---------------------------------------
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DATED MARCH 10, 1998
BY AND BETWEEN
TRITON PCS, INC.
AND
VANGUARD CELLULAR SYSTEMS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECITALS.....................................................................1
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.......................................................1
SECTION 2. PURCHASE OF ASSETS; CONSIDERATION.................................11
2.1 Purchase of Assets...........................................11
2.2 Purchase Price................................................12
2.3 Escrow........................................................12
2.4 Holdback......................................................12
2.5 Payment of Purchase Price ....................................12
2.6 Capital Expenditure Payment...................................12
2.7 Purchase Price Adjustment.....................................13
2.8 Taxes.........................................................14
2.9 Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation..................................14
SECTION 3. ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS.........................................14
3.1 Assumption of Obligations.....................................14
3.2 Limitation....................................................15
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................16
4.1 Authority.....................................................16
4.2 Qualification ................................................16
4.3 Authorization and Binding Obligation..........................16
4.4 Absence of Certain Changes or Events; Material Adverse Change.16
4.5 Use of Assets.................................................18
4.6 No Conflict or Violation......................................18
4.7 Consents......................................................19
4.8 Governmental Authorizations...................................19
4.9 Real Property.................................................20
4.10 Personal Property.............................................20
4.11 Subscribers and Suppliers.....................................21
4.12 Resale Agreements.............................................21
4.13 Financial Statements..........................................21
4.14 Contracts.....................................................21
4.15 Intangibles...................................................22
4.16 Taxes.........................................................22
4.17 Insurance.....................................................23
4.18 Labor Matters.................................................23
4.19 Employee Benefit Plans........................................23
4.20 Litigation....................................................24
4.21 Compliance With Laws..........................................24
4.22 Bankruptcy ...................................................24
4.23 Environmental and Safety Compliance ..........................24
4.24 Broker........................................................25
4.25 Accounts Receivable...........................................25
4.26 Inventory.....................................................26
4.27 Title; Location of Assets.....................................26
4.28 Transactions with Related Parties.............................26
4.29 Books and Records.............................................26
4.30 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets........................26
4.31 Disclosure....................................................26
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER ..........................27
5.1 Organization, Standing and Authority..........................27
5.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation..........................27
5.3 No Conflict or Violation......................................27
5.4 Consents......................................................27
5.5 Buyer Qualifications..........................................28
5.6 Litigation....................................................28
5.7 Compliance With Laws..........................................28
5.8 Bankruptcy....................................................28
5.9 Broker........................................................28
5.10 Financial Capability..........................................28
5.11 Knowledge of Claims...........................................29
SECTION 6. COVENANTS OF SELLER...............................................29
6.1 Pre-Closing Covenants.........................................29
6.2 Closing Covenant..............................................33
6.3 Title; Risk of Loss...........................................33
6.4 Environmental Obligations.....................................33
6.5 Notice of Certain Events......................................34
6.6 Audited Financial Statements..................................34
6.7 Seller to Remain In Control...................................35
SECTION 7. CLOSING COVENANTS OF BUYER........................................35
7.1 Pre-Closing Covenants.........................................35
7.2 Notice of Certain Events .....................................35
7.3 Closing Covenant..............................................35
SECTION 8. SPECIAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS..................................35
8.1 FCC Consents..................................................35
8.2 Other Consents................................................36
8.3 Cooperation...................................................36
8.4 HSR Filings...................................................36
8.5 Employees.....................................................36
8.6 Schedule Revision.............................................37
8.7 Transition Services...........................................37
8.8 Best Efforts to Obtain Financing..............................37
8.9 Best Efforts to Obtain Extensions.............................37
SECTION 9. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER.....................37
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer............................37
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Seller...........................40
SECTION 10. CLOSING; CLOSING DELIVERIES......................................42
10.1 Closing; Termination..........................................42
10.2 Deliveries by Seller..........................................42
10.3 Deliveries by Buyer...........................................43
10.4 Form of Instruments...........................................44
SECTION 11. ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER AFTER THE CLOSING....................44
