VIRTUAL ITEM PROCESSING SYSTEMS, INC. 2525 Northwest Expressway, #105 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112 OUTSOURCING AGREEMENT BETWEEN VIRTUAL ITEM PROCESSING SYSTEMS, INC. And BROKERS NATIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Outsourcing Agreement (" Agreement") is executed as of this 1^st day of May 2006, by and between Virtual Item Processing Systems, Inc. ("VIP"), with its principal place of office at 2525 NW Expressway, Suite 105 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, and Brokers National Life Assurance Company ("BNL"), with its principal place of office at 7010 Hwy. 71 W., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78735.

 

WHEREAS, VIP is engaged in the business of providing Electronic Data Processing services ("EDP Services") and related consultation and services to insurance companies pursuant to computer software systems developed and owned by VIP , (the "VIP System");

 

WHEREAS, BNL is an insurance company domiciled in the State of Arkansas and licensed to do business in numerous additional states; and

 

WHEREAS, VIP desires to provide EDP Services to BNL; and

 

WHEREAS, BNL desires to obtain EDP services from VIP for the processing and administration of its insurance policies;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT. BNL at its expense shall obtain, install, maintain and upgrade as necessary any and all hardware, software, data and telephone lines, other communications equipment and any other equipment (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Equipment") which it determines is necessary to allow it to use and access the VIP System pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Such Equipment shall be fully compatible with the VIP System. VIP will provide BNL such information as is reasonably necessary to allow BNL to acquire all such Equipment which meets the requirements of this paragraph. If requested by BNL and at BNL's expense, VIP shall inspect all such Equipment and acknowledge its compatibility in writing prior to its use with the VIP System.

 

 

A. During the term of this Agreement, VIP shall provide BNL such access as necessary to the VIP System to allow BNL to attach one data communication line and up to seventy (70) addressable data communications devices to said VIP System. Should BNL desire to attach additional communication lines or additional communication devices to the VIP System, BNL shall pay to VIP the additional fees set forth in paragraph 5(F) of this Agreement.

 

B. VIP, at its sole discretion and expense, may, but is not obligated to, make appropriate enhancements to the VIP System. Any such enhancements shall be deemed to be included in the EDP Services and VIP System to be provided to BNL, whether developed by VIP before or

during the time when services are to be provided by VIP pursuant to this Agreement. During the term of this Agreement, VIP shall be responsible at its expense for the proper maintenance and documentation of the VIP System.

 

 

3 .SCHEDULED AND UNSCHEDULED DOWN TIME. BNL acknowledges that there will be scheduled downtime for the routine preventive maintenance of VIP's System performed by either VIP or its vendors. VIP shall give BNL reasonable advance notice of all such scheduled downtime. BNL further acknowledges that there will also be unscheduled down-time that might occur as a result of electrical power failures and equipment failures and other acts outside of the control of VIP as contemplated in paragraph 16(J). In the event that any such down-time extends for more than two (2) consecutive working days, VIP, at its expense, will make available to BNL access to a backup facility designated by VIP for the continued processing of BNL's business. To ensure that a backup facility will be available in

 

case of such a failure, VIP will maintain disaster and/or business interruption insurance adequate to establish alternate site processing, as provided for in paragraph 12(A) of this Agreement.

 

 

A. It has reviewed and inspected the VIP System existing as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, which VIP System includes (i) a New Business System, (ii) a Policy Administration System, (iii) an Agency Administration System, (iv) a Financial Administration System. (v) a Claims System, (vi) a Vendor Provider System, (vii) a Transaction Tracking System and (viii) a Mail Tracking System;

 

B. Such VIP System as identified in paragraph 4(A) is adequate to meet the needs of

BNL;

 

C. VIP shall provide EDP Services to BNL for such Initial Policies and policies identical thereto and renewals thereof by the use of such VIP System existing as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, except as such VIP System may be modified from time to time by VIP , at the discretion of VIP;

 

D. BNL has reviewed the security system (Security System") included in the VIP System existing as of the Effective Date of this Agreement;

 

E. BNL acknowledges and agrees that such Security System is adequate to protect the confidential information and data of BNL processed by the VIP System;

 

F. BNL, throughout the term of this Agreement, shall be solely responsible for choosing, implementing and utilizing any or all of such of the security measures and protections offered by said Security System for the use of or access to the VIP System by any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents;

 

G. VIP shall not have any duty to either monitor or enforce such security measures and protections chosen, implemented or utilized by BNL;

H. 

