing its small business subcontracting plan:

 

Small Business

     40

Small Disadvantaged Business

     5

Women-Owned Small Business

     5

HubZone

     3

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business

     3

Veteran owned Small Business

     3

 

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SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

 

H.1 CODE OF CONDUCT

 

  a. SMOKING - Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the CMS single site campus. This includes all areas outside the building, such as off-site facility, entranceways, sidewalks and parking areas. Smoking will not be permitted anywhere in Regional Offices or Washington, D.C. Office locations unless permitted by GSA guidelines or local landlord requirements. Contractor employees are subject to the same restrictions as government personnel. Fines up to $50 per occurrence will be issued and enforced by the Federal Protective Service.

HHSAR 352.270-13 Tobacco-Free Facilities (January 2006)

In accordance with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, the Contractor and its staff are prohibited from using tobacco products of any kind (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco) while on any HHS property, including use in personal or company vehicles operated by Contractor employees while on an HHS property. This policy also applies to all subcontracts awarded under the contract or order. The term “HHS properties” includes all properties owned, controlled and/or leased by HHS when totally occupied by HHS, including all indoor and outdoor areas of such properties. Where HHS only partially occupies such properties, it includes all HHS-occupied interior space. Where HHS leases space in a multi-occupant building or complex, the tobacco-free HHS policy will apply to the maximum area permitted by law and compliance with the provisions of any current lease agreements. The Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understand, and comply with this policy.

 

  b. DRESS - The preferred dress code at CMS facilities is professional attire, business attire or business casual attire.

 

H.2 HHSAR 352.224-70 CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION (JAN 2006)

 

  a. Confidential information, as used in this clause, means information or data of a personal nature about an individual, or proprietary information or data submitted by or pertaining to an institution or organization.

 

  b. The Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify elsewhere in this contract specific information and/or categories of information which the Government will furnish to the Contractor or that the Contractor is expected to generate which is confidential. Similarly, the Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify such confidential information from time to time during the performance of the contract. Failure to agree will be settled pursuant to the “Disputes” clause.

 

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  c. If it is established elsewhere in this contract that information to be utilized under this contract, or a portion thereof, is subject to the Privacy Act, the Contractor will follow the rules and procedures of disclosure set forth in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a , and implementing regulations and policies, with respect to systems of records determined to be subject to the Privacy Act.

 

  d. Confidential information, as defined in paragraph (a) of this clause, shall not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the individual, institution, or organization.

 

  e. Whenever the Contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of material under the contract, or if the material in question is subject to the Privacy Act or is confidential information subject to the provisions of this clause, the Contractor should obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

 

  f. Contracting Officer determinations will reflect the result of internal coordination with appropriate program and legal officials.

 

  g. The provisions of paragraph (d) of this clause shall not apply to conflicting or overlapping provisions in other Federal, State, or local laws.

 

H.3 CORRESPONDENCE PROCEDURES

To promote timely and effective administration, correspondence (except for invoices), submitted under this contact shall be subject to the following procedures:

 

  a. Technical Correspondence - Technical correspondence (as used herein, this term excludes technical correspondence which proposes or otherwise involves waivers, deviations or modifications to the requirements, terms or conditions of this contract) shall be addressed to the PO with an informational copy of the basic correspondence to the Contracting Officer.

 

  b. Other Correspondence - All other correspondence shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer, in duplicate, with an informational copy of the basic correspondence to the PO.

 

  c. Subject Lines - All correspondence shall contain a subject line, commencing with the contract number as illustrated below:

 

EXAMPLE:   

Contract No. HHSM 500-2008- XXXX

Request for Subcontract Consent

 

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H.4 HHSAR 352.270-7 PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT (JAN 2006)

 

  a. This contract involves a requirement to collect or record information calling either for answers to identical questions from 10 or more persons other than Federal employees, or information from Federal employees which is outside the scope of their employment, for use by the Federal government or disclosure to third parties; therefore, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) (New Window) shall apply to this contract. No plan, questionnaire, interview guide or other similar device for collecting information (whether repetitive or singletime) may be used without first obtaining clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Contractors and Project Officers should be guided by the provisions of 5 CFR Part 1320 (New Window), Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public, and seek the advice of the HHS operating division or Office of the Secretary Reports Clearance Officer to determine the procedures for acquiring OMB clearance.

 

  b. The Contractor shall not expend any funds or begin any data collection until OMB Clearance is received. Once OMB Clearance is received from the Project Officer, the Contracting Officer shall provide the Contractor with written notification authorizing the expenditure of funds and the collection of data. The Contractor must allow at least 120 days for OMB clearance. Excessive delays caused by the Government which arise out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor will be considered in accordance with the Excusable Delays or Default clause of this contract.

 

H.5 CONDITIONS FOR PERFORMANCE

In addition to the requirements identified in Attachment J.1, Statement of Work, the Contractor may be required to comply with the requirements of any revision in legislation or regulations which may be enacted or implemented during the period of performance of the contract. The revised legislation or regulations are incorporated into the contract without contract modification. If a revision to legislation or regulation would result a cost impact to the contract, the Contractor shall not proceed with the change but, notify the Contracting Officer in writing in accordance with FAR 52.243-7, Notification of Changes. New legislation or regulations, however, shall not be incorporated into the SOW without contract modification.

 

H.6 RESERVED

 

H.7 RESERVED

 

H.8 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

  a.

General : It is essential that the Contractor and the services provided to Medicare beneficiaries under this contract be free, to the greatest extent possible, of all conflicts of interest. Except as provided below, the Contracting Officer shall not enter into a contract with an offeror or maintain a contract with a Contractor that

 

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the Contracting Officer determines has, or has the potential for, an unresolved organizational conflict of interest.

 

  b. Disclosure: Contractors must disclose all actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest to the Contracting Officer during the term of the contract in accordance with paragraph H.8.d. below. The Contractor shall have programs in place to identify, evaluate and mitigate all actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest that preclude, or would appear to preclude, the Contractor from rendering impartial assistance or advise on work performed for this contract. The Contractor’s Organizational Conflict of Interest Certificate, that includes the Contractor’s plan to mitigate all actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest (d.1.(c)) identified during the term of the contract and certification that all work to be performed under this contract is free of unresolved conflicts of interest, is incorporated at Attachment J.4.

 

  c. Conflict of interest identification :

 

  1. Definitions: As used in this subpart, the following definitions apply:

 

  (a) Financial relationship means—

 

  (1) A direct or indirect ownership or investment interest (including an option or nonvested interest) in any entity that exists through equity, debt, or other means and includes any indirect ownership or investment interest no matter how many levels removed from a direct interest; or

 

  (2) A compensation arrangement with an entity.

 

  (b) Organizational conflict of interest — has the meaning given at FAR 9.501, as follows:

 

   

Organizational conflict of interest” means that because of other activities or relationships with other persons, a person is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government, or the person’s objectivity in performing the contract work is or might be otherwise impaired, or a person has an unfair competitive advantage.

 

  2. Identification of conflict:

 

  (a) The Contracting Officer determines that an offeror or Contractor has an organizational conflict of interest, or the potential for the conflict exists, if-

 

  (1) The offeror or Contractor is an entity described in paragraph H.8.c.2. (c) of this section; or

 

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  (2) The offeror or Contractor has a present, or known future, direct or indirect financial relationship with an entity described in paragraph H.8.c.2.(c) of this section.

 

  (b) A financial relationship may exist either—

 

  (1) Through an Offeror’s or Contractor’s parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, subcontractors, or current clients; or

 

  (2) From the activities and relationships of the officers, directors (including medical directors), or managers of the offeror or Contractor and may be either direct or indirect. An Officer, director, or manager has an indirect financial relationship if an ownership or investment interest is held in the name of another but provides benefits to the Officer, director, or manager.

Examples of indirect financial relationships are, but are not limited to, holdings in the name of a spouse or dependent child of the Officer, director, or manager and holdings of other relatives who reside with the Officer, director, or manager.

 

  (c) For the purpose of identifying entities with conflicts of interest above, the entity is one that-

 

  (1) Prepared work or is under contract to prepare work that would be reviewed under this contract;

 

  (2) Is affiliated, as that term is explained in FAR 19.101, with a provider or supplier to be reviewed/evaluated under the contract.

 

  (d) The Contracting Officer may determine that an offeror or Contractor has an organizational conflict of interest, or the potential for a conflict exists, based on the following:

 

  (1) Apparent organizational conflicts of interest. An apparent organizational conflict of interest exists if a prudent business person has cause to believe that the offeror or Contractor would have a conflict of interest in performing the requirements of a contract under this subpart. No inappropriate action by the offeror or Contractor is necessary for an apparent organizational conflict of interest to exist.

 

  (2) Other contracts and grants with the Federal Government.

 

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  3. Exception . The Contracting Officer may contract with an offeror or Contractor that has an unresolved conflict of interest if the Contracting Officer determines that it is in the best interest of the Government to do so.

 

  4. Offeror’s or Contractor’s responsibility with regard to subcontractors . An offeror or Contractor is responsible for determining whether an organizational conflict of interest exists in any of its proposed or actual subcontractors at any tier and is responsible for ensuring that the subcontractors have mitigated any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest.

A Contractor shall maintain documentation necessary to support its determination that its subcontractors have mitigated any conflict or potential conflict. A Contractor may require its subcontractors to follow the procedures for identifying, evaluating and disclosing conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest as contained herein.

 

  5. Post-award conflicts of interest .

 

  a. In addition to the conflicts identified in paragraph H.8.c.2.(c) of this section, the Contracting Officer considers that a conflict of interest has occurred if during the term of the contract—

 

  (1) The Contractor receives any fee, compensation, gift, payment of expenses, or any other thing of value from any entity that is reviewed, evaluated, investigated, or contacted during the normal course of performing activities under the RAC Contract; or

 

  (2) The Contracting Officer determines that the Contractor’s activities are creating a conflict of interest.

 

  b. In the event the Contracting Officer determines that a conflict of interest exists during the term of the contract, the Contracting Officer may take action including, but not limited to,

 

  (1) Not exercising a contract option for an additional term;

 

  (2) Modifying the contract; or

 

  (3) Terminating the contract.

 

  d. Conflict of interest evaluation :

 

  1.

Disclosure . Offeror’s that wish to be eligible for the award of the RAC Contract under this subpart, must submit, at times specified in paragraph

 

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H.8.d.2. of this section, an Organizational Conflicts of Interest Certificate. The Certificate must contain the information specified in paragraphs H.8.d.1.(a) through (g) of this section as follows:

 

  (a) A description of all business or contractual relationships or activities that may be viewed by a prudent business person as a conflict of interest.

 

  (b) A description of the methods the offeror or Contractor will apply to mitigate any situations listed in the Certificate that could be identified as a conflict of interest.

 

  (c) A description of the Offeror’s or Contractor’s program to monitor its compliance and the compliance of its proposed and actual subcontractors with the conflict of interest requirements as identified in the relevant solicitation.

 

  (d) An affirmation, using language provided below, signed and dated by an official authorized to bind the Contractor:

I, (Name and Title) , certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief: 1) I am an official authorized to bind the entity; 2) the information contained in the Organizational Conflict of Interest Certificate is true and accurate as of (Date) ; and 3) I understand that the Contracting Officer may consider any deception or omission in this Certificate to be grounds for non-consideration for contract award, modification or non-renewal or termination of the current contract, and/or other contract or legal action.

An offeror shall submit an affirmation certifying the information to be true and accurate as of the date the proposal is submitted. Upon award, the Contractor shall submit an updated affirmation, if necessary, certifying the information to be accurate as of the date of contract award.

 

  (e) Corporate and organizational structure.

 

  (f) Financial interests in other entities, including the following:

 

  (1) Percentage of ownership in any other entity.

 

  (2) Income generated from other sources.

 

  (3) A list of current or known future contracts or arrangements, regardless of size, with any—

 

  (i) Program Safeguard Contractor (PSC);

 

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  (ii) Coordination of Benefits Contractor (COBC);

 

  (iii) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO);

 

  (iv) Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC); (v)CMS System Maintainer

 

  (4) In the case of contracts or arrangements identified in accordance with paragraph H.8.d.1. (f)(3) of this section, the dollar amount of the contracts or arrangements, the type of work performed, and the period of performance.

 

  (g) The following information for all of the Offeror’s or Contractor’s officers, directors (including medical directors), and managers who would be, or are involved with, the performance of the RAC contract:

 

  (1) The information required under paragraphs H.8.d.1. (a), H.8.d.1.(f)(3) and (4) of this section.

 

  (2) The information specified in paragraphs H.8.d.1.(f)(1) and (2) of this section.

 

  2. When disclosure is made . The Organizational Conflict of Interest Certificate is submitted—

 

  (a) With the contractor’s proposal, unless otherwise identified in the solicitation;

 

  (b) When the Contracting Officer requests a revision in the Certificate;

 

  (c)

Annually on February 1 st ; and

 

  (d) 45 days before any change in the information submitted in accordance with paragraph H.8.d.1 or paragraph H.8.d.2 of this section. Only changed information shall be submitted.

When the contractor submits a revised Certificate, it becomes the current Certificate and replaces the most recent version submitted.

 

  3. Evaluation . The Contracting Officer evaluates organizational conflicts of interest and potential conflicts, using the information provided in the Organizational Conflicts of Interest Certificate, in order to promote the effective and efficient administration of the Medicare program.

For each conflict identified, the Contracting Officer will evaluate the plan proposed to mitigate the conflict to determine if the mitigation plan will

 

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allow the Contractor to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government.

 

  4. Protection of proprietary information disclosed .

 

  (a) CMS protects disclosed proprietary information as allowed under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

 

  (b) The Contracting Officer requires signed statements from CMS personnel with access to proprietary information that prohibits personal use during the procurement process and term of the contract.

 

  e. Conflict of Interest Resolution: Resolution of an organizational conflict of interest is a determination that—

 

  (1) The conflict has been mitigated;

 

  (2) The conflict precludes award of a contract to the offeror;

 

  (3) The conflict requires that the Contracting Officer modify an existing contract;

 

  (4) The conflict requires that the Contracting Officer terminate an existing contract; or

 

  (5) It is in the best interest of the Government to contract with the offeror or Contractor even though the conflict exists.

 

  f. Annual Conflict of Interest Compliance Audit

 

  1.

Overview : The contractor shall submit an Organizational Conflict of Interest (COI) Certificate to the Contracting Officer annually on January 31 st of each year (annual COI certificate). An annual COI compliance audit may be performed by the Government for the period February 1 st through January 31 st each year. If a conflict(s) of interest exist(s) which are either not disclosed/mitigated or any other change is required in the annual COI Certificate submitted on January 31 st , the contractor shall be notified and required to submit:

 

  a) Clarification on the audit findings; and/or

 

  b)

A revised Organizational COI Certificate to the Contracting Officer by October 15 th of each year

 

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H.9 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT ACQUISITION REQUEST

The Contractor must obtain written CMS, Office of Information Services’ (OIS) approval for all Information Technology (IT) Investments (e.g. acquisition of hardware, software, telecommunication protocols, networking, etc.), to ensure compatibility and successful integration with CMS’ infrastructure. Any request for an IT investment acquisition should be submitted to the Government Project Officer (PO) or Government Task Leader (GTL) with a copy to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer shall notify the contractor in writing of CMS’ approval or disapproval of the acquisition requests. If approved, the contract shall be modified accordingly and the contractor may proceed with the IT investment acquisition. The Government may disallow any contractor incurred costs that would not be allocable to the approved IT investment acquisition.

 

H.10 MONITORING

The Contractor shall be subject to periodic contract performance reviews as may be deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer or the Project Officer as his/her designee. The contractor shall make its records and facilities available to the Contracting Officer for purposes of such monitoring of contract performance.

 

H.11 EMPLOYMENT OF CMS PERSONNEL RESTRICTED

In performing this contract, the Contractor shall not use as a consultant or employ (on either a full or part time basis) any CMS personnel without the prior approval of the Contracting Officer. Such approval may be given only in circumstances where it is clear that no laws, regulations, or policies might possibly be contravened and no appearance of a conflict of interest will exist.

 

H.12 POST AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

 

  a. Electronic Access to Contractor Performance Evaluations

All contractor performance evaluations shall be kept in the contract file and the National Institutes of Health Contractor Performance System (NIH CPS). Contractors shall register in the NIH CPS no later than 6 months after contract award at the following address: https://cpscontractor.nih.gov .

To register, logon and click on the “Register Here” link. This site provides instructions on how to register and offers computer-based training for contractors through the “CPS Contractor On-Line Training” hyperlink. There is no fee for registration or use of this system. Electronic evaluations are available to registered contractors for review 30 days from the date the evaluation is sent.

The registration process requires the contractor to identify an individual that will serve as a primary contact and who will be authorized access to the evaluation for review and comment. In addition, the contractor will be required to identify an alternate contact that will be responsible for notifying the cognizant contracting official in the event the primary contact is unavailable to process the evaluation

 

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within the required 30-day time frame.

 

  b. Contractor Performance Evaluations

Interim and final evaluations of contractor performance will be prepared on this contract in accordance with FAR 42.15. A copy of all evaluations shall be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the interim and final evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted thirty (30) days to review the evaluation document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. Any disagreement between the parties regarding an evaluation will be referred to one level above the Contracting Officer, whose decision will be final.

Copies of the evaluation and contractor responses, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file and will be used to support future award decisions.

 

H.13 HIPAA BUSINESS ASSOCIATE PROVISION II

 

  a. Definitions:

All terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning as in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA,” 42 U.S.C. sec. 1320d) and the corresponding implementing regulations. Provisions governing the Contractor’s duties and obligations under the Privacy Act (including data use agreements) are covered elsewhere in the contract.

Business Associate shall mean the Contractor.

Covered Entity shall mean CMS’ Medicare Fee for Service program and/or Medicare’s Prescription Drug Discount Care and Transitional Assistance Programs.

Secretary ” shall mean the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Secretary’s designee.

 

  b. Obligations and Activities of Business Associate

 

  1. Business Associate agrees to not use or disclose Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 160.103, created or received by Business Associate from or on behalf of Covered Entity other than as permitted or required by this Contract or as required by law.

 

  2.

Business Associate agrees to use safeguards to prevent use or disclosure of PHI created or received by Business Associate from or on behalf of Covered Entity other than as provided for by this Contract. Furthermore, Business Associate agrees to use appropriate administrative, physical and technical safeguards that reasonably and appropriately protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the electronic protected health information (“EPHI”), as defined in 45 C.F.R. 160.103, it creates, receives, maintains or transmits on behalf of the Covered Entity to prevent

 

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use or disclosure of such EPHI.

 

  3. Business Associate agrees to mitigate, to the extent practicable, any harmful effect that is known to Business Associate of a use or disclosure of PHI by Business Associate in violation of the requirements of this Contract.

 

  4. Business Associate agrees to report to Covered Entity any use or disclosure involving PHI it receives/maintains from/on behalf of the Covered Entity that is not provided for by this Contract of which it becomes aware. Furthermore, Business Associate agrees to report to Covered Entity any security incident involving EPHI of which it becomes aware.

 

  5. Business Associate agrees to ensure that any agent, including a subcontractor, to whom it provides PHI received from Covered Entity, or created or received by Business Associate on behalf of Covered Entity, agrees to the same restrictions and conditions that apply through this Contract to Business Associate with respect to such information. Furthermore, Business Associate agrees to ensure that its agents and subcontractors implement reasonable and appropriate safeguards for the PHI received from or on behalf of the Business Associate.

 

  6. Business Associate agrees to provide access, at the request of Covered Entity, to PHI received by Business Associate in the course of contract performance, to Covered Entity or, as directed by Covered Entity, to an Individual in order to meet the requirements under 45 CFR § 164.524.

 

  7. Business Associate agrees to make any amendment(s) to PHI in a Designated Record Set that Covered Entity directs or agrees to pursuant to 45 CFR § 164.526 upon request of Covered Entity.

 

  8. Business Associate agrees to make internal practices, books, and records, including policies and procedures and PHI, relating to the use and disclosure of PHI received from, or created or received by Business Associate on behalf of Covered Entity, available to Covered Entity, or to the Secretary for purposes of the Secretary determining Covered Entity’s compliance with the various rules implementing the HIPAA.

 

  9. Business Associate agrees to document such disclosures of PHI and information related to such disclosures as would be required for Covered Entity to respond to a request by an Individual for an accounting of disclosures of PHI in accordance with 45 CFR § 164.528.

 

  10. Business Associate agrees to provide to Covered Entity, or an individual identified by the Covered Entity, information collected under this Contract, to permit Covered Entity to respond to a request by an Individual for an accounting of disclosures of PHI in accordance with 45 CFR § 164.528.

 

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  11. The Business Associate shall provide written notification to the contracting officer of any violation in use or disclosure involving PHI or security incident within 24 hours of identifying such violation or incident.

 

  c. Permitted Uses and Disclosures by Business Associate

Except as otherwise limited in this Contract, Business Associate may use or disclose PHI on behalf of, or to provide services to, Covered Entity for purposes of the performance of this Contract, if such use or disclosure of PHI would not violate the HIPAA Privacy or Security Rules if done by Covered Entity or the minimum necessary policies and procedures of Covered Entity.

 

  d. Obligations of Covered Entity

 

  1. Covered Entity shall notify Business Associate of any limitation(s) in its notice of privacy practices of Covered Entity in accordance with 45 CFR § 164.520, to the extent that such limitation may affect Business Associate’s use or disclosure of PHI.

 

  2. Covered Entity shall notify Business Associate of any changes in, or revocation of, permission by Individual to use or disclose PHI, to the extent that such changes may affect Business Associate’s use or disclosure of PHI.

 

  3. Covered Entity shall notify Business Associate of any restriction to the use or disclosure of PHI that Covered Entity has agreed to in accordance with 45 CFR § 164.522, to the extent that such restriction may affect Business Associate’s use or disclosure of PHI.

 

  e. Permissible Requests by Covered Entity

Covered Entity shall not request Business Associate to use or disclose PHI in any manner that would not be permissible under the HIPAA Privacy or Security Rules.

 

  f. Term of Provision

 

  1. The term of this Provision shall be effective as of date of contract award, and shall terminate when all of the PHI provided by Covered Entity to Business Associate, or created or received by Business Associate on behalf of Covered Entity, is destroyed or returned to Covered Entity, or, if it is infeasible to return or destroy PHI, protections are extended to such information, in accordance with the termination provisions in this Section.

 

  2. Upon Covered Entity’s knowledge of a material breach by Business Associate, Covered Entity shall either:

 

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  i. Provide an opportunity for Business Associate to cure the breach or end the violation consistent with the termination terms of this Contract. Covered Entity may terminate this Contract for default if the Business Associate does not cure the breach or end the violation within the time specified by Covered Entity; or,

 

  ii. Consistent with the terms of this Contract, terminate this Contract for default if Business Associate has breached a material term of this Contract and cure is not possible; or,

 

  iii. If neither termination nor cure is feasible, Covered Entity shall report the violation to the Secretary.

 

  3. Effect of Termination.

 

  i. Except as provided in paragraph f.2 of this section, upon termination of this Contract, for any reason, Business Associate shall return or destroy all PHI received from Covered Entity, or created or received by Business Associate on behalf of Covered Entity. This provision shall apply to PHI that is in the possession of subcontractors or agents of Business Associate. Business Associate shall retain no copies of the PHI.

 

  ii. In the event that Business Associate determines that returning or destroying the PHI is infeasible, Business Associate shall provide to Covered Entity notification of the conditions that make return or destruction infeasible. Upon such notice that return or destruction of PHI is infeasible, Business Associate shall extend the protections of this Contract to such PHI and limit further uses and disclosures of such PHI to those purposes that make the return or destruction infeasible, for so long as Business Associate maintains such PHI.

 

  g. Miscellaneous

 

  i. A reference in this Contract to a section in the Rules issued under HIPAA means the section as in effect or as amended.

 

  ii. The Parties agree to take such action as is necessary to amend this Contract from time to time as is necessary for Covered Entity to comply with the requirements of the Rules issued under HIPAA.

 

  iii. The respective rights and obligations of Business Associate under paragraph f.3 of the section entitled “Term of Provision” shall survive the termination of this Contract.

 

  iv. Any ambiguity in this Contract shall be resolved to permit Covered Entity to comply with the Rules implemented under HIPAA.

 

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H.14 ADP SYSTEMS SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

In the performance of this contract, the Contractor agrees to comply with the ADP systems security requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, “Management of Federal Information Resources”, and with the ADP systems security policy of DHHS as outlined in Part 6 of the HHS ADP Systems Manual and in CMS’s AIS Guide and the CMS Business Partners System Security Manual (BPSSM) found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/117_systems_security.pdf . The Contractor shall include this requirement in any subcontract awarded under this prime contract.

 

H.15 HHSAR 352.270-19 ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY (JAN 2006)

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by Public Law 105–220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194), require that all EIT acquired must ensure that:

 

  a. Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities; and

 

  b. Members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from an agency have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

This requirement includes the development, procurement, maintenance, and/or use of EIT products/services; therefore, any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation must demonstrate compliance with the established EIT Accessibility Standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.section508.gov/ .

 

H.16 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT ACQUIRED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)

 

  a. The Contractor must obtain the Contracting Officer’s written approval prior to the acquisition of any IT investments (see FAR Part 2.101, for definition of IT) to ensure compatibility and successful integration with CMS’s infrastructure/architecture.

 

  b. In the performance of a system life cycle development project, the Contractor must submit to the Project Officer the technical specifications for each of the following incremental phase of the projected life cycle prior to the commencement of work:

 

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  1. Design and Engineering;

 

  2. Development; and,

 

  3. Testing;

 

  c. Upon written approval from the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall commence work under the approved technical specification for the authorized incremental phase.

 

  d. In either instance of an approved IT investment acquisition, or an incremental phase of a system life cycle development project, the contract shall be modified accordingly and the Contractor shall proceed.

 

  e. CMS may disallow any contractor incurred cost that would not be allocated to the approved IT investment acquisition.

 

H.17 SECURITY CLAUSE -BACKGROUND - INVESTIGATIONS FOR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

If applicable, Contractor personnel performing services for CMS under this contract, task order or delivery order shall be required to undergo a background investigation. CMS will initiate and pay for any required background investigation(s).

After contract award, the CMS Project Officer (PO) and the Security and Emergency Management Group (SEMG), with the assistance of the Contractor, shall perform a position-sensitivity analysis based on the duties contractor personnel shall perform on the contract, task order or delivery order. The results of the position-sensitivity analysis will determine first, whether the provisions of this clause are applicable to the contract and second, if applicable, determine each position’s sensitivity level (i.e., high risk, moderate risk or low risk) and dictate the appropriate level of background investigation to be processed. Investigative packages may contain the following forms:

 

  1. SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions , 09/1995

 

  2. SF-85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions , 09/1995

 

  3. OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment , 12/2002

 

  4. OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment , 01/2001

 

  5. Credit Report Release Form

 

  6. FD-258, Fingerprint Card , 5/99, and

 

  7. CMS-730A, Request for Physical Access to CMS Facilities (NON-CMS ONLY), 11/2003.

The Contractor personnel shall be required to undergo a background investigation commensurate with one of these position-sensitivity levels:

1) High Risk (Level 6)

Public Trust positions that would have a potential for exceptionally serious impact on the integrity and efficiency of the service. This would include computer security of a major automated information system (AIS). This includes positions in which the incumbent’s

 

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actions or inaction could diminish public confidence in the integrity, efficiency, or effectiveness of assigned government activities, whether or not actual damage occurs, particularly if duties are especially critical to the agency or program mission with a broad scope of responsibility and authority.

Major responsibilities that would require this level include:

 

  a. development and administration of CMS computer security programs, including direction and control of risk analysis and/or threat assessment;

 

  b. significant involvement in mission-critical systems;

 

  c. preparation or approval of data for input into a system which does not necessarily involve personal access to the system but with relatively high risk of causing grave damage or realizing significant personal gain;

 

  d. other responsibilities that involve relatively high risk of causing damage or realizing personal gain;

 

  e. policy implementation;

 

  f. higher level management duties/assignments or major program responsibility; or

 

  g. independent spokespersons or non-management position with authority for independent action.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $2,900

2) Moderate Risk (Level 5)

Level 5 Public Trust positions include those involving policymaking, major program responsibility, and law enforcement duties that are associated with a “Moderate Risk.” Also included are those positions involving access to or control of unclassified sensitive, proprietary information, or financial records, and those with similar duties through which the incumbent can realize a significant personal gain or cause serious damage to the program or Department.

Responsibilities that would require this level include:

 

  a. the direction, planning, design, operation, or maintenance of a computer system and whose work is technically reviewed by a higher authority at the High Risk level to ensure the integrity of the system;

 

  b. systems design, operation, testing, maintenance, and/or monitoring that are carried out under the technical review of a higher authority at the High Risk level;

 

  c. access to and/or processing of information requiring protection under the Privacy Act of 1974;

 

  d. assists in policy development and implementation;

 

  e. mid-level management duties/assignments;

 

  f. any position with responsibility for independent or semi-independent action; or

 

  g. delivery of service positions that demand public confidence or trust.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $2,400

3) Low Risk (Level 1)

Positions having the potential for limited interaction with the agency or program mission,

 

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so the potential for impact on the integrity and efficiency of the service is small. This includes computer security impact on AIS.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $550

The Contractor shall submit the investigative package(s) to SEMG within three (3) days after being advised by the SEMG of the need to submit packages. Investigative packages shall be submitted to the following address:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Office of Operations Management

Security and Emergency Management Group

Mail Stop SL-13-15

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the transmittal letter to the Contracting Officer (CO).

Contractor personnel shall submit a CMS-730A (Request for Badge) to the SEMG (see attachment in Section J). The Contractor and the PO shall obtain all necessary signatures on the CMS-730A prior to any Contractor employee arriving for fingerprinting and badge processing.

The Contractor must appoint a Security Investigation Liaison as a point of contact to resolve any issues of inaccurate or incomplete form(s). Where personal information is involved, SEMG may need to contact the contractor employee directly. The Security Investigation Liaison may be required to facilitate such contact.

SEMG will fingerprint contractor personnel and send their completed investigative package to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM will conduct the background investigation. Badges will not be provided by SEMG until acceptable finger print results are received; until then the contractor employee will be considered an escorted visitor. The Contractor remains fully responsible for ensuring contract, task order or delivery order performance pending completion of background investigations of contractor personnel.

SEMG shall provide written notification to the CO with a copy to the PO of all suitability decisions. The PO shall then notify the Contractor in writing of the approval of the Contractor’s employee(s), at that time the Contractor’s employee(s) will receive a permanent identification badge. Contractor personnel who the SEMG determines to be ineligible may be required to cease working on the contract immediately.

The Contractor shall report immediately in writing to SEMG with copies to the CO and the PO, any adverse information regarding any of its employees that may impact their ability to perform under this contract, task order or delivery order. Reports should be based on reliable and substantiated information, not on rumor or innuendo. The report

 

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shall include the contractor employee’s name and social security number, along with the adverse information being reported.

Contractor personnel shall be provided an opportunity to explain or refute unfavorable information found in an investigation to SEMG before an adverse adjudication is made. Contractor personnel may request, in writing, a copy of their own investigative results by contacting:

Office of Personnel Management

Freedom of Information

Federal Investigations Processing Center

PO Box 618

Boyers, PA 16018-0618.

At the Agency’s discretion, if an investigated contractor employee leaves the employment of the contractor, or otherwise is no longer associated with the contract, task order, or delivery order within one (1) year from the date the background investigation was initiated by CMS, then the Contractor may be required to reimburse CMS for the full cost of the investigation. Depending upon the type of background investigation conducted, the cost could be approximately $550 to $2,900. The amount to be paid by the Contractor shall be due and payable when the CO submits a written letter notifying the Contractor as to the cost of the investigation. The Contractor shall pay the amount due within thirty (30) days of the date of the CO’s letter by check made payable to the “United States Treasury.” The Contractor shall provide a copy of the CO’s letter as an attachment to the check and submit both to the Office of Financial Management at the following address:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

PO Box 7520

Baltimore, Maryland 21207

The Contractor must immediately provide written notification to SEMG (with copies to the CO and the PO) of all terminations or resignations of Contractor personnel working on this contract, task order or delivery order. The Contractor must also notify SEMG (with copies to the CO and the PO) when a Contractor’s employee is no longer working on this contract, task order or delivery order.

At the conclusion of the contract, task order or delivery order and at the time when a contractor employee is no longer working on the contract, task order or delivery order due to termination or resignation, all CMS-issued parking permits, identification badges, access cards, and/or keys must be promptly returned to SEMG. Contractor personnel who do not return their government-issued parking permits, identification badges, access cards, and/or keys within 48 hours of the last day of authorized access shall be permanently barred from the CMS complex and subject to fines and penalties authorized by applicable federal and State laws.

Work Performed Outside the United States and its Territories

 

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The contractor, and its subcontractors, shall not perform any activities under this contract at a location outside of the United States, including the transmission of data or other information outside the United States, without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. The factors that the Contracting Officer will consider in making a decision to authorize the performance of work outside the United States include, but are not limited to the following:

 

  1. All contract terms regarding system security

 

  2. All contract terms regarding the confidentiality and privacy requirements for information and data protection

 

  3. All contract terms that are otherwise relevant, including the provisions of the statement of work

 

  4. Corporate compliance

 

  5. All laws and regulations applicable to the performance of work outside the United States

 

  6. The best interest of the United States

In requesting the Contracting Officer’s authorization to perform work outside the United States, the contractor must demonstrate that the performance of the work outside the United States satisfies all of the above factors. If, in the Contracting Officer’s judgment, the above factors are not fully satisfied, the performance of work outside the United States will not be authorized. Any approval to employ or outsource work outside of the United States must have the concurrence of the CMS SEMG Director or designee.

 

H.18 HHSAR 352.270-11 PRIVACY ACT (JAN 2006)

This contract requires the Contractor to perform one or more of the following: (a) Design; (b) develop; or (c) operate a Federal agency system of records to accomplish an agency function in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Act) ( 5 U.S.C. 552a(m)(1) ) (New Window) and applicable agency regulations. The term “system of records” means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. Violations of the Act by the Contractor and/or its employees may result in the imposition of criminal penalties ( 5 U.S.C. 552a(i) ) (New Window). The Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees knows the prescribed rules of conduct and that each employee is aware that he/she is subject to criminal penalties for violation of the Act to the same extent as HHS employees. These provisions also apply to all subcontracts awarded under this contract which require the design, development or operation of the designated system(s) of records ( 5 U.S.C. 552a(m)(1) ) (New Window). The contract work statement: (a) identifies the system(s) of records and the design, development, or operation work to be performed by the Contractor; and (b) specifies the disposition to be made of such records upon completion of contract performance.

 

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H.19 SYSTEMS OF RECORDS

The Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, and the Regulations and General Instructions issued by the Secretary pursuant thereto, are applicable to this contract, and to all subcontractors there under to the extent that the design, development, operation or maintenance of a system of records as defined in the Privacy Act is involved. The following system of records will be applicable to this contract: None at this time.

However, this provision is a placeholder for systems of records that may be required in the future. If necessary, systems of record information will be incorporated by contract modification at that time.

 

H.20 WAGE DETERMINATION

In accordance with FAR Clause 52.222-41, Wage Determination(s) the following wage determination is hereby incorporated as Attachment J.2 as follows:

WD 05-2051 Rev.-6 posted 6/3/2008

 

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SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

 

I.1 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at the following Internet address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/ .

 

52.202-1    DEFINITIONS (JUL 2004)
52.203-3    GRATUITIES (APR 1984)
52.203-5    COVENANT AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES (APR 1984)
52.203-6    RESTRICTIONS ON SUBCONTRACTOR SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT (SEPT 2006)
52.203-7    ANTI-KICKBACK PROCEDURES (JUL 1995)
52.203-8    CANCELLATION, RESCISSION, AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (JAN 1997)
52.203-10    PRICE OR FEE ADJUSTMENT FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (JAN 1997)
52.203-12    LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (SEPT 2005)
52.204-4    PRINTIED/COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER (AUG 2000)
52.204-7    CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2003)
52.204-9    PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL (SEP 2007)
52.209-6    PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENTS INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT (SEPT 2006)
52.215-8    ORDER OF PRECEDENCE - UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT (OCT 1997)
52.215-15    PENSION ADJUSTMENTS AND ASSET REVERSIONS (OCT 2004)
52.217-8   

OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

(Insert 30 calendar days)

52.219-8    UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS (OCT 2000)
52.219-9    SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (SEP 2006)
52.219-16    LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – SUBCONTRACTING PLAN (JAN 1999)
52.222-1    NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LABOR DISPUTES (FEB 1997)
52.222-3    CONVICT LABOR (JUN 2003)
52.222-21    PROHIBITION OF SEGREGRATED FACILITIES (FEB 1999)
52.222-26    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (MAR 2002)
52.222-35    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SPECIAL DISABLED AND VIETNAM ERA VETERANS, and OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERANS (SEPT 2006)
52.222-36    AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES (JUN 1998)
52.222-37    EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON SPECIAL DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA, and OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERANS (SEP 2006)
  

 

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52.222-41    SERVICE CONTRACT ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED (JUL 2005)
52.222-43    FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AND SERVICE CONTRACT ACT – PRICE ADJUSTMENT (MULTIPLE YEAR AND OPTION CONTRACTS) (NOV 2006)
52.222-44    FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AND SERVICE CONTRACT ACT – PRICE ADJUSTMENTS (FEB 2002)
52.223-6    DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (MAY 2001)
52.223-13    CERTIFICATION OF TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING (AUG 2003)
52.223-14    TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING (AUG 2003)
52.224-1    PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION (APR 1984)
52.225-13    RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES (FEB 2006)
52.227-1    AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT (DEC 2001)
52.227-3    PATENT INDEMNITY (APR 1984)
52.227-17    RIGHTS IN DATA- SPECIAL WORKS (JUN 1987)
52.229-3    FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES (APR 2003)
52.232-1    PAYMENTS (APR 1984)
52.232-8    DISCOUNTS FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (FEB 2002)
52.232-9    LIMITATION ON WITHHOLDING OF PAYMENTS (APR 1984)
52.232-11    EXTRAS (APR 1984)
52.232-17    INTEREST (JUN 1996)
52.232-24    PROHIBITION OF ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS (JAN 1986)
52.232-25    PROMPT PAYMENT (OCT 2003)
52.232-33    PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER –CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2003)
52.233-1    DISPUTES (JUL 2002) — ALTERNATE I (DEC 1991)
52.233-3    PROTEST AFTER AWARD (AUG 1996)
52.233-4    APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM (OCT 2004)
52.239-1    PRIVACY OR SECURITY SAFEGUARDS (AUG 1996)
52.242-13    BANKRUPTCY (JUL 1995)
52.243-1    CHANGES - FIXED-PRICE (SEP 2000) — ALTERNATE I (APR 1984)
52.243-7    NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES (APR 1984) (Insert 5 calendar days in paragraph (b) and insert 15 calendar days in paragraph (d))
52.244-2    SUBCONTRACTS (AUG 1998)
52.244-5    COMPETITION IN SUBCONTRACTING (DEC 1996)
52.244-6    SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2004)
52.245-1    GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (JUNE 2007)
52.246-4    INSPECTION OF SERVICES – FIXED PRICE (AUG 1996)
52.246-25    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY - SERVICES (FEB 1997)
52.249-2    TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT (FIXED-PRICE) (MAY 2004)
52.249-8    DEFAULT (FIXED-PRICE SUPPLY AND SERVICE) (APR 1984)
52.251-1    GOVERNMENT SUPPLY SOURCES (APR 1984)
52.253-1    COMPUTER GENERATED FORMS (JAN 1991)

 

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I.2 HHSAR 352-252-20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (HHSAR) http://knownet.hhs.gov/acquisition/hhsar/default.htm

 

352.202-1    DEFINITIONS (JAN 2006)
352.223-70    SAFETY AND HEALTH (JAN 2006)
352.228-7    INSURANCE - LIABILITY TO THIRD PERSONS (DEC 1991)
352.232-9    WITHHOLDING OF CONTRACT PAYMENTS (JAN 2006)
352.249-14    EXCUSABLE DELAYS (JAN 2006)
352.270-1    ACCESSABILITY OF MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND SEMINARS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (JAN 2001)
352.270-4    PRICING OF ADJUSTMENTS (JAN 2001)
352.270-6    PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLICITY (JAN 2006)
352.270-10    ANTI-LOBBYING (JANUARY 2006)
352.270-19(a)    ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY (JAN 2006)

 

I.3 FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

 

  (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within five (5) days ; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least sixty (60) days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

 

  (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

 

  (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed sixty (60) months .

NOTE: The Government reserves the right to exercise an option period contingent upon successful performance including review by the RAC validation contractor (subject to award of the validation contract)

 

I.4 FAR 52.222-39 NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS CONCERNING PAYMENT OF UNION DUES OR FEES (DEC 2004)

 

  (a) Definition. As used in this clause—

“United States” means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wake Island.

 

  (b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, during the term of this contract, the Contractor shall post a notice, in the form of a poster, informing employees of their rights concerning union membership and payment of union dues and fees, in conspicuous places in and about all its plants and offices, including all places where notices to employees are customarily posted.

 

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The notice shall include the following information (except that the information pertaining to National Labor Relations Board shall not be included in notices posted in the plants or offices of carriers subject to the Railway Labor Act, as amended (45 U.S.C. 151-188)).

Notice to Employees

Under Federal law, employees cannot be required to join a union or maintain membership in a union in order to retain their jobs. Under certain conditions, the law permits a union and an employer to enter into a union-security agreement requiring employees to pay uniform periodic dues and initiation fees. However, employees who are not union members can object to the use of their payments for certain purposes and can only be required to pay their share of union costs relating to collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment.

If you do not want to pay that portion of dues or fees used to support activities not related to collective bargaining, contract administration, or grievance adjustment, you are entitled to an appropriate reduction in your payment. If you believe that you have been required to pay dues or fees used in part to support activities not related to collective bargaining, contract administration, or grievance adjustment, you may be entitled to a refund and to an appropriate reduction in future payments.

For further information concerning your rights, you may wish to contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) either at one of its Regional offices or at the following address or toll free number:

National Labor Relations Board

Division of Information

1099 14th Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20570

1-866-667-6572

1-866-316-6572 (TTY)

To locate the nearest NLRB office, see NLRB’s website at http://www.nlrb.gov

 

  (c) The Contractor shall comply with all provisions of Executive Order 13201 of February 17, 2001, and related implementing regulations at 29 CFR Part 470, and orders of the Secretary of Labor.

 

  (d)

In the event that the Contractor does not comply with any of the requirements set forth in paragraphs (b), (c), or (g), the Secretary may direct that this contract be cancelled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part, and declare the Contractor ineligible for further Government contracts in accordance with procedures at 29 CFR part 470, Subpart B—Compliance Evaluations, Complaint Investigations and Enforcement Procedures. Such other sanctions or remedies

 

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may be imposed as are provided by 29 CFR Part 470, which implements Executive Order 13201, or as are otherwise provided by law.

 

  (e) The requirement to post the employee notice in paragraph (b) does not apply to—

 

  (1) Contractors and subcontractors that employ fewer than 15 persons;

 

  (2) Contractor establishments or construction work sites where no union has been formally recognized by the Contractor or certified as the exclusive bargaining representative of the Contractor’s employees;

 

  (3) Contractor establishments or construction work sites located in a jurisdiction named in the definition of the United States in which the law of that jurisdiction forbids enforcement of union-security agreements;

 

  (4) Contractor facilities where upon the written request of the Contractor, the Department of Labor Deputy Assistant Secretary for Labor-Management Programs has waived the posting requirements with respect to any of the Contractor’s facilities if the Deputy Assistant Secretary finds that the Contractor has demonstrated that—

 

  (i) The facility is in all respects separate and distinct from activities of the Contractor related to the performance of a contract; and

 

  (ii) Such a waiver will not interfere with or impede the effectuation of the Executive order; or

 

  (5) Work outside the United States that does not involve the recruitment or employment of workers within the United States.

 

  (f) The Department of Labor publishes the official employee notice in two variations; one for contractors covered by the Railway Labor Act and a second for all other contractors. The Contractor shall—

 

  (1) Obtain the required employee notice poster from the Division of Interpretations and Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5605, Washington, DC 20210, or from any field office of the Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards or Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs;

 

  (2) Download a copy of the poster from the Office of Labor-Management Standards website at http://www.olms.dol.gov ; or

 

  (3) Reproduce and use exact duplicate copies of the Department of Labor’s official poster.

 

  (g) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause in every subcontract or purchase order that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, entered into in

 

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connection with this contract, unless exempted by the Department of Labor Deputy Assistant Secretary for Labor-Management Programs on account of special circumstances in the national interest under authority of 29 CFR 470.3(c). For indefinite quantity subcontracts, the Contractor shall include the substance of this clause if the value of orders in any calendar year of the subcontract is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. Pursuant to 29 CFR Part 470, Subpart B—Compliance Evaluations, Complaint Investigations and Enforcement Procedures, the Secretary of Labor may direct the Contractor to take such action in the enforcement of these regulations, including the imposition of sanctions for noncompliance with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order. If the Contractor becomes involved in litigation with a subcontractor or vendor, or is threatened with such involvement, as a result of such direction, the Contractor may request the United States, through the Secretary of Labor, to enter into such litigation to protect the interests of the United States.

 

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SECTION J – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

 

  J.1 STATEMENT OF WORK

 

  J.2 WAGE DETERMINATION(S)

 

  J.3 SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

 

  J.4 CONTRACTORS ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATE – Incorporated by reference.

 

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J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

Statement of Work for the Recovery Audit Contractor Program

 

I. Purpose

The RAC Program’s mission is to reduce Medicare improper payments through the efficient detection and collection of overpayments, the identification of underpayments and the implementation of actions that will prevent future improper payments.

The purpose of this contract will be to support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in completing this mission. The identification of underpayments and overpayments and the recoupment of overpayments will occur for claims paid under the Medicare program for services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

This contract includes the identification and recovery of claim based improper payments. This contract does not include the identification and/or recovery of MSP occurrences in any format.

This contract includes the following tasks which are defined in detail in subsequent sections of this contract:

 

  1. Identifying Medicare claims that contain underpayments for which payment was made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

 

  2. Identify and Recouping Medicare claims that contain overpayments for which payment was made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This includes corresponding with the provider.

 

  3. For any RAC-identified overpayment that is appealed by the provider, the RAC shall provide support to CMS throughout the administrative appeals process and, where applicable, a subsequent appeal to the appropriate Federal court.

 

  4. For any RAC identified vulnerability, support CMS in developing an Improper Payment Prevention Plan to help prevent similar overpayments from occurring in the future.

 

  5. Performing the necessary provider outreach to notify provider communities of the RAC’s purpose and direction.

NOTE: The proactive education of providers about Medicare coverage and coding rules is NOT a task under this RAC statement of work. CMS has tasked FIs, Carriers, and MACs with the task of proactively educating providers about how to avoid submitting a claim containing a request for an improper payment.

 

1


J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

II. Background

Statutory Requirements

Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to utilize RACs under the Medicare Integrity Program to identify underpayments and overpayments and recoup overpayments under the Medicare program associated with services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

CMS is required to actively review Medicare payments for services to determine accuracy and if errors are noted to pursue the collection of any payment that it determines was in error. To gain additional knowledge potential bidders may research the following documents:

 

   

The Financial Management Manual and the Program Integrity Manual (PIM) at www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals

 

   

The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996

 

   

The Federal Claims Collection Act, as amended and related regulations found in 42 CFR.

 

   

Comprehensive Error Rate Testing Reports (see www.cms.hhs.gov/cert )

 

   

RAC Status Document (see www.cms.hhs.gov/rac )

Throughout this document, the term “improper payment” is used to refer collectively to overpayments and underpayments. Situations where the provider submits a claim containing an incorrect code but the mistake does not change the payment amount are NOT considered to be improper payments.

 

III. Transitions from Outgoing RAC to Incoming RAC

From time to time in the RAC program, transitions from one RAC to another RAC will need to occur (e.g., when the outgoing demonstration RACs cease work and the new incoming permanent RACs begin work). It is in the best interest of all parties that these transitions occur smoothly.

The transition plan will include specific dates with regard to requests for medical records, written notification of an overpayment, any written correspondence with providers and phone communication with providers. The transition plan will be communicated to all affected parties (including providers) by CMS within 60 days of its enactment.

 

IV. Specific Tasks

 

2


J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work.

CMS will provide minimum administrative support which may include standard system changes when appropriate, help communicating with Medicare contractors, policies interpretations as necessary and other support deemed necessary by CMS to allow the RACs to perform their tasks efficiently. CMS will support changes it determines are necessary but cannot guarantee timeframes or constraints. In changing systems to support greater efficiencies for CMS, the end product could result in an administrative task being placed on the RAC that was not previously. These administrative tasks will not extend from the tasks in this contract and will be applicable to the identification and recovery of the improper payment.

Task 1- General Requirements

 

A. Initial Meeting with PO and CMS Staff

Project Plan - The RAC’s key project staff (including overall Project Director and key sub Project Directors) shall meet in Baltimore, Maryland with the PO and relevant CMS staff within two weeks of the date of award (DOA) to discuss the project plan. The specific focus will be to discuss the time frames for the tasks outlined below. Within 2 weeks of this meeting, the RAC will submit a formal project plan, in Microsoft Project, outlining the resources and time frame for completing the work outlined. It will be the responsibility of the RAC to update this project plan. The initial project plan shall be for the base year of the contract. The project plan shall serve as a snapshot of everything the RAC is identifying at the time. As new issues rise the project plan shall be updated.

The project plan shall include the following:

1. Detailed quarterly projection by vulnerability issue (e.g. excisional debridement) including: a) incorrect procedure code and correct procedure code; b) type of review (automated, complex, extrapolation); c) type of vulnerability (medical necessity, incorrect coding…)

2. Provider Outreach Plan - A base provider outreach plan shall be submitted as part of the proposal. CMS will use the base provider outreach plan as a starting point for discussions during the initial meeting. Within two weeks of the initial meeting the RAC shall submit to the CMS PO a detailed Provider Outreach Plan for the respective region. The base provider outreach at a minimum shall include potential outreach efforts to associations, providers, Medicare contractors and any other applicable Medicare stakeholders.

3. RAC Organizational Chart - A draft RAC Organization Chart shall be submitted as part of the proposal. The organizational chart shall

 

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identify the number of key personnel and the organizational structure of the RAC effort. While CMS is not dictating the number of key personnel, it is CMS’ opinion that one key personnel will not be adequate for an entire region. An example of a possible organizational structure would be three (3) key personnel each overseeing a different claim type (Inpatient, Physician, and DME). This is not prescriptive and CMS is open to all organizational structures. A detailed organizational chart extending past the key personnel shall be submitted within two weeks of the initial meeting.

 

B. Monthly Conference Calls

A minimum of two monthly conference calls to discuss the RAC project will be necessary.

 

  1. On a monthly basis the RAC’s key project staff will participate in a conference call with CMS to discuss the progress of the work, evaluate any problems, and discuss plans for immediate next steps of the project. The RAC will be responsible for setting up the conference calls, preparing an agenda, documenting the minutes of the meeting and preparing any other supporting materials as needed.

 

  2. On a monthly basis the RAC’s key project staff will participate in a conference call with CMS to discuss findings and process improvements that will facilitate CMS in paying claims accurately in the future. CMS will be responsible for setting up the conference calls, preparing an agenda, documenting the minutes of the meeting and preparing any other supporting materials as needed.

At CMS’ discretion conference calls may be required to be completed more frequently. Also, other conference calls may be called to discuss individual items and/or issues.

 

C. Monthly Progress Reports

1. The RAC shall submit monthly administrative progress reports outlining all work accomplished during the previous month. These reports shall include the following:

 

  1. Complications Completing any task

 

  2. Communication with FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC/DME PSC/PSC

 

  3. Upcoming Provider Outreach Efforts

 

  4. Update of Project Plan

 

  5. Update of what vulnerability issues are being reviewed in the next month

 

  6. Recommended corrective actions for vulnerabilities (i.e. LCD change, system edit, provider education…)

 

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  7. Update on how vulnerability issues were identified and what potential vulnerabilities cannot be reviewed because of potentially ineffective policies

 

  8. Update on JOAs

 

  9. Action Items

 

  10. Appeal Statistics

 

  11. Problems Encountered

 

  12. Process Improvements to be completed by RAC

At CMS discretion a standardized monthly report(s) may be required. If a standardized monthly report is required, CMS will provide the format.

 

  2.

The RAC shall submit monthly financial reports outlining all work accomplished during the previous month. This report shall be broken down into eight categories:

 

  a.

Overpayments Collected- Amounts shall only be on this report if the amount has been collected by the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC (in summary and detail)

 

  b.

Underpayments Identified and Paid Back to Provider- Amounts shall only be on this report if the amount has been paid back to the provider by the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC (in summary and detail)

 

  c.

Overpayments Adjusted- Amounts shall be included on this report if an appeal has been decided in the provider’s favor or if the RAC rescinded the overpayment after adjustment occurred (in summary and detail)

 

  d.

Overpayments In the Queue- This report includes claims where the RAC believes an overpayment exists because of an automated or complex review but the amount has not been recovered by the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC yet

 

  e.

Underpayments In the Queue- This report includes claims where the RAC believes an underpayment exists because of an automated or complex review but the amount has not been paid back to the provider yet

 

  f.

Number of medical records requested from each provider (in detail)

 

  g.

Number of medical reviews completed within 60 days

 

  h.

Number of reviews that failed to meet the 60 day review timeframe and the rationale for failure to complete the reviews within 60 days

Reports a, b and c in #3 above shall also be included with the monthly voucher to CMS.

All reports shall be in summary format with all applicable supporting documentation.

At CMS discretion a standardized monthly report(s) may be required. If a standardized monthly report is required, CMS will provide the format.

 

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Each monthly report shall be submitted by the close of business on the fifth business day following the end of the month by email to the CMS PO and one copy accompanying the contractor’s voucher that is sent to the CMS accounting office.

 

D. RAC Data Warehouse

CMS will provide access to the RAC Data Warehouse. The RAC Data Warehouse is a web based application which houses all RAC identifications and collections. The RAC Data Warehouse includes all suppressions and exclusions. Suppressions and exclusions are claims that are not available to the RAC for review. The RAC will be responsible for providing the appropriate equipment so that they can access the Data Warehouse.

 

E. Geographic Region

The claims being analyzed for this award will be claims from providers with originating addresses in Region A (or debts associated with claims, as applicable) appropriately submitted to carriers, intermediaries, MACs or DME MACs in Region A or Mutual of Omaha.

CMS will have four (4) regions. There will be one (1) RAC in each region. Each RAC will perform recovery audit services for all claim types in that region. A map of the regions can be found in Appendix 2.

Task 2- Identification of Improper Payments

Identification of Medicare Improper payments

The RAC(s) shall pursue the identification of Medicare claims which contain improper payments for which payment was made or should have been made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. RACs are required to comply with Reopening Regulations located at 42 CFR 405.980. Before a RAC makes a decision to reopen a claim, the RAC must have good cause. Additionally, RACs shall ensure that processes are developed to minimize provider burden to the greatest extent possible when Identifying Medicare Improper payments.

 

A. Improper payments INCLUDED in this Statement of Work

Unless prohibited by Section 2B, the RAC may attempt to identify improper payments that result from any of the following:

 

   

Incorrect payment amounts

(exception: in cases where CMS issues instructions directing contractors to not pursue certain incorrect payments made)

 

   

Non-covered services (including services that are not reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act),

 

   

Incorrectly coded services (including DRG miscoding)

 

   

Duplicate services

 

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The RAC may attempt to identify improper payments on claims (including inpatient hospital claims)—

 

   

Paid by carriers, intermediaries, MACs and DME MACs with jurisdiction in Region A

 

B. Improper payments EXCLUDED from this Statement of Work

The RAC may NOT attempt to identify improper payments arising from any of the following:

 

  1. Services provided under a program other than Medicare Fee-For-Service

For example, RACs may NOT attempt to identify improper payments in the Medicare Managed Care program, Medicare drug card program or drug benefit program.

 

  2. Cost report settlement process

RACs may NOT attempt to identify underpayments and overpayments that result from Indirect Medical Education (IME) and Graduate Medical Education (GME) payments.

 

  3. Claims more than 3 years past the date of the initial determination

The RAC shall not attempt to identify any overpayment or underpayment more than 3 years past the date of the initial determination made on the claim. The initial determination date is defined as the claim paid date. Any overpayment or underpayment inadvertently identified by the RAC after this timeframe shall be set aside. The RAC shall take no further action on these claims except to indicate the appropriate status code on the RAC Data Warehouse. The look back period is counted starting from the date of the initial determination and ending with the date the RAC issues the medical record request letter (for complex reviews) or the date of the overpayment notification letter (for automated reviews).

Note: CMS reserves the right to limit the time period available for RAC review by RAC, by region/state, by claim type, by provider type, or by any other reason where CMS believes it is in the best interest of the Medicare program to limit claim review. This notice will be in writing, may be by email and will be effective immediately.

 

  4. Claim paid dates earlier than October 1, 2007

 

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The RAC program will begin with claims paid on or after October 1, 2007. This begin date will be for all states. The actual start date for a RAC in a state will not change this date. As time passes, the RAC may look back 3 years but the claim paid date may never be earlier than October 1, 2007. In other words the RAC will only look at FY 2008 claims and forward. The RAC will not review claims prior to FY 2008 claim paid dates.

For example, in the state of New York a RAC will be “live” in March 2008. In March 2008, the New York RAC will be able to review claims with paid dates from October 1, 2007- March 2008. In December 2008, the New York RAC will be able to review claims with paid dates from October 1, 2007- December 2008.

Another example, in the state of Pennsylvania a RAC will not be “live” until January 2009 (or later). In January 2009, if the RAC is “live,” the RAC in Pennsylvania will be able to review claims from October 1, 2007- January 2009.

 

  5. Claims where the beneficiary is liable for the overpayment because the provider is without fault with respect to the overpayment

The RAC shall not attempt to identify any overpayment where the provider is without fault with respect to the overpayment. If the provider is without fault with respect to the overpayment, liability switches to the beneficiary. The beneficiary would be responsible for the overpayment and would receive the demand letter. The RAC may not attempt recoupment from a beneficiary. One example of this situation may be a service that was not covered because it was not reasonable and necessary but the beneficiary signed an Advance Beneficiary Notice. Another example of this situation is benefit category denials such as the 3 day hospital stay prior to SNF admission.

Chapter 3 of the PIM and HCFA/CMS Ruling #95-1 explain Medicare liability rules. Without fault regulations can be found at 42 CFR 405.350 and further instructions can be found in Chapter 3 of the Financial Management Manual.

In addition, a provider can be found without fault if the overpayment was determined subsequent to the third year following the year in which the claim was paid. Providers may appeal an overpayment solely based on the without fault regulations.

Therefore, the RAC shall not identify an overpayment if the provider can be found without fault. Examples of this regulation can be found in IOM Publication 100-6, Chapter 3, and Section 100.7.

 

  6. Random selection of claims

The RAC shall adhere to Section 935 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which prohibits the use of random claim selection for any purpose other than to establish an error rate. Therefore, the

 

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RAC shall not use random review in order to identify cases for which it will order medical records from the provider. Instead, the RAC shall utilize data analysis techniques in order to identify those claims most likely to contain overpayments. This process is called “targeted review”. The RAC may not target a claim solely because it is a high dollar claim but may target a claim because it is high dollar AND contains other information that leads the RAC to believe it is likely to contain an overpayment.

NOTE: The above paragraph does not preclude the RAC from utilizing extrapolation techniques for targeted providers or services.

 

  7. Claims Identified with a Special Processing Number

Claims containing Special Processing Numbers are involved in a Medicare demonstration or have other special processing rules that apply. These claims are not subject to review by the RAC. CMS attempts to remove these claims from the data prior to transmission to the RACs.

 

  8. Prepayment Review

The RAC shall identify Medicare improper payments using the post payment claims review process. Any other source of identification of a Medicare overpayment or underpayment (such as prepayment review) is not included in the scope of this contract.

 

C. Preventing Overlap

 

  1. Preventing overlap with contractor performing claim review and/or responsible for recoveries.

In order to minimize the impact on the provider community, it is critical that the RAC avoids situations where the RAC and another entity (Medicare contractor, PSC, MAC or law enforcement) are working on the same claim.

Therefore, the RAC Data Warehouse will be used by the RAC to determine if another entity already has the provider and/or claim under review. The RAC Data Warehouse will include a master table of excluded providers and claims. This table will be updated on an as needed basis. Before beginning a claim review the RAC shall utilize the RAC Data Warehouse to determine if exclusion exists for that claim. If exclusion exists for that claim, the RAC is not permitted to review that claim. If the exclusion is entered after the RAC begins its review, the RAC and CMS will be notified so that the RAC can cease all activity.

Definition of Exclusions - An excluded claim is a claim that has already been reviewed by another entity. This includes claims that were originally denied and then paid on appeal. Only claims may be excluded. Providers may not be excluded. Exclusions are permanent. This means that an excluded claim will

 

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never be available for the RAC to review.

The following contractors may input claims into the master table for exclusion:

 

   

Part B physician or supplier claims: the carrier or MAC medical review unit for the state.

 

   

Part A claims (other than inpatient PPS hospital claims and long term care hospital claims): the intermediary or MAC medical review unit for the state.

 

   

Part A inpatient PPS hospital claims and long term hospital claims: MAC for the state.

 

   

Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies: the appropriate DME MAC/PSC medical review unit for that state.

 

   

Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Contractor

 

   

CMS RAC Project Officer

 

  2 . Preventing RAC overlap with contractors, CMS, OGC, DOJ, OIG and/or other law enforcement entities performing potential fraud reviews.

CMS must ensure that RAC activities do not interfere with potential fraud reviews being conducted by Benefit Integrity (BI) Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs) or DMERC BI units or with potential fraud investigations being conducted by law enforcement. Therefore, RACs shall input all claims into the RAC Data Warehouse before attempting to identify or recover overpayments. (The master table described above will be utilized.)

Definition of Suppression - A suppressed provider and/or claim is a provider and/or claim that are a part of an ongoing investigation. Normally, suppressions will be temporary and will ultimately be released by the suppression entity.

The following contractors may input providers and/or claims into the master table for suppression:

 

   

Part B physician or supplier claims: the appropriate PSC, OIG, or law enforcement entity

 

   

Part A claims (other than inpatient PPS hospital claims and long term care hospital claims): the appropriate PSC, OIG, or law enforcement entity

 

   

Part A inpatient PPS hospital claims and long term hospital claims: the

 

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appropriate PSC, OIG, or law enforcement entity

 

   

CMS RAC Project Officer

 

   

Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies: the appropriate PSC, OIG or law enforcement entity

 

D. Obtaining and Storing Medical Records for reviews

Whenever needed for reviews, the RAC may obtain medical records by going onsite to the provider’s location to view/copy the records or by requesting that the provider mail/fax or securely transmit the records to the RAC. (Securely transmit means sent in accordance with the CMS business systems security manual – e.g., mailed CD, MDCN line, through a clearinghouse)

If the RAC attempts an onsite visit and the provider refuses to allow access to their facility, the RAC may not make an overpayment determination based upon the lack of access. Instead, the RAC shall request the needed records in writing.

When onsite review results in an improper payment finding, the RAC shall copy the relevant portions of the medical record and retain them for future use. When onsite review results in no finding of improper payment, the RAC need not retain a copy of the medical record.

When requesting medical records the RAC shall use discretion to ensure the number of medical records in the request is not negatively impacting the provider’s ability to provide care. Before contract award CMS will institute a medical record request limit. Different limits may apply for different provider types and for hospitals the limit may be based on size of the hospital (number of beds). The limit would be per provider location and type per time period. An example of a medical record limit would be no more than 50 inpatient medical record requests for a hospital with 150-249 beds in a 45 day time period. CMS may enact a different limit for different claim types (outpatient hospital, physicians, supplier, etc). The medical record request limit may also take into account a hospital’s annual Medicare payments.

The medical record request limit may not be superceded by bunching the medical record requests. For example, if the medical record request limit for a particular provider is 50 per month and the RAC does not request medical records in January and February, the RAC cannot request 150 records in March.

All Medical Request letters must adequately describe the good cause for reopening the claim. Good cause for reopening the claim may include but is not limited to OIG report findings, data analysis findings, comparative billing analysis, etc.

The RAC shall develop a mechanism to allow providers to customize their address and point of contact (e.g. Washington County Hospital, Medical Records Dept.,

 

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attention: Mary Smith, 123 Antietam Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20879). By January 01, 2010 all RACs shall develop a web-based application for this purpose. All web-based applications shall be approved by the CMS Project Officer. RACs may visit the CERT Contractor’s address customization website at http://www.certcdc.com/certproviderportal/verifyaddress.aspx for an example of a simple but successful system. Each medical record request must inform the provider about the existence of the address customization system.