11.1 Tax Matters; Payments of Debts and Liabilities................44
11.2 Closing Financial Statements..................................45
11.3 Rescission....................................................41
SECTION 12. TERMINATION......................................................46
12.1 Grounds for Termination.......................................46
12.2 Breaches and Defaults; Opportunity to Cure....................46
SECTION 13. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION...47
13.1 Representations and Warranties................................47
13.2 Indemnification by Seller.....................................47
13.3 Indemnification by Buyer......................................48
13.4 Limitation of Damages.........................................49
13.5 Procedure for Indemnification.................................49
13.6 Knowledge and Materiality.....................................50
SECTION 14. REMEDIES........................................................ 51
14.1 By Seller.................................................... 51
14.2 By Buyer..................................................... 51
14.3 Generally; No Implied Release................................ 51
14.4 Specific Performance......................................... 51
SECTION 15. ARBITRATION......................................................51
SECTION 16. MISCELLANEOUS....................................................52
16.1 Allocation of Purchase Price..................................52
16.2 Fees and Expenses.............................................52
16.3 Notices.......................................................52
16.4 Further Assurances............................................53
16.5 Governing Law.................................................54
16.6 Headings......................................................54
16.7 Gender and Number.............................................54
16.8 Entire Agreement..............................................54
16.9 Severability..................................................54
16.10 Benefit and Assignment........................................54
16.11 Confidential Information......................................55
16.12 Counterparts..................................................55
SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Seller's Disclosure Schedule
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of March
10, 1998 by and between TRITON PCS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Buyer"), and
VANGUARD CELLULAR SYSTEMS OF SOUTH CAROLINA , INC., a North Carolina corporation
("Seller").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of a non-wireline cellular license
bearing the call sign KNKN557, issued by the FCC, and owns certain related
assets, for the operation of the South Carolina 5-Georgetown Rural Service Area,
Market No. 629A (the "System");
WHEREAS, Seller also holds microwave licenses, issued by the FCC which
are used in the operation of the System; and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell and Buyer wishes to buy, on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Assets of Seller identified
herein which are used or useful in the operation of the System;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
The following terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the
meanings set forth in this Section:
"Accounts Receivable" means all subscriber accounts receivable and
accounts receivable-installment and excluding accounts receivable-roamers,
accounts receivable-employees, accounts receivable-credit cards and accounts
receivable-other (as so designated in the Closing Date Balance Sheet).
"Actions" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.20.
"Actual Qualified Subscriber Number" shall have the meaning assigned to it
in Section 2.7(a).
"Affiliate" means with respect to any Person, any other Person controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this
definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Assets" means all of Seller's right, title and interest in all of the
tangible and intangible assets, real, personal or mixed, now owned or held by
Seller or hereafter acquired by Seller, wherever situated and located, on or
prior to the Closing Date and used or useful in, or accounted for as part of, or
necessary for the operation of the System, whether or not reflected on the Books
and Records or the Financial Statements, other than the Excluded Assets, but
otherwise including, without limitation, the Real Property, the Personal
Property, the Contracts, the Governmental Authorizations (to the extent
assignable), the Intangibles, the Books and Records, the Financial Statements,
the Accounts Receivable, the Subscriber Agreements and all Cash and Cash
Equivalents, and other current assets, as reflected in the Financial Statements.
The Assets do not include any assets of Seller's Affiliates used to provide
billing, legal, customer service, accounting, roaming support or other
consolidated administrative or technical support functions (including networking
facilities such as North American Cellular Networks ("NACN"), Cellular Digital
Packet Data ("CDPD") and Short Messaging Service ("SMS")) located outside of the
Market, none of which are reflected on the Books and Records.
"Assignment Applications" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
8.1.
"Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.1.
"Audited Financial Statements" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 6.6.
"Balance Sheet Date" means December 31,1997.
"Benefit Arrangement" means any employment, consulting, severance or
other similar contract, arrangement or policy and each plan, arrangement
(written or oral), program, agreement or commitment providing for insurance
coverage (including without limitation, any self-insured arrangements), workers'
compensation, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment benefits, vacation
benefits, retirement benefits, life, health, disability or accident benefits
(including without limitation any "voluntary employees' beneficiary association"
as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code providing for the same or other
benefits) or for deferred compensation, profit-sharing bonuses, stock options,
stock appreciation rights, stock purchases or any other form of incentive
compensation or post-retirement insurance, compensation or benefits which:
A. is not a Welfare Plan, Pension Plan or Multi-employer Plan,
B. is entered into, maintained, contributed to or required to be
contributed to, as the case may be, by Seller or its ERISA Affiliate or under
which Seller or its ERISA Affiliate may incur any liability, and
C. covers any employee or former employee of Seller or its ERISA Affiliate
(with respect to their relationship with such entities).
