Acquisition Proposals (a) The Company shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries and its and its subsidiaries’ directors, officers and employees not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its subsidiaries’ attorneys, investment bankers and other advisors or representatives (collectively with its subsidiaries and its and its subsidiaries’ directors, officers and employees, “Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, knowingly induce or knowingly facilitate (including by providing non-public information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries) the making of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, offer or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage or otherwise participate in any negotiations or discussions (other than, in response to a bona fide Acquisition Proposal or other inquiry, offer or proposal after the date hereof that was not initiated, solicited, encouraged or facilitated, and did not otherwise result from a material violation of this Section 7.1, contacting such Person and its advisors for the purpose of clarifying the material terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, offer or proposal and the likelihood and timing of consummation thereof) concerning, or provide access to its properties, books and records or any confidential or nonpublic information or data to, any Person in connection with, relating to or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating an Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, offer or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, or (iv) execute or enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other similar written or oral agreement relating to any Acquisition Proposal (each, an “Alternative Acquisition Agreement”), and the Company shall not resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing. Without limiting the foregoing, it is agreed that any violation of any of the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence by any Representatives of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall be a breach of this Section 7.1(a) by the Company. The Company shall, shall cause its subsidiaries and its and its subsidiaries’ directors, officers and employees to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its subsidiaries’ other Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitations of, discussions or negotiations with, or provision of access to non-public information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries to, any Person (other than the Parties and their respective Representatives) in connection with any Acquisition Proposal. The Company also agrees that it will promptly request each Person (other than the Parties and their respective Representatives) that has prior to the date hereof executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of an Acquisition Proposal to promptly return or destroy all confidential information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of it or any of its subsidiaries prior to the date hereof and shall terminate access to data rooms furnished in connection therewith. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify Parent orally and in writing of the receipt of any inquiries, proposals or offers, any requests for non-public information, or any requests for discussions or negotiations with the Company or any of its Representatives, in each case with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or any offer, inquiry or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, which notice shall include a summary of the material terms and conditions of, and the identity of the Person making, such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer, and, if applicable, copies of any such written requests, proposals or offers, including proposed agreements, and thereafter shall keep Parent reasonably informed, on a prompt basis (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours), of any material developments regarding any Acquisition Proposals or any material change to the terms and status of any such Acquisition Proposal or the material aspects of any bid process established by the Company to review such proposals or offers. The Company agrees that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries shall terminate, waive or amend to similar effect any existing standstill or similar agreement to which it or one of its subsidiaries is a party, except to the extent that prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Requisite Vote, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, the Company Board determines that the failure to take such action would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall prevent the Company or the Company Board from:
(i) taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to stockholders in connection with the making or amendment of a tender offer or exchange offer, in each case, to the extent legally required) or from making any other disclosure to stockholders if the Company Board determines in good faith that the failure to make such disclosure would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law (provided that neither the Company nor the Company Board may effect a Change of Recommendation unless expressly permitted by Section 7.1(c) or Section 7.2(d), and provided, further, that any such disclosure that has the substantive effect of withdrawing or adversely modifying the Company Recommendation shall be deemed to be a Change of Recommendation); provided, further, that the issuance by the Company or the Company Board of a “stop, look and listen” communication as contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to its stockholders) in which the Company has not indicated that the Company Board has changed the Company Recommendation shall not constitute a Change of Recommendation;
(ii) prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Requisite Vote, providing access to its properties, books and records and providing any confidential or non-public information or data in response to a request therefor by a Person or group who has made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal after the date hereof that was not initiated, solicited, encouraged or facilitated, and did not otherwise result from a material violation of this Section 7.1, if the Company Board (A) shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal and (B) has received from the Person so requesting such information an executed Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement; provided that any such access, information or data has previously been provided to Parent or its Representatives or is provided to Parent prior to or substantially concurrently with the time such access, information or data is provided to such Person or group;
(iii) prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Requisite Vote, engaging in any negotiations or discussions with any Person and its Representatives who has made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal after the date hereof that was not initiated, solicited, encouraged or facilitated in, and did not otherwise result from a, material violation of this Section 7.1, if the Company Board shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal; or
(iv) prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Requisite Vote, making a Change of Recommendation (but only if permitted by Section 7.1(c) or Section 7.2(d)).