NOTE: The RAC is encouraged to solicit and utilize the assistance of provider associations to help collect this information and house it in an easily updatable database.

 

  1. Paying for medical records

 

  a. RACs shall pay for medical records.

Should the RAC request medical records associated with:

 

   

an acute care inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) hospital (DRG) claim,

 

   

A Long Term Care hospital claim, the RAC shall pay the provider for producing the records in accordance with the current formula or any applicable payment formula created by state law. (The current per page rate is: medical records photocopying costs at a rate of $.12 per page for reproduction of PPS provider records and $.15 per page for reproduction of non-PPS institutions and practitioner records, plus first class postage. Specifically, hospitals and other providers (such as critical access hospitals) under a Medicare cost reimbursement system, receive no photocopying reimbursement. Capitation providers such as HMOs and dialysis facilities receive $.12 per page. RACs shall comply with the formula calculation found at 42 CFR §476.78(c). RACs shall also ensure compliance with any changes that are made to the formula calculation or rate in future publications of the Federal Register.)

RACs are required to pay for copying of the inpatient (PPS) and Long Term Care hospital medical records on at least a monthly basis. For example, a RAC may choose to issue checks on the 10 th of the month for all medical records received the previous month. All checks should be issued within 45 days of receiving the medical record.

RACs shall develop the necessary processes to accept imaged medical records sent on CD or DVD beginning immediately, and sent via the 277 Transaction Record starting in 2010. RACs must remain capable of accepting faxed or paper medical records indefinitely.

RACs shall pay the same per page rate for the production of imaged or electronic medical records. RACs must ensure that providers/clearinghouses

 

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first successfully complete a connectivity and readability test with the RAC system before being invited to submit imaged or electronic records to the RAC. The RAC must comply with all CMS business system security requirements.

 

  b. RACs may pay for medical records.

Should the RAC request medical records associated with any other type of claim including but not limited to the facilities listed in PIM 1.1.2, paragraph 2, the RAC may (but is not required to) pay the provider for producing the record using any formula the RAC desires.

 

  2. Updating the Case File

The RAC shall indicate in the case file (See Task 7; section G for additional case record maintenance instructions.)

 

   

A copy of all request letters,

 

   

Contacts with ACs, CMS or OIG,

 

   

Dates of any calls made, and

 

   

Notes indicating what transpired during the call.

Communication and Correspondence with Provider- Database

To assess provider reaction to the RACs and the RAC Program, CMS will complete regular surveys with the provider community. To help determine the universe of providers contacted by a RAC, the RAC will have to supply a listing of all providers to CMS and/or the evaluation contractor. CMS encourages the RAC to utilize an electronic database for all communication and correspondence with the provider. This ensures tracking of all communication and allows for easy access for customer service representatives . This also allows for easy transmission to CMS in the event of an audit or when the listing for the surveys is due. CMS expects the listing to be due no less than twice a year.

 

  3. Assessing an overpayment for failing to provide requested medical record.

Pursuant to the instructions found in PIM 3.10 and Exhibits 9-12, the RAC may find the claim to be an overpayment if medical records are requested and not received within 45 days. Prior to denying the claim for failure to submit documentation the RACs shall initiate one additional contact before issuing a denial.

 

  4. Storing and sharing medical records

 

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The RAC must make available to all ACs, CMS, QICs, OIG, (and others as indicated by the PO) any requested medical record via a MDCN line.

Storing and sharing IMAGED medical records

The RAC shall, on the effective date of this contract, be prepared to store and share imaged medical records. The RAC shall:

 

   

Provide a document management system

 

   

Store medical record NOT associated with an overpayment for 1 year,

 

   

Store medical records associated with an overpayment for duration of the contract,

 

   

Maintain a log of all requests for medical records indicating at least the requester, a description of the medical record being requested, the date the request was received, and the date the request was fulfilled. The RAC Data Warehouse will not be available for this purpose. The RAC shall make information about the status of a medical record (outstanding, received, review underway, review complete, case closed) available to providers upon request. By January 01, 2010 all RACs shall develop a web-based application for this purpose. All web-based applications shall be approved by the CMS Project Officer.

For purposes of this section sharing imaged medical records means the transmission of the record on a disk, CD, DVD, FTP or MDCN line. PHI shall not be transmitted through any means except a MDCN line, postal mail, overnight courier or a fax machine.

Upon the end of the contract, the RAC shall send copies of the imaged records to the contractor specified by the PO.

 

E. The Claim Review Process

 

  1. Types of Determinations a RAC may make

When a RAC reviews a claim, they may make any or all of the determinations listed below.

 

  a. Coverage Determinations

The RAC may find a full or partial overpayment exists if the service is not covered (i.e., it fails to meet one or more of the conditions for coverage listed below).

In order to be covered by Medicare, a service must:

 

  i. Be included in one of the benefit categories described in Title XVIII of the Act;

 

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  ii. Not be excluded from coverage on grounds other than 1862(a)(1); and

 

  iii. Be reasonable and necessary under Section 1862(a)(1) of the Act. The RAC shall consider a service to be reasonable and necessary if the RAC determines that the service is:

 

  A. Safe and effective;

 

  B. Not experimental or investigational (exception: routine costs of qualifying clinical trial services with dates of service on or after September 19, 2000 which meet the requirements of the Clinical Trials NCD are considered reasonable and necessary); and

 

  C. Appropriate, including the duration and frequency that is considered appropriate for the service, in terms of whether it is:

 

   

Furnished in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient’s condition or to improve the function of a malformed body member;

 

   

Furnished in a setting appropriate to the patient’s medical needs and condition;

 

   

Ordered and furnished by qualified personnel;

 

   

One that meets, but does not exceed, the patient’s medical need; and

 

   

At least as beneficial as an existing and available medically appropriate alternative.

There are several exceptions to the requirement that a service be reasonable and necessary for diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury. The exceptions appear in the full text of §1862(a) (1) (A) and include but are not limited to:

 

   

Pneumococcal, influenza and hepatitis B vaccines are covered if they are reasonable and necessary for the prevention of illness;

 

   

Hospice care is covered if it is reasonable and necessary for the palliation or management of terminal illness;

 

   

Screening mammography is covered if it is within frequency limits and meets quality standards;

 

   

Screening pap smears and screening pelvic exam are covered if they are within frequency limits;

 

   

Prostate cancer screening tests are covered if within frequency limits;

 

   

Colorectal cancer screening tests are covered if within frequency limits; and

 

   

One pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an interlobular lens.

 

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RACs must be very careful in choosing which denial type to use since beneficiaries’ liability varies based on denial type. Benefit category denials take precedence over statutory exclusion and reasonable and necessary denials. Statutory exclusion denials take precedence over reasonable and necessary denials. Contractors should use HCFA Ruling 95-1 and the guidelines listed below in selecting the appropriate denial reason.

Limitation of Liability Determinations

If a RAC identifies a full or partial overpayment because an item or service is not reasonable and necessary, the RAC shall make and document §§1879, 1870, and 1842(l) (limitation of liability) determinations as appropriate. Because these determinations can be appealed, it is important that the rationale for the determination be documented both initially and at each level of appeal. Limitation of Liability determinations do not apply to denials based on determinations other than reasonable and necessary. See PIM Exhibits 14 -14.3 for further details.

 

  b. Coding Determinations

The RAC may find that an overpayment or underpayment exists if the service is not correctly coded (i.e., it fails to meet one or more of the coding requirements listed in an NCD, local coding article, Coding Clinic, CPT or CPT Assistant.)

 

  c. Other Determinations

The RAC may determine that an overpayment or underpayment exists if the claim was paid twice (i.e., a “duplicate claim”), was priced incorrectly, or the claims processing contractor did not apply a payment policy (e.g., paying the second surgery at 50% of the fee schedule amount).

 

  2. Minor Omissions

Consistent with Section 937 of the MMA, the RAC shall not make denials on minor omissions such as missing dates or signatures.

 

  3. Medicare Policies and Articles

The RAC shall comply with all National Coverage Determinations (NCDs), Coverage Provisions in Interpretive Manuals, national coverage and coding articles, local coverage determinations (LCDs) (formerly called local medical review policies (LMRPs)) and local coverage/coding articles in their jurisdiction. NCDs, LMRPs/LCD and local coverage/coding articles can be found in the Medicare Coverage Data Warehouse http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/overview.asp ). Coverage Provisions in Interpretive Manuals can be found in various parts of the Medicare Manuals. In addition, the RAC shall comply with all relevant joint signature memos forwarded to the RAC by the project officer. RACs should not apply a LCD retroactively to claims processed prior to the effective date of the policy. RAC shall ensure that policies utilized in making a

 

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review determination are applicable at the time the service was rendered except in the case of a retroactively liberalized LCDs or CMS National policy.

The RAC shall keep in mind that not all policy carriers the same weight in the appeals process. For example, ALJs are not bound by LCDs but are bound by NCDs and Rulings.

If an issue is brought to the attention of CMS by any means and CMS instructs the RAC on the interpretation of any policy and/or regulation, the RAC shall abide by CMS’ decision.

 

  4. Internal Guidelines

As part of its process of reviewing claims for coverage and coding purposes, the RAC shall develop detailed written review guidelines. For the purposes of this SOW, these guidelines will be called “Internal Guidelines.” Internal Guidelines, in essence, will allow the RAC to operationalize carrier and intermediary LCDs and NCDs. Internal Guidelines shall specify what information should be reviewed by reviewers and the appropriate resulting determination. The RAC need not hold public meetings or seek public comments on their proposed internal guidelines. However, they must make their Internal Guidelines available to CMS upon request. Internal Guidelines shall not create or change policy.

 

  5. Administrative Relief from Review in the Presence of a Disaster

The RAC shall comply with PIM 3.2.2 regarding administrative relief from review in the presence of a disaster.

 

  6. Evidence

The RAC shall only identify a claims overpayment where there is supportable evidence of the overpayment. There are two primary ways of identification:

 

  a) Through “automated review” of claims data without human review of medical or other records; and

 

  b) Through “complex review” which entails human review of a medical record or other documentation.

 

7. Automated Review vs. Complex Review

 

  a. Automated Review. Automated review occurs when a RAC makes a claim determination at the system level without a human review of the medical record.

 

  i. Coverage/Coding Determinations Made Through Automated Review

The RAC may use automated review when making coverage and coding determinations only where BOTH of the following conditions apply:

 

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there is certainty that the service is not covered or is incorrectly coded, AND

 

   

a written Medicare policy, Medicare article or Medicare-sanctioned coding guideline (e.g., CPT statement, CPT Assistant statement, Coding Clinic statement, etc.) exists

When making coverage and coding determinations, if no certainty exists as to whether the service is covered or correctly coded, the RAC shall not use automated review. When making coverage and coding determinations, if no written Medicare policy, Medicare article, or Medicare-sanctioned coding guideline exists, the RAC shall not use automated review. Examples of Medicare-sanctioned coding guidelines include: CPT statements, CPT Assistant statements, and Coding Clinic statements.)

EXCEPTION: If the RAC identifies a “clinically unbelievable” issue (i.e., a situation where certainty of noncoverage or incorrectly coding exists but no Medicare policy, Medicare articles or Medicare-sanctioned coding guidelines exist), the RAC may seek CMS approval to proceed with automated review. Unless or until CMS approves the issue for automated review, the RAC must make its determinations through complex review.

 

  ii. Other Determinations Made Through Automated Review The RAC may use automated review when making other determinations (e.g. duplicate claims, pricing mistakes) when there is certainty that an overpayment or underpayment exists. Written policies/articles/guidelines often don’t exist for these situations.

 

  b. Complex Review . Complex review occurs when a RAC makes a claim determination utilizing human review of the medical record. The RAC may use complex review in situations where the requirements for automated review are not met or the RAC is unsure whether the requirements for automated review are met. Complex medical review is used in situations where there is a high probability (but not certainty) that the service is not covered or where no Medicare policy, Medicare article, or Medicare-sanctioned coding guideline exists. Complex copies of medical records will be needed to provide support for the overpayment.

 

  c. Summary of Automated vs. Complex. The chart below summarizes these requirements.

 

        Automated        
       

(without medical record)

       

Complex Review

(with medical record)

 

Coverage/Coding Determinations

 

Other Determinations

(duplicates, pricing

mistakes, etc)

Written   No written   Written Medicare   No written Medicare   Certainty   NO

 

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Medicare

policy/article

or Medicare-

sanctioned

coding

guidelines

exists

 

Medicare

policy/article

or Medicare-
sanctioned
coding

guidelines

exists

 

policy/article or

Medicare-

sanctioned coding

guidelines exists

 

policy/article or

Medicare-sanctioned

coding guidelines

exists

 

exists

 

Certainty exists

        NO       NO    
    Certainty   Certainty   Certainty   Certainty    
   

exists

 

exists

 

exists

 

exists

   

Allowed

 

Allowed

(often called “Individual Claim Determinations”)

 

Allowed

 

Not

allowed

 

Allowed

with prior

CMS

approval

(often called “clinically unbelievable” situations)

  Not allowed   Allowed   Not allowed

 

8. Individual Claim Determinations

The term “individual claim determination” refers to a complex review performed by a RAC in the absence of a written Medicare policy, article, or coding statement. When making individual claim determinations, the RAC shall utilize appropriate medical literature and apply appropriate clinical judgment. The RAC shall consider the broad range of available evidence and evaluate its quality before making individual claim determinations. The extent and quality of supporting evidence is key to defending challenges to individual claim determinations. Individual claim determinations which challenge the standard of practice in a community shall be based on sufficient evidence to convincingly refute evidence presented in support of coverage. The RAC shall ensure that their CMD is actively involved in examining all evidence used in making individual claim determinations and acting as a resource to all reviewers making individual claim determinations.

 

9. Staff Performing Complex Coverage/Coding Reviews

Whenever performing complex coverage or coding reviews (i.e., reviews involving the medical record), the RAC shall ensure that coverage/medical necessity determinations are made by RNs or therapists and that coding determinations are made by certified coders. The RAC shall ensure that no nurse, therapist or coder reviews claims from a provider who was their employer within the previous 12 months. RACs shall maintain and provide documentation upon the provider’s request the credentials of the individuals making the medical review determinations. If the provider requests to speak to the CMD regarding a claim(s) denial the RAC shall ensure the CMD participates in the discussion.

 

10. Timeframes for Completing Complex Coverage/Coding Reviews

RACs shall complete their complex reviews within 60 days from receipt of the medical record documentation. RACs may request a waiver from CMS if an extended timeframe is needed due to extenuating circumstances. If an extended timeframe for review is granted RACs shall notify the provider in writing or via a web-based application of the situation that has resulted in the delay and will indicate

 

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that the Notification of Findings will be sent once CMS approves the RAC moving forward with the review.

 

11. Re-openings of Claims Denied Due to Failure to Submit Necessary Medical Documentation (remittance advice code N102 or 56900)

In cases where the RAC denies a claim with remittance advice code N102 or 56900 (“This claim has been denied without reviewing the medical record because the requested records were not received or were not received timely.”) and the denial is appealed, the appeals department may, at CMS direction, send the claim to the RAC for reopening under certain conditions, listed in CMS Pub. IOM 100-04, chapter 34, §10.3. If this occurs, the RAC shall conduct a reopening of claims sent by the appeals department within 30 days of receipt of the forwarded claim and requested documentation by the RAC. In addition, the RAC shall issue a new letter containing the revised denial reason and the information required by PIM chapter 3, §3.6.5.

 

F. Activities Following Review

 

  1. Rationale for Determination.

The RAC shall document the rationale for the determination. This rationale shall list the review findings including a detailed description of the Medicare policy or rule that was violated and a statement as to whether the violation resulted in an improper payment.

The RAC shall make available upon request by any other ACs, CMS, OIG, (and others as indicated by the PO) any requested rationale.

Storing and making available IMAGED rationale documents

The RAC shall on the effective date of this contract be prepared to store and share imaged medical records. The RAC shall:

 

   

Provide a document management system that meets CMS requirements,

 

   

Store rationale documents NOT associated with an overpayment for 1 year,

 

   

Store rationale documents associated with an overpayment for the duration of the contract,

 

   

Maintain a log of all requests for rationale documents indicating at least the requester, a description of the medical record being requested, the date the request was received, and the date the request was fulfilled. The RAC Data Warehouse will not be available for this purpose.

 

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Upon the end of the contract, the RAC shall send copies of the imaged rationale documents to the contractor specified by the PO.

 

  2. Validation Process

 

  a. Validating the Issue

RACs are encouraged to meet with the FIs, carriers, and MACs in their jurisdiction to discuss potential findings the RAC may have identified. The RAC may request that the FI/Carrier/MAC review some claims in order to validate the accuracy of the RAC determination.

 

  b. Validating the Claims at CMS or the RAC Validation Contractor

Once the RAC has chosen to pursue a new issue that requires complex or automated review, the RAC shall notify the PO of the issue in a format to be prescribed by the PO. The PO will notify the RAC which issues have been selected for claim validation (either by CMS or by an independent RAC Validation Contractor). The RAC shall forward any requested information in a format to be prescribed by the PO. The PO will notify the RAC if/when they may begin issuing medical record request letters (beyond the 10 test claims) and demand letters on the new issue. The RAC shall not issue any demand letters on issues that have not approved by CMS. The RAC may request up to 10 medical records when developing a test case for CMS to validate. The RAC shall not issue medical record requests beyond the 10 test claims without prior PO approval. CMS or the RAC Validation Contractor may also evaluate the clarity, accuracy, and completeness of the RAC letter to providers.

 

  3. Communication with Providers about Improper Payment Cases

The RAC may send the provider only one review results per claim. For example, a RAC may NOT send the provider a letter on January 10 containing the results of a medical necessity review and send a separate letter on January 20 containing the results of the correct coding review for the same claim. Instead, the RAC must wait until January 20 to inform the provider of the results of both reviews in the same letter. It is acceptable to send one notification letter that contains a list of all the claims denied for the same reason (i.e. all claims denied because the wrong number of units were billed for a particular drug). In situations in which the RAC identifies two different reasons for a denial, a letter should be sent for each reason identified. For example, if the RAC identified a problem with the coding of respiratory failure and denied several claim(s) because the wrong procedure code and wrong diagnosis codes were billed, the RAC should send two separate letters. The first letter should list all claims in which an improper payment was identified

 

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that contained the wrong procedure code and the second letter should identify those denied because the wrong diagnosis code was billed.

RACs shall ensure that the date a claim was reopened (regardless of the demand letter issue date) is documented and the rationale for good cause when claims are reopened more than 12 months from date of the initial determination. Including this information will lend credibility to RAC documentation if the RAC determination is appealed. RACs shall clearly document the date the claim was reopened and the rational for good cause in the Notification of RAC Review Findings (for initial determinations made by a Part A claims processing contractor), in the demand letter (for initial determinations made by a Part B claims processing contractor) and in all case files.

 

  a. Automated review

The RAC shall communicate to the provider the results of each automated review that results in an overpayment determination. The RAC shall inform the provider of which coverage/coding/payment policy or article was violated. The RAC need not communicate to providers the results of automated reviews that do not result in an overpayment determination. The RAC shall record the date and format of this communication in the RAC Data Warehouse.

 

  b. Complex review

The RAC shall communicate to the provider the results of every complex review (i.e., every review where a medical record was obtained), including cases where no improper payment was identified. In cases where an improper payment was identified, the RAC shall inform the provider of which coverage/coding/payment policy or article was violated. The RAC shall record the date and format of this communication in the RAC Data Warehouse.

 

  c. Contents of Notification of RAC Complex Review Findings Letter

The RAC shall send a letter to the provider indicating the results of the review within 60 days of the exit conference (for provider site reviews) or receipt of medical records (for RAC site reviews). If the RAC need more than 60 days, they are to contact the Project Officer for an extension. Each letter must include:

 

   

Identification of the provider(s) or supplier(s)—name, address, and provider number;

 

   

The reason for conducting the review (See Section SOW 2F-3);

 

   

A narrative description of the overpayment situation: state the specific issues involved which created the improper payment and

 

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any pertinent issues as well as any recommended corrective actions the provider should consider taking;

 

   

The findings for each claim in the sample, including a specific explanation of why any services were determined to be non-covered, or incorrectly coded; A list of all individual claims including the actual amounts determined to be noncovered, the specific reason for noncoverage, the amounts denied,

 

   

For statistical sampling for overpayment estimation reviews, any information required by PIM, chapter 3, section 3.10.4.4;

 

   

An explanation of the provider’s or supplier’s right to submit a rebuttal statement prior to recoupment of any overpayment (see PIM Chapter 3, Section 3.6.6);

 

   

An explanation of the procedures for recovery of overpayments including Medicare’s right to recover overpayments and charge interest on debts not repaid within 30 days, and the provider’s right to request an extended repayment schedule;

 

   

The provider appeal rights information;

 

   

All demand letter requirements listed in Task 4, Section A-Written Notification to Provider.

 

  4. Determine the Overpayment Amount

 

  a. Full denials

A full denial occurs when the RAC determines that:

 

  i. The submitted service was not reasonable and necessary and no other service (for that type of provider) would have been reasonable and necessary, or

 

  ii. No service was provided.

The overpayment amount is the total paid amount for the service in question.

 

  b. Partial denials

A partial denial occurs when the RAC determines that:

 

  i. The submitted service was not reasonable and necessary but a lower level service would have been reasonable and necessary, or

 

  ii. The submitted service was upcoded (and a lower level service was actually performed) or an incorrect code (such as a discharge status code) was submitted that caused a higher payment to be made.

 

  iii. The AC failed to apply a payment rule that caused an improper payment (e.g. failure to reduce payment on multiple surgery cases).

Note: Other situations that are not categorized above should be brought to

 

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J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

the CMS PO’s attention before the RAC sends notification to the provider.

In these cases, the RAC must determine the level of service that was reasonable and necessary or represents the correct code for the service described in the medical record. In order to determine the actual overpayment amount, the claim adjustment will have to be completed by the AC. Once the AC completes the claim adjustment, the AC will notify the RAC through the RAC Data Warehouse (or another method instructed by CMS) of the overpayment amount. The RAC shall then proceed with recovery. The RAC can only collect the difference between the paid amount and the amount that should have been paid.

*How the adjustment is completed in the shared system may not necessarily correlate with the RAC contingency amount. For example, a RAC contingency amount could equate to the difference between the full denial and any services determined by CMS to be payable.

 

  c. Extrapolation

Follow the procedures found in PIM 3.10 and Exhibits 9-12, as well as MMA Section 935(a), regarding the use of extrapolation.

 

  d. Recording the Improper Payment Amount in the RAC Data Warehouse

The RAC shall update the RAC Data Warehouse with:

 

   

The improper payment amount for each claim in question;

 

   

Line level claim detail;

 

   

The date of the original demand/notification letter;

 

   

Appeal status;

 

   

Collection detail and/or adjustments due to errors/appeals;

 

   

Any other claim level information found in the RAC Data Warehouse User Guide.

Once an overpayment is identified, the RAC shall proceed with the Recovery of Medicare Overpayments.

 

G. Potential Fraud

The RAC shall report instances of potential fraud immediately to the CMS PO. (See Task 7 section F on recalled cases)

 

H. Potential Quality Problems

The RAC shall report potential quality issues immediately to the QIO. The mechanism to report potential quality issues shall be addressed in the JOA between

 

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the RAC and the QIO. If a JOA cannot be reached with a particular QIO, the RAC shall report the potential quality issue to their CMS PO.

 

I. RAC Medical Director

Each RAC must employ a minimum of one FTE contractor medical director (CMD) and arrange for an alternate when the CMD is unavailable for extended periods. The CMD FTE must be composed of either a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy who has relevant work and educational experience. More than one individual’s time cannot be combined to meet the one FTE minimum.

Relevant Work Experience

 

   

Prior work experience in the health insurance industry, utilization review firm or health care claims processing organization,

 

   

Extensive knowledge of the Medicare program particularly the coverage and payment rules, and

 

   

Public relations experience such as working with physician groups, beneficiary organizations or Congressional offices.

Relevant Educational Experience

 

   

Experience practicing medicine as a board certified doctor of medicine or doctor who is currently licensed.

All clinicians employed or retained as consultants must be currently licensed to practice medicine in the United States, and the contractor must periodically verify that the license is current. When recruiting CMDs, contractors must give preference to physicians who have patient care experience and are actively involved in the practice of medicine. The CMD’s duties relevant to the RAC are listed below.

Primary duties include:

 

   

Providing the clinical expertise and judgment to understand LCDs, NCDs and other Medicare policy;

 

   

Serving as a readily available source of medical information to provide guidance in questionable claims reviews situations;

 

   

Recommending when LCDs, NCDs, provider education, system edits or other corrective actions are needed or must be revised to address RAC vulnerabilities;

 

   

Briefing and directing personnel on the correct application of policy during claim adjudication, including through written internal claim review guidelines;

 

   

Keeping abreast of medical practice and technology changes that may result in improper billing or program abuse;

 

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J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

Other duties include:

 

   

Interacting with the CMDs at other contractors and/or RACs to share information on potential problem areas;

 

   

Participating in CMD clinical workgroups, as appropriate; and

 

   

Upon request, providing input to CO on national coverage and payment policy, including recommendations for relative value unit (RVU) assignments.

 

   

Participating in CMS/RAC presentations to providers and associations

To prevent conflict of interest issues, the CMD must provide written notification to CMS within 3 months after the appointment, election, or membership effective date if the CMD becomes a committee member or is appointed or elected as an officer in any State or national medical societies or other professional organizations. In addition, CMDs who are currently in practice should notify CMS of the type and extent of the practice.

 

J. Assisting CMS in the development of the Medicare Improper Payment Prevention Plan

Through monthly calls, monthly reports and databases the RAC shall assist CMS in the development of the Medicare Improper Payment Prevention Plan. The Medicare Improper Payment Prevention Plan is a listing of all RAC vulnerabilities identified that CMS may need to address through LCDs, NCDs, provider education or system edits.

 

K. Communication with Other Medicare Contractors

 

  1. Joint Operating Agreement

The RAC shall be required to complete a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) with all applicable Medicare contractors (FIs, Carriers, DME MACs, MACs, QIOs, QICs, PSCs…). The JOA shall encompass all communication between the Medicare contractor and the RAC. The JOA shall be a mutually agreed to document that is reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. The JOA shall prescribe 1) agreed upon service levels and 2) notification and escalation mechanisms with CMS involvement.

 

  2. Referrals from CMS

At CMS discretion, the RAC may receive referrals or “tips” on potential overpayments from CMS, ACs, and OIG or law enforcement. The RAC shall work with the appropriate entities concerning formats and transfer arrangements. The RAC must consider all referrals, but is not required to pursue all referrals.

NOTE: CMS is developing a web-based referral tracking system. This system will be available to all Medicare contractors, to CMS and to the RACs to make and track

 

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referrals. The RACs will be required to review the referral tracking system and to determine if the referral will be reviewed or not. The RAC is not required to act upon any referral. However, the RAC is required to update CMS with the decision and status. The expected timeframe for review and decision is 30-45 days from the referral being entered into the system.

Task 3- Underpayments

The RAC will review claims, using automated or complex reviews, to identify potential Medicare underpayments. Upon identification the RAC will communicate the underpayment finding to the appropriate affiliated contractor. The mode of communication and the frequency shall be agreed upon by both the RAC and the affiliated contractor. This communication shall be separate from the overpayment communications.

After receipt the affiliated contractor will validate the Medicare underpayment. If necessary, the RAC shall share any documentation supporting the underpayment determination with the affiliated contractor. Once the affiliated contractor validates the underpayment occurrence, adjusts the claim and pays the provider, the RAC shall include the amount of the actual underpayment on the next payment invoice. Neither the RAC nor the AC may ask the provider to correct and resubmit the claim.

Once the appropriate affiliated contractor has validated the Medicare underpayment, the RAC will issue a written notice to the provider. This Underpayment Notification Letter shall include the claim(s) and beneficiary detail. A sample letter shall be approved by the CMS Project Officer before issuing the first letter.

For purposes of the RAC program, a Medicare underpayment is defined as those lines or payment group (e.g. APC, RUG) on a claim that was billed at a low level of payment but should have been billed at a higher level of payment. The RAC will review each claim line or payment group and consider all possible occurrences of an underpayment in that one line or payment group. If changes to the diagnosis, procedure or order in that line or payment group would create an underpayment, the RAC will identify an underpayment. Service lines or payment groups that a provider failed to include on a claim are NOT considered underpayments for the purposes of the program.

Examples of an Underpayment :

 

  1. The provider billed for 15 minutes of therapy when the medical record clearly indicates 30 minutes of therapy was provided. (This provider type is paid based on a fee schedule that pays more for 30 minutes of therapy than for 15 minutes of therapy)

 

  2. The provider billed for a particular service and the amount the provider was paid was lower than the amount on the CMS physician fee schedule.

 

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  3. A diagnosis/condition was left off the MDS but appears in the medical record. Had this diagnosis or condition been listed on the MDS, a higher payment group would have been the result.

The following will NOT be considered an underpayment:

 

  1. The medical record indicates that the provider performed additional services such as an EKG, but the provider did not bill for the service. (This provider type is paid based on a fee schedule that has a separate code and payment amount for EKG)

 

  2. The provider billed for 15 minutes of therapy when the medical record clearly indicates 30 minutes of therapy was provided…however, the additional minutes do not affect the grouper or the pricier. (This provider type is paid based on a prospective payment system that does not pay more for this much additional therapy.)

 

  3. The medical record indicates that the provider implanted a particular device for which a device APC exists (and is separately payable over and above the service APC), but the provider did not bill for the device APC.

Reporting of Underpayments

On a monthly basis the RAC shall submit a report to the PO listing all underpayments the RAC identified during the month. The report shall include the claim number, the provider number, the claim paid date(s), the original amount paid and the reason for the underpayment.

RAC DataWarehouse

Upon submission of the underpayment to the affiliated contractor, the RAC shall input the underpayment into the RAC Database. The RAC shall utilize the RAC DataWarehouse to learn of the payment amount to the provider for invoicing purposes unless other arrangements are made with the affiliated contractor in the JOA.

Provider Inquiries

The RAC will have no responsibility to accept case files from providers for an underpayment case review. If case files are received from providers that were not requested by the RAC, the RAC may shred the record requests. The RAC is under no obligation to respond to the provider.

Medical Record Requests

The RAC may request medical records for the sole purpose of identifying an underpayment. If required, the RAC will pay for all medical record requests, regardless of if an underpayment or overpayment is determined.

Appeal of the Underpayment Determination

 

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The provider does not have any official appeals rights in relation to an underpayment determination. The provider may utilize the RAC rebuttal process and discuss the underpayment determination with the RAC. If the provider disagrees with the RAC that an underpayment exists, the RAC shall defer to the billing provider’s judgment and request that the FI or carrier “undo” the underpayment. In addition, the RAC shall forward all supporting documentation, including the validation from the FI or Carrier to the CMS Project Officer or his/her delegate.

Task 4- Recoupment of Overpayments

The RAC(s) will pursue the recoupment of Medicare overpayments that are identified through Task 2. The recovery techniques utilized by the RAC shall be legally supportable. The recovery techniques shall follow the guidelines of all applicable CMS regulations and manuals as well as all federal debt collection standards. Some guidelines specific to CMS include, but are not limited to, 42 CFR, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, and the Federal Claims Collection Act, as amended. The RAC is required to follow the manual guidelines in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 3 & 4, as well as instructions in CMS One Time Notifications and Joint Signature Memorandum unless otherwise instructed in this statement of work or specifically agreed to by the PO.

Adjustment Process

The RAC shall not attempt recoupment or forward any claim to the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC or the applicable CMS Data Center for adjustment if the amount of the overpayment is less than $10.00. Claims less than $10.00 cannot be aggregated to allow for demand.

The RAC shall not forward any claim to the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC or the CMS Data Center for adjustment if the amount of the underpayment is less than $1.00.

The RAC shall not forward claims to the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC for adjustment if the claim is incorrectly coded but the coding error does not equate to a difference in the payment amount. For example, HCPCS code xxxxx requires a modifier for payment. Payment with the modifier is $25.50 per service. Without the modifier payment is $25.50 per service. While the claim without the modifier is incorrect, there is no overpayment or underpayment and the claim shall not be forwarded for adjustment.

Sometimes when the system adjusts the claim for the RAC identified overpayment other lines are adjusted because of system edits. CMS calls these additional lines associated findings. While the RAC did not identify these lines for adjustment, they were initiated because of the RAC adjustment.

The RAC receives credit for the entire claim adjustment and the RAC shall include these additional lines and denial reason codes on the written notification to the provider. This

 

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is currently only possible for Part B demand letters. However, RACs are still required to have knowledge and an understanding of the associated findings on all Part A claims in the event a provider has a question.

Also, a RAC identified adjustment may trigger the denial of the entire claim because of a known Medicare Secondary Payer occurrence or a known instance of the beneficiary’s enrollment in a managed care plan. If an entire claim is denied because of managed care eligibility or a known MSP occurrence the RAC will not receive credit for the denial and will not receive credit for the adjustment identified by the RAC.

When partial adjustments to claims are necessary, the FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC shall downcode the claim whenever possible. The RAC will only be paid a contingency payment on the difference between the original claim paid amount and the revised claim paid amount. Some examples include DRG validations where a lower-weighted DRG is assigned, claim adjustments resulting in a lower payment amount, inpatient stays that should have been billed as outpatient, SNF…. If the system cannot currently accommodate this type of downcoding/adjustments, CMS will work with the system maintainers to create the necessary changes. This includes some medical necessity claims.

 

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Part B Adjustment Process

 

LOGO

 

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Part A Adjustment Process

 

LOGO

In the demonstration each FI/Carrier/DME MAC and the RAC worked collaboratively to

 

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develop methods to automate adjustments. This was successful in some areas and more difficult in others. In areas where automation was difficult backlogs of claims requiring adjustment were created. With expansion of the RAC Program CMS realizes the need for standardization of all reporting and automation. CMS is currently in the process of creating standard system changes to all shared systems (FISS, MCS, and VMS). CMS does not have a completion date for the system changes. Until CMS has complete system changes manual adjustments may be required and it is possible backlogs will occur. While CMS will work with the appropriate FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC and the RAC to eliminate the backlog, CMS will not compensate the RAC for claims stuck in the backlog.

A. Written Notification of Overpayment

Part A Process

After identification and validation, if necessary, the RAC shall send written notification of the overpayment to the provider. The written notification shall include all necessary information specified in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4 (unless specifically excluded in this statement of work). The CMS Project Officer shall approve all written notifications to the provider before any letters can be sent.

Part B Process

After the claim is adjusted and an accounts receivable is created, the RAC shall issue a demand letter to the provider. The demand letter shall include all necessary requirements specified in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4, and section 90 (unless specifically excluded in this statement of work). The CMS Project Officer shall approve all demand letters to the provider before any letters can be sent.

CMS is moving toward standardized base letters for use by each RAC. CMS anticipates the standardized base letters will be available by the award of the contract. These letters will be found in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4, and section 100. Use of the standardized base letter will be required; however each RAC will add additional information pertinent to each overpayment identification.

B. Recoupment through Current and/or Future Medicare Payments

Medicare utilizes recoupment, as defined in 42 CFR 405.370 to recover a large percentage of all Medicare provider overpayments. “Recoupment” as defined in 42 CFR 405.370 is the recovery by Medicare of any outstanding Medicare debt by reducing present or future Medicare provider payments and applying the amount withheld to the indebtedness. Overpayments identified and demanded by the RAC will also be subject to the existing withholding procedures. The existing withhold procedures can be found in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4, section 40.1. Withholding of present and/or future payments will occur by the appropriate Medicare FI/Carrier/MAC/DME MAC. These withhold procedures will be used for all provider overpayments.

 

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Once payments are withheld, the withhold remains in place until the debt is satisfied in full or alternative payment arrangements are made. As payments are withheld they are applied against the oldest outstanding overpayment. The debt receiving the payments may or may not have been determined by the RAC. All payments are first applied to interest and then to principal. Interest accrues from the date of the demand letter and in accordance with 42 CFR 405.378.

The RAC will receive a contingency payment, as stated in the Payment Methodology attachment, for all amounts recovered from withholding of present and/or future payments that are applied to the principal amount identified and demanded by the RAC.

The RAC should not stop recovery attempts strictly because recoupment of the overpayment through current and/or future Medicare payments is being attempted. Outside of the first demand letter and the Intent to Refer demand letter and the offset process, the RAC can determine the recovery methods they choose to utilize. See the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4 §20 and §90 for minimum requirements of the Medicare FIs/Carriers/MACs/DME MACs. All recoupment methods shall be explained in detail in the bidder’s proposal.

C. Repayment Through Installment Agreements

The RAC shall offer the provider the ability to repay the overpayment through an installment plan. The RAC shall have the ability to approve installment plans up to 12 months in length. If a provider requests an installment plan over 12 months in length the RAC shall forward a recommendation to the appropriate regional office. The regional office will review the case and if the recommended installment plan is over 36 months in length, the regional office will forward the recommendation to Central Office for approval. The RAC shall not deny an installment plan request. However, the RAC may recommend denial. All recommended denials shall be forwarded to the appropriate regional office for review. If necessary the regional office will request Central Office assistance. If an installment plan requires assistance from the Regional or Central Office, the package shall include all documents listed in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4, Section 50.3. When reviewing all installment agreements the RAC shall follow the guidelines in section 1893(f) (1) of the Social Security Act as amended by section 935(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

The RAC will receive a contingency payment based on the principal amount of each installment payment. As the provider submits monthly payments, the RAC shall receive the applicable contingency payment for the principal amount received.

D. Referral to the Department of Treasury

The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) requires federal agencies to refer eligible delinquent debt to a Treasury designated Debt Collection Center for cross servicing and further collection activities, including the Treasury Offset Program. CMS

 

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is mandated to refer all eligible debt, over 180 days delinquent , for cross servicing.

Per DCIA referral criteria, “delinquent” is defined as debt: (1) that has not been paid (in full) or otherwise resolved by the date specified in the agency’s initial written notification (i.e., the agency’s first demand letter), unless other payment arrangements have been made, or (2) that at any time thereafter the debtor defaults on a repayment agreement.

Debts ineligible for referral include:

 

   

Debts in appeal status (pending at any level);

 

   

Debts where the debtor is in bankruptcy;

 

   

Debts under a fraud and abuse investigation if the contractor has received specific instructions from the investigating unit (i.e., Office of Inspector General or Office of General Counsel, etc.) not to attempt collection;

 

   

Debts in litigation (“litigation” means litigation which involves the federal government as a party; it does not include litigation between the debtor and some party other than the federal government);

 

   

Debts where the only entity which received the last demand letter is the employer and the employer is a Federal agency (MSP debts only);

 

   

Debts where the debtor is deceased;

 

   

Debts where CMS has identified a specific debt or group of debtors as excluded from DCIA referral (MSP debts only);

 

   

Debts where there is a pending request for a waiver or compromise;

 

   

Debts less than $25.00 (for non-MSP this amount is principal only; for MSP this amount is principal and interest);

 

   

Debts of $100 or less where no TIN is available.

The RAC shall issue a written notification to the debtor with the appropriate intent to refer language within a time frame that allows for the RAC to issue an appropriate reply to all timely responses to the “intent to refer” letter before the debt is 130 days delinquent . All outstanding debts remaining unresolved and not under a non-delinquent installment agreement must be sent to the affiliated contractor for referral to Treasury on or before they are 130 days delinquent. The intent to refer language can be found in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 4, and Section 70. The RAC is required to cease all recovery efforts once the debt is referred to the Department of Treasury. The AC will prepare the case for referral and will notify the RAC, through the RAC Data Warehouse when the debt is referred. Once the overpayment referred is it is no longer the responsibility of the RAC.

E. Compromise and/or Settlement of Overpayment

The RAC shall not have any authority to compromise and/or settle an identified or possible overpayment. If a debtor presents the RAC with a compromise request, the RAC shall forward the overpayment case and all applicable supporting documentation to the CMS PO for direction. The RAC must include its recommendation on the request and justification for such recommendation. If the debt is greater than $100,000, the package must include a completed Claims Collection Litigation Report (CCLR). If the provider

 

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presents the RAC with a settlement offer or a consent settlement request, the RAC shall forward the overpayment case and all applicable supporting documentation to the CMS PO for direction. If CMS determines that a compromise and/or settlement is in the best interests of Medicare, the RAC shall receive a contingency payment for the portion of principal that was recouped, providing that the RAC initiated recoupment by sending a demand letter prior to the compromise and/or settlement offer being received.

F. Voluntary/Self-Reported Overpayments by the Provider

If a provider voluntarily self-reports an overpayment after the RAC issues a demand letter or a request for medical record, the RAC will receive a discounted contingency fee based on the Payment Methodology Scale. In order to be eligible for the contingency fee, the type and dates of service for the self-reported overpayment must be in the RAC’s most recently approved project plan.

 

   

If the provider self-reports this kind of case to the RAC, the RAC shall document the case in its files and the RAC Data Warehouse, and forward the check to the appropriate Medicare contractor.

 

   

If the provider self-reports this kind of case to the Medicare contractor, the Medicare contractor will notify the RAC. The RAC will document the case in its files and the RAC Data Warehouses. Timeframes associated with the reporting of the voluntary/self-reported overpayment shall be addressed in the JOA between the RAC and the AC/MAC.

The RAC shall cease recovery efforts for the claims involved in the self-report immediately upon becoming aware (i.e., when the RAC is notified by the Medicare contractor, the provider, etc.)

If a provider voluntarily self-reports an overpayment, and the self-reported overpayment does NOT involve the same types of services for which the RAC had issued a demand letter or a request for medical records, then the RAC is not entitled to a contingency fee amount.

 

   

If the provider self-reports this kind of case to the RAC, the RAC shall forward the check to the appropriate Medicare contractor.

 

   

If the provider self-reports this kind of case to the Medicare contractor, the RAC need take no action.

The RAC may continue recovery efforts since the overpayment the provider self-reported involved a different provider/service combination.

Unsolicited/Voluntary Refunds (by check or claims adjustment, including those due to credit balances )

Occasionally the AC may receive an unsolicited/voluntary refund from a provider. An

 

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J-1 RAC SOW – Amendment 1

 

unsolicited/voluntary refund is a refund that is submitted to the AC without a demand letter. It is a situation where the provider realizes that a refund is due the Medicare program and refunds the money to the AC. By definition, an unsolicited/voluntary refund (by check or by claims adjustment) must occur before a demand letter is issued. The RAC shall not receive any contingency payment on an unsolicited/voluntary refund.

G. Recoupment During the Appeals Process

The RAC shall ensure that all demand letters initiated as a result of an identified overpayment in Task 2 contain provider appeal rights, where applicable.

If a provider files an appeal with the appropriate entity within the appropriate timeframes, the RAC shall follow all CMS guidance regarding Section 1893(f) (2) of the Social Security Act as amended by section 935(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 regarding the limitation on recoupment.

If Section 935(a) is applicable following all CMS guidelines, once the RAC is notified of the appeal request, the RAC shall cease all recovery efforts. If a provider instructs the RAC that it has filed an appeal, the RAC shall cease recovery efforts and confirm the appeal request with the CMS Project Officer or its delegate. After the reconsideration level of the appeal process (completed by the Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC)) is adjudicated (or the first level of appeal if the QIC reconsideration process has not been implemented yet), the RAC shall resume recovery efforts if the decision was not favorable to the provider.

The aging of the provider overpayment for debt referral purposes will cease while recovery efforts are stopped during the appeal process. Interest shall continue to accrue, from the date of the demand letter, throughout the appeals process.

H. Interest

Regulations regarding interest assessment on determined Medicare overpayments and underpayments can be found at 42 CFR 405.378. Interest will accrue from the date of the final determination and will either be charged on the overpayment balance or paid on the underpayment balance for each full 30-day period that payment is delayed. The interest rate in effect on the date of final determination is the rate that will be assessed for the entire life of the overpayment. When payments are received, payments are first applied to any accrued interest and then to the remaining principal balance. Contingency fees are based upon the principal amounts recovered. All payments are applied to interest first, principal second.

I. Customer Service

The RAC shall provide a toll free customer service telephone number in all correspondence sent to Medicare providers or other prospective debtors. The customer service number shall be staffed by qualified personnel during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the applicable time zone. For example, if the RAC is

 

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conducting the demonstration in California the customer service number shall be staffed from 8:00am to 4:30pm Pacific standard time. After normal business hours, a message shall indicate the normal business hours for customer service. All messages playing after normal business hours or while on hold shall be approved by the CMS Project Officer before use.

The staff answering the customer service lines shall be knowledgeable of the CMS recovery audit program. The staff shall have access to all identified improper payments and shall be knowledgeable of all possible recovery methods and the appeal rights of the provider. If need be, the staff person responsible for that overpayment shall return the call within 1 business day. The RAC shall provide a translator for Spanish speaking providers or other prospective debtors. This translator shall be available within 1 business day of the provider’s original call.

The RAC shall utilize a Quality Assurance (QA) program to ensure that all customer service representatives are knowledgeable, being respectful to providers and providing timely follow-up calls when necessary. The QA program shall be described in detail in the proposal.

The RAC shall respond to written correspondence within 30 days of receipt. The RAC shall provide the CMS Project Officer with copies by fax and mailed hard copy, of all correspondence indicating displeasure with the RAC, in the overpayment identification, or in the recovery methods utilized, within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of such correspondence. (If the RAC is not sure how the correspondence will be interpreted, it should forward the correspondence to the CMS PO.)

The RAC shall provide remote call monitoring capability to CMS personnel in Baltimore or the regional offices, if directed by the CMS PO. The RAC phone system must notify all callers that the call may be monitored for quality assurance purposes.

The RAC shall retain a written report of contact for all telephone inquiries and supply it to the CMS PO within 48 hours of it being when requested.

The provider outreach plan should include a component on customer service and should be updated with the project plan, as needed. CMS may stop recovery work in a particular region if evidence leads CMS to believe the customer service plan is not appropriate and/or effective. This “stop order” would be effective until CMS was satisfied with all improvements made in the customer service area.

Task 5- Supporting Identification of Overpayments in the Medicare Appeal Process and/or in the DCIA Process.

Providers are given appeal rights for the majority of Medicare overpayments determined during the post payment review process. If a provider chooses to appeal an overpayment determined by the RAC, the RAC shall assist CMS with support of the overpayment determination throughout all levels of the appeal.

 

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This includes providing supporting documentation (including the medical record) with appropriate reference to Medicare statutes, regulations, manuals and instructions when requested, providing assistance, and representing CMS at any hearings associated with the overpayment when requested by CMS.

Providers shall request an appeal through the appropriate Medicare appeals process. A third party shall adjudicate all appeal requests related to provider overpayments identified by the RAC. This third party may be the current Medicare contractor, a third party contractor identified by CMS, a Qualified Independent Contractor, an Administrative Law Judge, or HHS’ Departmental Appeals Board’s Medicare Appeals Council. Some recovery claims may eventually be appealed to the appropriate Federal court. If the RAC receives a written appeal request it shall forward it to the appropriate third party adjudicator within one business day of receipt. If the appropriate Medicare contractor is not known, the RAC shall contact the CMS PO within one business day of receipt for assistance. If the RAC receives a verbal request for appeal from a provider, the RAC shall give the provider the telephone number of the appropriate Medicare contractor and inform them that their verbal request does not suspend the permissible time frame for requesting an appeal as set forth in the demand letter.

The appropriate Medicare contractor will notify the RAC and the CMS PO of the appeal request and the outcome of each applicable appeal level. This notification will occur at least one a month.

Additionally the RAC must provide support, as needed, if the debt is disputed outside of the formal administrative appeals process after being returned to the local contractor (or a third party as designated by CMS) for further collection action including referral to the Department of the Treasury for further debt collection activities.

Task 6a- Reporting of Identified, Demanded and Collected Medicare Overpayments and Identified Medicare Underpayments

The RAC will be required on a monthly basis to provide the CMS PO or its delegate with detailed information concerning overpayments and underpayments that have been identified, overpayments that have been demanded and overpayments that have been fully or partially collected. The RAC shall have supporting documentation for all line items on the report. This report will be due no later than the fifth (5th) business day of the following month. Task 1, C.2 contains additional information required in the monthly financial reports.

Data Warehouse Reporting of Possible/Identified Improper Payments

CMS utilizes a Data Warehouse to house information on potential and outstanding improper payments under the RAC realm of responsibility. This Data Warehouse stores outstanding overpayment data, determination dates, principal and interest amounts, the status of the overpayment and allows CMS to prepare detailed and/or summary reports from various data included in the Data Warehouse.

 

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The chart below summarizes when a RAC shall enter data into the Data Warehouse.

 

RAC chooses claim for potential review-automated or complex   RAC inputs claim into the RAC Data Warehouse- If suppressed or excluded RAC stops work on this claim/line number If not suppressed or excluded RAC continues work
COMPLEX REVIEW or PART A automated review  
RAC requests a medical record   RAC updates a status record with a medical record request
RAC sends a demand letter or a no demand letter*   RAC updates a status record with the demand letter status, no demand letter status and the date of the demand letter
RAC receives the collection amount from the FI   RAC or FI updates a status record with the overpayment amount
  RAC or FI updates a status record with the collection amount
AUTOMATED REVIEW  
RAC sends claims to Carrier or DME MAC for adjustment  
Carrier or DME MAC inform RAC of overpayment amount   RAC or Carrier/DME MAC updates a status record with the overpayment amount
RAC issues demand letter to provider   RAC or Carrier/DME MAC updates a status record with the demand letter status, demand letter date and account receivable number
RAC receives notification from Carrier or DME MAC concerning collection   RAC or Carrier/DME MAC updates a status record with the collection amount and the collection method

 

* For purposes of the RAC Data Warehouse, a Part A informational letter is a demand letter

A status record should also be input upon notification of an appeal.

RAC Data Warehouse Reporting and RAC Invoices

The RAC Data Warehouse is an integral participant in the success of the RAC project. However, the RAC Data Warehouse can only be successful if the data input into it by the RAC is reliable, timely and valid. In order for a RAC voucher to be paid, all supporting information for the voucher shall be in the RAC Data Warehouse, on the RAC invoice and on the listing received from the Medicare contractor (FI, Carrier, DMAC, MAC, DME MAC) If a claim is not listed in all three, the claim will be removed from the invoice and not paid. Repeated occurrences could lead to entire invoices not being paid.

 

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CMS will utilize the following reports from the RAC Data Warehouse:

Part A

1. A report of all Part A collections for the month

2. A report of all Part A adjustments and appeals for the month

3. A report of all Part A underpayments for the month

1 + 3 - 2 = invoice amount

Part B

1. A report of all Part B collections for the month where offset was used.

2. A report of all Part B collections for the month where a check was received.

3. A report of all Part B adjustments and appeals for the month.

4. A report of all Part B underpayments for the month.

1 + 2 + 4 – 3 = invoice

Once available in the RAC Data Warehouse, these reports will be available to each RAC for download. These reports will be by RAC and by contractor number. The total of all reports for the RAC jurisdiction should equal the RAC invoice. Discrepancies must be notated along with supporting documentation.

Inaccurate Information Input into the RAC Data Warehouse

CMS hires a contractor to maintain and enhance the RAC Data Warehouse. Whenever erroneous files are input into the RAC Data Warehouse, CMS has to pay the contractor by the hour to fix the file. All costs attributed to fixing errors input by the RAC will be absorbed by the RAC. CMS will accomplish this by notifying the RAC and by subtracting that amount from the next invoice.

For example: A RAC uploads a file of 30,000 claims and later realizes that the wrong provider type was input. In order to fix the error, CMS must notify the RAC Data Warehouse maintainer to change the provider type or delete the entire file. If this takes 4 hours to complete and the RAC Data Warehouse maintainer is paid $100 per hour, the next invoice for the RAC will have $400 deducted from it for the cost of the error.

 

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CMS has instituted this new process to ensure all RACs understand the importance of the RAC Data Warehouse and take due diligence when inputting information into it and to ensure that CMS can accurately budget for the maintenance of the RAC Data Warehouse.

Task 6b Other Systems Created by RAC

The RAC is free to utilize a subsequent system in addition to RAC Data Warehouse provided by CMS. Any subsequent system shall not take the place of the RAC Data Warehouse.

All reports generated from an alternative system shall be converted to Microsoft Excel 2000 prior to submission to the CMS PO.

Task 7 – Administrative and Miscellaneous Issues

A. Administrative Functions

Once the RAC has identified an overpayment, the RAC shall send the debtor written notification as indicated in Task 4A. This notification shall request that the debtor submit payment in full. Payments shall be sent to the appropriate Medicare FI/Carrier/DME MAC/MAC.

B. Separate reporting

The reporting and data collection/analysis or each of the major tasks must be kept separate and submitted in the appropriate format per Task 1.

C. Payment Methodology

All payments shall be paid only on a contingency fee basis and shall be based on the principal amount of the collection or the amount paid back to a provider (underpayment).

Contingency fees:

 

   

Because interest collected is returned to General Revenue rather than to the Medicare trust funds, a contingency fee shall not be paid on any interest collected.

 

   

The RAC shall not receive any payments for the identification of the improper payments.

 

   

The contingency fee will be determined by the overpayments collected without consideration given to the underpayments identified (i.e. without netting out the underpayments against the overpayments.) Underpayments in a claim are counted separately.

 

   

The RAC shall receive 75% of the agreed upon contingency percentage for

 

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recovery efforts accomplished through the offset process of a Part A claim (processed by the FISS) by a FI/MAC

 

   

The RAC shall receive 50% of the agreed upon contingency percentage for any of the following recovery efforts:

 

   

Recovery efforts accomplished through the offset process by a carrier/DME MAC or a Part B claim by a MAC.

 

   

Recovery efforts accomplished through Treasury offset or another collection vehicle after the debt is referred to the Department of Treasury.

 

   

Recoveries made through a self-disclosure made by a provider in result of a prior RAC identified request for medical records or demand letter. Self-disclosed service and time period must be included in the RAC’s project plan.

 

   

If a provider files an appeal disputing the overpayment determination and the appeal is adjudicated in the provider’s favor at ANY level, the RAC shall repay Medicare the contingency payment for that recovery. Repayment to Medicare will occur on the next applicable invoice.

D. Point of Contact for RAC

The primary point of contact for the RACs shall be the CMS PO or his/her delegate.

E. Data Accessibility

CMS shall provide the RAC with all applicable data files for all claims paid during the specific timeframes of the contract for the appropriate geographic area. The RAC will receive new data updates as they become available. (monthly or quarterly) The data file format, data fields available and user agreements can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AccesstoDataApplication/www.cms.hhs.gov .

To access data the RAC shall acquire a Medicare Direct Connect Network (MDCN) line. This is a secure line between the RAC and the CMS Data Center. The cost of the MDCN line shall be incurred by the RAC. Anticipated costs range from $1500-$2000 per month. This does not include setup costs. These costs may increase at any time. CMS will provide the applicable points of contact to set up the MDCN line. In addition, the RAC must acquire the appropriate software to enter into the CMS Data Center. Stellant Direct: Connect software is currently being utilized by CMS for this purpose. There is no other alternative software. At this time the price of the Stellant Direct: Connect software is approximately $185,000.00. The RACs are responsible for all costs of the MDCN line and the Stellant Direct: Connect software.

As CMS moves towards utilizing Enterprise Data Centers (EDC) the transmission of data may cease. The RAC may be required to utilize a CMS system in a CMS Data Center to

 

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retrieve extracts of claims.

The RAC shall pay for any charges associated with the transfer of data. This includes, but is not limited to, cartridges, data communications equipment, lines, messenger service, mail, etc. The RAC shall pay for all charges associated with the storage and processing of any data necessary to accomplish the demonstration. The RAC shall establish and maintain back-up and recovery procedures to meet industry standards. The RAC shall comply with all CMS privacy and security requirements. The RAC shall provide all personal computers, printers and equipment to accomplish the demonstration throughout the contract term.

F. Recalled Cases

CMS may determine that a case or a particular uncollectible debt should be handled by CMS staff and may recall the case/debt for that reason. Should CMS recall a case/debt, the RAC shall immediately stop all activities on the case/debt identified by CMS for recall and return the case/debt and all related information to CMS within one (1) business day of the recall request.

The RAC shall receive no payment, except for monies already recouped, for recalled cases.

A BI PSC or BI Unit of a DME MAC may determine that overpayment identification or recoupment action on a case, provider, and geographic region should cease and may recall the case for that reason. Should the BI PSC/unit recall a case, provider, geographic region, the RAC shall immediately stop all activities on the case identified by the BI PSC/unit for recall. The RAC shall receive no payment, except for monies already recouped for recalled cases.

All requests for recall shall be forwarded to the CMS PO for concurrence. CMS and the BI PSC or BI Unit of a DME MAC shall have a valid reason for the recall of the case. If there is a dispute, the CMS PO shall make the final decision concerning the recall of the case.

G. Case Record Maintenance

The RAC shall maintain a case file for every improper payment that is identified, including documentation of subsequent recovery efforts. This file shall include documentation of all processes followed by the contractor including a copy of all correspondence, including demand letters, a telephone log for all conversations with the provider or other individuals or on behalf of the provider or other debtor, and all collection activities (including certified/registered mail receipts, extended repayment agreements, etc). The case file may be electronic, paper or a combination of both. For electronic files, the case file shall be easily accessible and made available within 48 hours of request. At CMS’s request or no later than fifteen (15) days after contract termination, the RAC shall return to CMS all case files stored in accordance with CMS instructions. Once an improper payment is determined all documentation shall be kept in the case file. The RAC shall not destroy any supporting documentation relating to the identification or

 

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recovery process.

All case files shall meet the requirements as set by OMB Circular A-130, which can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a130/a130trans4.html .

H. Recovery Deposits

The demand letters issued by the RAC will instruct debtors to forward their refund checks to the appropriate address at the applicable Medicare contractor (FI/Carrier/DME MAC/MAC). All refund checks shall be payable to the Medicare program. If the RAC receives a refund check, the RAC shall forward the check to the appropriate address. Before forwarding the check, the RAC shall make copies of and otherwise document these payments. A copy shall be included in the appropriate overpayment case file.

I. Support OIG or Other Audits

Should the OIG, CMS or a CMS authorized contractor choose to conduct an audit of the RAC, the RAC shall provide workspace and produce all needed reports and case files within 1 business day of the request.

J. Support Evaluation Contractor

CMS is required to report on the RAC Program annually. To assist with the report, CMS utilizes an independent evaluation contractor. This contractor assists CMS with the analysis of data, completes the provider survey, may assist CMS in monitoring the RACs, and maintains the referral database. Each RAC will have a point of contact for the Evaluation Contractor and each RAC shall assign a point of contact in their organization. At times, the evaluation contractor may request data from each RAC. All requests will be filtered through the CMS PO and should be addressed within 15 days of receipt unless otherwise noted in the request.

K. Public Relations & Outreach

The initial project plan shall include a section covering provider outreach. CMS will announce the use of the RACs in the specified geographic area. All other debtor education and outreach concerning the use of RACs will be the responsibility of the RAC. The RAC shall only educate providers on their business, their purpose and their process. The RACs shall not educate providers on Medicare policy. The CMS PO shall approve all presentations and written information shared with the provider, beneficiary, and/or other debtor communities before use. If requested by CMS, the RACs project manager for the CMS contract, at a minimum, shall attend any provider group or debtor group meetings or congressional staff information sessions where the services provided by the recovery audit contractors are the focus.

The RAC is required by January 01, 2010 to develop and maintain a Medicare RAC webpage to communicate to the provider community helpful information (e.g., who to

 

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call for an extension, how to customize the address for a medical record request letter). The Medicare information shall appear on pages that are separate and distinct from any other non-Medicare work the RAC may have. The RAC shall obtain prior PO approval for all Medicare webpage content.

L. Quality Assurance

1. Each RAC shall be required to complete a Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70 (SAS 70) Audit. Each RAC shall be responsible for contracting with an independent and certified public accounting (CPA) firm to perform the audit. The CPA firm will ideally have experience in Medicare operations and must have experience performing SAS 70 Type II audits.

CMS control objectives can be found in IOM Pub. 100-6, Chapter 7. CMS will dictate which control objectives will be applicable to the audit. The scope of the audits will be dictated by CMS and will be determined no later than 180 days after award. A final report from the CPA firm must be submitted to CMS by the end of each award year. Any corrective action plan must be submitted to CMS within 45 days of the issuance of the final report.

Additional general information concerning a SAS 70 audit can be found in IOM Pub. 100-6, Chapter 7.

2. At CMS discretion, CMS may perform a contractor performance evaluation. Advance notice may/may not be given. During the evaluation CMS reviewers will work from a prescribed audit protocol, review actual cases and issue a final report. Any finding from the review will require a corrective action plan.

3. At CMS discretion, CMS may contract with an independent contractor to perform an accuracy audit on a RAC’s identifications. At a minimum, this audit would be performed annually.

Task 8 Final Report

The final report shall include a synopsis of the entire contract project. This includes a final report identifying all amounts identified and demanded, all amounts collected and all amounts still outstanding at the end of the demonstration. It shall include a brief listing of all identification methods or other new processes utilized and their success or failure.

The contractor should include any final thoughts on the program, as well as any advantages or disadvantages encountered. From a contractor point of view, the final report should determine if the contract was a success or a failure and provide support for either opinion.

 

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A final report shall be delivered to the CMS PO in the three formats (paper/electronic) as stated below and in the required “electronic” formats to the fnlrpts@cms.hhs.gov mailbox:

 

1) Paper, bound, in the number of copies specified;

 

2) Paper, unbound, suitable for use as camera-ready copy;

 

3) Electronic, as one file in Portable Document Format (PDF), as one file in Hypertext 200-word abstract/summary of the final report suitable for submission to the National Technical Information Service. Drafts of all documentation shall be provided to CMS approximately four weeks prior to final deliverable due dates unless otherwise agreed to. CMS staff will review materials and provide comments back to the contractor within 2 weeks, thereby allowing 2 additional weeks for the contractor to make any necessary revisions. All data files and programs created under this project shall be the sole property of CMS and provided to CMS upon request in the appropriate format. They shall not be used for any other purpose other than fulfilling the terms of this contract without the express permission of the contracting officer.

 

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SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

The contract awarder shall provide the necessary personnel, materials, equipment, support, and supplies to accomplish the tasks shown below in the specified time. The contract awarder shall complete the evaluation and report to CMS its findings. All work done under this contract shall be performed under the general guidance of the CMS PO subject to the PO’s approval.

Written documents for this project shall be delivered in hard copy to the project officer (2 copies), unless otherwise specified. These documents shall also be delivered to the Project Officer in an electronic version via email. At present, the CMS standard is Microsoft Word 2000 and Microsoft Excel 2000. This is subject to change, and the contractor shall be prepared to submit deliverables in any new CMS standard.

