AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT by and among FUSION NBS ACQUISITION CORP. as Borrower and FUSION TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. and NETWORK BILLING SYSTEMS, LLC FUSION BVX LLC AND EACH OTHER SUBSIDIARY FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO as Guarantors and PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND III, LP, PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND III-A, LP, PLEXUS FUND II, L.P., PLEXUS FUND III, L.P. PLEXUS FUND QP III, L.P. and UNITED INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, as Lenders and PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND III, LP, as Agent Dated as of December 31, 2013 (amending and restating the Securities Purchase Agreement and Security Agreement dated as of October 29, 2012, as amended) TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

1.01          Definitions

1.02          Accounting Terms; Financial Statements

1.03          Knowledge of the Credit Parties

1.04          UCC Terms

1.05          Certain Matters of Construction

1.06          Effect of this Agreement; Modification of Transaction Documents.

 

ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES

2.01          Purchase and Sale of the Series D Notes

2.02          Purchase and Sale of the New Warrants

2.03          Fees at Closing; Expenses

2.04          Closing

2.05          Financial Accounting Positions; Tax Reporting

2.06          Interest

 

ARTICLE 3 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE LENDERS TO PURCHASE THE SECURITIES

3.01          Representations and Warranties

3.02          Compliance with this Agreement

3.03          Secretary’s Certificates

3.04          Transaction Documents

3.05          Purchase of Securities Permitted by Applicable Laws

3.06          Opinion of Counsel

3.07          Approval of Counsel to the Lenders

3.08          Consents and Approvals

3.09          Lien Searches; Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness

3.10          No Material Judgment or Order

3.11          Pro Forma Balance Sheet, Leverage Ratio; Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and EBITDA.

3.12          Good Standing Certificates

3.13          No Litigation

3.14          Interim Financial Statements; Projections

3.15          Consummation of the Transactions

3.16          Flow of Funds

3.17          Adverse Change

3.18          Insurance Certificates

3.19          Fees and Expenses

3.20          Conduct of Business

3.21          Transfer Taxes

3.22          SBA

3.23          Separateness Requirements

3.24          ACH

 

ARTICLE 4 Collateral; General Terms

4.01          Security Interest in the Collateral

4.02          Perfection of Security Interest

4.03          Safeguarding Collateral

4.04          Ownership of Collateral

4.05          Defense of Agent’s Interest

4.06          Financial Disclosure

4.07          Accounts

4.08          Exculpation of Liability

4.09          Financing Statements

4.10          Effectiveness of Security Interest in Certain Collateral of NBS.

4.11          Control Account – NBS Consents/Approvals.

 

ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES

5.01          Existence and Power

5.02          Authorization; No Contravention

5.03          Governmental Authorization; Third Party Consents

5.04          Binding Effect

5.05          Litigation

5.06          Compliance with Laws

5.07          No Default or Breach

5.08          Title to Properties.

5.09          Use of Real Property

5.10          Taxes.

5.11          Financial Statements and Projections.

5.12          Operating Company

5.13          Disclosure.

5.14          Absence of Certain Changes or Events

5.15          O.S.H.A. and Environmental Compliance.

5.16          Investment Company/Government Regulations

5.17          Subsidiaries.

5.18          Capitalization

5.19          Private Offering

5.20          Broker’s, Finder’s or Similar Fees

5.21          Labor Relations

5.22          Employee Benefit Plans

5.23          Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

5.24          Potential Conflicts of Interest

5.25          Trade Relations

5.26          Indebtedness

5.27          Material Contracts

5.28          Insurance

5.29          [Intentionally Omitted].

5.30          Products Liability

5.31          Solvency

5.32          Questionnaire

5.33          Location of Assets

5.34          Certain Payments

5.35          Margin Requirements

5.36          Anti-Terrorism Laws.

5.37          Trading with the Enemy

5.38          Acquisition Documents

5.39          Equity Raise Documents

5.40          Interest Rate Hedges and Other Hedging Agreements

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LENDERS

6.01          Authorization; No Contravention

6.02          Binding Effect

6.03          Purchase for Own Account

6.04          Broker’s, Finder’s or Similar Fees

6.05          Governmental Authorization; Third Party Consent

 

ARTICLE 7 INDEMNIFICATION

7.01          Indemnification

7.02          Procedure; Notification

7.03          Survival

 

ARTICLE 8 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

8.01          Financial Statements and Other Information

8.02          Preservation of Existence

8.03          Payment of Obligations

8.04          Compliance with Laws

8.05          Violations

8.06          Board Observer

8.07          Inspection

8.08          Maintenance of Properties

8.09          Insurance

8.10          Books and Records

8.11          Use of Proceeds.

8.12          Standards of Financial Statements

8.13          Reservation of Common Stock

8.14          New Real Property

8.15          Control Agreements; Cash Management Systems.

8.16          Collateral Access Agreements

8.17          Key-Man Life Insurance

8.18          NBS Consents and Notices.

8.19          Post-Closing Covenants.

 

ARTICLE 9 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

9.01          Fundamental Changes; Consolidations, Mergers and Acquisitions; Asset Sales

9.02          Creation of Liens

9.03          Guarantees

9.04          Investments

9.05          Loans

9.06          Restricted Payments

9.07          Indebtedness

9.08          Nature of Business

9.09          Transactions with Affiliates

9.10          Leases

9.11          Subsidiaries; Partnerships; Joint Ventures

9.12          Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes

9.13          Amendment of Organizational Documents

9.14          Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certain Other Agreements; Etc.

9.15          Financial Covenants.

9.16          Compliance with ERISA

9.17          Prepayment of Indebtedness

9.18          Anti-Terrorism Laws

9.19          Trading with the Enemy Act

9.20          Additional Negative Pledges

 

ARTICLE 10 PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS

10.01          Optional Prepayment

10.02          Mandatory Prepayments.

10.03          Scheduled Payments

10.04          Application of Payments.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

11.01          Events of Default

11.02          Acceleration and Remedies

11.03          Application of Proceeds

 

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

12.01          Survival of Representations and Warranties

12.02          Notices

12.03          Successors and Assigns.

12.04          Amendment and Waiv

12.05          Signatures; Counterparts

12.06          Headings

12.07          GOVERNING LAW

12.08          JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

12.09          Severability

12.10          Rules of Construction

12.11          Entire Agreement

12.12          Certain Expenses

12.13          Publicity

12.14          Further Assurances

12.15          Obligations of the Lenders

12.16          No Strict Construction

12.17          Transfer of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 13 GUARANTEE

13.01          The Guarantee

13.02          Obligations Unconditional

13.03          Reinstatement

13.04          Subrogation

13.05          Remedies

13.06          Continuing Guarantee

13.07          General Limitation on Guarantors’ Obligations

13.08          Effectiveness of Guarantee by NBS.

 

ARTICLE 14 REGARDING AGENT

14.01          Appointment

14.02          Nature of Duties

14.03          Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation.

14.04          Certain Rights of Agent

14.05          Reliance

14.06          Notice of Default

14.07          Indemnification

14.08          Agent in its Individual Capacity

14.09          Delivery of Documents or Other Information

14.10          Credit Parties’ Undertaking to Agent

14.11          No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program

14.12          Other Agreements

 

ARTICLE 15 TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

15.01          Taxes.

15.02          Certificates of Lenders

 

 

 

ARTICLE 16 SEPARATENESS COVENANTS

16.01          Separate Legal Entity

16.02          Capital

16.03          Dissolution

16.04          Commingled Funds

16.05          Segregated Assets

16.06          Bank Accounts

16.07          Employees

16.08          Agents

16.09          Independent Director

16.10          Organization Documents

16.11          Ministerial or Administrative Actions

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

 

Exhibit A                      Form of Series D Notes

Exhibit B                      Form of New Warrants

Exhibit C                      Compliance Certificate

Exhibit D                      Form of Joinder to Pledge Agreement

Exhibit F-1                   Form of Plexus III Management Rights Agreement

Exhibit F-2                   Form of Plexus QP III Management Rights Agreement

Exhibit J                       Projections

Exhibit L-3A                Form of Plexus III SBA Side Letter

Exhibit L-3B                 Form of Plexus QP III SBA Side Letter

Exhibit M                      Form of Collateral Access Agreement

Exhibit N                       Form of First Amendment to Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement

Schedule 2.01 – Lender Schedule – Series D Notes

Schedule 2.02 – Lender Schedule – New Warrants

Schedule 3.09 – Discharged Indebtedness

Schedule 4.04 – Collateral Exceptions

Schedule 4.09 – Other Financing Statements

Schedule 5.01 – Jurisdiction of Organization and Qualifications

Schedule 5.05 – Litigation

Schedule 5.06 – Compliance with Laws

Schedule 5.08(a) – Owned Real Property

Schedule 5.08(b) – Leased Real Property

Schedule 5.09 – Use of Real Property

Schedule 5.10 – Taxes

Schedule 5.14 – Absence of Changes

Schedule 5.17 – Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.18 – Capitalization

Schedule 5.20 – Brokers’ or Finders’ Fees

Schedule 5.21 – Labor Relations

Schedule 5.22 – Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule 5.24 – Conflicts of Interest

Schedule 5.25 – Trade Relations

Schedule 5.26 – Indebtedness

Schedule 5.27 – Material Contracts

Schedule 5.28 – Insurance

Schedule 5.30 – Products Liability

Schedule 5.33 – Location of Assets

Schedule 5.34 – Change of Control Payments

Schedule 9.02 – Permitted Liens

Schedule 9.04 – Investments

Schedule 9.07 – Indebtedness

 

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 31, 2013, by and among FUSION NBS ACQUISITION CORP. a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), FUSION TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), NETWORK BILLING SYSTEMS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (“NBS”), FUSION BVX LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BVX”), and each other direct and indirect subsidiary of Parent from time to time party hereto (each such subsidiary together with Parent, the “Guarantors”, and together with the Borrower, the “Credit Parties”), PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Fund III”), PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND III-A, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Fund III-A”), PLEXUS FUND II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Plexus” and together with Fund III and Fund III-A and each of their respective successors and assigns, each an “Original Lender” and collectively, the “Original Lenders”), PLEXUS FUND III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Plexus III”), PLEXUS FUND QP III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Plexus QP III”), UNITED INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, an Illinois corporation (“United” and together with Fund III, Fund III-A Plexus, Plexus III and Plexus QP III and each of their respective successors and assigns, each a “Lender”, and collectively, the “Lenders”), and Fund III as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Agent”).

 

 

WHEREAS, the Credit Parties, the Original Lenders and the Agent entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement and Security Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2012 (as heretofore amended or otherwise modified, the “Original Securities Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which (i)(A) the Borrower issued to the Original Lenders Senior Notes in the initial aggregate principal amount of $6,500,000 bearing interest at 10% per annum (“Series A Notes”) and Senior Notes in the initial aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 bearing interest at 11.5% per annum (“Series B Notes”) and (B) in connection with the Series A Notes, Parent issued to the Original Lenders Warrants (the “Original Warrants”) to purchase 5.0% of the equity interests of Parent, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, as of the Initial Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), and (ii) the Borrower issued to the Original Lenders Senior Notes in the initial aggregate principal amount of $500,000 bearing interest at 11.15% per annum (the “Series C Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower wishes to sell to the Lenders (other than Plexus II), and such Lenders wish to purchase from the Borrower, Senior Notes in the initial aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 bearing interest at 11.15% per annum (“Series D Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the purchase of the Series D Notes, Parent wishes to sell to the Lenders purchasing the Series D Notes, and such Lenders wish to purchase from Parent, Warrants (the “New Warrants”) to purchase 4.25% of the equity interests of Parent, calculated on a fully-diluted basis; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Original Securities Purchase Agreement in order to, among other things (i) provide for the issuance and sale of the Series D Notes and the New Warrants,  (ii) add BVX as a Guarantor and Credit Party hereunder, (iii) modify the interest rate on the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, and (iv) extend the maturity date of the Series A Notes, the Series B Notes and the Series C Notes.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Original Securities Purchase Agreement and the Original Securities Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

1.01 Definitions

 

.  As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

“Accountants” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.01(a).

 

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person (a) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person, (b) directly or indirectly owning or holding five percent (5%) or more of any Equity Interests in such Person, or (c) five percent (5%) or more of whose voting stock or other Equity Interests is directly or indirectly owned or held by such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, 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 securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include its successors and assigns.

 

“Agreement” shall mean this Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement and Security Agreement, including the exhibits and schedules attached hereto, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

 

“Applicable Law” shall mean all international, foreign, federal, provincial, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

“Authorized Officer” shall mean any of the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller of a Credit Party (or any other officer authorized by a Credit Party to perform all or any portion of the same or similar functions of any of such enumerated officers, as applicable).

 

“Bank Secrecy Act” shall mean 31 U.S.C. Sections 5311-5330, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, extended, amended or replaced.

 

“Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of any corporation, board of managers of any limited liability company or similar governing body of any other Person.

 

“Blocked Person” shall mean (i) a Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (ii) a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224, (iii) a Person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law, (iv) a Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” as defined in Executive Order No. 13224, (v) a Person that is named as a “specially designated national” on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Asset Control at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list, or (vi) a Person who is affiliated or associated with a person or entity listed above.

 

 

 

“Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include each Person which becomes a successor or permitted assign of Borrower.

 

“BVX” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include each Person which becomes a successor or permitted assign of BVX.

 

“BVX Acquisition Agreement” shall mean the Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2013, by and among Parent, BVX (as the successor in interest to Fusion Broadvox Acquisition Corp.), BroadvoxGo!, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Cypress Communications, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of November 15, 2013 and the Second Amendment thereto dated as of December 16, 2013.

 

“BVX Acquisition Documents” shall mean the BVX Acquisition Agreement and all other agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection therewith to which a Credit Party is a party thereunder, including all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

“Business” shall mean the business of providing Internet Protocol voice, data and cloud services.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Expenditures” shall mean expenditures made or liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed assets or improvements, replacements, substitutions or additions thereto which have a useful life of more than one year, including the total principal portion of Capital Lease Obligations, which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capital expenditures and all other expenditures made or liabilities incurred for intangible assets, which are capitalized.

 

“Capital Lease” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” shall mean any Indebtedness of the Credit Parties represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Cash Equivalents” shall mean: (i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof; (ii) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year from the date issued and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., or a least P-1 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (iii) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one (1) year from the date of issuance thereof issued by, or overnight reverse repurchase agreements from, any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (iv) time deposits maturing no more than thirty (30) days from the date of creation thereof with commercial banks having membership in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in amounts not exceeding the lesser of $100,000 or the maximum amount of insurance applicable to the aggregate amount of the Credit Parties’ and their respective Subsidiaries’ deposits at such institution; and (v) deposits or investments in mutual or similar funds offered or sponsored by brokerage or other companies having membership in the Securities Investor Protection Corporation in amounts not exceeding the lesser of $100,000 or the maximum amount of insurance applicable to the aggregate amount of the Credit Parties’ and their respective Subsidiaries’ deposits at such institution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise consented to in writing by Agent, Cash Equivalents will not include and each Credit Party will be prohibited from purchasing, purchasing participations in, entering into any type of swap or other equivalent derivative transaction, or otherwise holding or engaging in any ownership interest in any type of debt instrument, including any corporate or municipal bond with a long-term nominal maturity for which the interest rate is reset through a dutch auction and more commonly referred to as an auction rate security.

 

 

 

“CERCLA” shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq.

 

“Change in Law” shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

 

“Change of Control” shall mean (a) Parent ceasing to (i) own, directly or indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower, or (ii)  control, by contract, ownership or otherwise, that percentage of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of Borrower necessary at all times to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower and to direct the management policies and decisions of Borrower, (b) any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the property or assets of Borrower or Parent or of one or more of Parent’s or Borrower’s Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material part of the business, operations or assets of the Credit Parties taken as a whole, (c) the occurrence of any “Change of Control” (or similar term) under (and as defined in) any documents evidencing Indebtedness senior to the Indebtedness existing pursuant to the Notes and this Agreement.  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, (d) both (x) Matthew Rosen ceasing to be the Chief Executive Officer of Parent for any reason unless a successor, reasonably acceptable to Agent, is appointed within 4 months thereof, and (y) Marvin Rosen ceasing to be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parent for any reason unless a successor, reasonably acceptable to Agent, is appointed within four (4) months thereof, or (e) Jonathan Kaufman ceasing to be an executive officer of NBS for any reason unless a successor, reasonably acceptable to Agent, is appointed within four (4) months thereof.

 

“CIP Regulations” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 14.11.

 

“Closing” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.04.

 

“Closing Date” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.04.

 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

“Collateral” shall mean and include all personal property and fixtures, whether now owned or hereafter created or acquired, and wherever located, and consisting of (capitalized terms used in this definition shall have the meaning set forth in the UCC):

 

(a)           all Accounts;

 

(b)           all Equipment (other than motor vehicles);

 

(c)           all General Intangibles;

 

(d)           all Inventory;

 

(e)           all Investment Property;

 

(f)           all Deposit Accounts;

 

(g)           all Instruments;

 

(h)           all Chattel Paper and Electronic Chattel Paper;

 

(i)           all Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(j)           all Documents;

 

(k)           all Commercial Tort Claims;

 

(l)           all Goods;

 

(m)           all Software; and

 

 

 

(n)           all right, title and interest in and to, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located, (i) its respective goods and other property including all merchandise returned or rejected by Customers, relating to or securing any of the Accounts; (ii) all rights as a consignor, a consignee, an unpaid vendor, mechanic, artisan, or other lienor, including stoppage in transit, setoff, detinue, replevin, reclamation and repurchase; (iii) all other rights and interests, including warranty claims, relating to any goods; (iv) if and when obtained, all guarantees from and all real and personal property of third parties in which such Person has been granted a lien or security interest as security for the payment or enforcement of Accounts; and (v) all documents, instruments, and agreements supporting the foregoing or delivered in connection therewith;

 

(o)           all ledger sheets, ledger cards, files, correspondence, records, books of account, business papers, computers, computer software (owned or in which it has an interest), computer programs, tapes, disks and documents relating to any other property constituting part of the Collateral; and

 

(p)           all proceeds and products of the foregoing in whatever form, including: cash, deposit accounts (whether or not comprised solely of proceeds), certificates of deposit, insurance proceeds (including hazard, flood and credit insurance), negotiable instruments and other instruments for the payment of money, chattel paper, security agreements, documents, eminent domain proceeds, condemnation proceeds and tort claim proceeds.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following items will be included within the Collateral: (a) assets if the granting of a security interest in such asset would: (I) be prohibited by Applicable Laws (other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition), or (II) be prohibited by contract (except to the extent such prohibition is overridden by UCC Section 9-408) so long as such negative pledge is otherwise permitted under clause (c) hereof, (b) any property and assets, the pledge of which would require a Consent from a Governmental Authority, unless and until such Consent shall have been obtained or waived, and (c) assets in circumstances where the Lenders and the Borrower agree in writing that the cost, burden or consequence (including adverse tax consequences) of obtaining or perfecting a security interest in such assets is excessive in relation to the practical benefit afforded thereby, it being understood that neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall be required to provide any guarantee, pledge or asset support arrangement that, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, would subject the Borrower to any adverse tax consequence due to the application of Section 956 of the Code.

 

 “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar agency then having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act.

 

“Common Stock” shall mean shares of common stock of Parent, $0.01 par value per share.

 

“Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.01(d).

 

“Consents” shall mean all filings with and all Licenses, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Authorities and other third parties, domestic or foreign, necessary to carry on each Credit Party’s business or necessary (including to avoid a conflict or breach under any agreement, instrument, other document, license, permit or other authorization) for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents, including any Consents required under all applicable federal, state or other Applicable Law.

 

 

“Consolidating Basis” shall mean, with respect to the financial statements or other financial information of a Person, the accounts and other items of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidating basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior practices.

 

 

“Contractual Obligations” shall mean as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument or arrangement (whether in writing or otherwise) to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of such Person’s property is bound.

 

“Control Agreement” shall mean a tri-party deposit account, securities account or commodities account control agreement by and among the applicable Credit Party, Agent and the depository, securities intermediary or commodities intermediary, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Agent and in any event providing to Agent “control” of such deposit account, securities or commodities account within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC, as applicable, on a “springing” dominion basis upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

“Controlled Group” shall mean all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which are, together with any Credit Party, treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“Corporate Allocation Payments” shall mean intercompany payments made to Parent for allocation of expenses related to management support, professional services incurred, rent or utilities as set forth in the projections provided to Lenders in accordance with Section 8.01(g).

 

“Cost of Money” shall have the meaning defined in and be calculated as provided in the SBA Regulations.

 

“Credit Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include their respective successors and assigns.

 

“Customer” shall mean and include the account debtor with respect to any Account and/or the prospective purchaser of goods, services or both with respect to any contract or contract right, and/or any party who enters into or proposes to enter into any contract or other arrangement with a Person, pursuant to which such Person is to deliver any personal property or perform any services.

 

 

 

“Default” shall mean a condition, act or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default if that condition, act or event were not cured or removed within any applicable grace or cure period.