BNL shall be solely responsible for any acts or omissions of any of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents;

 

I. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, VIP at any time during the term of this Agreement may change the platform upon which the VIP System is operated and through which the EDP Services are provided to BNL by VIP under this Agreement. Before VIP shall make such platform change VIP shall give BNL prior reasonable written notice of such change, and VIP's warranties under this Agreement shall continue notwithstanding such change and VIP agrees to pay any cost created for or imposed on BNL for equipment, training or similar matters arising from such change.

 

 

A.

For EDP Services provided pursuant to this Agreement, BNL will pay to VIP the charges set forth in the Payment Schedule attached hereto as Schedule B: provided however and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein. The minimum monthly fee shall not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per month (as applicable, "Minimum Fee").

 

B.

For any additional VIP Services provided hereunder, BNL will pay to VIP the charges set charges set forth in the Payment Schedule attached hereto as Schedule A.

 

C.

The fees due hereunder are subject to the following provisions:

 

1. The fee for each new policy submitted into the VIP System is set forth in Schedule B.

 

2. VIP will process all policies that have thirteen (13) or more months expired from their original policy date at the annual rates set forth in Schedule B. with a separate fee for each renewal base policy and each rider, for each plan, prorated to the actual number of months each policy is represented to be in force on the VIP System. Such representation of "policy status" includes the "grace period" and "Late payment offer" that each policy may enjoy and in which case exceeds a time frame not bound by each policy's actual paid for period. The payment amount for each group of policies in a rate category will be calculated by determining the actual number of policies and riders in force that are included in the rate category, as set forth in Schedule B at the end of each calendar month and then multiplying the number of policies by the base policy renewal amount and the number of riders by the rider renewal amount then adding the totals together and dividing the resulting amount by twelve (12). The amounts calculated for all rate categories are added together and this amount is the fee payable in advance at the beginning of the month.

 

3. VIP shall not be obligated to process any amended policies or new products that

are written or acquired by BNL unless and until the parties hereto have mutually executed a written addendum to this Agreement modifying Schedule B to include the fees for any such products.

 

D.

Any sum due VIP hereunder for which a time for payment is not otherwise specified will be due and payable within ten (10) days after the date of the postmark for an invoice therefor from VIP. If BNL fails to pay any amount due within ten (10) days from the date of the postmark for the invoice, late charges of 1-1/2% per month, or the maximum amount allowable by law, whichever is less, shall also become payable by BNL to VIP.

 

E.

In addition to the communication line and devices which BNL is authorized to attach to the VIP System pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Agreement, BNL may, for the monthly fee(s) hereinafter set forth, attach additional communication lines or the following devices to the VIP System. The monthly fee(s) for such additional lines) or devices is as follows:

 

1. each communication line and adapter $200,

 

2. each visual station whether CRT, PC or similar device $25,

3. each addressable printer under 299 lines per minute ("LPM") $25

 

4. each addressable printer over 299 LPM $150.

 

F. There are certain other expenses which are directly related to VIP's performance of this Agreement that are directly billable by VIP and payable by BNL. The purpose and intent of this provision is not to describe all contemplated charges covered by this provision, but rather to identify some of the charges that may fall into this category . Such charges include but are not limited to the following:

 

1.

Cost of all business forms, continuous or non-continuous used by BNL;

 

2.

All telephone calls initiated on behalf of BNL business and operations;

3.

All travel, food and lodging expenses incurred by VIP personnel related to the performance of this Agreement, subject to BNL's prior written approval;

4.

All postage and shipping expenses for materials used by BNL;

5.

All expenses incurred for computer output micro-film "COM" which is contracted by VIP with a service bureau independent of VIP , subject to BNL' s prior written approval;

6.

Any other charges directly related to BNL ' use or benefit of the VIP System pursuant to this Agreement is subject to BNL ' prior written approval.