 

Task
Number

   Deliverable
Number
  

Deliverable

  

Due Date

(from contract award date)

1.a.    1    Initial Meeting    2 weeks
1.a.    2    Project Plan    4 weeks
1.b.    3    Monthly Conference Calls    Monthly
1.c.    4    Monthly Progress Reports    Monthly
6    5    Financial Report    Monthly
1    6    Vulnerability Report    Monthly
6    7    Training on RAC Data Warehouse    Within 15 days of the start of Task 2
6    8    Case File Transfers    Within 15 days after contract end
9    9    Final Report- Draft    Within 4 weeks of contract end date
9    10    Final Report- Final    Within 8 weeks of contract end date

 

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PAYMENT METHODOLOGY SCALE

 

1    % When recovery is made through RACs efforts (check sent in by provider in response to demand letters, phone calls...)                        
2    75% of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when recovery is made through the offset process by the Medicare fiscal intermediary or MAC (Part A claims only)   
3    50% of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when recovery is made through the offset process by the Medicare carrier / DME MAC / MAC (Part B claims).   
4    50% of the contingency fee specified in number 1 above when recovery is made after the debt is referred to the Department of Treasury   
5    50% of the contingency fee specified in number 1 when a self-disclosure is made by a provider in result of a prior RAC identified request for medical requests or demand letter/ Self disclosed service and time period must be included in the RAC’s project plan   
6    100% of the contingency fee specified in number 1 when an underpayment is identified as a result of automated or complex review. Payment occurs after the FI/Carrier/DME MAC/MAC validates the underpayment and determines the actual amount   
7    % When no recovery is made for an overpayment    0%

 

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Appendix 1- Intentionally Left Blank

 

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Appendix 2: Map of Recovery Audit Contract Regions

 

LOGO

 

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WD 05-2051 (Rev.-6) was first posted on www.wdol.gov on 06/03/2008

*********************************************************************************************************** *************************************************************************************************************

 

REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER

THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT

By direction of the Secretary of Labor

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION

WASHINGTON D.C. 20210

 
      Wage Determination No.:   2005-2051
Shirley F. Ebbesen   Division of   Revision No.:   6

Director

 

 

Wage Determinations

 

 

Date Of Revision:

 

 

05/29/2008

 

 

State: California

Area: California Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa

 

 

**Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing**

 

OCCUPATION CODE - TITLE    MINIMUM WAGE RATE  

01000 - Administrative Support And Clerical Occupations

  

01011 - Accounting Clerk I

     16.51   

01012 - Accounting Clerk II

     18.53   

01013 - Accounting Clerk III

     20.73   

01020 - Administrative Assistant

     30.87   

01040 - Court Reporter

     23.40   

01051 - Data Entry Operator I

     15.38   

01052 - Data Entry Operator II

     16.78   

01060 - Dispatcher, Motor Vehicle

     27.77   

01070 - Document Preparation Clerk

     15.37   

01090 - Duplicating Machine Operator

     15.37   

01111 - General Clerk I

     15.87   

01112 - General Clerk II

     17.31   

01113 - General Clerk III

     19.97   

01120 - Housing Referral Assistant

     27.33   

01141 - Messenger Courier

     12.84   

01191 - Order Clerk I

     15.60   

01192 - Order Clerk II

     17.02   

01261 - Personnel Assistant (Employment) I

     18.18   

01262 - Personnel Assistant (Employment) II

     20.40   

01263 - Personnel Assistant (Employment) III

     22.74   

01270 - Production Control Clerk

     26.31   

01280 - Receptionist

     17.21   

01290 - Rental Clerk

     18.47   

01300 - Scheduler, Maintenance

     21.86   

01311 - Secretary I

     21.86   

01312 - Secretary II

     24.46   

01313 - Secretary III

     27.33   

01320 - Service Order Dispatcher

     23.12   

01410 - Supply Technician

     30.87   

01420 - Survey Worker

     21.87   

01531 - Travel Clerk I

     15.41   

01532 - Travel Clerk II

     17.34   

01533 - Travel Clerk III

     19.53   


01611 - Word Processor I

     19.77   

01612 - Word Processor II

     22.19   

01613 - Word Processor III

     24.83   

05000 - Automotive Service Occupations

  

05005 - Automobile Body Repairer, Fiberglass

     23.88   

05010 - Automotive Electrician

     24.95   

05040 - Automotive Glass Installer

     21.76   

05070 - Automotive Worker

     24.96   

05110 - Mobile Equipment Servicer

     21.71   

05130 - Motor Equipment Metal Mechanic

     26.06   

05160 - Motor Equipment Metal Worker

     23.84   

05190 - Motor Vehicle Mechanic

     26.07   

05220 - Motor Vehicle Mechanic Helper

     20.54   

05250 - Motor Vehicle Upholstery Worker

     22.78   

05280 - Motor Vehicle Wrecker

     23.84   

05310 - Painter, Automotive

     24.96   

05340 - Radiator Repair Specialist

     23.84   

05370 - Tire Repairer

     17.31   

05400 - Transmission Repair Specialist

     26.07   

07000 - Food Preparation And Service Occupations

  

07010 - Baker

     15.83   

07041 - Cook I

     14.96   

07042 - Cook II

     16.46   

07070 - Dishwasher

     11.28   

07130 - Food Service Worker

     10.79   

07210 - Meat Cutter

     16.36   

07260 - Waiter/Waitress

     11.39   

09000 - Furniture Maintenance And Repair Occupations

  

09010 - Electrostatic Spray Painter

     21.13   

09040 - Furniture Handler

     15.26   

09080 - Furniture Refinisher

     21.13   

09090 - Furniture Refinisher Helper

     17.41   

09110 - Furniture Repairer, Minor

     19.28   

09130 - Upholsterer

     21.15   

11000 - General Services And Support Occupations

  

11030 - Cleaner, Vehicles

     12.00   

11060 - Elevator Operator

     12.62   

11090 - Gardener

     23.78   

11122 - Housekeeping Aide

     14.40   

11150 - Janitor

     14.89   

11210 - Laborer, Grounds Maintenance

     18.29   

11240 - Maid or Houseman

     12.80   

11260 - Pruner

     17.19   

11270 - Tractor Operator

     21.58   

11330 - Trail Maintenance Worker

     18.29   

11360 - Window Cleaner

     15.05   

12000 - Health Occupations

  

12010 - Ambulance Driver

     19.41   

12011 - Breath Alcohol Technician

     19.41   

12012 - Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

     24.15   

12015 - Certified Physical Therapist Assistant

     26.89   

12020 - Dental Assistant

     20.83   

12025 - Dental Hygienist

     42.45   

12030 - EKG Technician

     27.59   

12035 - Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist

     27.59   

12040 - Emergency Medical Technician

     19.41   

12071 - Licensed Practical Nurse I

     22.39   


12072 - Licensed Practical Nurse II

     25.05   

12073 - Licensed Practical Nurse III

     27.92   

12100 - Medical Assistant

     18.25   

12130 - Medical Laboratory Technician

     21.41   

12160 - Medical Record Clerk

     18.61   

12190 - Medical Record Technician

     20.70   

12195 - Medical Transcriptionist

     20.00   

12210 - Nuclear Medicine Technologist

     40.69   

12221 - Nursing Assistant I

     12.93   

12222 - Nursing Assistant II

     14.53   

12223 - Nursing Assistant III

     15.85   

12224 - Nursing Assistant IV

     17.79   

12235 - Optical Dispenser

     18.02   

12236 - Optical Technician

     15.61   

12250 - Pharmacy Technician

     21.69   

12280 - Phlebotomist

     17.79   

12305 - Radiologic Technologist

     34.09   

12311 - Registered Nurse I

     37.31   

12312 - Registered Nurse II

     48.61   

12313 - Registered Nurse II, Specialist

     48.61   

12314 - Registered Nurse III

     58.53   

12315 - Registered Nurse III, Anesthetist

     58.53   

12316 - Registered Nurse IV

     67.34   

12317 - Scheduler (Drug and Alcohol Testing)

     30.93   

13000 - Information And Arts Occupations

  

13011 - Exhibits Specialist I

     23.14   

13012 - Exhibits Specialist II

     28.23   

13013 - Exhibits Specialist III

     34.53   

13041 - Illustrator I

     22.70   

13042 - Illustrator II

     28.12   

13043 - Illustrator III

     34.39   

13047 - Librarian

     35.64   

13050 - Library Aide/Clerk

     20.80   

13054 - Library Information Technology Systems Administrator

     28.12   

13058 - Library Technician

     22.31   

13061 - Media Specialist I

     19.73   

13062 - Media Specialist II

     22.08   

13063 - Media Specialist III

     24.63   

13071 - Photographer I

     20.39   

13072 - Photographer II

     22.81   

13073 - Photographer III

     28.23   

13074 - Photographer IV

     34.56   

13075 - Photographer V

     39.08   

13110 - Video Teleconference Technician

     20.48   

14000 - Information Technology Occupations

  

14041 - Computer Operator I

     19.57   

14042 - Computer Operator II

     21.89   

14043 - Computer Operator III

     24.40   

14044 - Computer Operator IV

     27.12   

14045 - Computer Operator V

     27.62   

14071 - Computer Programmer I (1)

     24.08   

14072 - Computer Programmer II (1)

  

14073 - Computer Programmer III (1)

  

14074 - Computer Programmer IV (1)

  

14101 - Computer Systems Analyst I (1)

  

14102 - Computer Systems Analyst II (1)

  

14103 - Computer Systems Analyst III (1)

  


14150 - Peripheral Equipment Operator

     19.57   

14160 - Personal Computer Support Technician

     27.12   

15000 - Instructional Occupations

  

15010 - Aircrew Training Devices Instructor (Non-Rated)

     36.76   

15020 - Aircrew Training Devices Instructor (Rated)

     44.48   

15030 - Air Crew Training Devices Instructor (Pilot)

     48.93   

15050 - Computer Based Training Specialist / Instructor

     36.97   

15060 - Educational Technologist

     29.44   

15070 - Flight Instructor (Pilot)

     48.93   

15080 - Graphic Artist

     28.27   

15090 - Technical Instructor

     23.75   

15095 - Technical Instructor/Course Developer

     31.25   

15110 - Test Proctor

     22.20   

15120 - Tutor

     22.20   

16000 - Laundry, Dry-Cleaning, Pressing And Related Occupations

  

16010 - Assembler

     10.71   

16030 - Counter Attendant

     10.71   

16040 - Dry Cleaner

     14.57   

16070 - Finisher, Flatwork, Machine

     10.71   

16090 - Presser, Hand

     10.71   

16110 - Presser, Machine, Drycleaning

     10.71   

16130 - Presser, Machine, Shirts

     10.71   

16160 - Presser, Machine, Wearing Apparel, Laundry

     10.71   

16190 - Sewing Machine Operator

     15.86   

16220 - Tailor

     17.13   

16250 - Washer, Machine

     12.01   

19000 - Machine Tool Operation And Repair Occupations

  

19010 - Machine-Tool Operator (Tool Room)

     20.60   

19040 - Tool And Die Maker

     26.40   

21000 - Materials Handling And Packing Occupations

  

21020 - Forklift Operator

     17.78   

21030 - Material Coordinator

     24.12   

21040 - Material Expediter

     24.12   

21050 - Material Handling Laborer

     16.69   

21071 - Order Filler

     14.31   

21080 - Production Line Worker (Food Processing)

     17.78   

21110 - Shipping Packer

     17.51   

21130 - Shipping/Receiving Clerk

     17.51   

21140 - Store Worker I

     13.65   

21150 - Stock Clerk

     18.78   

21210 - Tools And Parts Attendant

     17.78   

21410 - Warehouse Specialist

     17.78   

23000 - Mechanics And Maintenance And Repair Occupations

  

23010 - Aerospace Structural Welder

     28.00   

23021 - Aircraft Mechanic I

     26.64   

23022 - Aircraft Mechanic II

     28.00   

23023 - Aircraft Mechanic III

     29.18   

23040 - Aircraft Mechanic Helper

     20.30   

23050 - Aircraft, Painter

     25.26   

23060 - Aircraft Servicer

     23.25   

23080 - Aircraft Worker

     24.65   

23110 - Appliance Mechanic

     24.30   

23120 - Bicycle Repairer

     16.15   

23125 - Cable Splicer

     26.64   

23130 - Carpenter, Maintenance

     26.08   

23140 - Carpet Layer

     25.09   

23160 - Electrician, Maintenance

     33.84   


23181 - Electronics Technician Maintenance I

     26.25   

23182 - Electronics Technician Maintenance II

     27.92   

23183 - Electronics Technician Maintenance III

     31.21   

23260 - Fabric Worker

     23.48   

23290 - Fire Alarm System Mechanic

     24.69   

23310 - Fire Extinguisher Repairer

     21.06   

23311 - Fuel Distribution System Mechanic

     29.61   

23312 - Fuel Distribution System Operator

     23.97   

23370 - General Maintenance Worker

     21.74   

23380 - Ground Support Equipment Mechanic

     26.64   

23381 - Ground Support Equipment Servicer

     23.25   

23382 - Ground Support Equipment Worker

     24.65   

23391 - Gunsmith I

     21.06   

23392 - Gunsmith II

     23.90   

23393 - Gunsmith III

     26.64   

23410 - Heating, Ventilation And Air-Conditioning Mechanic

     23.50   

23411 - Heating, Ventilation And Air Contditioning Mechanic (Research Facility)

     24.70   

23430 - Heavy Equipment Mechanic

     27.79   

23440 - Heavy Equipment Operator

     30.35   

23460 - Instrument Mechanic

     29.30   

23465 - Laboratory/Shelter Mechanic

     25.26   

23470 - Laborer

     16.00   

23510 - Locksmith

     23.20   

23530 - Machinery Maintenance Mechanic

     25.71   

23550 - Machinist, Maintenance

     27.28   

23580 - Maintenance Trades Helper

     17.19   

23591 - Metrology Technician I

     29.30   

23592 - Metrology Technician II

     30.79   

23593 - Metrology Technician III

     32.10   

23640 - Millwright

     31.60   

23710 - Office Appliance Repairer

     23.42   

23760 - Painter, Maintenance

     21.03   

23790 - Pipefitter, Maintenance

     29.92   

23810 - Plumber, Maintenance

     28.66   

23820 - Pneudraulic Systems Mechanic

     26.64   

23850 - Rigger

     28.40   

23870 - Scale Mechanic

     23.90   

23890 - Sheet-Metal Worker, Maintenance

     26.24   

23910 - Small Engine Mechanic

     20.20   

23931 - Telecommunications Mechanic I

     27.61   

23932 - Telecommunications Mechanic II

     29.02   

23950 - Telephone Lineman

     24.02   

23960 - Welder, Combination, Maintenance

     24.28   

23965 - Well Driller

     28.30   

23970 - Woodcraft Worker

     26.64   

23980 - Woodworker

     18.39   

24000 - Personal Needs Occupations

  

24570 - Child Care Attendant

     12.84   

24580 - Child Care Center Clerk

     14.32   

24610 - Chore Aide

     11.10   

24620 - Family Readiness And Support Services Coordinator

     16.68   

24630 - Homemaker

     14.86   

25000 - Plant And System Operations Occupations

  

25010 - Boiler Tender

     36.51   

25040 - Sewage Plant Operator

     30.20   


25070 - Stationary Engineer

     36.51   

25190 - Ventilation Equipment Tender

     26.66   

25210 - Water Treatment Plant Operator

     30.20   

27000 - Protective Service Occupations

  

27004 - Alarm Monitor

     27.16   

27007 - Baggage Inspector

     13.29   

27008 - Corrections Officer

     31.73   

27010 - Court Security Officer

     35.30   

27030 - Detection Dog Handler

     27.91   

27040 - Detention Officer

     32.37   

27070 - Firefighter

     31.83   

27101 - Guard I

     13.29   

27102 - Guard II

     27.91   

27131 - Police Officer I

     38.76   

27132 - Police Officer II

     43.08   

28000 - Recreation Occupations

  

28041 - Carnival Equipment Operator

     13.91   

28042 - Carnival Equipment Repairer

     16.16   

28043 - Carnival Equpment Worker

     10.77   

28210 - Gate Attendant/Gate Tender

     14.91   

28310 - Lifeguard

     12.37   

28350 - Park Attendant (Aide)

     16.68   

28510 - Recreation Aide/Health Facility Attendant

     12.85   

28515 - Recreation Specialist

     14.41   

28630 - Sports Official

     13.28   

28690 - Swimming Pool Operator

     21.68   

29000 - Stevedoring/Longshoremen Occupational Services

  

29010 - Blocker And Bracer

     25.23   

29020 - Hatch Tender

     25.23   

29030 - Line Handler

     25.23   

29041 - Stevedore I

     23.78   

29042 - Stevedore II

     26.66   

30000 - Technical Occupations

  

30010 - Air Traffic Control Specialist, Center (HFO) (2)

     39.76   

30011 - Air Traffic Control Specialist, Station (HFO) (2)

     27.42   

30012 - Air Traffic Control Specialist, Terminal (HFO) (2)

     30.20   

30021 - Archeological Technician I

     20.82   

30022 - Archeological Technician II

     24.03   

30023 - Archeological Technician III

     32.40   

30030 - Cartographic Technician

     32.40   

30040 - Civil Engineering Technician

     27.49   

30061 - Drafter/CAD Operator I

     23.68   

30062 - Drafter/CAD Operator II

     26.16   

30063 - Drafter/CAD Operator III

     29.15   

30064 - Drafter/CAD Operator IV

     35.88   

30081 - Engineering Technician I

     17.78   

30082 - Engineering Technician II

     19.96   

30083 - Engineering Technician III

     22.33   

30084 - Engineering Technician IV

     27.66   

30085 - Engineering Technician V

     33.83   

30086 - Engineering Technician VI

     40.94   

30090 - Environmental Technician

     27.14   

30210 - Laboratory Technician

     23.27   

30240 - Mathematical Technician

     32.40   

30361 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant I

     22.78   

30362 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant II

     28.23   

30363 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant III

     34.53   


30364 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant IV

     41.78   

30390 - Photo-Optics Technician

     32.40   

30461 - Technical Writer I

     25.89   

30462 - Technical Writer II

     32.03   

30463 - Technical Writer III

     38.31   

30491 - Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician I

     25.27   

30492 - Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician II

     30.58   

30493 - Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technician III

     36.65   

30494 - Unexploded (UXO) Safety Escort

     25.27   

30495 - Unexploded (UXO) Sweep Personnel

     25.27   

30620 - Weather Observer, Combined Upper Air Or Surface Programs (2)

     22.99   

30621 - Weather Observer, Senior (2)

     25.54   

31000 - Transportation/Mobile Equipment Operation Occupations

  

31020 - Bus Aide

     14.41   

31030 - Bus Driver

     20.03   

31043 - Driver Courier

     16.15   

31260 - Parking and Lot Attendant

     11.62   

31290 - Shuttle Bus Driver

     17.48   

31310 - Taxi Driver

     13.08   

31361 - Truckdriver, Light

     17.48   

31362 - Truckdriver, Medium

     20.20   

31363 - Truckdriver, Heavy

     20.70   

31364 - Truckdriver, Tractor-Trailer

     20.70   

99000 - Miscellaneous Occupations

  

99030 - Cashier

     12.06   

99050 - Desk Clerk

     12.77   

99095 - Embalmer

     23.54   

99251 - Laboratory Animal Caretaker I

     13.11   

99252 - Laboratory Animal Caretaker II

     14.20   

99310 - Mortician

     26.82   

99410 - Pest Controller

     18.10   

99510 - Photofinishing Worker

     14.25   

99710 - Recycling Laborer

     24.32   

99711 - Recycling Specialist

     27.68   

99730 - Refuse Collector

     21.87   

99810 - Sales Clerk

     14.36   

99820 - School Crossing Guard

     12.89   

99830 - Survey Party Chief

     31.16   

99831 - Surveying Aide

     18.98   

99832 - Surveying Technician

     27.62   

99840 - Vending Machine Attendant

     16.67   

99841 - Vending Machine Repairer

     19.22   

99842 - Vending Machine Repairer Helper

     16.67   

 

 

ALL OCCUPATIONS LISTED ABOVE RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

HEALTH & WELFARE: $3.24 per hour or $129.60 per week or $561.60 per month

VACATION: 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year of service with a contractor or successor; 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years, and 5 weeks after 25 years. Length of service includes the whole span of continuous service with the present contractor or successor, wherever employed, and with the predecessor


contractors in the performance of similar work at the same Federal facility. (Reg. 29 CFR 4.173)

HOLIDAYS: A minimum of ten paid holidays per year, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. (A contractor may substitute for any of the named holidays another day off with pay in accordance with a plan communicated to the employees involved.) (See 29 CFR 4174)

THE OCCUPATIONS WHICH HAVE PARENTHESES AFTER THEM RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS (as numbered):

1) Under the SCA at section 8(b), this wage determination does not apply to any employee who individually qualifies as a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employee as defined in 29 C.F.R. Part 541. Because most Computer System Analysts and Computer Programmers who are compensated at a rate not less than $27.63 (or on a salary or fee basis at a rate not less than $455 per week) an hour would likely qualify as exempt computer professionals, (29 C.F.R. 541.400) wage rates may not be listed on this wage determination for all occupations within those job families. In addition, because this wage determination may not list a wage rate for some or all occupations within those job families if the survey data indicates that the prevailing wage rate for the occupation equals or exceeds $27.63 per hour conformances may be necessary for certain nonexempt employees. For example, if an individual employee is nonexempt but nevertheless performs duties within the scope of one of the Computer Systems Analyst or Computer Programmer occupations for which this wage determination does not specify an SCA wage rate, then the wage rate for that employee must be conformed in accordance with the conformance procedures described in the conformance note included on this wage determination.

Additionally, because job titles vary widely and change quickly in the computer industry, job titles are not determinative of the application of the computer professional exemption. Therefore, the exemption applies only to computer employees who satisfy the compensation requirements and whose primary duty consists of:

(1) The application of systems analysis techniques and procedures, including consulting with users, to determine hardware, software or system functional specifications;

(2) The design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, testing or modification of computer systems or programs, including prototypes, based on and related to user or system design specifications;

(3) The design, documentation, testing, creation or modification of computer


programs related to machine operating systems; or

(4) A combination of the aforementioned duties, the performance of which requires the same level of skills. (29 C.F.R. 541.400).

2) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND WEATHER OBSERVERS - NIGHT PAY & SUNDAY PAY: If you work at night as part of a regular tour of duty, you will earn a night differential and receive an additional 10% of basic pay for any hours worked between 6pm and 6am. If you are a full-time employed (40 hours a week) and Sunday is part of your regularly scheduled workweek, you are paid at your rate of basic pay plus a Sunday premium of 25% of your basic rate for each hour of Sunday work which is not overtime (i.e. occasional work on Sunday outside the normal tour of duty is considered overtime work).

HAZARDOUS PAY DIFFERENTIAL: An 8 percent differential is applicable to employees employed in a position that represents a high degree of hazard when working with or in close proximity to ordinance, explosives, and incendiary materials. This includes work such as screening, blending, dying, mixing, and pressing of sensitive ordance, explosives, and pyrotechnic compositions such as lead azide, black powder and photoflash powder. All dry-house activities involving propellants or explosives. Demilitarization, modification, renovation, demolition, and maintenance operations on sensitive ordnance, explosives and incendiary materials. All operations involving regrading and cleaning of artillery ranges.

A 4 percent differential is applicable to employees employed in a position that represents a low degree of hazard when working with, or in close proximity to ordance, (or employees possibly adjacent to) explosives and incendiary materials which involves potential injury such as laceration of hands, face, or arms of the employee engaged in the operation, irritation of the skin, minor burns and the like; minimal damage to immediate or adjacent work area or equipment being used. All operations involving, unloading, storage, and hauling of ordance, explosive, and incendiary ordnance material other than small arms ammunition. These differentials are only applicable to work that has been specifically designated by the agency for ordance, explosives, and incendiary material differential pay.

** UNIFORM ALLOWANCE **

If employees are required to wear uniforms in the performance of this contract (either by the terms of the Government contract, by the employer, by the state or local law, etc.), the cost of furnishing such uniforms and maintaining (by laundering or dry cleaning) such uniforms is an expense that may not be borne by an employee where such cost reduces the hourly rate below that required by the wage


determination. The Department of Labor will accept payment in accordance with the following standards as compliance:

The contractor or subcontractor is required to furnish all employees with an adequate number of uniforms without cost or to reimburse employees for the actual cost of the uniforms. In addition, where uniform cleaning and maintenance is made the responsibility of the employee, all contractors and subcontractors subject to this wage determination shall (in the absence of a bona fide collective bargaining agreement providing for a different amount, or the furnishing of contrary affirmative proof as to the actual cost), reimburse all employees for such cleaning and maintenance at a rate of $3.35 per week (or $.67 cents per day). However, in those instances where the uniforms furnished are made of “wash and wear” materials, may be routinely washed and dried with other personal garments, and do not require any special treatment such as dry cleaning, daily washing, or commercial laundering in order to meet the cleanliness or appearance standards set by the terms of the Government contract, by the contractor, by law, or by the nature of the work, there is no requirement that employees be reimbursed for uniform maintenance costs.

The duties of employees under job titles listed are those described in the “Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations”, Fifth Edition, April 2006, unless otherwise indicated. Copies of the Directory are available on the Internet. A links to the Directory may be found on the WHD home page at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/ or through the Wage Determinations On-Line (WDOL) Web site at http://wdol.gov/.

REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND WAGE RATE {Standard Form 1444 (SF 1444)}

Conformance Process:

The contracting officer shall require that any class of service employee which is not listed herein and which is to be employed under the contract (i.e., the work to be performed is not performed by any classification listed in the wage determination), be classified by the contractor so as to provide a reasonable relationship (i.e., appropriate level of skill comparison) between such unlisted classifications and the classifications listed in the wage determination. Such conformed classes of employees shall be paid the monetary wages and furnished the fringe benefits as are determined. Such conforming process shall be initiated by


the contractor prior to the performance of contract work by such unlisted class(es) of employees. The conformed classification, wage rate, and/or fringe benefits shall be retroactive to the commencement date of the contract. {See Section 4.6 (C)(vi)} When multiple wage determinations are included in a contract, a separate SF 1444 should be prepared for each wage determination to which a class(es) is to be conformed.

The process for preparing a conformance request is as follows:

1) When preparing the bid, the contractor identifies the need for a conformed occupation) and computes a proposed rate).

2) After contract award, the contractor prepares a written report listing in order proposed classification title), a Federal grade equivalency (FGE) for each proposed classification), job description), and rationale for proposed wage rate), including information regarding the agreement or disagreement of the authorized representative of the employees involved, or where there is no authorized representative, the employees themselves. This report should be submitted to the contracting officer no later than 30 days after such unlisted class(es) of employees performs any contract work.

3) The contracting officer reviews the proposed action and promptly submits a report of the action, together with the agency’s recommendations and pertinent information including the position of the contractor and the employees, to the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, for review. (See section 4.6(b)(2) of Regulations 29 CFR Part 4).

4) Within 30 days of receipt, the Wage and Hour Division approves, modifies, or disapproves the action via transmittal to the agency contracting officer, or notifies the contracting officer that additional time will be required to process the request.

5) The contracting officer transmits the Wage and Hour decision to the contractor.

6) The contractor informs the affected employees.

Information required by the Regulations must be submitted on SF 1444 or bond paper.

When preparing a conformance request, the “Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations” (the Directory) should be used to compare job definitions to insure that duties requested are not performed by a classification already listed in the wage determination. Remember, it is not the job title, but the required tasks that


determine whether a class is included in an established wage determination. Conformances may not be used to artificially split, combine, or subdivide classifications listed in the wage determination.

Exhibit 10.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of March 19, 2012

among

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders,

MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC,

as Agent and Lead Arranger,

ING CAPITAL LLC,

as Syndication Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                  Page  

Section 1.

 

Definitions; Interpretation.

     1   
 

 1.1.

 

Definitions.

     1   
 

 1.2.

 

Interpretation.

     20   
 

 1.3.

 

Accounting Changes.

     20   

Section 2.

 

Credit Facilities.

     21   
 

 2.1.

 

Commitments.

     21   
   

2.1.1.

  

Revolving Loan Commitments.

     21   
   

2.1.2.

  

Term Loan Commitments.

     21   
   

2.1.3.

  

Request for Increase of Term B Loans.

     21   
 

 2.2.

 

Loan Procedures.

     23   
   

2.2.1.

  

Loan Types.

     23   
   

2.2.2.

  

Borrowing.

     23   
   

2.2.3.

  

Conversion; Continuation.

     24   
 

 2.3.

 

Letters of Credit.

     24   
   

2.3.1.

  

Commitment.

     24   
   

2.3.2.

  

Application.

     25   
   

2.3.3.

  

Reimbursement Obligations.

     25   
   

2.3.4.

  

Participations in Letters of Credit.

     26   
 

 2.4.

 

Commitments Several.

     27   
 

 2.5.

 

Certain Conditions.

     27   
 

 2.6.

 

Loan Accounting.

     27   
   

2.6.1.

  

Recordkeeping.

     27   
   

2.6.2.

  

Notes.

     27   
 

 2.7.

 

Interest.

     28   
   

2.7.1.

  

Interest Rates.

     28   
   

2.7.2.

  

Interest Payment Dates.

     28   
   

2.7.3.

  

Setting and Notice of LIBOR Rates.

     28   
   

2.7.4.

  

Computation of Interest.

     28   
 

 2.8.

 

Fees.

     29   
   

2.8.1.

  

Commitment Fee.

     29   
   

2.8.2.

  

Letter of Credit Fees.

     29   
   

2.8.3.

  

Agent’s Fees.

     29   
   

2.8.4.

  

Prepayment Fees.

     29   
 

 2.9.

 

Commitment Reduction.

     30   
   

2.9.1.

  

Voluntary Reduction or Termination of Revolving Loan Commitment.

     30   
   

2.9.2.

  

Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Loan Commitment.

     30   
   

2.9.3.

  

All Reductions of Revolving Loan Commitment.

     30   
 

 2.10.

 

Prepayment.

     30   
   

2.10.1.

  

Voluntary Prepayment.

     30   
   

2.10.2.

  

Mandatory Prepayment.

     30   
   

2.10.3.

  

All Prepayments.

     31   

 

-i-


 

 2.11.

 

Repayment.

     31   
   

2.11.1.

  

Revolving Loans.

     31   
   

2.11.2.

  

Term A Loan.

     32   
   

2.11.3.

  

Term B Loan.

     32   
   

2.11.4.

  

Incremental Term Loan.

     33   
 

 2.12.

 

Payment.

     33   
   

2.12.1.

  

Making and Settlement of Payments.

     33   
   

2.12.2.

  

Application of Payments and Proceeds.

     34   
   

2.12.3.

  

Payment Dates.

     35   
   

2.12.4.

  

Set-off.

     36   
   

2.12.5.

  

Proration of Payments.

     36   

Section 3.

 

Yield Protection.

     36   
 

 3.1.

 

Taxes.

     36   
 

 3.2.

 

Increased Cost.

     38   
 

 3.3.

 

Inadequate or Unfair Basis.

     39   
 

 3.4.

 

Change in Law.

     39   
 

 3.5.

 

Funding Losses.

     40   
 

 3.6.

 

Manner of Funding; Alternate Funding Offices.

     40   
 

 3.7.

 

Mitigation of Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders.

     40   
 

 3.8.

 

Conclusiveness of Statements; Survival.

     41   

Section 4.

 

Conditions Precedent.

     41   
 

 4.1.

 

Initial Credit Extension.

     41   
   

4.1.1.

  

Initial Loans; Availability.

     41   
   

4.1.2.

  

Prior Debt.

     41   
   

4.1.3.

  

[Reserved]

     42   
   

4.1.4.

  

Fees.

     42   
   

4.1.5.

  

Delivery of Loan Documents.

     42   
   

4.1.6.

  

Certain Financial Tests.

     43   
 

 4.2.

 

All Credit Extensions.

     43   

Section 5.

 

Representations and Warranties.

     44   
 

 5.1.

 

Organization.

     44   
 

 5.2.

 

Authorization; No Conflict.

     44   
 

 5.3.

 

Validity; Binding Nature.

     44   
 

 5.4.

 

Financial Condition.

     44   
 

 5.5.

 

No Material Adverse Change.

     45   
 

 5.6.

 

Litigation.

     45   
 

 5.7.

 

Ownership of Properties; Liens.

     45   

 

-ii-


 

 5.8.

 

Capitalization.

     45   
 

 5.9.

 

Pension Plans.

     45   
 

 5.10.

 

Investment Company Act.

     46   
 

 5.11.

 

No Default.

     46   
 

 5.12.

 

Margin Stock.

     46   
 

 5.13.

 

Taxes.

     46   
 

 5.14.

 

Solvency.

     46   
 

 5.15.

 

Environmental Matters.

     47   
 

 5.16.

 

Insurance.

     47   
 

 5.17.

 

Information.

     47   
 

 5.18.

 

Intellectual Property.

     48   
 

 5.19.

 

Restrictive Provisions.

     48   
 

 5.20.

 

Labor Matters.

     48   
 

 5.21.

 

Subordinated Debt.

     48   
 

 5.22.

 

Bank Accounts.

     48   

Section 6.

 

Affirmative Covenants.

     49   
 

 6.1.

 

Information.

     49   
   

6.1.1.

  

Annual Report.

     49   
   

6.1.2.

  

Interim Reports.

     49   
   

6.1.3.

  

Compliance Certificate.

     49   
   

6.1.4.

  

Reports to SEC and Shareholders.

     50   
   

6.1.5.

  

Notice of Default; Litigation; ERISA Matters.

     50   
   

6.1.6.

  

Management Report.

     50   
   

6.1.7.

  

Projections.

     51   
   

6.1.8.

  

Subordinated Debt Notices.

     51   
   

6.1.9.

  

Subsidiary Formation.

     51   
   

6.1.10.

  

Other Information.

     51   
 

 6.2.

 

Books; Records; Inspections.

     51   
 

 6.3.

 

Maintenance of Property; Insurance.

     52   
 

 6.4.

 

Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes and Liabilities.

     52   
 

 6.5.

 

Maintenance of Existence.

     53   
 

 6.6.

 

Employee Benefit Plans.

     53   
 

 6.7.

 

Environmental Matters.

     53   
 

 6.8.

 

Further Assurances.

     53   
 

 6.9.

 

Interest Rate Protection.

     54   

Section 7.

 

Negative Covenants.

     54   
 

 7.1.

 

Debt.

     54   

 

-iii-


 

 7.2.

 

Liens.

     56   
 

 7.3.

 

Reserved.

     58   
 

 7.4.

 

Restricted Payments.

     58   
 

 7.5.

 

Mergers; Consolidations; Asset Sales.

     60   
 

 7.6.

 

Modification of Organizational Documents.

     61   
 

 7.7.

 

Use of Proceeds.

     61   
 

 7.8.

 

Transactions with Affiliates.

     61   
 

 7.9.

 

Inconsistent Agreements.

     61   
 

 7.10.

 

Business Activities.

     62   
 

 7.11.

 

Investments.

     62   
 

 7.12.

 

Restriction of Amendments to Certain Documents.

     64   
 

 7.13.

 

Fiscal Year.

     64   
 

 7.14.

 

Financial Covenants.

     64   
   

7.14.1.

  

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

     64   
   

7.14.2.

  

Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio.

     64   
   

7.14.3.

  

Equity Cure Right.

     64   
 

 7.15.

 

Bank Accounts.

     65   

Section 8.

 

Events of Default; Remedies.

     66   
 

 8.1.

 

Events of Default.

     66   
   

8.1.1.

  

Non-Payment of Credit.

     66   
   

8.1.2.

  

Default Under Other Debt.

     66   
   

8.1.3.

  

Bankruptcy; Insolvency.

     66   
   

8.1.4.

  

Non-Compliance with Loan Documents.

     66   
   

8.1.5.

  

Representations; Warranties.

     67   
   

8.1.6.

  

Pension Plans.

     67   
   

8.1.7.

  

Judgments.

     67   
   

8.1.8.

  

Invalidity of Collateral Documents.

     67   
   

8.1.9.

  

Invalidity of Subordination Provisions.

     67   
   

8.1.10.

  

Change of Control.

     68   
   

8.1.11.

  

Activities of Holdings.

     68   
 

 8.2.

 

Remedies.

     68   

Section 9.

 

Agent.

     69   
 

 9.1.

 

Appointment; Authorization.

     69   
 

 9.2.

 

Delegation of Duties.

     69   
 

 9.3.

 

Limited Liability.

     70   
 

 9.4.

 

Reliance.

     70   
 

 9.5.

 

Notice of Default.

     70   
 

 9.6.

 

Credit Decision.

     71   

 

-iv-


 

 9.7.

 

Indemnification.

     71   
 

 9.8.

 

Agent Individually.

     71   
 

 9.9.

 

Successor Agent.

     72   
 

 9.10.

 

Collateral and Guarantee Matters.

     72   
 

 9.11.

 

Subordinated Debt.

     73   
 

 9.12.

 

Actions in Concert.

     73   
 

 9.13.

 

Additional Titled Agents

     73   
 

 9.14.

 

Secured Hedging Obligations.

     73   
 

 9.15.

 

Limited Application to Loan Parties.

     74   

Section 10.

 

Miscellaneous.

     74   
 

 10.1.

 

Waiver; Amendments.

     74   
 

 10.2.

 

Notices.

     75   
 

 10.3.

 

Computations.

     76   
 

 10.4.

 

Costs; Expenses.

     76   
 

 10.5.

 

Indemnification by Borrower.

     77   
 

 10.6.

 

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.

     77   
 

 10.7.

 

Nonliability of Lenders.

     77   
 

 10.8.

 

Assignments; Participations.

     78   
   

10.8.1.

  

Assignments.

     78   
   

10.8.2.

  

Participations.

     79   
   

10.8.3.

  

Competitors.

     80   
 

 10.9.

 

Confidentiality.

     80   
 

 10.10.

 

Captions.

     81   
 

 10.11.

 

Nature of Remedies.

     81   
 

 10.12.

 

Counterparts.

     81   
 

 10.13.

 

Severability.

     81   
 

 10.14.

 

Entire Agreement.

     82   
 

 10.15.

 

Successors; Assigns.

     82   
 

 10.16.

 

Governing Law.

     82   
 

 10.17.

 

Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction.

     82   
 

 10.18.

 

Waiver of Jury Trial.

     83   
 

 10.19.

 

Patriot Act.

     83   

 

-v-


Annexes
Annex I    Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
Annex II    Addresses
Annex III    Conditions Precedent to Permitted Acquisition
Exhibits
Exhibit A    Form of Assignment Agreement
Exhibit B    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C    Form of Note
Exhibit D    Form of Borrowing Notice
Exhibit E    Form of Conversion/Continuation Notice
Exhibit F    Form of Excess Cash Flow Certificate
Schedules
Schedule 2.3.1    Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 4.1.2    Prior Debt
Schedule 5.6    Litigation
Schedule 5.8    Capitalization
Schedule 5.16    Insurance
Schedule 5.20    Labor Matters
Schedule 5.22    Bank Accounts
Schedule 7.1    Existing Debt
Schedule 7.2    Existing Liens
Schedule 7.8    Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 7.11    Existing Investments

 

-vi-


CREDIT AGREEMENT

This Credit Agreement (“ Agreement ”) dated as of March 19, 2012 among DCS Business Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ Borrower ”), the financial institutions party hereto from time to time (“ Lenders ”), Madison Capital Funding LLC (in its individual capacity, “ Madison ”), as Agent for all Lenders and as Lead Arranger and ING Capital LLC, as Syndication Agent.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Definitions; Interpretation .

 

  1.1. Definitions .

When used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Acceleration Event means the occurrence and continuance of any of the following: (i) an Event of Default under Section 8.1.1 as a result of the failure to pay in full the Revolving Outstandings on the Termination Date, the Term A Loan on the Term A Loan Maturity Date, the Term B Loan on the Term B Loan Maturity Date and/or the Incremental Term Loan on the Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date; (ii) an Event of Default under Section 8.1.3(b) ; or (iii) any other Event of Default under Section 8.1 and the declaration by Agent or the Required Lenders that the Obligations are due and payable and the Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated, in each case in accordance with Section 8.21 .

Account has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Account Debtor means any Person who is obligated to Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to any Account.

Acquisition means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of all or substantially all of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or equity of any Person, or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a Person that is already a Subsidiary).

Additional Subordinated Debt means unsecured Debt of Holdings, Borrower or a Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $30,000,000 less (y) the sum of the initial principal amount of all increases of the Term B Loan made pursuant to Section 2.1.3 and the initial principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans which (i) has no principal payments prior to September 19, 2018, (ii) does not have cash pay interest in excess of 12% per annum, and (iii) has subordination terms which have been approved in writing by Agent, and other terms reasonable and customary for institutional mezzanine debt; provided , that, such Debt may only be incurred to the extent that (x) no Event of Default is then in existence and (y) Borrower requests increases of the Term B Loan or Incremental Loans pursuant to Section 2.1.3 and such increase or Incremental Term Loan is not funded pursuant to Section 2.1.3 .

Adjusted EBITDA means, for any period, the sum of EBITDA for such period plus, to the extent a Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) (to the extent such Investment is an Investment in a Loan Party) has been consummated during such period, Pro Forma EBITDA attributable to such Permitted Acquisition or Investment (to the extent such Investment is an Investment in a Loan Party) permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) (but only that portion of Pro Forma EBITDA attributable to the portion of such period that occurred prior to the date of consummation

 

-1-


of such Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) (to the extent such Investment is an Investment in a Loan Party), including but not limited to, EBITDA of any Target in a Permitted Acquisition or any such Investment for any period prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or such Investment).

Adjusted Working Capital means the remainder of (a) the consolidated current assets of Borrower and the Subsidiaries minus the amount of cash and cash equivalents included in such consolidated current assets, minus (b) the consolidated current liabilities of Borrower and the Subsidiaries (excluding all accruals relating to management fees, accrued interest expense and income taxes payable) minus the amount of consolidated short-term Debt (including current maturities of long-term Debt) of Borrower and the Subsidiaries included in such consolidated current liabilities; provided , however, the foregoing shall exclude the effects of any Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) , consummated during such period of determination; provided that, any Adjusted Working Capital attributable to any Equity Interest of third parties in non Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries shall be disregarded from the calculation of Adjusted Working Capital.

Affiliate of any Person means (a) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, (b) any officer or director of such Person and (c) with respect to any Lender, any entity administered or managed by such Lender or an Affiliate or investment advisor thereof which is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 10% or more of the securities (on a fully diluted basis) having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or managers or power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise. Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, neither Agent nor any Lender (unless such Lender is Sponsor or an Affiliate of Sponsor) shall be deemed an Affiliate of Borrower or of any Subsidiary.

Agent means Madison in its capacity as administrative agent for all Lenders hereunder and any successor or assign thereto in such capacity as permitted hereunder.

Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble .

Applicable Margin means the applicable rate per annum set forth below:

 

Revolving Loans and Term A Loan     Term B Loan  

Base Rate

    LIBOR Rate     Base Rate     LIBOR Rate  
  4.25     5.25     4.75     5.75

With respect to the Incremental Term Loans, a percent per annum set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

Approved Fund means (a) any fund, trust or similar entity that invests in commercial loans in the ordinary course of business and is advised or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender, (iii) the same investment advisor that manages a Lender or (iv) an Affiliate of an investment advisor that manages a Lender or (b) any finance company, insurance company or other financial institution which temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any Person described in clause (a) above.

Assignment Agreement means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A .

 

-2-


Authorized Officer , means any of the (i) chief executive officer, (ii) president, (iii) chief financial officer or (iv) senior financial officer.

Base Rate means, for any day, the greatest of (i) the per annum rate of interest which is identified as the “Prime Rate” and normally published in the Money Rates section of The Wall Street Journal (or, if such rate ceases to be so published, as quoted from such other generally available and recognizable source as Agent may reasonably select) , (ii) the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (iii) the sum of (a) the applicable LIBOR Rate for such day, provided that for the purposes of this clause, the Interest Period referenced in the definition of LIBOR Rate shall be assumed to be 1 month and the rate for each day in any month shall be the applicable rate as of the first Business Day of such month, and (b) the difference of (1) the then effective Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans minus (2) the then effective Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans, and (iv) 2.5% per annum. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in such Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in such Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate.

Base Rate Loan means any Loan which bears interest at or by reference to the Base Rate.

Borrower has the meaning set forth in the Preamble .

Borrowing Availability means, at the time of determination, an amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment.

Borrowing Notice means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit D .

Business Day means any day on which commercial banks are open for commercial banking business in Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York, and, in the case of a Business Day which relates to a LIBOR Loan, on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Capital Expenditures means all expenditures which, in accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized and shown on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower, but excluding (i) expenditures made in connection with the acquisition, replacement, substitution or restoration of assets to the extent financed (a) from insurance proceeds (or other similar recoveries including indemnity payments) paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced or restored, (b) with cash awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced (c) with proceeds from the sale of Excluded Issuances or Debt (excluding drawings under the Revolving Loan Commitment), (d) resulting from the exchange or trade of assets (to the extent of the value of the traded or exchanged asset) and (ii) expenditures made to fund the purchase price for assets acquired in Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments permitted under Section 7.11 or (iii) any leasehold improvement paid by a Loan Party on premises leased by any Loan Party or other expenditures made, in each case, to the extent such Loan Party has been reimbursed by the landlord under such leasehold or any third party within one hundred twenty (120) days of the incurrence of such expenditure.

Capital Lease means, with respect to any Person, any lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any real or personal property by such Person that, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

Cash Equivalent Investment means, at any time, (a) any evidence of indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after such time, issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) commercial paper, or corporate demand notes, in each case (unless issued by a Lender or its holding company) rated at least A-l by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or P-l by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., (c) any certificate of deposit (or time deposit represented by a certificate of deposit) or banker’s acceptance maturing not more than one year after such time, or any overnight Federal Funds

 

-3-


transaction that is issued or sold by any Lender (or by a commercial banking institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $250,000,000), (d) any repurchase agreement entered into with any Lender (or commercial banking institution of the nature referred to in clause (c) above) which (i) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (c) above and (ii) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of such Lender (or other commercial banking institution) thereunder, (e) mutual funds and money market funds whose assets are at least 95% invested in the foregoing types of investments, (f) other short term liquid investments approved in writing by Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (g) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year after such issuance or the acquisition of such obligation and having the highest rating obtainable from the S&P and Moody’s, and (h) money market accounts which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the foregoing requirements and money market mutual funds.

Closing Date means the date on which Lenders make the initial Loans or the initial Letter of Credit is issued, as applicable, hereunder.

Collateral has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Collateral Access Agreement means an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent pursuant to which a lessor of real property on which Collateral is stored or otherwise located, or a warehouseman, processor or other bailee of Inventory or other property owned by any Loan Party, acknowledges the Liens of Agent and waives or subordinates any Liens held by such Person on such property, and, in the case of any such agreement with a lessor, permits Agent reasonable access to any Collateral stored or otherwise located thereon.

Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, each Mortgage, each Collateral Access Agreement, each account control agreement and each other agreement or instrument pursuant to or in connection with which any Loan Party grants a security interest in any Collateral securing the Obligations to Agent for the benefit of Lenders, each as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Commitment means, as to any Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment, such Lender’s Pro Rata Term A Loan Share of the Term A Loan Commitment and such Lender’s Pro Rata Term B Loan Share of the Term B Loan Commitment.

Commitment Fee means the fee payable by Borrower to Lenders pursuant to Section 2.8.1 .

Competitor of any Person means (a) any other Person which directly engages in the same business as such Person or (b) any other Person that possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote at least a majority of the securities (on a fully diluted basis) of a Person described in clause (a).

Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

Computation Period means each period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on the last day of a Fiscal Quarter.

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to Holdings, Borrower and the other Loan Parties for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Holdings and the Subsidiaries for such period, excluding (i) consolidated net income of any Target in a Permitted Acquisition or any Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) except as provided in the definition of “Adjusted EBITDA”

 

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and “Pro Forma EBITDA” for any period prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition and (ii) the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Loan Party or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting.

Consolidation Transaction means any potential merger of any of Holdings, Borrower or the other Loan Parties, including but not limited to Holdings into Borrower, Borrower into Holdings, any Guarantor into Borrower, or Borrower into any Guarantor or any Guarantor into any other Guarantor.

Contingent Obligation means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to or otherwise to invest in a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) any indebtedness, obligation or other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of any Person’s obligation in respect of any Contingent Obligation shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the principal amount of the debt, obligation or other liability supported thereby or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

Controlled Group means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with a Loan Party, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the IRC or Section 4001 of ERISA.

Conversion/Continuation Notice means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit E .

Converted Subordinated Debt means any unsecured Debt of Holdings which (i) arises from the conversion of preferred stock of Holdings into such Debt, which conversion was for the purpose of consummating a Qualified IPO, (ii) does not mature prior to September 19, 2018, (iii) does not have any mandatory cash payments due prior to its maturity, (iv) does not constitute Debt of any Loan Party other than Holdings, and (v) has subordination terms, covenants, and other terms which are reasonable and customary for subordinated Debt held by equity holders (including complete blockage of payments during the continuance of any Event of Default and permanent standstills with respect to the exercise of rights under such Converted Subordinated Debt).

Cure Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 7.14.3 .

Debt of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all indebtedness evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (including, without limitation, any notes issued to sellers in connection with an Acquisition), (c) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases which have been or should be recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accrued expenses, licenses and purchases of software to the extent that such Person may terminate the payment obligations thereunder at will, and trade accounts payable, all in the ordinary course of business), (e) all indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person (with the amount thereof being measured as the lesser of the fair market value of such property and the aggregate unpaid amount of such Debt), (f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to letters of credit (whether or not drawn), banker’s acceptances and surety bonds issued for the account of such Person (including, without duplication, the Letters of Credit), (g) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, (h) all non-compete payment obligations, earn-outs, deferred compensation and similar obligations, (i) all indebtedness of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner, (j) all

 

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obligations of such Person under any synthetic lease transaction, where such obligations are considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but the transaction is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP, and (k) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person.

Default means any event described in Section 8.1 that, if it continues uncured during an applicable grace period, will, with the lapse of such grace period or the giving of notice or both, constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender means any Lender that (a) for so long as such failure shall exist, has failed to make any Loan or other credit extension or payment that such Lender is required to make pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (b) (i) has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or (ii) has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment (unless, in the case of any Lender referred to in this clause (b), Borrower, Agent and Issuing Lender are reasonably satisfied that such Lender intends, and has the financial wherewithal and all approvals required to enable it, to continue to perform its obligations hereunder as a Lender).

Disposition means, as to any asset or right of any Loan Party, (a) any sale, lease, assignment or other transfer (other than to Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries), (b) any loss, destruction or damage thereof or (c) any condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure or taking thereof by a Governmental Authority, in each case excluding (i) Dispositions in any Fiscal Year, the Net Cash Proceeds of which do not in the aggregate exceed $1,000,000, (ii) the sale or other transfer of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (iii) dispositions under clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x), or (xi) of Section 7.5(b) , (iv) the termination, surrender or sublease of a real estate lease of a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business, or (v) the cancellation of any intercompany indebtedness.

Disqualified Stock means any Equity Interest of Holdings which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (whether described as a “put option” or otherwise), in whole or in part, (b) is convertible into or exchangeable for (i) Debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in (a) above, or (c) is entitled to receive a dividend or distribution (other than for taxes attributable to the operations of the business); in each case, in respect of the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), except to the extent that the terms of such Equity Interests expressly provide that such mandatory redemption, dividend or any other similar right, is exercisable or payable only to the extent that (i) prior to the Payment in Full of the Obligations, Borrower is expressly permitted to make a dividend or distribution to Holdings to permit Holdings to consummate such redemption, dividend or other similar right pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof and (ii) the exercise of such mandatory redemption or other similar right or payment of such dividend is not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Documents to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries are from time to time a party.

Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of a State within the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

EBITDA means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus any losses or minus any gains from sales, leases, losses, condemnation or other dispositions of assets, extraordinary items (as defined in accordance with GAAP), discontinued operations, reappraisal, revaluation or write-up

 

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or write down of assets or from the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, and plus, to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, (i) interest expense and the annual Agent’s fee paid pursuant to the Fee Letter, amortization of debt discounts and commissions, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, charges for impairment of goodwill and other intangibles for such period and management fees and reimbursable expenses whether paid or accrued and not paid, (ii) fees and expenses (including Legal Costs) with regard to the consummation of this Agreement, inclusive of fees and expenses permitted by clause (v) of Section 7.4 , in each case to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, (iii) reasonable and customary fees and expenses (including Legal Costs) in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, and Investments permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) , (iv) fees and expenses (including Legal Costs) in connection with the consummation of a successful Qualified IPO, (v) fees and expenses (including Legal Costs) in connection with the an unsuccessful attempt at a Qualified IPO, (vi) other extraordinary and non-recurring costs and expenses that are satisfactory to Agent, (vii) non-cash expenses in the form of options granted by Borrower or Holdings and other non-cash expense with respect to deferred compensation and stock options, (viii) severance expenses reasonably approved by Agent, (ix) all usual and customary costs, fees, expenses and charges paid during such period in connection with any issuance of Equity Interests or Debt permitted under this Agreement, (x) business interruption insurance proceeds received in cash during such period, (xi) all non-cash adjustments to the valuation of earn-out payments or other consideration relating to Investments permitted hereunder, (xii) the amount of cash restructuring costs approved by Agent incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or Investment in a Loan Party permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) , not to exceed $2,500,000 for any such Permitted Acquisition or Investment, (xiii) non-cash restructuring charges incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or Investment in a Loan Party permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) , (xiv) all non-cash charges, losses or expenses (or minus non-cash income or gain) included or deducted in calculating net income (or loss) for such period including, without limitation, any non-cash loss or expense (or income or gain) due to the application of FASB ASC 815-10 regarding hedging activity, FASB ASC 350 regarding impairment of goodwill and intangibles, FASB ASC 480-10 regarding accounting for financial instruments with Debt and equity characteristics, FASB ASC No. 715 regarding post-retirement benefits, FASB ASC No. 805 regarding the accrual of earnouts, and non-cash foreign currency exchange losses (or minus gains), but excluding any non-cash loss or expense (a) that is an accrual of a reserve for a cash expenditure or payment to be made, or anticipated to be made, in a future period or (b) relating to a write-down, write off or reserve with respect to Accounts and Inventory, (xv) the result of (a) the amount collected during such period from the Department of Education for services performed and invoiced, but for which revenue has not yet been recognized in Consolidated Net Income, minus (b) revenue from the Department of Education recognized in Consolidated Net Income during such period for which cash was received in a prior period and where revenue was not previously recognized, all subject to the review and reasonable approval of Agent, and (xvi) solely for the purposes of determining compliance with Sections 7.11(q) and 7.14.2 , any Cure Amount contributed pursuant to Section 7.14.3.

Provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) for the period commencing on February 1, 2012 and ending on January 31, 2013, EBITDA shall be EBITDA for Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, as adjusted in a manner consistent with the adjustments to EBITDA reflected in EBITDA for the months of February, 2011 through January, 2012 set forth below, and (ii) for each of the calendar months set forth below, EBITDA shall be deemed to be the amount set forth below opposite such month:

 

Calendar Month

   EBITDA  

February 2011

   $ 2,836,267   

March 2011

   $ 4,323,694   

April 2011

   $ 5,327,954   

May 2011

   $ 4,985,509   

June 2011

   $ 6,578,048   

July 2011

   $ 5,763,710   

August 2011

   $ 6,235,017   

September 2011

   $ 3,907,220   

October 2011

   $ 3,709,964   

November 2011

   $ 5,505,215   

December 2011

   $ 7,557,025   

January 2012

   $ 4,434,540   

 

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ECF Percentage means, for any Fiscal Year, 75% if the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio equals or exceeds 2.75 : 1.0 as of the last day of such Fiscal Year; 50% if the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio is less than 2.75 : 1.0 and equals or exceeds 2.25 : 1.0 as of the last day of such Fiscal Year; and 25% if the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio is less than 2.25 : 1.0 as of the last day of such Fiscal Year.

Environmental Claims means all written claims by any governmental, regulatory or judicial authority or other Person alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or injury to the environment or any Person or property.

Environmental Laws means all present or future federal, state or local laws, statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all binding and enforceable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any governmental authority, in each case relating to any matter arising out of or relating to health and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment or workplace, including any of the foregoing relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transport, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, discharge, release, control or cleanup of any Hazardous Substance.

Equity Interest means the interest of any (a) shareholder in a corporation; (b) partner in a partnership (whether general, limited, limited liability or joint venture); (c) member in a limited liability company; or (iv) other Person having any other form of equity security or ownership interest.

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

Event of Default means any of the events described in Section 8.1 .

Excess Cash Flow means, for any period, the remainder of (a) the sum of (i) EBITDA for such period, plus (ii) any net decrease in Adjusted Working Capital during such period, minus (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) scheduled repayments of principal of Term Loans (excluding mandatory prepayments thereof) and other Debt of Borrower and the Subsidiaries (in respect of Debt permitted in accordance with Section 7.1 ) made during such period, plus (ii) cash payments (not financed with the proceeds of Debt other than Revolving Loans) made in such period with respect to Capital Expenditures, plus (iii) all federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash by Borrower and the Subsidiaries, or paid in cash by Holdings with the proceeds of the tax distributions by Borrower permitted under Section 7.4 , during such period, net of any federal, state, local or foreign income tax refunds received in cash by Borrower and the Subsidiaries in such period, plus (iv) all Interest Expense in respect of Debt permitted in accordance with Section 7.1 paid in cash by Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such period, plus (v) any net increase in Adjusted Working Capital during such period, plus (vi) without duplication of clause (a) above, to the extent paid in cash during such period, Legal Costs, plus (vii) any

 

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management fees, expenses and indemnifications paid in cash, plus (viii) any other cash expenses that are added back to Consolidated Net Income in the calculation of EBITDA, plus (ix) Permitted Acquisitions, Investments and Restricted Payments (other than Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Sections 7.4(xi) and (xii) ) not financed with the proceeds of the issuance of equity or with the proceeds of Debt (other than Revolving Loans), plus (x) cash payments with respect to installments owing for the purchase or license of software, plus (xi) other cash payments added back to EBITDA in the definition thereof; provided , however , that in the case of any Permitted Acquisition, deductions from Excess Cash Flow shall exclude payments made by the Target of such Permitted Acquisition prior to the date such Permitted Acquisition was consummated.

Excess Cash Flow Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F .

Excess ECF Amount means Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year less the sum of (x) the mandatory prepayment required to be made with respect to such Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 2.10.2(a)(iii) and (y) all voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.10.1 during such Fiscal Year.

Excluded Foreign Holding Company means a Domestic Subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and has no assets other than the equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries or an immaterial amount of other assets.

Excluded Issuance means the issuance of equity securities (i) to Sponsor or Investment Affiliate and other then-existing equity holders pursuant to pre-emptive or similar rights, (ii) to members of the management, employees or directors of Loan Party who has a right, option, warrant, conversion right or other similar agreement or understanding for the purchase or acquisition of any equity interest of Parent, Holdings or any Subsidiary, (iii) to any Person, the proceeds of which will be used, promptly following the issuance thereof, solely to fund the purchase price of Permitted Acquisitions (including earnouts, working capital adjustments and purchase price adjustments), Investments permitted under Section 7.11 or Capital Expenditures or in which constitutes “rollover equity” with respect to Permitted Acquisitions, in each case, in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance, or (iv) to any Person (or any Investment Affiliate, Affiliate of Sponsor or Affiliate of Madison) that owns securities of Holdings or any Subsidiary on the Closing Date.

Exempt Accounts means any deposit accounts, securities accounts or other similar accounts (i) into which there is deposited no funds other than those intended solely to cover wages for employees of the Loan Parties; (ii) constituting employee withholding accounts and contain only funds deducted from pay otherwise due to employees for services rendered to be applied toward the tax obligations of such employees; (iii) constituting Trust Accounts or other escrow accounts; and (iv) in which there is not maintained at any point in time funds on deposit greater than $250,000 in the aggregate for all such accounts.

FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the IRC and any regulations or official interpretations thereof (including any Revenue Ruling, Revenue Procedure, Notice or similar guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service thereunder as a precondition to relief or exemption from Taxes under such provisions).

Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the preceding Business Day or, if no such rate is so published, the average rate per annum, as determined by Agent, quoted for overnight Federal Funds transactions last arranged prior to such day.

 

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Fee Letter means, that certain letter agreement dated of even date herewith by Agent and acknowledged by Borrower.

Fiscal Quarter means a fiscal quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of Borrower and the Subsidiaries, which period shall be the 12-month period ending on December 31 of each year.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, for any Computation Period, the ratio of (a) the total for such period of EBITDA minus the sum of (i) all income taxes paid in cash (net of refunds) and tax distributions described in Section 7.4 paid in cash by Borrower and the other Loan Parties, (ii) all unfinanced Capital Expenditures, paid in cash, and (iii) other restricted payments made pursuant to Section 7.4 (without duplication of clause (i) above and excluding (x) restricted payments funded with Net Cash Proceeds of an Increase Request, Additional Subordinated Debt or a Qualified IPO and (y) transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of this Agreement), to (b) the sum for such period of (i) Interest Expense paid in cash by Borrower and the other Loan Parties (but excluding prepayment and other fees and expenses with regard to the consummation of this Agreement, and Legal Costs paid during such Computation Period to the extent such amounts are classified as interest expense for GAAP purposes) plus (ii) scheduled payments of principal of Debt (including the Term Loans, but excluding the Revolving Loans then due and owing during the Computation Period) plus (iii) scheduled installment payments for the purchase or license of software to the extent paid in cash); provided , that with respect to Computation Periods ending prior to the first anniversary hereof, (i) Interest Expense and payments of principal of Debt shall be deemed to be the amounts from April 1, 2012, through the date of calculation, divided by the number of months during such period, and multiplied by 12, and (ii) unfinanced Capital Expenditures and Taxes for Computation Periods including the months set forth below shall be the amounts set forth below opposite such months:

 

Calendar Month

   Taxes Paid      Unfinanced
Capital Expenditures
 

July 2011

   $ 0       $ 539,777   

August 2011

   $ 0       $ 588,389   

September 2011

   $ 8,463,620       $ 668,143   

October 2011

   $ 17,433       $ 358,108   

November 2011

   $ 0       $ 1,161,723   

December 2011

   $ 6,389,000       $ 354,127   

Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary (a) that is not incorporated or organized under the laws of a State within the United States of America or the District of Columbia, and that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the IRC with respect to which a Loan Party is a “US Shareholder” within the meaning of Section 951(b) of the IRC or (b) that has no material assets other than the capital stock of one or more Subsidiaries described in clause (a)  and other assets relating to an ownership interest in any such capital stock or subsidiaries.

FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States of America set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided , that Financial Accounting Standard No. 150 shall be disregarded of the purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any agency, branch of government, department or Person exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any corporation or other Person owned or controlled (through stock or capital ownership or otherwise) by any of the foregoing, whether domestic or foreign.

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of the Closing Date by each Loan Party signatory thereto in favor of Agent and Lenders.

Hazardous Substances means hazardous waste, hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, toxic substance, oil, hazardous material or chemical or other hazardous of toxic substance regulated by any Environmental Law.

Hedging Obligation means, with respect to any Person, any liability of such Person under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, cap agreement or collar agreement, and any other agreement or arrangement designed to protect a Person against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

Holdings means Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Incremental Amendment has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.3 .

Incremental Term Loan has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.3 .

Incremental Term Loan Commitment has the meaning set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date means the date set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment or such earlier date on which the Commitments terminate pursuant to Section 8 .

Intellectual Property has the meaning set forth in the Section 5.18 .

Interest Expense means for any period the consolidated cash interest expense of Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period (including that portion of payments on Capital Leases determined in accordance with GAAP to be characterized as interest payments).

Interest Period means, as to any LIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Loan is borrowed or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2.2 or 2.2.3 , as the case may be; provided , that: (a) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the following Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day; (b) any Interest Period that begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; (c) Borrower may not select any Interest Period for a Revolving Loan which would extend beyond the scheduled Termination Date; and (d) Borrower may not select any Interest Period for a Term Loan if, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans having Interest Periods ending after any date on which an installment of the Term Loans is scheduled to be repaid would exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans scheduled to be outstanding after giving effect to such repayment.

 

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Interest Settlement Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.1 .

Inventory has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Investment means, with respect to any Person, (a) the purchase of any debt or equity security of any other Person, (b) the making of any loan or advance to any other Person, (c) becoming obligated with respect to a Contingent Obligation in respect of obligations of any other Person (other than travel and similar advances to employees in the ordinary course of business) or (d) the making of an Acquisition. The amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment but giving effect to any returns or distributions received by such Person with respect thereto (but in any event, for purposes of determining compliance with Section 7.11 , after giving effect to such returns and distributions the aggregate outstanding Investments shall in no event be less than zero).

Investment Affiliate means any fund or investment vehicle that (a) is organized by Sponsor for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies and (b) is controlled by, or under common control with, Sponsor. For purposes of this definition “control” means the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of a Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

Investment Period has the meaning set forth in Section 7.14.3 .

IRC means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Issuing Lender means Madison, as issuer of a participation or indemnification agreement in favor of The Bank of New York or any other financial institution approved by Agent and specified to Borrower by Agent.

Legal Costs means (a) with respect to Agent pursuant to Section 10.4 (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of any one outside counsel, accountants, auditors, appraisers, consultants and other professionals to Agent, (ii) all reasonably necessary outside local counsel to Agent, and (iii) all court costs and similar legal expenses, (b) with respect to Lenders pursuant to Section 10.4 , (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of any one outside counsel to Lenders (taken as a whole), (ii) all reasonably necessary outside local counsel to Lenders (taken as a whole), and (iii) all court costs and similar legal expenses, in each case, to the extent reimbursable by the Borrower under this Agreement, (c) with respect to Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 10.5 , (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of any one outside counsel to all Indemnified Parties (taken as a whole) to the extent no conflict exists and (ii) all court costs and similar legal expenses, in each case, to the extent reimbursable by the Borrower under this Agreement and (d) with respect to all other Persons, (i) all reasonable fees and charges of any counsel, accountants auditors, appraisers, consultants and other professionals to such Persons and (ii) all court costs and similar legal costs.

Lenders has the meaning set forth in the Preamble .

Letter of Credit has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.1 .

Letter of Credit Collateralization means any of (a) providing cash collateral (pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to Agent, including provisions that specify that the Letter of Credit fee and all usage charges set forth in this Agreement will continue to accrue while the Letters of Credit

 

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are outstanding) to be held by Agent for the benefit of those Lenders with a Revolving Loan Commitment in an amount equal to 105% of the Stated Amount of such Letters of Credit, (b) causing the Letters of Credit to be returned to the issuer thereof or (c) providing Agent with a standby letter of credit, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, from a commercial bank acceptable to Agent in an amount equal to 105% of the Stated Amount of such Letters of Credit (it being understood that the Letter of Credit fee and all usage charges set forth in this Agreement will continue to accrue while the Letters of Credit are outstanding and that any such fees that accrue must be an amount that can be drawn under any such standby letter of credit).

