Salaried Employee Secondment Agreement between Vastera Solutions Services Corporation and Ford Motor Company

Summary

This agreement, effective July 14, 2000, is between Vastera Solutions Services Corporation and Ford Motor Company. It outlines the terms under which certain Ford employees, who decline employment with Vastera after Vastera acquires Ford's customs operations, will be temporarily assigned (seconded) to Vastera. Ford remains the employer, responsible for pay and benefits, while Vastera directs the employees' work. The agreement lasts until December 31, 2002, and includes provisions for transitioning employees back to Ford or hiring them into Vastera, as well as procedures for managing employment matters.

EX-10.18 5 ex-10_18.txt EXHIBIT 10.18 Exhibit 10.18 EXECUTABLE COPY SALARIED EMPLOYEE SECONDMENT AGREEMENT* This Secondment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made effective on July 14, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), between Vastera Solutions Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation with offices at 45025 Aviation Drive, Suite 200, Dulles, Virginia 20166 ("Vastera"), and Ford Motor Company, a Delaware corporation, with offices at The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48121 ("Ford"). Vastera and Ford referred to herein individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties". RECITALS A. Vastera is engaged in the business of providing solutions for global trade management to clients ("Business"); B. Pursuant to the terms of a Stock Transfer Agreement among Ford, Vastera and Vastera, Inc. dated as of July 14, 2000, Vastera acquired substantially all of the assets related to the operation of Ford's customs operations; C. Vastera plans to offer, or cause its Affiliates to offer, about 120 of the 135 employees who are engaged in providing custom services to Ford or its Affiliates ("Ford Customs Employees") employment with Vastera or its Affiliates over phased periods in order to assist Vastera in conducting the Business. Ford Customs Employees who decline Vastera's offer of employment will remain Ford Customs Employees but will be seconded to Vastera for a limited term, and then be transitioned back to Ford. D. This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions for seconding the U.S. based Ford Customs Employees ("U.S. Ford Customs Employees"). NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein made, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: 1. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on December 31, 2002. ("Term"). During the Term, this Agreement may be terminated only upon mutual agreement between the Parties or by a material breach by either Party after reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure the breach. 2. ASSIGNMENT OF U.S. FORD CUSTOMS EMPLOYEES. - -------- * Portions of this document have been omitted, with the precise position of these omissions marked with an asterisk, pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such omitted portions have been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CONFIDENTIAL 2 2.1 EMPLOYEE CENSUS. Attachment A attached hereto sets forth a list of the U.S. Ford Customs Employees to be seconded to Vastera as of the Effective Date, together with their base salary rate, any other targeted or mandatory cash compensation, including without limitation, bonus levels (based on 2000 target bonus range), job classification, FCG status (as defined below) and scheduled rotation date and social security number where applicable ("Seconded Employees"). The period during which Seconded Employees are seconded to Vastera is referred to as the "Assigned Period". During the Assigned Period, Ford shall make available to Vastera the services of the Seconded Employees, on a full-time or part-time basis. 2.2 VASTERA EMPLOYMENT. Seconded Employees may resign employment with Ford according to Ford's policies. In the event of such resignation, Ford will cooperate with Vastera in searching for and identifying appropriate candidates for Vastera to hire to fill such positions. Vastera shall have the right to hire any Seconded Employee and Ford shall not interfere with Vastera's attempt to hire any Seconded Employee. If a Seconded Employee desires to accept Vastera's offer of employment, Ford shall terminate such employee on a date mutually agreed by the Parties. In such event, the Seconded Employee shall be removed from Attachment A on Vastera's hire date. 2.3 REPATRIATION TO FORD. Except as provided below or in Section 4.2, prior to *, no Seconded Employee shall be repatriated to Ford. In the event that there is an advancement, promotional or other career development opportunity available for a Seconded Employee, and upon mutual agreement between the Parties, a Seconded Employee may be released from this Agreement and repatriated to Ford on a mutually agreeable date, and Attachment A shall be modified accordingly. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Seconded Employee who is in the Ford College Graduate Program ("FCG") as of the Effective Date shall be repatriated to Ford on the scheduled rotation date and Attachment A shall be modified accordingly. Nothing herein contained shall preclude Vastera from making an offer of employment to a FCG. On or after *, if Ford wishes to remove a Seconded Employee from Attachment A for placement at Ford, Ford shall give Vastera prior written notice of its request for such removal whereupon Ford and Vastera shall meet in good faith to determine the timing of such removal after consideration of each Party's mutual needs, such as Vastera's ability to replace the Seconded Employee and the timing of Ford's placement opportunities. Once a date is mutually agreed, the Seconded Employee shall be removed from Attachment A on the date the Seconded Employee is repatriated to Ford. - ---------- * This portion of the document has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such portion has been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CONFIDENTIAL 3 3. LIAISONS. Each of Ford and Vastera shall appoint a liaison for purposes of administering the terms of this Agreement. The names of the liaisons shall be attached hereto as Attachment B. Either Party may change its liaison by giving notice thereof to the other Party, and substituting a new Attachment B. The Liaisons, by way of example but not limited to the following, will coordinate benefit questions, leave requests, disciplinary issues, performance concerns and personnel matters. 