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, at any time prior to, but not after, obtaining the Company Requisite Vote, in response to a bona fide Acquisition Proposal that was made after the date hereof and was not initiated, solicited, encouraged or facilitated, and did not otherwise result from a material violation of this Section 7.1, the Company Board determines in good faith (i) after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal taking into account any adjustment to the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent and the Merger Subs in response to such Acquisition Proposal and (ii) after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel, that the failure to take the action in (A) and/or (B) below would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law, the Company or the Company Board may (and may resolve or agree to) (A) terminate this Agreement under Section 9.1(d)(ii) and enter into a definitive merger agreement, acquisition agreement or similar written agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal and/or (B) effect a Change of Recommendation in accordance with clause (1)(A) of Section 7.2(d); provided, however, that, if the Company terminates the Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d)(ii), the Company pays to Parent the Company Termination Fee required to be paid under Section 9.2(b)(i) concurrently with or prior to such termination; provided, further, that the Company shall not be entitled to enter into such Alternative Acquisition Agreement and terminate this Agreement or effect a Change of Recommendation pursuant to clause (1)(A) of Section 7.2(d) unless (1) the Company delivers to Parent a written notice (a “Company Notice”), advising Parent that the Company Board proposes to take such action and containing the material terms and conditions of the Superior Proposal that is the basis of the proposed action by the Company Board (including the identity of the party making such Superior Proposal and copies of any written proposals or offers, including proposed agreements) and (2) at or after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth (4th) Business Day immediately following the day on which the Company delivered the Company Notice (such period from the time the Company Notice is provided until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth (4th) Business Day immediately following the day on which the Company delivered the Company Notice, the “Notice Period”), the Company Board reaffirms in good faith (after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor and taking into account any adjustment to the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent during the Notice Period) that such Acquisition Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal and (after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel) that the failure to take such action would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law. If requested by Parent, the Company will, and will cause its Representatives to, during the Notice Period, engage in good faith negotiations with Parent and its Representatives regarding any adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent so that such Acquisition Proposal would cease to constitute a Superior Proposal. The Company agrees to notify Parent promptly if it determines during such Notice Period not to terminate this Agreement and enter into the Alternative Acquisition Agreement referred to in the Company Notice. Any amendment to the financial terms or any other material amendment to the terms and conditions of a proposed Alternative Acquisition Agreement relating to a Superior Proposal will be deemed to be a new proposal or proposed Alternative Acquisition Agreement relating to a Superior Proposal for purposes of this Section 7.1(c) requiring a new Company Notice and an additional Notice Period; provided, however, that such additional Notice Period shall expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the second (2nd) Business Day immediately following the day on which the Company delivers such new Company Notice (it being understood and agreed that in no event shall any such additional two (2) Business Day Notice Period be deemed to shorten the initial four (4) Business Day Notice Period).
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned below:
Superior Proposals Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 6.3(b), from the date hereof until the Offer Acceptance Time, solely in response to a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of the obligations set forth in Section 6.3(b), (i) the Company may, directly or indirectly, through one or more of their Representatives (including the Advisor), contact the Person or group of Persons making such Acquisition Proposal solely to clarify any ambiguous terms and conditions thereof so as to determine whether such Acquisition Proposal constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to constitute, a Superior Proposal, and (ii) the Company may, upon a good faith determination by the Company Board (after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel) that the failure to do so would be or would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information relating to the Company Group to, or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or other non-public information, or to any personnel, of the Company Group pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement to any Person or its Representatives that has made or delivered to the Company such Acquisition Proposal, and otherwise facilitate such Acquisition Proposal or assist such Person (and its Representatives, prospective debt and equity financing sources and/or their respective Representatives) with such Acquisition Proposal (in each case, if requested by such Person); provided, that, prior to taking any action described in this Section 6.3(c)(ii), the Company Board (or a committee thereof) has determined in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel) that such Acquisition Proposal either constitutes a Superior Proposal or would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that (x) the Company will substantially concurrently provide to Parent and its Representatives any non-public information that is provided to any Person or its Representatives given such access in connection with the actions permitted by this Section 6.3(c)(ii) that was not previously made available to Parent and (y) the Company Group shall not provide (and shall not permit any of their respective Representatives to provide) any competitively sensitive non-public information to any Person who is or whose Affiliates are a competitor of the Company Group in connection with the actions permitted by this Section 6.3(c)(ii), except in accordance with customary “clean room” or other similar procedures designed to manage the disclosure of competitively sensitive information.
Alternative Proposals Prior to the Effective Date, the Company agrees (a) that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, and it and they shall direct and use its and their best efforts to cause its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its Subsidiaries) not to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or implementation of any proposal or offer (including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to its stockholders) with respect to a merger, acquisition, consolidation or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of all or any significant portion of the assets or any equity securities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (any such proposal or offer made prior to the termination of this Agreement (and any subsequent amended proposal or offer made by the same or an affiliated party) being hereinafter referred to as an "Alternative Proposal") or engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an Alternative Proposal, or release any third party from any obligations under any existing standstill agreement or arrangement relating to any Alternative Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Alternative Proposal; (b) that it will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing, and it will take the necessary steps to inform the individuals or entities referred to above of the obligations undertaken in this Section 8.9; and (c) that it will notify Parent immediately if any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued with, it; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 8.9 shall prohibit the Board of Directors of the Company from (i) furnishing information to or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or entity that makes or proposes to make an unsolicited bona fide proposal to acquire the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, purchase of a substantial portion of assets, business combination or other similar transaction, if, and only to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that such action is required for the Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders imposed by law, (B) prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, the Company provides written 37 43 notice to Parent to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity and (C) the Company keeps Parent promptly informed of the status and all material terms and conditions of any such discussions or negotiations (including identities of parties); and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Alternative Proposal. Nothing in this Section 8.9 shall (x) permit the Company to terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article X hereof), (y) permit the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal during the term of this Agreement (it being agreed that during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with any person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative Proposal), or (z) affect any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.