 

“Earnings Before Interest and Taxes” shall mean for any period the sum of (i) net income (or loss) of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses, so long as any such exclusion from the calculation of Earnings Before Interest and Taxes is made in accordance with GAAP), plus (ii) to the extent deducted in the determination of net income (or loss) for such period, (A) all interest expense of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period, including interest expense resulting from original issue discount and other amortization of debt discount as determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (B) all charges against income of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period for federal, state and local income taxes, plus (C) any non-cash expense of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis associated with ASC Topic 350, ASC Topic 360, ASC Topic 480 or ASC Topic 815, plus (D) any non-cash expenses of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis associated with stock options, warrants or stock grants of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, plus (E) any non-cash expenses incurred in connection with the early extinguishment of Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, plus (F) any other unusual or one-time items which are mutually agreed upon by the Lenders and the Credit Parties.  In addition, the calculation of Earnings Before Interest and Taxes for any period shall be adjusted to exclude (w) any aggregate net gain or loss arising from any permitted sale, conversion, exchange or other disposition of capital assets made during such period, including (1) all non-current assets, and (2) without duplication, the following assets, whether or not current: fixed assets, whether tangible or intangible, inventory sold in connection with the disposition of fixed assets and all Equity Interests and other securities, (x) any net gain from the collection during such period of any proceeds of life insurance policies, (y) any gain or loss (or other impact to the financial statements) arising from the repurchase during such period of Equity Interests and (z) any non-cash income or expense realized during such period relating to an Interest Rate Hedge or any Other Hedging Agreement.

 

“EBITDA” shall mean for any period, the sum of (i) Earnings Before Interest and Taxes of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period, plus to the extent deducted in the determination of net income (or loss) for such period (ii) depreciation expenses of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period plus (iii) amortization expenses of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis for such period.

 

“Environmental Laws” shall mean all present and future Applicable Laws, Requirements of Law, or Consents, relating to the protection of human health and safety or the environment, including (a) all Applicable Laws, Requirements of Law, or Consents, pertaining to reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation, and remediation of emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of hazardous materials, chemical substances, pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes whether solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature, into the air, surface water, groundwater, or land, or relating to the presence, generation, discharge, release, removal, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of chemical substances, pollutants, emissions, contaminants, or hazardous, radioactive or toxic substances, materials, or wastes, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature; and (b) all Applicable Laws, Requirements of Law or Consents, pertaining to the protection of the health and safety of employees or the public.

 

“Equity Documents” shall mean the Warrants and all documents, instruments and agreements executed or delivered in connection therewith, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Equity Interests” of any Person shall mean any and all shares, rights to purchase, options, warrants, general, limited or limited liability partnership interests, member interests, participation or other equivalents of or interest in (regardless of how designated) equity of such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act).

 

“Equity Raise” shall mean the sale by Parent of units consisting of warrants for Common Stock and convertible preferred stock of Parent for not less than $10,000,000, pursuant to the Equity Raise Documents.

 

“Equity Raise Documents” shall mean Parent’s Private Placement Memorandum dated December 11, 2013, and all documents, instruments and agreements executed or delivered in connection therewith, as each may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and in effect from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with any Credit Party within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

“Escrowed Funds” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.11.

 

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

“Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder, (i) Taxes imposed on net income imposed by the jurisdiction in which the Lender is organized or doing business by virtue of such Lender being organized or doing business in such jurisdiction or in which its principal executive office or applicable lending office is located, (ii) taxes imposed under FATCA, and (iii) U.S. withholding taxes (other than FATCA) unless such U.S. withholding taxes are imposed as a result of a Change in Law (including a change in interpretation of existing law by a court or administrative agency) after the date of this Agreement.

 

“Executive Order No. 13224” shall mean the Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

 

“FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (as of the date hereof) 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); provided, however, FATCA shall also include any amendments to Section 1471 through 1474 of the Code if, as amended, FATCA provides a commercially reasonable mechanism to avoid the tax imposed thereunder by satisfying the information reporting and other requirements of FATCA.

 

 

 

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, with respect to any fiscal period of the Borrower, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such period, less Capital Expenditures of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis during such period which are not funded by borrowed money (but excluding from “borrowed money” proceeds of revolving advances under the Working Capital Agreement)  less all taxes (whether federal, local, state, income or otherwise) actually paid by the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis during such period to (b) Senior Debt Payments and all payments made pursuant to, or in respect of, the Seller Note, in each case made or scheduled to be made by the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis during such period, plus payments made by the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis during such fiscal period on account of Capital Lease Obligations.

 

“Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is not a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“Fund III” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

 

“Fund III-A” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

 

“Funded Debt” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all Indebtedness for borrowed money for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is obligated including all Indebtedness under all Capital Lease Obligations, it being understood that Funded Debt shall not include Indebtedness evidenced by the Seller Note.

 

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect within the United States, consistently applied.

 

“Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of any nation, state, city, locality or other political subdivision of any thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, regulation or compliance, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

 

“Guarantor” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement and any other Person who may hereafter guarantee payment or performance of the whole or any part of the obligations of the Borrower under the Notes and this Agreement and “Guarantors” shall mean collectively all such Persons.

 

“Guarantors’ Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 13.01.

 

“Guaranty” shall mean any guaranty of the obligations of the Borrower executed by a Guarantor in favor of Agent or Lenders.

 

“Hazardous Materials” shall mean any chemical, pollutant, contaminant, pesticide, petroleum or petroleum product or byproduct, radioactive substance, solid waste (hazardous or extremely hazardous), special, dangerous or toxic waste, hazardous or toxic substance, chemical or material regulated, listed, referred to, limited or prohibited under any Environmental Law, including:  (i) friable or damaged asbestos, asbestos containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents and waste oil; (ii) any “hazardous substance” as defined under CERCLA or any Environmental Law; (iii) any hazardous waste defined under RCRA or any Environmental Law; and (iv) even if not prohibited, listed, limited or regulated by an Environmental Law, all pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, materials, wastes or any other substances, including any industrial process or pollution control waste (whether or not hazardous within the meaning of RCRA) which could pose a hazard to the environment, or the health or safety of any person or impair the use or value of any portion of the Real Property of the Credit Parties or their respective Subsidiaries.

 

“Hazardous Substance” shall mean any flammable explosives, radon, radioactive materials, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum and petroleum products, methane, hazardous materials, Hazardous Wastes, hazardous or Toxic Substances or related materials as defined in CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Sections 1801, et seq.), RCRA or any other applicable Environmental Law and in the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

 

“Hazardous Wastes” shall mean all waste materials subject to regulation under CERCLA, RCRA or applicable state law, and any other applicable Federal and state laws now in force or hereafter enacted relating to hazardous waste disposal.

 

“Indebtedness” shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) the maximum amount available to be drawn or paid under all letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety and appeal bonds and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid drawings and unreimbursed payments in respect of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety and appeal bonds and similar obligations, (iii) all indebtedness of the types described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) of this definition secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person (provided that, if the Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable in respect of such indebtedness, such indebtedness shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the fair market value of the property to which such Lien relates as determined in good faith by such Person), (iv) the aggregate amount of all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (v) all obligations of such Person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services, whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e., take-or-pay and similar obligations, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, (vii) all obligations under any Interest Rate Hedges, Other Hedging Agreements or under any similar type of agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include trade payables, accrued expenses and deferred Tax and other credits incurred by any Person in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.01.

 

 

 

“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes.

 

“Independent Director” shall mean a natural Person who is designated by the Required Lenders.

 

“Initial Closing Date” shall mean October 29, 2012.

 

“Intellectual Property Security Agreement” shall mean the Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among the Borrower, each Subsidiary of Parent from time to time party thereto, and the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Interest” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.06.

 

“Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.06(a).

 

“Interest Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.06.

 

“Interest Rate Hedge” shall mean an interest rate exchange, collar, cap, swap, adjustable strike cap or similar agreements entered into by any Credit Party solely to provide protection to, or minimize the impact upon, the Credit Parties of increasing floating rates of interest applicable to Indebtedness.

 

“Investment” shall mean, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of the Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

“ISG” shall mean Interconnect Services Group II, LLC, a/k/a/ Interconnect Systems Group II, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company.

 

“Lender” and “Lenders” shall have the meanings set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include each Person which becomes a transferee, successor or assign of any Lender.

 

“Lending Office” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender specified in Section hereto, or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may notify the Borrower pursuant to Section 12.02 from time to time.

 

“Leverage Ratio” shall mean, with respect to each measuring period, the ratio of (a) the aggregate principal balance of all Funded Debt outstanding on the last day of such measuring period to (b) EBITDA for such measuring period, where “measuring period” shall mean each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower on a Consolidated Basis; provided, however, that when calculating the Leverage Ratio for any period ending prior to December 31, 2014, EBITDA shall be determined on an annualized basis.

 

“Liabilities” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.01.

 

“License” or “Licenses” shall mean any license, permit, directive, authorization, approval or stipulation required to operate the Business at any location.

 

“Lien” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien (whether statutory or otherwise), charge, claim or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement held or asserted in respect of any asset of any kind or nature whatsoever, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement under the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction.

 

“Lien Waiver Agreement” shall mean an agreement in the form of Exhibit M attached hereto, or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which is executed in favor of Lenders by a Person who owns or occupies premises at which any Collateral may be located from time to time and by which such Person shall waive any Lien that such Person may ever have with respect to any of the Collateral and shall authorize Lenders from time to time to enter upon the premises to inspect or remove the Collateral from such premises or to use such premises to store or dispose of such Collateral.

 

“Liquidity Event” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 10.02

 

 

 

“Litigation” shall mean any action, proceeding, litigation, investigation, arbitration, mediation or claim.

 

“Loan Year” shall mean each period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the Closing Date and each anniversary thereof.

 

“Material Contracts” shall mean the contracts, agreements, commitments and other Contractual Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries required to be set forth on Schedule 5.27.

 

“Management Rights Agreements” shall mean those certain Management Rights Agreements, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among the Borrower and each Original Lender in the form of Exhibit F to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, that certain Management Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Borrower and Plexus III in the form of Exhibit F-1 hereto, that certain Management Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Borrower and Plexus QP III in the form of Exhibit F-2 hereto, each as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

 

“Mandatory Redemption Prices” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 10.02 hereof.

 

“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the assets, properties, operations, business, condition (financial or otherwise), or prospects of the Business, any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or, (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party to perform under any Transaction Document to which it is a party, or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against each Credit Party of any Transaction Document to which it is a party.

 

“Maturity Date” shall mean December 31, 2018.

 

“Modification” shall mean, with respect to any agreement, instrument or other document, any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of such document, any waiver of any provision of such document, and any consent to any departure by any party from the terms of any provision of such document.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code.

 

“NBS” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include each Person which becomes a successor or permitted assign of NBS.

 

“New Warrants” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals hereof, which warrants are substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

“Note Register” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.18(b).

 

“Notes” shall mean the Original Notes and the Series D Notes.

 

“Obligations” shall mean and include any and all loans (including the loans evidenced by the Notes), advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by Borrower to Lenders, or to any other direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of Lenders of any kind or nature, present or future (including any interest accruing thereon after maturity, or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to Borrower whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) arising under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, absolute or contingent, joint or several, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, now existing or hereafter arising, including under any amendments, extensions, renewals or increases and all costs and expenses of Lenders incurred in the documentation, negotiation, modification, enforcement, collection or otherwise in connection with any of the foregoing, including attorneys’ fees and expenses owing under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and all obligations of Borrower to Lenders to perform acts or refrain from taking any action.

 

“Optional Redemption Prices” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 10.01 hereof.

 

 

 

“Ordinary Course of Business” shall mean the ordinary course of the Credit Parties’ business as conducted on the Closing Date.

 

“Organization Documents” shall mean, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

“Original Acquisition Agreements” shall mean (i) Original Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, and (ii) the Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 30, 2012 by and among ISG, Sellers, the JK Trust, Borrower and Parent, as amended, including amendments dated June 6, 2012, August 20, 2012, and September 21, 2012 and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

“Original Acquisition Documents” shall mean the Original Acquisition Agreements and all other agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection therewith to which a Credit Party is a party thereunder, including all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

“Original Equity Raise” shall mean the sale by Parent of units consisting of warrants for Common Stock and convertible preferred stock of Parent for not less than $5,500,000, pursuant to the Equity Raise Documents.

 

“Original Equity Raise Documents” shall mean Parent’s Private Placement Memorandum dated May 15, 2012, as supplemented on August 6, 2012 and all documents, instruments and agreements executed or delivered in connection therewith, as each may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

“Original Membership Interest Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2012, by and among Sellers, NBS, Borrower and Parent, as amended, including amendments dated June 6, 2012, August 20, 2012, September 21, 2012 and October 24, 2012 and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

“Original Loan Documents” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 1.06.

 

“Original Notes” shall mean the Series A Notes, the Series B Notes and the Series C Notes.

 

“Original Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 1.06.

 

“Original Securities Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals hereof.

 

“Original Warrants” shall mean the warrants referred to in the recitals hereof.

 

“Other Hedging Agreements” shall mean any foreign exchange contracts, cur­rency swap agreements, commodity agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations in currency or commodity values.

 

“Other Taxes” shall mean all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Transaction Document or from the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

“Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include each Person which becomes a successor or permitted assign of Parent.

 

 

 

“Parent Earnings Before Interest and Taxes” shall mean for any period the sum of (i) net income (or loss) of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses, so long as any such exclusion from the calculation of Parent Earnings Before Interest and Taxes is made in accordance with GAAP), plus (ii) to the extent deducted in the determination of net income (or loss) for such period, (A) all interest expense of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period, including interest expense resulting from original issue discount and other amortization of debt discount as determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (B) all charges against income of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period for federal, state and local income taxes, plus (C) any non-cash expense of Parent on a Consolidated Basis associated with ASC Topic 350, ASC Topic 360, ASC Topic 480 or ASC Topic 815, plus (D) any non-cash expenses of Parent on a Consolidated Basis associated with stock options, warrants or stock grants of Parent, plus (iii) any non-cash expenses incurred in connection with the early extinguishment of Indebtedness of Parent.  In addition, the calculation of Parent Earnings Before Interest and Taxes for any period shall be adjusted to exclude (w) any aggregate net gain or loss arising from any permitted sale, conversion, exchange or other disposition of capital assets made during such period, including (1) all non-current assets, and (2) without duplication, the following assets, whether or not current: fixed assets, whether tangible or intangible, inventory sold in connection with the disposition of fixed assets and all Equity Interests and other securities, (x) any net gain from the collection during such period of any proceeds of life insurance policies, (y) any gain or loss (or other impact to the financial statements) arising from the repurchase during such period of Equity Interests and (z) any non-cash income or expense realized during such period relating to an Interest Rate Hedge or any Other Hedging Agreement.

 

“Parent EBITDA” shall mean for any period, the sum of (i) Parent Earnings Before Interest and Taxes for such period, plus to the extent deducted in the determination of net income (or loss) for such period (ii) depreciation expenses of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period plus (iii) amortization expenses of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period.

 

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, or any successor agency or other Governmental Authority succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

“Pension Plan” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate or to which any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

 

“Permitted Liens” shall mean (a) Liens in favor of Agent, for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Lenders, (b) Working Capital Liens granted to the Working Capital Lender by Credit Parties other than Borrower; (c) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not delinquent or being Properly Contested; (d) deposits or pledges to secure obligations under worker’s compensation, social security or similar laws, or under unemployment insurance; (e) deposits or pledges to secure bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds and other obligations of like nature arising in the Ordinary Course of Business; (f) Liens arising by virtue of the rendition, entry or issuance against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any property of any such Person, of any judgment, writ, order or decree, provided that such Liens are in existence for less than twenty (20) consecutive days after they first arises or is being Properly Contested; (g) mechanics’, workers’, materialmen’s or other like Liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to obligations which are not due or which are being Properly Contested; (h) Liens placed upon equipment or Real Property hereafter acquired or leased to secure a portion of the purchase price or lease thereof, provided that (A) any such lien shall not encumber any other property of the Credit Parties and (B) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred as a result of such purchases, during any fiscal year, shall not exceed the amount provided for in Section 9.15(c); (i) Liens disclosed on Schedule 9.02; and (j) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property, and leases or subleases of equipment or Real Property, in each case granted to third Persons in the Ordinary Course of Business and which do not interfere in any material respect with the operations of the business of the Credit Parties.

 

“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

“Plan” shall mean any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, maintained for employees of the Credit Parties prior to the Closing Date, or any member of the Controlled Group or any such Plan to which any Credit Party or any member of the Controlled Group is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

 

“Pledge Agreement” shall mean the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among Parent, each Subsidiary of Parent from time to time party thereto, and the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

 

“Principal Amount” shall mean, with respect to the Series A Notes, the aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding, with respect to the Series B Notes, the aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding, with respect to the Series C Notes, the aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding,  and with respect to the Series D Notes, the aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding.

 

“Pro Forma Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.11(a).

 

“Pro Forma Financial Statements” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.11(b).

 

 

 

“Projections” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.11(b).

 

“Properly Contested” shall mean contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted which stay the enforcement of any Lien and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries; provided, that no such Lien shall have any effect on the priority of the Liens in favor of Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of Lenders or the value of the assets on which Agent has such a Lien and a stay of enforcement of any such Lien shall be in effect.

 

“Purchase Money Indebtedness” shall mean and include (i) Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness under the Notes) of any Credit Party for the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of any equipment, (ii) any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness under the Notes) of any Credit Party incurred at the time of or within thirty (30) days prior to or one hundred twenty (120) days after the acquisition of any equipment for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof (whether by means of a loan agreement, Capital Lease or otherwise), and (iii) any renewals, extensions or refinancings (but not any increases in the principal amounts) thereof outstanding at the time.

 

“Questionnaire” shall mean the Perfection Questionnaire and the responses thereto provided by the Credit Parties and delivered to Agent.

 

“RCRA” shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., as same may be amended from time to time.

 

“Real Property” shall mean, with respect to each Credit Party, all of such Credit Party’s right, title and interest in and to (x) the owned and leased premises identified on Schedules 5.08(a) and 5.08(b) hereto, and (y) any owned or leased premises acquired by such Credit Party after the Closing Date.

 

“Releases” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.15(c) hereof.

 

“Reportable Event” shall mean a reportable event described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Required Equity Holders” shall mean the holder or holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of Equity Interests of Parent held by Lenders then outstanding (calculated assuming the exercise in full of any outstanding Warrants).

 

“Required Lenders” shall mean Lenders holding greater than sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

 

“Requirement of Law” or “Requirements of Law” shall mean any requirement, direction, policy or procedure of any Applicable Law or License, Judgment, or Consent.

 

“Restricted Payment” shall mean: (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect (whether in cash or property), on account of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of Equity Interest to the holders of that class; (b) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or any redemption, conversion, exchange, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, or the issuance of a notice of an intention to do any of the foregoing (or setting aside any funds for any of the foregoing purposes); (c) any payment or prepayment of interest on, principal of, premium, if any, redemption, conversion, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Indebtedness subordinated to the Indebtedness existing pursuant to the Notes and this Agreement, other than, as expressly permitted under the terms of the applicable subordination agreement to which Agent and/or Lenders are a party; (d) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any Equity Interests of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding; (e) any director fee paid to any member of the Board of Directors of any Credit Party who is also an employee of any Credit Party; (f) any payment by any Credit Party to any Seller, whether under the Seller Note or otherwise, except to the extent permitted by the Seller Subordination Agreement and provided that after giving effect to such payment the Credit Parties are in compliance on a pro forma basis with the covenants set forth in Section 9.15, recomputed for the most recent quarter for which financial statements have been delivered, and except for salary payments to Jonathan Kaufman at a rate not greater than $250,000 per year without the prior written consent of Agent; (g) any payment by any Credit Party to Marvin Rosen except to the extent permitted by the Rosen Subordination Agreement and provided that after giving effect to such payment the Credit Parties are in compliance on a pro forma basis with the covenants set forth in Section 9.15, recomputed for the most recent quarter for which financial statements have been delivered, or (h) any payments to Parent; provided, however, that the term “Restricted Payments” shall not include (i) intercompany payments made in the Ordinary Course of Business for funding of such Credit Party’s payroll and terminating NBS traffic on the Parent’s network, provided that any payments by Borrower to Parent shall be at direct cost plus a mark-up not in excess of the average mark-up provided to third party customers for similar services, (ii) any Corporate Allocation Payment, provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of such payment, (B) any proposed  Corporate Allocation Payment,  together with all other Corporate Allocation Payments made during the period of twelve (12) consecutive fiscal months ending on the last day of the month in which such proposed Corporate Allocation Payment is to be made, shall  not in the aggregate exceed the sum of $1,000,000 plus an amount equal to 0.30 multiplied by the amount, if any, by which EBITDA for such period exceeds $12,000,000, and, (C) Corporate Allocation Payments made in any fiscal year shall not exceed $3,500,000 in the aggregate, or (iii) payments under the Original Acquisition Agreements, other than under the Seller Note.

 

 

 

“Rosen Notes” shall mean the letter agreement between Marvin Rosen and Parent, dated October 25, 2012, providing for, among other things, payment of $484,058.03 and the promissory note made by Parent, payable to Marvin Rosen, in the principal amount of $3,027,364.37.