4. EMPLOYER MATTERS. 4.1 EMPLOYER DEFINITION. Ford shall be the employer of the Seconded Employees for all purposes and Vastera shall not be considered the employer for any purpose. Ford will instruct Seconded Employees to conform to Vastera policies while at Vastera facilities regarding safety and health, personal and professional conduct (including the wearing of an identification badge or personal protective equipment and adhering to plan regulations and general safety practices or procedures) generally applicable to such facilities, which rules and regulations Vastera will provide upon request, and otherwise conduct themselves in a businesslike manner. Seconded Employees also shall be subject at all times to Ford's policies and procedures. During the Assigned Period, Ford shall retain responsibility for all payments and benefits due to the Seconded Employees in connection with their work relating to the Business and pro-rated for part-time seconded employment, including but not limited to (i) the payment of Seconded Employees' base salary or other components of pay (less any applicable withholding or other taxes or any amounts deducted from such wages pursuant to normal payroll practices of Ford); (ii) the provision of all other employee benefits generally provided by Ford to other non-represented Seconded Employees; (iii) payment of all federal, state, or local taxes withheld or otherwise required to be paid with respect thereto, and (iv) the liability for statutory benefits, including workers' compensation. 4.2 EMPLOYER RIGHTS. Ford shall have the right to terminate any of the Seconded Employees. Ford shall have the right to change the salary and job classification of the Seconded Employees upon reasonable notice to Vastera. Although Ford shall remain responsible for performance management and personnel development, Vastera and its management shall have the right to assign to, and structure work for, Seconded Employees. *. This procedure shall be accelerated or modified because of an emergency situation or if the circumstances otherwise warrant. Ford shall request Vastera to provide - ---------- * This portion of the document has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such portion has been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CONFIDENTIAL 4 information or documents with respect to the Seconded Employees job performance and other matters, and Vastera shall cooperate with Ford in providing such information or documents. 4.3 EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIONS. Ford represents and warrants that for the Assigned Period, (i) the Seconded Employees shall be paid by Ford on a salaried basis and be exempt from the wage and hour requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") and any other similar or comparable statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation, whether federal, state or local, (ii) shall not be subject to any collective bargaining agreement, and (iii) shall be subject to Ford's annual Compensation Planning process as set forth in Ford's policies and procedures. 4.4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT, NON-DISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. Seconded Employees shall be required to execute the Acknowledgment, Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement attached hereto as Attachment C. The Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement shall contain the same terms as are contained in the agreement that employees of Vastera are required to sign. In the event a U.S. Ford Customs Employee refuses to sign the Acknowledgment, Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement, the Parties shall discuss whether the U.S. Ford Customs Employee shall be seconded or continue to be seconded under the terms of this Agreement. 5. PAYROLL AND RELATED SERVICES. During the Assigned Period, Ford shall provide payroll processing services for its Seconded Employees including, but not limited to, the following: bi-weekly or monthly payroll, quarterly and annual payroll tax deductions and filings, including deductions and payments for income and Social Security tax requirements under local, state and federal laws; personnel record maintenance, insurance withholdings; employee verification; retirement plan processing and annual W-2 forms. Upon reasonable request or as needed, Ford will provide assurances that all proper payments and reporting requirements have been made. 6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. 6.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PLANS. During the Assigned Period, Ford shall cover the Seconded Employees under the same employee benefit and fringe benefit plans and arrangements generally offered to other salaried employees of Ford at the same time, and the Seconded Employees shall continue to accrue benefits under such plans. Seconded Employees shall be ineligible to participate in any employee benefit plan or fringe benefit program sponsored by Vastera. Requests for leave, reasonable accommodation and other benefits provided by Ford policies or by federal, state or local law will be coordinated through the Ford Liaison. Ford reserves the right to modify, terminate or suspend any plan applicable to any of the Seconded Employees. CONFIDENTIAL 5 6.2 ADMINISTRATION OF PLANS. During the Assigned Period, Ford shall maintain, administer and manage all employee benefit and fringe benefit plans and arrangements offered to the Seconded Employees. 