Letter of Credit Fee means the fee payable by Borrower to Lenders pursuant to Section 2.8.2 .

LIBOR Loan means any Loan which bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

LIBOR Rate means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the greater of (a) a rate per annum equal to (i) the offered rate for deposits in Dollars for the applicable Interest Period and for the amount of the applicable LIBOR Loan that appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page at 11:00 a.m. London time (or, if not so appearing, as published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal or another national publication selected by Agent) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, divided by (ii) the sum of one minus the daily average during such Interest Period of the aggregate maximum reserve requirement (expressed as a decimal) then imposed under Regulation D of the FRB for “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (as defined therein), and (b) 1.50% per annum.

Lien means, with respect to any Person, any interest granted by such Person in any real or personal property, asset or other right owned or being purchased or acquired by such Person which secures payment or performance of any obligation and shall include any mortgage, lien, encumbrance, charge or other security interest of any kind, whether arising by contract, as a matter of law, by judicial process or otherwise.

Limited Voting Lender means, at any relevant time of determination, any Lender, (a) that, together with its respective Affiliates (taken as a whole) owns (whether directly or indirectly), ten percent (10%) or more of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other equity interests of Borrower (excluding capital stock and other equity interests that a Lender or its Affiliates receives in exchange for any of the Obligations or as a result of the exercise of secured party remedies under the Loan Documents); or (b) with respect to which the principal amount of outstanding Loans and unfunded Commitments hereunder then held by such Lender and its Managed Lender Affiliates (taken as a whole) constitute less than sixty-five percent (65%) of the sum of the following amounts then held by such Lender and its Managed Lender Affiliates (taken as a whole): (i) the principal amount of outstanding Loans and unfunded Commitments hereunder, (ii) the principal amount of Subordinated Debt (including any unfunded commitments in respect thereof), and (iii) the original purchase price (whether funded with cash, contributed equity, rollover equity or otherwise) paid in respect of outstanding equity investments (whether direct or indirect, and regardless of when acquired or obtained) in Borrower.

Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit, the Collateral Documents, the Fee Letter, and all documents, instruments and agreements delivered in connection with the foregoing, but excluding any agreement entered into in respect of Hedging Obligations.

Loan Party means Holdings, Borrower and each Guarantor (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement).

Loans means Revolving Loans and Term Loans.

 

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Madison has the meaning set forth in the Preamble .

Managed Lender Affiliate means an Affiliate of a Lender, provided , that any such Affiliate of a Lender shall not be deemed to be a Managed Lender Affiliate if, at any applicable time of determination: (i) the applicable Lender shall have delivered to Agent a letter agreement regarding, among other things, its managerial independence from any Affiliates having interests in any Subordinated Debt or in the equity of Borrower, and that is satisfactory to Agent in its reasonable discretion, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in such letter agreement are and continue to be true and correct in all material respects, and (iii) such Lender shall have complied, in all material respects, with its obligations under such letter agreement, with respect to the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), as reasonably determined by Agent.

Manager means Parthenon Capital LLC and its Investment Affiliates.

Margin Stock means any “margin stock” as defined in Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.

Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the financial condition, operations, assets, business or properties of Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its Obligations under any Loan Document or (c) a material adverse effect upon any substantial portion of the Collateral under the Collateral Documents or upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document.

Mortgage means a mortgage, deed of trust or similar instrument granting Agent a Lien on a real property interest of any Loan Party, each as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Multiemployer Pension Plan means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which Borrower or any Loan Party may have any liability, including any liability by being a member of a Controlled Group with any other entity or trade or business other than the Borrower or any Loan Party.

Net Cash Proceeds means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition, the aggregate cash proceeds (including cash proceeds received pursuant to policies of insurance (other than business interruption insurance unless required to be paid to Agent and Lenders during the continuance of an Event of Default) and by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note, installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) received by any Loan Party pursuant to such Disposition net of (i) the reasonable direct costs, fees and expenses relating to such Disposition (including the cost of preparing such assets for sale, costs incidental to the sale of such assets, sales commissions and legal, accounting and investment banking fees, commissions and expenses), (ii) any portion of such proceeds deposited in an escrow account pursuant to the documentation relating to such Disposition (provided that such amounts shall be treated as Net Cash Proceeds upon their release from such escrow account to the applicable Loan Party), (iii) taxes paid or reasonably estimated by Borrower to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions arising from such sale and any tax sharing arrangements in respect thereof), (iv) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of any Debt secured by a Lien that has priority over the Lien of Agent on the asset subject to such Disposition and (v) any reserves taken in accordance with GAAP for so long as such reserves are required by GAAP, (vi) (A) with respect to any Disposition described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, all money actually applied within 180 days (or prior to such date be subject to a binding commitment to so replace such assets using such Net Cash Proceeds within 270 days of

 

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original receipt of such cash proceeds) to acquire assets used or useful in the Loan Parties’ business, and (B) with respect to any Disposition described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition thereof, all money actually applied within 180 days (or prior to such date be subject to a binding commitment to so replace such assets using such Net Cash Proceeds within 270 days of original receipt of such cash proceeds) to repair, replace or reconstruct damaged property or property affected by loss, destruction, damage, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure or taking; and

(b) with respect to any issuance of equity securities, the aggregate cash proceeds received by Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to such issuance, net of the reasonable direct costs relating to such issuance (including reasonable sales and underwriter’s commission).

Nonpublic Information means information which has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD.

Note means a promissory note executed by Borrower in favor of a Lender hereunder pursuant to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

Obligations means all liabilities, indebtedness and obligations (monetary (including post-petition interest, allowed or not) or otherwise) of any Loan Party under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, and all Secured Hedging Obligations, in each case howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due.

Operating Lease means any lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any real or personal property by Borrower or any Subsidiary, as lessee, other than any Capital Lease.

Paid in Full , Pay in Full or Payment in Full means, with respect to any Obligations, the payment in full in cash of all such Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted, (ii) Secured Hedging Obligations that, at the time of determination, are allowed by the Person to whom such Secured Hedging Obligations are owing to remain outstanding or are not required to be repaid or cash collateralized pursuant to the provisions of any document governing such Secured Hedging Obligations, and (iii) the Letters of Credit so long as Agent has received Letter of Credit Collateralization with respect to the Letters of Credit).

PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Pension Plan means a “pension plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Pension Plan), and to which Borrower or any Loan Party has any liability, including any liability (i) by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, (ii) by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA or (iii) by reason of being a member of a Controlled Group with any other entity or trade or business other than the Borrower or any Loan Party.

Permitted Acquisition means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in each case to the extent that:

(a) each of the conditions precedent set forth in Annex III shall have been satisfied in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

 

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(b) such Acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the board of directors (or other similar body) and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of the Target; and

(c) no Event of Default is in existence or would occur immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition.

Permitted Earn-Outs means, with respect to any Person, obligations of such Person arising from a Permitted Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Section 7.11 which are payable based on the achievement of specified financial results over time and are subject to subordination terms (or a subordination agreement in favor of Agent and Lenders) acceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment. The amount of any Permitted Earn-Outs for purposes of the financial covenants set forth in this Agreement shall be the amount earned and due to be paid at such time and for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any amounts, contingent or otherwise, that are not due and payable as of the date of determination.

Permitted Holders means each of (i) Sponsor, (ii) Sponsor’s Investment affiliates, (iii) any member of management of Holdings or its Subsidiaries.

Permitted IPO Distributions means, dividends, distributions and redemptions of preferred equity or repayment or prepayments of the Converted Subordinated Debt and common equity funded through the proceeds of a Qualified IPO, in the following amounts, in the following order and subject to the conditions set forth below: (a) first, redemptions of any outstanding preferred equity or Converted Subordinated Debt (or other equivalent value security) until redeemed in full, (b) second, payment of a common shareholder dividend or distribution in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000, (c) third, after contributions of cash to the balance sheet of up to $75,000,000 and repayment of the outstanding Term Loans in an amount necessary to reduce the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio to 2.75 or less, and provided that the other Restricted Payment Conditions are met, additional distributions and dividends to common shareholders.

Permitted Liens means Liens permitted by Section 7.2 .

Permitted Seller Debt means unsecured Debt incurred in accordance with Section 7.1(h) and in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) , payable to the seller in connection therewith and containing subordination terms (or subject to a subordination agreement in favor of Agent and Lenders) acceptable to Agent in its reasonable credit judgment and other reasonable and customary terms for seller subordinated debt (including only cash interest payments payable prior to the maturity of the Obligations and a maturity date at least 6 months after the last maturity date for any of the Loans), in an amount not to exceed in the aggregate one-quarter (1/4) of Adjusted EBITDA for the 12 month period ending most recently prior to the date of incurrence for which financial statements are available.

Person means any natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association, governmental authority or unit, or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

Prior Debt means the Debt listed on Schedule 4.1.2 .

Pro Forma EBITDA means, at any time with respect to any Target acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Sections 7.11(q) or 7.11(s) (to the extent such Investment is in a Loan Party), EBITDA for such Target for the most recent twelve (12) month period for which financial statements of such Target are made available to Agent with such adjustments to EBITDA to

 

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reflect extraordinary expenses, increased costs, identifiable and verifiable expense reductions, excess management compensation and any other such adjustments, in each case to the extent applicable as calculated by Borrower and approved by Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Pro Rata Revolving Share means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equal to such Lender’s share of the Revolving Loan Commitment, or if the Revolving Loan Commitment has terminated, its share of the Revolving Outstandings, in each case as reflected in this Agreement on Annex I (as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement or as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement) or as acquired as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

Pro Rata Share means, with respect to any Lender, the applicable percentage (as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof) obtained by dividing (a) the sum of (i) such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment (or if the Revolving Loan Commitment has terminated, such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of the Revolving Outstandings), (ii) such Lender’s Pro Rata Term A Loan Share of the Term A Loan Commitment (or if the Term A Loan Commitment has terminated, such Lender’s Pro Rata Term A Loan Share of the Term A Loan), (iii) such Lender’s Pro Rata Term B Loan Share of the Term B Loan Commitment (or if the Term B Loan Commitment has terminated, such Lender’s Pro Rata Term B Loan Share of the Term B Loan), and (iv) such Lender’s Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment (or if the Incremental Term Loan Commitment has terminated, such Lender’s Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share of the Incremental Term Loan), by (b) the Total Loan Commitment.

Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equal to such Lender’s share of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment, or if the Incremental Term Loan Commitment has terminated, its share of the Incremental Term Loan, in each case as reflected in the applicable Incremental Amendment (as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement or as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement) or as acquired as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

Pro Rata Term A Loan Share means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equal to such Lender’s share of the Term A Loan Commitment, or if the Term A Loan Commitment has terminated, its share of the Term A Loan, in each case as reflected in this Agreement on Annex I (as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement or as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement) or as acquired as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

Pro Rata Term B Loan Share means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equal to such Lender’s share of the Term B Loan Commitment, or if the Term B Loan Commitment has terminated, its share of the Term B Loan, in each case as reflected in this Agreement on Annex I (as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement or as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement) or as acquired as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

Pro Rata Term Loans Share means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equal to such Lender’s aggregate share of the sum of the Term A Loan Commitment, the Term B Loan Commitment and the Incremental Term Loan Commitment, or if the Term A Loan Commitment, Term B Loan Commitment or the Incremental Term Loan Commitment has terminated, its share of the Term A Loan, Term B Loan or Incremental Term Loan, as applicable, in each case as reflected in this Agreement on Annex I (as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement or as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement) or as acquired as a result of an assignment pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

 

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Qualified IPO means an equity issuance by Holdings, Borrower, or any other Loan Party after giving effect to a Consolidation Transaction consisting of an underwritten primary public offering of its common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

Requested Term B Loan Increase has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.3 .

Required Lenders means Lenders having Pro Rata Shares the aggregate Dollar equivalent amount of which exceeds 50% of the Revolving Loan Commitment (or, if the Revolving Loan Commitments have been terminated, Revolving Outstandings) and outstanding Term Loans, collectively; provided , that if there are only two Lenders that are not Limited Voting Lenders, then Required Lenders means both such Lenders (Lenders that are Affiliates of one another being considered as one Lender for purposes of this proviso).

Restricted Payment Conditions means, with respect to any redemption or distribution or repayment or prepayment of the Converted Subordinated Debt, (v) immediately prior to and after giving effect to such redemption or distribution, no Event of Default or Default exists or would result therefrom, (w) after giving effect to such redemption or distribution, Borrower and its Subsidiaries have net unrestricted cash on the balance sheet in excess of $2,500,000 that is subject to a tri-party account control agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, (x) the Borrower is in compliance with Section 7.14.1 hereof, as determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such redemption or distribution for the most recently ended month of Borrower for which financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are available, and the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio (net of unrestricted cash on the balance sheet in excess of $2,500,000 that is subject to a tri-party account control agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent) recomputed after giving effect to such redemption or distribution for the most recently ended month of Borrower for which financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are available, is less than or equal to 2.75, (y) after giving effect to such redemption, the amount of Revolving Loans outstanding as of the date of such redemption or distribution is not greater than the amount of Revolving Loans outstanding on the Closing Date, and (z) EBITDA for then most recently ended Computation Period for which financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are available is equal to or greater than $57,000,000.

Revolving Loan Commitment means $11,000,000, as reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

Revolving Loans has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1 .

Revolving Outstandings means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, plus (b) the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit.

Secured Hedging Obligations means all Hedging Obligations permitted hereunder of which Agent has received written notice and which are owed to any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time the contractual arrangement resulting in such Hedging Obligations was entered into.

Settlement Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.1 .

Sponsor means Parthenon Investors II, L.P. and its Affiliates.

Stated Amount means, with respect to any Letter of Credit at any date of determination, (a) the maximum aggregate amount available for drawing thereunder under any and all circumstances, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all unreimbursed payments and disbursements under such Letter of Credit.

 

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Subordinated Debt means (i) any Additional Subordinated Debt, (ii) any Converted Subordinated Debt and (iii) any other unsecured Debt of Holdings, Borrower or a Subsidiary which (x) has no principal payments prior to September 19, 2018, (y)   does not have cash pay interest in excess of 12% per annum and (z) has subordination terms which have been approved in writing by Agent and other terms reasonable and customary for such Subordinated Debt.

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, such number of outstanding Equity Interests as to have more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity. Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference to Subsidiaries herein shall be a reference to Subsidiaries of Borrower.

Target means the Person, or business or substantially all of the assets of a Person, acquired in an Acquisition.

Taxes has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) .

Term A Loan Commitment means $57,000,000.

Term A Loan Maturity Date means March 19, 2017 or such earlier date on which the Commitments terminate pursuant to Section 8 .

Term A Loans has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.2 .

Term B Loan Commitment means $79,500,000.

Term B Loan Maturity Date means March 19, 2018 or such earlier date on which the Commitments terminate pursuant to Section 8 .

Term B Loans has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.2 (and includes any increase in the Term B Loan effectuated pursuant to Section 2.1.3 ).

Term Loans means the Term A Loans, the Term B Loans and the Incremental Term Loans, collectively.

Termination Date means March 19, 2017 or such earlier date on which the Revolving Loan Commitment is reduced to $0 pursuant to Section 2.9 or terminates pursuant to Section 8 .

Total Debt means all Debt (other than (a) Debt described in clauses (f), (g), (h) (to the extent the obligations under (h) are not due and owing) and (i) of the definition thereof unless such Debt is reflected on the balance sheet of Borrower as a liability in accordance with GAAP), (b) all Hedging Obligations (that mature more than one year from the date of its creation) other than those Hedging Obligations required pursuant to Section 6.9 of this Agreement and (c) liabilities with respect to the HOPS software licenses) of Borrower and the Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis.

Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio means, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of (a) Total Debt as of such day to (b) Adjusted EBITDA for the Computation Period ending on such day.

Total Loan Commitment means at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the Revolving Loan Commitment at such date (or if the Revolving Loan Commitment has terminated, the Revolving Outstandings) plus (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans at such date.

 

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Trust Accounts means those trust accounts maintained by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to receive and hold in trust for payment to the federal government of the United States of America, payments on the account of holders of student loans.

U.S. Lender has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) .

Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary means a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means, as to any Person, another Person all of the equity interests of which (except directors’ or employees’ qualifying shares or other minimal share allocations required by the law of the jurisdiction of organization or allocated for tax considerations) are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person and/or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Person.

 

  1.2. Interpretation .

In the case of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, (a) the meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms; (b) Annex, Exhibit, Schedule and Section references are to such Loan Document unless otherwise specified; (c) the term “including” is not limiting and means “including but not limited to”; (d) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and including”; (e) unless otherwise expressly provided in such Loan Document, (i) references to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, supplements, replacements, extensions, renewals, and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such statute or regulation; (f) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, all of which are cumulative and each shall be performed in accordance with its terms; and (g) all references to “knowledge”, “aware” or “awareness” or other similar terms of any Loan Party means the actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer, (i) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to Agent, Borrower, Lenders and the other parties hereto and thereto and are the products of all parties; accordingly, they shall not be construed against Agent or Lenders merely because of Agent’s or Lenders’ involvement in their preparation.

 

  1.3. Accounting Changes .

It is understood that all financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date of their respective preparation. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting

 

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Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the Securities and Exchange Commission (or successors thereto or agencies with similar functions). Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used (and all financial reporting requirements set forth) herein shall be construed and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, (x) without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (Codification of Accounting Standards 825-10) to value any Debt or other liabilities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (y) without giving effect to any requirement of GAAP requiring consolidation of limited partnerships because of deemed control by the general partner, and (ii) to the extent that any change in GAAP after the Closing Date results in leases which are, or would have been, classified as operating leases under GAAP as it exists on the Closing Date being classified as a capital lease under as revised GAAP, such change in classification of leases from operating leases to capital leases shall be disregarded and eliminated for purposes of the operation of the terms and covenants (and the related calculations thereunder) in this Agreement unless Borrower and Agent shall otherwise mutually agree in writing.

 

Section 2. Credit Facilities .

 

  2.1. Commitments .

On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Lender, severally and for itself alone, agrees as follows:

 

  2.1.1. Revolving Loan Commitments .

Each Lender will make loans to Borrower on a revolving basis (“ Revolving Loans ”) from time to time and Borrower may repay such loans from time to time (without premium or penalty) until the Termination Date in such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Revolving Share of such aggregate amounts as Borrower may request from all Lenders; provided , that immediately after giving effect to such Revolving Loans, the Revolving Outstandings will not at any time exceed Borrowing Availability. To the knowledge of Agent and Lenders either (i) no portion of the Revolving Loans shall be funded or held with the “plan assets” of any “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of Section (3)(42) of ERISA or (ii) the Revolving Loan will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC.

 

  2.1.2. Term Loan Commitments .

Each Lender agrees to make (a) a loan to Borrower (each such loan, a “ Term A Loan ”) on the Closing Date in such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Term A Loan Share of the Term A Loan Commitment and (b) a loan to Borrower (each such loan, a “ Term B Loan ”) on the Closing Date in such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Term B Loan Share of the Term B Loan Commitment. The Commitments of Lenders to make Term Loans shall terminate concurrently with the making of the Term Loans on the Closing Date. To the knowledge of Agent and Lenders either, (i) no portion of the Term Loans shall be funded or held with the “plan assets” of any “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of Section (3)(42) of ERISA or (ii) the Term Loans will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of the ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC. Term Loans which are repaid or prepaid by Borrower, in whole or in part, may not be reborrowed.

 

  2.1.3. Request for Increase of Term B Loans .

The Lenders agree that Borrower may, on any Business Day from time to time after the Closing Date through the second anniversary of the Closing Date and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and so long as on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Requested Term

 

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B Loan Increase or Incremental Term Loans, based on the most recently delivered financial statements, the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio would not exceed the maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio permitted for the most recently ended fiscal quarter pursuant to Section 7.14.2 , deliver a written notice to Agent (an “ Increase Request ”) requesting to increase the amount of the Term B Loans (a “ Requested Term B Loan Increase ”) or additional term loans (“ Incremental Term Loans ”) for the purpose of funding one or more Permitted Acquisitions and redemptions of preferred equity or Converted Subordinated Debt or as an increase to working capital to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 in an aggregate amount for all such Requested Term B Loan Increases and Incremental Term Loans collectively of up to $30,000,000 (less the aggregate principal amount of Additional Subordinated Debt incurred by Loan Parties prior to such date). If Borrower delivers an Increase Request, each Lender shall have the option, but not any obligation, to participate in such Increase Request to the extent of its Pro Rata Term B Loan Share thereof (as applicable) by delivering a written notice to the Agent and Borrower within ten Business Days of such Lender’s receipt of the Increase Request (it being agreed and understood that such Lender shall be deemed to have elected not to participate in the Increase Request if it does not respond to the Increase Request within ten Business Days of its receipt thereof). If one or more of the Lenders elect not to participate in the Increase Request, then the Lenders participating in the Increase Request may, at their option (but without any obligation), elect to participate in such remaining portion of the Increase Request (with such remaining portion to be allocated ratably among such participating Lenders based on their respective Pro Rata Term B Loan Shares thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by such participating Lenders). If there is less than full participation by existing Lenders in the Increase Request after the foregoing procedures are completed, then one or more new Lenders acceptable to Agent and Borrower, such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, may be added as parties to this Agreement pursuant to Assignment Agreements for purposes of participating in such remaining portion (with allocations among such new Lenders to be determined by Agent in consultation with Borrower). After giving effect to the procedures described in this Section 2.1.3 , each Lender participating in the Increase Request shall have the then current amount of its Term B Loans or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, increased to the extent of its participation and, upon the request of such Lender, Borrower will execute a replacement Note for such Lender reflecting the increased amount of its Term B Loans or its Incremental Term Loans, as applicable. To the extent reasonably requested by Agent in connection with any Requested Term B Loan Increase or any Incremental Term Loan, Borrower agrees to execute, and to cause each other Loan Party to execute, any amendments and supplements so requested by Agent to this Agreement (an “ Incremental Amendment ”), the Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents, and to deliver, or cause to be delivered, all other documents, opinions and other items so requested by Agent and the Lenders participating in the new Term B loans or Incremental Term Loans, in each case all in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent (it being understood and agreed that no Lender, other than the Lenders participating in such Requested Term B Loan Increase or such Incremental Term Loans, shall be required to execute any amendment to this Agreement to effectuate such Requested Term B Loan Increase). No Increase Request may be given unless it relates to aggregate increases of at least $5,000,000 and no more than three Increase Requests in the aggregate may be delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.1.3 .

Any Requested Term B Loan Increase or Incremental Term Loan that occurs pursuant to this Section 2.1.3 shall become part of, and have all of the terms and conditions applicable to (including without limitation in respect of closing fees and other pricing, repayments and maturity, unless otherwise agreed by Agent, the participating Lenders and Borrower in connection with the consummation of such Requested Term B Loan Increase or such Incremental Term Loan subject to the final sentence of this paragraph), the Term B Loans for all purposes hereunder and under the Collateral Documents and shall be secured by the Collateral in all respects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed and understood that the all-in yield (including interest rate margins, any interest rate floors, original issue discount and upfront fees (based on the lesser of a four-year average life to maturity or the remaining life to maturity), but excluding reasonable and customary arrangement, structuring and underwriting fees paid or payable to the

 

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lead arranger or its affiliates with respect to a Requested Term B Loan Increase or Incremental Term Loan) applicable to any Requested Term B Loan Increase or Incremental Term Loan shall not be more than (a) 0.50% higher than the corresponding all-in yield (determined on the same basis) applicable to the then outstanding Term B Loans unless the interest rate margin (or the interest rate floor, if applicable) with respect to the then outstanding Term B Loans is increased by an amount equal to (I) the difference between the all-in yield with respect to the Requested Term B Loans or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, and the all-in yield with respect to the then outstanding Term B Loans, minus (II) 0.50% per annum and (b) 1.00% higher than the corresponding all-in yield (determined on the same basis) applicable with respect to the then outstanding Term A Loans and applicable to Revolving Loans unless the interest rate margin (or the interest rate floor, if applicable), with respect to the then outstanding Term A Loans and with respect to Revolving Loans is increased by an amount equal to (I) difference between the all-in yield with respect to the Requested Term B Loans or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, and the all-in yield with respect to the outstanding Term A Loans and any Revolving Loans, respectively, minus (II) 1.00%.

 

  2.2. Loan Procedures .

 

  2.2.1. Loan Types .

Each Loan shall be either a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan, as Borrower shall specify in the related notice of borrowing or conversion pursuant to Section 2.2.2 or  2.2.3 . Base Rate Loans and LIBOR Loans may be outstanding at the same time, provided that not more than seven different Interest Periods shall exist among outstanding LIBOR Loans at any one time. All borrowings, conversions and repayments of Revolving Loans shall be effected so that each Lender will have a ratable share (according to its Pro Rata Revolving Share) of all Revolving Loans and all Interest Periods of LIBOR Loans.

 

  2.2.2. Borrowing .

Borrower shall give written notice or telephonic notice (followed promptly by written confirmation thereof) to Agent of each proposed borrowing of a Revolving Loan not later than (a) in the case of a Base Rate borrowing, 1:00 p.m. Chicago time on the proposed date of such borrowing, and (b) in the case of a LIBOR borrowing, 1:00 p.m. Chicago time at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of such borrowing. Each such notice shall be effective upon receipt by Agent, shall be irrevocable, and shall specify, in the form of a Borrowing Notice, the date, amount and type of borrowing and, in the case of a LIBOR borrowing, the initial Interest Period therefor. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, Agent shall advise each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment thereof in writing (via facsimile, electronic mail or IntraLinks). Not later than 2:00 p.m. Chicago time on the date of a proposed Revolving Loan borrowing, each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment shall provide Agent at the office specified by Agent with immediately available funds covering such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Revolving Share of such borrowing and, so long as Agent has not received written notice that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 with respect to such borrowing have not been satisfied, Agent shall pay over the funds received by Agent to Borrower on the requested borrowing date. The failure of a Defaulting Lender to fund its Pro Rata Revolving Share of a Revolving Loan (or its ratable share of any other credit extension or payment) required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Revolving Share of such Revolving Loan (or, as applicable, its ratable share of such other credit extension or payment), but neither any other Lender nor Agent shall be responsible for the failure of any Defaulting Lender to fund its Pro Rata Revolving Share of any Revolving Loan (or its ratable share of any other credit extension or payment) required hereunder. Each borrowing shall be on a Business Day. Each Base Rate borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $100,000 and an integral multiple of $50,000, and each LIBOR borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $100,000 and an integral multiple of at least $50,000.

 

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  2.2.3. Conversion; Continuation .

(a) Subject to Section 2.2.1 , Borrower may, upon irrevocable written notice to Agent in accordance with clause (b) below, elect (i) as of any Business Day, to convert any Loans (or any part thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than $100,000 or a higher integral multiple of $50,000) into Loans of the other type or (ii) as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, to continue any LIBOR Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such day (or any part thereof in an aggregate amount not less than $100,000 or a higher integral multiple of $50,000) for a new Interest Period; provided , that any conversion of a LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor shall be subject to Section 3.5 .

(b) Borrower shall give written or telephonic notice (followed promptly by written confirmation thereof) to Agent of each proposed conversion or continuation not later than (i) in the case of conversion into Base Rate Loans, 1:00 p.m. Chicago time on the proposed date of such conversion and (ii) in the case of conversion into or continuation of LIBOR Loans, 1:00 p.m. Chicago time at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of such conversion or continuation, specifying in each case in substantially the form of a Conversion/Continuation Notice: (i) the proposed date of conversion or continuation; (ii) the aggregate amount of Loans to be converted or continued; (iii) the type of Loans resulting from the proposed conversion or continuation; and (iv) in the case of conversion into, or continuation of, LIBOR Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period therefor.

(c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to LIBOR Loans, Borrower has failed to timely select a new Interest Period to be applicable to such LIBOR Loans, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such LIBOR Loans into Base Rate Loans effective on the last day of such Interest Period.

(d) Agent will promptly notify each applicable Lender of its receipt of a notice of conversion or continuation pursuant to this Section 2.2.3 or, if no timely notice is provided by Borrower, of the details of any automatic conversion.

 

  2.3. Letters of Credit .

 

  2.3.1. Commitment .

At the request of Borrower, Issuing Lender will issue from time to time before the date which is 30 days prior to the Termination Date either (at Issuing Lender’s election) (a) standby letters of credit and/or (b) participation agreements confirming payment to issuers (reasonably acceptable to Issuing Lender) of standby letters of credit, in each case for the account of Borrower, any other Loan Party or any direct or indirect parent company of Borrower or any other Loan Party (with respect to standby letters of credit and/or participations agreements confirming payment to issuers of standby letters of credit for the account of any direct or indirect parent company of Borrower or any other Loan Party, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any time) and containing terms and conditions which are consistent with this Agreement and reasonably satisfactory to Issuing Lender (each such letter of credit or participation agreement, a “ Letter of Credit ”). After giving effect to each such issuance, (i) the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000 and (ii) Revolving Outstandings will not at any time exceed Borrowing Availability. As of the Closing Date, the Letters of Credit and participation agreements listed on Schedule 2.3.1 , are outstanding (the “ Existing Letters of Credit ”). Borrower, Lenders and Issuing Lender agree that on the Closing Date, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Lender under this Agreement.

 

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  2.3.2. Application .

Borrower shall give notice to Agent and Issuing Lender of the proposed issuance of each Letter of Credit on a Business Day which is at least five Business Days (or such lesser number of days as Agent and Issuing Lender shall agree) prior to the proposed date of issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each such notice shall be accompanied by a Letter of Credit application in Issuing Lender’s form (or, as the case may be, in the form of application of the underlying letter of credit), duly executed by Borrower and in all respects reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Lender, together with such other documentation as Agent or Issuing Lender may reasonably request in support thereof, it being understood that each Letter of Credit application (or, as the case may be, form of application of underlying letter of credit) shall specify, among other things, the date on which the proposed Letter of Credit is to be issued, and the expiration date of such Letter of Credit (which shall not be later than the earlier to occur of (a) one year after the date of issuance thereof (but provisions for annual renewal may be included to the extent permitted by Issuing Lender) and (b) the scheduled Termination Date). So long as Issuing Lender has not received written notice that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 with respect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit have not been satisfied, Issuing Lender shall issue such Letter of Credit on the requested issuance date. Issuing Lender shall promptly advise Agent of the issuance of each Letter of Credit and of any amendment thereto, extension thereof or event or circumstance changing the amount available for drawing thereunder. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of any Letter of Credit application and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control. Issuing Lender shall deliver to Agent upon its request a list of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by Issuing Lender, together with such information related thereto as Agent may reasonably request.

 

  2.3.3. Reimbursement Obligations .

(a) Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to reimburse Issuing Lender for each payment or disbursement made by Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit honoring any demand for payment made thereunder, in each case promptly after notice of such payment or disbursement is made. Issuing Lender shall promptly notify Borrower and Agent whenever any demand for payment is made under any Letter of Credit; provided , that the failure of Issuing Lender to so notify Borrower shall not affect the rights of Issuing Lender or Lenders in any manner whatsoever. Any amount not reimbursed on the date of such notice of payment or disbursement (whether or not through the making of a Loan pursuant to Section 2.3.4 ) shall bear interest from the date of such payment or disbursement to the date that Issuing Lender is reimbursed by Borrower therefor, payable on written demand, at the interest rate per annum from time to time in effect for Revolving Loans which are Base Rate Loans.

(b) Borrower’s reimbursement obligations hereunder shall be irrevocable and unconditional under all circumstances, including (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which any Loan Party may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), Agent, Issuing Lender, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with any Letter of Credit, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between any Loan Party and the beneficiary named in any Letter of Credit), (iii) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of any document which Issuing Lender (or, as applicable, the issuer of any underlying letter of credit) has in good faith determined complies on its face with the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit (or, if applicable, underlying letter of credit), even if such document should later prove to have been forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein shall have been untrue or inaccurate in any respect, or (iv) the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms hereof; provided , that Borrower shall not be precluded from asserting any claim for damages suffered by Borrower to the extent caused by the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of Issuing Lender in determining whether a request presented under any Letter of Credit issued by it complied on its face with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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  2.3.4. Participations in Letters of Credit .

(a) Concurrently with the issuance of each Letter of Credit, Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each other Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment, and each other Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from Issuing Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share, in such Letter of Credit and Borrower’s reimbursement obligations with respect thereto. To the knowledge of Agent and Lenders, either (i) no portion of any interest in such Letter of Credit shall be held with “plan assets” of any “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of Section (3)(42) of ERISA or (ii) the interest in such Letter of Credit will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC. If Borrower does not pay any reimbursement obligation when due, then Borrower shall be deemed to have immediately requested that Lenders with a Revolving Loan Commitment make a Revolving Loan which is a Base Rate Loan in a principal amount equal to such reimbursement obligation. Agent shall promptly notify Lenders that have a Revolving Loan Commitment of such deemed request and, without the necessity of compliance with the requirements of Section 2.2.2 or 4.2 or, each such Lender shall make available to Agent its Pro Rata Revolving Share of such Loan. The proceeds of such Loan shall be paid over by Agent to Issuing Lender for the account of Borrower in satisfaction of such reimbursement obligations.

(b) If Issuing Lender makes any payment or disbursement under any Letter of Credit and (i) Borrower has not reimbursed Issuing Lender in full for such payment or disbursement in accordance with Section 2.3.3 , (ii) a Revolving Loan may not be made pursuant to Section 2.3.4(a) or (iii) any reimbursement received by Issuing Lender from Borrower is or must be returned or rescinded upon or during any bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party or otherwise, each other Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to pay to Agent for the account of Issuing Lender its Pro Rata Revolving Share of such payment or disbursement (but no such payment shall diminish the Obligations of Borrower under Section 2.3.3 ). Upon notice from Issuing Lender to Agent that it has not received any such amount, Agent shall promptly notify each such other Lender thereof. To the extent any such Lender shall not have made such amount available to Agent by 2:00 p.m. Chicago time on the Business Day on which such Lender receives notice from Agent of such payment or disbursement (it being understood that any such notice received after 12:00 noon Chicago time on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been received on the next following Business Day), such Lender agrees to pay interest on such amount to Agent for Issuing Lender’s account forthwith on demand, for each day from the date such amount was to have been delivered to Agent to the date such amount is paid, at a rate per annum equal to (x) for the first three (3) days after demand, the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect and (y) thereafter, the Base Rate from time to time in effect for Revolving Loans. Any such Lender’s failure to make available to Agent its Pro Rata Revolving Share of any such payment or disbursement shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to make available to Agent such other Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of such payment, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make available to Agent such other Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of any such payment or disbursement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that there is a Defaulting Lender having any portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment, Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue any Letter of Credit, or increase or extend or otherwise amend any Letter of Credit, unless, after giving effect to such transaction, the Stated Amount of the Letters of Credit are fully supported as result of the following: (i) such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share in the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reallocated among all other Lenders with a Revolving

 

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Loan Commitment that are not Defaulting Lenders (each, a “ Non-Defaulting Lender ”) in proportion with their Pro Rata Revolving Shares of the Revolving Loan Commitments, but only to the extent that, after giving effect to such reallocation, (x) Revolving Outstandings do not exceed the sum of all such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Pro Rata Revolving Share of Borrowing Availability and (y) no Non-Defaulting Lenders’ share of Revolving Outstandings exceeds its Revolving Loan Commitment; and (ii) to the extent that the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit exceeds the amount that is permitted to be reallocated pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i), Borrower shall have provided cash collateral to Agent to hold on behalf of Borrower, on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to Issuing Lender and Agent, in an amount equal to such excess. Any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable to a Defaulting Lender with respect to any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share in any Letter of Credit reallocated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be payable instead to the Non-Defaulting Lenders in proportion to their Pro Rata Revolving Share of such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Pro Rata Revolving Share in any Letter of Credit so allocated to them. In the event that a Defaulting Lender ceases to be a Defaulting Lender, the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share in any Letter of Credit reallocated to Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.3.4(c) shall be reallocated to such previously Defaulting Lender and, from and after (and in respect of Letter of Credit Fees accruing from and after) the date of such reallocation, such previously Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive the Letter of Credit Fees payable in respect of such previously Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share in any Letter of Credit previously reallocated to the Non-Defaulting Lenders.

 

  2.4. Commitments Several .

The failure of any Lender to make a requested Loan on any date shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation (if any) to make a Loan on such date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan to be made by such other Lender.

 

  2.5. Certain Conditions .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, following written notice from the Agent or Required Lenders to Borrower, no Lender shall have an obligation to make any LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period longer than 1 month, or to permit the continuation of or any conversion into any LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period longer than 1 month, if an Event of Default or Default exists.

 

  2.6. Loan Accounting .

 

  2.6.1. Recordkeeping .

Agent, on behalf of each Lender, shall record in its records the date and amount of each Loan made by each Lender, each repayment or conversion thereof and, in the case of each LIBOR Loan, the dates on which each Interest Period for such Loan shall begin and end. The aggregate unpaid principal amount so recorded shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the principal amount of the Loans owing and unpaid. The failure to so record any such amount or any error in so recording any such amount shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the Obligations of Borrower hereunder or under any Note to repay the principal amount of the Loans hereunder, together with all interest accruing thereon.

 

  2.6.2. Notes .

Promptly following the request of any Lender, the Loans of such Lender shall be evidenced by a Note, payable to the order of such Lender in a face principal amount equal to the sum of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Total Loan Commitment (or such lesser amount (with respect to the Term Loans) then outstanding) and payable in such amounts and on such dates as are set forth herein.

 

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  2.7. Interest .

 

  2.7.1. Interest Rates .

Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan is paid in full as follows: (a) at all times while such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate from time to time in effect plus the Applicable Margin set forth under the heading “Base Rate” as from time to time in effect; and (b) at all times while such Loan is a LIBOR Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the LIBOR Rate applicable to each Interest Period for such Loan plus the Applicable Margin set forth under the heading “LIBOR” as from time to time in effect; provided , that at any time an Event of Default exists, if elected by Agent or requested by Required Lenders, the Applicable Margin corresponding to each Loan or Obligation shall be increased by two percentage points per annum (and, in the case of Obligations not subject to an Applicable Margin except for Secured Hedging Obligations, such Obligations shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin set forth under the heading “Base Rate” applicable to Revolving Loans plus two percentage (2%) points per annum) effective as of the date upon which such Event of Default first occurred or such later date approved by Required Lenders in writing; provided , further that, (i) any such increase may thereafter be rescinded by Required Lenders or, if such increase was implemented by Agent absent the request of Required Lenders, Agent, notwithstanding Section 10.1 , and (ii) upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.1.1 or 8.1.3 , any such increase described in the foregoing clause (i) shall occur automatically. In no event shall interest payable by Borrower to Agent and Lenders hereunder exceed the maximum rate permitted under applicable law, and if any such provision of this Agreement is in contravention of any such law, such provision shall be deemed modified to limit such interest to the maximum rate permitted under such law.

 

  2.7.2. Interest Payment Dates .

Accrued interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar month and at maturity. Accrued interest on each LIBOR Loan shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period relating to such Loan (and, in the case of a LIBOR Loan with an Interest Period in excess of 3 months, on the last day of each 3-month interval of such Interest Period), upon a prepayment of such Loan in accordance with Section 2.10 and at maturity in cash. After maturity and, at the request of Required Lenders at any time an Event of Default exists, all accrued interest on all Loans shall be payable in cash on written demand at the rates specified in Section 2.7.1 .

 

  2.7.3. Setting and Notice of LIBOR Rates .

The applicable LIBOR Rate for each Interest Period shall be determined by Agent, and notice thereof shall be given by Agent promptly to Borrower and each Lender. Each determination of the applicable LIBOR Rate by Agent shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto, in the absence of demonstrable error. Agent shall, upon written request of Borrower or any Lender, deliver to Borrower or such Lender a statement showing the computations used by Agent in determining any applicable LIBOR Rate hereunder.

 

  2.7.4. Computation of Interest .

Interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year of (a) 360 days for interest calculated at the LIBOR Rate and (b) 365/366 days for interest calculated at the Base Rate. The applicable interest rate for each Base Rate Loan shall change simultaneously with each change in the Base Rate.

 

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  2.8. Fees .

 

  2.8.1. Commitment Fee .

For the period from the Closing Date to the Termination Date, Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of each Lender according to such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share (as adjusted from time to time), a Commitment Fee equal to 0.50% per annum multiplied by the amount by which the Revolving Loan Commitment (as it may be reduced from time to time) exceeds the average daily Revolving Outstandings; provided , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, during the time such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Commitment Fee shall cease to accrue on such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of the unfunded portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment, and Borrower shall not be obligated to pay the Commitment Fee in respect of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the unfunded Revolving Loan Commitment. The Commitment Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date for any period then ending for which the Commitment Fee shall not have previously been paid. The Commitment Fee shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year of 360 days.

 

  2.8.2. Letter of Credit Fees .

(a) Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of each Lender according to such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share (as adjusted from time to time), a Letter of Credit Fee equal to the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time for Revolving Loans which are LIBOR Loans multiplied by the Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit. Each Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each calendar month and on the Termination Date (and also on the date upon which such Letter of Credit expires or is terminated) for the period from the date of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (or the last day on which the Letter of Credit Fee was paid with respect thereto) to the date such payment is due or, if earlier, the date on which such Letter of Credit expired or was terminated. Each Letter of Credit Fee shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year of 360 days.

(b) In addition, with respect to each Letter of Credit, Borrower agrees to pay to Issuing Lender, for its own account, (i) such fees and expenses as Issuing Lender customarily requires (or, as the case may be, is required to pay to the issuer of the Letter of Credit) in connection with the issuance, negotiation, processing and/or administration of letters of credit in similar situations and (ii) a letter of credit fronting fee in the amount and at the times agreed to by Borrower and Issuing Lender.

 

  2.8.3. Agent’s Fees .

Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for its account, on the Closing Date and on certain other dates pursuant to the Fee Letter and as otherwise agreed to from time to time by Borrower and Agent, fees in the amounts agreed to between Borrower and Agent.

 

  2.8.4. Prepayment Fees .

If Borrower prepays the Term Loans in full prior to March 19, 2013 with proceeds of refinancing loans which are at a lower applicable rate than the Term Loans or the proceeds of a private sale of Holdings, Borrower, any Subsidiary or all or substantially all of the assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary, Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of each Lender according to such Lender’s Pro Rata Shares (as adjusted from time to time), a prepayment fee determined by multiplying the principal amount of Term Loans held by such Lenders by one percent (1%) .

 

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  2.9. Commitment Reduction .

 

  2.9.1. Voluntary Reduction or Termination of Revolving Loan Commitment .

Borrower may from time to time on at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice received by Agent (which shall promptly advise each Lender thereof) permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment to an amount not less than the Revolving Outstandings. Any such reduction shall be in an amount not less than $1,000,000 or a higher integral multiple of $500,000. Concurrently with any reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment to zero, Borrower shall pay interest on the Revolving Loans, all commitment fees and all letter of credit fees and shall provide Letter of Credit Collateralization in full for all Obligations arising with respect to the Letters of Credit.

 

  2.9.2. Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Loan Commitment .

On the date of any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10.2(a) , the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the amount of such mandatory prepayment applied to prepay the Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.10.2(a) .

 

  2.9.3. All Reductions of Revolving Loan Commitment .

All reductions of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments pro rata among Lenders according to their respective Pro Rata Revolving Shares.

 

  2.10. Prepayment .

 

  2.10.1. Voluntary Prepayment .

Borrower may from time to time, on at least one Business Day’s written notice or telephonic notice (followed promptly by written confirmation thereof) to Agent (which shall promptly advise each Lender thereof) not later than 1:00 p.m. Chicago time on such day, prepay the Loans in whole or in part (without premium or penalty except amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.5 and the prepayment fee set forth in Section 2.8.4 ). Such notice to Agent shall specify the Loans to be prepaid and the date and amount of prepayment and the application of such prepayment shall be subject to Section 2.10.3 . Any such partial prepayment shall be in an amount equal to $100,000 or a higher integral multiple of $50,000 (or, if less, the remaining outstanding principal balance thereof). All prepayments of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.10.1 shall be applied pro rata to the Term Loans and then to the scheduled installments thereof in such order as directed by Borrower.

 

  2.10.2. Mandatory Prepayment .

(a) Borrower shall (x) prepay the Term Loans (in the order set forth in Section 2.10.3 ) until paid in full and (y) thereafter repay the Revolving Loans (without a permanent reduction in the Revolving Loan Commitment) in each case, at the following times and in the following amounts:

(i) within five (5) Business Days of the receipt by Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Disposition, in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds;

(ii) within 150 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (commencing with Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2012), in an amount equal to (A) the ECF Percentage times Excess Cash Flow for such Fiscal Year minus (B) voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to

 

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Section 2.10.1 during such period; provided , that for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2012, Excess Cash Flow shall be calculated for the period from the April 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012; and

(iii) within five (5) Business Days of the receipt by Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Net Cash Proceeds from any issuance of its equity securities pursuant to a Qualified IPO (excluding Permitted IPO Distributions which are permitted to be paid prior to the payment set forth in this clause (iii), as set forth in the definition of Permitted IPO Distributions), in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) such Net Cash Proceeds and (y) the amount necessary to reduce the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio, computed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such prepayment for the most recently ended month of Borrower for which financial information is available, to 2.75 or less.

(b) If on any day the Revolving Outstandings exceed Borrowing Availability, whether pursuant to a reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 2.9.2 or otherwise, Borrower shall promptly, but in any event within 3 Business Days, prepay Revolving Loans and/or cash collateralize the outstanding Letters of Credit in a manner acceptable to Agent, or do a combination of the foregoing, in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess; provided , that if the Revolving Outstandings exceed Borrower Availability due to an increase in the reserves imposed by the Agent, then the Borrower shall promptly pay an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess within 5 Business Days.

Borrower shall give written notice or telephonic notice (followed promptly by written confirmation thereof) to Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. Chicago time at least one (1) Business Day prior to each mandatory prepayment pursuant to clause (a) of Section 2.10.2 , and Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such notice.

 

  2.10.3. All Prepayments .

Any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor shall include interest on the principal amount being repaid and shall be subject to Section 3.5 . All prepayments of a Loan shall be applied first to that portion of such Loan comprised of Base Rate Loans and then to that portion of such Loan comprised of LIBOR Loans, in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All mandatory prepayments of Term Loans shall be applied pro rata among the Term Loans according to the principal amounts thereof and, as to each Term Loan, pro rata to the remaining installments thereof. All voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied as provided in Section 2.10.1 .

 

  2.11. Repayment .

 

  2.11.1. Revolving Loans .

The Revolving Loans shall be paid, for the account of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Revolving Share, in full on the Termination Date.

 

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  2.11.2. Term A Loan .

The Term A Loan shall be paid, for the account of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Term A Loan Share thereof, in the installments and on the dates set forth below:

 

Date

   Installment  

June 30, 2012

   $ 2,512,500   

September 30, 2012

   $ 2,512,500   

December 31, 2012

   $ 2,512,500   

March 31, 2013

   $ 2,512,500   

June 30, 2013

   $ 2,512,500   

September 30, 2013

   $ 2,512,500   

December 31, 2013

   $ 2,512,500   

March 31, 2014

   $ 2,512,500   

June 30, 2014

   $ 2,512,500   

September 30, 2014

   $ 2,512,500   

December 31, 2014

   $ 2,512,500   

March 31, 2015

   $ 2,512,500   

June 30, 2015

   $ 2,512,500   

September 30, 2015

   $ 2,512,500   

December 31, 2015

   $ 2,512,500   

March 31, 2016

   $ 2,512,500   

June 30, 2016

   $ 2,512,500   

September 30, 2016

   $ 2,512,500   

December 31, 2016

   $ 2,512,500   

March 19, 2017

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
The
remaining
outstanding
principal
balance of
the Term A
Loan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the outstanding principal balance of the Term A Loan shall be paid in full on the Term A Loan Maturity Date.

 

  2.11.3. Term B Loan .

The Term B Loan shall be paid, for the account of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Share thereof, in the installments and on the dates set forth below (it being understood and agreed that each such installment shall be increased on a proportionate basis after giving effect to any increase in the Term B Loan balance pursuant to Section 2.1.3 such that after giving effect to each such increase in the Term B Loan balance the percentage amount that the Term B Loan balance amortizes on each installment date remains the same after giving effect to such increase):

 

Date

   Installment  

June 30, 2012

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2012

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2012

   $ 198,750   

March 31, 2013

   $ 198,750   

June 30, 2013

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2013

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2013

   $ 198,750   

March 31, 2014

   $ 198,750   

June 30, 2014

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2014

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2014

   $ 198,750   

 

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Date

   Installment  

March 31, 2015

   $ 198,750   

June 30, 2015

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2015

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2015

   $ 198,750   

March 31, 2016

   $ 198,750   

June 30, 2016

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2016

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2016

   $ 198,750   

March 31, 2017

   $ 198,750   

June 30, 2017

   $ 198,750   

September 30, 2017

   $ 198,750   

December 31, 2017

   $ 198,750   

March 19, 2018

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
The
remaining
outstanding
principal
balance of
the Term B
Loan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the outstanding principal balance of the Term B Loan shall be paid in full on the Term B Loan Maturity Date.

 

  2.11.4. Incremental Term Loan .

The Incremental Term Loan shall be paid, for the account of each Lender according to its Pro Rata Share thereof, in installments of 0.25% of the original principal balance thereof on the last day of each calendar quarter, beginning on the last day of the first full calendar quarter following the making of the Incremental Term Loan, with the remaining principal balance thereof due on the maturity date therefor, all as more specifically set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

 

  2.12. Payment .

 

  2.12.1. Making and Settlement of Payments .

All payments of principal of or interest on the Notes, and of all fees, shall be made by Borrower to Agent without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim and in immediately available funds at the office specified by Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. Chicago time on the date due, and funds received after that hour shall be deemed to have been received by Agent on the following Business Day. Agent shall promptly remit to each Lender its share of all principal payments received in collected funds by Agent for the account of such Lender. On the first Business Day of each week or more frequently as Agent may elect (each such day being a “ Settlement Date ”), Agent will notify each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment in writing of the amount of such Lender’s actual share of the Revolving Loans as of the close of business of the Business Day immediately preceding the Settlement Date. In the event that payments are necessary to adjust the amount of such Lender’s actual share of the Revolving Loans to equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share of the Revolving Loans as of any Settlement Date, such Lender will pay to Agent, or Agent will pay to such Lender (as applicable) the amount necessary in same day funds by wire transfer to the other’s account not later than 3:00 p.m. Chicago time on the first Business Day following the Settlement Date. On the first Business Day of each month (each, an “ Interest Settlement Date ”), Agent will notify each Lender in writing of the amount of such Lender’s applicable (i) Pro Rata Revolving Share of interest and fees on the Revolving Outstandings and Revolving Loan

 

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Commitment, (ii) Pro Rata Term A Loan Share of interest and fees on the Term A Loan, (iii) Pro Rata Term B Loan Share of interest and fees on the Term B Loan and (iv) Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share of interest and fees on the Incremental Term Loan as of the end of the last day of the immediately preceding month. Provided that such Lender is not a Defaulting Lender, Agent will pay to such Lender, by wire transfer to such Lender’s account not later than 3:00 p.m. Chicago time on the next Business Day following the Interest Settlement Date, such Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share, Pro Rata Term A Loan Share, Pro Rata Term B Loan Share and Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share, as applicable, of interest and fees, in each instance, received by Agent for the immediately preceding month. It is agreed and understood that, in the case of a Defaulting Lender, Agent shall be entitled to set off the funding shortfall of such Defaulting Lender against such Defaulting Lender’s respective share of any payments received from Borrower. All payments under Section 3.2 shall be made by Borrower directly to each Lender entitled thereto.

 

  2.12.2. Application of Payments and Proceeds .

(a) Except as set forth in Section 2.10.2 and Section 2.10.3 , and subject to the provisions of Sections 2.12.2(b) and 2.12.2(c) below, each payment of principal shall be applied to such Loans as Borrower shall direct by notice to be received by Agent on or before the date of such payment or, in the absence of such notice, as Agent shall determine in its reasonable discretion. Concurrently with each remittance to any Lender of its share of any such payment, Agent shall advise such Lender as to the application of such payment.

(b) If an Acceleration Event shall have occurred and be continuing, notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, Agent shall apply all or any part of payments in respect of the Obligations and proceeds of Collateral, in each case as received by Agent, to the payment of the Obligations in the following order:

(i) FIRST, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities due and owing to Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and any other Obligations owing to Agent in respect of sums advanced by Agent to preserve or protect the Collateral or to preserve or protect its security interest in the Collateral, until Paid in Full;

(ii) SECOND, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities due and owing to Lenders in respect of the Loans and Commitments, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(iii) THIRD, to the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest due and owing to Lenders in respect of the Loans and Commitments, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(iv) FOURTH, pro rata to (A) to the payment of all principal of the Loans due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full and (B) provide Letter of Credit Collateralization for Letters of Credit, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(v) FIFTH, to the payment of all Secured Hedging Obligations, pro rata in accordance with each Lender’s (or one of its Affiliate’s) share thereof, until Paid in Full; and

(vi) SIXTH, to the payment of all other Obligations owing to each Lender, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full.

Any remaining proceeds shall be paid to Borrower.

 

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(c) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing but an Acceleration Event shall not exist, notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, Agent shall apply all or any part of payments in respect of the Obligations and proceeds of Collateral, in each case as received by Agent, to the payment of the Obligations in the following order:

(i) FIRST, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities due and owing to Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and any other Obligations owing to Agent in respect of sums advanced by Agent to preserve or protect the Collateral or to preserve or protect its security interest in the Collateral (whether or not such Obligations are then due and owing to Agent), until Paid in Full;

(ii) SECOND, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities due and owing to Lenders in respect of the Loans and Commitments, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(iii) THIRD, to the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest due and owing to Lenders in respect of the Loans and Commitments, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(iv) FOURTH, to the payment of all principal of Loans then due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(v) FIFTH, to reduce the outstanding balance of Revolving Loans not then due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share thereof, until such outstanding balance has been reduced to zero;

(vi) SIXTH, pro rata to (A) cash collateralize Obligations consisting of Term A Loans not yet due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Term A Loan Share thereof, until Paid in Full, (B) cash collateralize Obligations consisting of Term B Loans not yet due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Term B Loan Share thereof, until Paid in Full, (C) cash collateralize Obligations consisting of Incremental Term Loans not yet due and owing, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Incremental Term Loan Share thereof, until Paid in Full, and (D) provide Letter of Credit Collateralization for Letters of Credit, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Revolving Share thereof, until Paid in Full;

(vii) SEVENTH, to the payment of all Secured Hedging Obligations, pro rata in accordance with each Lender’s (or one of its Affiliate’s) share thereof, until Paid in Full; and

(viii) EIGHTH, to the payment of all other Obligations due and owing to each Lender, pro rata based on each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, until Paid in Full.

Any remaining proceeds shall be paid to Borrower.

 

  2.12.3. Payment Dates .

If any payment of principal or interest with respect to any of the Loans, or of any fees, falls due on a day which is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the immediately following Business Day (unless, in the case of a LIBOR Loan, such immediately following Business Day is the first Business Day of a calendar month, in which case such due date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day) and, in the case of principal, additional interest shall accrue and be payable for the period of any such extension.

 

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  2.12.4. Set-off .

Borrower agrees that Agent and each Lender and its Affiliates have all rights of set-off and bankers’ lien provided by applicable law, and in addition thereto, Borrower agrees that at any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent and each Lender may apply to the payment of any Obligations of Borrower hereunder then due and owing, any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys (other than money held in Exempt Accounts excluding Exempt Accounts described in clause (iv) of the definition of Exempt Accounts) Borrower then or thereafter with Agent or such Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall exercise any rights described in the preceding sentence without the prior written consent of Agent.

 

  2.12.5. Proration of Payments .

If any Lender shall obtain any payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of set-off or otherwise, on account of (a) principal of or interest on a Loan, but excluding (i) any payment pursuant to Section 3.1 , 3.2 , 3.7 or 10.8 and (ii) payments of interest on any Base Rate Loan referred to in the last sentence of Section 3.4 , or (b) its participation in any Letter of Credit) in excess of its applicable Pro Rata Revolving Share, Pro Rata Term A Loan Share or Pro Rata Term B Loan Share, respectively, of payments and other recoveries obtained by all Lenders on account of principal of and interest on such Revolving Loans, Term A Loan, Term B Loan or Incremental Term Loan (or such participation) then held by them, then such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans or sub-participations in Letters of Credit held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with each of them; provided , that if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery.

 

Section 3. Yield Protection .

 

  3.1. Taxes .

(a) All payments of principal and interest on the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any present or future income, excise, stamp, documentary, property or franchise taxes and other taxes, fees, duties, levies, withholdings, fines, penalties, interest, additions to tax or other charges of any nature whatsoever imposed by any taxing authority (“ Taxes ”), excluding (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by any Lender’s overall net income or overall net profits (including franchise taxes in lieu of net income taxes) by the jurisdiction under which such Lender is organized or is otherwise resident for tax purposes (other than residency that would not have arisen but for entering into the Loan Documents, receiving any payments under or with respect to the Loan Documents, or enforcing any rights and remedies under the Loan Documents) or in which its applicable lending office is located, (ii) any branch profit taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which a Lender is resident for tax purposes (other than residency that would not have arisen but for entering into the Loan Documents, receiving any payments under or with respect to the Loan Documents, or enforcing any rights and remedies under the Loan Documents) or in which its applicable lending office if located, (iii) in the case of any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America (a “ non-U.S. Lender ”), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such non-U.S. Lender at the time such non-U.S. Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, (iv) in the case of any Lender that is a “United States person” (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the IRC) (a “ U.S. Lender ”), any backup withholding taxes imposed on such Lender as a result of payments under this Agreement (other than any backup withholding taxes imposed as a result of a change in law) and (v) taxes imposed under FATCA. If any withholding or deduction from any payment to be made by

 

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Borrower hereunder is required in respect of any Taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, then Borrower will: (i) pay directly to the relevant authority the full amount required to be so withheld or deducted; (ii) promptly forward to Agent an official receipt or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to Agent evidencing such payment to such authority; and (iii) pay to Agent for the account of Lenders such additional amount or amounts as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by each Lender will equal the full amount such Lender would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required. If any Taxes are directly asserted against Agent or any Lender with respect to any payment received by Agent or such Lender hereunder, Agent or such Lender may pay such Taxes and Borrower will promptly pay such additional amounts (including any penalty, interest or expense) as is necessary in order that the net amount received by such Person after the payment of such Taxes (including any Taxes on such additional amount) shall equal the amount such Person would have received had such Taxes not been asserted so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is 180 days prior to the date on which Agent or such Lender first made demand therefor; provided , that if the event giving rise to such costs or reductions has retroactive effect, such 180 day period shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect; provided , that if the Borrower reasonably believes that such Taxes were not correctly or legally asserted, the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, will use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to obtain a refund of such Taxes as long as such efforts would not result in any unreimbursed costs or expenses.

(b) If Borrower fails to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders, the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, Borrower shall indemnify Lenders for any incremental Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by any Lender as a result of any such failure. For purposes of this Section 3.1 , a distribution hereunder or under any Loan Document by Agent or any Lender to or for the account of any Lender shall be deemed a payment by Borrower.

(c) Each Lender that (i) is a non-U.S. Lender and (ii) (A) is a party hereto on the Closing Date or (B) becomes an assignee of an interest under this Agreement under Section 10.8.1 after the Closing Date (unless such Lender was already a Lender hereunder immediately prior to such assignment) shall execute and deliver to Borrower and Agent on or prior to the Closing Date (or in the case of such Lender that becomes a party to this Agreement as a result of an assignment after the Closing Date, on or prior to the effective date of such assignment) one or more (as Borrower or Agent may reasonably request) complete and accurate original copies of Forms W-8ECI, W-8BEN, W-8IMY (as applicable) or other applicable form, certificate or document prescribed by the United States Internal Revenue Service certifying as to such Lender’s entitlement to exemption from withholding or deduction of Taxes; provided that any Lender that is relying on the so-called “portfolio interest exemption” shall also furnish a certificate that such Lender (x) is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the IRC, (y) is not a 10-percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the IRC, and (z) is not a controlled foreign corporation receiving payments from a related person within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(C) of the IRC. Each non-U.S. Lender shall (to the extent legally entitled to do so) provide updated forms to Borrower and Agent on or prior to the date any prior form provided under this Section 3.1 becomes obsolete or expires, after the occurrence of an event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this Section 3.1 , or from time to time if requested by Borrower or Agent. Borrower shall not be required to pay additional amounts to any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.1 to the extent that the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have arisen but for the failure of such Lender to comply with this paragraph (any such taxes, together with such amounts described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 3.1(a) , the “ Excluded Taxes ”). Each U.S. Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of Borrower or Agent), executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 to enable Borrower or Agent, as the case may be, to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Each such non-U.S. Lender will promptly notify the Agent and the Borrower of any changes in circumstances that would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

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(d) Without limiting the foregoing, if a payment made to a Lender would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender fails to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the IRC, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent documentation, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower, prescribed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the IRC), including any certification, documentation, information or other reporting necessary to establish an exemption from withholding under FATCA, and such Lender shall provide any other documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent sufficient for Borrower and Agent to (i) comply with their obligations under FATCA, (ii) to determine that such non-U.S. Lender has complied with such applicable reporting requirements, and (iii) if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

(e) Each Lender shall indemnify Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender that are payable or paid by Agent and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Excluded 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 by Agent shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error. The agreements in this Section 3.1(e) shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of Agent.

(f) So long as no Event of Default then exists, if Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of a Tax for which an additional payment has been made by Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.1 , then Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall reimburse Borrower for such amount (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 3.1 with respect to the Tax giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses by Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant governmental authority with respect to such refund); provided , that Borrower, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant governmental authority) to Agent or such Lender in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such governmental authority. This Section 3.1(f) shall not be construed to require Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person or to alter its ordinary and customary practices with respect to the administration of Taxes.

 

  3.2. Increased Cost .

(a) If, after the Closing Date, the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration of any applicable law, rule or regulation by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency: (i) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including any reserve imposed by the FRB, but excluding any reserve included in the determination of the LIBOR Rate pursuant to Section 2.7 ), special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by any Lender; or (ii) shall impose on any Lender any other condition affecting its LIBOR Loans, its Note or its obligation to make LIBOR Loans; and the result of anything described in clauses (i) above and (ii) is to increase the cost to (or to impose a cost on) such Lender of making or maintaining any LIBOR Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender under this Agreement or under

 

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its Note with respect thereto, then upon demand by such Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail, a copy of which shall be furnished to Agent), Borrower shall pay directly to such Lender such additional amount as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or such reduction, so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is 180 days prior to the date on which such Lender first made demand therefor; provided , that if the event giving rise to such costs or reductions has retroactive effect, such 180 day period shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect.

(b) If any Lender shall reasonably determine that any change in, or the adoption or phase-in of, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or the compliance by any Lender or any Person controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such controlling Person’s capital as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder or under any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling Person could have achieved but for such change, adoption, phase-in or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such controlling Person’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or such controlling Person to be material, then from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a certificate setting forth the basis for such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail, a copy of which shall be furnished to Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount as will compensate such Lender or such controlling Person for such reduction, so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is 180 days prior to the date on which such Lender first made demand therefor; provided , that if the event giving rise to such costs or reductions has retroactive effect, such 180 day period shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith shall be deemed to be a change in law for purposes of this Agreement (including without limitation for purposes of this Section 3.2 and for purposes of Section 3.4 ), regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

  3.3. Inadequate or Unfair Basis .

If Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be binding and conclusive on Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank eurodollar market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR Rate, then Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and Borrower thereof and, so long as such circumstances shall continue, (a) no Lender shall be under any obligation to make or convert any Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Loans and (b) on the last day of the current Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan, such Loan shall, unless then repaid in full, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan.

 

  3.4. Change in Law .

If any change in, or the adoption of any new, law or regulation, or any change in the interpretation of any applicable law or regulation by any governmental or other regulatory body charged with the administration thereof, would make it (or in the good faith judgment of any Lender cause a substantial question as to whether it is) unlawful for any Lender to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Loans, then such Lender shall promptly notify in writing each of the other parties hereto and, so long as such circumstances shall continue, (a) such Lender shall have no obligation to make or convert any Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan (but shall make Base Rate Loans concurrently with the making of LIBOR

 

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Loans or conversion of Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Loans by Lenders which are not so affected, in each case in an amount equal to the amount of LIBOR Loans which would be made or converted into by such Lender at such time in the absence of such circumstances) and (b) on the last day of the current Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan of such Lender (or, in any event, on such earlier date as may be required by the relevant law, regulation or interpretation), such LIBOR Loan shall, unless then repaid in full, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan. Each Base Rate Loan made by a Lender which, but for the circumstances described in the foregoing sentence, would be a LIBOR Loan shall remain outstanding for the period corresponding to the Interest Period originally applicable to such LIBOR Loan absent such circumstances.