 

G. All sums due under this Agreement are payable in U.S. dollars.

 

6. PROPRIETARY AND RELATED RIGHTS.

A. CLIENT DATA. Any original documents or files provided to VIP hereunder by BNL ("BNL Data") are and shall remain BNL's property and, upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, such BNL Data will be returned to BNL by VIP, subject to

the terms hereof. Subject to paragraphs 4(F) and (G), VIP agrees to make the same effort to safeguard such BNL Data as it does in protecting its own proprietary information. BNL Data will not be utilized by VIP for any purpose other than those purposes related to rendering EDP Services to BNL under this Agreement, nor will BNL Data or any part thereof be disclosed to third parties by VIP , its employees or agents except for purposes related to VIP's rendering ofEDP Services to BNL under this Agreement or as required by law, regulation, or order of a court or regulatory agency or other authority having jurisdiction thereover. Notwithstanding the foregoing, VIP shall have the right to retain in its possession all work papers and files prepared by it in performance of EDP Services hereunder which may include necessary copies of BNL Data. VIP shall have access to BNL Data, at reasonable times, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter for purposes related to VIP's 'rendering of EDP Services to BNL pursuant to this Agreement, or as required by law, regulation or order of a court or regulatory agency or other authority having jurisdiction thereover. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the confidentiality obligations set forth in this paragraph will not apply to any information which (i) is or becomes publicly available without breach of this Agreement, (ii) is independently developed by VIP outside the scope of this Agreement and without reference to the confidential information received under this Agreement, or (iii) is rightfully obtained by VIP from third parties which are not obligated to protect its confidentiality.

 

7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. This Agreement may be terminated by the non- breaching party upon any of the following events:

 

A. In the event that BNL fails to pay any sums of money due to VIP hereunder and does not cure such default within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of such nonpayment from VIP , provided that if BNL notifies VIP in writing that BNL disputes a billing and BNL pays any undisputed portion of such billing VIP shall not institute formal proceedings by arbitration or judicial review or terminate this Agreement with respect to such disputed billing until after VIP has afforded BNL an opportunity for a meeting to discuss such dispute.

 

B. In the event that a party hereto breaches any of the material terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement (other than a breach under paragraph (A) above) and fails to cure the same within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of such breach from the non-breaching party.

 

C. In the event that a party hereto becomes or is declared insolvent or bankrupt, is the subject of any proceedings relating to its liquidation, insolvency or for the appointment of a receiver or similar officer for it, makes an assignment for the benefit of all or substantially all of its creditors, or enters into an agreement for the composition, extension, or readjustment of all or substantially all of its obligations or admits of its general inability to pay its debts as they become due.

 

D. In the event of termination under this section, VIP will give BNL, at its request and

direction, such copies of BNL data maintained on the VIIP system in a format and in a manner as designated by BNL. BNL shall pay a fee to VIP for preparing such data. Such fee shall be $100 per hour for programming time and $150 per hour computer processing time.

 

8. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

A. BNL agrees to indemnify, defend and hold VIP and its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents and representatives harmless from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses arising out of or relating to (i) any acts or omissions of BNL pertaining to the EDP Services, including without limitation any breach of this Agreement by BNL or (ii) any information provided by or on behalf of, or any instruction, approval or decision by, BNL pertaining to the EDP Services relied upon by VIP .

 

B. VIP shall indemnify, defend and hold BNL and its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents and representatives harmless from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of any third party claims of infringement of any United States patents, or a trade secret, or any copyright, trademark, service mark, trade name or similar proprietary rights alleged to have occurred related to VIP's providing of EDP Services pursuant to this Agreement or relating to the VIP System used in providing such EDP Services.

 

C. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraphs 9(E), 9(F) and 9(G) of this Agreement and not including the claims covered by paragraph 8(B) of this Agreement, VIP shall indemnify, defend and hold BNL and its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents and representatives harmless from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of or relating to (i) any acts or omissions of VIP pertaining to the EDP Services, including without limitation any breach of this Agreement by VIP , or (ii) any information provided by or on behalf of, or any instruction, approval or decision by, VIP pertaining to the EDP Services relied upon by BNL.