7. REIMBURSEMENT. Ford shall be reimbursed monthly for the direct wage and benefit costs for the Seconded Employees. For purposes of this Section 7, reimbursements for "direct wage and benefit costs" shall include: (i) The base monthly salary, and any other type of cash compensation paid by Ford to the Seconded Employees for work performed during the Assigned Period, such as overtime, bonuses, moving allowance, and any other cash compensation not included in the Standard Monthly Group Fringe cost (defined below), provided, however, that reimbursement for the base monthly salary of a Seconded Employee shall be limited to no more * increase over the previous year's base monthly salary; (ii) A per-employee Standard Monthly Group Fringe cost equal to * of each Seconded Employee's base monthly salary wage; (iii) A per-employee Standard Monthly General Overhead Expense equal to * of each Seconded Employee's base monthly salary but only with respect to a Seconded Employee who continues to occupy Ford's owned or leased facilities from the Effective Date until March 31, 2001; (iv) Expenses incurred by Ford with respect to each Seconded Employee which is not included in (i) through (iii) above that arise as a result of the Seconded Employee's work for Vastera, such as reserves for any workers' compensation claims arising out of a work accident while the Seconded Employee was performing work for Vastera during the Assigned Period; (v) Reasonable and necessary travel and business related expenses incurred by Ford in furtherance of Vastera business and paid or reimbursed to a Seconded Employee by Ford as authorized by Ford's standard travel and business expense reimbursement policy; and (vi) All assessments, premiums or other taxes incurred and paid by Ford with respect to the Seconded Employees. 8. PAYMENT. Within * after the end of each calendar month during the Assigned Period, Ford shall render an invoice to Vastera in such form and containing such detail as Vastera shall reasonably require, for direct wage and benefit costs which Ford has incurred with respect to the Seconded Employees and which were not previously invoiced. This amount shall be *. Vastera shall have a right to audit the - ---------- * This portion of the document has been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and such portion has been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CONFIDENTIAL 6 invoices and related records of Ford upon reasonable notice during normal business hours, at a place mutually agreed by the Parties. 9. WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. Ford shall continue to provide Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation coverage for all of the Seconded Employees at all times during the term of this Agreement. 10. WORK ENVIRONMENT. 10.1 COMPLIANCE WITH ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS. The Parties shall comply with all applicable, national, federal, state and local health and safety laws, regulations, ordinances, directives, and rules for Seconded Employees working on their respective premises. 10.2 COMPLIANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT LAWS. The Parties shall comply with all applicable national, federal, state and local employment laws, including, but not limited to, wage and hour, overtime, discrimination laws, and/or local ordinances. 11. STAFFING OF VASTERA FOREIGN AFFILIATES. In the event Vastera or an Affiliate forms another Affiliate for the purpose of conducting the Business in a country other than the United States ("Vastera Foreign Affiliate"), if requested by Vastera, Ford agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any of its Affiliates that do business in the same country or region ("Ford Foreign Affiliates"), or where appropriate under national law, will recommend to the Ford Foreign Affiliate, to enter into a secondment arrangement with the Vastera Foreign Affiliate with respect to certain employees of the Ford Foreign Affiliate who refuse offers of Vastera employment, on terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms expressed in this Secondment Agreement, modified only to reflect variances in local law. For purposes of Section 7, REIMBURSEMENT, the per-employee Standard Monthly Group fringe cost shall be determined with reference to Ford's Standard Group Monthly Fringe cost with respect to such country, where applicable, or a comparable statement of labor costs and expressed as a percentage of base monthly salary. For purposes of this Agreement, "Affiliate" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, or other entity directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or, under common control with a Party. 12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSIGNMENT 12.1 ASSIGNMENT. Seconded Employees are employees of Ford. As a result, all intellectual property rights in inventions, that are conceived or first reduced to practice, and in original works of authorship created by each of them, during the period of their employment with Ford and that relate to Ford's business, are the property of Ford under the terms of their employment agreements and by law. Under this Agreement, Ford agrees to assign to Vastera all of Ford's intellectual CONFIDENTIAL 7 property rights in any inventions conceived or first reduced to practice and in original works of authorship created by any of the Seconded Employees, during the period each is seconded and that relate to Vastera's business. Such assignment or rights shall not preempt, supersede or otherwise interfere with Ford practicing rights received under license from Vastera in accordance with other agreements between the Parties. Ford further agrees to execute all assignment and other transfer documents as may be necessary to cause the above assignment of intellectual property rights to be legally formalized. All such documents shall be prepared by Vastera at Vastera's expense, and provided to Ford with at least thirty (30) days notice. 