 

“Right of First Refusal Agreement” shall mean the Right of First Refusal Agreement dated as of the Initial Closing Date among Parent and the Lenders substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Rosen Subordination Agreement” shall mean the Subordination Agreement dated as of the Initial Closing Date by and among Marvin Rosen, the Original Lenders, the Agent and Parent, substantially in the form of Exhibit I to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

 

“SBA” shall mean the United States Small Business Administration or any successor thereto.

 

“SBA Regulations” shall mean the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, and the Regulations of SBA thereunder.

 

 

“SBA Side Letters” shall mean (i) that certain Small Business Side Letter, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and Fund III in the form of Exhibit L-1 to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, (ii) that certain Small Business Side Letter, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and Plexus in the form of and Exhibit L-2 to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, (iii) that certain Small Business Side Letter, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and Plexus III in the form of Exhibit L-3A hereto, and (iv) that certain Small Business Side Letter, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and Plexus QP III in the form of Exhibit L-3B hereto, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

 

“SBIC” shall mean a small business investment company that is licensed by the SBA.

 

“Securities” shall mean the Notes and the Warrants.

 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder as the same shall be in effect at the time.

 

“Seller Note” shall mean the promissory note dated the Initial Closing Date issued by Borrower to Sellers pursuant to the Original Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, in the maximum principal amount of $600,000.

 

“Seller Subordination Agreement” shall mean the Subordination Agreement dated as of the Initial Closing Date by and among the Sellers, the Original Lenders, the Agent and Parent, substantially in the form of Exhibit H to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

 

“Sellers” shall mean Jonathan Kaufman, a resident of the State of New Jersey and Christiana Trust, a division of WSFS Bank, as trustee of the LK Trust, a Delaware Trust.

 

“Senior Debt Payments” shall mean and include for any period, (a) the aggregate of regularly scheduled principal payments of all Senior Indebtedness made or to be made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period, plus (b) all interest expense actually paid on the Senior Indebtedness during such period, plus (c) all fees, commissions and charges (other than the Transaction Fee) with respect to the Senior Indebtedness paid during such period.

 

“Senior Indebtedness” shall mean the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes.

 

“Separateness Requirements” shall mean the requirements set forth in Article 16 hereof.

 

 

 

“Series A Notes,” “Series B Notes,” “Series C Notes” and “Series D Notes” shall have the respective meaning assigned to those terms in the recitals to this Agreement; the Series D Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto..

 

“Solvent” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries considered as a whole, based on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, that (i) the assets and the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, exceed the aggregate liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, (ii) after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, will not be left with unreasonably small capital, and (iii) after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, are able to both service and pay their liabilities as they mature.  In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that is likely to become an actual or matured liability.

 

“Subordinated Debt Payments” shall mean and include all cash actually expended by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to make payments of (x) principal and interest on any Subordinated Debt (y) all fees, commissions and charges with respect to the Subordinated Debt.

 

“Subordinated Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness on terms satisfactory to Lenders.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person (the “parent”), shall mean a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, by such parent; excluding however any such entity for so long as it conducts no business and has assets of less than $10,000.00.  For purposes of this definition, “controlled by” 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 securities, by contract or otherwise. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of a Credit Party.

 

“Tax” shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

 

“Tax Return” shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

“Termination Event” shall mean (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) the withdrawal of any Credit Party or any member of the Controlled Group from a Plan or Multiemployer Plan during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (iii) the providing of notice of intent to terminate a Plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (v) any event or condition (a) which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or (b) that may result in termination of a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 4041A of ERISA; or (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, of any Credit Party or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan.

 

“Trading with the Enemy Act” shall mean the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any enabling legislation, regulations or executive order relating thereto.

 

“Transaction Documents” shall mean collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty, the Warrants, the Pledge Agreement, the SBA Side Letters, the Right of First Refusal Agreement, the Seller Subordination Agreement, the Rosen Subordination Agreement, the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreement and the Management Rights Agreements, any Collateral Access Agreement and any Control Agreement, as each may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

“Transaction Fee” shall mean $500,000.

 

“Transactions” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.11(a) hereof.

 

 

 

“UCC” shall have assigned to that term in Section 1.04 hereof.

 

“USA Patriot Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

 

“Warrants” shall mean the Original Warrants and the New Warrants.

 

“Working Capital Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 9.07(g) hereof.

 

“Working Capital Debt” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 9.07(g) hereof.

 

“Working Capital Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 9.07(g) hereof.

 

“Working Capital Liens” shall mean have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 9.07(g) hereof.

 

“Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Initial Closing Date, by and among the Working Capital Lender, the Lenders, the Agent, Borrower, Parent, NBS, BVX and each other Subsidiary from time to time party thereto, as amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of the Closing Date and as may be further amended, amended and restated, extended, supplemented, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

1.02 Accounting Terms; Financial Statements

 

.  All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to them in conformance with GAAP, as consistently applied to the applicable Person.  Financial statements and other information furnished after the date hereof pursuant to the Agreement or the other Transaction Documents shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation, provided, however, that if at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or financial requirement set forth in any Transaction Document, and any of the Borrower or the Agent shall so request, the Agent, the Lenders and the Credit Parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Credit Parties shall provide to the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement which include a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

 

1.03 Knowledge of the Credit Parties

 

.  All references to the knowledge of any Credit Party or to facts known by any Credit Party shall mean actual knowledge or notice of a senior officer of such Credit Party or of any of such Credit Party’s Subsidiaries or any division of such Credit Party, as the case may be, or knowledge which such Person could reasonably have acquired through the exercise of due inquiry.

 

1.04 UCC Terms

 

.  All terms used herein and defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York from time to time (the “UCC”) shall have the meaning given therein unless otherwise defined herein.  Without limiting the foregoing, the terms “accounts”, “chattel paper”, “instruments”, “general intangibles”, “payment intangibles”, “supporting obligations”, “securities”, “investment property”, “documents”, “deposit accounts”, “software”, “letter of credit rights”, “inventory”, “equipment” and “fixtures”, as and when used shall have the meanings given to such terms in Articles 8 or 9 of the UCC.  To the extent the definition of any category or type of Collateral is expanded by any amendment, modification or revision to the UCC, such expanded definition will apply automatically as of the date of such amendment, modification or revision.

 

 

 

1.05 Certain Matters of Construction

 

.  The terms “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision.  All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement.  Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover all genders.  Wherever appropriate in the context, terms used herein in the singular also include the plural and vice versa.  All references to statutes and related regulations shall include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations.  Unless otherwise provided, all references to any instruments or agreements to which Agent is a party, including references to any of the Transaction Documents, shall include any and all modifications or amendments thereto and any and all extensions or renewals thereof.  All references herein to the time of day shall mean the time in New York, New York.  Whenever the words “including” or “include” shall be used, such words shall be understood to mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation”.  A Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to exist at all times during the period commencing on the date that such Default or Event of Default occurs to the date on which such Default or Event of Default is waived in writing pursuant to this Agreement or, in the case of a Default, is cured within any period of cure expressly provided for in this Agreement; and an Event of Default shall “continue” or be “continuing” until such Event of Default has been waived in writing by the Required Lenders.  Any Lien referred to in this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents as having been created in favor of Agent, any agreement entered into by Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents, any payment made by or to or funds received by Agent pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents, or any act taken or omitted to be taken by Agent, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided, be created, entered into, made or received, or taken or omitted, for the benefit or account of Agent and Lenders.  All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a default if such action is taken or condition exists.  In addition, all representations and warranties hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular representation or warranty proves to be incorrect or is breached, the fact that another representation or warranty concerning the same or similar subject matter is correct or is not breached will not affect the incorrectness of a breach of a representation or warranty hereunder.

 

1.06 Effect of this Agreement; Modification of Transaction Documents.

 

Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the obligations and other liabilities (including interest and fees accrued to the date hereof) governed by the Original Securities Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Original Obligations”) shall continue to be in full force and effect to the extent remaining unpaid, but shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Each Credit Party hereby reaffirms its obligations under each Transaction Document (as defined in the Original Securities Purchase Agreement, collectively, the “Original Loan Documents”) to which it is party, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified by this Agreement and by the other Transaction Documents delivered at the Closing.  Each Credit Party further agrees that each such Original Loan Document shall remain in full force and effect as amended as of the date hereof following the execution and delivery of this Agreement and that all references to the “Agreement” in such Original Loan Documents shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall constitute an amendment, replacement and restatement, but not a novation or repayment, of the Original Obligations.  The Parties hereto agree that (i) each of the Transaction Documents which have been executed by Plexus are hereby amended as necessary to reflect that the General Partner of Plexus is Plexus Fund II GP, LLC and (ii) the Original Warrants are hereby modified to give effect to the following corrections: (A) the reference to “Subsection 3(e)” in the definition of “Current Market Price” contained in each Original Warrant is hereby replaced with a reference to “Subsection 3(c)”, (B) the parenthetical “(excluding subscription rights options or warrants referred to in Subsection 3(b))” contained in Section 3(b) of each Original Warrant is hereby deleted, (C) the references to “Section 3(f)” contained in Section 3(d) of each Original Warrant are hereby replaced with references to “Section 3(d)”, and (D) the reference to “Section 3(h)” in Section 5 of each Original Warrant is hereby replaced with a reference to “Section 3.”

 

 

 

 

 

2.01 Purchase and Sale of the Series D Notes

 

.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, Borrower agrees that it will issue and sell to each Lender set forth on Schedule 2.01, and each such Lender agrees that it will acquire from the Borrower on the Closing Date the Series D Notes, substantially in the form thereof attached hereto, appropriately completed in conformity herewith, in the principal amounts set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 hereto, at the purchase prices with respect to such Series D Notes set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 hereto.

 

2.02 Purchase and Sale of the New Warrants

 

.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, Parent agrees that in connection with the sale of the Series D Notes, it will issue and sell to each Lender set forth on Schedule 2.02, and each such Lender agrees that it will acquire from Parent on the Closing Date the New Warrants, substantially in the form attached hereto, appropriately completed in conformity herewith for such class and number of Equity Interests set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.02 hereto at the purchase prices with respect to such New Warrants set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.02 hereto. The parties to the Original Securities Purchase Agreement agree to report, and be bound by, the allocation of the purchase price between the Original Notes and the Original Warrants consistent with, and as set forth in, Section 2.05, Schedule 2.01 and Schedule 2.02 of the Original Securities Purchase Agreement solely for purposes of determining the issue price of and the original issue discount on the Original Notes and such of the Lenders’ tax basis in the Original Warrants.  The parties hereto agree to report, and be bound by, the allocation of the purchase price between the Series D Notes and the New Warrants consistent with, and as set forth in, Schedule 2.01 and Schedule 2.02 hereto solely for purposes of determining the issue price of and the original issue discount on the Series D Notes and the Lenders’ tax basis in the New Warrants.

 

2.03 Fees at Closing; Expenses

 

.  Concurrently with the execution hereof, the Borrower shall (a) pay to, or as directed by, the Lenders the Transaction Fee and (b) reimburse all of the Lenders’ reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and consultants after crediting amounts previously paid to Lenders by Borrower or Parent) incurred in connection with (i) the negotiation and execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the Lenders’ due diligence investigation and (ii) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, which payments shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds or Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment to an account or accounts designated by the Lenders.

 

2.04 Closing

 

.  The purchase and issuance of the Series D Notes and New Warrants shall take place at the closing (the “Closing”) to be held at the offices of Morrison Cohen LLP, 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 at 10:00 a.m., New York time, on December 31, 2013 (the “Closing Date”).  At the Closing, the Borrower shall deliver the Series D Notes and Parent shall deliver the New Warrants to the Lenders against delivery by the Lenders to the Borrower of the respective purchase prices therefor.  In each case, payment of such purchase price shall be by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

 

 

2.05 Financial Accounting Positions; Tax Reporting

 

.  Each of the parties hereto agrees to take reporting and other positions with respect to the Securities which are consistent with the purchase price of the Securities set forth in the Original Securities Purchase Agreement and herein for all financial accounting purposes, unless otherwise required by applicable GAAP or Commission rules.  If any position inconsistent with the purchase price of the Securities set forth herein is taken, the covenants shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to eliminate any impact caused by such inconsistent position.  Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees to take reporting and other positions with respect to the Securities which are consistent with the purchase price of the Securities set forth in the Original Securities Purchase Agreement and herein for all other purposes, including for all federal, state and local tax purposes, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law.

 

2.06 Interest

 

.  The Borrower shall pay interest (“Interest”) (i) on the Principal Amount of the Notes at the rate of eleven and fifteenth hundredths percent (11.15%) per annum (the “Interest Rate”), as set forth in clause (a) below.  Interest on the Notes shall accrue from and including the date of issuance through and until repayment of the Principal Amount of the Notes and payment of all Interest in full, and shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  Interest shall be paid as follows and all Interest accrued and unpaid through the Maturity Date shall be paid in full on the Maturity Date:

 

 

(b) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

 

 

(e) AHYDO.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2, if (1) the loans evidenced by the Notes remain outstanding after the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance thereof and (2) the aggregate amount of the accrued but unpaid interest on such loans (including any amounts treated as interest for federal income tax purposes, such as “original issue discount”) as of any Testing Date occurring after such fifth anniversary exceeds an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual, then all such accrued but unpaid interest on such loans (including any amounts treated as interest for federal income tax purposes, such as “original issue discount”) as of such time in excess of an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual shall be paid in cash by the Borrower to the holders thereof on such Testing Date, it being the intent of the parties hereto that the deductibility of interest under such loans shall not be limited or deferred by reason of Section 163(i) of the Code.  For these purposes, the “Maximum Accrual” is an amount equal to the product of the issue price of such loans (as defined in Code Sections 1273(b) and 1274(a)) and their yield to maturity, and a “Testing Date” is any Interest Payment Date and the date on which any “accrual period” (within the meaning of Section 1272(a)(5) of the Code) closes.  Any accrued interest which for any reason has not theretofore been paid shall be paid in full on the date on which the final principal payment on such loans is made.

 

(f) SBA Cost of Money Limitation.  The sum of (i) the Interest Rate paid by the Credit Parties to the Lenders and (ii) all other consideration paid by the Credit Parties to the Lenders pursuant to the Notes and any other provision of this Agreement that constitutes Cost of Money, shall not exceed, with respect to any Lender that is an SBIC, the ceiling for the Cost of Money that is applicable to the Notes pursuant to SBA Regulations.  Any payment to a Lender that is an SBIC of default interest pursuant to Section 2.06(c), Mandatory Redemption Price or other consideration pursuant to this Agreement that results in the Cost of Money for the Notes being in excess of the applicable ceiling for the Cost of Money for the Notes shall be considered an error and shall be returned to the Credit Parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The obligation of the Lenders to purchase the Series D Notes and the New Warrants and to pay the purchase price therefor at the Closing and to perform any obligations hereunder shall be subject to the satisfaction as determined by, or waiver by, the Lenders of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date; provided, however, that any waiver of a condition shall not be deemed a waiver of any breach of any representation, warranty, agreement, term or covenant or of any misrepresentation by the Credit Parties.

 

3.01 Representations and Warranties

 

.  The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in Article 5 hereof shall be true and correct at and as of the date hereof and the Closing Date as if made at and as of such date, and the Agent shall have received at the Closing a certificate to the foregoing effect, dated the Closing Date, and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Credit Party.

 

3.02 Compliance with this Agreement

 

.  The Credit Parties shall have performed and complied with all of their agreements and conditions set forth or contemplated herein that are required to be performed or complied with by the Credit Parties on or before the Closing Date, and the Agent shall have received at the Closing certificates to the foregoing effect, dated the Closing Date, and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Credit Party.

 

3.03 Secretary’s Certificates

 

.  The Agent shall have received a certificate from each Credit Party, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Credit Party, certifying (a) that the attached copies of the Organization Documents of such Credit Party, as the case may be, (or other applicable organizational or constituent documents), and resolutions of the Board of Directors (or other applicable authority) of such Credit Party approving the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are all true, complete and correct and remain unamended and in full force and effect, and (b) the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of such Credit Party executing any Transaction Document to which it is a party or any other document delivered in connection herewith and therewith on behalf of such Credit Party.

 

3.04 Transaction Documents

 

.  BVX shall have executed and delivered a Joinder to the Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit D, and Agent shall have received revised schedules to the Pledge Agreement which reflect the ownership of BVX by Borrower, together with a membership interest certificate and membership interest power with respect to BVX, as required thereby.  All parties to the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement shall have delivered the First Amendment thereto, in the form of Exhibit N. The Agent shall have received all other Transaction Documents duly executed by the parties thereto and true, complete and correct copies of such other agreements, schedules, exhibits, certificates, documents, financial information and filings as it may request in connection with or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

 

 

3.05 Purchase of Securities Permitted by Applicable Laws

 

.  The acquisition of and payment for the Series D Notes and the New Warrants to be acquired by the Lenders hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Transaction Documents (a) shall not be prohibited by any Requirement of Law, (b) shall not subject the Agent or any Lender to any penalty or other onerous condition under or pursuant to any Requirement of Law, and (c) shall be permitted by all Requirements of Law to which the Agent or any Lender or the transactions contemplated by or referred to herein or in the Transaction Documents are subject; and the Agent and each Lender shall have received such certificates or other evidence as the Agent or such Lender may reasonably request to establish compliance with this condition.

 

3.06 Opinion of Counsel

 

.  The Agent shall have received an opinion of outside counsel to the Credit Parties, relating to the transactions contemplated by or referred to herein, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance acceptable to the Agent.

 

3.07 Approval of Counsel to the Lenders

 

.  All actions and proceedings hereunder and all agreements, schedules, exhibits, certificates, financial information, filings and other documents required to be delivered by the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries hereunder or in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and all other related matters, shall have been in form and substance acceptable to Morrison Cohen LLP, counsel to the Agent and the Lenders, in its reasonable judgment (including the opinions of counsel referred to in Section 3.06 hereof).

 

3.08 Consents and Approvals

 

.  All Consents, exemptions, authorizations, or other actions by, or notices to, or filings with, Governmental Authorities and other Persons in respect of all Requirements of Law and with respect to those Contractual Obligations of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries necessary, desirable, or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance (including the payment of interest on the Notes and the issuance of Equity Interests upon the exercise of the Warrants) by such Credit Party, or enforcement against such Credit Party of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and the Agent shall have been furnished with appropriate evidence thereof, and all waiting periods shall have lapsed without extension or the imposition of any conditions or restrictions.

 

3.09 Lien Searches; Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness

 

.  The Agent shall have received copies of all UCC financing statements and federal and state tax lien searches as Agent shall have reasonably requested of the Credit Parties and such other Persons as Agent may request, and such termination statements, releases or other documents as may be reasonably necessary to confirm that the Collateral is subject to no other Liens in favor of any Persons (other than Permitted Liens, and Liens to be terminated on the Closing Date).  Without limiting the foregoing, all Indebtedness identified in Schedule 3.09, together with all interest, all payment premiums and all other amounts due and payable with respect thereto, shall have been paid in full from the proceeds of the issuance of the Series D Notes and the New Warrants and all commitments in respect of such Indebtedness shall have been permanently terminated, and all Liens securing payment of any such Indebtedness shall have been released, and the Lenders shall have received all payoff and release letters, UCC Form UCC-3 termination statements or other instruments or agreements as may be suitable or appropriate in connection with the release of any such Liens.

 

3.10 No Material Judgment or Order

 

.  There shall not be on the Closing Date any judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction or any ruling of any Governmental Authority or any condition imposed under any Requirement of Law which, in the judgment of the Lenders, would prohibit the purchase of the Series D Notes and the New Warrants hereunder or subject any Lender to any penalty or other onerous condition under or pursuant to any Requirement of Law if the Series D Notes and the New Warrants were to be purchased hereunder.

 

 

 

3.11 Pro Forma Balance Sheet, Leverage Ratio; Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and EBITDA.

 

  The Credit Parties shall have delivered to the Agent as of the Closing Date (i) the Pro Forma Financial Statements, certified by the chief financial officer of each Credit Party that they fairly present the pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including all fees and expenses in connection therewith and (ii) evidence demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Agent that as of the Closing Date, (A) the Borrower shall have cash on hand of at least $2,000,000, (B) the ratio of (x) the pro forma principal balance of all Funded Debt outstanding on November 30, 2013 to (y) the product of pro forma EBITDA for the six-month period ended November 30, 2013 multiplied by two is not more than 4.0:1.00, (C) the pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, using an annualized EBITDA as aforesaid for the six-month period ended November 30, 2013 is not less than 1.40:1.00, (D) trailing 6 month pro forma EBITDA multiplied by two is not less than $11,400,000, and (E) the Credit Parties have sufficient cash on hand.

 

3.12 Good Standing Certificates

 

.  Each Credit Party shall have its delivered to the Agent as of the Closing Date, good standing certificates for itself and each of its Subsidiaries for each of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation and all other jurisdictions in which the failure to be qualified to do business could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.13 No Litigation

 

.  No Litigation shall have been commenced or threatened, and no investigation by any Governmental Authority shall have been commenced or threatened:  (i) seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated hereby or questioning the validity or legality of any of such transactions, or (ii) which, if resolved adversely to any such Person, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.14 Interim Financial Statements; Projections

 

.  The Agent shall have received and reviewed to its reasonable satisfaction copies of the Credit Parties’ financial statements for the eleven (11) month period ended on November 30, 2013.  In addition, Agent shall have received and reviewed to its reasonable satisfaction a set of financial projections, prepared on a month-by-month basis, for the Credit Parties’ next fiscal year (such projections to be prepared by or under the direction of an Authorized Officer of the Credit Parties).