 

  3.5. Funding Losses .

Borrower hereby agrees that within 3 Business Days following demand by any Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for the amount being claimed, a copy of which shall be furnished to Agent), Borrower will indemnify such Lender against any net loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (including any net loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain any LIBOR Loan), as reasonably determined by such Lender, as a result of (a) any payment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Loan of such Lender on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan (including any conversion pursuant to Section 3.4 ) or (b) any failure of Borrower to borrow, convert or continue any Loan on a date specified therefor in a notice of borrowing, conversion or continuation pursuant to this Agreement. For the purposes of this Section 3.5 , all determinations shall be made as if such Lender had actually funded and maintained each LIBOR Loan during each Interest Period for such Loan through the purchase of deposits having a maturity corresponding to such Interest Period and bearing an interest rate equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period.

 

  3.6. Manner of Funding; Alternate Funding Offices .

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of its Loans in any manner it may determine at its sole discretion. Each Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its commitment to make any LIBOR Loan by causing any branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that in such event for the purposes of this Agreement such Loan shall be deemed to have been made by such Lender and the obligation of Borrower to repay such Loan shall nevertheless be to such Lender and shall be deemed held by it, to the extent of such Loan, for the account of such branch or Affiliate.

 

  3.7. Mitigation of Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) Each Lender shall promptly notify Borrower and Agent of any event of which it has knowledge which will result in, and will use reasonable commercial efforts available to it (and not, in such Lender’s reasonable judgment, otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender) to mitigate or avoid, (i) any obligation by Borrower to pay any amount pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 or (ii) the occurrence of any circumstances described in Section 3.3 or 3.4 (and, if any Lender has given notice of any such event described in clause (i) or (ii) above and thereafter such event ceases to exist, such Lender shall promptly so notify Borrower and Agent). Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender will provide to Borrower or file any document or instrument reasonably requested by Borrower or designate a different funding office if providing or filing such document or instrument or making such designation will avoid (or reduce the cost to Borrower of) any event described in clause (i) or (ii) above and such designation would not, in such Lender’s sole judgment, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

(b) If (i) Borrower becomes obligated to pay additional amounts to any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 , or any Lender gives notice of the occurrence of any circumstances

 

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described in Section 3.3 or 3.4 , (ii) any Lender does not consent to any matter requiring its consent under Section 10.1 when the Required Lenders have otherwise consented to such matter or (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender and the circumstances causing such status have not been cured or waived, then Borrower may within 120 days thereafter designate another Person engaged primarily in the business of making loans which is reasonably acceptable to Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and Issuing Lender in their reasonable discretion (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) (such other Person being called a “ Replacement Lender ”) to purchase the Loans of such Lender and such Lender’s rights hereunder, without recourse to or warranty by, or expense to, such Lender, for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans payable to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest on such Loans and all accrued but unpaid fees owed to such Lender and any other amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement, and to assume all the obligations of such Lender hereunder, all in compliance with Section 10.8.1 . Upon such purchase and assumption (pursuant to an Assignment Agreement), such Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights hereunder (other than rights with respect to indemnities and similar rights applicable to such Lender prior to the date of such purchase and assumption) and shall be relieved from all obligations to Borrower hereunder, and the Replacement Lender shall succeed to the rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder. In connection with any such replacement, if any such Lender does not execute and deliver to the Agent a duly executed Assignment Agreement reflecting such replacement within five (5) Business Days of the date on which the Replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment Agreement to such Lender, then such Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment Agreement without any action on the part of the Lender.

 

  3.8. Conclusiveness of Statements; Survival .

Determinations and statements of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1 , 3.2 , 3.3 , 3.4 or 3.5 shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence absent demonstrable error. Lenders may use reasonable averaging and attribution methods in determining compensation under Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.5 , and the provisions of such Sections shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 4. Conditions Precedent .

The obligation of each Lender to make its Loans and of Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:

 

  4.1. Initial Credit Extension .

The obligation of Lenders to make the initial Loans and the obligation of Issuing Lender to issue the initial Letters of Credit hereunder (whichever first occurs) is, in addition to the conditions precedent specified in Section 4.2 , subject to the satisfaction or waiver of following conditions precedent, each of which shall be reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Agent:

 

  4.1.1. Initial Loans; Availability .

After giving effect to the funding of the initial Loans on the Closing Date, Borrowing Availability shall exceed Revolving Outstandings by at least $5,000,000.

 

  4.1.2. Prior Debt .

The Prior Debt (other than the Existing Letters of Credit) has been (or concurrently with the initial borrowing will be) paid in full.

 

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  4.1.3. [Reserved]

 

  4.1.4. Fees .

Borrower shall have paid all fees, reasonable costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses due and payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents on the Closing Date.

 

  4.1.5. Delivery of Loan Documents .

Borrower shall have delivered the following documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (and, as applicable, duly executed and dated the Closing Date or an earlier date reasonably satisfactory to Agent):

(a) Agreement . This Agreement.

(b) Notes . Notes, for each Lender requesting a Note.

(c) Collateral Documents . The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, all other Collateral Documents, and all instruments, documents, certificates and agreements executed or delivered pursuant thereto (including, if applicable, Intellectual Property security agreements in substantially the form set forth as Annex IV and pledged Collateral, with undated irrevocable transfer powers executed in blank).

(d) Financing Statements . Properly completed Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and other filings and documents required by law or the Loan Documents to provide Agent perfected Liens (subject only to Permitted Liens) in the Collateral.

(e) Lien Searches . Copies of Uniform Commercial Code search reports listing all effective financing statements (other than with respect to this Agreement) filed against any Loan Party, with copies of such financing statements.

(f) Mortgages . Mortgages providing Agent perfected Liens upon recording (subject only to Permitted Liens) in the fee owned real property Collateral, with ALTA loan title insurance policies issued by insurers reasonably acceptable to Agent, ALTA surveys and such flood and/or earthquake insurance as Agent may reasonably request.

(g) [Reserved.]

(h) Payoff; Release . Payoff letters evidencing repayment in full of all Prior Debt, termination of all agreements relating thereto and the release of all Liens granted in connection therewith, with Uniform Commercial Code or other appropriate termination statements and documents effective to evidence the foregoing.

(i) Letter of Direction . A letter of direction attaching funds flow information, with respect to the proceeds of the Loans on the Closing Date.

(j) Authorization Documents . For each Loan Party, such Person’s (i) articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation (or similar formation document), certified by the appropriate governmental authority, (ii) good standing certificates in its state of incorporation (or formation) and in each other state in which it is required to be qualified to do business pursuant to its representation in Section 5.1, (iii) bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement (or similar governing document), (iv) resolutions of its board of directors (or similar governing body)

 

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approving and authorizing such Person’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is party and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (v) signature and incumbency certificates of its officers executing any of the Loan Documents, all certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) as being in full force and effect without modification.

(k) Opinions of Counsel . Opinions of counsel for each Loan Party, including local counsel reasonably requested by Agent, and Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions and authorizes Agent and Lenders to rely thereon.

(l) Insurance . Certificates or other evidence of insurance in effect as required by Section 6.3(b) , with endorsements naming Agent as lenders’ loss payee and/or additional insured, as applicable.

(m) Financials . The financial statements, projections and pro forma balance sheet described in Section 5.4 .

(n) Consents . Evidence that all necessary consents, permits and approvals (governmental or otherwise) required for the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

  4.1.6. Certain Financial Tests .

Adjusted EBITDA . EBITDA (with adjustments mutually acceptable by Agent and Borrower) (“ Adjusted EBITDA ”), for the 12 month period ending January 31, 2012 shall not be less than $57,000,000.

 

  4.2. All Credit Extensions .

If, either before or immediately after giving effect to (i) any borrowing, or (ii) the issuance of any Letter of Credit, (a) the representations and warranties of Borrower or any other Loan Party set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if then made (except to the extent stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date), (b) any Event of Default or Default shall have then occurred and be continuing, or (c) the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio (with Total Debt calculated as of the date of such requested Loan or Letter of Credit after giving effect to the making of such Loan or issuance of such Letter of Credit and EBITDA calculated for the most recently ended 12 month period for which Agent has received financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1.2 ) exceeds the maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio permitted under Section 7.14.2 for the most recently ended Computation Period (or, with respect to periods prior to the first test date under Section 7.14.2 , the Computation Period ending immediately after the date of such requested Loan or Letter of Credit), then the obligation of each Lender to make a Loan and of Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit shall be suspended (but only if Agent has, or Required Lenders have, directed Lenders or Issuing Lender, as applicable, not to make such requested Loan or issue such requested Letter of Credit). Each request by Borrower for the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.2 will be satisfied or waived at the time of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and giving effect thereto.

 

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Section 5. Representations and Warranties .

To induce Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce Lenders to make Loans and to issue and participate in Letters of Credit hereunder, Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents on the Closing Date:

 

  5.1. Organization .

Borrower is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada; each other Loan Party is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; and each Loan Party is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where, because of the nature of its activities or properties, such qualification is required, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.2. Authorization; No Conflict .

Each of Borrower and each other Loan Party is duly authorized to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which it is a party, Borrower is duly authorized to borrow monies hereunder, and each of Borrower and each other Loan Party is duly authorized to perform its Obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and by each of Borrower and each other Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, and the borrowings by Borrower hereunder, do not and will not (a) require any consent or approval of any governmental agency or authority (other than any consent or approval which has been obtained and is in full force and effect and the filing of applicable Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and other filings), (b) conflict with (i) any provision of applicable law, (ii) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of Borrower or any other Loan Party or (iii) any agreement, indenture, instrument or other document, or any judgment, order or decree, which is binding upon Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their respective properties or (c) require, or result in, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party (other than Liens in favor of Agent created pursuant to the Collateral Documents) in each case of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.3. Validity; Binding Nature .

Each of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which Borrower or any other Loan Party is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such Person in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

  5.4. Financial Condition .

(a) The audited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and the Subsidiaries as at its Fiscal Years ending December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Borrower and the Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2011, copies of each of which have been delivered pursuant hereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject, in the case of such unaudited statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects (taken as a whole) the consolidated financial condition of such Persons as at such dates and the results of their operations for the periods then ended.

(b) The consolidated financial projections (including an operating budget and a cash flow budget) of Borrower and the Subsidiaries for the 6 year period commencing January 1, 2012 delivered to Agent and Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date (i) were prepared by Borrower in good faith and (ii) were prepared in accordance with assumptions for which Borrower believed to be reasonable

 

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at the time delivered, and the accompanying consolidated pro forma balance sheet of Borrower and the Subsidiaries as at the Closing Date, adjusted to give effect to the consummation of the financings contemplated hereby as if such transactions had occurred on such date, is consistent in all material respects with such projections. The Agent and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that such projections represent forward looking information, are subject to certain inherent uncertainties, that actual results might vary significantly from such projections and such variances might be material; therefore, such projections and forecasts are not to be viewed as facts or as a guarantee of performance or achievement of a particular result and no assurances can be given that such projections will be realized.

 

  5.5. No Material Adverse Change .

Since December 31, 2010, there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, operations, assets, business or properties of the Loan Parties taken as a whole.

 

  5.6. Litigation .

No litigation (including derivative actions), arbitration proceeding or governmental investigation or proceeding is pending or, to Borrower’s knowledge, threatened in writing against any Loan Party which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in Schedule 5.6 . As of the Closing Date, other than any liability incident to such litigation or proceedings, neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party has any material Contingent Obligations not listed on Schedule 7.1 .

 

  5.7. Ownership of Properties; Liens .

Each of Borrower and each other Loan Party owns good and, in the case of real property, marketable title to all of its properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever other than Intellectual Property free and clear of all Liens, charges and claims, except Permitted Liens.

 

  5.8. Capitalization .

All issued and outstanding equity securities of Borrower and the other Loan Parties (other than Holdings) are duly authorized and validly issued, and, if corporate stock, are fully paid, non-assessable (if applicable), and all such securities are free and clear of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 7.2 or in favor of Agent, and such securities were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities. Schedule 5.8 sets forth the authorized equity securities of each Loan Party as of the Closing Date. All of the issued and outstanding equity of Holdings is owned as set forth on Schedule 5.8 as of the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding equity of Borrower is owned by Holdings, and all of the issued and outstanding equity of each other Subsidiary of Holdings is, directly or indirectly, owned by Borrower. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.8 , there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or other similar agreements or understandings for the purchase or acquisition of any equity interests of Borrower or any other Loan Party (other than Holdings).

 

  5.9. Pension Plans .

Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no steps have been taken to terminate any Pension Plan; (ii) no contribution failure has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under ERISA or Section 430 of the IRC; (iii) no condition exists or event or transaction has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by Borrower or any other Loan Party of any liability, fine or penalty; (iv) all contributions (if

 

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any) have been made to any Multiemployer Pension Plan that are required to be made by any Loan Party or any other member of the Controlled Group under the terms of the plan or of any collective bargaining agreement or by applicable law; (v) neither any Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn or partially withdrawn from any Multiemployer Pension Plan, incurred any withdrawal liability with respect to any such plan or received notice of any claim or demand for withdrawal liability or partial withdrawal liability from any such plan, and no condition has occurred which, if continued, could result in a withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any such plan, and (vi) neither any Loan Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has received any notice that any Multiemployer Pension Plan is in reorganization, that increased contributions may be required to avoid a reduction in plan benefits or the imposition of any excise tax, that any such plan is or has been funded at a rate less than that required under Sections 412 or 430 of the IRC, that any such plan is or may be terminated, or that any such plan is or may become insolvent.

 

  5.10. Investment Company Act .

Neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” or a “subsidiary” of an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

  5.11. No Default .

No Event of Default or Default exists or would result from the incurrence by any Loan Party of any Debt hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

  5.12. Margin Stock .

Neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No portion of the Obligations is secured directly or indirectly by Margin Stock.

 

  5.13. Taxes .

Each of Borrower and each other Loan Party has filed all tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all taxes and governmental charges thereby shown to be or otherwise owing, except (i) for taxes and other governmental charges which in the aggregate (x) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) would not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien, and (ii) any such taxes or charges which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books.

 

  5.14. Solvency .

On the Closing Date, and immediately prior to and after giving effect to the issuance of each Letter of Credit and each borrowing of Loans hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof, and after giving effect to rights of contribution and intercompany loans and payments permitted hereunder with respect to each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, (a) the fair value of its assets on a going concern basis is greater than the amount of its liabilities (including reasonable values of disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated, (b) the present fair saleable value of its assets (on a going concern basis) is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on its Debts as they become absolute and matured in the normal course of business, (c) it is able to realize upon its assets and pay its Debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) it

 

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does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur Debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such Debts and liabilities mature in the normal course of business and (e) it is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

  5.15. Environmental Matters .

The on-going operations of Borrower and each other Loan Party comply in all respects with all Environmental Laws, except such non-compliance which could not (if enforced in accordance with applicable law) reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower and each other Loan Party have obtained, and maintained in good standing, all licenses, permits, authorizations and registrations required under any Environmental Law and necessary for their respective ordinary course operations, and Borrower and each other Loan Party are in compliance with all material terms and conditions thereof, except in each case where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to Borrower or any other Loan Party and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective properties or operations is subject to any outstanding written order from or agreement with any Federal, state or local governmental authority, nor subject to any judicial or docketed administrative proceeding, respecting any Environmental Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous Substance that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no Hazardous Substances or other conditions or circumstances existing with respect to any property, or arising from operations prior to the Closing Date, of Borrower or any other Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party has any underground storage tanks that are not properly registered or permitted under applicable Environmental Laws or that are leaking or disposing of Hazardous Substances, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.16. Insurance .

Borrower and each other Loan Party and their respective properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by similarly situated companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where Borrower or such other Loan Party operates. A true and complete listing of such insurance as of the Closing Date, including issuers, coverages and deductibles, is set forth on Schedule 5.16 .

 

  5.17. Information .

All written information (other than forward looking information, projections, budgets, estimates and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) concerning the Loan Parties heretofore or contemporaneously herewith furnished in writing by Borrower or any other Loan Party to Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is, and all written information (other than forward looking information, projections, budgets, estimates and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) concerning the Loan Parties hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any Loan Party to Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or in connection herewith will be, taken as a whole and as supplemented, true and accurate in all material respect, and, as of the date furnished, none of such information is or will be incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which made, in each case on the date as of which such information is dated or certified. It is acknowledged and agreed by Agent and Lenders that (i) any projections and forecasts provided by Borrower are based on good faith estimates, (ii) any projections are by their nature speculative, (iii) assumptions believed by Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of the applicable

 

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projections or assumptions and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from projected or forecasted results, and (iv) such differences might be material.

 

  5.18. Intellectual Property .

Borrower and each other Loan Party owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, service marks, service mark rights and copyrights (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”), free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens, as are necessary for the conduct of the business of Borrower and the other Loan Parties, without any infringement to the Borrower’s knowledge, upon rights of others, other than, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.19. Restrictive Provisions .

Neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party is a party to any agreement or contract or subject to any restriction contained in its operative documents which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.20. Labor Matters .

Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20 , neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party is subject to any labor or collective bargaining agreement as of the Closing Date. There are no existing, and no Loan Party has received notice of any threatened, strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes involving Borrower or any other Loan Party that singly or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Hours worked by and payment made to employees of Borrower and the other Loan Parties are not in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law, rule or regulation dealing with such matters, except where such violations would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  5.21. Subordinated Debt .

With respect to all Subordinated Debt, the subordination provisions applicable thereto are enforceable against the holders of such Subordinated Debt by Agent and Lenders. All Obligations constitute senior Indebtedness entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions applicable thereto. Borrower acknowledges that Agent and each Lender are entering into this Agreement and are extending the Commitments and making the Loans in reliance upon the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt and this Section 5.21 .

 

  5.22. Bank Accounts .

All of the deposit accounts, securities accounts or other similar accounts maintained by the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date other than Exempt Accounts are set forth on Schedule 5.22 .

 

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Section 6. Affirmative Covenants .

Until all Obligations have been Paid in Full and the Revolving Loan Commitments have been terminated, Borrower agrees that, unless at any time Required Lenders shall otherwise expressly consent in writing, it will:

 

  6.1. Information .

Furnish to Agent and each Lender:

 

  6.1.1. Annual Report .

Promptly when available and in any event within 150 days after the close of each Fiscal Year: (a) a copy of the annual audit report of Holdings, Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, including therein a consolidated balance sheet and statement of earnings and cash flows of Holdings, Borrower and the Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, certified without qualification (except for qualifications relating to changes in accounting principles or practices reflecting changes in GAAP and required or approved by Borrower’s independent certified public accountants or a qualification or exception may be included in any such audit report for any period ending within the twelve (12) month period preceding the maturity of the Loans, as applicable, to the extent such qualification is a result of such Loans being reported as short term indebtedness) by independent auditors of recognized standing selected by Borrower or such other auditor reasonably acceptable to Agent, together with (i) a written statement from such accountants to the extent permitted by and consistent with such accountant’s audit policies, as determined in such accountant’s sole discretion, to the effect that in making the examination necessary for the signing of such annual audit report by such accountants, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that Borrower was not in compliance with any provision of Section 7.1, 7.3, 7.4 or 7.14 , insofar as such provision relates to accounting matters or, if something has come to their attention that caused them to believe that Borrower was not in compliance with any such provision, describing such non-compliance in reasonable detail and (ii) a comparison with the previous Fiscal Year; and (b) an Excess Cash Flow Certificate.

 

  6.1.2. Interim Reports .

(a) Promptly when available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each month, consolidated balance sheets of Holdings, Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of the end of such month, together with consolidated statements of earnings and a consolidated statement of cash flows for such month and for the period beginning with the first day of such Fiscal Year and ending on the last day of such month, together with a comparison with the corresponding period of the previous Fiscal Year and a comparison with the budget for such period of the current Fiscal Year, certified by an Authorized Officer of Borrower (which certificate shall, if such financial statements correspond to a month that is not the last month of a Fiscal Quarter, contain a statement as to whether an Event of Default exists).

 

  6.1.3. Compliance Certificate .

(a) Contemporaneously with the furnishing of a copy of each annual audit report pursuant to Section 6.1.1 and each set of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1.2 that correspond to the last month of a Fiscal Quarter, including the fourth Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, (and as required by Annex III pursuant to Section 7.11 ) a duly completed Compliance Certificate, with appropriate insertions, dated the date of such annual report or such quarterly statements, and signed by an Authorized Officer of Borrower, containing (i) a computation of each of the financial ratios and restrictions set forth in Section 7.14 and (ii) a statement to the effect that such officer has not become aware of any Event of Default or Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if there is any such event, describing it and the steps, if any, being taken to cure it; and (b) contemporaneously with the furnishing of each set of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1.2 that corresponds to the last month of a Fiscal Quarter, a written statement of Borrower’s management setting forth a discussion of Borrower’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations.

 

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  6.1.4. Reports to SEC and Shareholders .

Promptly upon the filing or sending thereof, copies of (a) all regular, periodic or special reports of each Loan Party filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, (b) all registration statements of each Loan Party filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (other than on Form S-8) and (c) all proxy statements or other material communications made to security holders generally.

 

  6.1.5. Notice of Default; Litigation; ERISA Matters .

Promptly upon any Authorized Officer obtaining knowledge of any of the following, written notice describing the same and the steps being taken by Borrower or the applicable Loan Party affected thereby with respect thereto:

(a) the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Default;

(b) any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding not previously disclosed by Borrower to Lenders which has been instituted or, to the knowledge of Borrower, is threatened against Borrower or any other Loan Party or to which any of the properties of any thereof is subject which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the institution of any steps by any member of the Controlled Group or any other Person to terminate any Pension Plan which could give rise to a payment liability by Borrower or any other Loan Party in excess of $2,500,000, or the failure of any member of the Controlled Group to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan (if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a Lien under ERISA or the IRC) or to any Multiemployer Pension Plan, or the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in the requirement that Borrower or any other Loan Party furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability, fine or penalty in excess of $2,500,000 (including any claim or demand for withdrawal liability or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Pension Plan), or any material increase in the contingent liability of Borrower or any other Loan Party with respect to any post-retirement welfare plan benefit (excluding any welfare benefits offered during a severance period), or any notice that any Multiemployer Pension Plan is in reorganization, that increased contributions may be required to avoid a reduction in plan benefits or the imposition of an excise tax, that any such plan is or has been funded at a rate less than that required under Sections 412 or 431 of the IRC, that any such plan is or may be terminated, or that any such plan is or may become insolvent;

(d) any cancellation or material change in any insurance maintained by Borrower or any other Loan Party; or

(e) any other event (including (i) any violation of any Environmental Law or the assertion of any Environmental Claim or (ii) the enactment or effectiveness of any law, rule or regulation) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  6.1.6. Management Report .

Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all formal management reports submitted to Borrower or any other Loan Party by independent auditors in connection with each annual or interim audit made by such auditors of the consolidated financial statements of Borrower and the other Loan Parties.

 

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  6.1.7. Projections .

As soon as practicable, and in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the commencement of each Fiscal Year, financial projections for Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year (including monthly operating and cash flow budgets) prepared in a manner consistent with the projections delivered by Borrower to Agent prior to the Closing Date or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent, accompanied by a certificate of an Authorized Officer of Borrower on behalf of Borrower to the effect that (a) such projections were prepared by Borrower in good faith, (b) Borrower has a reasonable basis for the assumptions contained in such projections and (c) such projections have been prepared in accordance with such assumptions. The Agent and each Lender acknowledges and agrees that any such projections constitute forward-looking information, are subject to inherent uncertainties, that actual results will vary from the projections and that such variances may be material.

 

  6.1.8. Subordinated Debt Notices .

Promptly following receipt, copies of any notices (including notices of default or acceleration) received from any holder or trustee of, under or with respect to any Subordinated Debt.

 

  6.1.9. Subsidiary Formation .

Not less than 7 days prior written notice to Agent of the proposed formation by Borrower or any Subsidiary of any other Subsidiary (which newly-formed Subsidiary shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary), together with the actions proposed to be taken by Borrower to comply with, or cause compliance with, the provisions of Section 6.8 in respect of such Subsidiary formation.

 

  6.1.10. Other Information .

Promptly from time to time, such other information concerning Borrower and any other Loan Party as any Lender or Agent may reasonably request. In no event shall the requirements set forth in this Section 6.1.10 require any Loan Party to provide (a) information restricted by a third party confidentiality agreement in the ordinary course of business to the extent such disclosure to Agent or Lender is prohibited thereby and (b) other information (i) in respect of which disclosure to the Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Law or (ii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work-product.

Each Lender shall indicate in writing whether it can receive Nonpublic Information. Each Lender acknowledges that certain documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.1 or otherwise are being distributed through IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website (the “Platform” ) and any document or notice that contains Nonpublic Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such public-side Lenders (Lenders who have indicated that they do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Holdings, its Subsidiaries or their securities). If a Lender has not indicated whether it can receive Nonpublic Information, Administrative Agent shall not allow such Lender to receive any Nonpublic Information delivered pursuant to this Section 6.1.

 

  6.2. Books; Records; Inspections .

Keep, and cause each other Loan Party to keep, its books and records in accordance with sound business practices sufficient to allow the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP in all material respects; and permit, and cause each other Loan Party to permit, at any reasonable time during normal business hours and with reasonable prior notice not more than twice per year (or at any time without notice if an Event of Default exists), Agent (accompanied by any Lender at such Lender’s sole

 

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cost and expense) or any representative thereof to (i) visit any or all of its offices, to discuss its financial matters with its officers and its independent auditors (and Borrower hereby authorizes such independent auditors to discuss such financial matters with any Lender or Agent or any representative thereof, so long as Borrower or its representative is given the opportunity to be present), (ii) inspect the properties and operations of Loan Parties, and (iii) inspect, examine, audit, check and make copies of and extracts from the books, records, computer data, computer programs, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence and other data relating to any Collateral. All such visits, inspections, examinations or audits by Agent shall be at Borrower’s expense, provided that (i) so long as no Event of Default or Default exists, Borrower shall not be required to reimburse Agent for visits, inspections, examinations and audits more frequently than once each Fiscal Year or in an amount in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year and (ii) Borrower shall not be required to reimburse any Lender for any visits, inspections, examinations, appraisals and audits.

 

  6.3. Maintenance of Property; Insurance .

(a) Keep, and cause each other Loan Party to keep, all property useful and necessary in the business of Borrower or such other Loan Party in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, except to the extent the failure to do so would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Maintain, and cause each other Loan Party to maintain, with responsible insurance companies, such insurance coverage as shall be required by all laws, governmental regulations and court decrees and orders applicable to it and such other insurance, to such extent and against such hazards and liabilities, as is customarily maintained by companies similarly situated. Upon request of Agent or any Lender, Borrower shall furnish to Agent or such Lender a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by Borrower and each other Loan Party. Borrower shall cause each issuer of an insurance policy to provide Agent with an endorsement (i) showing Agent as a loss payee with respect to each policy of property or casualty insurance and naming Agent as an additional insured with respect to each policy of liability insurance, (ii) providing that 30 days’ notice (ten (10) days’ notice for cancellation due to non-payment) will be given to Agent prior to any cancellation of, or reduction or change in coverage provided by or other material modification to such policy and (iii) reasonably acceptable in all other respects to Agent. Borrower shall execute and deliver, and cause each other applicable Loan Party to execute and deliver, to Agent a collateral assignment, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, of each business interruption insurance policy maintained by the Loan Parties.

(c) Unless Borrower provides Agent with evidence of the continuing insurance coverage required by this Agreement, Agent may purchase insurance at Borrower’s expense to protect Agent’s and Lenders’ interests in the Collateral. This insurance may, but need not, protect Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s interests. The coverage that Agent purchases may, but need not, pay any claim that is made against Borrower or any other Loan Party in connection with the Collateral. Borrower may later cancel any insurance purchased by Agent, but only after providing Agent with evidence that Borrower has obtained the insurance coverage required by this Agreement. If Agent purchases insurance for the Collateral, as set forth above, Borrower will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and any other charges that may be imposed with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance and the costs of the insurance may be added to the principal amount of the Loans owing hereunder.

 

  6.4. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes and Liabilities .

(a) Comply, and cause each other Loan Party to comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and permits, except where failure to comply could not

 

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reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) without limiting clause (a) above, ensure, and cause each other Loan Party to ensure, that no person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls a Loan Party is or shall be (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”), Department of the Treasury, and/or any other similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation or (ii) a person designated under Section 1(b) , (c)  or (d)  or Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001), any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders; (c) without limiting clause (a) above, comply and cause each other Loan Party to comply, with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws and regulations and (d) pay, and cause each other Loan Party to pay, prior to delinquency, all Taxes and other governmental charges against it or any of its property, as well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; provided that the foregoing shall not require Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any such Tax, charge or claim so long as (i) it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the nonpayment of such tax or charge would not (x) reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (y) would not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien.

 

  6.5. Maintenance of Existence .

Maintain and preserve, and (subject to Section 7.5 ) cause each other Loan Party to maintain and preserve, (a) its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) its qualification to do business and good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary, other than any such jurisdiction where the failure to be qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  6.6. Employee Benefit Plans .

Maintain, and cause each other Loan Party to maintain, each Pension Plan in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements of law and regulations except to the extent the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  6.7. Environmental Matters .

If any release or disposal of Hazardous Substances shall occur or shall have occurred on any real property or any other assets of Borrower or any other Loan Party, cause, or direct the applicable Loan Party to cause, the prompt containment and removal of such Hazardous Substances and the remediation of such real property or other assets as is necessary to comply with all Environmental Laws, except where the failure to comply (x) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) would not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, comply with each valid Federal or state judicial or administrative order requiring the performance at any real property by Borrower or any other Loan Party of activities in response to the release or threatened release of a Hazardous Substance, except where the failure to comply (x) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) would not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien.

 

  6.8. Further Assurances .

Take, and cause each other Loan Party to take, such actions as are necessary and as Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations of Borrower and each other Loan Party under the Loan Documents are secured by a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Agent (subject only to the Permitted Liens) on substantially all of the assets (other than Excluded Property (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement)) of Borrower and each other Loan Party

 

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(other than Foreign Subsidiaries) (as well as all equity interests of Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than Foreign Subsidiaries) and 65% of the Equity Interests of each first-tier Foreign Subsidiary owned directly by Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary) and guaranteed by each Loan Party other than Borrower (and other than Foreign Subsidiaries) (including, promptly upon the acquisition or creation thereof, any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) that is acquired or created after the Closing Date), in each case including (a) the execution and delivery, if applicable, of guaranties, security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, financing statements and other documents, and the filing or recording of any of the foregoing and (b) the delivery of certificated securities and other Collateral with respect to which perfection is obtained by possession; provided that in no event shall (x) a Foreign Subsidiary or an Excluded Foreign Holding Company guarantee the Obligations or any Loan Party pledge more than sixty-five percent (65%) of any Foreign Subsidiary’s or Excluded Foreign Holding Company’s outstanding Equity Interest or (y) a Loan Party be required to obtain any leasehold mortgage.

 

  6.9. Interest Rate Protection .

Enter into, not later than 120 days after the Closing Date, and thereafter maintain an interest rate protection mechanism with a term of at least two years (which may be accomplished by two separate one year contracts) on an ISDA standard form with one or more Lenders or Affiliates thereof or with counterparties reasonably acceptable to Agent to hedge the interest rate with respect to not less than 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loans, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Section 7. Negative Covenants .

Until all Obligations have been Paid in Full and the Revolving Loan Commitments have been terminated, Borrower agrees that, unless at any time Required Lenders shall otherwise expressly consent in writing, it will:

 

  7.1. Debt .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except the following (“Permitted Debt”):

(a) Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b) Debt incurred in connection with Liens permitted under Section 7.2(b) ;

(c) Debt secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.2(d) , and extensions, renewals and refinancings thereof; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Debt at any time outstanding shall not exceed $5,000,000;

(d) (i) Debt of Borrower to any Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) Debt of any Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary to Borrower or another Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower, and (iii) Debt of any Foreign Subsidiary to another Foreign Subsidiary;

(e) Hedging Obligations (i) not for speculative purposes or (ii) incurred to satisfy Borrower’s obligations under Section 6.9 ;

(f) Debt described on Schedule 7.1 as of the Closing Date, and any extension, renewal, replacement, restructuring or refinancing thereof so long as the principal amount thereof is not increased (except by an amount of any accrued interest, fees and expenses, and premium paid in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement, restructuring and refinancing thereof);

 

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(g) Contingent Obligations arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustments or similar obligations in connection with dispositions permitted under Section 7.5 , Permitted Acquisitions or Investments permitted by Section 7.11 ;

(h) Permitted Seller Debt and Permitted Earn-Outs;

(i) Contingent Obligations (i) by endorsement of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business, (ii) consisting of guarantees of Debt incurred for the benefit of any other Loan Party if the primary obligation is permitted elsewhere in this Section 7.1 or (iii) with respect to statutory, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other similar obligations (including with respect to workers’ compensation claims);

(j) accrual and capitalization of interest on any Permitted Debt;

(k) Debt consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to former officers, directors, employees (or their estates, spouses or former spouses) of Borrower or Holdings to purchase or redeem capital stock of Borrower or Holdings upon termination of employment;

(l) Debt incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;

(m) Debt in respect of netting services, cash management services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts, so long as such Debt is incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Converted Subordinated Debt;

(o) Additional Subordinated Debt;

(p) other Debt, in addition to the Debt listed above, in an aggregate outstanding amount not at any time exceeding $2,500,000;

(q) an aggregate outstanding amount of Subordinated Debt (other than Permitted Seller Debt, Converted Subordinated Debt and Additional Subordinated Debt) not at any time exceeding $5,000,000;

(r) Contingent Obligations arising under guarantees by a Loan Party (other than Holdings) of (i) Debt or other obligations of any other Loan Party or (ii) Debt or other obligations of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, which Debt or other obligations are otherwise permitted hereunder and, in the case of clause (ii), when combined with Investments by a Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 7.11(a) , do not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate as reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by the amount of any Debt or other obligations made under this Section7.1(j) (ii)  or any Investment made under Section 7.11(s) ; provided that if such obligation is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent;

(s) Debt incurred by any Loan Party under customary agreements consisting of indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations entered into in connection with asset dispositions, Permitted Acquisitions and Investments permitted by Section7.11 , or from guarantees or letters of credit, securing the performance of any Obligor pursuant to such agreements, incurred or contracted for in connection with asset dispositions, Permitted Acquisitions and such permitted Investments;

 

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(t) Debt incurred by joint ventures or minority interests in the aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that all such Debt shall be non-recourse to any Loan Party;

(u) Debt representing deferred compensation, severance, pension and health and welfare retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to current and former employees of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or existing on the Closing Date;

(v) Debt consisting of liabilities under the HOPS software licenses; and

(w) Debt assumed or acquired by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided , that such Indebtedness exists at the time that such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement, other than with respect to the accrual of interest, fees or other similar costs imposed as a result of the refinancing) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof; provided , that such Debt, to the extent not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 7.1 does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

 

  7.2. Liens .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, create or permit to exist any Lien on any of its real or personal properties, assets or rights of whatsoever nature (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), except any of the following (“Permitted Liens”):

(a) Liens for Taxes or other governmental charges not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and the execution or other enforcement of which is effectively stayed;

(b) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business (such as (i) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, landlords, repairmen and materialmen and other similar Liens imposed by law and (ii) Liens incurred in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, deferred compensation, supplemental retirement plans and other types of social security (excluding Liens arising under ERISA) or in connection with surety bonds, bids, performance bonds and similar obligations or pledges or deposits in connection with insurance, leases, or other contracts or bids) for sums not overdue or being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and not involving any deposits or advances or borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and the execution or other enforcement of which is effectively stayed;

(c) Liens described on Schedule 7.2 as of the Closing Date, including replacement Liens on the property subject to such Liens on the Closing Date (and proceeds, products, accessions or substitutions thereof);

(d) subject to the limitation set forth in Section 7.1(c) , (i) Liens arising in connection with Capital Leases (and attaching only to the property being leased, proceeds, accessions and substitutions thereof), (ii) Liens existing on fixed assets at the time of the acquisition thereof by Borrower or any Subsidiary (and not created in contemplation of such acquisition) and (iii) Liens that constitute purchase money security interests on any fixed assets securing Debt incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property, provided that any such Lien attaches to such fixed assets within 90 days of the acquisition thereof and attaches solely to the fixed assets so acquired;

 

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(e) attachments, appeal bonds, judgments and other similar Liens, for sums not constituting an Event of Default arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that the execution or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the claims secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

(f) zoning restrictions, easements, rights of way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar Liens not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) Liens arising under the Loan Documents;

(h) the replacement, refinancing, restructuring, extension or renewal of any Lien permitted by clause (c) above upon or in the same property subject thereto (and proceeds thereof) arising out of the extension, renewal, refinancing, restructuring, or replacement of the Debt secured thereby (without increase in the amount thereof except accrued interest, fees and expenses, and premium paid in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement, restructuring and refinancing thereof);

(i) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(j) Any interest or title of a licensor, sublicensor, lessor or sublessor under any license or lease agreement (including licenses and leases pertaining to intellectual property) and any precautionary uniform commercial code financing statements filed in connection therewith granted to any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business to the extent limited to the item licensed, leased, sublicensed or subleased;

(k) Licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to third Persons in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Liens which arise under Article 4 of the UCC on items in collection and documents and proceeds related thereto;

(m) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Permitted Investments that constitute repurchase obligations;

(n) Rights of setoff or banker’s liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other deposit institutions to the extent permitted by the tri-party agreements required by Section 7.15 ;

(o) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising in the ordinary course of business and as a matter of law to secure the payment of customs duties in connection with importation of goods;

(p) Liens in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in the aggregate securing Permitted Debt or other obligations;

(q) earnest money deposits of cash or Cash Equivalent Investments made in good faith in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a transaction expressly permitted hereunder;

 

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(r) in the case of any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, any put and call arrangements or restrictions on disposition related to its Equity Interests set forth in its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreement to the extent payment thereof is otherwise permitted under the Loan Documents at the time such payment is due and owing; and

(s) Liens securing Debt permitted under Section 7.1(t) , and 7.1(w) .

 

  7.3. Reserved .

 

  7.4. Restricted Payments .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, (a) make any dividend or other distribution to any of its equity holders, in their capacity as equity holders, (b) purchase or redeem any of its equity interests or any warrants, options or other rights in respect thereof, (c) pay any management fees or similar fees to any of its equity holders or any Affiliate thereof, (d) make any redemption, prepayment (whether mandatory or optional), defeasance, repurchase or any other payment in respect of any Subordinated Debt or (e) set aside funds for any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

(i) any Subsidiary may pay dividends or make other distributions to Borrower or to a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower;

(ii) Borrower may make distributions to Holdings to permit Holdings (i) to pay federal and state income taxes then due and owing by Holdings (or its equity holders), so long as the amount of such distributions shall not be greater, nor the receipt by Borrower of tax benefits less, than they would have been had Borrower not filed consolidated income tax returns with Holdings and (ii) to pay franchise taxes necessary to maintain its existence or good corporate standing;

(iii) so long as no Event of Default under Sections 8.1.1 , 8.1.3 or 8.1.4 (as a result of a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.1.1 , 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 (and such Event of Default remains uncured for five (5) Business Days), or Sections 7.4 or 7.14 ) exists or would result therefrom, Borrower may pay (A) management fees to Manager or its affiliates in an aggregate amount not exceeding $434,500, payable in advance on a quarterly basis with respect to any fees which become due and payable after the date hereof; provided , that any fees which are not permitted to be paid as a result of the failure to comply with the provisions set forth in this clause (iii) shall accrue and may be paid once the conditions of this clause (iii) are met, (B) to Manager for the services of shared executives and consultants in an aggregate amount not exceeding $300,000 in any Fiscal Year, (C) transaction fees and related payment to Manager and management on the Closing Date and (D) fees and expenses to Sponsor and/or Manager in connection with a Qualified IPO; provided , that any unused amounts in (A) or (B) that are accrued and not paid in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward to succeeding years until such amounts are paid in cash;

(iv) Borrower may make payments to (A) Sponsor and Manager to reimburse the cost of transaction expenses not to exceed $50,000 in any Fiscal Year, (B) officers and directors who are affiliated with the Sponsor for expenses not to exceed $100,000 in any Fiscal Year, and (C) expenses and indemnifications to independent directors;

(v) Borrower may make payments to Sponsor with respect to indemnifications so long as no Event of Default then exists;

 

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(vi) Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries may make payments to allow any Loan Party to repurchase equity from former directors, officers or employees of any Loan Party, their estates, spouses, or former spouses in connection with the termination of such employee’s employment (or such director’s directorship) not to exceed $1,500,000 in the aggregate or $500,000 to any single such Person, and the Loan Parties may make distributions to their parent companies to effect such purchases and/or to make payments on any notes issued in connection with any such repurchase; provided however, that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such distribution;

(vii) any of Holdings, Borrower or Subsidiaries may make repurchases of capital stock of any Loan Party deemed to occur upon the cashless exercise of options or warrants;

(viii) Borrower may make payments to employees that are stockholders pursuant to the termination provisions of employment agreements;

(ix) Borrower and Holdings may fund the redemptions of preferred stock of Holdings (or other equivalent value securities of Holdings) or may repay the Converted Subordinated Debt so long as the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied and, to the extent such redemptions are made after the Closing Date, such redemptions are funded with the proceeds of Incremental Term Loans or Additional Subordinated Debt;

(x) Borrower and Holdings may make Permitted IPO Distributions;

(xi) so long as the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, Borrower and Holdings may fund the redemptions of preferred stock of Holdings (or other equivalent value securities of Holdings) or may repay the Converted Subordinated Debt in an amount equal to Excess Cash Flow for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year, times the difference between 100% and the ECF Percentage applicable to such Excess Cash Flow for such Fiscal Year (such payments to begin in the 2013 Fiscal Year with respect to Excess Cash Flow from the 2012 Fiscal Year; provided, that Excess Cash Flow for the 2012 Fiscal Year shall be limited to the period from April 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012);

(xii) so long as the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, Borrower and Holdings may, at any time, fund the redemptions of preferred stock of Holdings (or other equivalent value securities of Holdings) or may repay the Converted Subordinated Debt in an amount equal to the amount of unrestricted cash on the balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date in excess of $2,500,000;

(xiii) Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make payments of scheduled cash interest with respect to Permitted Seller Debt and Subordinated Debt as permitted by the Subordination provisions of such Debt;

(xiv) Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make scheduled payments with respect to Permitted Earn-Outs so long as (x) no Event of Default exists or would be caused thereby, (y) Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.14 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such payment, and (z) after making such payment Borrower has unused availability to borrow at least $5,000,000 of Revolving Loans; and

(xv) Borrower and Holdings may make non-cash distributions or conversions of equity, in the form of equity issuances.

 

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  7.5. Mergers; Consolidations; Asset Sales .

(a) Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, be a party to any merger or consolidation or liquidation, except for (i) any such merger or consolidation or liquidation of any Subsidiary into Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower and (ii) Permitted Acquisitions and (iii) any Consolidation Transaction.

(b) Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, sell, transfer, dispose of, convey or lease any of its assets or equity interests, or sell or assign with or without recourse any receivables, except for:

(i) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) sales, transfers and dispositions of assets (excluding any equity interests of Borrower or any Subsidiary) for at least fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of Borrower) so long as the value of all assets sold or otherwise disposed of in any Fiscal Year does not exceed $1,000,000;

(iii) the use of cash or Cash Equivalents in a manner not prohibited by the Loan Documents and the making of Investments otherwise permitted hereunder;

(iv) licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business not interfering with the business of the Loan Parties;

(v) sales, forgiveness or discounting, on a non-recourse basis and in the ordinary course of business, of past due accounts in connection with the collection or compromise thereof or the settlement of delinquent accounts or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;

(vi) the lapse, abandonment or other dispositions of intellectual property that is, in the reasonable good faith judgment of a Loan Party, no longer economically practicable or commercially desirable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries;

(vii) sales, licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business; and

(viii) dispositions resulting from any casualty or property or condemnation proceedings or events, provided the proceeds thereof are applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, as applicable.

(ix) dispositions of worn out, surplus or uneconomical assets;

(x) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions by any Loan Party to any other Loan Party;

(xi) the granting of Permitted Liens, the making of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 7.4 and the making of Investments permitted under Section 7.11 ;

(xii) the voluntary termination of any Hedging Obligations;

(xiii) cancellation of intercompany indebtedness owing by a Loan Party; and

 

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(xiv) Dispositions or transactions permitted in clause (a) above.

 

  7.6. Modification of Organizational Documents .

Not permit the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of Borrower or any other Loan Party to be amended or modified in any way which could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the interests of Agent or any Lender.

 

  7.7. Use of Proceeds .

Use the proceeds of the Loans, and the Letters of Credit, solely for working capital, for Permitted Acquisitions, for Capital Expenditures, for Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 and for other general business purposes of Borrower and the Subsidiaries and not use or permit any proceeds of any Loan to be used, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of “purchasing or carrying” any Margin Stock.

 

  7.8. Transactions with Affiliates .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into, or cause, suffer or permit to exist any transaction, arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates, except:

(i) transactions, arrangements and contracts which are on terms which are not less favorable to it or such other Loan Party than are obtainable from any Person which is not one of its Affiliates;

(ii) transactions, arrangements, fees, reimbursements and indemnities as expressly permitted by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(iii) as set forth on Schedule 7.8 hereto;

(iv) Compensation, expense reimbursement and indemnities to officers, employees, consultants and directors;

(v) Issuances of stock, options and warrants therefore;

(vi) Expense reimbursement and indemnities to Affiliates to the extent permitted in this Agreement;

(vii) Employment agreements and agreements incidental thereto entered into with officers and employees of the Loan Parties;

(viii) Any Consolidation Transaction; and

(ix) transactions among Loan Parties and transactions among Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

 

  7.9. Inconsistent Agreements .

Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any agreement containing any provision which would (a) be violated or breached by any borrowing by Borrower hereunder or by the performance by Borrower or any other Loan Party of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, except where

 

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such violation or breach would not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.1.2 and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) prohibit Borrower or any other Loan Party from granting to Agent and Lenders a Lien on any of its Collateral or (c) create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any other Loan Party to (i) pay dividends or make other distributions to Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or pay any Debt owed to Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to Borrower or any other Loan Party or (iii) transfer any of its assets or properties to Borrower or any other Loan Party other than (A) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of all or a substantial part of the capital stock or assets of any Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (B) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to purchase money Debt, Capital Leases and other secured Debt permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the Person obligated on such Debt or property or assets securing such Debt, (C) customary provisions in leases, licenses and other contracts restricting the assignment, licensing, subletting or transfer thereof, (D) provisions in joint venture agreements and similar agreements relating to joint ventures as they relate to clauses (b), (c)(i) and (c)(iii) above, (E) restrictions on cash earnest money deposits in favor of sellers in connection with Acquisitions not prohibited hereunder, (F) customary restrictions in documents, instruments and agreements evidencing Subordinated Debt (other than Permitted Earn Outs) restrictions imposed by applicable law or (G) encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, replacement of any of the foregoing so long as such encumbrances or restrictions, taken as a whole, are not more restrictive than those prior to such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, or replacements.

 

  7.10. Business Activities .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, engage in any line of business other than the businesses engaged in on the Closing Date and businesses reasonably ancillary, related, similar or complementary thereto.

 

  7.11. Investments .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, make or permit to exist any Investment in any other Person, except the following (each a “Permitted Investment”):

(a) contributions by (i) Holdings to Borrower, or (ii) Borrower to the capital of any Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower, or by any Subsidiary to the capital of any other Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower, so long as the recipient of any such capital contribution has guaranteed the Obligations and such guaranty is secured by a pledge of all of its equity interests and substantially all of its real and personal property which constitute Collateral, in each case in accordance with Section 6.8 ;

(b) Investments constituting Debt permitted by Section 7.1(c) ;

(c) Contingent Obligations constituting Debt permitted by Section 7.1 or Liens permitted by Section 7.2 ;

(d) cash and Cash Equivalent Investments, and receivables and trade credit created in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

(e) bank deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(f) Investments in securities of Account Debtors received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such Account Debtors or acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent Accounts in the ordinary course of business;

(g) Loans to employees, officers, and directors to buy capital stock of parent companies of the Loan Parties;

(h) Investments in Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date and Investments listed on Schedule 7.11 as of the Closing Date and replacements, refinancing, extensions and renewals thereof that do not increase the outstanding amount thereof (except by an amount of any accrued interest, fees and expenses, and premium paid in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement, restructuring and refinancing thereof);

(i) any purchase or other acquisition by Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower of the assets or equity interests of any Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower;

(j) Investments consisting of promissory notes issued to Holdings by officers, directors and employees which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase equity securities of Holdings;

(k) deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers and deposits in connection with lease obligations, taxes, insurance and similar items, in each case made in the ordinary course of business and securing contractual obligations of a Loan Party, in each case to the extent constituting a Permitted Lien;

(l) Investments in prepaid expenses, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits, each as entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(m) Loans to senior executives which are matched by performance based deferred compensation accounts in lieu of cash bonuses and which are used to purchase stock of Holdings;

(n) Hedging Obligations;

(o) A loan or an Investment that could otherwise be made as a distribution permitted under Section 7.4 (with a commensurate reduction of the ability to make additional distributions under such section);

(p) Accretions and accruals of value on the above Investments;

(q) other Investments (other than Investments in bank deposits that are maintained in banks that are not subject to control agreements as required under Section 7.15 ), loans and advances in addition to those otherwise permitted by this Section to the extent the aggregate amount of such other Investments, loans and advances made after the date hereof and not repaid does not exceed $2,500,000 in the aggregate;

(r) Permitted Acquisitions;

(s) Investments to the extent made or paid with the net proceeds of Excluded Issuances;

(t) extensions of trade credit by the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(u) non-cash consideration received in connection with Dispositions to the extent permitted hereunder;

(v) Investments in joint ventures not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and

(w) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit;

(x) any Consolidation Transaction; and

(y) Issuances guaranty obligations permitted hereunder.

 

  7.12. Restriction of Amendments to Certain Documents .

Not amend or otherwise modify, or waive any rights under any provisions of any Subordinated Debt, other than amendments, modifications and waivers which are permitted by the subordination agreement or subordination terms applicable thereto.

 

  7.13. Fiscal Year .

Not change its Fiscal Year without the consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

  7.14. Financial Covenants .

 

  7.14.1. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio .

Not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as calculated on the last day of any Computation for the period of such Computation Period, commencing with the Computation Period ending June 30, 2012, to be less than 1.20:1.0.

 

  7.14.2. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio .

Not permit the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio as of the last day of any Computation Period, commencing with the Computation Period ending June 30, 2012, to exceed the 3.25:1.0.

 

  7.14.3. Equity Cure Right .

(a) At any time on or after the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2012, in the event of a failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 7.14.1 , and 7.14.2 above with respect to a Computation Period, Borrower shall have the right, so long as Borrower delivers Agent an irrevocable, express, binding written notice that it shall exercise such right within 3 Business Days after the delivery of the Compliance Certificate delivered corresponding to such Computation Period pursuant to Section 6.1.3 and so long as Borrower consummates the exercise of such right pursuant to the procedures described in this Section 7.14.3 within 30 days subsequent to the date the Compliance Certificate corresponding to such Computation Period is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1.3 (the “ Investment Period ”), to deem any prepayment of the Term Loans actually made after the end of such Computation Period but prior to the end of such Investment Period (a “ Cure Amount ”) as being a dollar-for-dollar increase to the amount of EBITDA for the last Fiscal Quarter of such Computation Period (which increase to EBITDA shall be deemed to have occurred solely for purposes of determining Borrower’s compliance with the financial covenants in Sections 7.14.1 , and 7.14.2 and not

 

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for any other purpose with respect to which EBITDA is calculated under this Agreement). It is agreed and understood that any such prepayment of the Term Loans shall not be deemed to reduce Total Debt as of the last day of such Computation Period for purposes of determining Borrower’s compliance with the financial covenants in Sections 7.14.2 . Any exercise of the equity cure rights set forth in this Section 7.14.3 shall be conditioned upon the prepayment of the Term Loans being funded solely with Net Cash Proceeds received by Holdings concurrently with the making of such prepayment from the issuance of equity (having no mandatory redemptions or payments) by Holdings to its equity holders. Upon Agent’s receipt of such Cure Amount, the financial covenants set forth in Sections 7.14.1 , and 7.14.2 above with respect to such Computation Period shall, as applicable, be recalculated based on the election made by Borrower pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7.14.3 and if, after giving effect to such recalculation, Borrower shall then be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 7.14.1 , and 7.14.2 above with respect to such Computation Period, Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied such financial covenants with respect to such Computation Period with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of such financial covenants which had occurred with respect to such Computation Period shall be deemed cured for all purposes of the Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding clause (a) above in this Section 7.14.3 , (i) no Cure Amount shall be greater than 100% of the amount necessary to eliminate the breach of the applicable financial covenant, (ii) the aggregate amount of all Cure Amounts at any time shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the EBITDA of the Loan Parties for the most recent Computation Period ending on or prior to such time (without taking into account any Cure Amounts included in such calculation), (iii) Borrower may not exercise the equity cure right under this Section 7.14.3 more than four (4) times during the term of this Agreement, and (iv) Borrower may not exercise the equity cure right under this Section 7.14.3 for any two (2) consecutive Fiscal Quarters.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 7.14.3 or elsewhere in this Agreement, for purpose of testing compliance with any of Sections 7.14.1 , and 7.14.2 for any subsequent Computation Period that includes the last Fiscal Quarter of the Computation Period in respect of which an equity cure has been exercised as described above, (i) EBITDA shall be deemed increased by the amount of such Cure Amount for purposes of calculating such financial covenants for such subsequent Computation Period, and (ii) the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio for purposes of calculation compliance with Sections 7.14.2 shall be calculated without giving effect to the reduction to Total Debt resulting from such prepayment of the Term Loans and (iii) any increase in EBITDA that occurs as a result of the exercise of the equity cure rights described herein shall not be deemed to have occurred when calculating EBITDA for any purpose under this Agreement other than determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 7.14.1 and 7.14.2 . Agent and Lenders agree that during any Investment Period, they will not be entitled to treat any applicable financial covenant breach or default as the basis for any enforcement action under this Agreement including without limitation the imposition of a default rate of interest, except that Agent and Lenders may treat such default or breach as an Event of Default hereunder for purposes of Section 4.2 .

 

  7.15. Bank Accounts .

Not, and not permit any other Loan Party, to maintain or establish any deposit accounts, securities accounts or similar accounts (except for Exempt Accounts) (a) without prior written notice to Agent of the establishment of such account (other than such accounts listed on Schedule 5.22) and (b) unless Agent, Borrower or such other applicable Loan Party and the bank or other financial institution at which the account is to be opened enter into a tri-party account control agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent. It is agreed and understood that the foregoing requirement to deliver a tri-party account agreement shall not apply to any Exempt Account.

 

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Section 8. Events of Default; Remedies .

 

  8.1. Events of Default .

Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

  8.1.1. Non-Payment of Credit .

Default in the payment when due of the principal of any Loan; or default, and continuance thereof for 3 days, in the payment when due of any other Obligations, including any interest, fee, reimbursement obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit or other amount payable by any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

  8.1.2. Default Under Other Debt .

Any default shall occur under the terms applicable to any Debt (other than the Obligations) of any Loan Party in an aggregate amount (for all such Debt so affected and including undrawn committed or available amounts and amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) exceeding $2,500,000 and such default shall (a) consist of the failure to pay such Debt when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, unless such payment is prohibited by this Agreement or (b) accelerate the maturity of such Debt or permit the holder or holders thereof, or any trustee or agent for such holder or holders, to cause such Debt to become due and payable (or require Borrower or any other Loan Party to purchase or redeem such Debt or post cash collateral in respect thereof) prior to its expressed maturity.

 

  8.1.3. Bankruptcy; Insolvency .

(a) Any Loan Party becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or refusal to pay, debts as they become due; or

(b) Any Loan Party applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or other custodian for such Loan Party or any property thereof, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or other custodian is appointed for any Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property of any thereof and is not discharged within 60 days; or any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceeding, is commenced in respect of any Loan Party, and if such case or proceeding is not commenced by such Loan Party, it is consented to or acquiesced in by such Loan Party, or remains for 60 days undismissed; or any Loan Party takes any action to authorize, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

 

  8.1.4. Non-Compliance with Loan Documents .

(a) Failure by Borrower to comply with or to perform any covenant set forth in Sections 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.5(a), 6.3(b) and 6.3(c), 6.5, 6.9 and Section 7 and; provided that the failure to comply with the covenants in Sections 7.14.1 and 7.14.2 shall be subject to the cure right as set forth in Section 7.14.3 , (b) the failure by Borrower to comply with or to perform any covenant set forth in Section 6.1.7 and the continuance of such failure for 5 Business Days after notice thereof by Agent, or (c) any Loan Party to comply with or to perform any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document applicable to it (and not constituting an Event of Default under any other provision of this Section 8 and continuance of such failure described in this clause (b) for 30 days after the earlier to occur of (i) any Authorized Officer of any Loan Party obtaining knowledge of any such failure, or (ii) the delivery of notice thereof to Borrower by Agent or the Required Lenders.

 

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  8.1.5. Representations; Warranties .

Any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party herein or any other Loan Document is breached or is false or misleading in any material respect, or any schedule, certificate, financial statement, report, notice or other writing furnished by any Loan Party to Agent or any Lender in connection herewith is false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which the facts therein set forth are stated or certified; provided that it is acknowledged and agreed that projections as to future events provided by the Loan Parties are not to be viewed as facts or as a guarantee of performance or achievement of a particular result, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties, no assurances can be given that such projections will be realized and actual results during the periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ significantly from projected or forecasted results and such differences may be material).

 

  8.1.6. Pension Plans .

(a) Institution of any steps by any Person to terminate a Pension Plan if as a result of such termination Borrower or any Loan Party could be required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan, or could incur a liability or obligation to such Pension Plan, (x) in an amount that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) which does not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien; (b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under ERISA with respect to the assets of Borrower or any Loan Party; or (c) there shall occur any complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Pension Plan and the withdrawal liability (without unaccrued interest) to Multiemployer Pension Plans as a result of such withdrawal (including any outstanding withdrawal liability that Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Controlled Group have incurred on the date of such withdrawal) (x) in an amount that could not reasonably be expected to results in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) which does not result in the creation of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien.

 

  8.1.7. Judgments .

Final judgments which exceed an aggregate of $5,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party and shall not have been paid, discharged or vacated or had execution thereof stayed pending appeal within 45 days after entry or filing of such judgments.

 

  8.1.8. Invalidity of Collateral Documents .

Any Collateral Document shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms); or any Loan Party (or any Person by, through or on behalf of any Loan Party) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Collateral Document.

 

  8.1.9. Invalidity of Subordination Provisions .

Any subordination provision in any document or instrument governing Subordinated Debt or any subordination provision in any subordination agreement that relates to any Subordinated Debt, or any subordination provision in any guaranty by any Loan Party of any Subordinated Debt, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Person (including the holder of any applicable Subordinated Debt) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any such provision.

 

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  8.1.10. Change of Control .

(a) Sponsor and its Investment Affiliates shall collectively cease to, directly or indirectly, prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, (i) own and control more than 50% of the outstanding equity interests of Holdings held by Sponsor and its Investment Affiliates on the Closing Date (as adjusted for stock dividends, subdivisions, combinations, reclassifications or the like and excluding the effect of any preferred stock redemptions permitted hereunder) or (ii) possess the right to elect (through contract, ownership of voting securities or otherwise) at all times a majority of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings and to direct the management policies and decisions of Holdings, (b) after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the Closing Date) other than Permitted Holders shall have acquired more than 35% beneficial ownership in Holdings’ voting equity interests, (c) after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, a majority of Holdings’ board of directors (or similar governing body) shall cease to consist of the directors (or similar parties) of Holdings on the Closing Date and other directors (or similar parties) whose nomination for election to Holdings’ board of directors (or similar governing body) is recommended by at least a majority of the foregoing described directors (or similar parties), (d) Holdings shall cease to directly own and control 100% of each class of the outstanding equity interests of Borrower, other than in connection with the Consolidated Transactions or (e) a “Change of Control” or other similar event shall occur, as defined in, or under, any documentation evidencing or otherwise relating to any Subordinated Debt having a principal in excess of $2,000,000.

 

  8.1.11. Activities of Holdings .

Holdings (i) conducts any business other than its ownership of equity securities of Borrower and other business expressly permitted hereunder including a Qualified IPO and performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents or other agreements permitted hereunder, or (ii) incurs any Debt or liabilities other than as expressly permitted under the Loan Documents and other liabilities incidental to the conduct of its business as a holding company (other than liabilities incurred as a result of the maintenance of its legal existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance), financing activities, the issuance of securities, incurrence of debt, payment of dividends, making contributions to the capital of the Borrower and guaranteeing the obligations of the Borrower and its other subsidiaries, participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group and providing indemnification to officers, managers and directors and any activities incidental or reasonably related to the foregoing, in each case, to the extent not prohibited by the terms of the Loan Documents).

 

  8.2. Remedies .

If any Event of Default described in Section 8.1.3(b) shall occur, the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans and all other Obligations shall become immediately due and payable and Borrower shall become immediately obligated to provide Letter of Credit Collateralization for all Letters of Credit, all without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind; and, if any other Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Agent, upon the written request of Required Lenders, shall declare the Commitments to be terminated in whole or in part and/or declare all or any part of the Loans and other Obligations to be due and payable and/or demand that Borrower immediately provide Letter of Credit Collateralization for all or any Letters of Credit, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately terminate (or be reduced, as applicable) and/or the Loans and other Obligations shall become immediately due and payable (in whole or in part, as applicable) and/or Borrower shall immediately become obligated to provide Letter of Credit Collateralization for the Letters of Credit (all or any, as applicable), all without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind. Agent shall promptly advise Borrower of any such declaration, but failure to do so shall not impair the effect of such declaration. Any cash collateral delivered hereunder shall be held by Agent (without liability for interest thereon) and applied to

 

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Obligations arising in connection with any drawing under a Letter of Credit (but, if not otherwise applied to the Obligations, shall promptly be returned to Borrower once all Events of Default have been cured or waived or as a court of competent jurisdiction may elect). After the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, such cash collateral shall be applied by Agent to any remaining Obligations and any excess shall be delivered to Borrower or as a court of competent jurisdiction may elect.

 

Section 9. Agent .

 

  9.1. Appointment; Authorization .

(a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have 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 Agent.

(b) Issuing Lender shall act on behalf of Lenders (according to their Pro Rata Revolving Share) with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith. Issuing Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to Agent in this Section 9 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by Issuing Lender in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the applications and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent”, as used in this Section 9 , included Issuing Lender with respect to such acts or omissions and (ii) as additionally provided in this Agreement with respect to Issuing Lender.

 

  9.2. Delegation of Duties .

Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with reasonable care. Without limiting the generality of the powers of Agent, as set forth above, Agent is hereby authorized to act as collateral agent for each Lender pursuant to each of the Loan Documents. In such capacity, Agent has the right to exercise all rights and remedies available under the Loan Documents, the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law, as directed by the Required Lenders, which rights and remedies shall include, in the event of a foreclosure by Agent on any portion of the Collateral, whether pursuant to a public or private sale, the right of Agent, as agent for all Lenders, to be, or form an acquisition entity to be, the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale. Agent, as agent for all Lenders, shall be entitled at any such sale to offset any of the Obligations against the purchase price payable by Agent (or such acquisition entity) at such sale or to otherwise consent to a reduction of the Obligations as consideration to the applicable Loan Party in connection with such sale. Agent shall have the authority to take such other actions as it may deem necessary or desirable, and as may be approved by Required Lenders, to consummate a sale of the type described in the immediately preceding sentences. Agent shall have the authority to accept non-cash consideration in connection with the sale or other disposition of the Collateral, whether the purchaser is Agent, an entity formed by Agent as described above or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the powers of Agent, as set forth above, in the context of any bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding involving any Loan Party, Agent is hereby authorized to, at the direction of Required Lenders: (i) file proofs of claim and other documents on behalf of the Lenders, (ii) object or consent to the use of

 

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cash collateral, (iii) object or consent to any proposed debtor-in-possession financing, whether provided by one or more of the Lenders or any other Person and whether secured by Liens with priority over the Liens securing the Obligations or otherwise, (iv) object or consent to any sale of Collateral, including sales for non-cash consideration in satisfaction of a portion of the Obligations, as may be agreed to by Required Lenders on behalf of all Lenders, (v) to be, or form an acquisition entity to be, the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale under clause (iv) and to offset any of the Obligations against the purchase price payable by Agent (or such acquisition entity) at such sale or to otherwise consent to a reduction of the Obligations as consideration to the applicable Loan Party in connection with such sale, and (vi) seek, object or consent to any Loan Party’s provision of adequate protection of the interests of Agent and/or the Lenders in the Collateral.