"Books and Records" means all of the books and records (excluding the
Financial Statements) of Seller pertaining to the operation and maintenance of
the System, other than the Excluded Assets, but otherwise including without
limitation, (i) books and records relating to the purchase of materials and
supplies, invoices, customer lists, supplier lists, billing records and
subscriber information, (ii) public file materials, logs and engineering
records, computer software and data in computer-readable and/or machine-readable
form used to maintain such books and records, together with the media on which
such software and data are stored which are located and maintained in the Market
by Seller, (iii) plans, diagrams, blueprints, schematics, filings with
Governmental Authorities and executed copies of Contracts, Subscriber Agreements
and maintenance records.
"Business Days" means all days except Saturday, Sunday and the
holidays recognized by the government of the United States for its employees.
"Buyer Total Claim Cap" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
13.3(c).
"Buyer's Closing Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 9.2(a).
"Capital Expenditures Payment" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 2.6.
"Capital Expenditures Summary" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 2.6.
"Cash and Cash Equivalents" means all cash on hand and in financial
institutions, including in the Lockbox, and cash equivalents.
"Cell Site" means a location that contains, among other things, a
low-power transmitter-receiver that communicates by radio signal with cellular
telephones located in the Market.
"Claimant" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13.5(a).
"Claim Period" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13.4(a).
"Claims" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13.2(c).
"Closing" means the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement in accordance with this Agreement.
"Closing Financial Statements" means the balance sheet and the related
statements of income for the Seller as of, and for the period ended on, the
Closing Date, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and
presenting fairly the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Seller
as of the Closing Date and the results of operations for the period then ended.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Closing occurs, as
determined pursuant to Section 10.1(a).
"Closing Date Balance Sheet " shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 2.7(c).
"Closing Statement" have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.7(c).
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
"CMRS" means Domestic Public Cellular Radio Telephone Service (47 C.F.R.
Part 22) or Broadband Personal Communications Services (47 C.F.R. Part 24), as
the case may be.
"Communications Act" means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Consents" means the FCC Consents, the filings required under the HSR
Act, and the other consents, waivers, permits, and approvals of third parties,
including without limitation Governmental Authorities, necessary to transfer the
Assets to Buyer or otherwise to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
including those Consents which are set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
"Contracts" means all contracts, leases (for real or personal
property), non-governmental licenses, commitments, understandings, and other
agreements, including, without limitation, interconnection, agency, contour
incursion, and contour excursion agreements, including any amendments or other
modifications thereto, to which Seller is a party, that relate to the operation
of the System, including those described in Seller's Disclosure Schedule,
together with any additions thereto between the date hereof and the Closing
Date, but excluding Excluded Assets.
"Current Assets" means the following current Assets, excluding the
Excluded Assets, calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), of Seller presented on the Closing Date Balance Sheet: (a)
Cash and Cash Equivalents; (b) Accounts Receivable, net of reserves equal to 15%
of Accounts Receivable; (c) Inventory for new cellular telephones, pagers and
accessories reflected at the lower of cost or fair market value in accordance
with GAAP and refurbished or used cellular telephones, pagers and accessories
which Buyer has agreed to purchase at the price agreed between Buyer and Seller;
and (d) prepaid rent that Buyer will receive the benefit of after the Closing.
"Current Liabilities" means the following current Liabilities,
excluding the Excluded Liabilities, calculated in accordance with GAAP, of
Seller as presented on the Closing Date Balance Sheet: (a) subscriber deposits
received; (b) deferred revenue received; and (c) ordinary trade payables
incurred in the normal course of business.
"Damages" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13.2(a).
"Dispute" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 15.
"Effective Order" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.1(b).
"Effective Time" means 12:01 a.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the Closing
Date.
"Employee Plans" means all Benefit Arrangements, Multi-employer Plans,
Pension Plans and Welfare Plans of Seller and its Affiliates in which Seller's
employees participate, including those Employee Plans which are set forth in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
"Encumbrance" means any conditional sales contract (except for the
sale of cellular telephone service), claim, lien, pledge, option, charge,
easement, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, right-of-way, encumbrance
or adverse interest of any kind or character, other than Permitted Encumbrances,
relating to the System.
"Environmental Laws" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.23.
"Environmental Liabilities" means any and all liabilities of Seller or any
of its Affiliates arising in connection with or in any way relating to the
System, the Assets or activities or operations occurring or conducted in any
Real Property constituting part of the Assets (including, without limitation,
offsite disposal), whether vested or unvested, contingent or fixed, actual or
potential, known or unknown, which (i) arise under any Environmental Laws and
(ii) arise as a result of actions occurring or conditions existing as a result
of any action of Seller or its Affiliates on or prior to the Closing Date.
"Environmental Notice" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.4.
"Environmental Response" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.4.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any entity
which is (or at any relevant time was) a member of a "controlled group of
corporations" with, under "common control" with, or a member of an "affiliated
service group" with Seller as defined in Section 413(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the
Code.