 

3.15 Consummation of the Transactions

 

.

 

(a) The Lenders shall have received and reviewed to their reasonable satisfaction copies of the Equity Raise Documents together with documentation confirming that (i) Parent has received not less than $10,000,000 in gross proceeds from the Equity Raise, and (ii) not less than $1,500,000 of which shall be reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower.

 

(b) Agent shall have received final executed copies of the BVX Acquisition Documents and all related agreements, documents and instruments as in effect on the Closing Date all of which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Agent and the transactions contemplated by such documentation shall be consummated prior to or simultaneously with the making of the sale of the Series D Notes and the New Warrants.

 

3.16 Flow of Funds

 

.  The Agent shall have received a certificate executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth a flow of funds evidencing the accounts to which the investment evidenced by the Series D Notes and New Warrants being made on the Closing Date are to be funded and the amounts being funded into each account.

 

 

 

3.17 Adverse Change

 

.  Nothing shall have occurred since December 31, 2012, or with respect to BVX, June 30, 2013, which the Lenders shall determine has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or otherwise impact the markets in which any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries conducts its business.

 

3.18 Insurance Certificates

 

.  On the Closing Date, the Lenders shall have received evidence of insurance complying with the requirements of Section 8.09 for the business and properties of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.

 

3.19 Fees and Expenses

 

.  On the Closing Date, Agent and the Lenders shall have received all costs, fees and expenses contemplated by Section 2.03.

 

3.20 Conduct of Business

 

.  Since December 31, 2012, or with respect to BVX, June 30, 2013, the Credit Parties shall have conducted their business in the Ordinary Course of Business, and the holders of the Equity Interests of the Credit Parties shall have taken no actions to impair the value of the business of the Credit Parties.

 

3.21 Transfer Taxes

 

.  The Credit Parties shall pay all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer and other similar Taxes, if any, arising out of or in connection with the transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.22 SBA

 

.  The Lenders shall have received all closing certificates, corporate documents, evidence of authorization, forms and information required by the SBA, including SBA Forms 480, 1031 and 652, and other agreements, instruments and documents in respect of any aspect or consequence of the Transactions as the Lenders may reasonably request, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders.

 

3.23 Separateness Requirements

 

.  The Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Borrower is in compliance with the Separateness Requirements on the Closing Date.

 

3.24 ACH

 

.  Each Lender which elects to receive payments under this Agreement via ACH shall have received from the Credit Parties all ACH debit forms and any other documents required therefor.

 

 

 

 

 

4.01 Security Interest in the Collateral

 

.  To secure the prompt payment and performance of the Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender a continuing security interest in and to and Lien on all of its Collateral, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wheresoever located.  To secure the prompt payment and performance of the Guarantors’ Obligations, each Guarantor hereby grants to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender a continuing security interest in and to and Lien on all of its Collateral, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wheresoever located.  Each Credit Party shall provide Agent with written notice of all commercial tort claims promptly following its determination that it has any such claim, such notice to contain the case title (if any proceeding has been commenced thereon) together with the applicable court and a brief description of the claim(s).  Upon delivery of each such notice, each Credit Party shall be deemed to hereby grant to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender a security interest and Lien in and to such commercial tort claim(s) and all proceeds thereof and execute and deliver to Agent any further agreement or document requested by Agent to further evidence the grant of a security interest in such claim.

 

4.02 Perfection of Security Interest

 

.  Each Credit Party shall take all action that may be reasonably necessary or desirable, or that Agent may reasonably request, in order to maintain at all times the validity, perfection, enforceability and priority of Agent’s security interest in and Lien on the Collateral or to enable Agent and Lenders to protect, exercise or enforce their rights hereunder and in the Collateral, including (i) immediately discharging all Liens other than Permitted Liens, (ii) obtaining Collateral Access Agreements in accordance with Section 8.16, (iii) delivering to Agent, endorsed or accompanied by such instruments of assignment as Agent may specify, and stamping or marking, in such manner as Agent may specify, any and all chattel paper, instruments, letters of credit and advices thereof and documents evidencing or forming a part of the Collateral, and (iv) executing and/or delivering financing statements, control agreements, instruments of pledge, mortgages, notices, assignments and other documents, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, relating to the creation, validity, perfection, maintenance or continuation of Agent’s security interest and Lien under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Applicable Law.  Each Credit Party hereby authorizes the filing of any financing statements or continuation statements, and amendments to financing statements or any similar document in any applicable jurisdictions and with any filing offices as Agent may determine are necessary or advisable to perfect the security interest granted to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender herein.  Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or a description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as Agent may determine is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender herein, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.”  All actual, out-of-pocket charges, expenses and fees Agent may incur in doing any of the foregoing, and any local taxes relating thereto, shall be added to the Obligations, or, at Agent’s option, shall be paid by each Credit Party to Agent immediately upon demand.

 

4.03 Safeguarding Collateral

 

.  Each Credit Party will take commercially reasonable efforts at all times to safeguard, protect and preserve all Collateral other than dispositions expressly permitted hereunder.

 

 

 

4.04 Ownership of Collateral

 

.  With respect to the Collateral, at the time the Collateral becomes subject to Agent’s security interest: (i) except as set forth on Schedule 4.04, each Credit Party shall be the sole owner of and fully authorized and able to sell, transfer, assign each Credit Party’s rights to, pledge and/or grant a security interest and Lien in each and every item of Collateral to Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender and, except for Permitted Liens, the Collateral shall be free and clear of all Liens or encumbrances whatsoever; (ii) the Lien on the Collateral granted by each Credit Party other than Parent shall be a first priority security interest and the Lien on the Collateral granted by Parent shall be a security interest subject only to the Working Capital Liens; (iii) each document and agreement executed by each Credit Party or delivered to Agent and Lenders in connection with this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects; and (iv) all signatures and endorsements of each Credit Party that appear on such documents and agreements shall be genuine and each Credit Party shall have full capacity to execute same.

 

4.05 Defense of Agent’s Interest

 

.  Until (a) full and indefeasible payment and performance of all of the Obligations and (b) termination of this Agreement, Agent’s interest in the Collateral shall continue in full force and effect.  Each Credit Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to defend Agent’s interest in the Collateral against any and all Persons whatsoever.

 

4.06 Financial Disclosure

 

.  Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all accountants and auditors employed by each Credit Party at any time to exhibit and deliver to Agent copies of any of each Credit Party’s financial statements, trial balances or other accounting records of any sort in the accountant’s or auditor’s possession (other than work papers and other proprietary information of such accountants and auditors), and to disclose to Agent any information such accountants may have concerning each Credit Party’s financial status and business operations.  Each Credit Party hereby authorizes all Governmental Authorities to furnish to Agent copies of material reports or examinations relating to each Credit Party; however, Agent will attempt to obtain such information or materials directly from each Credit Party prior to obtaining such information or materials from such accountants or Governmental Bodies.

 

4.07 Accounts

 

(a) Nature of Accounts.  Each of the Accounts of the Credit Parties is and shall be a bona fide and valid account representing a bona fide indebtedness incurred by the Customer therein named, for a fixed sum as set forth in the invoice relating thereto (provided immaterial or unintentional invoice errors shall not be deemed to be a breach hereof) with respect to an absolute sale or lease and delivery of goods upon stated terms of each Credit Party, or work, labor or services theretofore rendered by each Credit Party, as applicable, as of the date each Account is created.  The Customer’s obligation with respect thereto shall be due and owing in accordance with each Credit Party’s standard terms of sale without dispute, setoff or counterclaim except as may be stated on the accounts receivable schedules delivered by each Credit Party to Agent.

 

(b) Solvency of Customers.  Each Customer, to each Credit Party’s knowledge, as of the date each Account is created, is and will be solvent and able to pay all Accounts on which the Customer is obligated in full when due or with respect to such Customers of each Credit Party who are not solvent, each Credit Party has set up on its books and in its financial records bad debt reserves adequate to cover such Accounts.

 

(c) Chief Executive Offices.  Unless at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice is given to Agent by each Credit Party of any other office at which each Credit Party keeps its records pertaining to Accounts, all such records shall be kept at such chief executive office shown in Schedule 5.33.

 

 

 

(d) Collection of Accounts.  Upon request of Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Credit Party will, at each Credit Party’s sole cost and expense but on Agent’s behalf and for Agent’s account, collect all amounts owing on its Accounts, shall not commingle any collections with each Credit Party’s funds or use the same except to pay Obligations, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited into a blocked account designated by the Working Capital Lender, or if not so designated by the Working Capital Lender, Agent, all such collections; and upon request Agent, shall deliver to the Working Capital Lender (as bailee for Lenders, subject to the terms of the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement) or upon payment in full of the Working Capital Debt, to Agent, in original form and on the date of receipt thereof all checks, drafts, notes, money orders, acceptances, cash and other evidences of Indebtedness.

 

(e) Verification and Notification of Assignment of Accounts.  Agent shall have the right, at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to confirm and verify any and all Accounts by any manner and through any medium it considers advisable.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the right to send notice of the assignment of, and Agent’s security interest in and Lien on, the Accounts to any and all Customers or any third party holding or otherwise concerned with any of the Collateral.  At all times during such period, the Working Capital Lender and (subject to the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement) Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Lender shall have the sole right to collect and commence legal proceedings to collect the Accounts, take possession of the Collateral, or both.  Agent’s actual, out-of-pocket collection expenses, including stationery and postage, telephone, secretarial and clerical expenses and the salaries of any collection personnel used for collection, may be added to the Obligations.

 

(f) Power of Agent to Act on Each Credit Party’s Behalf.  Each Credit Party hereby constitutes Agent or Agent’s designee as each Credit Party’s attorney and agent with power to take each of the following actions (if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, except those described in the following clause (iii) and (iv) which actions may be taken at any time and from time to time):  (i) to endorse each Credit Party’s name upon any notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment or Collateral; (ii) to sign each Credit Party’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Accounts, drafts against Customers, assignments and verifications of Accounts; (iii) to send verifications of Accounts to any Customer, (iv) to sign each Credit Party’s name on all financing statements or any other documents or instruments deemed necessary or appropriate by Agent to preserve, protect, or perfect Agent’s interest in the Collateral and to file same; (v) to demand payment of the Accounts; (vi) to enforce payment of the Accounts by legal proceedings or otherwise; (vii) to exercise all of each Credit Party’s rights and remedies with respect to the collection of the Accounts and any other Collateral; (viii) to settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew the Accounts; (ix) to settle, adjust or compromise any legal proceedings brought to collect Accounts; (x) to prepare, file and sign each Credit Party’s name on a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Customer; (xi) to prepare, file and sign each Credit Party’s name on any notice of Lien, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in connection with the Accounts; (xii) to change the address for delivery of mail addressed to each Credit Party to such address as Agent may designate and to receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to either of them and (xiii) to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out this Agreement.  All acts of said attorney and agent or designee are hereby ratified and approved, and said attorney and agent or designee shall not be liable for any acts of omission or commission nor for any error of judgment or mistake of fact or of law, unless done maliciously or with gross (not mere) negligence; this power being coupled with an interest is irrevocable while any of the Obligations remain unpaid.

 

(g) No Liability.  Agent shall not, under any circumstances or in any event whatsoever, have any liability for any error or omission or delay of any kind occurring in the settlement, collection or payment of any of the Accounts or any instrument received in payment thereof, or for any damage resulting therefrom except as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Agent may, without notice or consent from each Credit Party, sue upon or otherwise collect, extend the time of payment of, compromise or settle for cash, credit or upon any terms any of the Accounts or any other securities, instruments or insurance applicable thereto and/or release any Credit Party thereof.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Agent is authorized and empowered to accept the return of the goods represented by any of the Accounts, without notice to or consent by each Credit Party, all without discharging or in any way affecting each Credit Party’s liability hereunder.

 

(h) Adjustments.  Each Credit Party will not, without Agent’s consent, compromise or adjust any Accounts (or extend the time for payment thereof) or accept any returns of merchandise or grant any additional discounts, allowances or credits thereon except for those compromises, adjustments, returns, discounts, credits and allowances as have been heretofore customary in the ordinary course of business of each Credit Party.

 

 

 

4.08 Exculpation of Liability

 

.  Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute Agent as agent of any Credit Party for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall Agent be responsible or liable for any shortage, discrepancy, damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral wherever the same may be located and regardless of the cause thereof.  Agent, whether by anything herein or in any assignment or otherwise, does not assume any of any Credit Party’s obligations under any contract or agreement assigned to Agent, and Agent shall not be responsible in any way for the performance by any Credit Party of any of the terms and conditions thereof.

 

4.09 Financing Statements

 

.  Except with respect to (a) the financing statements filed by the Working Capital Lender, (b) the financing statements described on Schedule 4.09, and (c) any financing statement with respect to a Permitted Lien, no financing statement covering any of the Collateral or any proceeds thereof is on file in any public office.

 

4.10 Effectiveness of Security Interest in Certain Collateral of NBS.

 

           Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, no security interest granted by NBS to the Agent and the Lenders herein or therein with respect to its Collateral shall be effective to secure the Series C or Series D Notes with respect to such portion of its Collateral as is (i) located in the state of Georgia to the extent that the Consent of the Georgia Public Service Commission is required with respect to the grant of a security interest in or pledge of assets to secure such Indebtedness, (it being understood that the foregoing exclusion shall not apply to any Collateral for which such Consent is not so required), until such Consent is obtained, (ii) located in the state of New Jersey to the extent that the Consent of New Jersey Public Service Commission is required with respect to the grant of a security interest in or pledge of assets to secure such Indebtedness, (it being understood that the foregoing exclusion shall not apply to any Collateral for which such Consent is not so required), until such Consent is obtained, and (iii) located in the state of West Virginia to the extent that the Consent of the West Virginia Public Service Commission is required with respect to the grant of a security interest in or pledge of assets to secure such Indebtedness, (it being understood that the foregoing exclusion shall not apply to any Collateral for which such Consent is not so required), until such consent is obtained.

 

4.11 Control Account – NBS Consents/Approvals.

 

On the Closing Date, Parent shall deposit $3,000,000 (the “Escrowed Funds”) in a non-interest bearing account in the name of, and controlled exclusively by, Agent. The Escrowed Funds shall be held in escrow by Agent, on behalf of Agent and Lenders, and disbursed at the sole direction of Agent as provided below.  After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall, at its discretion, or shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders, disburse all Escrowed Funds then held in such account, to be applied in accordance with Section 11.03 or in such other manner as the Required Lenders shall determine.  If, on or before the date that is 120 days following the Closing Date, the Borrower provides evidence to Agent, satisfactory to Agent in its reasonable discretion, that the Consents and notices described in Sections 4.10 and 13.08 have been obtained or given, as applicable, and the security interest in such portion of  the Collateral described in Section 4.10 has become effective in accordance with Section 4.10 and the Guarantee provided by NBS pursuant to Article XIII has become effective in accordance with Section 13.08, then Agent shall cause the Escrowed Funds then held in such account to be disbursed to Parent.  Agent shall not, under any circumstances or in any event whatsoever, have any liability for any error or omission or delay of any kind in connection with the foregoing account and Escrowed Funds, or for any damage resulting therefrom except as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

 

The Credit Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Lender that the following are, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Original Acquisition Documents and the BVX Acquisition Documents will be, true, correct and complete:

 

5.01 Existence and Power

 

.  Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries:  (a) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently, or is currently proposed to be, engaged; (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity, licensed and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization and of each other jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and to borrow hereunder.  Schedule 5.01 contains a true, complete and correct list of each Credit Party’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ jurisdiction of organization and each jurisdiction where it is qualified to do business as a foreign entity.

 

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention

 

.  The execution, delivery and performance by each Credit Party of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the issuance of, or performance of the terms of, the Securities:  (a) has been duly authorized by all necessary action (including, obtaining approval of its stockholders, partners, general partners, members or other applicable equity owners, if necessary); (b) do not and will not contravene the terms of the Organization Documents of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (or any other applicable organizational or constituent documents), or any amendment thereof or any Requirement of Law applicable to such Person or such Person’s assets, business or properties; (c) do not and will not (i) conflict with, contravene, result in any violation or breach of or default under (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both), (ii) create in any other Person a right or claim of termination or amendment of, or (iii) require modification, acceleration or cancellation of, any Contractual Obligation of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and (d) do not and will not result in the creation of any Lien (or obligation to create a Lien) against any property, asset or business of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Permitted Liens).

 

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Third Party Consents

 

.  Except for the requirements of applicable “blue sky” laws, no approval, consent, compliance, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person in respect of any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation, and no lapse of a waiting period under a Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation, is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by (including the payment of interest on the Notes), or enforcement against (except for any Consents that may be required from a Governmental Authority before Agent may exercise certain rights in connection with an Event of Default), any Credit Party of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

 

 

5.04 Binding Effect

 

.  This Agreement has been, and each of the Transaction Documents to which any Credit Party will be a party will be, duly executed and delivered by such Credit Party and this Agreement constitutes, and such Transaction Documents will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity relating to enforceability.

 

5.05 Litigation

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.05, there are no legal actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, any Original Acquisition Document or any BVX Acquisition Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) could reasonably be expected to result in equitable relief or in monetary judgments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $250,000.  No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order, decree or any order of any nature has been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction Documents.

 

5.06 Compliance with Laws

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.06, each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Requirements of Law.

 

5.07 No Default or Breach

 

.  No event has occurred and is continuing or would result from the incurring of obligations by the Credit Parties under the Transaction Documents which constitutes or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any material respect.  Immediately prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement no default or event of default existed under the Original Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

5.08 Title to Properties.

 

(a) Schedule 5.08(a) contains a true, complete and correct list of all owned real property reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the respective businesses of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries.  Each Credit Party and/or each of its Subsidiaries has good indefeasible and marketable title in and to all real property and good title to all other properties reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with their respective businesses, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, liabilities and rights except for Permitted Liens and as provided on Schedule 5.08(a).

 

(b) Schedule 5.08(b) contains a list of all real property leases reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the respective businesses of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries.  Each Credit Party and/or each of its Subsidiaries holds all of the right, title and interest of the tenant under the leases reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with their respective businesses free and clear of all Liens, liabilities and rights except as provided on Schedule 5.08(b).

 

 

 

5.09 Use of Real Property

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.09, (x) the owned and leased real properties reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the respective businesses of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries are used and operated in compliance and conformity with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure so to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (y) neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of violation of any applicable zoning or building regulation, ordinance or other law, order, regulation or other Requirements of Law relating to the operations of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and there is no such violation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.09, all structures, improvements and other buildings that are owned or covered by leases reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries comply with all applicable ordinances, codes, regulations and other Requirements of Law, have a valid and subsisting certificate of occupancy for their present use, and neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from any Governmental Authority which is still outstanding of any failure to obtain any certificate, permit, license, authorization or approval with respect to the real property, or any intended revocation, modification or cancellation of same, and no Requirement of Law presently in effect or condition precludes or materially restricts continuation of the present use of such properties.  Each lease relating to leased real property reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the business of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries, is in full force and effect, and the applicable Credit Party and/or Subsidiary enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession thereunder.  There is no default on the part of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or event or condition which (with notice or lapse of time, or both) would constitute a default on the part of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, under any such lease.  There are no service contracts, maintenance contracts, union contracts, concession agreements, licenses, agency agreements or any other Contractual Obligations affecting the real property or the leased property reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries or the operation thereof, other than those listed on Schedule 5.09, except for Contractual Obligations which are cancelable on no more than thirty (30) days’ notice.  There are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened condemnation or eminent domain proceedings that would affect any part of the leased property reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.  There is no Litigation pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened against the real property or the leased property on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet or used in connection with the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries which would in any way affect title to such real property or leased property.

 

5.10 Taxes.

 

(a) Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to file.  All such Tax Returns were true, correct and complete in all material respects.  All Taxes, other than de minimus amounts, owed by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been paid.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10, neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries currently is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return.  There are no Liens on any of the assets of any Credit Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax, other than Permitted Liens as provided on Schedule 5.10.  Each of NBS and ISG has, since its inception, been treated as a partnership for federal, state and local income Tax purposes.  Each of NBS and ISG has never made an election to classify as a corporation for federal, state or local income Tax purposes.

 

(b) Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party.

 

(c) There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries either (i) claimed or raised by any Governmental Authority in writing or (ii) as to which any Credit Party has knowledge based upon personal contact with any agent of such authority.

 

(d) Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.

 

(e) Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any Person other than such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries (i) as a transferee or successor, (ii) by contract, or (iii) otherwise.

 

(f) Any reference in this Section 5.10 to any Credit Party shall be deemed to include each predecessor of such Credit Party, each subsidiary of such Credit Party, and each entity with respect to which such Credit Party has successor or transferee liability.