 

  9.3. Limited Liability .

None of Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except to the extent resulting from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any Lender for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Loan Party or Affiliate of any Loan Party, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest therein), or for any failure of any Loan Party or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. Agent shall not 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 or Affiliate of any Loan Party.

 

  9.4. Reliance .

Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, statement or other document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to any Loan Party), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent. 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 Required Lenders (or all Lenders if expressly required hereunder) as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, confirmation from Lenders of their obligation to indemnify Agent against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of Required Lenders (or all Lenders if expressly required hereunder) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon each Lender.

 

  9.5. Notice of Default .

Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to Agent for the account of Lenders, unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. Agent will notify Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or any such

 

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default in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to Agent for the account of Lenders. Agent shall take such action with respect to such Event of Default or Default as may be requested by Required Lenders in accordance with Section 8.2 ; provided that unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Event of Default or Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of Lenders.

 

  9.6. Credit Decision .

Each Lender acknowledges that Agent has not made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrower and the other Loan Parties, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of an investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower and the other Loan Parties, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrower hereunder. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent 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 investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial or other condition or creditworthiness of any Loan Party which may come into the possession of Agent.

 

  9.7. Indemnification .

Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each Lender shall indemnify upon demand Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so), based on such Lender’s Pro Rata Share, from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses, including Legal Costs, except to the extent any thereof result from the applicable Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Legal Costs) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrower. The undertaking in this Section 9.7 shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit, any foreclosure under, or modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Collateral Documents, termination of this Agreement and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

  9.8. Agent Individually .

Madison and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with any Loan Party and any Affiliate of any Loan Party as though Madison were not Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of any Lender. Each Lender

 

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acknowledges that, pursuant to such activities, Madison or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Loan Parties or their Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of any such Loan Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to their Loans (if any), Madison and its Affiliates shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though Madison were not Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include Madison and its Affiliates, to the extent applicable, in their individual capacities.

 

  9.9. Successor Agent .

Agent may resign as Agent at any time upon 30 days’ prior notice to Lenders and Borrower (unless such notice is waived by Required Lenders). If Agent resigns under this Agreement, Required Lenders shall, with the consent of Borrower (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and shall not be required if an Event of Default under Sections 8.1.1 , 8.1.3 or 8.1.4 (with respect to Section 8.1.4 , as a result of a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.1.1 , 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 (and such Event of Default remains uncured for five (5) Business Days) or Sections 7.4 or 7.14 ), exists), appoint from among Lenders a successor agent for Lenders. If no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with Lenders and (so long as no Event of Default exists under Sections 8.1.1 , 8.1.3 or 8.1.4 (with respect to Section 8.1.4 , as a result of a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.1.1 , 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 (and such Event of Default remains uncured for five (5) Business Days) or Sections 7.4 or 7.14 ), Borrower, a successor agent. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor agent, and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 and Sections 10.4 and 10.5 shall continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.

 

  9.10. Collateral and Guarantee Matters .

Lenders consent and irrevocably authorize Agent, at its option and in its discretion, (a) to release any Lien granted to or held by Agent under any Collateral Document (i) when all Obligations have been Paid in Full and the Revolving Loan Commitments have been terminated; (ii) constituting property sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder (including by consent, waiver or amendment and it being agreed and understood that Agent may conclusively rely without further inquiry on a certificate of an officer of Borrower as to the sale or other disposition of property being made in compliance with this Agreement); or (iii) subject to Section 10.1 , if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Required Lenders; (b) notwithstanding Section 10.1(a)(ii) hereof to release any party from its guaranty under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (i) when all Obligations have been Paid in Full and the Revolving Loan Commitments have been terminated, or (ii) if such party was sold or is to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder (including by consent, waiver or amendment and it being agreed and understood that Agent may conclusively rely without further inquiry on a certificate of an officer of Borrower as to the sale or other disposition being made in compliance with this Agreement); or (c) to subordinate its interest in any Collateral to any holder of a Lien on such Collateral which is permitted by clause (d)(i) or (d)(iii) of Section 7.2 (it being understood that Agent may conclusively rely on a certificate from Borrower in determining whether the Debt secured by any such Lien is permitted by Section 7.1(b) ). Upon request by Agent at any time, Required Lenders or all Lenders, as applicable, will confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release, or subordinate its interest in, particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 9.10 .

 

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  9.11. Subordinated Debt .

So long as the terms thereof are consistent with the requirements therefor set forth in this Agreement, or otherwise with the consent of Required Lenders, each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Agent to enter into the any subordination or intercreditor agreement pertaining to any Subordinated Debt, on its behalf and to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of any such agreement (subject to the last sentence of this Section 9.11 ). Each Lender further agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of any subordination or intercreditor agreement pertaining to any Subordinated Debt. Each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to issue blockages notices in connection with any Subordinated Debt at the direction of Required Lenders (it being agreed and understood that Agent will not act unilaterally to issue such blockage notices).

 

  9.12. Actions in Concert .

For the sake of clarity, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document (including exercising any rights of setoff) without first obtaining the prior written consent of Agent and Required Lenders, it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Agent or Required Lenders.

 

  9.13. Additional Titled Agents

Except for rights and powers, if any, expressly reserved under this Agreement to any arranger or to any titled agent named on the cover page of this Agreement, other than Agent (collectively, the “Additional Titled Agents”), and except for obligations, liabilities, duties and responsibilities, if any, expressly assumed under this Agreement by any Additional Titled Agent, no Additional Titled Agent, in such capacity, has any rights, powers, liabilities, duties or responsibilities hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, no Additional Titled Agent shall have nor be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. At any time that any Lender serving as an Additional Titled Agent shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any Affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans and in the Commitment, such Lender shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Additional Titled Agent.

 

  9.14. Secured Hedging Obligations .

Each Person that has an interest in any Secured Hedging Obligations acknowledges and agrees that neither Agent or any Lender owes such Person, solely by virtue of its interest in such Secured Hedging Obligations, any duty under the Loan Documents (except that any payments in respect of the Obligations and proceeds of Collateral, in each case received by Agent, shall be applied as provided in Section 2.12.2 ) and such Person, solely by virtue of its interest in such Secured Hedging Obligations, has no voting or consent rights under the Loan Documents (including Section 10 of this Agreement). Agent shall be entitled to assume no amounts are due or owing in respect of Secured Hedging Obligations to any Person with an interest in any Secured Hedging Obligation unless such Person has provided a written certification (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) to Agent as to the amounts that are due and owing to it and such written certification is received by Agent a reasonable period of time prior to the making of any distribution pursuant to Section 2.12.2 . Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Secured Hedging Obligations, but may rely upon the written certification of the amount due and payable from the Person with the interest in such Secured Hedging

 

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Obligations. In the absence of an updated certification, Agent shall be entitled to assume that the amount due and payable to such Person is the amount last certified to Agent by such Person as being due and payable (less any distributions made by Agent to such Person on account thereof).

 

  9.15. Limited Application to Loan Parties .

Except with respect to Borrower’s consent rights under Section 9.9 , the provisions of this Section 9 are solely among, the Agent, the Lenders, and the Issuing Lender and the Borrower shall not be considered bound thereby or a party thereto.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous .

 

  10.1. Waiver; Amendments .

(a) No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (or any subordination and intercreditor agreement or other subordination provisions relating to any Subordinated Debt) shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Borrower (with respect to Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party) and by Lenders having aggregate Pro Rata Shares of not less than the aggregate Pro Rata Shares expressly designated herein with respect thereto or, in the absence of such express designation herein, by Required Lenders (or the Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders), and then any such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that:

(i) no such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders directly affected thereby, in addition to Required Lenders and Borrower, do any of the following: (1) increase any of the Commitments ( provided , that only the Lenders participating in any such increase of the Commitments shall be considered directly affected by such increase), (2) extend the date scheduled for payment of any principal of (except as otherwise expressly set forth below in clause (iii) of this Section 10.1(a) and provided that only Lenders participating in the extension of the date scheduled for payment shall be considered directly affected by such change) or interest on the Loans or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, or (3) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, the amount or rate of interest thereon ( provided , that Required Lenders may rescind an imposition of default interest pursuant to Section 2.7.1 ), or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents;

(ii) no such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders in addition to Borrower (with respect to Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party), do any of the following: (1) release any party from its guaranty under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or all or substantially all of the Collateral granted under the Collateral Documents, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (2) change the definition of Required Lenders, (3) change any provision of this Section 10.1 , (4) amend the provisions of Section 2.12.2 , or (5) reduce the aggregate Pro Rata Shares required to effect any amendment, modification, waiver or consent under the Loan Documents; and

(iii) no such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Lenders having a majority of the aggregate Pro Rata Shares of the Term Loans affected thereby (without the additional need for approval by Required Lenders), in addition to Borrower, amend, modify or waive Sections 2.10.2 or 2.10.3 with respect to the timing or application of mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing for purposes of amendments, modifications or waivers of, or consent with respect to, matters set forth in clause (i) (other than subclause (1) thereunder to the extent such amendment or modification seeks to increase such Lender’s Commitments), (ii) and (iii) above, FTP Credit Holdings LLC shall have no voting rights or consent rights (and its Pro Rata Shares shall be excluded from the calculation of the necessary votes required thereunder); provided that the rights and obligations of FTP Credit Holdings LLC may not, in the context of any amendment modification, waiver or consent, be treated differently than those of the other Lenders holding the same tranche of Loans without the prior written consent of FTP Holdings LLC. The foregoing limitations shall not apply to any Lender (other than an Affiliate of FTP Holdings LLC) which has taken an assignment of Loans previously held by FTP Holdings LLC in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.8.1 .

(b) No amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, in addition to Borrower and Required Lenders (or all Lenders directly affected thereby or all of the Lenders, as the case may be in accordance with the provisions above), affect the rights, privileges, duties or obligations of Agent (including without limitation under the provisions of Section 9 ) or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. No amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or any Loan Document altering the ratable treatment of Secured Hedging Obligations and resulting in such Secured Hedging Obligations becoming unsecured (other than pursuant to releases of Liens permitted in accordance with the terms hereof), shall be effective without the written consent of the applicable holder of such Secured Hedging Obligations, so long as such holder of the Secured Hedging Obligations or its Affiliate is a Lender party hereto.

(c) No delay on the part of Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by any of them of any right, power or remedy preclude other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, it is agreed and understood as follows with respect to Limited Voting Lenders and Defaulting Lenders:

(i) all Limited Voting Lenders and Defaulting Lenders (and their respective Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Loan Commitment, Revolving Outstandings and Term Loans, as applicable) shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders, and shall not have voting rights with respect to any matters requiring the approval of Required Lenders;

(ii) no Limited Voting Lender or Defaulting Lender shall be considered a “Lender” for purposes of the proviso to the definition of the term “Required Lenders”;

(iii) no Limited Voting Lender or Defaulting Lender shall have any voting rights under clause (2) of Section 10.1(a)(i) ) or clause (1), (2) or (4) of Section 10.1(a)(ii) ; and

(iv) any Term Loans held by a Limited Voting Lender or a Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of determining any approval to be provided pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(iii) , and no Limited Voting Lender or Defaulting Lender shall have any voting rights under Section 10.1(a)(iii) .

 

  10.2. Notices .

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 , all notices hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile or other electronic (including .pdf) transmission) and shall be sent to the applicable party at its address shown on Annex II or at such other address as such party may, by written notice

 

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received by the other parties, have designated as its address for such purpose. Notices sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent; notices sent by mail shall be deemed to have been given three Business Days after the date when sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid; and notices sent by hand delivery or overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received. For purposes of Sections 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 , Agent shall be entitled to rely on telephonic instructions from any person that Agent in good faith believes is an Authorized Officer of Borrower, and Borrower shall hold Agent and each other Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense resulting from any such reliance (other than any loss, cost or expense resulting from the gross negligence of Agent or such Lender as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). Borrower and Lenders each hereby acknowledge that, from time to time, Agent may deliver information and notices to Lenders using the internet service “Intralinks” or electronic mail. Each of Borrower and each Lender hereby agree that Agent may, in its discretion, utilize Intralinks or electronic mail for such purpose.

 

  10.3. Computations .

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any accounting term used in this Agreement (including in Section 7.14 or any related definition) shall have the meaning customarily given such term in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations (including pursuant to Section 7.14 and the related definitions, and with respect to the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense, or any consolidation or other accounting computation) hereunder shall be computed in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided that if Borrower notifies Agent that Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Section 7.14 (or any related definition) to eliminate or to take into account the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if Agent notifies Borrower that Required Lenders wish to amend Section 7.14 (or any related definition) for such purpose), then Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant (or related definition) is amended in a manner satisfactory to Borrower and Required Lenders. The explicit qualification of terms or computations by the phrase “in accordance with GAAP” shall in no way be construed to limit the foregoing. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (Codification of Accounting Standards 825-10) to value any Debt or other liabilities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

 

  10.4. Costs; Expenses .

Borrower agrees to pay promptly following written demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agent, solely in Agent’s capacity as Agent hereunder (including Legal Costs) in connection with the preparation, execution, syndication, delivery and administration (including perfection and protection of Collateral) of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents provided for herein or delivered or to be delivered hereunder or in connection herewith (including any proposed or actual amendment, supplement or waiver to any Loan Document), and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including Legal Costs) incurred by Agent and each Lender, solely in their capacities as Agent or Lenders hereunder, after an Event of Default in connection with the collection of the Obligations and enforcement of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any such other documents. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay (promptly following written demand), and to save Agent and Lenders harmless from all liability for, any fees of Borrower’s auditors in connection with any reasonable exercise by Agent and Lenders of their rights pursuant to Section 6.2 (subject to the limitations set forth therein). All Obligations provided for in this Section 10.4 shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and termination of this Agreement).

 

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  10.5. Indemnification by Borrower .

In consideration of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Agent and Lenders and the agreement to extend the Commitments provided hereunder, Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, exonerate and hold Agent, each Lender and each of the officers, directors, employees, Affiliates and agents of Agent and each Lender, solely in their capacity as Agent or Lender under this Agreement (in such capacity, each a “ Lender Party ”) free and harmless from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses, including Legal Costs (collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), incurred by Lender Parties or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any tender offer, merger, purchase of equity interests, purchase of assets or other similar transaction financed or proposed to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any of the Loans, (b) the use, handling, release, emission, discharge, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substance at any property owned or leased by Borrower or any other Loan Party, (c) any violation of any Environmental Laws with respect to conditions at any property owned or leased by any Loan Party or the operations conducted thereon, (d) the investigation, cleanup or remediation of offsite locations at which any Loan Party or their respective predecessors are alleged to have directly or indirectly disposed of Hazardous Substances or (e) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any Lender Party, except to the extent any such Indemnified Liabilities result from the applicable Lender Party’s or its officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason, Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. All Obligations provided for in this Section 10.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit, any foreclosure under, or any modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Collateral Documents and termination of this Agreement.

 

  10.6. Marshaling; Payments Set Aside .

Neither Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of Borrower or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that Borrower makes a payment or payments to Agent or any Lender, or Agent or any Lender enforces its Liens or exercises its rights of set-off, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or set-off or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Agent or any Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party in connection with any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding, or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation hereunder or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to Agent upon demand its ratable share of the total amount so recovered from or repaid by Agent to the extent paid to such Lender.

 

  10.7. Nonliability of Lenders .

The relationship between Borrower on the one hand and Lenders and Agent on the other hand shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary responsibility to Borrower. Neither Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to Borrower to review or inform Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of Borrower’s business or operations. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability with respect to, and Borrower hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue for, any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages or liabilities.

 

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  10.8. Assignments; Participations .

 

  10.8.1. Assignments .

(a) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Persons other than Sponsor or any Affiliate (except as set forth below) thereof (any such Person, an “ Assignee ”) all or any portion of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments, with the prior written consent of Agent, Issuing Lender (for an assignment of the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Loan Commitment) and, so long as no Event of Default under Sections 8.1.1 , 8.1.3 or 8.1.4 (as a result of a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.1.1 , 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 (and such Event of Default remains uncured for five (5) Business Days), or Sections 7.4 or 7.14 ) exists, Borrower (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and shall not be required (i) from Borrower for an assignment by a Lender to another Lender (other than FTP Credit Holdings LLC) or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender or (ii) from Agent for an assignment by a Lender to an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender). Except as Agent may otherwise agree, any such assignment (other than any assignment by a Lender to a Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of a Lender) shall be in a minimum aggregate amount equal to $2,000,000 (or, $1,000,000, in the case of the Term B Loan) or, if less, the remaining Commitment or the principal amount held by the assignor of the Loan being assigned or other amounts acceptable to Agent, it being agreed that concurrent assignments to entities that are Related Funds after giving effect thereto will be treated as one assignment for purposes of such minimum assignment amounts. Borrower and Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interests so assigned to an Assignee until Agent shall have received and accepted an effective Assignment Agreement executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto and a processing fee of $3,500 to be paid (and not reimbursed by the Loan Parties) to Agent by the Lender to whom such interest is assigned; provided , that no such fee shall be payable in connection with any assignment by a Lender to a Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of a Lender and further provided that only one such fee shall be payable in connection with concurrent assignments to two or more entities that are Related Funds after giving effect thereto. Any attempted assignment not made in accordance with this Section 10.8.1 shall be null and void. No assignment may be made to any Person if at the time of such assignment Borrower would be obligated to pay any greater amount under Section 3 to the Assignee than Borrower is then obligated to pay to the assigning Lender under such Sections (and if any assignment is made in violation of the foregoing, Borrower will not be required to pay such greater amount.

(b) Permitted assignments to Sponsor or any Affiliate of Sponsor (a “ Sponsor Affiliated Lender ”) shall be limited to funded Term Loans. Sponsor Affiliated Lenders and assignments to Sponsor Affiliated Lenders shall be subject to the following additional limitations:

(i) Sponsor Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend/participate in meetings not attended by the Borrowers;

(ii) no Sponsor Affiliated Lender shall (A) require the Agent or any other Lender to take any action (or refrain from taking any action) under the Loan Documents, or (B) make or bring any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against Agent or any other Lender with respect to the duties and obligations of such Person under the Loan Documents (other than claims arising from the failure of Agent or any Lender to make any payment to such Sponsor Affiliated Lender required to be made by such Person pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents);

(iii) during the pendency of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding of which any Borrower or Loan Party is a subject, Sponsor Affiliated Lenders shall, solely in their capacities as Lenders, be deemed to have granted to Agent an irrevocable power of attorney entitling the Agent to exercise any voting or consent rights of such Sponsor Affiliated Lenders under the Bankruptcy

 

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Code or other applicable insolvency law, provided that Sponsor Affiliated Lenders shall retain the right to exercise any voting or consent rights of such Sponsor Affiliated Lenders under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable insolvency law to the extent the matter being voted on or consented to would disproportionately and adversely affect the rights of such Sponsor Affiliated Lender in relation to all of the Lenders collectively; and

(c) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans (if any) held by Sponsor Affiliated Lenders shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans as of the date of any such assignments (and after giving effect to any such assignment).

(d) From and after the date on which the conditions described above have been met, (i) such Assignee shall be deemed automatically to have become a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to such Assignee pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (ii) the assigning Lender, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, shall be released from its rights (other than its indemnification rights) and obligations hereunder. Upon the request of the Assignee (and, as applicable, the assigning Lender) pursuant to an effective Assignment Agreement and conditioned upon the return of the existing Note to Borrower marked “Exchanged”, Borrower shall execute and deliver to Agent for delivery to the Assignee (and, as applicable, the assigning Lender) a Note in the principal amount of the Assignee’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment plus the principal amount of the Assignee’s Term Loans (and, as applicable, a Note in the principal amount of the Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loan Commitment retained by the assigning Lender plus the principal amount of the Term Loans retained by the assigning Lender). Each such Note shall be dated the effective date of such assignment. Upon receipt by the assigning Lender of such Note, the assigning Lender shall return to Borrower any prior Note held by it.

(e) Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of each Lender, and the Commitments of, and principal and interest amounts of the Loans owing to, such Lender pursuant to the terms hereof. The entries in such register shall be conclusive, and Borrower, Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded therein pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. Such register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time upon reasonable prior notice to Agent. This Section 10.8.1(d) shall be construed so that the Loans and Commitments are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the IRC.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.8.1 or any other provision of this Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of its Loans and its Note (i) as collateral security to a Federal Reserve Bank or, as applicable, to such Lender’s trustee or other representative for the benefit of its investors (but no such assignment shall release any Lender from any of its obligations hereunder) and (ii) to (w) an Affiliate of such Lender, (x) its direct or indirect parent company, (y) to one or more other Lenders or (z) to an Approved Fund.

 

  10.8.2. Participations .

Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more Persons (other than the Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof) participating interests in its Loans, Commitments or other interests hereunder (any such Person, a “ Participant ”) with the prior written consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall not be required for the sale of a participating interest by a Lender to another Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender). In the event of a sale by a Lender of a participating interest to a Participant, (a) such Lender’s obligations hereunder shall remain unchanged

 

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for all purposes, (b) Borrower and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder and (c) all amounts payable by Borrower shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation and shall be paid directly to such Lender. No Participant shall have any direct or indirect voting rights hereunder except with respect to any event described in Section 10.1 expressly requiring the unanimous vote of all Lenders or, as applicable, all directly affected Lenders. Each Lender agrees to incorporate the requirements of the preceding sentence into each participation agreement which such Lender enters into with any Participant and such Lender, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, shall maintain a register meeting the requirements of Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations and similar to that described in Section 10.8.1(d) with respect to such participation. Borrower agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and payable (as a result of acceleration or otherwise), each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement and with respect to any Letter of Credit to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement; provided that such right of set-off shall not be exercised without the consent of Agent and shall be subject to the obligation of each Participant to share with Lenders, and Lenders agree to share with each Participant, as provided in Section 2.12.5 . Borrower also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3 as if it were a Lender (provided that such Participant complies with the requirements of Section 3.1(c) and 3.1(d) as if it were a Lender; provided further, that no Participant shall receive any greater compensation pursuant to Section 3 than would have been paid to the participating Lender if no participation had been sold).

 

  10.8.3. Competitors .

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment or participation shall be made by any Lender to any Person who is a Competitor of any Loan Party.

 

  10.9. Confidentiality .

Agent and each Lender agree to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the efforts Agent or such Lender applies to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential information) to maintain as confidential all information provided to them by any Loan Party and designated as confidential, except that Agent and each Lender may disclose such information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by Agent or such Lender or any of their Affiliates (including collateral managers of Lenders) in evaluating, approving, structuring or administering the Loans and the Commitments; (b) to any pledgee under Section 10.8.1(d) , any assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant that has agreed to comply with the covenant contained in this Section 10.9 (and any such assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant may disclose such information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (a) above); (c) as required or requested by any federal or state regulatory authority or examiner, or any insurance industry association, or as reasonably believed by Agent or such Lender to be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal or administrative order or process; (d) as, on the advice of Agent’s or such Lender’s counsel, is required by law; (e) in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under the Loan Documents or in connection with any litigation to which Agent or such Lender is a party; (f) to any nationally recognized rating agency or investor of a Lender that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued or investment decisions with respect to such Lender; (g) that ceases to be confidential through no fault of Agent or any Lender; (h) to a Person that is an investor or prospective investor in a Securitization that agrees that its access to information regarding Borrower and the Loans and Commitments is solely for purposes of evaluating an investment in such Securitization and who agrees to treat such information as confidential; or (i) to a Person that is a trustee, collateral manager, servicer, noteholder or secured party in a Securitization in connection with the administration, servicing and reporting on the assets serving as collateral for such Securitization. For purposes of this Section, “ Securitization ” means a public or private

 

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offering by a Lender or any of its Affiliates or their respective successors and assigns, of securities which represent an interest in, or which are collateralized, in whole or in part, by the Loans or the Commitments. In each case where the Agent or Lender, as applicable, is compelled to disclose the confidential information, such Agent or Lender, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower prior to such disclosure; provided , that the failure to provide such notice shall not affect the right of such Agent or Lender, as applicable, to disclose the confidential information pursuant to clauses (c) or (d) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower consents to the publication by Agent or any Lender of a tombstone or similar advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Agent reserves the right to provide to industry trade organizations information necessary and customary for inclusion in league table measurements; provided, in each case, Borrower is given the opportunity to review the same prior to its release. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Loan Party shall be required to provide any confidential information to any Lender (other than the Agent) which (a) has made loans to or any investment in any Competitor of any Loan Party or (b) is a Competitor of any Loan Party, other than the financial reports and notices required pursuant to Section 6.1 above (other than Section 6.1.10 ).

 

  10.10. Captions .

Captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

  10.11. Nature of Remedies .

All Obligations of Borrower and rights of Agent and Lenders expressed herein or in any other Loan Document shall be in addition to and not in limitation of those provided by applicable law. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

  10.12. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. Receipt by facsimile or other electronic method of any executed signature page to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall constitute effective delivery of such signature page. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic transmission (including “pdf”), shall be treated in all manner and respects and for all purposes as an original agreement or amendment and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such other Loan Document shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic transmission to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or amendment was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic transmission as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

  10.13. Severability .

The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

 

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  10.14. Entire Agreement .

This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof (except as relates to the fees described in Section 2.8.3 ) and any prior arrangements made with respect to the payment by (or any indemnification for) Borrower of any fees, costs or expenses payable to or incurred (or to be incurred) by or on behalf of Agent or Lenders. The Agreement has been negotiated and delivered to Agent and Lenders in the State of Illinois and shall have been accepted by Agent and Lenders in the State of Illinois.

 

  10.15. Successors; Assigns .

This Agreement shall be binding upon Borrower, Lenders and Agent and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Borrower, Lenders and Agent and the successors and permitted assigns of Lenders and Agent. No other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or Obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent and each Lender.

 

  10.16. Governing Law .

THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 

  10.17. Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction .

ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF COOK COUNTY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDED THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF COOK COUNTY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

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  10.18. Waiver of Jury Trial .

EACH OF BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

 

  10.19. Patriot Act .

Each Lender that is subject to the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Patriot Act ”), and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender), hereby notifies each Loan Party that, pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, such Lender and Agent are 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 Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

[signature pages follow]

 

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ANNEX I

Commitments and Pro Rata Shares

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term A Loan
Commitment
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term B Loan
Commitment
     Pro Rata
Share
 

Madison Capital Funding LLC

   $ 4,250,000         38.63   $ 10,000,000         17.54   $ 58,750,000         73.90

ING Capital LLC

   $ 1,500,000         13.64   $ 5,000,000         8.77   $ 11,000,000         13.84

GSC Investment Corp. CLO 2007, LTD.

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 4,000,000         5.03

Amalgamated Bank

   $ 2,000,000         18.18   $ 8,000,000         14.04   $ 0         0

Bank of The West

   $ 2,000,000         18.18   $ 8,000,000         14.04   $ 0         0

PennantPark Floating Rate Funding I, LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 3,000,000         3.77

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 1,250,000         11.36   $ 11,000,000         19.30   $ 2,750,000         3.46

NewStar Commercial Loan Trust 2006-1

   $ 0         0   $ 6,400,000         11.23   $ 0         0

NewStar Commercial Loan Funding 2012-1 LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 3,600,000         6.32   $ 0         0

FTP Credit Holdings LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         8.77   $ 0         0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTALS

   $ 11,000,000         100   $ 57,000,000         100   $ 79,500,000         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

I-1


Annex II

Addresses

 

DCS Business Services, Inc.
333 North Canyon Parkway, Suite 100
Livermore, California 94551
Attention:    Hakan Orvell
Telephone:    (925) 960-7425
Telecopy:    (925) 960-4880

Madison Capital Funding LLC,

as Agent and a Lender

Address for Notices:
30 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3700
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention:    DCS Account Manager
Telephone:    (312) 596-6900
Telecopy:    (312) 596-6950
Address for Payments:
Bank:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
   270 Park Avenue, New York, New York
ABA #:    ***
Account #:    ***
Account Name:    Madison Capital Funding LLC
Reference:    DCS Business Services, Inc.

Other Lenders:

Addresses for notices and payments to other Lenders on file with Agent as set forth in administrative questionnaires delivered by such Lenders to Agent

 

II-1


Annex III

Conditions Precedent to Permitted Acquisitions

(1) Agent and Lenders shall receive not less than ten Business Days’ prior written notice of such Acquisition, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed description of the proposed terms of such Acquisition and identify the anticipated closing date thereof;

(2) such Acquisition shall be structured as (a) an asset acquisition by Borrower or a Guarantor, (b) a merger of the Target with and into Borrower or a Guarantor, with Borrower or such Guarantor as the surviving corporation in such merger, or (c) a purchase of no less than 100% of the equity interests of the Target by Borrower or a Guarantor;

(3) Agent and Lenders shall receive, not less than ten Business Days’ prior to the consummation of such Acquisition, a due diligence package, reasonably satisfactory to them, which package shall include, without limitation, the following with regard to the Acquisition of the applicable Target:

(a) pro forma financial projections (after giving effect to such Acquisition) for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the current and next two Fiscal Years or through the remaining term of this Agreement;

(b) appraisals (if existing);

(c) historical financial statements of the applicable Target for the two fiscal years prior to such Acquisition (or, if such Target has not been in existence for two years, for each year such Target has existed);

(d) a general description of (i) the applicable Target’s business, (ii) the Target’s competitive position within such Target’s industry and (iii) material agreements binding upon the applicable Target or any of its personal or real property and, if requested by Agent, copies of such material agreements;

(e) pending material litigation involving the applicable Target;

(f) a description of the method of financing the Acquisition, including sources and uses;

(g) locations of all material personal and real property of the applicable Target, including the location of its chief executive office;

(h) a description of the applicable Target’s management; and

(i) any other testings or material due diligence investigation with respect to such Acquisition reasonably required by Agent;

(4) Agent and Lenders shall receive environmental reports and related information regarding any property owned by the applicable Target, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent;

(5) such Acquisition shall only involve assets located in the United States and comprising a business, or those assets of a business, of the type engaged in by Borrower and Guarantors as of the Closing Date or as otherwise permitted by Section 7.10 of the Credit Agreement, and which business

 

III-1


would not subject Agent or any Lender to regulatory or third party approvals in connection with the exercise of its rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents other than approvals applicable to the exercise of such rights and remedies with respect to Borrower prior to such Acquisition;

(6) Agent and Lenders shall receive a financial due diligence report from a nationally recognized accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Agent with respect to any Target whose Relative Contribution, as of the closing date of such Acquisition, would equal or exceed 10%. “ Relative Contribution ” means, with respect to any Target, an amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to: (x) Pro Forma EBITDA of such Target, divided by (y) EBITDA of Holdings and its Subsidiaries plus Pro Forma EBITDA of such Target;

(7) the applicable Target must have had a Pro Forma EBITDA of not less than $0 on a cumulative basis for the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters;

(8) Agent and Lenders shall receive evidence that effective as of the closing date of such Acquisition the applicable Target has in place insurance satisfying the requirements of Section 6.3;

(9) Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, (a) is granted a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) on all Collateral being acquired pursuant to such Acquisition (and, in the case of an Acquisition involving the purchase of any applicable Target’s equity interests, all of such purchased equity interests to the extent constituting Collateral shall be pledged to Agent for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, and such Target shall guarantee the Obligations and grant to Agent, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders, a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) on such Person’s assets), in each case, as required by Section 6.8 and (b) will be provided such other documents, instruments and legal opinions (consistent with Section 4.1) as Agent shall reasonably request in connection therewith, all such documents, instruments and opinions to be delivered no later than 30 days after the closing of such Acquisition and shall each be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

(10) after giving effect to such Acquisition and the incurrence of any Loans, other Debt or Contingent Obligations in connection therewith, Borrower shall have a Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not greater than 2.75 recomputed for the most recently ended month of Borrower for which financial statements for the applicable Target and for Borrower and its Subsidiaries are available;

(11) all material consents necessary for such Acquisition (including such consents as the Agent deems reasonably necessary) have been acquired and such Acquisition is consummated in accordance with the applicable acquisition documents and applicable law;

(12) Borrower’s computation of Pro Forma EBITDA shall comply with the Credit Agreement;

(13) as soon as practicable after the closing of such Acquisition, and in any event within twenty Business Days after such closing, Borrower shall deliver copies of all documents executed in connection with such Acquisition to Agent and Lenders;

(14) promptly after obtaining knowledge thereof, Borrower shall provide notice of any material change to any of the documents or information previously provided pursuant to clauses (1)  through ( 14 ) above; and

(15) Immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Acquisition, Borrowing Availability shall exceed Revolving Outstandings by an amount that is equal to or greater than $5,000,000.

 

III-2


Exhibit A

Form of Assignment Agreement

This Assignment Agreement (this “ Assignment Agreement ”) is entered into as of                     by and between the Assignor named on the signature page hereto (“ Assignor ”) and the Assignee named on the signature page hereto (“ Assignee ”). Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of             , 2012 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among DCS Business Services, Inc. (“ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as administrative agent (“Agent”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

Assignor and Assignee agree as follows:

1. Assignor hereby sells and assigns to Assignee, and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor the interests set forth on the schedule attached hereto, in and to Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as of the Effective Date (as defined below). Such purchase and sale is made without recourse, representation or warranty except as expressly set forth herein.

2. Assignor (i) represents that as of the Effective Date, that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interests assigned hereunder free and clear of any adverse claim, (ii) makes no other representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statement, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement, any Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Loan Party or any other Person or the performance or observance by any Loan Party of its Obligations under the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

3. Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into this Assignment Agreement; (ii) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant thereto and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment Agreement; (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, Assignor 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 decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (iv) appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; (vi) represents that on the date of this Assignment Agreement it is not presently aware of any facts that would cause it to make a claim under the Credit Agreement; (vii) attaches such documentation and other information required by Section 3.1(c) and (d)  of the Credit Agreement (including, if Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, the forms prescribed for non-U.S. Lenders in Sections 3.1(c) and (d) ; and (viii) represents and warrants that it is not a Competitor of any Loan Party.

4. The effective date for this Assignment Agreement shall be as set forth on the schedule attached hereto (the “ Effective Date ”). Following the execution of this Assignment Agreement, it will be delivered to Agent for acceptance and recording by Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

A-1


5. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective Date, (i) Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than indemnification rights) and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.

6. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective Date, Agent shall make all payments in respect of the interest assigned hereby (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to Assignee. Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

7. THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

8. This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Assignment Agreement. Receipt by facsimile or other electronic method of any executed signature page to this Assignment Agreement shall constitute effective delivery of such signature page.

[ 9. In connection with any assignment pursuant to this Assignment Agreement, each of the Assignor and Sponsor Affiliated Lender, in its capacity as Assignee of the tendered Term Loans, acknowledges as of the Effective Date that (i) the assignment is in compliance with and pursuant to the terms of Section 10.8.1 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) the other party to the Assignment Agreement currently may have, and later may come into possession of, information regarding the Loan Documents or the Loan Parties that is not known to it and that may be material to a decision to enter into an Assignment Agreement (“Excluded Information”), (iii) it has independently and without reliance on the other party made its own analysis and determined to enter into the Assignment Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby notwithstanding its lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (iv) the other party shall have no liability to it, and it hereby (to the extent permitted by law) waives and releases any claims it may have against the other party (under applicable laws or otherwise) with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information; provided that the Excluded Information shall not and does not affect the truth or accuracy of the representations or warranties of such party in this Assignment Agreement. Each of the Assignor and Assignee, in its capacity as purchaser of the tendered Term Loans, further acknowledges that the Excluded Information may not be available to the Agent or the other Lenders. ] 1

 

1  

Insert only if Assignee is a Sponsor Affiliated Lender.

 

A-2


The parties hereto have caused this Assignment Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

ASSIGNOR:  

 

   

 

By:  

 

 
Title:  

 

 
ASSIGNEE:  

 

   
By:  

 

 
Title:  

 

 
[ Consented to:  

[MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC,

as Agent

 
By:  

 

 
Title:  

 

  ]
[ [DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.]  
By:  

 

 
Title:  

 

  ]

 

A-3


Schedule to Assignment Agreement

 

Assignor:  

 

   

Assignee:

 

 

   

Effective Date:

 

 

   

Credit Agreement dated as of             , 2012 among DCS Business Services, Inc., as Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as Agent

Interests Assigned:

 

Commitment/Loan

   Revolving Loan
Commitment
     Term A Loan      Term B Loan  

Assignor Amounts

   $                    $                    $                

Amounts Assigned

   $                    $                    $                

Assignee Amounts

(post-assignment)

   $                    $                    $                

Assignee Information:

 

  Address for Notices:      Address for Payments:   
 

 

            
 

 

       Bank:   

 

  
  Attention:  

 

       ABA #:   

 

  
  Telephone:  

 

       Account #:   

 

  
  Telecopy:  

 

       Reference:   

 

  

 

A-4


Exhibit B

Form of Compliance Certificate

Please refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of             , 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the undersigned (“ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as administrative agent (“ Agent ”). This certificate (this “ Certificate ”), together with supporting calculations attached hereto, is delivered to Agent and Lenders pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. Terms used but not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

[ Enclosed herewith is a copy of the [annual audited/quarterly/monthly] report of Borrower as at                     (the “ Computation Date ”), which report fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations [(subject to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments)] of Borrower as of the Computation Date and has been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. ]

Borrower hereby certifies and warrants that the computations set forth on the schedule attached hereto correspond to the ratios contained in the Credit Agreement and such computations are true and correct as at the [ Computation Date ] [ date hereof, after giving pro forma effect to the Acquisition (and related Loans) pursuant to which this certificate is delivered ].

Borrower further certifies that no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof [ except as described on the Schedule attached hereto ].

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

B-1


Schedule to Compliance Certificate

Dated as of                      2

 

A.      Section 7.14.1 - Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio   
     1.   Consolidated Net Income      $               
     2.  

Plus:

  

Losses from Dispositions, extraordinary items, discontinued operations, reappraisal, revaluation or write-down of assets

     $               
         

interest expense and the Agent’s fee

     $               
         

income tax expense

     $               
         

depreciation

     $               
         

amortization

     $               
         

charges for impairment of goodwill and other intangibles

     $               
         

management fees and reimbursable expenses

     $               
         

amortization of debt discounts and commissions

     $               
     3.   Plus:   

Transaction fees and expenses in connection with this agreement

     $               
         

Non-cash expenses in connection with options, deferred compensation and stock options

     $               
         

Transaction Fees in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and Investments permitted under Sections 7.11(q) and 7.11(s)

     $               
         

Transaction fees and expenses in connection with a successful Qualified IPO

     $               
         

Transaction fees and expenses in connection with an unsuccessful Qualified IPO

     $               
         

Costs and expenses related to Permitted Debt or equity issuances

     $               
         

Non-cash expenses in the form of options granted to Borrower or Holdings and other non-cash expense with respect to deferred compensation and stock options

     $               
         

severance expenses approved by the Agent

     $               
         

business interruption insurance proceeds

     $               
         

Non-cash adjustment to the valuation of earnout payments or other consideration relating to Investments permitted hereunder

     $               
         

cash restructuring charges approved by the Agent in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and Investments permitted under Sections 7.11(q) and 7.11(s)

     $               

 

2   The descriptions of the calculations set forth in this certificate are sometimes abbreviated for simplicity, but are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the calculations provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

B-2


          non-cash restructuring charges from Permitted Acquisitions or Investments permitted under Sections 7.11(q) and 7.11(s)      $               
          non-cash charges (or minus non-cash gains) relating to various accounting charges      $               
          other extraordinary costs and expenses satisfactory to Agent      $               
          non-cash adjustments relating to earn-outs and other investment consideration      $               
          any Cure Amount contributed pursuant to Section 7.14.3      $               
          the result of (a) the amount collected during such period from the Department of Education for services performed and invoiced, but for which revenue has not yet been recognized in Consolidated Net Income, minus (b) revenue from the Department of Education recognized in Consolidated Net Income during such period for which cash was received in a prior period and where revenue was not previously recognized, all subject to the review and reasonable approval of Agent      $               
    

4.

 

Minus: Gains from Dispositions, extraordinary items, discontinued operations, reappraisal, revaluation or write-up of assets

     $               
    

5.

 

Total (EBITDA)

     $               
    

6.

 

Income taxes paid in cash (net of refunds) and tax distributions paid in cash

     $               
    

7.

  other restricted payments made pursuant to Section 7.4 (other than restricted payments funded from an Increase Request, Additional Subordinated Debt or a Qualified IPO, and transaction expenses distributed pursuant to Section 7.4(iv) )      $               
    

8.

 

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures paid in cash

     $               
    

9.

 

Sum of (6), (7) and (8)

     $               
    

10.

 

Remainder of (5) minus (9)

     $               
    

11.

 

Interest Expense paid in cash

     $               
    

12.

 

Required payments of principal of Debt (including Term Loans but excluding Revolving Loans)

     $               

 

B-3


    

13.

     Scheduled installments for the purchase of licenses of software paid in cash        $               
    

14.

    

Sum of (11), (12) and (13)

       $               
    

15.

    

Ratio of (10) to (14)

           :1.00   

B.

    

Section 7.14.2 - Maximum Total Debt to [ Adjusted ] EBITDA Ratio

    
    

1.

    

Total Debt

       $               
    

2.

    

[ Adjusted ] EBITDA

(from Item A(5) above[ , plus Pro Forma EBITDA totaling $            in the aggregate for all applicable Permitted Acquisitions in such period (comprising of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA in the following individual amounts with respect to the following individual Permitted Acquisitions (x)             , $            , (y)             , $            and (z)             , $            ) ])

       $               
    

3.

    

Ratio of (1) to (2)

            to 1   
    

4.

    

Maximum allowed

            to 1   

 

B-4


Exhibit C

Form of Note

 

         

 

$                       Chicago, Illinois

The undersigned (“ Borrower ”), for value received, promises to pay to                      (“ Lender ”) at the principal office of Madison Capital Funding LLC (the “ Agent ”) in Chicago, Illinois the aggregate unpaid amount of all Loans made to Borrower by Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement referred to below, such principal amount (which such amount may change over time pursuant to the Credit Agreement) to be payable on the dates set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Borrower further promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such Loan is paid in full, payable at the rate(s) and at the time(s) set forth in the Credit Agreement. Payments of both principal and interest are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America.

This Note evidences indebtedness incurred under, and is subject to the terms and provisions of, the Credit Agreement, dated as of             , 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement), by and among Borrower, the lenders (including Lender) party thereto from time to time and Agent, to which Credit Agreement reference is hereby made for a statement of the terms and provisions under which this Note may or must be paid prior to its due date or its due date accelerated.

This Note is made under and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

C-1


Exhibit D

Form of Notice of Borrowing

[letterhead of Borrower]

Madison Capital Funding LLC,

as Agent

30 South Wacker Drive

Suite 3700

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Loan Operations

Telephone:    (312) 596-6900
Telecopy:    (312) 596-6950

loanoperations@mcfllc.com

Dear                     :

Please refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of [            ], 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the undersigned (“ Borrower ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as administrative agent (“Agent”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. This notice is given pursuant to Section 2.2.2 of the Credit Agreement and constitutes a representation by Borrower that the conditions specified in Section 4.2 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied. Borrower hereby requests a borrowing under the Credit Agreement as follows:

The aggregate amount of the proposed borrowing is $        . The requested borrowing date for the proposed borrowing (which is a Business Day) is             ,         . The Revolving Loans comprising the proposed borrowing are [ Base Rate ] [ LIBOR ] Loans. The duration of the Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan made as part of the proposed Borrowing, if applicable, is              months (which shall be 1, 2, 3 or 6 months).

This Notice is executed and delivered on             , 20    .

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

D-1


Exhibit E

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation

[letterhead of Borrower]

Madison Capital Funding LLC,

as Agent

30 South Wacker Drive

Suite 3700

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Loan Operations

Telephone:    (312) 596-6900
Telecopy:    (312) 596-6950

loanoperations@mcfllc.com

Dear                     :

Please refer to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [            ], 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the undersigned (“ Borrower ”), the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as administrative agent (“ Agent ”). This notice is given pursuant to Section 2.2.3 of the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. Borrower hereby requests a [ conversion ][ continuation ] of [ Term [ A ][ B ] Loans ][ Revolving Loans ] as follows:

The date of the proposed [ conversion ] [ continuation ] is             ,          (which shall be a Business Day). The aggregate amount of the [ Term [ A ][ B ] Loans ] [ Revolving Loans ] proposed to be [ converted ] [ continued ] is $        . [ Specify which part is to be converted and which part is to be continued, if appropriate. ] The Loans to be [ continued ] [ converted ] are [ Base Rate Loans ] [ LIBOR Loans ] and the Loans resulting from the proposed [ conversion ] [ continuation ] will be [ Base Rate Loans ] [ LIBOR Loans ]. The duration of the requested Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan made as part of the proposed [ conversion ] [ continuation ] is              months (which shall be 1, 2, 3 or 6 months).

This Notice is executed and delivered on             , 20    .

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

E-1


Exhibit F

Form of Excess Cash Flow Certificate

Date:             , 201    

Please refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of             , 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Madison Capital Funding LLC, as administrative agent (“ Agent ”). This certificate (this “ Certificate ”), together with supporting calculations attached hereto, is delivered to Agent and Lenders pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. Terms used but not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The officer executing this Certificate is a chief financial officer of Borrower and as such is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of Borrower. By executing this Certificate such officer hereby certifies, solely in his capacity as chief financial officer of Borrower and not in any individual capacity, to Agent and Lenders that as of the date hereof:

(a) set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto is a correct calculation of Excess Cash Flow for the Fiscal Year ended [ December 31 ], 20     and a correct calculation of the required prepayment of

$        ;

(b) Schedule 1 attached hereto is based on the audited financial statements which have been delivered to Agent in accordance with Section 6.1.1 of the Credit Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Certificate to be executed by its chief financial officer this      day of             , 201    .

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

F-1


Schedule 1

to

Excess Cash Flow Certificate

Excess Cash Flow is defined as follows:

 

EBITDA (from item A(5) of Exhibit B)

   $                

Plus:

 

Decrease in Adjusted Working Capital

   $                

Less:

 

Scheduled principal payments made with respect to Term Loans and other permitted Debt

   $                
 

Cash payments (not financed by Debt) made with respect to Capital Expenditures

   $                
 

Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash (net of cash refunds)

   $                
 

Interest Expense with respect to permitted Debt paid in cash

   $                
 

Management fees paid in cash to Sponsor and Affiliates to the extent permitted under Section 7.4

   $                
 

To the extent paid in cash during such period, any Legal Costs

   $                
 

Permitted Acquisitions, Investments and Restricted Payments not financed with the proceeds of equity or Debt other than Revolving Loans

   $                
 

Any other cash expenses that are added back to Consolidated Net Income in the calculation of EBITDA

   $                
 

Cash payments with respect to installments owing for the purchase or license of software

   $                
 

Other cash payments added back to EBITDA in the definition thereof

   $                
 

Increase in Adjusted Working Capital

   $                

Excess Cash Flow

   $                

Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio (from item C(3) of Exhibit B)

         :1   

Prepayment percent

         

Prepayment amount

   $                

 

F-2


Decrease (increase) in Adjusted Working Capital, for the purposes of the calculation of Excess Cash Flow, means the following:

 

         Beg. of Period      End of Period  

Consolidated current assets:

   $                    $                

Less:

 

cash

     
 

cash equivalents

     

Adjusted current assets

   $                    $                

Consolidated current liabilities (excluding accruals relating to management fees, accrued interest expense and income taxes payable):

   $                    $                

Less: short-term Debt (including current portion of long-term Debt)

     

Adjusted current liabilities

   $                    $                

Adjusted Working Capital (adjusted consolidated current assets minus adjusted consolidated current liabilities)

   $                    $                

Decrease (Increase) in Adjusted Working Capital (beginning of period minus end of period Adjusted Working Capital)

      $                

 

F-3


EXECUTION VERSION

Schedules

 

Schedule 2.3.1    Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 4.1.2    Prior Debt
Schedule 5.6    Litigation
Schedule 5.8    Capitalization
Schedule 5.16    Insurance
Schedule 5.20    Labor Matters
Schedule 5.22    Bank Accounts
Schedule 7.1    Existing Debt
Schedule 7.2    Existing Liens
Schedule 7.8    Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 7.11    Existing Investments


Schedule 2.3.1

Existing Letters of Credit

 

1. Letter of Credit number *** issued by the Bank of New York to secure a bond issued by Holdings on behalf of Fidelity for $1,400,000, currently scheduled to expire March 30, 2012.


Schedule 4.1.2

Prior Debt

 

1. That Debt under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Borrower, Holdings, Madison Capital Funding LLC, as Agent for the Lenders and all the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders, dated as of February 5, 2005, as amended from time to time to date.


Schedule 5.6

Litigation

None.


Schedule 5.8

Capitalization

 

Issuer

  

Record Owner

   Certificate No.    No. Shares  

DCS Business Services, Inc.

   Performant Financial Corporation    C-23      100   

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

   DCS Business Services, Inc.    C1      1,000   

Vista Financial, Inc.

   DCS Business Services, Inc.    C1      10,000   

HOLDINGS CAPITALIZATION AT CLOSING

Holdings Series A Preferred Stock

 

CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
   STATUS

PA-9

   Ares Capital Corporation      14,927       05/23/06    Outstanding

PA-10

   Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC      2,632,911       05/23/06    Outstanding
     

 

 

       

TOTAL ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

     2,647,838         
     

 

 

       

Holdings Common Stock

 

CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
   STATUS

C-1

   James R. Stone      135,763       09/07/04    Outstanding

C-2

   Jeffrey Stein      45,000       11/02/04    Outstanding

C-3

   Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC      15,039,935       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-4

   Madison Capital Funding, LLC      386,482       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-5

   Allied Capital Corporation      478,816       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-6

   Ares Capital Corporation      114,004       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-7

   Lisa Im      579,723       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-8

   Lisa Im      13,285       02/04/05    Outstanding

C-9

   Lisa Im      446,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-10

   Jon Shaver      193,241       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-11

   Jon Shaver      187,500       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-14

   James B.A. Tracey, II      443,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-15

   Onezime Biagas      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-16

   Chris Crissman      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-17

   Daniel Exline      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-18

   Harold Leach      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-19

   Bruce Mackinlay      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-20

   Guy McDonald      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding


CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
   STATUS

C-21

   Joseph Tagupa      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-22

   David Yim      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-23

   Paul Lauffenburger      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-24

   Rolland Tracey      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-25

   Bob Schramm      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-26

   Ed Keenan      19,500       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-27

   Kevin Hansen      14,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-28

   Elizabeth Warda      14,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-29

   Nauman Bashir      9,750       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-30

   Said Shawwa      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-31

   Ernesto Martinez Granata      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-32

   Scott Carrier      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-33

   Dennis Christie      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-34

   Christine Sorich      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-35

   Lavon Arnett      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-36

   Dominic Queirolo      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-37

   Rashid Nasim      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-38

   Jean Hsien      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-39

   Vince Ramirez      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-40

   Fred Danielli      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-41

   Irina Tchabanov      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-42

   Onezime Biagas      65,625       05/20/05    Outstanding

C-43

   Chris Crissman      65,625       07/19/06    Outstanding

C-44

   Fiorello Danielli      13,125       07/31/06    Outstanding

C-45

   Ernesto Martinez Granata      13,125       08/08/06    Outstanding

C-46

   Joseph R. Tagupa      61,875       01/25/08    Outstanding

C-47

   Harold T. Leach, Jr.      65,625       01/31/08    Outstanding

C-48

   Scott T. Carrier      13,125       07/17/08    Outstanding

C-49

   Rolland Tracey      65,625       08/06/08    Outstanding

C-50

   Brian Greenfield      20,000       10/22/08    Outstanding

C-51

   Syed Moosa Rizvi      359       09/15/11    Outstanding
     

 

 

       

TOTAL ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

     18,833,483         
     

 

 

       

HOLDINGS CAPITALIZATION POST-CLOSING

Holdings Series A Preferred Stock

 

CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
  STATUS

[ PA-11 ]

   Ares Capital Corporation      3,944       [ 03/19/12 ]   Outstanding

[ PA-12 ]

   Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC      695,611       [ 03/19/12 ]   Outstanding
     

 

 

      

TOTAL ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

     699,555        
     

 

 

      


Holdings Common Stock

 

CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
   STATUS

C-1

   James R. Stone      135,763       09/07/04    Outstanding

C-2

   Jeffrey Stein      45,000       11/02/04    Outstanding

C-3

   Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC      15,039,935       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-4

   Madison Capital Funding, LLC      386,482       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-5

   Allied Capital Corporation      478,816       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-6

   Ares Capital Corporation      114,004       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-7

   Lisa Im      579,723       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-8

   Lisa Im      13,285       02/04/05    Outstanding

C-9

   Lisa Im      446,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-10

   Jon Shaver      193,241       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-11

   Jon Shaver      187,500       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-14

   James B.A. Tracey, II      443,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-15

   Onezime Biagas      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-16

   Chris Crissman      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-17

   Daniel Exline      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-18

   Harold Leach      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-19

   Bruce Mackinlay      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-20

   Guy McDonald      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-21

   Joseph Tagupa      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-22

   David Yim      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-23

   Paul Lauffenburger      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-24

   Rolland Tracey      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-25

   Bob Schramm      24,375       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-26

   Ed Keenan      19,500       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-27

   Kevin Hansen      14,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-28

   Elizabeth Warda      14,625       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-29

   Nauman Bashir      9,750       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-30

   Said Shawwa      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-31

   Ernesto Martinez Granata      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-32

   Scott Carrier      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-33

   Dennis Christie      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-34

   Christine Sorich      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-35

   Lavon Arnett      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-36

   Dominic Queirolo      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-37

   Rashid Nasim      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-38

   Jean Hsien      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-39

   Vince Ramirez      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-40

   Fred Danielli      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-41

   Irina Tchabanov      4,875       02/02/05    Outstanding

C-42

   Onezime Biagas      65,625       05/20/05    Outstanding

C-43

   Chris Crissman      65,625       07/19/06    Outstanding

C-44

   Fiorello Danielli      13,125       07/31/06    Outstanding

C-45

   Ernesto Martinez Granata      13,125       08/08/06    Outstanding


CERTIFICATE
NUMBER

  

SHAREHOLDER

   NUMBER OF
SHARES
     DATE OF
ISSUE
  STATUS

C-46

   Joseph R. Tagupa      61,875       01/25/08   Outstanding

C-47

   Harold T. Leach, Jr.      65,625       01/31/08   Outstanding

C-48

   Scott T. Carrier      13,125       07/17/08   Outstanding

C-49

   Rolland Tracey      65,625       08/06/08   Outstanding

C-50

   Brian Greenfield      20,000       10/22/08   Outstanding

C-51

   Syed Moosa Rizvi      359       09/15/11   Outstanding

[ C-52 ]

   Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC      1,937,300       [ 03/19/12 ]   Outstanding

[ C-53 ]

   Ares Capital Corporation      10,983       [ 03/19/12 ]   Outstanding
     

 

 

      

TOTAL ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

     20,781,766        
     

 

 

      


Schedule 5.16

Insurance

 

Lines of Coverage

  

Insurance Company

  

Effective Date

  

Expiration
Date

  

Limits/Layer

Property - All Risks

   Hartford Group/Hartford Casualty    10/01/11    10/01/12    $24.4m-BPP, $2.4m-Bldg, $7.2m-BI

General Liability

   Hartford Group/Hartford Casualty    10/01/11    10/01/12    $1m/$2m aggregate

Auto Liability/Ph. Damage

   Hartford Group/Hartford Casualty    10/01/11    10/01/12    $1m

Umbrella

   Hartford Group/Hartford Casualty    10/01/11    10/01/12    $15m

Workman Comp/Employee Liability

   Hartford    12/01/11    12/01/12    WC Statutory Benefits / EL $1m

DIC

   Lloyds Underwriters – Beazley Syndicates    10/01/11    10/01/12    $7.5m

Professional Liability

   Columbia Casualty Co.    10/01/11    10/01/12    $10m

D&O/EPL

   Starr Indemnity & Liability Company    10/01/11    10/01/12    $5m

Fiduciary

   Starr Indemnity & Liability Company    10/01/11    10/01/12    $2m

Commercial Crime

   Fidelity & Deposit Co. of MD    10/01/11    10/01/12    $5m Emply Theft/$5m Computer Fraud


Schedule 5.20

Labor Matters

None.


Schedule 5.22

Bank Accounts

Accounts Subject to Deposit Account Control Agreement at Wells Fargo Bank

 

Company

  

Acct Name

   Bank Acct #      Acct Type

Diversifed Collection Services, Inc.

   Accounts Receivable      ***       Checking/ZBA

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

   Company Payroll      ***       Checking/ZBA

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

   Controlled Disbursements Account      ***       Checking/ZBA

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

   Flexible Benefit Plan      ***       Checking

Diversifed Collection Services, Inc.

   Master Account      ***       Checking

Diversifed Collection Services, Inc.

   Operating Account      ***       Checking

Vista Financial, Inc.

   VFI Payroll      ***       Checking/ZBA


Schedule 7.1

Existing Debt

None.


Schedule 7.2

Existing Liens

None.


Schedule 7.8

Affiliate Transactions

 

1. Stockholders Agreement by and between Holdings, Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, and the other individuals listed therein as of January 8, 2004.

 

2. Registration Agreement by and among Holdings, Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC and the other individuals listed therein as of January 8, 2004.

 

3. Investment Agreement by and among Holdings, Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC and the other individuals listed therein as of January 8, 2004.

 

4. The following agreements with Lisa Im:

a) Executive Securities Repurchase Agreement dated as of January 8, 2004

b) $1,000,000 Loan to purchase stock of the Company on or about January 8, 2004

c) Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 4, 2005

d) Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of February 4, 2005

e) Employment Agreement commencing on June 3, 2002, as first amended on January 8, 2004 and further amended on December 29, 2008

f) Deferred Compensation Agreement dated as of January 8, 2004

g) Indemnification Agreement dated October 22, 2003

 

5. The following agreements with Jon Shaver:

a) $500,000 Loan to purchase stock of Holdings on or about January 8, 2004

b) Restricted Stock Agreement dated as of February 4, 2005

c) Employment Agreement commencing on March 31, 2003, as first amended on January 8, 2004 and further amended on February 4, 2005

d) Deferred Compensation Agreement dated as of January 8, 2004

e) Indemnification Agreement dated October 22, 2003

 

6. Repurchase Agreement, by and among Holdings, Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, and the other signatories party thereto, dated as of February 4, 2005.

 

7. $37,000 loan to Jeffrey Stein, evidenced by a Promissory Note in the amount of $37,000 issued by Jeffrey Stein to Holdings on February 4, 2005.

 

8. Contribution Agreement by and between DCS Business Services, Inc. and Holdings, dated February 3, 2005.

 

9. Subscription Agreement between Holdings and Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, dated May 19, 2006.

 

10. Subscription Agreement between Holdings and Ares Capital Corporation, dated May 19, 2006.

 

11. 2004 DCS Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Plan by Parthenon with respect to 90% ownership interest in Performant Financial Corporation, f/k/a/ DCS Holdings, Inc.

 

12. Non-Disclosure and Proprietary Rights Agreement between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Harold T. Leach dated as of January 8, 2004.


13. Advisory Services Agreement by and between Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Parthenon Capital, LLC dated as of January 8, 2004 and as amended on the Closing Date.

 

14. Confidentiality Agreement between Holdings and Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, dated May 19, 2006.

 

15. Consulting Agreement by and between Holdings and William D. Hansen, dated February 27, 2012.


Schedule 7.11

Existing Investments

 

1. Loan to Lisa Im in the amount of $500,000 to purchase stock of Holdings on or about January 8, 2004.

 

2. Loan to Lisa Im in the amount of $1,000,000 to purchase stock of Holdings on or about January 8, 2004.

 

3. Loan to Jon Shaver in the amount of $500,000 to purchase stock of Holdings on or about January 8, 2004.

 

4. Deferred Compensation Agreement among Borrower and Lisa Im dated as of January 4, 2004.

 

5. Deferred Compensation Agreement among Borrower and Jon Shaver dated as of January 4, 2004.


AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

(INCREMENTAL AMENDMENT)

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (INCREMENTAL AMENDMENT) (“Amendment”) is dated as of June 28, 2012, and is entered into by and among DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Borrower”), the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement as hereafter defined) providing the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase (as hereafter defined) on the date hereof, and MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, as Agent for all Lenders.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders from time to time party thereto are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2012 (as the same has been or may be from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the definitions provided therefor in the Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that certain Lenders fund to borrower on the date hereof a Requested Term B Loan Increase in the aggregate amount of $19,500,000 (the “June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase”), and the Lenders executing this Amendment have each agreed to fund a portion of such June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase such that the principal amount of the Term B Loan held by each such Lender shall be equal to the amount set forth on Annex I to this Amendment after giving effect to such funding, subject to the payment by Borrower of certain fees as reflected in the Notice of Borrowing and Letter of Direction delivered by Borrower to Agent on the date hereof with respect to the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase;

WHEREAS, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders party hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement to reflect the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase and that the Requested Term B Loan Increase shall become a part of the Term B Loan and have all terms applicable to the Term B Loan under the Credit Agreement except as expressly set forth herein and except with respect to up-front fees which are agreed to separately from this Amendment, and pursuant to Section 2.1.3 of the Credit Agreement, an Incremental Amendment (as defined therein) to accomplish the foregoing may be executed solely by Borrower, Agent and the Lenders participating in the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements set forth in the Credit Agreement and this Amendment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase . On the date hereof, Borrower is borrowing the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase in the amount of $19,500,000 as an increase to the Term B Loan from the Lenders party to this Amendment (with the amount funded by each such Lender equal to the amount described in the second


recitals clause hereof, and the amount of the Term B Loan under the Credit Agreement is accordingly hereby increased by such amount, and such increased amount of the Term B Loan be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement applicable to the existing Term B Loan except as expressly set forth in Section 2 below.

2. Amortization of June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase . It is the intention of Borrower, Agent and the Lenders party hereto that the Term B Loan installment due on June 30, 2012 shall not be increased as a result of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase (but that each subsequent installment of the Term B Loan shall be increased as set forth in the parenthetical in the first sentence of Section 2.11.3 of the Credit Agreement). Accordingly, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders party hereto agree that (i) the installment of the Term B Loan due on June 30, 2012 shall remain $198,750 (with none of such installment to be applied to the principal of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase), and (ii) commencing with the installment of the Term B Loan due on September 30, 2012 and for each scheduled installment of the Term B Loan thereafter, the scheduled installments of the Term B Loan (other than on the Term B Loan Maturity Date) shall be increased pursuant to the parenthetical of the first sentence of Section 2.11.3 of the Credit Agreement by 0.25% of the principal amount of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase (such that, absent any subsequent event altering the amounts of scheduled installments of the Term B Loan following the date hereof, each installment of the Term B Loan shall be increased by $48,750 (0.25% of the principal amount of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase) from $198,750 for scheduled installments of $247,500 on each date (other than the Term B Loan Maturity Date set forth in Section 2.11.3 of the Credit Agreement (with the outstanding principal balance of the Term B Loan (as increased by the June 2012 Term B Loan Increase) to be paid in full on the Term B Loan Maturity Date)).

3. Amendment and Restatement of Annex I to the Credit Agreement . The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating Annex I to the Credit Agreement in its entirety in the form of Annex I attached to this amendment in order to reflect the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase.

4. Conditions to Effectiveness . The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (unless specifically waived in writing by Agent):

(a) Agent shall have received a copy of this Amendment (including the Consent and Reaffirmation attached hereto), executed by Borrower, each Loan Party and each Lender participating in the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase;

(b) After giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) Agent shall have received such documents, instruments and agreements as are reasonably required by Agent in connection with this Amendment and the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

2


5. Representations and Warranties . To induce Agent and the applicable Lenders to enter into this Amendment and provide the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase, Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that:

(a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Borrower and that this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower;

(b) this Amendment and the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement in respect of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower and are enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditor’s rights generally and to general principles of equity;

(c) the execution and delivery by Borrower of this Amendment and the consummation of the June 2012 Requested Term B Loan Increase does not require the consent or approval of any Person, except such consents and approvals as have been obtained;

(d) after giving effect to this Amendment the representations and warranties of Borrower and each other Loan Party set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as if made on the date hereof (except to the extent such representations and warranties are stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); and

(e) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

6. Severability . Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable.

7. References . Any reference to the Credit Agreement contained in any document, instrument or Credit Agreement executed in connection with the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified by this Amendment.

8. Counterparts; Electronic Transmission . This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall be one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures and other electronic signatures shall also constitute originals.

9. Ratification . The terms and provisions set forth in this Amendment shall modify and supersede all inconsistent terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and shall not be deemed to be a consent to the modification or waiver of any other term or

 

3


condition of the Credit Agreement. Except as expressly modified and superseded by this Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect.

10. Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed under seal and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers on the date first written above.