12.2 FORD'S IP WARRANTY. Ford warrants that it has the right to make the assignment to Vastera of intellectual property rights in the inventions and works of authorship created by Seconded Employees. 12.3 WARRANTY DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. (A) EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OF THE WARRANTY MADE ABOVE, FORD MAKES NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. BY WAY OF EXAMPLE BUT NOT OF LIMITATION, FORD MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FORD SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE TO VASTERA, ITS SUCCESSORS, OR A THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR GENERAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, ARISING FROM ANY LOSS CLAIMED AS A RESULT OF VASTERA'S USE OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ASSIGNED HEREUNDER . (B) FORD MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION THAT THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ASSIGNED HEREUNDER CAN BE USED FOR ANY PARTICULAR FUNCTION OR THAT VASTERA HAS THE ABILITY TO USE THEM. FORD ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY, QUALITY, DESIGN, SPECIFICATIONS, COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY OR OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PERFORMANCE, OUTPUT OR END PRODUCT RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ASSIGNED HEREUNDER. (C) EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OF THE WARRANTY PROVIDED ABOVE, NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS CONFERRING BY IMPLICATION, ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE THE INDEMNIFICATION OF VASTERA BY FORD AGAINST ANY CLAIM OF INFRINGEMENT OF OTHER THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHETHER OR NOT THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT GRANTED HEREIN NECESSARILY EMPLOYS OR CONFIDENTIAL 8 REQUIRES THE PRACTICE OF ANY SUCH EXISTING OR SUBSEQUENTLY CREATED THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. 13. INDEMNITY. 13.1 COMPANY INDEMNITY. Vastera shall indemnify Ford against and agrees to hold it harmless from any and all damage, loss, claim, liability and expense (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expense in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought against Ford) incurred or suffered by Ford arising out of (i) breach of any agreement made by Vastera hereunder with respect to the Seconded Employees or (ii) employment claims of the Seconded Employees or Vastera employees that arise during the Assigned Period based on conditions at Vastera over which Vastera has sole control or any actions of Vastera or Vastera employees acting under Vastera's authority, direction or control with respect to the Seconded Employees. 13.2 EMPLOYER INDEMNITY. Ford shall indemnify Vastera against and agrees to hold it harmless from any and all damage, loss, claim, liability and expense (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought against Vastera) incurred or suffered by Vastera arising out of (i) breach of any agreement made by Ford with respect to the Seconded Employees; (ii) employment, payroll or other claims of Seconded Employees based on any action or omission on the part of Ford or any employee of Ford, including any Seconded Employee, except where the Seconded Employee was under Vastera's authority, direction or control; or (iii) any claim by Seconded Employees (or their dependents or beneficiaries), to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC"), the Department of Labor ("DOL"), or Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), or comparable federal or national agencies in the United States, arising out of or in connection with the operation, administration, funding or termination of any of the employee benefit plans or programs applicable to the Seconded Employees that arise prior to, during or after the Assigned Period. 13.3 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES. With respect to a Party's indemnity obligations hereunder with respect to third-party claims, the following procedures shall apply: (a) NOTICE. Promptly after receipt by any entity entitled to indemnification hereunder of notice of the commencement or threatened commencement of any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action or proceeding involving a claim in respect of which the indemnitee will seek indemnification pursuant to the terms and conditions herein, the indemnitee shall notify the indemnitor of such claim in writing. No failure to so notify an indemnitor shall relieve it of its obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that it can demonstrate damages CONFIDENTIAL 9 attributable to such failure. Within fifteen (15) days following receipt of written notice from the indemnitee relating to any claim, but no later than ten (10) days before the date on which any response to a complaint or summons is due, the indemnitor shall notify the indemnitee in writing if the indemnitor acknowledges its responsibilities and obligations with respect to such indemnification and elects to assume control of the defense and settlement of that claim (a "Notice of Election"). (b) PROCEDURE FOLLOWING NOTICE OF ELECTION. If the indemnitor delivers a Notice of Election relating to any claim within the required notice period, the indemnitor shall be entitled to have sole control over the defense and all negotiations for the compromise or settlement of such claim; provided that (i) the indemnitee shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim and to employ counsel at its own expense to assist in the handling of such claim, and (ii) the indemnitor shall obtain the prior written approval of the indemnitee before entering into any settlement of such claim or ceasing to defend against such claim. The indemnitor shall not be required to indemnify the indemnitee for any amount paid or payable by the indemnitee in the settlement of any claim for which the indemnitor has delivered a timely Notice of Election if such amount was agreed to without the written consent of the indemnitor. (c) PROCEDURE WHERE NO NOTICE OF ELECTION IS DELIVERED. If the indemnitor does not deliver a Notice of Election relating to any claim within the required notice period, the indemnitee shall have the right to defend the claim in such manner as it may deem appropriate, at the cost and expense of the indemnitor. The indemnitor shall promptly reimburse the indemnitee for all such costs and expenses. 14. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. If a dispute arises between the Parties relating to this Agreement, the following procedure shall be implemented except that either Party may seek injunctive relief from a court where appropriate in order to maintain the status quo while this procedure is being followed: 14.1 INITIAL MEETING. The Parties shall hold a meeting promptly, attended by persons with decision-making authority regarding the dispute, to attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the dispute; provided, however, that no such meeting shall be deemed to vitiate or reduce the obligations and liabilities of the Parties or be deemed a waiver by a Party hereto of any remedies to which such Party would otherwise be entitled hereunder. 14.2 MEDIATION. If within thirty (30) days after such meeting the Parties have not succeeded in negotiating a resolution of the dispute, they agree to submit the dispute to mediation in accordance with the then-current Model Procedure for CONFIDENTIAL 10 Mediation of Business Disputes of the Center for Public Resources and to bear equally the costs of the mediation. 14.3 APPOINTMENT OF MEDIATOR. The Parties will jointly appoint a mutually acceptable mediator, seeking assistance in such regard from the Center for Public Resources if they have been unable to agree upon such appointment within twenty (20) days from the conclusion of the negotiation period. 14.4 ARBITRATION. The Parties agree to participate in good faith in the mediation and negotiations related thereto for a period of thirty (30) days . If the Parties are not successful in resolving the dispute through the mediation, then the Parties agree to submit the matter to binding arbitration or a private adjudicator. 14.5 GENERAL PROCEDURE. Mediation or arbitration shall take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania unless otherwise agreed by the Parties. Equitable remedies shall be available in any arbitration. Punitive or exemplary damages shall not be awarded. This Section is subject to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.A. Section 1 ET SEQ. 14.6 ARBITRATION PROCEDURE. In the event of arbitration, the Parties agree that the award of the arbitrator shall be (1) the sole and exclusive remedy between them regarding any claims, counterclaims, or issues presented to the arbitrator; (2) final and subject to no judicial review; and (3) made and shall promptly be payable in U.S. dollars free of any tax, deduction, or offset. The Parties further agree that any costs, fees, or taxes incident to enforcing the award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the Party resisting such enforcement. The Parties hereto agree that judgment on the arbitration award may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each Party shall, except as otherwise provided herein, be responsible for its own costs, including legal fees, incurred in the course of any arbitration proceedings. The fees of the arbitrator shall be divided evenly between the Parties. 15. MISCELLANEOUS. 15.1 FORCE MAJEURE. Either Party's delay or failure to perform (except for a Party's payment obligation) shall be excused for so long as, and to the extent that, it is prevented from performing any of its obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, as a result of delays caused by fire, flood, earthquake, elements of nature or acts of God, riots, civil disorders, rebellions or revolutions in any country, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of such Party (a "Force Majeure Event"). The non-performing Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the circumstances causing its delay or failure to perform and of its plan and efforts to implement a workaround solution. For as long as such circumstances prevail, the Party whose performance is delayed or hindered shall continue to use reasonable efforts to minimize the length and effect of CONFIDENTIAL 11 delays and shall re-commence performance after the cessation of the Force Majeure Event. 15.2 BINDING NATURE AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding on the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither Party shall assign this Agreement or delegate such Party's obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other, except that either Party may assign this Agreement without the consent of the other Party to an entity that acquires all, or substantially all, of the business of the assigning Party (provided that such entity is not a competitor of the other Party). 15.