 

D. The provisions of this paragraph 8 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

9. VIP REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES: DISCLAIMER: LIMITATIONS. In addition to the other obligations of VIP under this Agreement VIP represents, warrants and covenants to BNL both at the execution of this Agreement and at all times during the term of this Agreement that:

 

A. VIP is and will remain duly organized and validly existing as an Oklahoma corporation (or another state) authorized to engage in the business of providing EDP Services to its customers;

B. VIP is not a party to or otherwise subject to any note, debenture, shareholder agreement or other contractual arrangement, Order, Judgment Decree or Adjudication which prohibits any act or conduct of VIP contemplated by this Agreement or which would cause VIP to be in violation of or default respect thereto;

 

C. VIP owns all necessary rights and interests in and to the VIP System and related programs to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement. The VIP System does not infringe on any United States patent or any trade secret, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade name or similar third party proprietary right; and

 

D. VIP warrants that all EDP Services shall be performed in a prompt and workmanlike manner. Furthermore, the VIP System contains no programming condition which will limit the VIP System's use after a period of time elapses (such as a fixed calendar limit) and thus thereafter prevent BNL ' s use of the VIP System without further maintenance.

 

E. Except as set forth in paragraphs 9(a) through 9(d) inclusive of this agreement, with respect to its EDP services or other work provided under this agreement, VIP makes no warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose except as set forth in paragraphs 9(a) through 9(d) inclusive of this agreement, VIP does not warrant that the services shall meet BNL's requirements or that the services shall be uninterrupted or error-free.

 

F. Limitation of liability. VIP shall have no liability with respect to its obligations under this agreement or otherwise for consequential, exemplary, special, indirect, incidental or punitive damages even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages in any event, other than claims covered by paragraph 8(b) or paragraph 6(a) of this agreement (which claims are excluded from this paragraph 9(f) limitation), the liability of VIP to BNL for any reason and upon any cause of action or claim in contract, tort or otherwise shall be limited to the amount paid by BNL to VIP in the twelve (12) month period prior to the accrual of the action or claim for the specific service which is the subject of the action or claim (or, if such accrual occurs during the first twelve (12) months of the initial term, then the liability shall be limited to the minimum fees payable by BNL to VIP during the first twelve (12) months of the initial term). except for the claims excluded by the preceding sentence, this limitation applies to all causes of action or claims in the aggregate including without limitation breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation and other torts. BNL and VIP acknowledge and agree that the limitations and exclusions contained herein represent the parties' agreement as to the allocation of risk between the parties in connection with VIP's obligations under this agreement. the payments payable to VIP in connection herewith reflect this allocation of risk and the exclusion of consequential damages in this agreement.

 

G. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, VIP shall not be liable in

any manner to BNL for any costs, expenses, injury or damages of any kind or nature which are caused by any of the following:

 

1. The failure of computer hardware which are not covered by the standard warranties and indemnification's of such manufacturers;

 

2. Software designated and supplied by the computer hardware supplier; or by software designed and implemented by other parties at BNL' request for which the integrity of said software is BNL' sole responsibility;

 

3. Erroneous data input or otherwise provided by BNL and/or failure of BNL to monitor and for the failure of BNL to respond to the auditing controls of the system;

 

4. A breach by BNL of any of the terms, covenants, representations or conditions of this Agreement;

 

5. The failure by BNL to report to VIP in writing an error within a reasonable time after BNL discovers or reasonably should have discovered such error.

 

10. COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS OF BNL. In addition to the other obligations of BNL under this Agreement BNL covenants and warrants to VIP both at the execution of this Agreement and at all times during the term of this Agreement that:

 

A. It is and will remain a duly organized and validly existing corporation and insurance company under the laws of the State of Arkansas (or another state) and is otherwise authorized to do business in the State of Arkansas;

 

B. It holds and will continue to hold all permits, licenses and other governmental authorization necessary for it to conduct its insurance business; and

 

C. It is not a party to or otherwise subject to any note, debenture, shareholder agreement or other contractual arrangement, Order, Judgment, Decree of Adjudication which prohibits any act or conduct of BNL contemplated by this Agreement or which would cause it to be in violation of or default with respect thereto.

 

BNL acknowledges that BNL, and not VIP, has the responsibility for compliance with the maintenance and environmental standards for the operation of the on-site user Equipment specified in paragraph 1.