 

 

 

5.11 Financial Statements and Projections.

 

(a) The pro-forma balance sheet of each of the Credit Parties dated as of November 30, 2013 (collectively, the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet”) furnished to the Agent on the Closing Date reflects the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, the BVX Acquisition Documents, the Equity Raise Documents and the other Transaction Documents (all such transactions, collectively, the “Transactions”) and is accurate, complete and correct and fairly reflects the financial condition of the Credit Parties as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions.  The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been certified as accurate, complete and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of each Credit Party.

 

(b) The twelve-month cash flow projections of each of the Credit Parties and their projected balance sheet as of the Closing Date, copies of which are annexed hereto as Exhibit J (collectively, the “Projections”) were prepared by an Authorized Officer of the Credit Parties in good faith, are based on underlying assumptions which provide a reasonable basis for the projections contained therein and reflect the Credit Parties’ judgment based on present circumstances of the most likely set of conditions and course of action for the projected period.  The Projections, together with the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, are referred to as the “Pro Forma Financial Statements”.

 

(c) The (i) audited balance sheet of each of the Credit Parties as of December 31, 2012, the related statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholder’s deficit for the fiscal year ended on such date, and (ii) the unaudited interim financial statements of each of the Credit Parties for the eleven (11) month period ended November 30, 2013, including a balance sheet as of such date and related statements of income, changes in stockholder’s equity and changes in cash flow for such period, copies of which have been delivered to Agent have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied (except for changes in application in which the Credit Parties’ independent certified public accountants concur, and except for normal year-end adjustments and footnote presentations) and present fairly the financial position of the Credit Parties at such date and the results of their operations for such periods (the “Unaudited Financial Statements”).  To the best of each Credit Party’s knowledge, since the last day of such Credit Party’s most recently ended fiscal year, there has been no material changes in the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated Basis, shown on the consolidated balance sheet as of such date and no change in the aggregate value of machinery, equipment and Real Property owned by the Credit Parties, except changes in the Ordinary Course of Business, none of which individually or in the aggregate has been materially adverse.

 

(d) Prior to the Closing Date, BVX has not engaged in any business activities other than (i) activities incidental to maintenance of its company existence and (ii) performance of its obligations under the BVX Acquisition Documents to which it is a party.

 

5.12 Operating Company

 

.  Each Credit Party is “an entity that is primarily engaged, directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries, in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital” within the meaning of the U.S. Department of Labor plan asset regulations, 29 C.F. R. §2510.3 101.  None of the Credit Parties is a “passive business” as defined in the SBA Regulations.

 

5.13 Disclosure.

 

(a) Agreement and Other Documents.  This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with all exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto, and the agreements, certificates and other documents furnished to the Agent or any Lender by or on behalf of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries at the Closing, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(b) Material Adverse Effects.  There is no fact known to any Credit Party which such Credit Party has not disclosed to the Lenders in writing which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

5.14 Absence of Certain Changes or Events

 

.  Since December 31, 2012, or with respect to BVX, June 30, 2013, except as set forth on Schedule 5.14, neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) issued any stock, bonds or other corporate securities, (ii) borrowed any amount or incurred any liabilities (absolute or contingent), other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, in excess of $100,000, (iii) discharged or satisfied any Lien or incurred or paid any obligation or liability (absolute or contingent), other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, in excess of $100,000, (iv) declared or made any payment or distribution to the holders of its Equity Interests or purchased or redeemed any shares of its Equity Interests, (v) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to Lien any of its assets, tangible or intangible, (vi) sold, assigned or transferred any of its tangible assets, or canceled any debts or claims, (vii) sold, assigned or transferred any patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets, (viii) suffered any losses of property, or waived any rights of substantial value, (ix) suffered any Material Adverse Effect, (x) expended any material amount, granted any bonuses or extraordinary salary increases, (xi) entered into any transaction involving consideration in excess of $100,000 except as otherwise contemplated hereby or (xii) entered into any agreement or transaction, or amended or terminated any agreement, with an Affiliate.

 

5.15 O.S.H.A. and Environmental Compliance.

 

(a) Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has duly complied in all material respects with, and its facilities, business, assets, property, leaseholds, Real Property and equipment are in compliance in all material respects with and (the provisions of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, RCRA and all other Environmental Laws; there are no outstanding citations, notices or orders of non-compliance issued to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date or relating to their business, assets, property, leaseholds, Real Property or equipment under any such laws, rules or regulations;

 

(b) Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has all federal, state and local licenses, certificates or permits relating to all applicable Environmental Laws necessary to operate the business of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries; and

 

(c) (i) There are no signs of releases, spills, discharges, leaks or disposal (collectively referred to as “Releases”), of Hazardous Substances at, upon, under or within any Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) there are no underground storage tanks or to the best of any Credit Party’s knowledge polychlorinated biphenyls on any Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) no Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries has ever been used as a treatment, storage or disposal facility of Hazardous Waste; (iv) no Hazardous Substances or substances governed by an Environmental Law are present on any Real Property owned or leased by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries excepting such quantities as are handled in compliance with all applicable manufacturer’s instructions and Environmental Laws and in proper storage containers and as are necessary for the operation of the commercial business of the Credit Parties, their respective Subsidiaries or of their respective tenants; and (v) all underground storage tanks on the Real Property are in good condition and are being maintained in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including all Environmental Laws.

 

5.16 Investment Company/Government Regulations

 

.  No Credit Party is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, or any federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness.

 

 

 

5.17 Subsidiaries.

 

(a) Schedule 5.17 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the Subsidiaries of each Credit Party as of the Closing Date together with their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization.  All of the outstanding Equity Interests in, the Subsidiaries are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.17, as of the Closing Date, all of the outstanding Equity Interests in each of the Subsidiaries are owned by a Credit Party or by a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens.  No Subsidiary has outstanding options, warrants, subscriptions, calls, rights, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments obligating the Subsidiary to issue, transfer or sell any securities of the Subsidiary.

 

(b) Except for the Subsidiaries of the Credit Parties, no Credit Party owns of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, (i) any Equity Interests convertible into Equity Interests any other Person, and (ii) any Equity Interest in any limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other non-corporate business enterprises.

 

5.18 Capitalization

 

.  Schedule 5.18 sets forth, as the Closing Date (after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby), a true and complete listing of each class of authorized Equity Interests of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, the number of Equity Interests which are issued and outstanding, as well as a list of all warrants, options, rights and securities convertible into Equity Interests, together with the number of Equity Interests to be issued upon the exercise or conversion of such warrants, options, rights and convertible securities, all of which have been reserved for insurance.  No Credit Party has any Equity Interests held in treasury.  Schedule 5.18 sets forth, (A) as of the Initial Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Original Securities Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (i) the number of shares of Common Stock of Parent which were issued and outstanding, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock of Parent which were reserved for issuance (x) pursuant to the exercise of stock options which are “in the money” as of the Initial Closing Date, (y) upon conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock of Parent, and (z) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Original Warrants (the sum of the foregoing being the “fully diluted” number of shares of Common Stock as of the Initial Closing Date), and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Original Warrants was equal to 5.00% of the sum of the foregoing, and  (B) as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the other Transaction Documents, (i) the number of shares of Common Stock of Parent which are issued and outstanding, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock of Parent which are reserved for issuance (x) pursuant to the exercise of stock options which are “in the money” as of the Closing Date, (y) upon conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock of Parent, and (z) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the sum of the foregoing being the “fully diluted” number of shares of Common Stock), and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants is equal to 4.25% of the sum of the foregoing.  The Warrants and all outstanding Equity Interests have been duly authorized by all necessary action.  Upon exercise of the Warrants the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of all Liens and the issuance of the foregoing will not be subject to preemptive rights in favor of any Person and will not result in the issuance of any additional Equity Interests of Parent or the triggering of any anti-dilution or similar rights contained in any options, warrants, debentures or other securities or agreements of Parent. Each warrant, option, convertible security and other right to acquire Equity Interests of Parent includes provisions that are substantially similar to the provisions set forth in Section 3(a) of the Warrants.

 

5.19 Private Offering

 

.  No form of general solicitation or general advertising was used by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective representatives in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.  No registration of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or the state securities or “blue sky” laws will be required for the offer, sale or issuance of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement.  Each Credit Party agrees that neither it, nor anyone acting on its behalf, will offer or sell the Securities or any other security so as to require the registration of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or any state securities or “blue sky” laws, unless such Securities are so registered.

 

5.20 Broker’s, Finder’s or Similar Fees

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20, there are no brokerage commissions, finder’s fees or similar fees or commissions payable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based on any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any action taken by any such Person.

 

5.21 Labor Relations

 

.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has committed or is engaged in any unfair labor practice.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.21, there is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or threatened against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board or any other Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is so pending or threatened, (b) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or threatened against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and no union organizing activities are taking place, and (d) no employment contract with any employee or independent contractor of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.  Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement.

 

 

 

5.22 Employee Benefit Plans

 

.  Neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group maintains or contributes to any Plan other than those listed on Schedule 5.22 hereto.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.22, (i) no Plan has incurred any “accumulated funding deficiency,” as defined in Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA and Section 412(a) of the Code, whether or not waived, and each Credit Party and each member of the Controlled Group has met all applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA in respect of each Plan, (ii) each Plan which is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code as currently in effect has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto is exempt from federal income Tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, (iii) neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due which are unpaid, (iv) no Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and there is no occurrence which would cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Plan, (v) at this time, the current value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of the accrued benefits and other liabilities of such Plan and neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group knows of any facts or circumstances which would materially change the value of such assets and accrued benefits and other liabilities, (vi) neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has materially breached any of the responsibilities, obligations or duties imposed on it by ERISA with respect to any Plan, (vii) neither any Credit Party nor any member of a Controlled Group has incurred any material liability for any excise Tax arising under Section 4972 or 4980B of the Code, and, to the best of each Credit Party’s knowledge, no fact exists which could give rise to any such liability, (viii) neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group nor any fiduciary of, nor any trustee to, any Plan, has engaged in a material non-exempt “prohibited transaction” described in Section 406 of the ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, nor taken any action which would constitute or result in a Termination Event with respect to any such Plan which is subject to ERISA, (ix) each Credit Party and each member of the Controlled Group has made all contributions due and payable with respect to each Plan, (x) there exists no event described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA, for which the thirty (30) day notice period contained in 29 CFR §2615.3 has not been waived, (xi) neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has any fiduciary responsibility for investments with respect to any Plan existing for the benefit of persons other than employees or former employees of the Credit Parties or any member of the Controlled Group, (xii) neither any Credit Party nor any member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn, completely or partially, from any Multiemployer Plan so as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980; and (xiii) no Credit Party is, and no Credit Party shall become, a member of a Multiemployer Plan.

 

5.23 Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

 

  Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries owns all patents, trademarks, permits, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises and formulas, or rights with respect to the foregoing, and has obtained assignments of all leases and other rights of whatever nature, necessary for the present conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others which, or the failure to own or obtain which, as the case may be, would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.24 Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.24, no officer, director, stockholder or other security holder of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries:  (a) owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in (excepting less than 5% holdings for investment purposes in Equity Interests of publicly held and traded companies), or is an officer, director, employee or consultant of, any Person that is, or is engaged in business as, a competitor, lessor, lessee, supplier, distributor, sales agent or customer of, or lender to or from, such Credit Party or any of such Credit Party’s Subsidiaries; (b) owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, any tangible or intangible property that any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries uses in the conduct of business; or (c) has any cause of action or other claim whatsoever against, or owes or has advanced any amount to, any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except for claims in the Ordinary Course of Business such as for accrued vacation pay, accrued benefits under employee benefit plans, and similar matters and agreements existing on the date hereof.

 

 

 

5.25 Trade Relations

 

.  Set forth on Schedule 5.25 is a true and correct list of the ten largest customers of each Credit Party in terms of sales during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012, or with respect to BVX, June 30, 2013, and any other customers who accounted for more than 5% of such sales, and a list of the five largest suppliers to each Credit Party in terms of purchases during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012, or with respect to BVX, June 30, 2013, as well as any sole source suppliers of goods or services for which there is no ready alternative to such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries on comparable terms.  There exists no actual or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened termination, cancellation or limitation of, or any adverse modification or change in, the business relationship of such Credit Party or its business with any customer or any group of customers whose purchases are individually or in the aggregate material to the business of such Credit Party, or with any material supplier, and there exists no present condition or state of facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries from conducting their business after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in substantially the same manner in which such business has heretofore been conducted.

 

5.26 Indebtedness

 

.  Schedule 5.26 lists (i) the amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement) as of the Closing Date, (ii) the Liens that relate to such Indebtedness and that encumber the assets of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, (iii) the name of each lender thereof, and (iv) the amount of any unfunded commitments available to the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with any such Indebtedness.  The subordination provisions contained in the Seller Subordination Agreement and the Rosen Subordination Agreement are enforceable against the holders of the Seller Notes and the Rosen Notes, respectively, by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders.  The Obligations (including post petition interest, whether or not allowed as a claim under bankruptcy or similar laws) constitutes “Senior Debt” or similar term relating to such obligations and all such obligations are entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions contained in the Rosen Subordination Agreement.  Each Credit Party acknowledges that the Agent and each Lender is entering into this Agreement and is purchasing the Notes in reliance upon the subordination provisions contained in the Seller Subordination Agreement and the Rosen Subordination Agreement.

 

5.27 Material Contracts

 

.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is or will be a party to any Contractual Obligation, or is subject to any charge, corporate restriction, judgment, injunction, decree, or Requirement of Law, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Schedule 5.27 lists all contracts, agreements, commitments and other Contractual Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether written or oral, other than (a) the Transaction Documents, (b) purchase orders in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (c) any other contracts, agreements, commitments and other Contractual Obligations of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries that do not extend beyond one year and involve the receipt or payment of not more than $500,000.  Each of the Material Contracts are in full force and effect.  Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has satisfied in full or provided for all of its liabilities and obligations under each Material Contract requiring performance prior to the date hereof in all material respects, and are not in default under any of them, nor, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, does any condition exist that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a default.  To the knowledge of any Credit Party, no other party to any such Material Contract is in default thereunder, nor does any condition exist that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a default.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.27, no approval or consent of any Person is needed for all of the Material Contracts to continue to be in full force and effect.

 

 

 

5.28 Insurance

 

.  Schedule 5.28 accurately summarizes all of the insurance policies or programs of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in effect as of the date hereof, and indicates the insurer’s name, policy number, expiration date, amount of coverage, type of coverage, annual premiums, exclusions and deductibles, and also indicates any self insurance program that is in effect.  All such policies are in full force and effect, are underwritten by financially sound and reputable insurers, are sufficient for all applicable Requirements of Law and otherwise are in compliance with the criteria set forth in Section 8.09 hereof.  All such policies will remain in full force and effect and will not in any way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5.29 [Intentionally Omitted].  

 

5.30 Products Liability

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.30, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation pending, or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened, by or before any Governmental Authority against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any product alleged to have been sold by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and alleged to have been defective, or improperly designed or manufactured, nor to the knowledge of any Credit Party is there any valid basis for any such action, proceeding or investigation.

 

5.31 Solvency

 

.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

5.32 Questionnaire

 

.  All statements made by the Credit Parties in the Questionnaire are true and correct and do not, as of the date of this Agreement, contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in any material respect.

 

5.33 Location of Assets

 

.  The chief executive offices of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries and the books and records of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries concerning their respective accounts are located only at the address set forth on Schedule 5.33 identified as such, and the only other places of business and locations of assets of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries, if any, are the addresses set forth on Schedule 5.33.

 

5.34 Certain Payments

 

.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.34, neither the execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party of this Agreement, nor the execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the other Transaction Documents, the Original Acquisition Documents or the BVX Acquisition Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall require any payment by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, in cash or kind, under any other agreement, plan, policy, commitment or other arrangement.  There are no agreements, plans, policies, commitments or other arrangements with respect to any compensation, benefits or consideration which will be materially increased, or the vesting of benefits of which will be materially accelerated, as a result of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, the Original Acquisition Documents or the BVX Acquisition Documents or the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.  There are no payments or other benefits payable by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, the value of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the Original Acquisition Documents or the BVX Acquisition Documents.

 

 

 

5.35 Margin Requirements

 

.  No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.  Neither the sale of the Securities nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

5.36 Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

(a) General.  Neither any Credit Party nor any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Credit Party is in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

(b) Executive Order No. 13224.  Neither any Credit Party nor any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Credit Party or their respective agents acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Notes or other transactions hereunder is a Blocked Person.

 

(c) Blocked Person or Transactions.  Neither any Credit Party nor to any Credit Party’s knowledge any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates or agents acting in any capacity in connection with the Notes or other transactions hereunder (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, or (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 13224.

 

5.37 Trading with the Enemy

 

.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged, nor does any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries intend to engage, in any business or activity prohibited by the Trading with the Enemy Act.

 

 

 

5.38 Acquisition Documents

 

.  The Lenders have received true and complete copies of (including all schedules and exhibits delivered in connection therewith), each Original Acquisition Document and BVX Acquisition Document and all amendments to any such documents and other side letters or agreements affecting the terms thereof.  None of the Original Acquisition Documents or the BVX Acquisition Documents has been amended or supplemented, nor have any of the material provisions thereof been waived, except pursuant to a written agreement or instrument which has heretofore been delivered to the Lenders.  All of the transactions contemplated to occur under the Original Acquisition Documents and the BVX Acquisition Documents on or before the Closing Date (the “Acquisition Closing Transactions”) have been consummated pursuant to the terms thereof, no party to any of the Original Acquisition Documents or the BVX Acquisition Documents has waived the fulfillment of any material condition precedent set forth therein, without Agent’s written consent, and no party has failed to perform any of its material obligations thereunder.  At the time of consummation thereof, the Acquisition Closing Transaction shall have been consummated in all material respects in accordance with all applicable laws.  At the time of consummation of the Acquisition Closing Transaction, all necessary material consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all Governmental Authorities required in order to make or consummate the Acquisition Closing Transaction will have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial relief with respect thereto has been obtained).  All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all such cases, any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse conditions upon the Transaction.  Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the Transaction.  All actions taken by the Credit Parties pursuant to or in furtherance of the Acquisition Closing Transaction have been taken in all material respects in compliance with all applicable laws.  As of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, each of the representations and warranties contained in the Original Acquisition Documents and the BVX Acquisition Documents made by Persons other than any Credit Party is true and correct.

 

5.39 Equity Raise Documents

 

.  The Lenders have received true and complete copies of (including all schedules and exhibits delivered in connection therewith), each Original Equity Raise Document and Equity Raise Document and all amendments to any of the such documents and other side letters or agreements affecting the terms thereof.  None of the Original Equity Raise Documents or the Equity Raise Documents has been amended or supplemented, nor have any of the material provisions thereof been waived, except pursuant to a written agreement or instrument which has heretofore been delivered to the Lenders.  All of the transactions contemplated to occur under the Original Equity Raise Documents and Equity Raise Documents on or before the Closing Date (the “Equity Raise Closing Transactions”) have been consummated pursuant to the terms thereof, no party to any of the Original Equity Raise Documents or Equity Raise Documents has waived the fulfillment of any material condition precedent set forth therein, without Agent’s written consent, and no party has failed to perform any of its material obligations thereunder.  At the time of consummation thereof, the Equity Raise Closing Transaction shall have been consummated in all material respects in accordance with all applicable laws.  At the time of consummation of the Equity Raise Closing Transaction, all necessary material consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all Governmental Authorities required in order to make or consummate the Equity Raise Closing Transaction will have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial relief with respect thereto has been obtained).  All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all such cases, any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse conditions upon the Transaction.  Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the Transaction.  All actions taken by the Credit Parties pursuant to or in furtherance of the Equity Raise Closing Transaction have been taken in all material respects in compliance with all applicable laws.  As of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, each of the representations and warranties contained in the Original Equity Raise Documents and the Equity Raise Documents made by Persons other than any Credit Party is true and correct.

 

5.40 Interest Rate Hedges and Other Hedging Agreements

 

.  As of the Closing Date, neither any Credit Party nor any of their Subsidiaries are a party to any Interest Rate Hedges or any Other Hedging Agreements.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

 

Each Lender hereby, severally, but not jointly, represents and warrants as to itself as follows:

 

6.01 Authorization; No Contravention

 

.  The execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement:  (a) is within its power and authority and has been duly authorized by all necessary action; (b) does not contravene the terms of its organizational documents or any amendment thereof; and (c) will not violate, conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of any of its Contractual Obligations, or any order or decree directly relating to it.

 

6.02 Binding Effect

 

.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

6.03 Purchase for Own Account

 

.  The Securities to be acquired by it pursuant to this Agreement are being or will be acquired for its own account and with no intention of distributing or reselling such securities or any part thereof in any transaction that would be in violation of the securities laws of the United States of America, or any state, without prejudice, however, to each Lender’s right at all times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Securities, in the case of a Lender under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or under an exemption from such registration available under the Securities Act, and subject, nevertheless, to the disposition of its property being at all times within its control.  If any Lender should in the future decide to dispose of any of the Securities, such Lender understands and agrees that it may do so only in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, as then in effect.  Each Lender agrees to the imprinting of a legend on certificates representing all of the Securities to the following effect:  “THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.”