 

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Hakan Orvell

Name:   Hakan Orvell
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page - Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement (Incremental Amendment)


MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, as Agent and a Lender
By:  

/s/ Michael Wativi

Name:  

Michael Wativi

Title:  

Vice President

 

Signature Page - Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement (Incremental Amendment)


CONSENT AND REAFFIRMATION

Each of Performant Financial Corporation, Diversified Collection Services, Inc. and Vista Financial, Inc. (collectively, the “Companies”) hereby (i) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the foregoing Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement (Incremental Amendment) dated as of June 28, 2012 (the “Amendment”); (ii) consents to Borrower’s execution and delivery of the Amendment and the borrowing of the Requested Term B Increase contemplated thereby; (iii) agrees to be bound by the Amendment; (iv) affirms that nothing contained in the Amendment shall modify in any respect whatsoever any Loan Document to which it is a party; and (v) reaffirms that such Loan Documents shall continue to remain in full force and effect and that its guaranty of the Obligations and grant of security interests in its assets to secure such guaranty of the Obligations shall apply to the Obligations as increased by the Requested Term B Increase contemplated by the Amendment. Although the Companies have been informed of the matters set forth herein and has acknowledged and agreed to same, each of the Companies understands that Agent and Lenders have no obligation to inform either Company of such matters in the future or to seek acknowledgment of either Company or agreement to future amendments, waivers or consents, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Consent and Reaffirmation to be duly executed under seal and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers on and as of the date of the Amendment.

[Signature Page Follows]


PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Hakan Orvell

Name:   Hakan Orvell
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Hakan Orvell

Name:   Hakan Orvell
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
VISTA FINANCIAL, INC.
By:  

/s/ Hakan Orvell

Name:   Hakan Orvell
Title:   Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Consent and Reaffirmation - Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement (Incremental Amendment)


ANNEX I

Commitments and Term Loan Amounts and Pro Rata Shares

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term A Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term B Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
 

Madison Capital Funding LLC

   $ 4,250,000         38.63   $ 0         0   $ 45,250,000         45.71

ING Capital LLC

   $ 1,500,000         13.64   $ 5,000,000         8.77   $ 11,000,000         11.11

GSC Investment Corp. CLO 2007, LTD.

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 4,000,000         4.04

Amalgamated Bank

   $ 2,000,000         18.18   $ 8,000,000         14.04   $ 0         0

Bank of The West

   $ 2,000,000         18.18   $ 8,000,000         14.04   $ 0         0

PennantPark Floating Rate Funding I, LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 3,000,000         3.03

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 1,250,000         11.36   $ 11,000,000         19.30   $ 2,750,000         2.78

NewStar Commercial Loan Trust 2006-1

   $ 0         0   $ 6,400,000         11.23   $ 0         0

NewStar Commercial Loan Funding 2012-1 LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 3,600,000         6.32   $ 0         0

FTP Credit Holdings LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         8.77   $ 0         0

Audax Credit Opportunities (SBA), LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         5.05

Audax Credit Opportunities Offshore Ltd.

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         5.05


Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term A Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term B Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
 

Audax Senior Debt (WCTPT) SPV, LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         5.05

MC Funding Ltd.

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 3,000,000         3.03

NewStar Credit Opportunities Funding II Ltd.

   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         8.77   $ 0         0

CoLTS 2007-1 Ltd.

   $ 0         0   $ 1,000,000         1.75   $ 2,000,000         2.02

Emporia Preferred Funding II, LTD

   $ 0         0   $ 1,000,000         1.75   $ 2,000,000         2.02

Emporia Preferred Funding III, LTD

   $ 0         0   $ 592,593         1.04   $ 1,185,185         1.20

Ivy Hill Middle Market Credit Fund, LTD

   $ 0         0   $ 592,593         1.04     1,185,185         1.20

Ivy Hill Middle Market Credit Fund III, LTD

   $ 0         0   $ 1,000,000         1.75   $ 2,000,000         2.02

Ivy Hill Middle Market Credit Fund IV, LTD

   $ 0         0   $ 74,074         0.13   $ 148,149         0.15

Knightsbridge 2007-1 CLO LTD.

   $ 0         0   $ 740,740         1.30   $ 1,481,481         1.50

Kirkwood Fund I LLC

   $ 0         0   $ 0         0   $ 5,000,000         5.05


Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term A Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
    Term B Loan
Amount
     Pro Rata
Share
 

TOTALS

   $ 11,000,000         100   $ 57,000,000         100   $ 99,000,000         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICE, INC., a California corporation (“Corporation”), hereby employs by this Employment Agreement dated as of April 15, 2002 LISA IM (“Employee”) and Employee hereby agrees to work for Corporation upon the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Term . The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year commencing on June 3, 2002, provided that the Agreement and the employment hereunder shall be renewed automatically for regular periods of one (1) year unless terminated by Corporation or Employee as hereafter provided is Paragraph 4.

 

2. Scope . Corporation hereby employs Employee to render services to Corporation as Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and in such additional capacities as may be designated from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (the “CEO”). Employee shall report to and perform such duties commensurate with her position as may be specified from time to time by the CEO. Employee shall devote her entire time, skill, labor, efforts and attention to the employment with Corporation. The nature of the employment and Employee’s powers and duties in any capacity thereunder shall be determined from time to time by the CEO. During the term of this Agreement, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership or as an officer, director or shareholder of any other corporation (other than any which are owned by or affiliated with Corporation), be engaged in or concerned with any other commercial duties or pursuits whatsoever, except with the written consent of the CEO.

 

3. Compensation . Corporation shall pay to or provide compensation for Employee as hereafter set forth.

 

  3.1 Corporation shall pay Employee a salary of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($18,750.00) PER MONTH, in arrears.

 

  3.2

Corporation shall pay Employee a quarterly bonus not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($25,000.00)) for each quarter of the fiscal year of the Corporation based on Employee’s attainment of specified goals and objectives established for Employee by the Corporation from time to time (“Performance Bonus”). Employee acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of said goals and objectives are dynamic and will reflect the business environment then existing. Additionally, Employee shall be entitled to receive up to ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (100,000) bonus points per year to be applied to the Corporation’s “back-end” bonus program (“Back End Bonus”). The points earned for the Back-End Bonus shall not exceed the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (100,000) bonus points for any fiscal year and the point amount credited for such bonus for each quarter shall not exceed the corresponding dollar amount of the Performance Bonus for that same quarter. The Back-End Bonus, if any, shall be determined according to the Corporation’s


  Back-End Bonus Plan, payable according to the terms of the Plan, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference. Corporation may alter, modify or terminate the Back-End Bonus Plan at any time without notice to Employee.

 

  3.3 Corporation shall reimburse Employee for the actual costs of the pre-approved business expenses of Employee on presentation of appropriate vouchers by Employee.

 

  3.4 Employee shall participate in all of Corporation’s benefit programs, including the medical program, currently in existence or established during the term of Employee’s employment, in substantially the same manner and extent as other similar senior Corporation employees.

 

  3.5 Employee shall be entitled initially to fifteen days paid personal time off per year. Effective June 3, 2003, Employee shall be entitled to twenty days paid personal time off per year.* Corporation shall pay the premiums on a term life insurance policy insuring the life of Employee with a death benefit of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) (“Policy”); the Policy ownership and beneficiary designated shall be designated by Employee. Acquisition of the Policy is subject to Employee qualifying for said coverage and to the initial annual premium not exceeding THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($3,500.00) per year.

 

  3.6 CORPORATION AND EMPLOYEE AGREE THAT IN THE EVENT EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED FOR A REASON SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS 4.2 OR 4.4, IT IS EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT EMPLOYEE MAY SUFFER DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF SUCH TERMINATION, AND IT IS FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUCH DAMAGES WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CALCULATE AND ASCERTAIN, AND THAT IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE AND COSTLY TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL DAMAGES SUFFERED BY EMPLOYEE. IT IS EXPRESSLY AGREED THAT THE AMOUNT HEREINAFTER PAYABLE BY CORPORATION TO EMPLOYEE AS LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IS REASONABLE IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FACTS KNOWN TO THE PARTIES ON THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT. SAID LIQUIDATED DAMAGES ARE AGREED TO BE EMPLOYEE’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AGAINST CORPORATION FOR A TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT WITH CORPORATION PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPHS 4.2 OR 4.4 OF THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. In the event Employee’s employment is terminated for a reason specified in subparagraphs 4.2 or 4.4, Corporation shall pay Employee a sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) as liquidated damages.

 

* Personal time off to mean vacation days.

 

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  3.7 Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall grant Employee stock options (“Options”) to purchase ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (100,000) shares of the common stock of Corporation. The Options shall be exercisable in equal increments over a term of five (5) years. Exercise price shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Other terms of the plan are described in the Stock Option Plan of Corporation that is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

 

  3.8 Corporation shall pay Employee an allowance of $1,500 per month to cover the operating, maintenance and lease or installment purchase expense for an automobile (“Auto Lease or Installment Purchase”) for use in performing the duties assigned to her under this Agreement. In the event the employment of Employee terminates prior to the expiration or completion of the Auto Lease or Installment Purchase, Employee shall be solely responsible for any further expenses thereafter relating to such lease or purchase.

 

  3.9 The Corporation deems it necessary and desirable to require Employee to work at its San Leandro, CA headquarters and shall pay or reimburse the following expenses reasonably incurred by Employee upon the showing of adequate documentation:

 

   

up to two visits by Employee and spouse, if any, to such location in connection with a search for housing, including air travel fare and expenses of food and lodging

 

   

relocation expenses in connection with packing and transportation of household goods, transfer of Employee’s vehicle(s) and transportation of family, if any, to such location

 

   

expenses, including commissions, if any, in connection with the disposition by Employee of her existing home, and incidental expenses (e.g. inspection fees, title search and recording fees, escrow fees and the like) in connection with the acquisition of a new home

If any of the provisions of Attachment 1 to the letter to Employee from Merrill Eastman, dated April 9, 2002, add to or conflict with any of the terms of this Section 3.9, the Attachment 1 provisions shall prevail.

 

  3.10 Corporation shall, at its sole expense, equip Employee with a suitable computer, facsimile machine and cellular telephone for use in the performance of her duties hereunder, each of which shall be returned by Employee to Corporation at the termination for any reason of Employee’s employment if requested to do so in writing.

 

4. Termination of Agreement .

 

  4.1

Termination by Corporation for Cause . Corporation may terminate this Agreement for cause by written notice to Employee after Corporation has given Employee a written notice of proposed termination and Employee his failed to correct the deficiencies noted in said notice within fifteen (15) business days after

 

3


  receipt of the written notice of proposed termination. The written notice of proposed termination for cause shall specify in detail the facts or circumstances constituting Corporation’s cause for termination. Cause for termination shall include, but not be limited to, intentional or willful breach of or material neglect of duty, excessive absenteeism, repeated failure to perform work as required or to carry out the policies of or abide by the procedures established by Corporation, or failure to substantially achieve the goals and objectives of Corporation that are set by Corporation from time to time. If Corporation terminates this Agreement for cause, then Employee’s compensation for the then current year of service shall be limited to the compensation provided in subparagraph 3.1 herein prorated through the date of such termination for cause.

 

  4.2 Termination of Employee Without Cause . Corporation may terminate this Agreement without cause by fifteen (15) days written notice to Employee. In such event, Corporation shall pay Employee a sum equal to the aggregate amount due Employee under subparagraphs 3.1, 3.2, and 3.6 herein through the date of termination. Pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), Employee shall be entitled to the continuation of medical coverage for himself and her family for the maximum allowable eighteen month period. Corporation shall pay the premiums for such coverage for twelve months or until Employee commences employment with another company, whichever occurs sooner. In addition, Corporation at its sole discretion may pay for appropriate outplacement assistance for Employee for a reasonable period of time.

 

  4.3 Termination by Death of Employee . This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of Employee, and Corporation shall pay to Employee’s designated beneficiary, if any, and if not, then to the personal representative of the Employee’s estate, a sum equal to the aggregate compensation due Employee under subparagraphs 3.1 and 3.2 herein, up to the date of Employee’s death.

 

  4.4 Termination by Total Disability of Employee . This Agreement shall terminate upon the total disability of Employee, and Corporation shall pay Employee a sum equal to the aggregate amount payable to Employee. under subparagraphs 3.1, 3.2, and 3.6 herein as of the date of Employee’s disability, as defined in subparagraph 8.2.1.

 

5. Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Noncompetition

 

  5.1

Protection of Proprietary Information . In the course of her employment, Employee may learn, discover, be taught, develop or otherwise have access to certain information and materials of Corporation that Corporation has compiled, gathered, and developed over many years, that are important to the successful operation of Corporation, and that Corporation regards as proprietary and a confidential trade secret. Employee agrees that her employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust with Corporation with respect to trade secrets

 

4


  and other proprietary information of Corporation or its customers learned by Employee during the period of employment.

 

  (a) Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly use or disclose any Proprietary Information at any time except in connection with the services Employee provides to the Corporation. “Proprietary Information” shall mean trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data, or any other proprietary information of the Corporation and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

 

  (i) Corporation’s customer or client lists

 

  (ii) Corporation’s customers’ or clients’ buying habits or practices

 

  (iii) Key contact people for Corporation’s customers/clients

 

  (iv) Customer/client fee or payment arrangements

 

  (v) Corporation’s marketing materials, strategies, methods, pricing, and related data

 

  (vi) Corporation’s vendors or suppliers

 

  (vii) Corporation’s costs of materials

 

  (viii) Lists or other written records used in Corporation’s business

 

  (ix) Compensation paid by Corporation to employees and consultants, and other terms of employment or consultant arrangements

 

  (x) Product design and specifications, and marketing and/or sales techniques and procedures developed by Corporation

 

  (xi) Computer software, firmware, user manuals, and training manuals

Corporation makes reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of this information, including requiring all of its employees to sign a written undertaking not to disclose any confidential or Proprietary information that the Employee may learn about, regardless of how the Employee acquires the information. Such information is and will remain confidential, even if the Employee helps develop, gather, or acquire the information himself. Therefore, Employee agrees, in addition to all other promises made herein, as follows:

 

  (b)

At all times during her employment and at all times after termination of her employment, Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written

 

5


  consent of Corporation, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing Employee’s duties to Corporation.

 

  (c) All Corporation property, including but not limited to Proprietary Information, documents, data, records, apparatus, samples, books, notebooks, manuals, jackets, lists, correspondence, graphic or pictorial renderings, equipment, and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Proprietary Information, provided to Employee by Corporation or produced by Employee or others in connection with Employee providing services to the Corporation shall be and remain the sole property of Corporation and shall be returned promptly to Corporation as and when requested by Corporation. Employee shall return and deliver all such property upon termination of this Agreement, and Employee will not take any such property upon such termination.

 

  (d) Employee recognizes that Corporation has received and in the future will receive information from third parties that is private proprietary information subject to a duty on Corporation’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees that during the term of her employment and thereafter, Employee owes Corporation and such third parties a duty to hold all such private or proprietary information received from third parties in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it, except as necessary in carrying out Employee’s work for Corporation consistent with Corporation’s agreement with such third party, and not to use it for the benefit of anyone other than for Corporation or such third party consistent with Corporation’s agreement with such third party.

 

  (e) The obligations of Employee shall continue until such time as the Proprietary Information is publicly known, without fault on the part of the Employee.

 

  5.2 Nonsolicitation .

 

  (a) While employed by Corporation and for one year thereafter, Employee will not directly or indirectly engage or participate in the solicitation of or attempt to solicit, or in any manner encourage, any employee, vendor, or consultant of Corporation to terminate or adversely alter his, her, or its relationship with Corporation in any manner whatsoever.

 

  (b)

By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges and agrees that the names, addresses, and product specifications of Corporation’s customers constitute Corporation Proprietary Information and that the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of this or any other Corporation Proprietary Information that Employee obtained during the course of this Agreement would constitute unfair competition with the Corporation. Employee

 

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  promises not to engage in unfair competition with Corporation either during the term of her employment or at any time thereafter.

 

  (c) Employee will not during the course of her employment, or for a period of one year thereafter, either directly or indirectly call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away, any of Corporation’s customers with whom Employee became acquainted during the course of employment with the Corporation.

 

  5.3 Developed Information .

 

  (a) Employee agrees to promptly disclose to Corporation, or any persons designated by it, all ideas, improvements, inventions, programs, formulae, processes, techniques, discoveries, developments, designs, trade secrets, know-how, and data, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, and all designs, trademarks and copyrightable works that Employee may solely or jointly make or conceive or reduce to practice or learn during the period of her employment that (i) are within the scope of the services to be provided by Employee to the Corporation, and are related to or useful in the business of Corporation or to Corporation’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research, design, development, experimental, production, financing, licensing, or marketing activity carried on by the Corporation, or (ii) result from tasks assigned Employee by Corporation, or (iii) are funded by Corporation, or (iv) result from use of premises owned, leased, or contracted for by Corporation (hereinafter “Developed Information”). Any such disclosure by Employee shall be held in confidence by Corporation and its employees. Employee’s disclosure obligation shall continue for one year after termination of Employee’s employment with respect to anything that would be Developed Information if made, conceived, reduced to practice, or learned during the term thereof.

 

  (b) This Agreement does not require assignment of any invention that qualifies fully for protection under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code (hereinafter “Section 2870”), which provides as follows:

 

  “2870. (a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of her rights in an invention to her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

 

  (1)

Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s business, or actual or

 

7


  demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or

 

  (2) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

 

              (b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against public policy of this state and is unenforceable.”

The Employee understands that she bears the full burden of proving to the Corporation that Developed Information qualifies fully under Section 2870. By signing this Agreement, the Employee acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Agreement and of written notification of the provisions of Section 2870.

 

  (c)

Employee agrees that all Developed Information shall be the sole property of Corporation and its assigns and shall constitute “works made for hire”, and Corporation and its assigns shall be the sole owner of all patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights in connection therewith. Employee hereby assigns to Corporation any rights Employee may have or acquire in all Developed Information. Employee further agrees as to all Developed Information to assist Corporation in every proper way (but at Corporation’s expense) to obtain and from time to time enforce patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights with respect to the Developed Information in any and all countries. To that end, Employee will perform any further acts and execute and deliver all documents for use in applying for and obtaining such patents and copyrights thereon and enforcing same, as Corporation may desire, together with any, assignments thereof to Corporation or persons designated by it. Employee’s obligation to assist Corporation in obtaining and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights for the Developed Information in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of this Agreement, but Corporation shall compensate Employee at a reasonable rate not to exceed US$200.00 per day for time actually spent by Employee at Corporation’s request on such assistance. In the event that Corporation is unable for any reason to secure Employee’s signature to any lawful and necessary document required to apply for or prosecute any patent, trademark, copyright, or other right or protection with respect to Developed Information (including renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions, or continuation in part thereof), Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Corporation and its duty authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agents and attorneys-in-fact to act for and on Employee’s behalf and instead of Employee to execute and file any such application(s) and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of

 

8


  patents, trademarks, copyrights, or similar protections thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee. The Corporation shall also have the right to keep any and all Developed Information as trade secrets.

 

  (d) As a matter of record, Employee has attached as Exhibit B to this Agreement a complete list of all inventions, discoveries, developments, improvements, and trade secrets that have been made or conceived or first reduced to practice by Employee alone or jointly with others prior to the date of execution of this Agreement that Employee desires to remove from the operation of this Agreement; and Employee represents and covenants that such list is complete. If no such list is attached, Employee represents and covenants that she has made no inventions, discoveries, developments, improvements, or trade secrets at the time of signing of this Agreement that are to be removed from the operation of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation is free to compete or generate Developed Information within the areas and types of products that may be described in any such list.

 

  5.4 Property of Others .

 

  (a) Employee represents that Employee’s performance under this Agreement does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence Proprietary Information or trade secrets, if any, executed or otherwise acquired by Employee in confidence or in trust prior to this Agreement. There are no agreements, written or oral, conveying rights in any research conducted by Employee at any time. Employee has not entered into, and Employee agrees that Employee will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict herewith.

 

  (b) Employee represents, as part of the consideration for entering into this Agreement, that Employee has not brought and will not bring to Corporation, or use in the performance of Employee’s responsibilities at Corporation, any equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of any current or former employer or organization to which Employee provided services that are not generally available to the public, unless Employee has obtained written authorization for their possession and use.

 

  5.5

Competition . During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year thereafter, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, as a shareholder, investor, lender, employee, partner, consultant, independent contractor, or in any other capacity, engage in any activity within the geographic area in which the Corporation conducts business, that is competitive with or otherwise presents an interest in conflict with the business conducted by Corporation. Employee agrees that she will not disclose to any third party any information relating to the business of Corporation if such information could reasonably be construed as confidential and obtained in the course of Employee’s employment with

 

9


  Corporation. Employee agrees that she will protect the value of all confidential information of the Corporation and will prevent their misappropriation or disclosure. Employee will not disclose or use to her benefit (or the benefit of any third party) or to the detriment of the Corporation any confidential information of Corporation.

 

6. Equitable Relief . Corporation and Employee acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and 5 of this Agreement may result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other for which there will be no adequate remedy at law, and that Employee or Corporation will be entitled to equitable relief to restrain the other from violating the terms of these paragraphs, including without limitation temporary restraining orders and injunctions to cease and desist all unauthorized use and disclosure of Proprietary Information and other impermissible activities covered by these paragraphs, without posting bond or other security. Employee and Corporation shall be entitled to recover from the other any costs or expenses incurred in successfully obtaining relief against breach of this Agreement, including but not limited to legal fees and costs. Nothing in these paragraphs shall be construed as prohibiting Employee or Corporation from pursuing any other remedies available to them for such a breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages. All other relief sought by either party, whether damages or otherwise, must be sought through the Arbitration process described in subparagraph 8.15.

 

7. Continuing Obligations . Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, and specifically but without limitation the obligations of Paragraphs 5 and 6 above, shall continue in effect, even after termination of her employment with the Corporation, and the obligations shall be binding on Employee’s assigns, administrators, and other legal representatives.

 

8. General .

 

  8.1 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto and will become effective and binding upon the parties at such time as all of the signatories hereto have signed a counterpart of this Agreement. All counterparts so executed shall constitute one Agreement binding upon all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all the parties are not signatory to the original of the same counterpart. Each of the parties hereto shall sign a sufficient number of counterparts so that each party will receive a fully executed original of this Agreement.

 

  8.2 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth in this paragraph:

 

  8.2.1. Total Disability . Employee shall be totally disabled when Employee is not able to perform the major duties of her position because of sickness or injury as shall be determined by a licensed physician selected by the Board of Directors of Corporation.

 

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  8.3 Time of Essence . Time is expressly declared to be of the essence of this Agreement and of every provision thereof in which time is an element.

 

  8.4 Continuing Cooperation . Each party to this Agreement shall be obligated hereunder to do such other and further acts, including without limitation, the execution of any documents or instruments, which are reasonable or may be necessary or convenient in carrying out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

  8.5 Governing Law . The rights and obligations of the parties and the interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the law of Nevada, excluding its conflict of laws rules.

 

  8.6 Benefit and Burden . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and permissible assigns.

 

  8.7 Severability . In the event that any covenant, condition, or other provision herein contained is held to be invalid, void, or illegal by any court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, and shall in no way affect, impair, or invalidate any other covenant, condition, or other provision herein contained. If such condition, covenant, or other provision shall be deemed invalid due to its scope or breadth, such covenant, condition, or other provision shall be deemed valid to the extent of the scope or breadth permitted by law.

 

  8.8 Waiver and Amendment . No breach of any provision hereof can be waived unless in writing. Waiver of any one breach of any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach of the same or any other provision hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement executed by the parties in interest at the time of the modification.

 

  8.9 Captions and Interpretation . Paragraph titles or captions contained herein are inserted as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this Agreement or any provision hereof. No provision in this Agreement is to be interpreted for or against either party because that party or her legal representative drafted such provision.

 

  8.10 Notices . Any notice or notices provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and may be personally served upon the party or parties to receive such notice either within or outside of the State of California, or may be deposited in the United States mail, postage fully prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the party or parties to be served at the addresses indicated after their signatures below.

 

  8.11 Number and Gender . Whenever the singular number is used herein and when required by the context, the same shall include the plural, and the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders shall each include the others, and the word “person” shall include corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, trust or estate.

 

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  8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof, fully supersedes any and all prior understandings, representations, warranties, and agreements between the parties hereto, or any of them, pertaining to the subject matter hereof and may be modified only by written agreement signed by all of the parties hereto. Each party to this Agreement warrants that in executing this Agreement, such party has relied upon legal advice from counsel of that party’s choice, or has had the opportunity to hire counsel but has chosen not to do so; that the terms of this Agreement have been completely read, and are fully understood; that this Agreement is not executed by reason of representations or inducements not contained within this Agreement; and that each party’s execution of this Agreement is free and voluntary. Each party to this Agreement further represents and warrants that such party is not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and fulfilling the terms of this Agreement, and that the execution and performance of this Agreement is not a violation or breach of any other Agreement between such party and any other person or entity.

 

  8.13 Assignability . Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assigned by Employee. It is expressly acknowledged by Employee that Corporation may at any time assign any or all of its rights and duties with respect to Employee hereunder to any corporation that purchases all or substantially all of Corporation’s voting stock or assets, or to any subsidiary or other affiliate of Corporation, with no further obligation of any description whatsoever to Employee thereafter. Employee agrees to accept such assignment on such terms and agrees that thereupon all of Employee’s rights and duties hereunder shall be with respect to the assignee corporation, except that Employee shall remain obligated to Corporation to observe the terms of Paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 hereof regardless of such assignment.

 

  8.14 Exhibits . All documents identified herein as Exhibits shall be determined to be fully incorporated herein at each point such Exhibits are referred to, whether or not such Exhibits are actually attached hereto.

 

  8.15 Arbitration . In entering into this Agreement, Employee and Corporation agree to accept and be bound by the dispute resolution process set out herein. Except as provided in Section 6 above, this process shall cover any and all grievances that arise out of, or are directly or indirectly related to, this Agreement, Employee’s employment at the Corporation, or the termination of Employee’s employment at the Corporation, to the extent permitted by law. Employee agrees that this process covers any and all grievances she may have against the Corporation and/or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives or agents. As used herein, the word “grievance” or “grievances” shall mean any claims, grievances, causes of action, disputes and disagreements whether they arise out of contract, tort or statute, including but not limited to claims of violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any state equivalent prohibiting discrimination against or harassment of employees.

 

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Any grievance that cannot be resolved informally between Employee and Corporation, shall be submitted to binding arbitration and shall be subject to the following terms:

 

  (a) It shall be submitted to the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) at the AAA’s office nearest to the headquarters of the Corporation at the time of submission, for arbitration at a location at or as near as reasonably possible to the Corporation headquarters city, in conformance with the AAA’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for Arbitration Hearings.

 

  (b) Such arbitration shall be binding on both the Corporation and Employee, with no right of appeal, except as provided by law.

 

  (c) To the extent permitted by law, the costs of arbitration will be paid equally by the Corporation and Employee, but the arbitrator(s) may assess the costs of arbitration against the losing party. Except as provided below, each side will bear its own attorney fees and costs in any arbitration proceeding.

 

  (d) If Employee or Corporation attempts by any legal proceeding to set aside the award made by the arbitrator(s), or attempts to modify, set aside, or seek interpretation of this provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such proceeding will be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees and costs.

 

  (e) In entering into this Agreement and accepting resolution of any grievance under this provision, it is acknowledged and agreed by Employee that:

 

  (i) The dispute resolution, process set forth above is and will be the sole and exclusive remedy for any grievance that Employee may have against Corporation, and any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives or agents, or which they may have against Employee, except as provided in Section 6 hereof; and

 

  (ii) The dispute resolution process is intended to cover any and all grievances that arise out of or are directly or indirectly related to, this Agreement, Employee’s employment at the Corporation or the termination of her employment with the Corporation; and

 

  (iii) Employee understands that in agreeing to the dispute resolution process set forth herein she is giving up the right to seek redress of grievances in a civil lawsuit or administrative action, which may include the right to a trial by jury. Each party agrees that if a party refuses to submit to arbitration after agreeing to this provision, the arbitrators may enter an award against such party without the party’s participation in the proceedings.

 

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  8.16 Indemnity . In the event Employee was, is, or becomes a participant in, or is threatened to be made a participant in, a proceeding by reason of (or arising in part out of) an indemnifiable event, Corporation shall indemnify Employee from and against any and all expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the day and year first hereinabove written.

 

DATED:             , 2002   CORPORATION
  DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.,
    A California Corporation
    By:  

/s/ James B. A. Tracey, II

      JAMES B.A. TRACEY, II
      Chief Executive Officer
DATED:             , 2002   EMPLOYEE
 

/s/ Lisa Im

  LISA IM
  Address:  

 

   

 

 

14


EXHIBIT “A”

[To Be Attached)

                     LI

 

15


ADDENDUM TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the March 7 Board of Directors resolution, this addendum is hereby attached and made a part of the Employment Agreement for Lisa Im, originally dated April 15, 2002:

Section 2: Scope : Employee shall render services as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

DATED: March 31, 2003

CORPORATION

 

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ James B. A. Tracey, II

  James B.A. Tracey, II
  President and Chief Executive Officer

EMPLOYEE

 

By:  

/s/ Lisa Im

  Lisa Im


EXECUTION

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of January 8, 2004 (this “ Amendment ”), is made to the Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of March 31, 2003, between Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a California corporation (“ Corporation ”) and Lisa Im (“ Employee ”). Terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings accorded to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, Corporation and Employee have previously entered into the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend certain provisions of the Agreement, including, without limitation, changing Employee’s position from Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to President.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual representations, warranties, and covenants which are to be made and performed by the respective parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Amendments .

(a) Section 2 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in lieu thereof:

“2. Scope . During the term of the Agreement, Corporation hereby employs Employee to render services to Corporation as President for the Corporation and in such other additional capacities as Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”), in its sole discretion, may designate, from time to time, subject in each case, to the overall direction and authority of the Board. Employee shall report to and perform such duties commensurate with her position as President as may be specified from time to time by the Board. Employee shall devote her entire time, skill, labor, efforts, and attention to the employment with Corporation. The mature of the employment and Employee’s powers and duties in the capacity of President shall be determined from time to time by the Board. During the term of this agreement, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership or as an officer, director or shareholder of any other corporation (other than any which are owned by or affiliated with Corporation), be engaged in or concerned with any other commercial duties or pursuits whatsoever, except with the written consent of the Board.”

(b) Section 3.2 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in lieu thereof:

“3.2. In lieu of Corporation’s “back-end” bonus program and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any existing quarterly performance bonuses arrangements, Employee will be eligible to earn an annual supplemental bonus each year (or pro rated portion thereof) to be paid on a deferred basis


pursuant to a deferred compensation agreement in form and substance similar to Exhibit A attached hereto, in the amount and based upon the achievement by Employee and Corporation of certain target goals set forth by from time to time by the Board, which goals are initially set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto. Employee shall be entitled to purchase Series A Preferred Stock of the Corporation’s parent, DCS Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), a Delaware corporation (“Preferred Stock”) at fair market value (as determined by the board of directors of Holdings in its sole discretion) with the proceeds of loans made by Holdings to Employee pursuant to a promissory note in form and substance of Exhibit C attached hereto in an amount equal to the bonus earned in the preceding year (or portion thereof). The Preferred Stock shall be issued pursuant to separate agreements entered into between Holdings and Employee, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Holdings board of directors.”

(c) Section 3.7 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in lieu thereof:

“3.7. Intentionally Omitted.”

2. Full Force and Effect . Except as expressly amended or modified hereby, the Agreement will and does remain in full force and effect. The Agreement will become effective if and only if the transactions contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement with DCS Holdings, Inc, DCS Business Services, Inc., and certain other parties thereto, as in effect from time to time, are consummated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, that certain Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated July 31, 2003, by and between Employee and DCS Business Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as amended from time to time (the “ Change in Control Agreement ”) shall not be superceded by this Amendment and the Change of Control Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall govern to the extent of any conflict.

3. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation of this Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of California, excluding its conflict of laws rules.

4. Counterparts . This Amendment 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 shall constitute, one and the same Amendment.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this First Amendment to the Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Jon Shaver

Name:   Jon Shaver
Its:   Executive Vice President

/s/ Lisa Im

Lisa Im

Signature Page to Lisa Im First Amendment to Employment Agreement


Exhibit A

DCS BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

FORM OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

THIS DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of                  , 200    , by and between                      (the “ Executive ”) and                      (the “ Company ”). This Agreement is intended to provide compensation to the Executive. In return for foregoing certain consideration pursuant to Executive’s Employment Agreement, the Company and the Executive hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Deferred Compensation Benefit . Nine (9) years following the date of this Agreement, upon the consummation of a Sale of the Company, upon a Public Event or thirty (30) days following a Termination Event, whichever is earliest, the Company shall pay the Executive (or his beneficiary in the event of his death) a lump sum equal to an amount (such amount, the “ Benefit Amount ”) determined as follows: 1

(i) If a Sale of the Company, a Public Event or a Termination Event occurs on or prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the date hereof, the Benefit Amount shall be equal to $        ;

(ii) If a Sale of the Company, a Public Event or a Termination Event occurs following the one (1) year anniversary of the date hereof but prior to the two (2) year anniversary off the date hereof, the Benefit Amount shall be equal to $        ;

(iii) If a Sale of the Company, a Public Event or a Termination Event occurs following the two (2) it anniversary of the date hereof but prior to the three year anniversary of the date hereof, the Benefit Amount shall be equal to $        ; and

(iv) If the Benefit Amount is paid following the three (3) year anniversary of the date hereof, the Benefit Amount shall be equal to $        .

2. Earnings and Interest . No earnings or interest with respect to the Benefit Amount shall be payable, regardless of the form or timing of the payment of such Benefit Amount.

3. Designation of Beneficiaries . The Executive may name any Person (who may be named concurrently, contingently or successively) to whom the Benefit Amount under this Agreement is to be paid if the Executive dies before the Benefit Amount is fully distributed. Each such beneficiary designation will revoke all prior designations by the Executive, shall not require the consent of any previously named beneficiary, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company and will be effective only when filed with the Company during the Executives lifetime. If the Executive fails to designate a beneficiary before his death, as provided in this Section, or if the beneficiary designated by the Executive dies before the date of the Executive’s

 

1   Amounts below to roughly tract the amount of Executive Note used to buy Company Securities.


death or before complete payment of the Benefit Amount, the Company, in its discretion, may pay the Benefit Amount to either (i) one or more of the Executive’s relatives by blood, adoption or marriage and in such proportions as the Company determines, or (ii) the legal representative or representatives of the estate of the last to die of the Executive and his designated Beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is married, the Executive’s spouse must consent in writing to the designation of any Person as beneficiary other than the spouse.

 

  4. Definitions .

Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

DCS Holdings ” means DCS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Employment Agreement ” means that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2002, as amended from time to time, by and among Diversified Collection Service, Inc., a California corporation and the Executive.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Escrow Agreement ” means that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of January     , 2004, by and among the Company, the Escrow Agent (as defined therein) and the other parties signatory thereto.

Parthenon ” shall mean Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, 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.

Public Event ” means immediately prior to such time the Company becomes an “issuer” under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as may be amended from time to time.

Sale of the Company ” means (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company to any Person or (ii) the transfer or other disposition to any Person or group of Persons (as the term “group” is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (other than Parthenon or any Affiliate thereof) of outstanding equity securities (whether by sale, issuance, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or otherwise) of the Company such that after giving effect to such transfer, such Person or group of Persons would own or control the right to elect at least a majority of the members of the Board.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.


Stock Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2003 among the Company, DCS, Parthenon Investors, II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and certain stockholders of the Company named therein.

Termination Event ” means the date on which (i) Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated with or without cause or (ii) employment with the Company is terminated by Executive.

5. Administration of this Compensation Agreement . The deferred compensation arrangement set forth under this Agreement shall be administered by the Company. The Company’s duties and authority under this arrangement shall include the good faith (i) interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) adoption of any rules and regulations which may become necessary or advisable in the operation of this arrangement, (iii) making of such determinations as may be permitted or required pursuant to this arrangement, and (iv) taking of such other actions as may be required for the proper administration of this arrangement in accordance with its terms. Any decision of the Company with respect to any matter within the authority of the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Executive, beneficiary, and each Person claiming under or through the Executive, and no additional authorization or ratification by the stockholders or the Executive shall be required. Any action by the Company with respect to any one or more other executives under similar agreements shall not be binding on the Company as to any action to be taken with respect to the Executive. Each determination required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made by the Company in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company.

6. Action by Company . Any action required or permitted by the Company under this Agreement shall be by resolution of the Board or by a duly authorized committee of the Board, or by a person or persons authorized by resolution of the Board or such committee.

7. Amendment . This Agreement may not be canceled, changed, modified, or amended orally, and no cancellation, change, modification or amendment hereof shall be effective or binding unless in a written instrument signed by the Company and the Executive. A provision of this Agreement may be waived only by a written instrument signed by the party against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought.

8. No Waiver . The failure at any time either of the Company or the Executive to require the performance by the other of any provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect the full right of such party to require such performance at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by either the Company or the Executive of any breach of any provision of this Agreement be taken or held to constitute a waiver of any succeeding breach of such or any other provision of this Agreement.

9. Offset . Whenever the Company is to pay the Executive or his beneficiary the Benefit Amount, such amounts that Executive owes to the Company or its Affiliates (including any amounts that are non-recourse to the Executive) may be deducted from the Benefit Amount before payment.


10. No Consideration for Bonus . Executive agreements that the right to receive the Benefit Amount is in lieu of receiving any consideration for certain bonus amounts Executive may be entitled to pursuant to her Employment Agreement.

11. Indemnification and Reimbursement of Payments on Behalf of the Executive . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any distribution made pursuant to this Agreement such amount or amounts as may be required for purposes of the Company complying with the tax withholding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any state tax act for purposes of paying any income, estate, inheritance or other tax (“ Taxes ”) attributable to any amounts distributable under this Agreement. In the event the Company does not make such deductions or withholdings, the Executive shall indemnify the Company for any amounts paid with respect to any such Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and related expenses thereto.

12. Assignment . This Agreement is binding on and for the benefit of the Company and the Executive and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives. Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder may be sold, transferred, assigned, or pledged by the Company or by the Executive without the prior written consent of the other.

13. Interpretation and Severability . In the event any provision of this Agreement, or any portion thereof, is determined by any or court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or void, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless be binding upon the Company and the Executive with the same effect as though the void provision or portion thereof had never been set forth therein.

14. No Conflict . The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is not subject to any agreement, order, judgment or decree of any kind which would prevent the Executive from entering into this Agreement.

15. Employment Relationship . This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right and power of the Company to dismiss or otherwise terminate the employment or change the terms of the employment or amount of compensation of the Executive at any time for any reason with or without cause or in accordance with any applicable employment contract.

16. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without application of its conflict or choice of law provisions. The Company and the Executive agree that this is not an ERISA plan or part of an ERISA plan.

17. Execution . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

18. Gender and Number . Wherever any words are used herein in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words are used herein in the singular


form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

19. Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.


Exhibit B

Lisa Im Deferred Performance Bonus Terms

(Replacement for Back-End Bonus and Quarterly Bonus)

Deferred Performance bonuses will be determined by the following:

 

  1. In order to earn a Deferred Performance bonus for a particular year, employee must remain employed at end of that fiscal year.

 

  2. Subject to the catch-up provision below (see # 6), the maximum potential bonus earned in a given year will be 150% of the employee’s base salary (“Max Bonus”).

 

  3. Deferred Performance bonus targets will be derived from Revenue and EBITDA targets in the management plan (see Appendix to Shareholder Note) for 2004 through 2008, as adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions based on board-approved projections. For the purpose of bonus calculations, 2003 EBITDA (both the target amount and the actual amount) will be adjusted EBITDA after add-backs as agreed upon by the company’s senior lenders. Performance will be measured as actual vs. targeted performance for the average of the two trailing years, except as noted below in this paragraph. For example, in 2005, the bonus will be determined by measuring the average of actual Revenue and EBITDA for 2005 and 2004 against the average of the management plan for Revenue and EBITDA for 2005 and 2004. However, if the current year’s actual Revenue or EBITDA is lower than the prior year’s corresponding actual Revenue or EBITDA, the current year figure will be used instead of the average (for Revenue or EBITDA or both, whichever of Revenue or EBITDA is lower in the current year).

 

  4. Performance will be measured as a percentage of target average Revenue and EBITDA. Whichever of Revenue and EBITDA is lower relative to target will be used for the bonus calculation. For example, if average Revenue is 110% of target and EBITDA is 105% of target, management will be deemed to have achieved 105% of plan (the “Percent Achieved”).

 

  5. In order to achieve any Deferred Performance bonus, the company must achieve at least 95% of its plan. To achieve the Max Bonus, the company must achieve 125% of its plan. Assuming that the Percent Achieved exceeds 95%, the bonus will be calculated by interpolating between the milestones in the chart below:

 

Percent Achieved:

     95     100     105     110     115     120     125

Bonus % (of Max Bonus) Earned:

     20     30     40     50     60     75     100

 

  6.

Catch-up Provision: If the Percent Achieved exceeds 125% for a particular year, the bonus may be greater than 100% of Max Bonus that year only to the extent that the cumulative bonus (including any prior catch-up bonuses) in prior years was less than 100% of the Max Bonus for those years. The formula for


  circumstances where catch-up bonuses are earned because the Percent Achieved exceeds 125% can be stated as follows:

Bonus (if Percent Achieved > 125%) = lesser of a) Percent Achieved divided by 125% times current year Max Bonus and b) the sum of i) current year Max Bonus and ii) the cumulative dollar difference between Max Bonuses for prior years (since inception of this bonus plan) and cumulative bonuses earned.

Obviously, even if the catch-up bonus does not “fully” recognize performance ahead of plan in the current year, because performance is measured on the basis of a 2-year average (other than the exception noted in #3 above), the benefit may still be recognized in the following year.


Exhibit C

FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$                             , 200    

For value received , in connection with that certain Investment Agreement, of even date hereof, by and among DCS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and each of the persons set forth on the signature pages thereto,              (“ Executive ”) promises to pay to the order of the Company, at its offices in 200 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, or such other place as designated in writing by the holder hereof, the principal sum of $         together with interest accrued from the date hereof on the unpaid principal at the rate of s    % per annum, or the maximum rate permissible by law (which under the laws of the State of Delaware shall be deemed to the laws relating to permissible rates of interest on commercial loans), whichever is less, as follows:

Principal Repayment . The outstanding principal amount hereunder shall be due and payable in full on                  , 20    .

Interest Payments . Interest shall be compounded annually and shall accrue and be payable at such time as the principal of this Note becomes due and payable;

provided , however , that if upon the earlier to occur of a Public Event, a Sale of the Company or thirty (30) days following a Termination Event, this Note shall be accelerated and all remaining unpaid principal and interest shall become due and payable immediately. For the purposes of this Note, a “ Sale of the Company ” means (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company to any Person or (ii) the transfer or other disposition to any Person or group of Persons (as the term “group” is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (other than Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC or any Affiliate thereof) of outstanding equity securities (whether by sale, issuance, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or otherwise) of the Company, such that after giving effect to such transfer, such Person or group of Persons would own of control the right to elect at least a majority of the members of the Board. For the purposes of this Note, “ Person ” an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, 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. For the purposes of this Note, “ Public Event ” means immediately prior to such time the Company becomes an “issuer” under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as may be amended from time to time. For the purposes of this Note, a “ Termination Event ” means the date on which (i) Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated with or without cause or (ii) employment with the Company is terminated by Executive.

This Note may be prepaid at any time without penalty. All money paid toward the satisfaction of this Note shall be applied first to the payment of interest as required hereunder and then to the retirement of the principal.

This Note is one-hundred percent (100%) recourse.


Executive hereby represents and agrees that the amounts due under this Note are not consumer debt, and are not incurred primarily for personal, family or household purposes, but are for business and commercial purposes only.

Executive hereby waives presentment, protest and notice of protest, demand for payment, notice of dishonor and all other notices or demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or endorsement of this Note, and expressly agrees that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may be extended from time to time and that the holder hereof may accept security for this Note or release security for this Note, all without in any way affecting the liability of Executive hereunder.

If Executive fails to pay any amounts due hereunder when due, the holder hereof shall be entitled to recover, and the undersigned agrees to pay when incurred, all costs and expenses of collection of this Note, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

This Note shall be governed by, and construed, enforced and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding conflict of laws principles that would cause the application of laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

 

[Name]


SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of 2/22nd , 2008 (this “ Amendment ”), is made, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003, as amended January 8, 2004 (the “ Agreement ”), between Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a California corporation (“ Corporation ”), and Lisa Im. Terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings accorded to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, Corporation and Employee have previously entered into the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend certain provisions of the Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration (receipt of which is hereby acknowledged), the parties hereby agree as follows:

A. Amendments .

(1) Section 3.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“3.1. Effective as of January I, 2008 and thereafter, Corporation shall pay Employee a monthly salary of THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE DOLLARS AND 33/100 CENTS ($33,333.33) PER MONTH, in arrears.

(2) Section 3.2 of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“3.2. In lieu of Corporation’s “back-end” bonus program and any other bonus program or arrangement, Employee will be eligible to earn an annual bonus in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.”

(3) Each of Exhibit A and Exhibit B to the Agreement are deleted in their entirety and replaced with Exhibit A attached hereto.

B. Full Force and Effect . Except as expressly amended or modified hereby, the Agreement will and does remain in full force and effect

C. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation of this Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of California, excluding its conflict of laws rules.

D. Counterparts . This Amendment 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 shall constitute one and the same Amendment.

E. Descriptive Headings . Descriptive headings of the Sections of this Amendment are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions of this Amendment.

*    *    *    *


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Lisa Im

Name:  

Lisa Im

Title:  

CEO

/s/ LISA IM

LISA IM

 

Agreed and acknowledged as of the date

first written above by the following directors of

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.:

/s/ William C. Kessinger

William C. Kessinger

/s/ Brian P. Golson

Brian P. Golson

/s/ Jeffrey Stein

Jeffrey Stein

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

2008 Compensation Plan

Bonus Grid

Employee shall be eligible during fiscal year 2008 to earn an annual bonus that is determined by measuring the Corporation’s EBITDA, as determined by the Corporation’s board of directors, as follows:

 

Corporation EBITDA*

   Bonus**      Total Compensation***  

$35,000,000 - $36,999,999

   $ 100,000       $ 500,000   

$37,000,000 - $38,499,999

   $ 150,000       $ 550,000   

$38,500,000 - $39,749,999

   $ 200,000       $ 600,000   

$39,750,000 - $40,999,999

   $ 300,000       $ 700,000   

$41,000,000 and above

   $ 400,000       $ 800,000   

 

* EBITDA will include addbacks for management fees and other addbacks approved by the Corporation’s board of directors, but bonus payments (including any bonus payments to Employee as set forth above) must be deducted / accrued in order to calculate EBITDA.
** Any bonus payable to Employee pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid in full when the Corporation’s books are closed in 2009, but in any event no later than April 15, 2009, and shall be payable to Employee if and only so long as Employee is, and has continued to be, employed by the Corporation or any of its affiliates through such payment date.
*** Amounts inclusive of $400,000 annual base salary

[Signature Page to Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement]

Exhibit 10.9

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DCS, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC., a California corporation (“Corporation”) hereby employs JON D. SHAVER (“Employee”) and Employee hereby agrees to work for Corporation upon the following terms and conditions.

 

1. Term . The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year commencing on March 31, 2003, provided that the Agreement and the employment hereunder shall be renewed automatically for regular periods of one (1) year unless terminated by Corporation or Employee as hereafter provided in Paragraph 4.

 

2. Scope . Corporation hereby employs Employee to render services to Corporation as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and in such additional capacities as may be designated from time to time by Corporation. Employee shall report to and perform such duties commensurate with his position as may be specified from time to time by Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Employee shall devote his entire time, skill, labor, efforts and attention to the employment with Corporation. The nature of the employment and Employee’s powers and duties in any capacity thereunder shall be determined from time to time by the CEO. During the term of this Agreement, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership or as an officer, director or shareholder of any other corporation, (other than any which are owned by or affiliated with Corporation), be engaged in or concerned with any other commercial duties or pursuits whatsoever, except with the written consent of the CEO.

 

3. Compensation . Corporation shall pay to or provide compensation for Employee as hereafter set forth.

 

  3.1 Corporation shall pay Employee a salary of EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($18,750.00) per month.

 

  3.2 Corporation shall pay Employee a quarterly salary bonus not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($25,000.00) for each quarter of the fiscal year of the Corporation based on Employee’s attainment of specified priorities, goals, and objectives established for Employee by the Corporation from time to time (“Performance Bonus”). Employee acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of said priorities, goals, and objectives are dynamic and will reflect the business environment then existing. Additionally, Employee shall be entitled to participate in the Corporation’s “back-end” bonus program (“Back-End Bonus”). The Back-End Bonus, if any, shall be determined according to the Corporation’s Back-End Bonus Plan, payable according to the terms of the Plan, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference. Corporation may alter, modify or terminate the Back-End Bonus Plan at any time.

 

1


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  3.3 Corporation shall reimburse Employee for the actual costs of the pre-approved business expenses of Employee on presentation of appropriate vouchers by Employee.

 

  3.4 Employee shall participate in all of Corporation’s benefit programs, including the medical program, currently in existence or established during the term of Employee’s employment, in substantially the same manner and extent as other similar Corporation employees.

 

  3.5 Employee shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the currently promulgated policy. Corporation shall pay the premiums on a term life insurance policy insuring the life of Employee with a death benefit not to exceed ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) (“Policy”); the Policy ownership and beneficiary designated shall be designated by Employee. Acquisition of the Policy is subject to Employee qualifying for said coverage.

 

  3.6

Corporation shall pay Employee an allowance of $1700.00 per month to cover the operating, maintenance and lease or installment purchase expense for an automobile (“Auto Lease or Installment Purchase”) for use in performing the duties assigned to him under this Agreement. In the event the employment of Employee terminates prior to the expiration , of the Auto Lease or Installment Purchase, Employee shall be solely responsible for any further expenses thereafter relating to such lease or purchase.

 

4. Termination of Agreement .

 

  4.1

Termination by Corporation for Cause . Corporation may terminate this Agreement for cause by written notice to Employee after Corporation has given Employee a written notice of proposed termination and Employee has failed to correct the deficiencies noted in said notice within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of the written notice of proposed termination. The written notice of proposed termination for cause shall specify , in detail the facts or circumstances constituting Corporation’s cause for termination. Cause for termination shall include, buts not be limited to, intentional or willful breach of or material neglect of duty, excessive absenteeism, repeated failure to perform work as required or to carry out the policies of or abide by the procedures established by Corporation, or failure to substantially achieve the goals and objectives of Corporation that are set by Corporation from time to time. If Corporation terminates this Agreement for cause, then Employee’s compensation for the then current year of service shall be limited to the compensation provided in subparagraph 3.1 herein prorated through the date of such termination for cause.

 

  4.2

Termination of Employee Without Cause . Corporation may terminate this Agreement without cause by fifteen (15) days written notice to Employee. In such event, Corporation shall pay Employee a sum equal to the aggregate amount due Employee under subparagraphs 3.1, 3.2, and 3.6 herein through the date of

 

2


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  termination. In the event Employee’s employment is terminated for a reason specified in subparagraphs 4.2 or 4.5, Corporation shall pay Employee the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) as liquidated damages. Upon change of control of the Corporation only, if Employee’s employment with the Corporation is (1) voluntarily terminated by Employee because Employee’s employment conditions have been adversely and materially changed, including without limitation Employer’s requiring geographic location without consent or imposing on Employee a position of lesser status, responsibility or compensation, or any of the above, or (2) involuntarily terminated other than for “Special Cause,” at any time within two years following the closing date of such change in . control, Employee shall be entitled to a severance payment in the amount of one year of Employee’s prior annualized salary plus bonus, or one month per year of service, whichever is greater. “Special Cause” shall include, but not be limited to: (a) willful engagement in conduct that involves dishonesty or moral turpitude that either (i) results in substantial personal enrichment at the expense of the Corporation or any of its affiliates, or (ii) is demonstrably and materially injurious to the financial condition or reputation of Corporation or any of its affiliates, or (b) Employee’s willful violation of the provisions of any confidentiality or non-competition agreement between Employee and the Corporation or any of its affiliates. An act or omission shall be deemed “willful” for the purposes hereof only if done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that it was in the best interests of Corporation and its affiliates. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the Corporation shall be considered to have undergone a change in control if the holder(s) of more than fifty per cent of the current equity ownership in the Corporation or its parent sell common stock to unrelated third parties resulting in such holders then having less than fifty per cent ownership in the Corporation. In the event of any conflict between this provision and any provision of the Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2003, such Change of Control Severance Agreement shall control.

 

  4.3 Termination by Death of Employee . This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of Employee, and Corporation shall pay to Employee’s designated beneficiary, if any, and if not, then to the personal representative of the Employee’s estate, a sum equal to the aggregate compensation due Employee under subparagraphs 3.1 and 3.2 herein, up to the date of Employee’s death.

 

  4.4 Voluntary Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice to Corporation. Upon such termination, Corporation shall pay Employee a sum equal to the compensation due Employee under subparagraph 3.1 herein as of the effective date of Employee’s notice.

 

  4.5

Termination by Total Disability of Employee . This Agreement shall terminate upon the total disability of Employee, and Corporation shall pay Employee a sum equal to the aggregate amount payable to Employee under subparagraphs 3.1, 3.2,

 

3


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  and 3.6 herein as of the date of Employee’s disability, as defined in subparagraph 8.2.1.

 

5. Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Noncompetition .

 

  5.1 Protection of Proprietary Information . In the course of his employment, Employee may learn, discover, be taught, help develop, or otherwise have access to certain information and materials of Corporation that Corporation has compiled, gathered, and developed over many years, that are important to, the successful operation of Corporation, and that Corporation regards as proprietary and a confidential trade secret. Employee agrees that his employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust with Corporation with respect to trade secrets and other proprietary information of Corporation or its customers learned by Employee during the period of employment.

 

  (a) Employee agrees not to directly or indirectly use or disclose any Proprietary Information at any time except in connection with the services Employee provides to the Corporation. “Proprietary Information” shall mean trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data, or any other proprietary information of the Corporation and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

 

  (i) Corporation’s customer or client lists

 

  (ii) Corporation’s customers’ or clients’ buying habits or practices

 

  (iii) Key contact people for Corporation’s customers/clients

 

  (iv) Customer/client fee or payment arrangements

 

  (v)

Corporation s marketing materials, strategies, methods, pricing, and related data

 

  (vi) Corporation’s vendors or suppliers

 

  (vii) Corporation’s costs of materials

 

  (viii) Lists or other written records used in Corporation’s business

 

  (ix) Compensation paid by Corporation to employees and consultants, and other terms of employment or consultant arrangements

 

  (x) Collection techniques and procedures developed by Corporation

 

4


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  (xi) Computer software, firmware, user manuals, and training manuals

Corporation makes reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of this information, including requiring all of its employees to sign a written undertaking not to disclose any confidential or Proprietary Information that the Employee may learn about, regardless of how the Employee acquires the information. Such information is and will remain confidential, even if the Employee helps develop, gather, or acquire the information himself. Therefore, Employee agrees, in addition to all other promises made herein, as follows:

 

  (b)

At all times during his employment and at all times after termination of his employment, Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of Corporation, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing Employee s duties to Corporation.

 

  (c) All Corporation property, including but not limited to Proprietary Information, documents, data, records, apparatus, samples, books, notebooks, manuals, jackets, lists, correspondence, graphic or pictorial renderings, equipment, and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Proprietary Information, provided to Employee by Corporation or produced by Employee or others in connection with Employee providing services to the Corporation shall be and remain the sole property of Corporation and shall be returned promptly to Corporation as and when requested by Corporation. Employee shall return and deliver all such property upon termination of this Agreement, and Employee will not take any such property upon such termination.

 

  (d)

Employee recognizes that Corporation has received and in the future will receive information from third parties that is private proprietary information subject to a duty on Corporation s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees that during the term of his employment and thereafter, Employee owes Corporation and such third parties a duty to hold all such private or proprietary information received from third parties in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it, except as necessary in carrying out Employee’s work for Corporation consistent with Corporation’s agreement with such third party, and not to use it for the benefit of anyone other than for Corporation or such third party consistent with Corporation’s agreement with such third party.

 

5


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  (e) The obligations of Employee shall continue until such time as the Proprietary Information is publicly known, without fault on the part of the Employee.

 

  5.2 Nonsolicitation .

 

  (a) While employed by Corporation and for one year thereafter, Employee will not directly or indirectly engage or participate in the solicitation of or attempt to solicit, or in any manner encourage, any employee, vendor, or consultant of Corporation to terminate or adversely alter his, her, or its relationship with Corporation in any manner whatsoever.

 

  (b)

By signing this Agreement, Employee acknowledges and agrees that the names, addresses, and product specifications of Corporation s customers constitute Corporation Proprietary Information and that the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of this or any other Corporation Proprietary Information that Employee obtained during the course of this Agreement would constitute unfair competition with the Corporation. Employee promises not to engage in unfair competition with Corporation either during the term of his employment or at any time thereafter.

 

  (c)

Employee will not during the course of his employment, or for a period of one year thereafter, either directly or indirectly call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to call on, solicit, or take away, any of Corporation s customers with whom, Employee became acquainted during the course of employment with the Corporation.

 

  5.3 Developed Information .

 

  (a)

Employee agrees to promptly disclose to Corporation, or any persons designated by it, all ideas, improvements, inventions, programs, formulae, processes, techniques, discoveries, developments, designs, trade secrets, know-how, and data, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, and all designs, trademarks, and copyrightable works that Employee may solely or jointly make or conceive or reduce to practice or learn during the period of his employment that (i) are within the scope of the services to be provided by Employee to the Corporation, and are related to or useful in the business of Corporation or to Corporation’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research, design, development, experimental, production, financing, licensing, or marketing activity carried on by the Corporation, or (ii) result from tasks assigned Employee by Corporation, or (iii) are funded by Corporation, or (iv) result from use of premises owned, leased, or contracted for by Corporation (hereinafter “Developed Information”). Any such disclosure by Employee shall be held in confidence by Corporation and its employees. Employee’s disclosure obligation shall

 

6


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  continue for one year after termination of Employee’s employment with respect to anything that would be Developed Information if made, conceived, reduced to practice, or learned during the term thereof.

 

  (b) This Agreement does not require assignment of any invention that qualifies fully for protection under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code (hereinafter “Section 2870”), which provides as follows:

 

“2870. (a)    Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his rights in an invention to his employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:
   (1)    Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or
   (2)    Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(b)    To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against public policy of this state and is unenforceable.”

The Employee understands that he bears the full burden of proving to the Corporation that Developed Information qualifies fully under Section 2870. By signing this Agreement, the Employee acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Agreement and of written notification of the provisions of Section 2870.

 

  (c)

Employee agrees that all Developed Information shall be the sole property of Corporation and its assigns and shall constitute “works made for hire”, and Corporation and its assigns shall be the sole owner of all patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights in connection therewith. Employee hereby assigns to Corporation any rights Employee may have or acquire in all Developed Information. Employee further agrees as to all Developed Information to assist Corporation in every proper way (but at Corporation’s expense) to obtain and from time to time enforce patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights with respect to the Developed Information in any and all countries. To that end, Employee will perform any further acts and execute and deliver all documents for use in applying

 

7


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  for and obtaining such patents and copyrights thereon and enforcing same, as Corporation may desire, together with any assignments thereof to Corporation or persons designated by it Employee’s obligation to assist Corporation in obtaining and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other rights for the Developed Information in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of this Agreement, but Corporation shall compensate Employee at a reasonable rate not to exceed US$200.00 per day for time actually spent by Employee at Corporation’s request on such assistance. In the event that Corporation is unable for any reason to secure Employee’s signature to any lawful and necessary document required to apply for or prosecute any patent, trademark, copyright, or other right or protection with respect to Developed Information (including renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions, or continuation in part thereof), Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Corporation and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agents and attorneys-in-fact to act for and on Employee’s behalf and instead of Employee to execute and file any such application(s) and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or similar protections thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee. The Corporation shall also have the right to keep any and all Developed Information as trade secrets.

 

  (d) As a matter of record, Employee has attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement a complete list of all inventions, discoveries, developments, improvements, and trade secrets that have been made or conceived or first reduced to practice by Employee alone or jointly with others prior to the date of execution of this Agreement that Employee desires to remove from the operation of this Agreement; and Employee represents and covenants that such list is complete. If no such list is attached, Employee represents and covenants that he has made no inventions, discoveries, developments, improvements, or trade secrets at the time of signing of this Agreement that are to be removed from the operation of this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation is free to compete or generate Developed Information within the areas and types of products that may be described in any such list.

 

  5.4 Property of Others .

 

  (a)

Employee represents that Employee’s performance under this Agreement does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence Proprietary Information or trade secrets, if any, executed or otherwise acquired by Employee in confidence or in trust prior to this Agreement. There are no agreements, written or oral, conveying rights in any research conducted by Employee at any time. Employee has not entered into, and

 

8


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  Employee agrees that Employee will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict herewith.

 

  (b) Employee represents, as part of the consideration for entering into this Agreement, that Employee has not brought and will not bring to Corporation, or use in the performance of Employee’s responsibilities at Corporation, any equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of any current or former employer or organization to which Employee provided services that are not generally available to the public, unless Employee has obtained written authorization for their possession and use.

 

6. Equitable Relief . Corporation and Employee acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and 5 of this Agreement may result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other for which there will be no adequate remedy at law, and that Employee or Corporation will be entitled to equitable relief to restrain the other from violating the terms of these paragraphs, including without limitation temporary restraining orders and injunctions to cease and desist all unauthorized use and disclosure of Proprietary Information and other impermissible activities covered by these paragraphs, without posting bond or other security. Employee and Corporation shall be entitled to recover from the other any costs or expenses incurred in successfully obtaining relief against breach of this Agreement, including but not limited to legal fees and costs. Nothing in these paragraphs shall be construed as prohibiting Employee or Corporation from pursuing any other remedies available to them for such a breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages. All other relief sought by either party, whether damages or otherwise, must be sought through the Arbitration process described in subparagraph 8.15.

 

7. Continuing Obligations . Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, and specifically but without limitation the obligations of Paragraphs 5 and 6 above, shall continue in effect, even after termination of his employment with the Corporation, and the obligations shall be binding on Employee’s assigns, administrators, and other legal representatives.

 

8. General .

 

  8.1 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto and will become effective and binding upon the parties at such time as all of the signatories hereto have signed a counterpart of this Agreement. All counterparts so executed shall constitute one Agreement binding upon all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all the parties are not signatory to the original of the same counterpart. Each of the parties hereto shall sign a sufficient number of counterparts so that each party will receive a fully executed original of this Agreement.

 

  8.2 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth in this paragraph:

 

9


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  8.2.1 Total Disability . Employee shall be totally disabled when Employee is not able to perform the major duties of his position because of sickness or injury as shall be determined by a licensed physician selected by the Board of Directors of Corporation.

 

  8.3 Time of Essence . Time is expressly declared to be of the essence of this Agreement and of every provision thereof in which time is an element.

 

  8.4 Continuing Cooperation . Each party to this Agreement shall be obligated hereunder to do such other and further acts, including without limitation, the execution of any documents or instruments, which are reasonable or may be necessary or convenient in carrying out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

  8.5 Governing Law . The rights and obligations of the parties and the interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the law of California, excluding its conflict of laws rules.

 

  8.6 Benefit and Burden . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and permissible assigns.

 

  8.7 Severability . In the event that any covenant, condition, or other provision herein contained is held to be invalid, void, or illegal by any court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, and shall in no way affect, impair, or invalidate any other covenant, condition, or other provision herein contained. If such condition, covenant, or other provision shall be deemed invalid due to its scope or breadth, such covenant, condition, or other provision shall be deemed valid to the extent of the scope or breadth permitted by law.

 

  8.8 Waiver and Amendment . No breach of any provision hereof can be waived unless in writing. Waiver of any one breach of any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach of the same or any other provision hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement executed by the parties in interest at the time of the modification.

 

  8.9 Captions and Interpretation . Paragraph titles or captions contained herein are inserted as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend, or describe the scope of this Agreement or any provision hereof. No provision in this Agreement is to be interpreted for or against either party because that party or his legal representative drafted such provision.

 

  8.10

Notices . Any notice or notices provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and may be personally served upon the party or parties to receive such notice either within or outside of the State of California, or may be deposited in the United States mail, postage fully prepaid, registered or certified mail, return

 

10


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  receipt requested, and addressed to the party or parties to be served at the addresses indicated after their signatures below.

 

  8.11 Number and Gender . Whenever the singular number is used herein and .when required by the context, the same shall include the plural, and the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders shall each include the others, and the word “person” shall include corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, trust or estate.