 

11. BNL LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. BNL shall have no liability with respect to its obligations under this agreement or otherwise for consequential, exemplary, special, indirect, incidental or punitive damages even if it has been advised of the possibility

of such damages. in any event, other than claims covered by the next sentence, the liability of BNL to VIP for any reason and upon any cause of action and claim in contract, tort or otherwise shall be limited to the amounts paid by BNL to VIP in the twelve (12) month period prior to the accrual of the action or claim for the specific service which is the subject of the action or claim (or, if such accrual occurs during the first twelve (12) months of the initial term, then the liability shall be limited to the minimum fees payable by BNL to VIP during the first twelve (12) months of the initial term) claims by VIP for the minimum fees and other fees and expenses owing by BNL under paragraphs 5, 15(a) and 15(c), or for a breach by BNL of VIP's proprietary rights as set forth in paragraph 13 are excluded from this paragraph II limitation except for the claims excluded by the preceding sentence, this limitation applies to all causes of action or claims in the aggregate including without limitation breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation and other torts. VIP and BNL expressly acknowledge and agree that the limitations and exclusions contained herein represent the parties' agreement as to the allocation of risk between the parties in connection with BNL's obligations under this agreement the payments payable to VIP in connection herewith reflect this allocation of risk and the exclusion of consequential damages in this agreement.

 

12. VIP OBLIGATION. During the term of this Agreement, in addition to its other obligations set forth in this Agreement, VIP shall:

 

A. Maintain property insurance in an amount sufficient to replace or reconstruct the hardware, software, data and facilities necessary for VIP to operate the VIP System and otherwise provide the EDP Services set forth in this Agreement and, upon written request, shall provide BNL with evidence of the coverage, including all applicable limits and conditions, and, upon written request, shall provide BNL with evidence of all renewals, cancellations, expirations or modifications of the coverage;

 

B. Update on a daily basis, sets of back-up data files for the BNL Data in the VIP System at an off-site location and/or fire-proof safe that provides for its safety from destruction or theft. BNL will pay its prorata share based upon the number of the total users of the VIP System of the cost of storage and/or transportation of back-up data files to and from the storage facility;

 

C. At BNL' s option and sole expense, micro-film, all reports or other records as so designated by BNL and store the same in a safe facility on or off the operational location of VIP;

 

D. Except in instances beyond VIP's reasonable control under paragraph 16(J) or as provided in paragraph 3, ensure the availability of the VIP system for BNL ' use at least during the hours of7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (central time) each day Monday through Friday.

 

13. OWNERSHIP OF THE VIP SYSTEM. The VIP System and related programs

(including software in connection herewith), are and shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of VIP. During the term of this Agreement or any extension thereof, BNL shall have a non-exclusive license to use the VIP System on-line as designated by VIP. BNL shall not use the VIP System except as authorized by this Agreement Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, neither BNL nor any third party shall have any further right to use the VIP System after the retrieval of the BNL data pursuant to paragraph 6(A) of this Agreement.

 

14. ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

 

A. Subject to the terms of paragraph 14(C), and for the sums set forth in paragraph 14(B) hereof, VIP , during the term of this Agreement, agrees to provide the following added services to BNL upon request:

 

1. All consultation, systems development, conversion services, programming, debugging and testing of software, hardware, and for other services other than the VIP System and which are unique to BNL products and/or method of doing business;

 

2. All machine time used in connection with systems development, conversion services, programming, debugging and testing of software, hardware and other vendor services which are unique to BNL products and/or method of doing business;

 

3. Assistance of VIP in connection with the termination of either parties of its services under this Agreement and the implementation of EDP service by BNL with another data processing company;

 

4. Additional processing resulting from changes in regulatory requirements;

 

5. Special, unscheduled, and/or non-standard system application processing;

 

6. Bank draft processing.

 

B. VIP will provide BNL the above enumerated additional services at the hourly rates set

forth in Schedule A Schedule of Charges and Fees for Additional Services, for the initial twelve (12) months of this Agreement. After the initial twelve months of this Agreement, VIP may adjust the rates in Schedule A to VIP's then current standard rates for such services, provided that it provides BNL with notice of any such adjustment not less ~han thirty (30) days prior to any such adjustment and that such rates shall not increase by more than ten ( 10% ) percent per year .