"Escrow Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.3.
"Escrow Agent Instructions" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
2.4.
"Escrow Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.3.
"Escrow Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.3.
"Excluded Assets" means the following assets of Seller which are retained
by Seller and are not being sold or assigned to Buyer hereunder:
a. the corporate charter, qualifications to conduct business
as a foreign corporation, arrangements with registered agents relating to
foreign qualifications, tax payer and other identification numbers, seals,
minute books, stock transfer books, stock certificates (including blanks), and
other documents relating to the organization, maintenance, and existence of
Seller as a corporation;
b. any of the rights of Seller under this Agreement and other documents
executed by the parties as contemplated herein or under any other agreement
between Seller on the one hand and Buyer on the other hand entered into on or
after the date of this Agreement;
c. all trademarks and trade names used in connection with the operation of
the System other than (i) the right to use the service ▇▇▇▇ "Roaming The
Carolinas", "Cellular Plus" and "Advance" and (ii) the agreement which permits
the Seller to use the "Cellular One" trade name;
d. confidentiality and noncompete agreements between Seller and its
employees whom Buyer does not elect to hire;
e. used or refurbished telephones which Buyer elects not to accept prior to
the Closing;
f. certain assets of the Seller's engineering office in the Market which
are listed on the Seller's Disclosure Schedule;
g. membership in the Dunes Club;
h. Accounts Receivable - roamers, accounts receivable - employees, accounts
receivable - credit cards and accounts receivable - other (as so designated in
the Closing Date Balance Sheet); and
i. deferred revenue (as indicated in the Closing Date Balance Sheet).
"Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
3.2.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission and any successor agency.
"FCC Authorizations" means those authorizations issued by the FCC to
operate the non-wireline cellular radio telephone system and related microwave
system for the Market, including those FCC Authorizations which are set forth in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
"FCC Consents" means actions by the FCC granting its consent to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Final Order" means a written action or order issued by the FCC or
other Governmental Authority (i) which has not been reversed, stayed, enjoined,
set aside, annulled, or suspended and (ii) with respect to which (A) no requests
have been filed and are still pending for administrative or judicial review,
reconsideration, appeal, or stay, and the time for filing any such requests and
the time for the FCC or other Governmental Authority to set aside the action on
its own motion has expired, (B) in the event of review, reconsideration, or
appeal, the time for further review, reconsideration, or appeal has expired, and
(C) in the event of a stay, such stay has been dismissed and the time for
review, reconsideration or appeal thereof has expired.
"Financial Statements" means the balance sheets and related statements
of income of Seller as of and for the twelve month periods ended as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, all of which are contained in Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
"FTC" means the Federal Trade Commission.
"Governmental Authority" means those federal, state and local
government agencies or organizations with regulatory or licensing jurisdiction
over the Seller's business and the operation of the System.
"Governmental Authorizations" means all licenses, permits, franchises,
and other authorizations (except for local business licenses and occupancy
permits) issued by federal, state, or local governmental authorities in
connection with the operation of the System (including the FCC Authorizations),
and all applications for modification, extension or renewal thereof, which
Governmental Authorizations are set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
"HSR Act" means the ▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended.
"Indemnification Escrow" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
2.4.
"Indemnitor" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13.5(a).
"Independent Accountant" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
2.7(c).
"Initial Adjustment Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 2.7(b).
"Intangibles" means any and all copyrights, licenses, patents, permits,
privileges, proprietary information, technical information and data, machinery
and equipment warranties, customer lists, the right to use the "Cellular One"
trade name pursuant to the agreement which permits such use and other intangible
property rights and interests applied for, issued to, or owned by Seller or
under which Seller is licensed or franchised and used or useful in the operation
of the System, other than Excluded Assets, but otherwise including without
limitation those listed in Seller's Disclosure Schedule, together with any
additions thereto between the date hereof and the Closing Date.
"Inventory" means all new cellular telephones and pagers and related
accessories and all used or refurbished cellular telephones or pagers and
related accessories, which Buyer agrees to purchase.
"Liabilities" means liabilities, obligations or commitments of any
nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, known or unknown,
whether matured or unmatured, as reflected on the Financial Statements.
"Lockbox" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.25.
"Market" means the South Carolina 5-Georgetown Rural Service Area (Market
No. 629A), as defined by the FCC.
"Minimum Qualified Subscriber Number" shall have the meaning assigned to it
in Section 2.7(a).