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENT, WAIVER. This Agreement, including the Attachments referred to herein and attached hereto constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matter contained in this Agreement. No amendment or modification or waiver of a breach of any term or condition of this Agreement shall be valid unless in a writing signed by each of the Parties. The failure of a Party to enforce, or the delay by either of them in enforcing, any of their respective rights under this Agreement will not be deemed a continuing waiver or a modification of any rights hereunder and a Party may, within the time provided by applicable law and consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, commence appropriate legal proceedings to enforce any or all of its rights. 15.4 NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, and determinations under this Agreement (other than routine operational communications), shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) when delivered by hand, (ii) one (1) day after being given to an express, overnight courier with a reliable system for tracking delivery, or (iii) six (6) calendar days after the day of mailing, when mailed by United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows: In the case of Ford: Ford Motor Company One American Road, 11th Floor Dearborn, Michigan 48126 Attention: Vice President, Material Planning and Logistics With copies to: Ford Motor Company One American Road Dearborn, Michigan 48126 Attention: Assistant Tax Officer, Corporate Finance Ford Motor Company CONFIDENTIAL 12 Office of the General Counsel One American Road, WHQ Suite 320 Dearborn, Michigan 48126 Attention: Assistant General Counsel -- Transactions In the case of Vastera: Vastera Solutions Services Corporation 45025 Aviation Drive Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20190-5602 Attention: General Counsel With copies to: Vastera, Inc. 45025 Aviation Drive Dulles, Virginia 20190-5602 Attention: Vastera designated Liaison Any Party may from time to time change its address or designee for notification purposes by giving the other prior written notice of the new address or designee and the date upon which it will become effective. 15.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one single agreement between the Parties hereto. 15.6 SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this Agreement conflicts with the law under which this Agreement is to be construed or if any such provision is held invalid by an arbitrator or a court with jurisdiction over the Parties, such provision shall be deemed to be restated to reflect as nearly as possible the original intentions of the Parties in accordance with applicable law. The remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 15.7 CONSENTS AND APPROVAL. Except where expressly provided as being in the discretion of a Party, where agreement, approval, acceptance, consent, or similar action by either Party is required under this Agreement, such action shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld. 15.8 SURVIVAL. Any provision of this Agreement which contemplates performance or observance after any termination or expiration of this Agreement (in whole or in party) shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement and continue in full force and effect. 15.9 THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is entered into solely between, and may be enforced only by, Ford and Vastera. This Agreement shall not be deemed to create any rights in third parties, including employees, suppliers and CONFIDENTIAL 13 customers of a Party, or to create any obligations of a Party to any such third parties. 15.10 CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement and performance under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to its choice of law principles. 15.11 NEGOTIATED TERMS. The Parties agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are the result of negotiations between the Parties and that this Agreement shall not be construed in favor of or against any Party by reason of the extent to which any Party or its professional advisors participated in the preparation of this Agreement. 15.12 TITLES AND HEADINGS. Titles and headings of Sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and will not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement. 15.13 NO INDIVIDUAL AUTHORITY. Neither Party shall, without the express, prior written consent of the other Party, take any action for or on behalf of or in the name of the other Party, assume, undertake, or enter into any commitment, debt, duty or obligation binding upon the other Party, except for actions taken pursuant to agreements entered into between such Party or its Affiliates and any other Party. 15.14 PARENT GUARANTY. In connection with this Agreement, Ford and Vastera, Inc. have executed a Parent Guaranty, attached hereto as Attachment D. 16. HSR ACT. Both Parties' obligations under this Agreement are subject to the termination or expiration of any HSR Act waiting period applicable to the Stock Transfer Agreement among Ford, Vastera and Vastera, Inc. dated as of even date herewith. "HSR Act" is defined as the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the related regulations and published interpretations. 17. SEC. Both Parties' obligations under this Agreement are subject to the receipt by Vastera of written approval or concurrence from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission of its treatment of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Transfer Agreement among Ford, Vastera, and Vastera, Inc. dated as of even date herewith as a business combination applying the purchase method of accounting under generally accepted accounting principles, provided that the foregoing condition precedent shall be deemed waived by both Parties in the event that no such written approval or concurrence has been received by Vastera within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. CONFIDENTIAL 14 FORD MOTOR COMPANY VASTERA SOLUTIONS SERVICES CORPORATION By: /s/ Frank Taylor By: /s/ Arjun Rishi ---------------------------- ------------------------------- Title: Title: ------------------------- ---------------------------- CONFIDENTIAL