 

C. VIP performance of such additional services for BNL is subject to availability of resources and the development of a schedule for delivery of such services which is agreeable to both parties. VIP agrees to make a best effort attempt to develop the required schedules with BNL.

15. TERM.

 

A. The initial term ("Initial Term") of this Agreement shall be for one year commencing on the 1st day of May, 2006 ("Effective Date"). Payments under this Agreement by BNL shall commence as provided in paragraph 5(A) hereof.

 

B. Unless either party gives written notice to terminate this Agreement at least six (6) months prior to the end of said Initial Term, this Agreement shall continue on a year to year basis ("Extended Term(s)") until terminated by either party by giving written notice of termination thereof to the other party at least six (6) months prior to the end of the then current Extended Term.

 

C. However, if, after the Initial Term, BNL terminates this Agreement during an Extended Term by giving less than six (6) months notice, in addition to any other sums due VIP under this Agreement, BNL shall pay to VIP a cancellation fee equal to the greater of (i) the Minimum Fee multiplied by the remaining number of months in the then current term, (ii) the average of the monthly billings for the six (6) month period immediately preceding the date upon which the notice of termination is received by VIP from BNL multiplied by the remaining number of months in the then current term or (iii) thirty thousand dollars ($30, 000).

 

E. From and after notice of termination is received by VIP, any new reports or other services provided by VIP other than routine processing services which have been done for BNL under this Agreement shall be deemed to be additional services and shall be performed by VIP at VIP's then current rates for such termination services as specified on Schedule A.

 

F. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, BNL shall return all software and related manuals, if any, provided by VIP to BNL during the term of this Agreement.

 

16. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

A. ADVERTISING. During the term of this Agreement BNL consents to the use of the name of BNL by VIP in identifying BNL as a client, in advertising, publicity, or similar materials distributed to prospective clients. Except as set forth in this paragraph 16(A), the terms of this Agreement shall be kept confidential.

 

B. AMENDMENTS. No amendment, change, waiver, or discharge hereof shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the party against which such amendment, change, waiver, or discharge is sought to be enforced. Any provision of BNL' purchase' order or other request for services shall not bind VIP. VIP's failure to object to any such provision shall not be construed as a waiver of the terms and conditions of this Agreement nor as acceptance of any such other provision(s).

C. ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its breach, or its validity or interpretation, except claims for injunctive relief and claims involving necessary third parties who refuse to participate, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the then current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (" AAA") subject, however, to the following:

 

1. The location for the arbitration shall be at such location reasonably designated by the arbitrators.

 

2. Such arbitration shall be heard and determined by a panel of three (3) arbitrators in accordance with the then current rules or regulations of the AAA relating to commercial disputes. One arbitrator shall be appointed by each party to serve on the panel. One neutral arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA and shall serve as chairperson of the three arbitrator panel. Such neutral arbitrator shall be an attorney with experience in handling disputes relating to the providing of out sourced electronic data processing services.

 

3. The arbitration award shall be binding on the parties and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

4. The prevailing party in such arbitration shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in such arbitration proceeding.

 

D. ASSIGNMENT. Neither party to this Agreement shall assign, subcontract, or otherwise conveyor delegate its rights or duties hereunder to any third party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

E. ATTORNEY FEES. In the event that litigation is instituted between the parties in connection with any controversy or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney fees and costs.

 

F. BINDING. This Agreement is binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of VIP, BNL and their respective successors and assigns.

 

G. CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement and performance hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma without regard to conflict of laws. Subject to the requirement for arbitration under paragraph 16(C), VIP and BNL hereby agree on behalf of themselves and any person claiming by or through them that jurisdiction and venue for any litigation arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be in the appropriate federal or state court located in Austin, Texas, or in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and that any arbitration shall be conducted in the location selected pursuant to paragraph 16(C)(1).

H. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one single agreement between the parties hereto.

 

I. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including any Schedules referred to herein or attached hereto, each of which is incorporated herein for all purposes, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and no prior or contemporaneous representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, oral or otherwise, between VIP and BNL with reference thereto shall be of any force or effect.