 

  8.12 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof, fully supersedes any and all prior understandings, representations, warranties, and agreements between the parties hereto, or any of them, pertaining to the subject matter hereof and may be modified only by written agreement signed by all of the parties hereto. Each party to this Agreement warrants that in executing this Agreement, such party has relied upon legal advice from counsel of that party’s choice, or has had the opportunity to hire counsel but has chosen not to do so; that the terms of this Agreement have been completely read, and are fully understood; that this Agreement is not executed by reason of representations or inducements not contained within this Agreement; and that each party’s execution of this Agreement is free and voluntary. Each party to this Agreement further represents and warrants that such party is not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and fulfilling the terms of this Agreement, and that the execution and performance of this Agreement is not a violation or breach of any other Agreement between such party and any other person or entity.

 

  8.13 Assignability . Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assigned by Employee. It is expressly acknowledged by Employee that Corporation may at any time assign any or all of its rights and duties with respect to Employee hereunder to any corporation that purchases all or substantially all of Corporation’s voting stock or assets, or to any subsidiary or other affiliate of Corporation, with no further obligation of any description whatsoever to Employee thereafter. Employee agrees to accept such assignment on such terms and agrees that thereupon all of Employee’s rights and duties hereunder shall be with respect to the assignee corporation, except that Employee shall remain obligated to Corporation to observe the terms of Paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 hereof regardless of such assignment.

 

  8.14 Exhibits . All documents identified herein as Exhibits shall be determined to be fully incorporated herein at each point such Exhibits are referred to, whether or not such Exhibits are actually attached hereto.

 

  8.15

In entering into this Agreement, Employee and Corporation agree to accept and be bound by the dispute resolution process set out herein. Except as provided in Section 6 above, this process shall cover any and all grievances that arise out of, or are directly or indirectly related to, this Agreement, Employee’s employment at the Corporation, or the termination of Employee’s employment at the

 

11


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  Corporation, to the extent permitted by law. Employee agrees that this process covers any and all grievances he may have against the Corporation and/or any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives, or agents. As used herein, the word “grievance” or “grievances” shall mean any claims, grievances, causes of action, disputes and disagreements whether they arise out of contract, tort or statute, including but not limited to claims of violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any state equivalent prohibiting discrimination against or harassment of employees.

Any grievance that can not be resolved informally between Employee and Corporation, shall be submitted to binding arbitration and shall be subject to the following terms:

 

  (a) It shall be submitted to the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in conformance with the AAA’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for Arbitration Hearings. Arbitrations in California shall follow the AAA’s California employment Dispute Resolution Rules.

 

  (b) Such arbitration shall be binding on both the Corporation and Employee, with no right of appeal, except as provided by law.

 

  (c) To the extent permitted by law, the costs of arbitration will be paid equally by the Corporation and Employee, but the arbitrator(s) may assess the costs of arbitration against the losing party. Except as provided below, each side will bear its own attorney fees and costs in any arbitration proceeding.

 

  (d) If Employee or Corporation attempts by any legal proceeding to set aside the award made by the arbitrator(s), or attempts to modify, set aside, or seek interpretation of this provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such proceeding will be entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees and costs.

 

  (e) In entering into this Agreement and accepting resolution of any grievance under this provision, it is acknowledged and agreed by Employee that:

 

  (i) The dispute resolution process set forth above is and will be the sole and exclusive remedy for any grievance that Employee may have against Corporation, and any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, representatives or agents, or which they may have against Employee, except as provided in Section 6 hereof; and

 

  (ii)

The dispute resolution process is intended to cover any and all grievances that arise out of, or are directly or indirectly related

 

12


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

  to this Agreement, Employee’s employment at the Corporation, or the termination of his employment with the Corporation; and

 

  (iii) Employee understands that in agreeing to the dispute resolution process set forth herein he is giving up the right to seek redress of grievances in a civil lawsuit or administrative action, which may include the right to a trial by jury. Each party agrees that if a party refuses to submit to arbitration after agreeing to this provision, the arbitrators may enter an award against such party without the party’s participation in the proceedings.

 

  8.16 Indemnity . In the event Employee was, is, or becomes a participant in, or is threatened to be made a participant in, a proceeding by reason of (or arising in part out of) an indemnifiable event, Corporation shall indemnify Employee from and against any and all expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted.

 

13


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement on the day and year first hereinabove written.

 

DATED: March 31, 2003     CORPORATION
   

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC., A

California Corporation

    By:  

/s/ James B. A. Tracey, II

      JAMES B. A. TRACEY, II
      Chief Executive Officer
DATED: March 31, 2003     EMPLOYEE
   

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC., A

California Corporation

   

/s/ Jon D. Shaver

    JON D. SHAVER

 

14


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DSC, Inc.

and Jon D. Shaver

 

EXHIBIT “A”

[To Be Attached]

Pursuant to Section 4.3 (d) of the Employment Agreement, Employee hereby acknowledges that he has made no inventions, discoveries, developments, improvements or trade secrets that are to be removed from the operation of the Agreement.

 

15


EXECUTION

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of January 8, 2004 (this “ Amendment ”), is made to the Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of March 31, 2003, between Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a California corporation (“ Corporation ”) and Jon D. Shaver (“ Employee ”). Terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings accorded to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, Corporation and Employee have previously entered into the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend certain provisions of the Agreement, including, without limitation, changing Employee’s position from Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President for Business Development of Corporation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual representations, warranties, and covenants which are to be made and performed by the respective parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Amendments .

(a) Section 2 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in lieu thereof:

“2. Scope . During the term of the Agreement, Corporation hereby employs Employee to render services to Corporation as Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President for Corporate Development of Corporation and in such other additional capacities as Corporation s Board of Directors (the “Board”), in its sole discretion, may designate from time to time, subject in each case, to the overall direction and authority of the Board. Employee shall report to and perform such duties commensurate with his position as Vice Chairman as may be specified from time to time by the Board. Employee shall report to and perform such duties commensurate with his position as Executive Vice President for Corporate Development as may be specified from time to time by the President and/or Chief Executive Officer of Corporation (“CEO”). Employee shall devote his entire time, skill, labor, efforts, and attention to the employment with Corporation. The nature of the employment and Employee’s powers and duties in the capacity of Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President for Corporate Development shall be determined from time to time by the Board and CEO, respectively. During the term of this agreement, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a member of a partnership or as an officer, director or shareholder of any other corporation (other than any which are owned by or affiliated with Corporation), be engaged in or concerned with any other commercial duties or pursuits whatsoever, except with the written consent of the Board and CEO.”

(b) Section 3.2 of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be inserted in lieu thereof:


“3.2. Corporation shall pay Employee a quarterly salary bonus not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($25,000.00) for each quarter or the fiscal year of the Corporation based on Employee’s attainment of specified priorities, goals, and objectives established for Employee by Corporation from time to time (“Performance Bonus”). Employee acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of said priorities, goals and objectives are dynamic and will reflect the business environment then existing. Additionally, Corporation’s “back-end” bonus program will be terminated and in lieu thereof, Employee will be eligible to earn an annual supplemental bonus each year (or pro rated portion thereof), in the amount and based upon the achievement by Employee and Corporation of certain target goals set forth by from time to time by the Board, which goals are initially set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.”

2. Full Force and Effect . Except as expressly amended or modified hereby, the Agreement will and does remain in full force and effect. The Agreement will become effective if and only if the transactions contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement with DCS Holdings, Inc, DCS Business Services, Inc. and certain other parties thereto, as in effect from time to time, are consummated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, that certain Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated July 31, 2003, by and between Employee and DCS Business Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as amended from time to time (the “ Change in Control Agreement ”) shall not be superceded by this Amendment and the Change of Control Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall govern to the extent of any conflict.

3. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation of this Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of California, excluding its conflict of laws rules.

4. Counterparts . This Amendment 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 shall constitute one and the same Amendment.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this First Amendment to the Employment Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Lisa Im

Name:   Lisa Im
Its:   President

/s/ Jon Shaver

John Shaver

Signature Page to Jon Shaver First Amendment to Employment Agreement

 


Exhibit A: Jon Shaver Supplemental Bonus Terms (Replacement for Back-End Bonus)

Supplemental bonuses will be determined by the following:

 

  1. In order to achieve a Supplemental bonus for a particular year, employee must remain employed at end of that fiscal year. In addition, employee must achieve 80% of his individual annual objectives (which shall be tied to the company’s objectives and established by the Company’s board from time to time).

 

  2. Subject to the catch-up provision below (see # 6), the maximum potential bonus in a given year will be the employee’s base salary.

 

  3. Supplemental bonus targets will be derived from Revenue and EBITDA targets in the management plan (see Appendix to Shareholder Note) for 2004 through 2008, as adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions based on board-approved projections. For the purpose of bonus calculations, 2003 EBITDA (both the target amount and the actual amount) will be adjusted EBITDA after add-backs as agreed upon by the company’s senior lenders. Performance will be measured as actual vs. targeted performance for the average of the two trailing years, except as noted below in this paragraph. For example, in 2005, the bonus will be determined by measuring the average of actual Revenue and EBITDA for 2005 and 2004 against the average of the management plan for Revenue and EBITDA for 2005 and 2004. However, if the current year’s actual Revenue or EBITDA is lower than the prior year’s corresponding actual Revenue or EBITDA, the current year figure will be used instead of the average (for Revenue or EBITDA or both, whichever of Revenue or EBITDA is lower in the current year).

 

  4. Performance will be measured as a percentage of target average Revenue and EBITDA. Whichever of Revenue and EBITDA is lower relative to target will be used for the bonus calculation. For example, if ‘average Revenue is 110% of target and EBITDA is 105% of target, management will be deemed to have achieved 105% of plan (the “Percent Achieved”).

 

  5. In order to achieve any Supplemental bonus, the company must achieve more than 100% of its plan. To achieve the maximum bonus; the company must achieve 125% of its plan. Assuming that the Percent Achieved exceeds 100%, the bonus will be calculated by interpolating between the milestones in the chart below:

 

Percent Achieved:

     100     105     110     115     120     125

Bonus % (of Base Salary) Earned:

     30     40     50     60     75     100

 

  6. Catch-up Provision: If the Percent Achieved exceeds 125% for a particular year, the bonus may be greater than I00% that year only to the extent that the cumulative bonus (including any prior catch-up bonuses) in prior years was less than 100% of base salary. The formula for circumstances where catch-up bonuses are earned because the Percent Achieved exceeds 125% can be stated as follows:


Bonus (if Percent Achieved > 125%) = lesser of a) Percent Achieved divided by 125% times current year base salary and b) the sum of i) current year base salary and ii) the cumulative dollar difference between base salaries in prior years (since inception of this bonus plan) and cumulative bonuses earned.

Obviously, even if the catch-up bonus does not “fully” recognize performance ahead of plan in the current year, because performance is measured on the basis of a 2-year average (other than the exception noted in #3 above), the benefit may still be recognized in the following year.

Exhibit 10.12

DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT

This DIRECTOR NOMINATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of July 20, 2012 by and between:

 

  (i) Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”); and

 

  (ii) Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Investor ”).

RECITALS

A. WHEREAS the Investor and the Company entered into an Investment Agreement dated as of January 8, 2004 (the “ Former Agreement ”);

B. WHEREAS the Company is contemplating an underwritten initial public offering of shares of its Common Stock registered on Form S-1 under the Securities Act (the “ IPO ”);

C. WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the parties to the Former Agreement have agreed to terminate the Former Agreement; and

D. WHEREAS, conditioned upon the termination of the Former Agreement, the Company and the Investor desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth their agreements regarding Investor’s right to designate Board members following the IPO.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. EFFECTIVENESS; DEFINITIONS.

1.1. Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective, and the Former Agreement shall terminated and be of no further force or effect, upon the consummation of the closing of the IPO (the “Effective Date”).

1.2. Definitions . Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

2. BOARD REPRESENTATION.

2.1. Right to Designate . From and after the Effective Date hereof until the provisions of this Section 2.1 cease to be effective, Investor shall be entitled to designate such number of persons for election to the Board as is equal to the nearest whole number greater than the product obtained by multiplying (a) the percentage of the total voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock then Beneficially Owned by the Parthenon Group and (b) the number of positions, including any vacancies, on the Board (each such person, a “Nominee”); provided that a reduction in the percentage of total voting power Beneficially Owned by the Parthenon Group shall not shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

1


2.2 Expansion of Board and Appointment; Classification; Initial Designees of Investor . Following Investor’s designation of a Nominee, the Company shall take such steps, if any, as are necessary to increase the size of the Board to accommodate the Nominee, and the directors then in office will elect such Nominee to fill the resulting vacancy and determine the class in which such Nominee shall be placed in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation. At the Effective Date, the Board shall be comprised of seven (7) members and the initial Nominees of Investor and the Class in which each shall be allocated are as follows: Todd R. Ford (Class I); Brian P. Golson (Class I); William D. Hansen (Class II); Jeffrey S. Stein (Class III ); and William C. Kessinger (Class III). Investor shall not be obligated to designate all (or any) of the directors it is entitled to designate pursuant to this Agreement, but the failure to do so shall not constitute a waiver of its rights hereunder.

2.3 Subsequent Nomination of Persons Designated by Investor . The Nominating Committee of the Board shall recommend to the Board that any Nominee be nominated and recommended by the Board to stockholders for election as a director at each meeting of stockholders at which directors of the class in which such Nominee was or is to be placed are elected and the Board shall recommend any Nominee to the stockholders for election as a director at each meeting of stockholders at which directors of the class in which such person was or is to be placed are elected. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the election of each person designated by Investor, including by including each such Nominee in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for every meeting of stockholders called for the election of such Nominee’s class of directors, and at every postponement or adjournment thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of the Company or the Board with respect to the election of such Nominee’s class of directors.

2.4 Replacement of Directors Designated by Investor . In the event that any Nominee shall cease to serve as a director for any reason, the vacancy resulting therefrom shall be not be filled until the Investor has designated a replacement and the vacancy shall be filled as soon as practicable following Investor’s designation of a replacement pursuant to the above provisions, unless Investor has specifically waived in writing its rights (temporarily or permanently) to designate a replacement. For the avoidance of doubt, a reduction in the percentage of total voting power of the outstanding Common Stock Beneficially Owned by the Parthenon Group shall not impact the Investor’s right to fill a vacancy resulting from any Nominee ceasing to serve as a director for any reason.

2.5 Committees . From and after the Effective Date hereof until the provisions of this Section 2.5 cease to be effective, Investor shall have the right to designate a number of members of each committee of the Board equal to the nearest whole number greater than the product obtained by multiplying (a) the percentage of the total voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock then Beneficially Owned by the Parthenon Group and (b) the number of positions, including any vacancies, on the applicable committee, provided that any such designee shall be a director and shall be eligible to serve on the applicable committee under applicable law or listing standards. Any additional members shall be determined by the Board.

2.6 Termination of Investor’s Right to Designate . At such time as the Parthenon Group ceases to Beneficially Own Common Stock representing at least 10% of the total voting

 

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power of the then outstanding Common Stock, Investor shall no longer be entitled to designate any person for election to the Board or to designate members of committees of the Board pursuant to this Agreement; provided that a reduction in the percentage of total voting power of the outstanding Common Stock Beneficially Owned by the Parthenon Group shall not shorten the term of any incumbent director.

3. REMEDIES.

3.1. Specific Performance . The parties shall have all remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise in the event of any breach or violation of this Agreement or any default hereunder. The parties acknowledge and agree that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies which may be available, each party hereto shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations of the other party hereto and, in addition, to such other equitable remedies (including preliminary or temporary relief) as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

4. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, ETC.

4.1. Written Modifications . This Agreement may not be orally amended or modified and no oral waiver of any of its terms shall be effective. This Agreement may be amended or modified and the provisions hereof may be waived, only by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Investor. Each such amendment, modification or waiver shall be binding upon each party hereto.

4.2. Withdrawal from Agreement . Investor may at any time elect, by giving written notice of withdrawal to the Company, to terminate this Agreement. From the date of delivery of such withdrawal notice, the Investor shall cease to be a party to this Agreement and shall no longer be subject to the obligations of this Agreement or have rights under this Agreement.

4.3. Termination . Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 4.4, this Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following: (a) at such time as Investor is no longer entitled to designate any director to the Board pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof; or (b) upon the Investor’s notice of withdrawal from this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof.

4.4. Effect of Termination . No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for a material breach hereof prior to such termination.

5. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:

5.1. Certain Matters of Construction . In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Section 5:

(i) The words “hereof’, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and reference to a particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections thereof;

(ii) The word “including” shall mean including, without limitation;

 

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(iii) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both nouns and verbs and the singular and plural forms of the terms defined; and

(iv) The masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the other.

5.2. Definitions . The following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” shall mean, respect to any Person, any other Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; the term “ control ” as used in this definition, means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ controlled ” and “ controlling ” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Beneficially Own ” shall mean that a specified Person has or shares the right, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to vote shares of capital stock of the Company, and “ Beneficially Owned ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Board ” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

business day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the City of New York.

Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company.

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

Former Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Investor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

IPO ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Parthenon Group ” shall mean PCP Managers, LLC and its successors and Affiliates. A “member” of the Parthenon Group shall mean any Person who is part of the Parthenon Group.

Person ” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, entity or division, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as in effect from time to time.

 

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6. MISCELLANEOUS.

6.1. Authority: Effect . Each party hereto represents and warrants to and agrees with each other party that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized on behalf of such party and do not violate any agreement or other instrument applicable to such party or by which its assets are bound. This Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, give rise to the creation of a partnership among any of the parties hereto, or to constitute any of such parties members of a joint venture or other association.

6.2. Notices . Any notices and other communications required or permitted in this Agreement shall be effective if in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by facsimile, or (c) sent by overnight courier, in each case, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to:

Performant Financial Corporation

333 North Canyons Parkway, Suite 100

Livermore, CA 94551

Facsimile:

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

with copies to:

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP 50

Fremont Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Facsimile: (415) 983-1200

Attention: Blair W. White

If to Investor, to:

Parthenon Capital Partners

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3610

San Francisco, CA 94111

Facsimile: (415) 913-3913

Attention: William C. Kessinger and Brian P. Golson

with copies to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

Attention: Jeffrey Seifman

Notice to the holder of record of any shares of capital stock shall be deemed to be notice to the holder of such shares for all purposes hereof.

Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices or other communications shall be deemed effective (a) on the date received, if personally delivered, (b) on the date received if delivered by

 

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facsimile on a business day, or if not delivered on a business day, on the first business day thereafter and (b) two business days after being sent by overnight courier. Each of the parties hereto shall be entitled to specify a different address by giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other parties hereto.

6.3. Binding Effect, Etc . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter, supersedes in its entirety all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements or discussions with respect to its subject matter and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party hereto may assign any of its respective rights or delegate any of its respective obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, and any attempted assignment or delegation in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void; provided , however , that Investor shall be entitled to assign its rights hereunder to any member of the Parthenon Group without the prior written consent of the Company so long as such member has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

6.4. Descriptive Heading . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall not be construed to define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

6.5. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

6.6. Severability . In the event that any provision hereof would, under applicable law, be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be construed by modifying or limiting it so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with, and possible under, applicable law. The provisions hereof are severable, and in the event any provision hereof should be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, it shall not invalidate, render unenforceable or otherwise affect any other provision hereof.

6.7. No Recourse . Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, the Company and Investor covenant, agree and acknowledge that no recourse under this Agreement shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of Investor or of any Affiliate thereof, as such, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other 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 current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of Investor or any Affiliate thereof, as such, for any obligation of Investor under this Agreement.

7. GOVERNING LAW.

7.1. Governing Law . This Agreement and all claims arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

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7.2. Consent to Jurisdiction . Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware for the purpose of any action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, and agrees not to allow any of its subsidiaries to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in one of the above-named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (c) hereby agrees not to commence or maintain any action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before one of the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation to any court other than one of the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party to this Agreement may commence and maintain an action to enforce a judgment of any of the above-named courts in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Delaware law, and agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

7.3. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 7.3 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EITHER PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 7.3 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

7.4. Exercise of Rights and Remedies . No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any party as a result of any breach or default by the other party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any such delay, omission nor waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

 

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Exhibit 10.13

EXECUTION

ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS ADVISORY SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of January 8, 2004 by and between Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and Parthenon Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Parthenon ”).

WHEREAS, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of DCS Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”)

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain Parthenon and Parthenon desires to perform for the Company and its subsidiaries certain services;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Engagement . The Company hereby engages Parthenon to act as its business advisor, and Parthenon hereby agrees to render advisory services to the Company, all on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth below.

2. Term . This Agreement shall be in effect for an initial term of five (5) years commencing on the date hereof (the “ Term ”), and shall be automatically extended thereafter on a year to year basis unless the Company or Parthenon provides written notice of its desire to terminate this Agreement to the other party 90 days prior to the expiration of the Term or any extension thereof. No termination of this Agreement, whether pursuant to this paragraph or otherwise, shall affect the Company’s obligations with respect to the fees, costs and expenses incurred by Parthenon in rendering services hereunder and not reimbursed by the Company or any other fees otherwise payable to Parthenon hereunder as of the effective date of such termination.

3. Services . Parthenon shall perform or cause to be performed such customary advisory services for the Company and its subsidiaries as are requested by the Company’s board of directors, the boards of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company’s affiliates and the management of the Company and its subsidiaries and as are mutually agreeable to the Company and Parthenon. Such advisory services may include but are not limited to: support of management, board and committee participation, advice with respect to development and implementation of strategies for the operating, marketing and financial performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, evaluation of acquisition opportunities, if any, evaluation of corporate initiatives, assistance in obtaining financing and operations under any financing agreements.

4. Personnel . Parthenon shall provide and devote to the performance of this Agreement such partners, employees and agents of Parthenon as Parthenon shall deem appropriate for the furnishing of the services required thereby.

5. Advisory Fee . Commencing as of the date hereof, on a quarterly basis in advance, the Company shall pay to Parthenon (or its designees) an amount equal to the product of (a) 0.25, multiplied by (b) the cumulative amount of funds invested by Parthenon, its affiliates and co-investors in the Parent, the Company or their subsidiaries as of the start of such quarter (it being understood that cumulative investment by such entities as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement will equal the purchase price for the preferred stock purchased by Parthenon, its


affiliates and co-investors pursuant to the Investor Agreement, dated the date hereof, between the Parent and such entities).

6. Placement and Closing Fees .

(i) Upon the closing (the “ Closing ”) of the transactions contemplated by that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Parent, the Company, and the stockholders of the Company (the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”) shall pay to Parthenon in immediately available funds an amount equal to $1,827,209.86.

(ii) Following the date of the Closing, at the time of any purchase of equity by Parthenon and/or its affiliates in the Parent or the Company, the Company shall pay to Parthenon a placement fee in immediately available funds in an amount equal to one percent (1.0%) of the amount paid to the Parent in connection with such purchase.

(iii) At the time of any other equity or debt financing of the Parent, the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries prior to a Qualified Public Offering (as defined in the Parent’s certificate of incorporation), the Company shall pay to Parthenon a placement fee in immediately available funds in an amount equal to one percent (1.0%) of the gross amount of such financing (including the committed amount of any revolving credit facility), plus out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith or related thereto.

7. Expenses .

(i) The Company shall reimburse Parthenon, upon request from time to time, for all of Parthenon’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the provision of services hereunder and the attendance at any meeting of the boards of directors of the Parent, the Company, its subsidiaries or any committees thereof related to the services Parthenon shall provide the Company or its affiliates in accordance with this Advisory Agreement or otherwise in any way relating to the Company or in any way relating to, or arising out of, the direct or indirect investment in or ownership of the Parent or its affiliates by any fund affiliated with Parthenon.

(ii) Legal and Other Fees and Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Parthenon for the fees and disbursements of legal counsel, accountants, other consultants and advisors, related to the services Parthenon shall provide the Company or its affiliates in accordance with this Advisory Agreement or otherwise in any way relating to, or arising out of, the direct or indirect investment in or ownership of the Parent or its affiliates by any fund affiliated with Parthenon.

(iii) Acquisition or Financing Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Parthenon for any out-of-pocket expenses in connection with add-on acquisitions or financings for the Company or its affiliates.

8. Payments .

(i) All fees payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be non-refundable, absolute, irrevocable and unconditional shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Parthenon or, at Parthenon’s direction, to its designees and paid without offset, defense, claim, deduction or any other claim and irrespective of the level, quality

 

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or amount of service provided. Without in any way limiting any rights or remedies that Parthenon may have at law or in equity, all payments not made hereunder on the date on which they are due, shall accrue interest until paid in full at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded as of the last day of each month.

(ii) The Company and Parthenon hereby agree and acknowledge that, so long as there are amounts outstanding under the Senior Loan Agreement or Loan Agreement (as defined below), the Company shall not make any payments hereunder (and Parthenon will not take any action in respect thereof) so long as an Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing, provided that such payments will accrue but not be payable until it is permitted to be paid pursuant to this Section 8(b) , Section 7.4 of the Senior Loan Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Loan Agreement. The terms “Event of Default” and “Default” shall have the meanings given thereto in each of (i) the Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among DCS Holdings, Inc., DCS Business Services, Inc, and Allied Capital Corporation (the “ Loan Agreement ”) and (ii) the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among DCS Business Services, Inc., Madison Capital Funding LLC, as agent and lead arranger and the financial institutions party thereto (the “ Senior Loan Agreement ”).

9. Information . The Company shall furnish to Parthenon such information as Parthenon believes to be appropriate to its engagement hereunder (all such information so furnished being referred to hereinafter as the “ Information ”). The Company recognizes and confirms that Parthenon (a) will use and rely primarily on the Information and information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this letter without having independently verified the same and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Information and such other information.

10. Liability . Neither Parthenon nor any other Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 11 below) shall be liable to the Parent, the Company or their subsidiaries or affiliates for any loss, liability, damage or expense arising out of or in connection with the performance of services contemplated by this Agreement, unless such loss, liability, damage or expense shall be proven to result directly from willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of an Indemnified Party in performance of Parthenon’s obligations hereunder. Parthenon makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, in respect of the services to be provided by Parthenon or any of the other Indemnified Party. In no event will either party hereto be liable to the other for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, including lost profits or savings, whether or not such damages are foreseeable, or in respect of any liabilities relating to any third party claims (whether based in contract, tort or otherwise) other than the Claims (as defined in Section 11 below) relating to the service to be provided by Parthenon hereunder.

11. Indemnification . The Company and Parent shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless Parthenon and its affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, affiliates and agents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) from and against any and all actions, claims, liabilities, obligations, damages or expenses arising out of or in connection with Parthenon’s engagement or provision of services hereunder or any action of any Indemnified Party in connection therewith, and the Company shall advance expenses, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements, for which any Indemnified Party would be entitled by this Advisory Agreement to be indemnified (collectively, “ Claims ”). The Company shall defend at its own cost and expense any and all suits and actions (just or unjust) which may be brought against the Company, Parent or any Indemnified Parties or in which any of the Indemnified Parties may be impleaded with others upon any Claims, or upon any other matter, directly or indirectly, related to or arising out of this Agreement or the performance hereof by any of the Indemnified Parties, except that if such damage shall be proven to be the direct result of bad faith or

 

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willful misconduct by an Indemnified Party, then Parthenon shall reimburse the Company for the costs of defense and other costs incurred by the Companies.

12. Notices . Any notice, report or payment required or permitted to be given or made under this Agreement by one party to the other shall be deemed to have been duly given or made if personally delivered, telecopied (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if telecopied before 5:00 p.m. Boston, Massachusetts time on a business day, and otherwise on the next business day, or mailed by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), to the other party at the following addresses (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by one party to the other):

 

To the Company :
Diversified Collection Services, Inc.
333 North Canyon Parkway,
Suite 100,
Livermore, California 94551
Attention:           Chief Financial Officer
To Parthenon :
Parthenon Capital, LLC
20 State Street, 8 th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Facsimile:           (415) 913-3913
Attention:           Will Kessinger, Managing Director
          Brian Golson, Principal

13. Assignment . Neither party may assign any obligations hereunder to any other party without the prior written consent of the other party; provided that Parthenon may, without the consent of the Company, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its affiliates, in which case the assignor shall not be liable for the performance of any assignee.

14. Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement and all the obligations and benefits hereunder shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns; provided, that the provisions of Section 8(ii) hereof shall inure to the benefit of Holders (as defined in the Loan Agreement) and the Lenders (as defined in the Senior Loan Agreement), who shall each be third party beneficiaries of such provisions and shall have the right to specifically enforce such provisions against the parties hereto.

15. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered by each party hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

16. Parthenon as an Independent Contractor . Parthenon and the Company agree that Parthenon and/or its affiliates shall perform services hereunder as an independent contractor, retaining control over and responsibility for its own operations and personnel. Neither Parthenon nor its directors, officers or employees shall be considered employees or agents of the Company as a result of this Agreement nor shall any of them have authority to contract in the name of or bind the Company as a result of this Agreement, except as expressly agreed to in writing by the Company.

 

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17. Entire Agreement: Modification: Waiver; Governing Law . The terms and conditions hereof constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all previous communications, either oral or written, representations or warranties of any kind whatsoever, except as expressly set forth herein. No modifications of this Agreement nor waiver of the terms or conditions hereof shall be binding upon either party unless approved in writing by an authorized representative of such party. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of that provision or any other provision hereof. All issues concerning this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

18. MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX 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 AND OF ARBITRATION, EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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ADVISORY SERVICES AMENDMENT

WHEREAS, Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”) and PCP Managers, LLC (“ Parthenon ”) (as successor to Parthenon Capital, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, are party to that certain Advisory Services Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2004, as amended from time to time (the “ Agreement ”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain letter agreement entered into on January 15, 2012 by and among Parthenon, Ernest K. Jacquet and John C. Rutherford, Parthenon Capital, LLC’s Managing Members (as defined in the letter agreement) assigned all of their interests and management powers to Parthenon.

WHEREAS, both parties desire to amend the Agreement as of March 19, 2012 (the “ Amendment ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1. Section 8(ii) of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(ii) The Company and Parthenon hereby agree and acknowledge that, until all obligations under the Senior Loan Agreement (as defined below) have been Paid in Full (as defined in the Senior Loan Agreement) and all commitments under the Senior Loan Agreement have been terminated, the Company shall not make any payments hereunder (and Parthenon will not take any action in respect thereof) if such payments are not permitted to be paid under Section 7.4 of the the Senior Loan Agreement; provided that such payments will accrue but not be payable until such payments are permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Senior Loan Agreement. For purposes of this Section 8(ii), “Senior Loan Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2012, by and among DCS Business Services, Inc., Madison Capital Funding LLC, as agent for the lenders party thereto and the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, as such Credit Agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.”

2. Effect of the Amendment . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the parties under the Agreement, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle either of the parties or any other person to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Agreement in similar or different circumstances.

3. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of any executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Signature page follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

 

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By.  

/s/ Hakan Orvell

Name:   Hakan Orvell
Its:   Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
PCP Managers, LLC
By.  

 

Name:  
Its:  


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

 

DIVERSIFIED COLLECTION SERVICES, INC.
By.  

 

Name:  
Its:  
PCP Managers, LLC
By.  

/s/ Gerii Grossman

Name:   Gerii Grossman
Its:   CFO

Exhibit 10.14

Personal and Confidential

April 13, 2012

Ms. Lisa Im

Chief Executive Officer

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

Performant Financial Corporation

333 North Canyons Parkway

Suite 300

Livermore, CA 94551

Re: Termination of the Advisory Services Agreement dated January 8, 2004, by and among Diversified Collection Services, Inc. (the “ Company ”), an indirect subsidiary of Performant Financial Corporation (the “ Parent ”), and PCP Managers, LLC (as successor to Parthenon Capital, LLC) (“ Parthenon ”), as amended by that certain Amendment to the Advisory Agreement dated as of March 19, 2012 (altogether, the “ Agreement ”). Unless noted otherwise, capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

Dear Lisa:

As we’ve discussed, we hereby agree to terminate the Agreement, and in connection therewith, the Company agrees:

1. to pay to Parthenon (or its designee) an aggregate amount of $1,300,000.00, payable on the current schedule of $108,622.22 per quarter; provided, however, that any remaining balance will become immediately due upon the occurrence of an initial public offering (“ IPO ”) or a Sale of the Company (as defined in that certain Stockholders Agreement dated as of January 8, 2004, by and among Parent, Parthenon DCS Holdings, LLC, and the other signatories thereto, as amended from time to time) (the “ Stockholders Agreement ”); and

2. to pay Parthenon (or its designee), upon the earlier to occur of (i) the closing of an IPO or (ii) Sale of the Company (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), a fee (payable in cash at the closing of the applicable transaction) equal to (x) in the case of an IPO, 1.00% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the IPO or (y) in the case of a Sale of the Company, 1.00% of the aggregate consideration received by any person or entity (whether in cash, securities or other property (valued by Parthenon at fair market value in good faith), including any assumption of debt and assuming payment in full of all escrow amounts and other contingent consideration) in connection with such Sale of the Company.

The Company agrees that Parthenon has no liability or other obligations pursuant to the Agreement.

[Signature page follows]


Very truly yours,
PCP Managers, LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian Golson

Name:   Brian Golson
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED AS
OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE
Diversified Collection Services, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Lisa Im

Name:   Lisa Im
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
ACCEPTED AND AGREED AS
OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE
Performant Financial Corporation
By:  

/s/ Lisa Im

Name:   Lisa Im
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.15

PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(Adopted by the Board of Directors on             )

P ERFORMANT F INANCIAL C ORPORATION

2012 S TOCK I NCENTIVE P LAN


Table of Contents

 

          Page  

SECTION 1.

  

ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

     1   

SECTION 2.

  

DEFINITIONS

     1   

(a)

  

“Affiliate”

     1   

(b)

  

“Award”

     1   

(c)

  

“Board of Directors”

     1   

(d)

  

“Cash-Based Award”

     1   

(e)

  

“Change in Control”

     1   

(f)

  

“Code”

     3   

(g)

  

“Committee”

     3   

(h)

  

“Company”

     3   

(i)

  

“Consultant”

     3   

(j)

  

“Employee”

     3   

(k)

  

“Exchange Act”

     3   

(l)

  

“Exercise Price”

     3   

(m)

  

“Fair Market Value”

     4   

(n)

  

“ISO”

     4   

(o)

  

“Nonstatutory Option”

     4   

(p)

  

“Offeree”

     4   

(q)

  

“Option”

     4   

(r)

  

“Optionee”

     4   

(s)

  

“Outside Director”

     5   

(t)

  

“Parent”

     5   

(u)

  

“Participant”

     5   

(v)

  

“Performance Based Award”

     5   

(w)

  

“Plan”

     5   

(x)

  

“Purchase Price”

     5   

(y)

  

“Restricted Share”

     5   

(z)

  

“Restricted Share Agreement”

     5   

(aa)

  

“SAR”

     5   

(bb)

  

“SAR Agreement”

     5   

(cc)

  

“Service”

     6   

(dd)

  

“Share”

     6   

(ee)

  

“Stock”

     6   

 

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(ff)

  

“Stock Option Agreement”

     6   

(gg)

  

“Stock Unit”

     6   

(hh)

  

“Stock Unit Agreement”

     6   

(ii)

  

“Subsidiary”

     6   

(jj)

  

“Total and Permanent Disability”

     6   

SECTION 3.

  

ADMINISTRATION

     7   

(a)

  

Committee Composition

     7   

(b)

  

Committee for Non-Officer Grants

     7   

(c)

  

Committee Procedures

     7   

(d)

  

Committee Responsibilities

     7   

(e)

  

Amendment or Cancellation and Re-grant of Stock Awards

     9   

SECTION 4.

  

ELIGIBILITY

     9   

(a)

  

General Rule

     9   

(b)

  

Ten-Percent Stockholders

     9   

(c)

  

Attribution Rules

     9   

(d)

  

Outstanding Stock

     9   

SECTION 5.

  

STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

     10   

(a)

  

Basic Limitation

     10   

(b)

  

Section 162(m) Award Limitation

     10   

(c)

  

Additional Shares

     10   
SECTION 6.   

RESTRICTED SHARES

     11   

(a)

  

Restricted Stock Agreement

     11   

(b)

  

Payment for Awards

     11   

(c)

  

Vesting

     11   

(d)

  

Voting and Dividend Rights

     11   

(e)

  

Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

     11   

SECTION 7.

  

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

     11   

(a)

  

Stock Option Agreement

     11   

(b)

  

Number of Shares

     12   

(c)

  

Exercise Price

     12   

(d)

  

Withholding Taxes

     12   

(e)

  

Exercisability and Term

     12   

(f)

  

Exercise of Options

     12   

(g)

  

Effect of Change in Control

     13   

(h)

  

No Rights as a Stockholder

     13   

(i)

  

Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options

     13   

(j)

  

Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

     13   

 

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(k)

  

Buyout Provisions

     13   

SECTION 8.

  

PAYMENT FOR SHARES

     13   

(a)

  

General Rule

     13   

(b)

  

Surrender of Stock

     14   

(c)

  

Services Rendered

     14   

(d)

  

Cashless Exercise

     14   

(e)

  

Exercise/Pledge

     14   

(f)

  

Net Exercise

     14   

(g)

  

Promissory Note

     14   

(h)

  

Other Forms of Payment

     15   

(i)

  

Limitations under Applicable Law

     15   

SECTION 9.

  

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     15   

(a)

  

SAR Agreement

     15   

(b)

  

Number of Shares

     15   

(c)

  

Exercise Price

     15   

(d)

  

Exercisability and Term

     15   

(e)

  

Effect of Change in Control

     16   

(f)

  

Exercise of SARs

     16   

(g)

  

Modification or Assumption of SARs

     16   

(h)

  

Buyout Provisions

     16   

SECTION 10.

  

STOCK UNITS

     16   

(a)

  

Stock Unit Agreement

     16   

(b)

  

Payment for Awards

     16   

(c)

  

Vesting Conditions

     17   

(d)

  

Voting and Dividend Rights

     17   

(e)

  

Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units

     17   

(f)

  

Death of Recipient

     17   

(g)

  

Creditors’ Rights

     18   

SECTION 11.

  

CASH-BASED AWARDS

     18   

SECTION 12.

  

ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES

     18   

(a)

  

Adjustments

     18   

(b)

  

Dissolution or Liquidation

     18   

(c)

  

Reorganizations

     18   

(d)

  

Reservation of Rights

     19   

SECTION 13.

  

DEFERRAL OF AWARDS

     20   

(a)

  

Committee Powers

     20   

(b)

  

General Rules

     20   

 

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SECTION 14.

  

AWARDS UNDER OTHER PLANS

     20   

SECTION 15.

  

PAYMENT OF DIRECTOR’S FEES IN SECURITIES

     20   

(a)

  

Effective Date

     20   

(b)

  

Elections to Receive NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units

     21   

(c)

  

Number and Terms of NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units

     21   

SECTION 16.

  

LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

     21   

SECTION 17.

  

TAXES

     21   

(a)

  

General

     21   

(b)

  

Share Withholding

     21   

(c)

  

Section 409A

     22   

SECTION 18.

  

OTHER PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

     22   

(a)

  

Transferability

     22   

(b)

  

Substitution and Assumption of Awards

     22   

(c)

  

Qualifying Performance Criteria

     22   

SECTION 19.

  

NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

     24   

SECTION 20.

  

DURATION AND AMENDMENTS

     24   

(a)

  

Term of the Plan

     24   

(b)

  

Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan

     24   

(c)

  

Effect of Termination

     24   

SECTION 21.

  

EXECUTION

     25   

 

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PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.

The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on July 20, 2012 , and shall be effective immediately prior to the time when the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 in respect of the initial offering of Stock to the public (the “Registration Statement”) is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Effective Date”). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by (a) encouraging Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants to focus on critical long-range objectives, (b) encouraging the attraction and retention of Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants with exceptional qualifications and (c) linking Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of restricted shares, stock units, options (which may constitute incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options) or stock appreciation rights.

 

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) “Affiliate” shall mean any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.

(b) “Award” shall mean any award of an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share or a Stock Unit or a Cash-Based Award under the Plan.

(c) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(d) Cash-Based Award ” shall mean an Award that entitles the Participant to receive a cash-denominated payment.

(e) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  (i) A change in the composition of the Board of Directors occurs, as a result of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors are directors who either:

 

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(A) Had been directors of the Company on the “look-back date” (as defined below) (the “original directors”); or

(B) Were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose election or nomination was previously so approved (the “continuing directors”);

provided, however, that for this purpose, the “original directors” and “continuing directors” shall not include any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors; or

 

  (ii) Any “person” (as defined below) who by the acquisition or aggregation of securities, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote at elections of directors (the “Base Capital Stock”); except that any change in the relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any person resulting solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Base Capital Stock, and any decrease thereafter in such person’s ownership of securities, shall be disregarded until such person increases in any manner, directly or indirectly, such person’s beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company; or

 

  (iii) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding securities of each of (A) the Company (or its successor) and (B) any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company (or its successor); or

 

  (iv) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

For purposes of subsection (e)(i) above, the term “look-back” date shall mean the later of (1) the Effective Date or (2) the date 24 months prior to the date of the event that may constitute a Change in Control.

 

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For purposes of subsection (e)(ii)) above, the term “person” shall have the same meaning as when used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act but shall exclude (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and (2) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Stock.

Any other provision of this Section 2(e) notwithstanding, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state 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, and a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if the Company files a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial or secondary public offering of securities or debt of the Company to the public.

(f) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(g) “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee as designated by the Board of Directors, which is authorized to administer the Plan, as described in Section 3 hereof.

(h) “Company” shall mean Performant Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

(i) “Consultant” shall mean a consultant or advisor who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor (not including service as a member of the Board of Directors) or a member of the board of directors of a Parent or a Subsidiary, in each case who is not an Employee.

(j) “Employee” shall mean any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

(k) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(l) “Exercise Price” shall mean, in the case of an Option, the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in the case of a SAR, shall mean an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR

 

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Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.

(m) “Fair Market Value” with respect to a Share, shall mean the market price of one Share, determined by the Committee as follows:

 

  (i) If the Stock was traded over-the-counter on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the last transaction price quoted for such date by the OTC Bulletin Board or, if not so quoted, shall be equal to the mean between the last reported representative bid and asked prices quoted for such date by the principal automated inter-dealer quotation system on which the Stock is quoted or, if the Stock is not quoted on any such system, by the Pink Quote system;

 

  (ii) If the Stock was traded on any established stock exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or The Nasdaq Global Select Market) or national market system on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing price reported for such date by the applicable exchange or system; and

 

  (iii) If none of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.

In all cases, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

(n) “ISO” shall mean an employee incentive stock option described in Section 422 of the Code.

(o) “Nonstatutory Option” or “NSO” shall mean an employee stock option that is not an ISO.

(p) “Offeree” shall mean a person to whom the Committee has offered the right to acquire Shares under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option).

(q) “Option” shall mean an ISO or Nonstatutory Option granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Shares.

(r) “Optionee”

 

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shall mean a person who holds an Option or SAR.

(s) “Outside Director” shall mean a member of the Board of Directors who is not a common-law employee of, or paid consultant to, the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.

(t) “Parent” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be a Parent commencing as of such date.

(u) “Participant” shall mean a person who holds an Award.

(v) Performance Based Award” shall mean any Restricted Share Award, Stock Unit Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Participant that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(w) “Plan” shall mean this 2012 Stock Incentive Plan of Performant Financial Corporation, as amended from time to time.

(x) “Purchase Price” shall mean the consideration for which one Share may be acquired under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option), as specified by the Committee.

(y) “Restricted Share” shall mean a Share awarded under the Plan.

(z) “Restricted Share Agreement” shall mean the agreement between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Shares.

(aa) “SAR” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.

(bb) “SAR Agreement”

 

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shall mean the agreement between the Company and an Optionee which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her SAR.

(cc) “Service” shall mean service as an Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, subject to such further limitations as may be set forth in the Plan or the applicable Award agreement. Service does not terminate when an Employee goes on a bona fide leave of absence, that was approved by the Company in writing, if the terms of the leave provide for continued Service crediting, or when continued Service crediting is required by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining whether an Option is entitled to ISO status, an Employee’s employment will be treated as terminating three months after such Employee went on leave, unless such Employee’s right to return to active work is guaranteed by law or by a contract. Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to active work. The Company determines which leaves of absence count toward Service, and when Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan.

(dd) “Share” shall mean one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 (if applicable).

(ee) “Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

(ff) “Stock Option Agreement” shall mean the agreement between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Option.

(gg) “Stock Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing the Company’s obligation to deliver one Share (or distribute cash) on a future date in accordance with the provisions of a Stock Unit Agreement.

(hh) “Stock Unit Agreement” shall mean the agreement between the Company and the recipient of a Stock Unit which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Stock Unit.

(ii) “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, if the Company and/or one or more other Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of such corporation. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.

(jj) “Total and Permanent Disability”

 

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shall mean any permanent and total disability as defined by Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Committee Composition . The Plan shall be administered by a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by the Board of Directors acting as the Committee. The Committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Company. In addition, to the extent required by the Board of Directors, the composition of the Committee shall satisfy (i) such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act; and (ii) such requirements as the Internal Revenue Service may establish for outside directors acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

(b) Committee for Non-Officer Grants . The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more separate committees of the Board of Directors, each composed of one or more directors of the Company who need not satisfy the requirements of Section 3(a), who may administer the Plan with respect to Employees who are not considered officers or directors of the Company under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, may grant Awards under the Plan to such Employees and may determine all terms of such grants. Within the limitations of the preceding sentence, any reference in the Plan to the Committee shall include such committee or committees appointed pursuant to the preceding sentence. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, the Board of Directors may also authorize one or more officers of the Company to designate Employees, other than officers under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to receive Awards and/or to determine the number of such Awards to be received by such persons; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall specify the total number of Awards that such officers may so award.

(c) Committee Procedures . The Board of Directors shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman. The Committee may hold meetings at such times and places as it shall determine. The acts of a majority of the Committee members present at meetings at which a quorum exists, or acts reduced to or approved in writing (including via email) by all Committee members, shall be valid acts of the Committee.

(d) Committee Responsibilities . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority and discretion to take the following actions:

 

  (i) To interpret the Plan and to apply its provisions;

 

  (ii) To adopt, amend or rescind rules, procedures and forms relating to the Plan;

 

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  (iii) To adopt, amend or terminate sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws including qualifying for preferred tax treatment under applicable foreign tax laws;

 

  (iv) To authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

  (v) To determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan;

 

  (vi) To select the Offerees and Optionees;

 

  (vii) To determine the type of Award and the number of Shares or amount of cash to be made subject to each Award;

 

  (viii) To prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including (without limitation) the Exercise Price and Purchase Price, and the vesting or duration of the Award (including accelerating the vesting of Awards, either at the time of the Award or thereafter, without the consent of the Participant), to determine whether an Option is to be classified as an ISO or as a Nonstatutory Option, and to specify the provisions of the agreement relating to such Award;

 

  (ix) To amend any outstanding Award agreement, subject to applicable legal restrictions and to the consent of the Participant if the Participant’s rights or obligations would be materially impaired;

 

  (x) To prescribe the consideration for the grant of each Award or other right under the Plan and to determine the sufficiency of such consideration;

 

  (xi) To determine the disposition of each Award or other right under the Plan in the event of a Participant’s divorce or dissolution of marriage;

 

  (xii) To determine whether Awards under the Plan will be granted in replacement of other grants under an incentive or other compensation plan of an acquired business;

 

  (xiii) To correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award agreement;

 

  (xiv) To establish or verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; and

 

  (xv) To take any other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Committee may designate persons other than members of the Committee to carry out its responsibilities and may prescribe such conditions

 

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and limitations as it may deem appropriate, except that the Committee may not delegate its authority with regard to the selection for participation of or the granting of Awards under the Plan to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Participants and all persons deriving their rights from a Participant. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action that he has taken or has failed to take in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award under the Plan.

(e) Amendment or Cancellation and Re-grant of Stock Awards . Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, neither the Board of Directors nor any Committee, nor their designees, shall have the authority to: (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Exercise Price thereof, or (ii) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an Exercise Price above the current Fair Market Value per Share in exchange for another Option, SAR or other Award, unless the stockholders of the Company have previously approved such an action or such action relates to an adjustment pursuant to Section 12.

 

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.

(a) General Rule . Only common-law employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. Only Employees, Consultants and Outside Directors shall be eligible for the grant of Restricted Shares, Stock Units, Nonstatutory Options, SARs or Cash-Based Awards.

(b) Ten-Percent Stockholders . An Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless such grant satisfies the requirements of Section 422(c)(5) of the Code.

(c) Attribution Rules . For purposes of Section 4(b) above, in determining stock ownership, an Employee shall be deemed to own the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such Employee’s brothers, sisters, spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants. Stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be deemed to be owned proportionately by or for its stockholders, partners or beneficiaries.

(d) Outstanding Stock . For purposes of Section 4(b) above, “outstanding stock” shall include all stock actually issued and outstanding immediately after the grant. “Outstanding stock” shall not include shares authorized for issuance under outstanding options held by the Employee or by any other person.

 

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SECTION 5. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

(a) Basic Limitation . Shares offered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares. The aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance as Awards under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (i) 7.5% of the total number of Shares outstanding at the Effective Date (assuming for this purpose that all then outstanding options to acquire Stock have been exercised) and (ii) [insert number] (the “Absolute Share Limit”). The number of Shares that may be delivered in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of ISOs granted under the Plan shall not exceed [4,500,000] plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5(c). The limitations of this Section 5(a) shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12. The number of Shares that are subject to Options or other Awards outstanding at any time under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares which then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available sufficient Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

(b) Section 162(m) Award Limitation . Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the Plan, and subject to the provisions of Section 12, with respect to any Option or SAR that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, no Participant may receive Options or SARs under the Plan in any calendar year that relate to an aggregate of more than [4,000,000] Shares. To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code or the regulations thereunder, in applying the foregoing limitation with respect to a Participant, if any Option or SAR is canceled, the canceled Option or SAR shall continue to count against the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Options and SARs may be granted to the Participant. For this purpose, the repricing of an Option or SAR shall be treated as the cancellation of the existing Option or SAR and the grant of a new Option or SAR.

(c) Additional Shares . If Restricted Shares or Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are forfeited, then such Shares shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. If Stock Units, Options or SARs are forfeited or terminate for any reason before being exercised or settled, or an Award is settled in cash without the delivery of Shares to the holder, then any Shares subject to the Award shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. Only the number of Shares (if any) actually issued in settlement of Awards (and not forfeited) shall reduce the number available in Section 5(a) and the balance shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. Any Shares withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Award shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(c), Shares that have actually been issued shall not again become available for Awards under the Plan, except for Shares that are forfeited and do not become vested.

 

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SECTION 6. RESTRICTED SHARES.

(a) Restricted Stock Agreement . Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Payment for Awards . Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, past services and future services.

(c) Vesting . Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Agreement. A Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, disability or retirement or other events. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Restricted Shares or thereafter, that all or part of such Restricted Shares shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(d) Voting and Dividend Rights . The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders. A Restricted Stock Agreement, however, may require that the holders of Restricted Shares invest any cash dividends received in additional Restricted Shares. Such additional Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Award with respect to which the dividends were paid.

(e) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares . Restricted Shares shall be subject to such rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal or other restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

 

SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

(a) Stock Option Agreement . Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not

 

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inconsistent with the Plan and which the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Number of Shares . Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

(c) Exercise Price . Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, except as otherwise provided in 4(c), and the Exercise Price of an NSO shall not be less 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(c), the Exercise Price under any Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Exercise Price shall be payable in one of the forms described in Section 8.

(d) Withholding Taxes . As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise. The Optionee shall also make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the disposition of Shares acquired by exercising an Option.

(e) Exercisability and Term . Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option; provided that the term of an ISO shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant (five years for ISOs granted to Employees described in Section 4(b)). A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Optionee’s death, disability, or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s Service. Options may be awarded in combination with SARs, and such an Award may provide that the Options will not be exercisable unless the related SARs are forfeited. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(e), the Committee at its sole discretion shall determine when all or any installment of an Option is to become exercisable and when an Option is to expire.

(f) Exercise of Options .

 

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Each Stock Option Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Optionee’s Service with the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the right to exercise the Option of any executors or administrators of the Optionee’s estate or any person who has acquired such Option(s) directly from the Optionee by bequest or inheritance. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

(g) Effect of Change in Control . The Committee may determine, at the time of granting an Option or thereafter, that such Option shall become exercisable as to all or part of the Shares subject to such Option in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(h) No Rights as a Stockholder . An Optionee, or a transferee of an Optionee, shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by his Option until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares. No adjustments shall be made, except as provided in Section 12.

(i) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options . Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options (to the extent not previously exercised), whether or not granted hereunder, in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price, or in return for the grant of a different Award for the same or a different number of Shares. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option.

(j) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares . Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

(k) Buyout Provisions . The Committee may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

SECTION 8. PAYMENT FOR SHARES.

(a) General Rule .

 

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The entire Exercise Price or Purchase Price of Shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at the time when such Shares are purchased, except as provided in Section 8(b) through Section 8(g) below.

(b) Surrender of Stock . To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Shares which have already been owned by the Optionee or his representative. Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when the new Shares are purchased under the Plan. The Optionee shall not surrender, or attest to the ownership of, Shares in payment of the Exercise Price if such action would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation expense) with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.

(c) Services Rendered . At the discretion of the Committee, Shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of services rendered to the Company or a Subsidiary. If Shares are awarded without the payment of a Purchase Price in cash, the Committee shall make a determination (at the time of the Award) of the value of the services rendered by the Offeree and the sufficiency of the consideration to meet the requirements of Section 6(b).

(d) Cashless Exercise . To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(e) Exercise/Pledge . To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker or lender to pledge Shares, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(f) Net Exercise . To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option shall be reduced by the largest whole number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price (plus tax withholdings, if applicable) and any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price (and/or applicable tax withholdings) not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole Shares to be issued shall be paid by the Optionee in cash other form of payment permitted under the Stock Option Agreement.

(g) Promissory Note .

 

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To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) a full-recourse promissory note.

(h) Other Forms of Payment . To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Agreement so provides, payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.

(i) Limitations under Applicable Law . Notwithstanding anything herein or in a Stock Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Agreement to the contrary, payment may not be made in any form that is unlawful, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

(a) SAR Agreement . Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Number of Shares . Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

(c) Exercise Price . Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 9(c), the Exercise Price under any SAR shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(d) Exercisability and Term . Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Optionee’s death, disability or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s service. SARs may be awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the

 

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related Options are forfeited. A SAR may be included in an ISO only at the time of grant but may be included in an NSO at the time of grant or thereafter. A SAR granted under the Plan may provide that it will be exercisable only in the event of a Change in Control.

(e) Effect of Change in Control . The Committee may determine, at the time of granting a SAR or thereafter, that such SAR shall become fully exercisable as to all Common Shares subject to such SAR in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(f) Exercise of SARs . Upon exercise of a SAR, the Optionee (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after his or her death) shall receive from the Company (a) Shares, (b) cash or (c) a combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price.

(g) Modification or Assumption of SARs . Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or assume outstanding SARs or may accept the cancellation of outstanding SARs (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price, or in return for the grant of a different Award for the same or a different number of Shares. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the holder, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such SAR.

(h) Buyout Provisions . The Committee may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents a SAR previously granted, or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out a SAR previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

SECTION 10. STOCK UNITS.

(a) Stock Unit Agreement . Each grant of Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Unit Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Payment for Awards .

 

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Stock Units may be awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Committee may determine. Cash payment need not be required.

(c) Vesting Conditions . Each Award of Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Unit Agreement. A Stock Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, disability or retirement or other events. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Stock Units or thereafter, that all or part of such Stock Units shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(d) Voting and Dividend Rights . The holders of Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Stock Unit awarded under the Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents which are not paid shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions (including without limitation, any forfeiture conditions) as the Stock Units to which they attach.

(e) Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units . Settlement of vested Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) Shares or (c) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee. The actual number of Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors. Methods of converting Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average Fair Market Value of Shares over a series of trading days. A Stock Unit Agreement may provide that vested Stock Units may be settled in a lump sum or in installments. A Stock Unit Agreement may provide that the distribution may occur or commence when all vesting conditions applicable to the Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed, or it may be deferred to any later date, subject to compliance with Section 409A. The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents. Until an Award of Stock Units is settled, the number of such Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.

(f) Death of Recipient . Any Stock Units Award that becomes payable after the recipient’s death shall be distributed to the recipient’s beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each recipient of a Stock Units Award under the Plan shall designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Award recipient’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Award recipient, then any Stock Units Award that becomes payable after the recipient’s death shall be distributed to the recipient’s estate.

 

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(g) Creditors’ Rights . A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Unit Agreement.

 

SECTION 11. CASH-BASED AWARDS

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any Participant in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant and specify in an applicable Award agreement. The Committee shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash which may be payable pursuant to the Cash-Based Award, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Committee. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash or in shares of Stock, as the Committee determines.

 

SECTION 12. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.

(a) Adjustments . In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate and equitable adjustments in:

 

  (i) The number of Shares available for future Awards under Section 5;

 

  (ii) The limitations set forth in Sections 5(a) and (b) and Section 19;

 

  (iii) The number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award; and

 

  (iv) The Exercise Price under each outstanding Award.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

(c) Reorganizations . In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or other reorganization, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization. Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, such agreement shall provide for:

 

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  (i) The continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving corporation;

 

  (ii) The assumption of the outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary;

 

  (iii) The substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of its own awards for the outstanding Awards;

 

  (iv) Immediate vesting, exercisability and settlement of outstanding Awards followed by the cancellation of such Awards upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such transaction; or

 

  (v) Settlement of the intrinsic value of the outstanding Awards (whether or not then vested or exercisable) in cash or cash equivalents or equity (including cash or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Awards or the underlying Shares) followed by the cancellation of such Awards (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Committee 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); in each case without the Participant’s consent. Any acceleration of payment of an amount that is subject to section 409A of the Code will be delayed, if necessary, until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A without triggering any additional taxes applicable under Section 409A.

The Company will have no obligation to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.

(d) Reservation of Rights . Except as provided in this Section 12, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award. The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. In the event of any change affecting the Shares or the Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award, including a merger or other reorganization, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company 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 occurrence of such event.

 

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SECTION 13. DEFERRAL OF AWARDS.

(a) Committee Powers . Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the Committee (in its sole discretion) may permit or require a Participant to:

 

  (i) Have cash that otherwise would be paid to such Participant as a result of the exercise of a SAR or the settlement of Stock Units credited to a deferred compensation account established for such Participant by the Committee as an entry on the Company’s books;

 

  (ii) Have Shares that otherwise would be delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR converted into an equal number of Stock Units; or

 

  (iii) Have Shares that otherwise would be delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR or the settlement of Stock Units converted into amounts credited to a deferred compensation account established for such Participant by the Committee as an entry on the Company’s books. Such amounts shall be determined by reference to the Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date when they otherwise would have been delivered to such Participant.

(b) General Rules . A deferred compensation account established under this Section 13 may be credited with interest or other forms of investment return, as determined by the Committee. A Participant for whom such an account is established shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Such an account shall represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement between such Participant and the Company. If the deferral or conversion of Awards is permitted or required, the Committee (in its sole discretion) may establish rules, procedures and forms pertaining to such Awards, including (without limitation) the settlement of deferred compensation accounts established under this Section 13.

 

SECTION 14. AWARDS UNDER OTHER PLANS.

The Company may grant awards under other plans or programs. Such awards may be settled in the form of Shares issued under this Plan. Such Shares shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like Shares issued in settlement of Stock Units and shall, when issued, reduce the number of Shares available under Section 5.

 

SECTION 15. PAYMENT OF DIRECTOR’S FEES IN SECURITIES.

(a) Effective Date .

 

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No provision of this Section 15 shall be effective unless and until the Board of Directors has determined to implement such provision.

(b) Elections to Receive NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units . To the extent permitted by the Board of Directors, an Outside Director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer payments and/or meeting fees from the Company in the form of cash, NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Board of Directors. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may mandate payment in any of such alternative forms. Such NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares and Stock Units shall be issued under the Plan. An election under this Section 15 shall be filed with the Company on the prescribed form.

(c) Number and Terms of NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units . If permitted or mandated by the Board of Directors, the number of NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units to be granted to Outside Directors in lieu of annual retainers and meeting fees that would otherwise be paid in cash shall be calculated in a manner determined by the Board of Directors. The terms of such NSOs, SARs, Restricted Shares or Stock Units shall also be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 16. LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Shares shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares complies with (or is exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations and the regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities may then be listed, and the Company has obtained the approval or favorable ruling from any governmental agency which the Company determines is necessary or advisable. The Company shall not be liable to a Participant or other persons as to: (a) the non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has not obtained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares under the Plan; and (b) any tax consequences expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted under the Plan.

 

SECTION 17. TAXES.

(a) General . To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant or his or her successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

(b) Share Withholding .

 

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The Committee may permit a Participant to satisfy all or part of his or her withholding or income tax obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired. Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when taxes otherwise would be withheld in cash. In no event may a Participant have Shares withheld that would otherwise be issued to him or her in excess of the number necessary to satisfy the minimum legally required tax withholding.

(c) Section 409A . Each Award that provides for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. If any amount under such an Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a Participant who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. In addition, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

 

SECTION 18. OTHER PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS.

(a) Transferability . Unless the agreement evidencing an Award (or an amendment thereto authorized by the Committee) expressly provides otherwise, no Award granted under this Plan, nor any interest in such Award, may be sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred in any manner (prior to the vesting and lapse of any and all restrictions applicable to Shares issued under such Award), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that an ISO may be transferred or assigned only to the extent consistent with Section 422 of the Code. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance in violation of this Section 18(a) shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

(b) Substitution and Assumption of Awards . The Committee may make Awards under the Plan by assumption, substitution or replacement of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock units or similar awards granted by another entity (including a Parent or Subsidiary), if such assumption, substitution or replacement is in connection with an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company (and/or its Parent or Subsidiary) and such other entity (and/or its affiliate). Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan), the terms of such assumed, substituted or replaced Awards shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate.

(c) Qualifying Performance Criteria .

 

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The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals; provided, however, that in the case of any Performance Based Award, the following conditions shall apply:

(i) The amount potentially available under an Award shall be subject to the attainment of pre-established, objective performance goals relating to a specified period of service based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share, (c) earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) share price performance, (g) return on capital, (h) return on assets or net assets, (i) revenue, (j) income or net income, (k) operating income or net operating income, (l) operating profit or net operating profit, (m) operating margin or profit margin, (n) return on operating revenue, (o) return on invested capital, (p) market segment shares, (q) costs, (r) expenses, (s) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product, or (t) implementation or completion of critical projects (“Qualifying Performance Criteria”), any of which may be measured either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group or index, in each case as specified by the Committee in the Award;

(ii) Unless specified otherwise by the Committee at the time the performance goals are established or otherwise within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall appropriately adjust the method of evaluating performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude asset write-downs, (ii) to exclude litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) to exclude the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) to exclude accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (v) to exclude any extraordinary nonrecurring items as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and/or described in managements’ discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures, (vii) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture, (viii) to exclude 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 exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; and (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles, in each case in compliance with Section 162(m);

 

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(iii) The Committee shall establish the applicable performance goals in writing and an objective method for determining the Award earned by a Participant if the goals are attained, while the outcome is substantially uncertain and not later than the 90 th day of the performance period (but in no event after 25% of the period of service with respect to which the performance goals relate has elapsed), and shall determine and certify in writing, for each Participant, the extent to which the performance goals have been met prior to payment or vesting of the Award;

(iv) The Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable under the Plan upon the attainment of the pre-established performance goals to a Participant who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and

(v) The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year is [4,000,000] Shares (subject to adjustment under Section 12), and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be payable to a Participant under Performance Based Awards granted to a Participant in any calendar year that are Cash-Based Awards is [$10,000,000].

 

SECTION 19. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.

No provision of the Plan, nor any Award granted under the Plan, shall be construed to give any person any right to become, to be treated as, or to remain an Employee or Consultant. The Company and its Subsidiaries reserve the right to terminate any person’s Service at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.

 

SECTION 20. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.

(a) Term of the Plan . The Plan, as set forth herein, shall terminate automatically on July 19, 2022, and may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to subsection (b) below.

(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan . The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time. Rights and obligations under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be materially impaired by such amendment, except with consent of the Participant. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.

(c) Effect of Termination . No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan shall not affect Awards previously granted under the Plan.

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SECTION 21. EXECUTION.

To record the adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the same.

 

Performant Financial Corporation
By  

 

Name  

 

Title  

 

 

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Exhibit 21.1

List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Subsidiary

   Jurisdiction

DCS Business Services, Inc.

   Nevada

Diversified Collection Services, Inc.

   California

Vista Financial, Inc.

   California

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Performant Financial Corporation:

We consent to the use of our report included herein dated March 22, 2012, except for Note 1(l) and schedule II as to which the date is May 21, 2012, and Note 1(b) and Note 1(s) as to which the date is June 25, 2012, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California

July 20, 2012