"Multi-employer Plan" means any "multi-employer plan" as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) or (3)(37) of ERISA, (i) which Seller or its ERISA Affiliate
maintains, administers, contributes to or is required to contribute to, or after
September 25, 1980, maintained, administered, contributed to or was required to
contribute to, or under which Seller or its ERISA Affiliate may incur any
liability and (ii) which covers any employee or former employee of Seller or its
ERISA Affiliate (with respect to their relationship with such entities).
"Net Working Capital" shall have meaning assigned to it in Section 2.7(a).
"Objection Notice" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.7(c).
"Pension Plan" means any "employee pension benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multi-employer Plan) (i) which Seller or its
ERISA Affiliate maintains, administers, contributes to or is required to
contribute to, or, within the five years prior to the Closing Date, maintained,
administered, contributed to or was required to contribute to, or under which
Seller or its ERISA Affiliate may incur any liability and (ii) which covers any
employee or former employee of Seller or its ERISA Affiliate (with respect to
their relationship with such entities).
"Permitted Encumbrances" means (i) any liens for Taxes, assessments,
or other governmental charges or levies that are not yet due and payable or
which are being contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings, (ii)
easements, rights of way and other similar property rights which do not and will
not have a material adverse effect on Seller's or Buyer's use in a similar
manner of any particular parcel of Real Property and (iii) materialman and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ liens created by operation of law in the ordinary course of Seller's
business for Liabilities which are reflected on the Closing Date Balance Sheet.
"Person" means any person or entity, whether an individual, trustee,
corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint
venture, governmental agency or authority.
"Personal Property" means any and all machinery, equipment, radios,
transmitters, towers, antennas, lines, switching equipment, test equipment,
cellular telephone inventory, tools, vehicles, furniture, leasehold
improvements, office equipment, plant, inventory, and other tangible personal
property owned or held by Seller and used or useful in the operation of the
System, other than Excluded Assets, but otherwise including without limitation
the property identified and described as part of the Personal Property in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule, together with any additions thereto between the
date hereof and the Closing Date.
"Pollutant" shall mean any hazardous or toxic substances, including
without limitation, petroleum products or by-products, any flammable explosives,
radioactive materials, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, asbestos, PCBs,
phosphates, lead or other heavy metals, chlorine, radon gas, "hazardous
substance" as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), "hazardous material" as
defined in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, "hazardous
waste" as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, and
regulations adopted and publications promulgated pursuant to said laws.
"Purchase Price" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.2.
"Purchase Price Adjustment" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 2.7(a).
"Qualified Subscriber" means cellular accounts that (a) are active in both
Seller's switch and billing subscriber data bases, (b) are suspended and active
(suspended not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the aggregate of the number of
active and suspended subscribers), (c) are not a result of any special
promotions instituted on or after the date hereof by Seller outside of the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice unless approved in
writing by Buyer (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and (d)
are not agent or employee accounts.
"Real Property" means all real estate and all interests in real
property (other than Excluded Assets), including all fee interests, all
leaseholds, easements, licenses, rights to access, and rights of way, and all
improvements thereon, owned or held by Seller and used or useful in the
operation of the System, which Real Property is identified and described in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule, together with any additions thereto between the
date hereof and the Closing Date.
"Real Property Leases" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
4.9.
"Related Party" means (a) any past or present stockholder or Affiliate of
Seller or (b) any director or officer of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller or
(c) any spouse, parent or child of any such Person.
"Representatives" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.1(d).
"Resolution Period" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
2.7(c).
"Restoration Actions" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.3.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor
agency.
"Seller Total Claim Cap" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
13.2(c).
"Seller's Accountant" shall have the meaning assigned to it is Section 6.6.
"Seller's Closing Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 9.1(a).
"Seller's Disclosure Schedule" means Seller's Disclosure Schedule, attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
"Subscriber Agreements" means Seller's agreements for the provision of
cellular telephone and paging service and/or cellular telephone and paging
equipment to end users.
"System" means the non-wireline cellular radio telephone system and
related point-to-point microwave system that are operated by Seller in the
Market.
"Taxes" means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments,
including without limitation, income, excise, use, transfer, payroll, occupancy,
property, sales, franchise, unemployment and withholding taxes, imposed by the
United States or any state, county, local or foreign government or subdivision
or agency thereof, and any assessments against the Real Property, together with
any interest, penalties or additional taxes attributable to such taxes and other
assessments.
"Termination Notice" means written notice of the termination of this
Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.
"Third-Party Action" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
13.5(c).
"Third-Party Action Notice" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 13.5(c).
"To Buyer's knowledge" or "to the best of Buyer's knowledge" or words of
similar effect means the actual knowledge of Buyer through its executive
employees.