 

J. FORCE MAJEURE. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, but except to the extent provided in paragraph 2, VIP shall not be liable to BNL for any delay or failure to perform any of the EDP Services or other obligations set forth in this Agreement due to cause(s) beyond its reasonable control, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) accidents, (ii) acts of God, (iii) labor disputes, (iv) BNL's failure to submit data or information in the prescribed form or in accordance with the agreed upon schedules; (v) special requests, outside the VIP Systems' functions routinely utilized by BNL, by BNL or any governmental agency authorized to regulate or supervise BNL or any authority having jurisdiction over BNL; (vi) BNL's failure to provide any equipment, software, facility or performance called for by this Agreement, and the same is necessary for VIP's performance hereunder, (vii) BNL's material breach of any of the terms, covenants, or representations set forth in this Agreement or (viii) the actions of any government agency or common carrier or other third party over whom VIP has no control. Performance times shall be considered extended for a period of time equivalent to the time lost because of such delay.

 

K. HEADINGS. The paragraph headings used herein are for reference and convenience only and shall not enter into the interpretation hereof.

 

L. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. VIP and BNL are strictly independent contractors. Neither party has the right to bind the other in any manner, and nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to make either party the agent or legal representative of the other or to make the parties joint venturers or partners.

 

M. LIMIT A TIONS OF ACTIONS. Any claim of action of any kind which one party to this Agreement may have against the other party relating to or arising out of this Agreement must be commenced within two (2) years from the date such claim or cause of action shall have first accrued.

N. NOTICES. Any notice provided pursuant to this Agreement, if specified to be in writing, shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) if by hand delivery, upon receipt thereof (ii) if mailed, three (2) days after deposit in the United States mails, postage prepaid, certified mail return receipt requested, or (iii) if by next day delivery service, upon such delivery .All notices shall be addressed to a party at the address first set forth above or at such other address as either party may in the future specify in writing to the other .

0. SERVICES FOR OTHERS. BNL understands and agrees that VIP may perform for third. parties similar services using the same personnel, subject to VIP's confidentiality obligations hereunder, and that VIP may utilize such personnel for rendering services for BNL hereunder.

 

P. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and each remaining provision shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Q. SURVIVAL. All provisions of this Agreement relating to confidentiality and indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

R. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. No third party is intended to be nor shall any such third party be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement nor shall any third party acquire any rights or remedies under or through this Agreement.

 

S. WAIVER, Any waiver by a party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or succeeding breach of such provision, a waiver of that provision itself or a waiver of any other right(s) under this Agreement.

 

The parties agree and acknowledge that they have read this Agreement. The persons signing below on behalf of the respective parties represent and warrant that they have the authority to bind the party on which behalf they have executed this Agreement. This Agreement is executed on the dates shown below and effective as of the Effective Date identified above.

 

VIRTUAL ITEM PROCESSING SYSTEMS INC.  BROKERS NATIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE

COMPANY

 

 

    /s/ David A. Siekman         /s/ Barry N. Shamas

By: _____________________________________ By: _________________________________

David A. Siekman     Barry N. Shamas

President      Executive Vice President

 

    May 17, 2006      May 18, 2006

Date: ___________________________________ Date: _______________________________

 

 

 

FOR

 

SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMMING SERVICES     HOURLY RATE

 

1. CONSULTATION         $100.00

 

2. SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT        100.00

 

3. SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION      100.00

 

4. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS         100.00

 

5. COMPUTER PROGRAMMING:

 

SENIOR ANALYST         100.00 JUNIONANALYST         85.00

 

6. COMPUTER CHARGED TIME        $150.00 TERMINATION SERVICES

 

7. CONSULTATION          $100.00

 

8. PROGRAMMING          $185.00

 

9. COMPUTER CHARGED TIME        $250.00

 

 

10. COMPUTER CHARGED TIME        $150.00

 

 

11. COMPUTER CHARGED TIME        $150.00

 

 

12. EDUCATION: IN VIP OFFICES       $ 50.00

 

13. EDUCATION: ON-SlTE         90.00

 

14. PROCEDURAL HELP VIA TELEPHONE       50.00

 

BANK DRAFTS         UNIT RATE

 

15. BANK DRAFT PROCESSING (PER DRAFT)      $ .06

 

 

 

PLAN NAME

 

OF CATEGORY

 

All BNL Plans

 

Fee = $.305/per policy per month