 

 

 

6.04 Broker’s, Finder’s or Similar Fees

 

.  Except as set forth in Section 2.03 and Schedule 5.20 hereof, there are no brokerage commissions, finder’s fees or similar fees or commissions payable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based on any agreement, arrangement or understanding with it or any action taken by it.

 

6.05 Governmental Authorization; Third Party Consent

 

.  No approval, consent, compliance, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person in respect of any Requirement of Law, and no lapse of a waiting period under a Requirement of Law, is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by it or enforcement against it of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

 

7.01 Indemnification

 

.  In addition to all other sums due hereunder or provided for in this Agreement, each Credit Party, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Agent, each Lender and their respective Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, Subsidiaries, partners, members, attorneys, accountants and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Party”) to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel and costs of investigation incurred by an Indemnified Party in any action or proceeding between any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and such Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties) or between an Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties) and any third party or otherwise) or other liabilities, losses, or diminution in value (collectively, “Liabilities”) resulting from or arising out of any breach of any representation or warranty, covenant or agreement of any Credit Party in this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, or any of the other Transaction Documents, including the failure to make payment when due of amounts owing pursuant to this Agreement, the Notes, or any of the other Transaction Documents, on the due date thereof (whether at the scheduled maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or any legal, administrative or other actions (including actions brought by the Agent, any Lender, any Credit Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any holders of equity or indebtedness of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or derivative actions brought by any Person claiming through or in the name of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, proceedings or investigations (whether formal or informal), or written threats thereof, based upon, relating to or arising out of any of the Transaction Documents, the transactions contemplated thereby, or any Indemnified Party’s role therein or in the transactions contemplated thereby; provided, however, that neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable under this Section 7.01 to an Indemnified Party:  (a) for any amount paid by the Indemnified Party in settlement of claims by the Indemnified Party without such Credit Party’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (b) to the extent that it is judicially determined in a final non-appealable judgment that such Liabilities resulted primarily from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified Party or (c) to the extent that it is judicially determined in a final non-appealable judgment that such Liabilities resulted primarily from the breach by such Indemnified Party of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement of such Indemnified Party contained in this Agreement; provided, further, that if and to the extent that such indemnification is unenforceable for any reason, the Credit Parties shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such Liabilities which shall be permissible under Applicable Laws.  In connection with the obligation of the Credit Parties to indemnify for expenses as set forth above, each Credit Party further agrees, upon presentation of appropriate invoices containing reasonable detail, to reimburse each Indemnified Party for all such expenses (including fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel and costs of investigation incurred by an Indemnified Party in any action or proceeding between any Credit Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) and such Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties) or between an Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties) and any third party or otherwise) as they are incurred by such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that if an Indemnified Party is reimbursed hereunder for any expenses, such reimbursement of expenses shall be refunded to the extent it is finally judicially determined that the Liabilities in question resulted primarily from (i) the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified Party or (ii) the breach by such Indemnified Party of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement of such Indemnified Party contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

 

 

7.02 Procedure; Notification

 

.  Each Indemnified Party under this Article 7 will, promptly after the receipt of notice of the commencement of any action, investigation, claim or other proceeding against such Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought from the Credit Parties under this Article 7, notify the Credit Parties in writing of the commencement thereof.  The omission of any Indemnified Party so to notify the Credit Parties of any such action shall not relieve the Credit Parties from any liability which they may have to such Indemnified Party unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses of the Credit Parties.  In case any such action, claim or other proceeding shall be brought against any Indemnified Party and it shall notify the Credit Parties of the commencement thereof, the Credit Parties shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof at their own expense, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in its reasonable judgment; provided, however, that, if the Credit Parties have assumed the defense of any such action, claim or other proceeding, any Indemnified Party may, at its own expense, retain separate counsel to participate in such defense.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any action, claim or proceeding in which the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and an Indemnified Party, on the other hand, is, or is reasonably likely to become, a party, such Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Credit Parties and to control its own defense of such action, claim or proceeding if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel to such Indemnified Party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, that would make such separate representation advisable; provided, however, that in no event shall the Credit Parties be required to pay fees and expenses under this Article 7 for more than one firm of attorneys in any jurisdiction in any one legal action or group of related legal actions.  Each Credit Party agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Lenders, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated hereby (if any Indemnified Party is a party thereto or has been actually threatened to be made a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of the Lenders and each other Indemnified Party from all liability arising or that may arise out of such claim, action or proceeding.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable for any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected against an Indemnified Party without their written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The rights accorded to Indemnified Parties hereunder shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law, by separate agreement or otherwise.

 

7.03 Survival

 

.  The obligations of the Credit Parties under this Article 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and payment in full of the Notes.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

 

Until the payment in full of all principal of and interest on the Notes and all other amounts due to the Agent and Lenders under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including all fees, expenses and amounts due in respect of indemnity obligations under Article 7, each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees with the Agent and Lenders as set forth in this Article 8, provided, however, that following payment in full of all such amounts, for so long as any of the Warrants or shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise thereof are outstanding and owned by any Lender, each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees with the Agent and Lenders only as set forth in (i)  Sections 8.01(a) and (b) if Parent does not timely file periodic reports with the SEC which provide the information described in Sections 8.01(a) and (b), and (ii) Sections 8.13 and 8.17:

 

8.01 Financial Statements and Other Information

 

.  Each Credit Party shall maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP (it being understood that monthly financial statements are not required to have footnote disclosures).  The Credit Parties shall deliver to the Agent each of the financial statements and other reports described below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d) Compliance Certificate.  Together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 8.01(a), 8.01(b) and 8.01(c) above, the Credit Parties shall deliver or cause to be delivered a fully and properly completed compliance certificate (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (or in such other form or substance as shall be satisfactory to Agent) and referred to as a “Compliance Certificate”) signed by the chief executive officer or principal accounting officer of each Credit Party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(q) Additional Documents.  Execute and deliver to Agent, upon request, such documents and agreements as Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the purposes, terms or conditions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

 

 

8.02 Preservation of Existence

 

.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

 

 

(b) keep in full force and effect its existence and comply in all material respects with Applicable Laws governing the conduct of its business where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

 

8.03 Payment of Obligations

 

.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all their respective obligations and liabilities, including:

 

(a) all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless same are being Properly Contested;

 

 

 

 

 

8.04 Compliance with Laws

 

.  Each Credit Party shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law and with the directions of each Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over them or their respective business or property (including all applicable Environmental Laws), including any requirements to clean up, remove, or remediate Hazardous Materials at any location where necessary to protect human health or the environment.

 

8.05 Violations

 

.  Each Credit Party shall promptly notify Agent in writing of any material violation of Applicable Law of any Governmental Authority, applicable to such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

8.06 Board Observer

 

.  Each Credit Party shall give Lenders notice of (in the same manner as notice is given to directors), and permit three persons designated by Agent to attend as an observer, all meetings of its Board of Directors and all executive and other committee meetings of its Board of Directors and shall provide to Lenders the same information concerning the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, and access thereto, provided to members of the Credit Parties’ respective Board of Directors and such committees, as applicable.  The reasonable travel expenses incurred by any such designees of Lenders in attending any board or committee meetings shall be reimbursed by the Credit Parties; provided, that the Credit Parties will not be required to permit a person designated by Lenders to attend, as an observer, any committee meeting of its Board of Directors or provide information to Lenders as provided to such committees, unless the Lender has executed a confidentiality agreement satisfactory to Lender in its reasonable determination, or in the event the Board of Directors of the Credit Parties reasonably determines that a conflict of interest may exist between Agent and the Credit Parties.

 

8.07 Inspection

 

.  Each Credit Party will permit, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of the Agent to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their respective corporate, financial and operating records and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective directors, officers and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably requested, upon reasonable advance notice; provided, however, that no such inspection, examination or inquiry, the failure to conduct same, nor any knowledge of the Agent, including any knowledge obtained by the Agent in connection with any such inspection, investigation or inquiry, shall constitute a waiver of any rights the Agent and Lenders may have under any representation, warranty, covenant, term or agreement under any of the Transaction Documents.

 

 

 

8.08 Maintenance of Properties

 

.  Each Credit Party shall maintain or cause to be maintained, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to maintain or cause to be maintained, in good repair, working order and condition all material properties used in their respective businesses and will make or cause to be made, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to make or cause to be made, all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.

 

8.09 Insurance

 

.  Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries will maintain or cause to be maintained with financially sound and reputable insurers that have a rating of “A” or better as established by Best’s Rating Guide (or an equivalent rating with such other publication of a similar nature as shall be in current use), the life insurance policies required by Section 8.17 and public liability and property damage insurance with respect to their respective businesses and properties against loss or damage of the kinds customarily carried or maintained by a company of established reputation engaged in similar businesses and in amounts acceptable to Agent and will deliver evidence thereof to Agent.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries will have established on the Initial Closing Date and maintain at all times thereafter (a) business interruption insurance in an amount satisfactory to the Agent and (b) products liability insurance coverage for the Credit Parties in amounts satisfactory to the Agent.  All such insurance policies shall provide that Agent shall be named as an additional insured or loss payee, as applicable and that such insurance policies may not be canceled unless the insurance carrier gives at least 30 days prior written notice of such cancellation to Agent.  If any Credit Party fails to obtain insurance as hereinabove provided, or to keep the same in force, Agent, if Agent so elects, upon notice to such Credit Party, may obtain such insurance and pay the premium therefor on behalf of such Credit Party, and such expenses so paid shall be part of the Obligations.

 

8.10 Books and Records

 

.  Each Credit Party shall keep, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of such Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP consistently applied to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

8.11 Use of Proceeds.

 

(a) The Credit Parties shall use the proceeds of the sale of the Original Notes and the Original Warrants hereunder only as follows:  (i) the partial payment of the purchase price under the Original Acquisition Agreements, (ii) for the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder and in the other Transaction Documents, and (iii) for general corporate purposes.

 

 

 

 

8.12 Standards of Financial Statements

 

.  The Credit Parties shall cause all financial statements referred to in Sections 8.01(a), (b), (c) and (h), as to which GAAP is applicable to be complete and correct in all material respects (subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes) and to be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein (except as concurred in by such reporting accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein).

 

8.13 Reservation of Common Stock

 

.  Parent shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized Equity Interests, solely for the purpose of issuance and delivery upon exercise of the Warrants, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and such shares of Common Stock, when issued or delivered in accordance with the Warrants, shall be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable.  Parent shall issue such shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Warrants, and shall otherwise comply, in each case, with the terms thereof.

 

8.14 New Real Property

 

.  If any Credit Party acquires at any time or times hereafter any fee simple interest in real property, then within ninety (90) days of the acquisition thereof such Credit Party shall execute and deliver to Agent, as additional security and Collateral for the obligations, deeds of trust, security deeds, mortgages or other collateral assignments reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Agent and its counsel (herein collectively referred to as “New Mortgages”) covering such real property.  The New Mortgages shall be duly recorded (at the Credit Parties’ expense) in each office where such recording is required to constitute a valid lien on the real property covered thereby.  In respect of any New Mortgage, Credit Parties shall deliver to Agent, at Credit Parties’ expense, mortgagee title insurance policies issued by a title insurance company reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which policies shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and shall insure a valid lien in favor of Agent on the property covered thereby, subject only to Permitted Liens and those other exceptions reasonably acceptable to Agent and its counsel.  Credit Parties shall also deliver to Agent such other usual and customary documents, including ALTA surveys of the real property described in the New Mortgages, as Agent and its counsel may reasonably request relating to the real property subject to the New Mortgages.

 

8.15 Control Agreements; Cash Management Systems.

 

 

(b) Each Credit Party shall provide the Lenders with electronic access at all times to each of its and its Subsidiaries’ depositary, securities intermediary or commodities intermediary accounts so that the Lenders may monitor the activity in such accounts.

 

 

 

8.16 Collateral Access Agreements

 

. The Credit Parties have obtained Collateral Access Agreements from the lessors of the leased premises at 155 Willowbrook Boulevard, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 and 3565 Piedmont Road, Suite 600, Fulton County, Georgia.  Within 30 days following the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall obtain Collateral Access Agreements from the lessors of the leased premises at 1475 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309.  Each Credit Party shall, with respect to each lease entered into following the Closing Date for leased property where Collateral is stored or located, obtain a Collateral Access Agreement from the lessor of such leased property in connection with entering into such lease.

 

8.17 Key-Man Life Insurance

 

. The Credit Parties shall maintain a $5,000,000 key-man life insurance policy with respect to the life of Jonathan Kaufman and a $3,000,000 key-man life insurance policy with respect to the life of Matthew Rosen.

 

8.18 NBS Consents and Notices.

 

The Credit Parties shall use their best efforts to obtain the Consents and provide the notices described in Sections 4.10 and 13.08  as soon as possible, and in any event within 150 days following the Closing Date. The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the breach of their covenants set forth in this Section 8.18 may cause substantial injury to the Agent and Lenders.  In the event of a breach or a threatened breach by any Credit Party of the provisions of this Section 8.18, Agent and Lenders may, but shall not be obligated to, seek such Consents and provide such notices, in the name of Credit Parties or otherwise, at the cost and expense of the Credit Parties, and the Credit Parties will cooperate with Agent and Lenders in all actions taken by them to obtain such Consents and to provide such notices, and will execute all documents required by Agent or Lenders in furtherance thereof.

 

8.19 Post-Closing Covenants.

 

  Borrower shall, within 14 days following the Closing Date, provide Agent with certificates of insurance, with respect to the property insurance policies listed on Schedule 5.28, naming Agent as a loss payee and providing that such insurance policies may not be canceled unless the insurance carrier gives at least 30 days prior written notice of such cancellation to Agent.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

 

Until the payment in full of all principal of and interest on the Notes and all other amounts due to the Agent and Lenders under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including all fees, expenses and amounts due at such time in respect of indemnity obligations under Article 7, each Credit Party covenants and agrees with the Agent and Lenders as set forth in this Article 9:

 

9.01 Fundamental Changes; Consolidations, Mergers and Acquisitions; Asset Sales

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (a) enter into any merger, consolidation or other reorganization with or into any other Person or acquire all or a substantial portion of the assets or Equity Interests of any Person or permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge with it, or (b) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, except dispositions of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

9.02 Creation of Liens

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or suffer to exist any Lien or transfer upon or against any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, including Liens disclosed on Schedule 9.02.

 

9.03 Guarantees

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly become liable upon the obligations or liabilities of any Person by assumption, endorsement or guaranty thereof or otherwise (other than to Lenders) except (a) guarantees made in the Ordinary Course of Business up to an aggregate amount of $300,000, and (b) the endorsement of checks in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

9.04 Investments

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly make any Investments, except:

 

(a) investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b) investments existing on the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 9.04 hereto;

 

(c) investments in wholly-owned Subsidiaries of such Credit Party created or acquired after the Closing Date, to the extent permitted hereunder;

 

(d) loans permitted by Section 9.05;

 

(e) investments by the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in Capital Expenditures permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.15(c).

 

 

 

9.05 Loans

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly make or have outstanding advances, loans or extensions of credit to any Person, including any Subsidiary or Affiliate, except for (a) the extension of commercial trade credit in connection with the sale of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business and (b) loans to employees of the Credit Parties in the Ordinary Course of Business not to exceed, in the aggregate, $25,000 at any time outstanding.

 

9.06 Restricted Payments

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly declare, pay or make any Restricted Payments.

 

9.07 Indebtedness

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

(a) trade debt incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(b) the Indebtedness created under this Agreement;

 

(c) Indebtedness for Capital Expenditures permitted under Section 9.15(c), including Purchase Money Indebtedness and indebtedness incurred under Capital Lease Obligations, in each case incurred in connection with such Capital Expenditures, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 per year for all Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries;

 

 

(e) Indebtedness under any Interest Rate Hedge or any Other Hedging Agreement reasonably acceptable to Agent;

 

(f) guaranty obligations permitted pursuant to Section 9.03 hereof; and

 

 

 

 

9.08 Nature of Business

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, substantially change the nature of the business in which it is presently engaged, or except as specifically permitted hereby purchase or invest, directly or indirectly, in any assets or property other than in the Ordinary Course of Business and where such assets or property are useful in, necessary for and are to be used in its business as presently conducted.

 

9.09 Transactions with Affiliates

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or lease any property from, or sell, transfer or lease any property to, or otherwise enter into any transaction or deal with, any Affiliate, except for (i) transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business, entered into on an arm’s-length basis on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable than terms which would have been obtainable from a Person other than an Affiliate; (ii) the payment of customary and reasonable directors’ fees to directors who are not employees of the Credit Parties or any Affiliate of the Credit Parties as well as the payment of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing their directorial duties and the payment of indemnities owing to them as directors; or (iii) certain loans by Affiliates to Parent as indicated in Schedule 9.07.

 

9.10 Leases

 

 

9.11 Subsidiaries; Partnerships; Joint Ventures

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, form any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary, the formation of which shall have been consented to in advance in writing by the Required Lenders), or enter into any partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement unless consented to by Required Lenders.

 

9.12 Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly maintain a fiscal year other than a year ending on December 31, or make any change (i) in accounting treatment and reporting practices except as required by GAAP or (ii) in Tax reporting treatment except as required by Applicable Law.

 

9.13 Amendment of Organizational Documents

 

 

 

.  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive any material term or material provision of its Organizational Documents unless required by Applicable Law.

 

9.14 Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certain Other Agreements; Etc.

 

  No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of the Indebtedness described in Section 9.07 hereto or of any agreement (including any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement or security agreement) relating thereto other than any amendments or modifications to such Indebtedness which do not in any way adversely affect the interests of the Lenders and are otherwise permitted under Section 9.07, (ii) make (or give any notice in respect thereof) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of, or any prepayment or redemption as a result of any asset sale, change of control or similar event of, any Indebtedness which is contractually subordinated to the Notes, (iii) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of (A) the Working Capital Agreement except as permitted by the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement, (B) Seller Notes, except as permitted by the Seller Subordination Agreement, or (C) the Rosen Notes, except as permitted by the Rosen Subordination Agreement, respectively, or (iv) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of any Equity Document, except for amendments or modifications which are not in any way adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders.

 

9.15 Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Borrower Leverage Ratio.  The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to maintain, a Leverage Ratio, as of and for each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters set forth below, of not greater than the ratio for such period set forth below:

 

Four Quarters Ending	Leverage Ratio
March 31, 2014 through September 30, 2014 December 31, 2014 March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2016 March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 and thereafter	4.15 to 1.00 4.00 to 1.00 3.75 to 1.00 3.50 to 1.00 3.25 to 1.00 3.00 to 1.00

 

 

 

 

(b) Borrower Fixed Charge Coverage.  The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as of and for each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters set forth below, of not less than the ratio for the period set forth below:

 

Four Quarters Ending	Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
March 31, 2014 through December 31, 2014 March 31, 2015 and thereafter	1.40 to 1.00 1.50 to 1.00

 

(c) Borrower Capital Expenditures.  The Borrower shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, contract for, purchase or make any expenditure or commitments for Capital Expenditures in (i) any fiscal year ending on or prior to December 31, 2015 in an aggregate amount in excess of $3,250,000 or in any fiscal year ending after December 31, 2015 in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,500,000.

 

(d) Borrower Minimum EBITDA.  The Borrower shall not permit its EBITDA, measured as of the last day of (i) the three (3)-month period ending on March 31, 2014, to be less than $2,500,000, (ii) the six (6)-month period ending on June 30, 2014, to be less than $5,000,000, (iii) the nine (9)-month period ending on September 30, 2014, to be less than $7,500,000 or (iv) each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters set forth below, to be less than the amount for such period set forth below:

 

Four Quarters Ending		Minimum EBITDA
December 31, 2014 March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 and thereafter		$	10,500,000 $10,750,000 $11,000,000 $11,250,000 $11,500,000 $11,750,000 $12,000,000

 

 

 

 

(e) Minimum Parent EBITDA.  The Parent shall not permit Parent EBITDA, measured as of the last day of each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters beginning with the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2015, to be less than the amount of EBITDA for such period.

 

(f) Minimum Cash.  The Parent, on a non-Consolidated Basis, shall at all times have at least $1,000,000 of Cash Equivalents in excess of the amount of Working Capital Loans then outstanding, which minimum cash shall be determined by including the Escrowed Funds to the extent held by Agent pursuant to Section 4.11.

 

(g) Compliance with the covenants in this Section 9.15 (other than Section 9.15(f)) shall be determined on a Consolidated Basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

 

9.16 Compliance with ERISA

 

.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall any Credit Party permit any of its Subsidiaries, to (x) maintain, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to maintain, or (y) become obligated to contribute, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to become obligated to contribute, to any Plan, other than those Plans disclosed on Schedule 5.22, (ii) engage, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to engage, in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction”, as that term is defined in section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code; (iii) incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, any “accumulated funding deficiency”, as that term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (iv) terminate, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to terminate, any Plan where such event could result in any liability of any Credit Party or any member of the Controlled Group or the imposition of a lien on the property of any Credit Party or any member of the Controlled Group pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA, (v) assume, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to assume, any obligation to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan not disclosed on Schedule 5.22, (vi) incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan; (vii) fail promptly to notify Lenders of the occurrence of any Termination Event, (viii) fail to comply, or permit a member of the Controlled Group to fail to comply, with the requirements of ERISA or the Code or other Applicable Laws in respect of any Plan , (ix) fail to meet, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to fail to meet, all minimum funding requirements under ERISA or the Code or postpone or delay or allow any member of the Controlled Group to postpone or delay any funding requirement with respect of any Plan.