"To Seller's knowledge" or "to the best of Seller's knowledge" or
words of similar effect means the actual knowledge of the following executive
employees of Seller: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Rete ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ after due inquiry.
"Welfare Plan" means any "employee welfare benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(l) of ERISA, (i) which Seller or its ERISA Affiliate maintains,
administers, contributes to or is required to contribute to, or under which
Seller or its ERISA Affiliate may incur any liability and (ii) which covers any
employee or former employee of Seller or its ERISA Affiliate (with respect to
their relationship with such entities).
SECTION 2. PURCHASE OF ASSETS; CONSIDERATION.
2.1 Purchase of Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, on the Closing Date, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer and convey to
Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from Seller, all of the Assets, free and clear
of all Encumbrances. Seller will retain, and Buyer will not purchase, the
Excluded Assets.
2.2 Purchase Price. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.7
below, the total purchase price (the "Purchase Price") to be paid for the Assets
shall be One Hundred Sixty Million Dollars ($160,000,000).
2.3 Escrow. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Buyer
shall deliver to CoreStates Bank, N.A. as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), the
amount of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) in immediately- available funds,
which amount (including, unless otherwise stated herein, any interest earned on
such sum thereafter, the "Escrow Amount") shall be held by the Escrow Agent
pursuant to the terms of a certain escrow agreement of even date herewith (the
"Escrow Agreement") in the form of Exhibit 2.3. In the event of a termination of
this Agreement by Seller in accordance with the terms of Section 12.1(b)(ii),
Seller shall be entitled to retain the entire Escrow Amount in accordance with
Section 13.3(d).
2.4 Holdback. As security for the indemnification covenants of Seller
contained in this Agreement, Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) (including,
unless otherwise stated herein, any interest earned thereon, the
"Indemnification Escrow") shall be held and released by the Escrow Agent
pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. The Indemnification Escrow shall
be funded at the Closing through the retention of the Escrow Amount (excluding
interest thereon), by the Escrow Agent after Closing as provided in the Escrow
Agreement. Buyer and Seller shall provide joint written instructions to Escrow
Agent (the "Escrow Agent Instructions") instructing Escrow Agent to retain Eight
Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of the Escrow Amount as the Indemnification Escrow
and to deliver the balance thereof (i.e., the interest earned thereon) to Buyer.
Buyer shall be entitled to draw upon the Indemnification Escrow for payment of
all indemnification claims made by Buyer pursuant to Section 13 to the extent,
but only to the extent, provided in the Escrow Agreement.
2.5 Payment of Purchase Price. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
2.7, and subject to a credit for Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of the
Escrow Amount which is to be used to fund the Indemnification Escrow, Buyer
shall pay to Seller at Closing the Purchase Price in immediately available U.S.
funds.
2.6 Capital Expenditure Payment. In addition to the Purchase Price,
Buyer shall pay to Seller at Closing, in immediately available U.S. funds, the
sum of (a) Seller's capital expenditures previously approved by Buyer, as set
forth in Schedule 2.6, and then made by Seller and (b) any other capital
expenditures made on or after the date hereof and approved in writing by Buyer
(collectively, the "Capital Expenditures Payment") to be reflected in the
capital expenditures summary (the "Capital Expenditures Summary"), to be
delivered by Seller to Purchaser at Closing minus (c) the amount of Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000). In the event that between the Balance Sheet Date
and Closing, the Capital Expenditures Payment does not exceed $500,000, the
Purchase Price shall be reduced by an amount equal to $500,000 minus the amount
of the Capital Expenditures Payment made by Seller between the Balance Sheet
Date and Closing.
2.7 Purchase Price Adjustment.
a. The Purchase Price shall be increased or decreased (the
"Purchase Price Adjustment") on a dollar-for-dollar basis for the cumulative net
adjustment required by the following: the Purchase Price shall be adjusted by a
dollar amount (positive or negative) of the Net Working Capital of Seller on the
Closing Date. As used herein, the term "Net Working Capital" shall mean (i)
Current Assets minus (ii) Current Liabilities, as such amounts are reflected on
the Closing Date Balance Sheet (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) if at Closing
the number of actual ending Qualified Subscribers for the System ("Actual
Qualified Subscriber Number") is less than 33,400 (the "Minimum Qualified
Subscriber Number"), then there shall be deducted from the Purchase Price an
amount equal to Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($350.00) times the difference
between the Minimum Qualified Subscriber Number for the System as of the month
prior to Closing and the Actual Qualified Subscriber Number.