 

 

 

9.17 Prepayment of Indebtedness

 

.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall any Credit Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time, directly or indirectly, prepay any Indebtedness (other than to Lenders), or repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness (other than to Lenders).

 

9.18 Anti-Terrorism Laws

 

.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall any Credit Party permit any Affiliate or agent to: (a) conduct any business or engage in any transaction or dealing with any Blocked Person, including the making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person, (b) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order No. 13224 and (c) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in the Executive Order No. 13224, the USA Patriot Act or any other Anti-Terrorism Law.  Each Credit Party shall deliver to Agent any certification or other evidence reasonably requested from time to time by Agent, in its sole discretion, confirming such Credit Party’s compliance with this Section.

 

9.19 Trading with the Enemy Act

 

.  No Credit Party shall nor shall any Credit Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any business or activity in violation of the Trading with the Enemy Act.

 

9.20 Additional Negative Pledges

 

.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall any Credit Party permit any of its Subsidiaries, to create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, directly or indirectly, (i) any prohibition or restriction (including any agreement to provide equal and ratable security to any other Person) on the creation or existence of any Lien upon the assets of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens or (ii) any contractual obligation which may restrict or inhibit Agent’s rights or ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

 

10.01 Optional Prepayment

 

.  The Borrower may prepay the outstanding Principal Amount (together with accrued Interest) on the Notes as follows:

 

(a) The Borrower may, at their option, at any time upon notice given to Agent as provided in Section 10.01(b), unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders, prepay all or any portion of the Principal Amount of any of the Notes, by payment to the Lenders, of an amount equal to the redemption prices (the “Optional Redemption Prices”) set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the outstanding Principal Amount being prepaid, from time to time) together with Interest accrued and unpaid on the Principal Amount of the Notes so prepaid through the date fixed for such prepayment, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel), if any, associated with such prepayment; provided, however, that each payment of less than the full outstanding balance of the Principal Amount of the Notes shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $250,000 or integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.  If such prepayment is to be made by the Credit Parties to the Lenders during any Loan Year set forth below, the Optional Redemption Price shall be determined based upon the percentage indicated below for such Loan Year multiplied by the Principal Amount which is being prepaid:

 

Loan Year			Optional Redemption Price
	1		102.85	%
	2		102	%
Thereafter			100	%

 

(b) The Borrower shall give written notice of prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 10.01 not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment.  Such notice of prepayment pursuant to this Section 10.01 shall be given in the manner specified in Section 12.02 of this Agreement.  Upon notice of prepayment pursuant to this Section 10.01 being given by the Borrower, the Borrower covenant and agree that they will prepay, on the date therein fixed for prepayment, the Notes or the portion thereof so called for prepayment, at the applicable Optional Redemption Price set forth above with respect to the Principal Amount or the portion thereof so called for prepayment, together with Interest accrued and unpaid thereon to the date fixed for such prepayment, and the costs and expenses referred to in Section 10.01(a).

 

(c) Any optional prepayment under this Section 10.01 shall include payment of accrued Interest on the Principal Amount of the Notes so prepaid and shall be applied first to all costs, expenses and indemnities payable under this Agreement, then to payment of default interest, if any, then to accrued but unpaid Interest, if any, and thereafter to the Principal Amount.

 

 

 

10.02 Mandatory Prepayments.  

 

(a) Liquidity Event.  Upon the occurrence of a Liquidity Event (as hereinafter defined), the Borrower shall, prepay the outstanding Principal Amount of all Notes in accordance with the redemption prices (the “Mandatory Redemption Prices”) set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the outstanding Principal Amount being prepaid), together with Interest accrued and unpaid on the outstanding Principal Amount of the Notes so prepaid through the date of such prepayment and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel), if any, associated with such prepayment.  If a Liquidity Event shall occur during any Loan Year set forth below, the Mandatory Redemption Price shall be determined based upon the percentage indicated below for such Loan Year multiplied by the Principal Amount which is being prepaid.  For the purposes hereof, “Liquidity Event” means (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control, or (ii) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Parent or Borrower or of one or more of Parent’s Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material part of the business, operations or assets of the Credit Parties and all of their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Loan Year		Mandatory Redemption Price
	1		102.85	%
	2		102	%
Thereafter			100	%

 

(b) Notice.  The Borrower shall give written notice to the Agent of any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 10.02(a) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment.  Such notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 12.02 of this Agreement.

 

10.03 Scheduled Payments

 

.  The Principal Amount of the Series A Notes shall be paid in installments of (i) $52,083.33 each, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on each Interest Payment Date beginning on the September 30, 2013 Interest Payment Date through and including the December 31, 2013 Interest Payment Date, (ii) $20,926.80 each, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on each Interest Payment Date beginning on the January 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date through and including the December 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date, and (iii) $41,016.53 each, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on each Interest Payment Date following the December 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date. The remaining balance of the Principal Amount of the Series A Notes shall be paid in full, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on the Maturity Date.   The Principal Amount of the Series B Notes and the Principal Amount of the Series C Notes shall be paid in full, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on the Maturity Date.  The Principal Amount of the Series D Notes shall be paid in installments of (i) $31,156.53 each, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on each Interest Payment Date beginning on the January 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date through and including the December 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date, and (ii) $61,066.80 each, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on each Interest Payment Date following the December 31, 2014 Interest Payment Date. The remaining balance of the Principal Amount of the Series D Notes shall be paid in full, together with accrued and unpaid Interest, on the Maturity Date.

 

10.04 Application of Payments.  

 

(a) Upon any payment or prepayment of Series A Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the Principal Amount so paid or prepaid shall be allocated to all Series A Notes at the time outstanding pro rata (based upon the proportion of the respective outstanding Principal Amount of the Series A Notes) until such Series A Notes have been paid in full.

 

(b) Upon any payment or prepayment of Series B Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the Principal Amount so paid or prepaid shall be allocated to all Series B Notes at the time outstanding pro rata (based upon the proportion of the respective outstanding Principal Amount of the Series B Notes) until such Series B Notes have been paid in full.

 

(c) Upon any payment or prepayment of Series C Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the Principal Amount so paid or prepaid shall be allocated to all Series C Notes at the time outstanding pro rata (based upon the proportion of the respective outstanding Principal Amount of the Series C Notes) until such Series C Notes have been paid in full.

 

(d) Upon any payment or prepayment of Series D Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the Principal Amount so paid or prepaid shall be allocated to all Series D Notes at the time outstanding pro rata (based upon the proportion of the respective outstanding Principal Amount of the Series D Notes) until such Series D Notes have been paid in full.

 

(e) Payments of the Principal Amount of each Note to each Lender shall be made to the same account and in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06(a).

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11

 

 

11.01 Events of Default

 

.  An “Event of Default” shall occur if:

 

(a) any Credit Party shall default in the payment of the Principal Amount of the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for payment or prepayment or by acceleration or otherwise; or

 

(b) any Credit Party shall default in the payment of any installment of Interest or any other amount due under this Agreement or the Notes (other than as set forth in clause (a) of this Section 11.01) according to its terms, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such default shall continue for a period of three days after the due date for the payment thereof; or

 

(c) any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the due observance or performance of any covenant to be observed or performed pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.02, 8.03, 8.08, 8.15, 8.16, 8.17, 8.18 or Articles 9 or 16 of this Agreement; or

 

(d) any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the due observance or performance of any other covenant, condition or agreement on the part of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary to be observed or performed pursuant to the terms hereof or any of the Transaction Documents (other than those referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 11.01), and such default shall continue for fifteen (15) days after the earliest of (A) if any Credit Party has knowledge of such default, the date such Credit Party is required pursuant to the Transaction Documents or otherwise to give notice thereof to the Agent or Lenders (whether or not such notice is actually given) or (B) the date of written notice thereof, specifying such default, shall have been given to the Credit Parties by Agent or any Lender; or

 

(e) any representation, warranty or certification made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement, the Notes, the Transaction Documents or in any certificate or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of any materiality qualification therein) when made; or

 

(f) any event or condition shall occur that results in the acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $150,000 for any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries or $250,000 for all Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, or any default shall occur by any Credit Party under the Working Capital Agreement which the Credit Parties fail to cure within any applicable cure period; or

 

(g) any uninsured damage to or loss, theft or destruction of any assets of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall occur that is in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate for all Credit Parties and Subsidiaries; or

 

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (A) relief in respect of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or of a substantial part of any of their respective property or assets, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (B) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or for a substantial part of any of their respective property or assets, or (C) the winding up or liquidation of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days, or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or

 

 

 

(i) any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall (A) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar Applicable Law, (B) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section 11.01, (C) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official, for a substantial part of its property or assets, (D) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (E) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (F) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (G) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

 

(j) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $150,000 shall be rendered against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or in excess of $250,000 for all Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries (in either case, except to the extent covered by insurance as to which the insurance company has acknowledged coverage) and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment; or

 

(k) any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence legal action challenging the validity and binding effect of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents or any of the Transaction Documents shall for any reason (except to the extent permitted by its express terms) cease to be effective or, if in the case of the Transaction Documents intended to provide a Lien in favor of the Agent or any Lender, fail to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (except for Permitted Liens that by operation of law would take priority) on, or security interest in, any of the Collateral purported to be covered; or

 

(l) unless otherwise waived or consented to by the Required Lenders in writing, the subordination provisions relating to any Indebtedness subordinated to the Indebtedness pursuant to the Notes and the Agreement (collectively, the “Subordination Provisions”) shall fail to be enforceable by the Agent and the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof, or the monetary obligations pursuant to the Notes and this Agreement shall fail to constitute “Senior Debt” (or similar term) referring to such obligations; or any Credit Party shall, directly or indirectly, disavow or contest in any manner (i) the effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any of the Subordination Provisions, (ii) that the Subordination Provisions exist for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders or (iii) that all payments of principal of or premium and interest on the such subordinated Indebtedness, or realized from the liquidation of any property of any Credit Party or Subsidiary, shall be subject to any of such Subordination Provisions; or

 

(m) the failure of the security interest in any of the Collateral described in Section 4.10  to become effective in accordance with Section 4.10 or the failure of the Guarantee provided by NBS pursuant to Article XIII to become effective in accordance with Section 13.08, in each case within 150 days following the Closing Date; or

 

(n) the occurrence of any event or condition that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

11.02 Acceleration and Remedies

 

.  If an Event of Default occurs under Section 11.01(h) or (i), then the outstanding Principal Amount of and all accrued Interest on the Notes shall automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Credit Parties, declare the Principal Amount of and accrued Interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable.  Upon any such declaration, such Principal Amount and Interest shall become immediately due and payable.  The Required Lenders may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal or Interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.  Any notice or rescission shall be given in the manner specified in Section 12.02 hereof.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all rights and remedies provided for herein, under any of the other Transaction Documents, under the UCC and at law or equity generally, including the right to foreclose the security interests granted and to realize upon any Collateral by any available judicial procedure and/or to take possession of and sell any or all of the Collateral with or without judicial process.

 

11.03 Application of Proceeds

 

.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Agent on account of the Notes or any other amounts outstanding under any of the Transaction Documents or in respect of the Collateral may, at Agent’s discretion, or shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders, be paid over or delivered as follows:

 

(a) FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Agent in connection with enforcing its rights and the rights of the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

 

(b) SECOND, to the payment of any fees owed to the Agent;

 

(c) THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each of the Lenders to the extent owing to such Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;

 

(d) FOURTH, to the payment of all accrued fees and Interest which has not been included in the Principal Amount, in respect of the Notes, this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;

 

(e) FIFTH, to the payment of the Principal Amount of the Notes, pro rata, until paid in full;

 

(f) SIXTH, to all other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Transaction Documents or otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses “FIRST” through “FIFTH” above; and

 

(g) SEVENTH, the balance, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

 

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; and (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion of the Principal Amount of the Notes held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Principal Amount of the Notes) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses “FOURTH”, “FIFTH” and “SIXTH” above.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12

 

 

12.01 Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

.  All of the representations and warranties made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation by or on behalf of the Agent or any Lender, acceptance of the Securities and payment therefor, or termination of this Agreement.

 

12.02 Notices

 

.  All notices, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be by registered or certified first class mail, return receipt requested, facsimile (with receipt confirmed), electronic transmission (i.e., e-mail), courier service or personal delivery:

 

if to Agent or Fund III or Fund III-A:

 

c/o Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III, LP

419 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10016

Facsimile:                 ###-###-####

Attention:              Jason D. Drattell

Email:                       ***@***

 

with a copy to:

 

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Facsimile:                ###-###-####

Attention:              Stephen I. Budow, Esq.

Email:                       ***@***

 

If to Plexus, Plexus III or Plexus QP III:

 

4601 Six Forks Road

Suite 528

Raleigh, NC 27609

Facsimile:                ###-###-####

Attention:              Michael S. Becker

Email:                       ***@***

 

with a copy to:

 

Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett,

  Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP

Wells Fargo Capital Center

150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2300

Raleigh, NC 27601

Facsimile:                ###-###-####

Attention:              Curtis S. Brewer, Esq.

Email:                       ***@***

 

If to United:

 

United Insurance Company of America

c/o Kemper Corporation

1 E. Wacker Dr.

Chicago, IL 60601

Facsimile: (312) 467-6210

Attention:  Nathan Harnetiaux

Email: ***@***

 

if to any Credit Party:

 

(Name of Credit Party)

c/o Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc.

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1718

New York, NY 10170

Facsimile:   ###-###-####

Attention:  Gordon Hutchins, Jr., President

Email:         ***@***

 

with a copy to:

 

Steven I. Weinberger, Esq.

1200 N. Federal Highway, Suite 200

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Facsimile:                ###-###-####

Email:                       ***@***

 

 

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to be effective: (i) in the case of hand-delivery, when delivered; (ii) in the case of a facsimile transmission, when sent to the applicable party’s facsimile machine’s telephone number, if the party sending such notice or communication receives confirmation of the delivery thereof from its own facsimile machine; (iii) in the case of electronic transmission, when actually received; (iv) in the case of mail, five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid; or (v) if given by any other means (including by overnight courier), when actually received.

 

12.03 Successors and Assigns.  

 

(a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.  Subject to applicable securities laws and, subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and shall be deemed provided unless expressly withheld by the Borrower within three (3) Business Days of written request therefor), Agent and each Lender may assign any of its rights under any of the Transaction Documents (other than the Equity Documents) to any Person, and any holder of the Notes may assign, in whole or in part, the Notes to any Person; provided, however, that no such consent of the Borrower will be required (i) with respect to any assignment to another Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender, or (ii) during the continuation of any Event of Default.  Subject to applicable securities laws and the terms of the Equity Documents, each Lender may assign any of its rights under any of the Equity Documents to any Person.  No Credit Party may assign any of their respective rights, or delegate any of its obligations, under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents without the prior written consent of the Lenders, and any such purported assignment by any Credit Party without the written consent of the Lenders shall be void and of no effect.  Except as provided in Article 7, no Person other than the parties hereto and to the other Transaction Documents and their successors and permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of any of such Transaction Documents.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to the contrary, Agent and any Lender may at any time create a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Transaction Document, and the Collateral.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Transaction Document to the contrary, there shall be no limitation or restriction on (A) the ability of any Lender or Agent to assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Transaction Documents, or any rights thereunder, to any of its Affiliates or (B) (x) the ability of any Lender or Agent to pledge, or otherwise grant a security interest in, this Agreement, any Note, or any of the other Transaction Documents, or any of its rights thereunder, to any lender or other funding or financing source of such Lender or Agent or (y) the assignment or other transfer in connection with the realization of any such pledge or other security interest; provided, however, such Lender shall continue to be liable as a “Lender” under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents unless any such Affiliate, lender or funding or financing source agrees to be bound by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

12.04 Amendment and Waiver.

 

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any of the parties hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  The remedies provided for in this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the parties hereto at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

(b) Any Modification of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Transaction Document other than the Warrants, shall be effective as to the Lenders (i) only if it is made or given in writing and signed by each Credit Party and the Required Lenders, except that, without the written consent of the holder or holders of all Notes at the time outstanding, no amendment to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall change the maturity of any Note, or change the principal of, or the rate, method of computation or time of payment of interest on or any fee payable with respect to, any Note, or affect the time, amount or allocation of any prepayments, or change the proportion of the principal amount of the Notes required with respect to any amendment, supplement or modification, and (ii) only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given.  No amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or any waiver of any such provision or consent to any departure by any party from the terms of any such provision may be made orally.  Except where notice is specifically required by this Agreement, no notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle such Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(c) Any Modification of the Warrants shall be effective as to all holders of Warrants (i) only if it is made or given in writing and signed by the Borrower which issued such Warrants and the Required Equity Holders, and (ii) only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given; provided, however, that (i) no Modification may, without the written consent of the holder of each Warrant at the time outstanding affected thereby eliminate or diminish any material right or remedy of any holder of any Warrant or affect any holder of any Warrant, in each case, in a manner that differs materially and adversely from the effect on any other holder of any Warrant.

 

12.05 Signatures; Counterparts

 

.  Facsimile or electronic transmissions of any executed original document and/or retransmission of any executed facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be the same as the delivery of an executed original.  At the request of any party hereto, the other parties hereto shall confirm facsimile or electronic transmissions by executing duplicate original documents and delivering the same to the requesting party or parties.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

 

 

12.06 Headings

 

.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

12.07 GOVERNING LAW

 

.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND ENFORCED UNDER, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS OR INSTRUMENTS ENTERED INTO AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.

 

12.08 JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

 

(a) EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURITIES OR ANY AGREEMENTS OR TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS FOR THE PURPOSES THEREOF AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM OF IMPROPER VENUE AND ANY CLAIM THAT SUCH COURTS ARE AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.  EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 12.02, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 10 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANY CREDIT PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b) EACH CREDIT PARTY AND EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURITIES OR ANY OF THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.  EACH CREDIT PARTY AND EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY LENDER HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH LENDER WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH LENDER HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS PARTY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.

 

12.09 Severability

 

.  If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.  The parties hereto further agree to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions of this Agreement with valid, legal and enforceable provisions that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

 

 

12.10 Rules of Construction

 

.  Unless the context otherwise requires, “or” is not exclusive.

 

12.11 Entire Agreement

 

.  This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto, is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.  This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto, supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

12.12 Certain Expenses

 

.  The Credit Parties will pay all expenses of the Agent and Lenders (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) in connection with (i) any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of or to any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or any documents relating thereto (including a response to a request by any Credit Party for the Lenders’ consent to any action otherwise prohibited hereunder or thereunder), or consent to any departure from, the terms of any provision of this Agreement or such other documents, (ii) all efforts made to enforce payment of the Notes, (iii) instituting, maintaining, preserving, enforcing and foreclosing on Agent’s security interest in or Lien on any of the Collateral, or maintaining, preserving or enforcing any of Agent’s or any Lender’s rights hereunder, under the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement, the Seller Subordination Agreement or the Rosen Subordination Agreement and under all related agreements, documents and instruments, whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise, or (iv) defending or prosecuting any actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to Agent’s or any Lender’s transactions with any Credit Party or any Senior Lender or (v) any advice given to any Agent or any Lender with respect to its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Working Capital Intercreditor Agreement, the Seller Subordination Agreement or the Rosen Subordination Agreement and all related agreements, documents and instruments.

 

12.13 Publicity

 

.  Except as may be required by Applicable Law, none of the parties hereto shall issue a publicity release or announcement or otherwise make any public disclosure concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, without prior approval by the other parties hereto.  If any announcement is required by law to be made by any party hereto, prior to making such announcement such party will deliver a draft of such announcement to the other parties and shall give the other parties an opportunity to comment thereon.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender may (i) disclose a general description of transactions arising under the Transaction Documents, the Original Acquisition Documents and the BVX Acquisition Documents for advertising, marketing or other similar purposes, and (ii) use any Credit Party’s name, logo or other indicia germane to such party in connection with such advertising, marketing or other similar purposes, and, in each case, may post such information on its website.

 

12.14 Further Assurances

 

.  Each of the parties shall execute such documents and perform such further acts (including obtaining any consents, exemptions, authorizations, or other actions by, or giving any notices to, or making any filings with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person) as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out or to perform the provisions of this Agreement, including any post-closing assignment(s) by any Lender of a portion of the Securities to a Person not currently a party hereto.

 

12.15 Obligations of the Lenders

 

.  The obligations of each Lender shall be several and not joint and no Lender shall be liable or responsible for the acts or omissions of any other Lender.

 

 

 

12.16 No Strict Construction

 

.  The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises under any provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document, this Agreement or such other Transaction Document shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties thereto, 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 or any other Transaction Document.  No knowledge of, or investigation, including due diligence investigation, conducted by, or on behalf of, any Lender shall limit, modify or affect the representations set forth in Article 5 of this Agreement or the right of any Lender to rely thereon.

 

12.17 Transfer of the Notes.  

 

(a) The term “Lender” as used herein shall include any transferee of any Note whose name has been recorded by the Borrower in the Note Register.  Each transferee of any Note acknowledges that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and may be transferred only pursuant to an effective registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(b) The Borrower shall maintain a register (the “Note Register”) in its principal offices for the purpose of registering the Notes and any transfer or partial transfer thereof, which register shall reflect and identify, at all times, the ownership of record of any interest in the Notes or any interest therein.  Upon the issuance of the Notes, the Borrower shall record the name and address of the initial Lender of each Note in the Note Register as the first Lender.  Upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Note at the principal offices of the Borrower, the Borrower shall, at its expense, execute and deliver one or more Notes of like tenor and of denominations of at least $500,000 (except as may be necessary to reflect any principal amount not evenly divisible by $500,000) of a like aggregate principal amount, registered in the name of the Lender or a transferee or transferees.  Every Note surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by written instrument of transfer duly executed by the Lender of such Note or such Lender’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

(c) On receipt by the Borrower of an affidavit of an authorized representative of any Lender stating the circumstances of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (and in the case of any such mutilation, on surrender and cancellation of such Note), the Borrower, at its expense, will promptly execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of like tenor.  If required by the Borrower, such Lender must provide indemnity sufficient in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower to protect the Borrower from any loss which they may suffer if a lost, stolen or destroyed Note is replaced.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13

 

 

13.01 The Guarantee

 

.  The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantee, as a primary obligor and not as a surety to each Lender and Agent and their respective successors and assigns, the prompt payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, demand, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Principal Amount of and Interest (including any interest, fees, costs or charges that would accrue but for the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code after any bankruptcy or insolvency petition under Title 11 of the United States Code) on the Notes and all other obligations from time to time owing to such Lender and Agent by the Borrower under any Transaction Document, in each case strictly in accordance with the terms thereof (such obligations being herein collectively called the “Guarantors’ Obligations”).  The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree that if the Borrower shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) any of the Guarantors’ Obligations, the Guarantors will promptly pay the same in cash, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guarantors’ Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise and after giving effect to any applicable notice or cure period) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

 

13.02 Obligations Unconditional

 

.  The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 13.01 shall constitute a guaranty of payment and not of collection and, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, joint and several, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guarantors’ Obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guarantors’ Obligations and, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or Guarantor (except for payment in full).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Guarantors hereunder, which shall remain absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances as described above:

 

(i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guarantors’ Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

 

(ii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Notes or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted;

 

(iii) the maturity of any of the Guarantors’ Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Guarantors’ Obligations shall be amended in any respect, or any right under the Transaction Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be amended or waived in any respect or any other guarantee of any of the Guarantors’ Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

 

(iv) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as security for any of the Guarantors’ Obligations shall fail to be perfected.

 

 

 

The Guarantors hereby expressly waive diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against the Borrower under this Agreement or the Notes, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or against any other person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guarantors’ Obligations.  The Guarantors waive any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension, waiver, termination or accrual of any of the Guarantors’ Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by upon the guarantee provided under this Article XIII (the “Guarantee”) or acceptance of this Guarantee, and the Guarantors’ Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Guarantee, and all dealings between any Credit Party and any Lender or Agent shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee.  This Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to any right of offset with respect to the Guarantors’ Obligations at any time or from time to time held by any Lender or Agent, and the obligations and liabilities of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by such Lender or any other person at any time of any right or remedy against any Credit Party or against any other person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Guarantors’ Obligations or against any collateral security or guarantee therefore or right of offset with respect thereto.  This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon the Guarantors and the successors and assigns thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of each Lender, Agent and their respective successors and assigns, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of this Agreement there may be no Guarantors’ Obligations outstanding.

 

13.03 Reinstatement

 

.  The obligations of the Guarantors under this Article 13 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Credit Party in respect of the Guarantors’ Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guarantors’ Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise.

 

13.04 Subrogation

 

.  Each Guarantor hereby agrees that until the indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all Guarantors’ Obligations under this Agreement it shall waive any claim and shall not exercise any right or remedy, direct or indirect, arising by reason of any performance by it of its guarantee in Section 13.01, whether by subrogation or otherwise, against any Credit Party or any security for any of the Guarantors’ Obligations.

 

 

 

13.05 Remedies

 

.  The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that if the obligations of any Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes are declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in the Notes (or shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in the Notes) for purposes of Section 13.01, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against the Borrower such obligations (whether or not due and payable by any Borrower) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 13.01.

 

13.06 Continuing Guarantee

 

.  The guarantee in this Article 13 is a continuing guarantee of payment, and shall apply to all Guarantors’ Obligations whenever arising.

 

13.07 General Limitation on Guarantors’ Obligations

 

.  In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company law, or any applicable state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Guarantor under Section 13.01 would otherwise be held or determined to be void, voidable, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 13.01, then, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Guarantor, or any other Person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

13.08 Effectiveness of Guarantee by NBS.

 

  Notwithstanding any provision in this Article XIII to the contrary, the Guarantee provided by NBS herein shall not be effective with respect to the Indebtedness evidenced by the Series C Notes and the Series D Notes until (i) the Consent to such Guarantee of such Indebtedness of the Delaware Public Service Commission, the Georgia Public Service Commission, the Maryland Public Service Commission, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the New York Public Service Commission, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission  and the West Virginia Public Service Commission shall have been obtained and (ii) notice of such Guarantee of such Indebtedness shall have been given to each of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable and the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission in accordance with the requirements of such Governmental Authority.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 14

 

 

14.01 Appointment

 

.  Each Lender hereby designates Fund III to act as Agent for such Lender under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and Agent shall hold all Collateral, payments of principal and interest, fees, charges and collections received pursuant to this Agreement, for itself and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders.  Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees.  As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including collection of the Notes) Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders (or, if applicable pursuant to Section 12.04, the holders of 100% of the Notes), and such instructions shall be binding; provided, however, that Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes Agent to liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or any Requirement of Law unless Agent is furnished with an indemnification reasonably satisfactory to Agent with respect thereto.

 

14.02 Nature of Duties

 

.  Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.  Neither Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted by them as such hereunder or in connection herewith, unless caused by their gross (not mere) negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), or (ii) responsible in any manner for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any officer of any of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement, or in any of the Transaction Documents 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 of the Transaction Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, due execution, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, or any of the Transaction Documents or for any failure of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to perform its obligations hereunder.  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 of the Transaction Documents, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.  The duties of Agent as respects payments or collections shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein.

 

14.03 Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation.  

 

(a) Independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender, each Lender has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in connection with the purchase of any Securities hereunder and the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Credit Parties.  Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the purchase of any Securities or at any time or times thereafter except as shall be provided by the Credit Parties pursuant to the terms hereof.  Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any agreement, document, certificate or a statement delivered in connection with or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any Transaction Document, or of the financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement, the Notes, the Transaction Documents or the financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, or the existence of any Event of Default or any Default.

 

 

 

(b) Agent may resign on thirty (30) days’ written notice to each Lender and upon such resignation, the Required Lenders will promptly designate a successor Agent reasonably satisfactory to the Credit Parties (provided that the consent of the Credit Parties shall not be required after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default).

 

(c) Any such successor Agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of Agent, and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon its appointment, and the former Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent.  After any Agent’s resignation as Agent, the provisions of this Article 14 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

 

14.04 Certain Rights of Agent

 

.  If Agent shall request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any act or action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction Document, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received instructions from the Lenders; and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of its acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders.

 

14.05 Reliance

 

.  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message, cablegram, order or Transaction Document or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper person or entity, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and its duties hereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it.  Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be liable for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by Agent with reasonable care.

 

14.06 Notice of Default

 

.  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder or under the Transaction Documents, unless Agent has received notice from a Lender or a Credit Party referring to this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give notice thereof to each Lender.  Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by Required Lenders; provided, that, unless and until Agent shall have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

 

 

 

14.07 Indemnification

 

.  To the extent Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, each Lender will reimburse and indemnify Agent in proportion to its respective portion of the Notes, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent in performing its duties hereunder, or in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any Transaction Document; provided that, no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from Agent’s gross (not mere) negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment).  The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 14.07 shall survive termination of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and payment in full of the Notes.

 

14.08 Agent in its Individual Capacity

 

.  With respect to the obligation of Agent to purchase Securities under this Agreement, the Securities purchased by it shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and as if it were not performing the duties as Agent specified herein; and the term “Lender” or any similar term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender.  Agent may engage in business with any Credit Party as if it were not performing the duties specified herein.

 

14.09 Delivery of Documents or Other Information

 

.  To the extent Agent receives financial statements or other information required under this Agreement from the Credit Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement which the Credit Parties are not obligated to deliver to the Lenders, Agent will promptly furnish such documents and information to the Lenders.

 

14.10 Credit Parties’ Undertaking to Agent

 

.  Without prejudice to its respective obligations to each Lender under the other provisions of this Agreement, each Credit Party undertakes with Agent to pay to Agent from time to time on demand all amounts from time to time due and payable by it for the account of Agent or Lenders or any of them pursuant to this Agreement to the extent not already paid.  Any payment made pursuant to any such demand shall pro tanto satisfy such Credit Party’s obligations to make payments for the account of Lenders or the relevant one or more of them pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

 

14.11 No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program

 

.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Agent to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any Credit Party, its Affiliates or its agents, this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (1) any identity verification procedures, (2) any record-keeping, (3) comparisons with government lists, (4) customer notices or (5) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other laws.

 

14.12 Other Agreements

 

.  Each Lender hereby specifically authorizes and directs Agent to enter into each of the Transaction Documents on behalf of such Lender.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not, without the express consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the request of Agent, set off against the obligations of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries to Agent and Lenders under the Agreement and Transaction Documents, any amounts owing by such Lender to the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lender further agrees that it shall not take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, it being the intent of each Lender that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents shall be taken by Agent at the direction of Required Lenders.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 15

 

 

15.01 Taxes.

 

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of each Credit Party hereunder or under any other Transaction Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if any Credit Party shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) Lenders and Agent receive an amount equal to the sum they would have received had no such deductions for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes been made, (ii) such Credit Party shall make such deductions and (iii) such Credit Party shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

 

(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, each Credit Party shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

 

(c) Each Credit Party shall jointly and severally indemnify each Lender and Agent, within thirty (30) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by such Lender or Agent and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to such Credit Party by a Lender or Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Credit Party to a Governmental Authority, such Credit Party shall deliver to Lenders and Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax under the law of the United States, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments by a Credit Party under this Agreement or under any other Transaction Document shall deliver to such Credit Party, at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by two original Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (e.g., W-8 BEN, W-8 ECI), as appropriate, or any successor or other form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, and related documentation certifying that such Foreign Lender is exempt from or entitled to a reduced rate of United States federal withholding tax on payments pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.  In addition, any Lender, if requested by Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by Borrower or the Agent as will enable Borrower to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements; provided, that the Borrower or Agent, as applicable, agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any non-public information provided by such Lender in accordance with its customary procedures for handling confidential information and to not disclose such information except as required by Applicable Law, and provided, further, that should any Lender become subject to Indemnified Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required hereunder, the Credit Parties shall take such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to reasonably assist (consistent with its preexisting internal policies applied on a nondiscriminatory basis and legal and regulatory restrictions) such Lender to recover such Indemnified Taxes.

 

 

 

(f) The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and payment of the Notes and all other amounts payable hereunder, under the Notes or under any other Transaction Document.

 

(g) No Lender shall be obligated to contest a Tax indemnified by a Credit Party under the Transaction Documents that is asserted in the name of such Lender nor will the Credit Parties be permitted to contest such a Tax, unless in the judgment of such Lender, there is a reasonable basis for such contest and the contest and its resolution does not materially disadvantage such Lender.

 

(h) In the event that a Lender is entitled, on the effective date of any assignment and acceptance under this Agreement, to the benefits of a payment pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 15.01, the assignee of such Lender shall be entitled, without duplication, to the benefits of such payments (in addition to any future benefits of payment that may arise with respect to such assignee) that would have been available to such Lender had such Lender not entered into such assignment and acceptance with such assignee.

 

(i) In the event any Credit Party incorrectly withholds Indemnified Taxes under this Section 15.01 from amounts payable to any Lender or Agent, the Credit Parties shall pay such party interest at 10% per annum compounded semi-annually on the amount incorrectly withheld from the date withheld to the date of payment.

 

15.02 Certificates of Lenders

 

.  Any Lender claiming reimbursement or compensation pursuant to this Article 15 shall deliver to Borrower a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lender hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Credit Parties in the absence of manifest error.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 16

 

 

The Credit Parties, jointly and severally, (i) represent and warrant to each Lender that the following representations are, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Original Acquisition Documents and the BVX Acquisition Documents will be, true, correct and complete and (ii) covenant and agree, until the payment in full of all principal of and interest on the Notes and all other amounts due to the Agent and Lenders under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including all fees, expenses and amounts due in respect of indemnity obligations under Article 7, with the Agent and Lenders as set forth in this Article 16:

 

16.01 Separate Legal Entity

 

.  Neither any Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which is likely to result in the corporate existence of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries being ignored, or in the property and liabilities of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries being substantively consolidated with those of any other such Person in a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding.

 

16.02 Capital

 

.  Borrower on the one hand, and Parent on the other, will maintain adequate capital for the normal obligations reasonably foreseeable in a business of its size and character and in light of its contemplated business operations.

 

16.03 Dissolution

 

.  None of Borrower, Parent, or any Subsidiary will seek or effect the liquidation, dissolution, winding up, liquidation, consolidation or merger, in whole or in part, of Borrower.

 

16.04 Commingled Funds

 

.  Borrower will not commingle the funds and other assets of Borrower with those of any Affiliate or any other Person, and will hold all of its assets in its own name.  Parent will not commingle the funds and other assets of Parent with those of any Affiliate or any other Person, and will hold all of its assets in its own name.

 

16.05 Segregated Assets

 

.  Borrower has and will maintain its assets in such manner that it will not be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any Affiliate or any other Person.  Parent shall not cause any business opportunities of Borrower to be directed to Parent or to any Credit Party other than Borrower, or take any other action which advantages Parent or any other Credit Party, to the disadvantage of Borrower.

 

 

 

16.06 Bank Accounts

 

.  Borrower will not permit any Affiliate independent access to its bank accounts.  Parent will not permit any Affiliate independent access to its bank accounts.

 

16.07 Employees

 

.  Each of Borrower and Parent will pay the salaries of its own employees (if any) from its own funds and maintain a sufficient number of employees (if any) in light of its contemplated business operations.

 

16.08 Agents

 

.  Each of Borrower and Parent will compensate each of its consultants and agents from its funds for services provided to it and pay from its own assets all obligations of any kind incurred.

 

16.09 Independent Director

 

. At all times (except during such periods when the position temporarily is vacant) the Required Lenders shall have the right to designate at least one (1) duly appointed Independent Director of Borrower and of NBS.  The Organization Documents of Borrower and of NBS shall provide the prior written consent of the Independent Director shall be required (and Borrower and NBS, respectively, shall not take any such consent or authorize the taking of any of the actions set forth in this paragraph below unless there is at least one Independent Manager then serving in such capacity) for Borrower and NBS, or any other Person on behalf of Borrower or NBS, to:

 

(i) file or consent to the filing by or against Borrower or NBS, as applicable, as debtor, of any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization case or proceeding; institute any proceedings by Borrower or NBS, as applicable, as debtor, under any applicable insolvency law; or otherwise seek relief for Borrower or NBS, as applicable, as debtor, under any laws relating to the relief from debts or the protection of debtors generally;

 

(ii) seek or consent to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, custodian or any similar official for Borrower or NBS, as applicable, as debtor, or a substantial portion of Borrower’s or NBS’s property, as applicable;

 

(iii) make any assignment for the benefit of the creditors of Borrower or NBS, as applicable; or

 

(iv) modify or amend any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

16.10 Organization Documents

 

. The Organization Documents of Borrower and of NBS shall set forth the foregoing requirements and such other customary requirements relating to the separate nature, existence and operation of Borrower and of NBS as the Agent may request from time to time.

 

16.11 Ministerial or Administrative Actions

 

. The foregoing provisions are not intended to restrict Credit Parties from having a consolidated payroll function or a combined accounting and finance department or from using one another’s employees provided in any event that each of the Credit Parties shall maintain separate books and records with appropriate entries to account for such transactions, including an appropriate allocation of the direct cost of any employee used by more than one Credit Party.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

Borrower:                                                                FUSION NBS ACQUISITION CORP.

 

 

By: /s/ Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Name: Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Title: President

 

 

Guarantors:

FUSION TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

By: /s/ Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Name: Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Title: President

 

 

NETWORK BILLING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

By: /s/ Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Name: Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

      Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

By: /s/ Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

Name: Gordon Hutchins, Jr.

      Title: President

 

 

 

Lenders:

 

PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY   FUND III, LP   By:          Praesidian Capital Opportunity GP III, LLC, its General Partner     By: /s/ Jason D. Dattrell Name:  Jason D. Drattell Title:    Manager
PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY   FUND III-A, LP   By: Praesidian Capital Opportunity GP III-A, LLC, its General Partner     By: /s/ Jason D. Dattrell                                                             Name:  Jason D. Drattell Title:    Manager
	PLEXUS FUND II, L.P.   By: Plexus Fund II GP, LLC its General Partner     By: /s/ Michael Becker Name: Michael Becker Title:    Manager

 

 

PLEXUS FUND III, L.P.

By: Plexus Fund III GP, LLC

its General Partner

By: /s/ Michael Becker

Name: Michael Becker

Title:    Manager

 

By: Plexus Fund III GP, LLC

its General Partner

By: /s/ Michael Becker

Name: Michael Becker

 Title:    Manager

By: /s/John Boschelli

Name: John Boschelli

Title: Assistant Treasurer

 

Agent:

 

PRAESIDIAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY   FUND III, LP   By: Praesidian Capital Opportunity GP III, LLC, its General Partner       By:                                                                             Name:  Jason D. Drattell Title:    Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Lender		Principal Amount				Purchase Price
Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III, LP		$	7,206,573.23			$	6,537,667.93
Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III-A, LP		$	2,793,426.77			$	2,534,144.32
Plexus Fund III, L.P.		$	5,000,000			$	4,535,906.13
Plexus Fund QP III, L.P.		$	5,000,000			$	4,535,906.13
United Insurance Company of America		$	5,000,000			$	4,547,225.49

 

 

 

Name of Lender	Number and Class of Equity Interests for which New Warrants are Exercisable		Purchase Price
Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III, LP	6,689,053 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Fusion Telecommunications, Inc.		$	668,905.30
Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III-A, LP	2,592,824 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Fusion Telecommunications, Inc.		$	259,282.45
Plexus Fund III, LP	4,640,939 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Fusion Telecommunications, Inc.		$	464,093.87
Plexus Fund QP III, LP	4,640,939  Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Fusion Telecommunications, Inc.		$	464,093.87
United Insurance Company of America	4,527,745  Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Fusion Telecommunications, Inc.		$	452,774.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

This certificate is given by [___________], a [_________ ____________] and [insert name of other Credit Parties if any] (the “Credit Parties”), pursuant to Section 8.01(d) of that certain Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement and Security Agreement dated as of December 31, 2013 by and among the Credit Parties, Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III, LP, Praesidian Capital Opportunity Fund III-A, LP, Plexus Fund II, L.P., Plexus Fund III, L.P., Plexus Fund QP III, L.P. and United Insurance Company of America as such agreement may have been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

 

The undersigned is executing this certificate is the Chief Financial Officer of each Credit Party and as such is duly authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on behalf of such Credit Party.  By executing this certificate the undersigned hereby certifies that:

 

(a)           the financial statements delivered with this certificate in accordance with Section 8.01[a][b][c] of the Agreement fairly present in all material respects the results of operations and financial condition of the Credit Parties on a Consolidated Basis as of the dates of such financial statements;

 

(b)           he has reviewed the terms of the Agreement and the Notes and has made, or caused to be made under his supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and conditions of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by such financial statements;

 

(c)           such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period, and he has no knowledge of the existence as of the date hereof, of any condition or event that constitutes an Event of Default, except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto which includes a description of the nature and period of existence of such Event of Default and what action the Credit Parties have taken, are undertaking and propose to take with respect thereto;

 

(d)           the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries are in compliance with the covenants contained in Articles 8 and 9 of the Agreement, as demonstrated on the attached worksheets, except as set forth or described in Exhibit A; and

 

(e)           (i)           Leverage Ratio is   _____:1.00.

 

(ii)           Fixed Charge Coverage is   _____:1.00.

 

(iii)           Capital Expenditures are $__________.

 

(iv)           Minimum EBITDA is $__________.

 

(v)           Minimum Parent EBITDA is $__________.

 

(vi)           Cash of Parent in excess of Working Capital Loan is $_________.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Credit Party has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Principal Accounting Officer this [__] day of [___________], 20[___].

 

 

 

[__________________________________]

By:_________________________________

Principal Accounting Officer

[__________________________________]

By:_________________________________

Principal Accounting Officer