b. The initial adjustments to the Purchase Price based on Net
Working Capital will be made at the Closing using a good faith estimate by
Seller of the Net Working Capital of Seller (the "Initial Adjustment Amount")
based upon an unaudited balance sheet to be prepared by Seller as of the end of
the month immediately preceding the Closing Date, such estimate to be delivered
by Seller to Buyer at least seven (7) Business Days prior to Closing along with
such balance sheet. If after receipt of the Seller's estimate of the Initial
Adjustment Amount Buyer notifies Seller not later than three (3) Business Days
prior to Closing that Buyer disagrees with that estimate, then that portion of
the Initial Adjustment Amount which Buyer disputes in good faith (provided that
the amount in dispute must be at least three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000)) shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent and shall be resolved in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.7(c).
c. As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date (but in
no event later than sixty (60) days thereafter) Seller shall prepare and deliver
to Buyer for its review and comment (i) a balance sheet dated as of the close of
business on the Closing Date (the "Closing Date Balance Sheet") and (ii) an
accompanying closing statement (the "Closing Statement") reasonably detailing as
of the close of business on the Closing Date Seller's determination of each
element of the Purchase Price Adjustment. The Closing Date Balance Sheet shall
fairly present the financial position of the Seller as at the close of business
on the Closing Date in accordance with GAAP (except for the omission of certain
footnotes and other presentation items required by GAAP with respect to such
financial statements). If Buyer objects to any amount reflected on the Closing
Date Balance Sheet or the Closing Statement, Buyer must, within thirty (30) days
after Buyer's receipt of the Closing Date Balance Sheet and Closing Statement,
give written notice (the "Objection Notice") to Seller specifying in reasonable
detail its objections, or Seller's determination of the Purchase Price
Adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties. With respect
to any disputed amounts, the parties shall meet in person to negotiate in good
faith during the thirty (30) day period (the "Resolution Period") after the date
of Seller's receipt of the Objection Notice to resolve any such disputes. If the
parties are unable to resolve all such disputes within the Resolution Period,
then within five (5) Business Days after the expiration of the Resolution
Period, all disputes shall be submitted to Deloitte & Touche, LLP or, if such
firm is unavailable or unwilling to resolve such disputes, to another nationally
recognized accounting firm mutually acceptable to Buyer and Seller (the
"Independent Accountant") who shall be engaged to provide a final and conclusive
resolution of all unresolved disputes within forty-five (45) days after such
engagement. Buyer and Seller each represent and warrant that, as to itself, it
is not currently retaining nor during the prior three (3) years has it or any
predecessor entity controlled by its management group retained Deloitte &
Touche, LLP to provide accounting or other services and agrees on behalf of
itself and its Affiliates not to retain such firm until a final determination of
the Purchase Price Adjustment has been made. The determination of the
Independent Accountant shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties
hereto, and the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne
by the party, who, in the Independent Accountant's determination submitted a
disputed amount that differs more significantly from the amount finally
determined by the Independent Accountant. From and after the Closing Date, Buyer
will provide Seller with access to the books, records and personnel of Buyer
that Seller reasonably requests.
d. If the Purchase Price Adjustment (as finally determined in
accordance with the provisions set forth above) less the Initial Adjustment
Amount is a positive (negative) amount, then, within five (5) Business Days
after such final determination, Buyer (Seller) shall pay to Seller (Buyer) such
amount in immediately available funds. The parties shall provide the appropriate
written instructions to the Escrow Agent to disburse any funds escrowed in
connection with the Initial Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 2.7(b).
2.8 Taxes. Except for Taxes which are not yet due (for which the
Closing Date Balance Sheet shall reflect appropriate amounts) all Taxes and
other assessments on the Assets which are due and payable shall be paid by
Seller as of the Closing Date.
2.9 Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation. In further consideration of Buyer's
payment of the Purchase Price, Seller and its Affiliates and Rete ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or each of those individual's successors, if any, hired by Seller
prior to Closing shall each enter into a non-compete/non-solicitation agreement
substantially in the form of Schedule 2.9, with appropriate conforming
modifications for the agreements to be executed by individuals.
SECTION 3. ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS.
3.1 Assumption of Obligations. Buyer shall assume and undertake to
pay, in accordance with the terms thereof, satisfy or discharge (a) the Current
Liabilities of Seller on and as of the Closing Date, and (b) the Liabilities,
obligations and commitments of Seller arising on or after the Closing Date under
the executory portion of: (i) the Contracts listed in Seller's Disclosure
Schedule and the other Contracts not required to be listed pursuant to Section
4.14; and (ii) the Subscriber Agreements (taken together, the "Assumed
Liabilities"). Buyer shall also assume and be responsible for (y) all
Liabilities arising from the ownership and use of the Assets and the operation
of the System on and after the Closing Date and (z) all Taxes and assessments
(including, but not limited to those relating to federal and state universal
service funds) for which and to the extent accruals are reflected on the Closing
Date Balance Sheet relating to periods prior to Closing or arising from the
ownership and use of the Assets and the operation of the System on and after the
Closing Date.
3.2 Limitation. Except as set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, Buyer shall
not assume, or otherwise be responsible for, any liabilities or obligations of
Seller, whether actual or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, known or unknown, whether arising out of occurrences prior to, at
or after the date hereof (the "Excluded Liabilities"), which include, without
limitation:
a. Any liability or obligation for legal, accounting and audit fees and any
other expenses incurred by Seller in connection with the preparation of,
negotiation of, and performance under this Agreement;
b. Any liability or obligation of Seller with respect to any employees or
former employees of Seller including without limitation: (i) any employment
agreement, whether or not written, between Seller and any Person; (ii) any
liability under any Employee Plan at any time maintained, contributed to or
required to be contributed to by or with respect to Seller, or under which
Seller may incur liability, or any contributions, benefits or liabilities
therefor, or any liability with respect to Seller's withdrawal or partial
withdrawal from or termination of any Employee Plan, (iii) any claim under any
state unemployment compensation or worker's compensation law, which shall have
been asserted on or prior to the Closing Date or is based on acts or omissions
which occurred prior to the Closing Date and (iv) any liability to pay severance
benefits to any employees of Seller whose employment is terminated by Seller
prior to or in connection with the sale of the Assets;
c. Any liability or obligation of Seller in respect of any Taxes or
assessments arising from or with respect to the Assets incurred or attributable
to any period prior to the Closing Date for which and to the extent accruals are
not reflected on the Closing Date Balance Sheet;
d. Any liability or obligation of Seller resulting from any Action against
Seller, which shall have been asserted prior to the Closing Date;
e. Any liability or obligation of Seller resulting from entering into,
performing its obligations pursuant to or consummating the transactions
contemplated by, this Agreement;
f. Any liability or obligation under any material Contract not listed in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule. For purposes of the foregoing, "material"
Contracts shall be those that provide for total payments in excess of Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000);
g. Any liability or obligation of Seller to a Related Party;
h. Any liabilities or obligations with respect to any Excluded Asset;
i. Any Environmental Liability; and
j. The balance of the purchase price due pursuant to the Asset Purchase
Agreement between Seller and ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ dated January 31, 1998.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.
Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
4.1 Authority. Seller is a corporation duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and has the requisite
corporate power and authority required to acquire, own, lease, and operate the
Assets and to carry on the business of the System as now being conducted. Seller
has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this
Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby according to their respective
terms. Seller is not a participant in any joint venture or partnership with any
other Person relating to the System.
4.2 Qualification. Seller is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing as a foreign corporation in South Carolina which is the only
jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its assets
or properties requires such qualification.
4.3 Authorization and Binding Obligation. Seller has taken all
corporate action necessary to enter into this Agreement and consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and perform its obligations hereunder. This
Agreement and each of the other agreements and documents to be delivered
hereunder when executed and delivered by Seller will have been duly executed and
delivered by Seller and constitute a legal, valid, and binding obligation of
Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except for the
effect thereon of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, and similar laws of public policy or policies affecting the rights
of creditors generally.
4.4 Absence of Certain Changes or Events; Material Adverse Change. Since
the Balance Sheet Date, unless otherwise indicated in Seller's Disclosure
Schedule, there has not been any:
a. (i) material increase in compensation payable or to become payable to
any of the employees of Seller or any bonus payment made or promised to any such
employee other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices, or (ii) material change in personnel policies, insurance, retirement,
health or other employee benefits or any other compensation arrangements
affecting such employees;
b. sale, assignment or transfer of any of the Assets, singly or in the
aggregate (other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice when replaced by assets of substantially equivalent value and
function);
c. cancellation of any material indebtedness or waiver of any rights of
material value to Seller;
d. amendment, cancellation or termination of any Contract, Governmental
Authorization or other instrument material to the operation of the System;
e. change in accounting methods or practices by Seller;
f. damage, destruction or loss not covered by insurance, materially and
adversely affecting the Assets;
g. imposition of any Encumbrance on any of the Assets except for Permitted
Encumbrances;
h. capital expenditure by Seller, or incurrence of an obligation to make
any capital expenditures, other than as (i) set forth in the Capital
Expenditures Summary, (ii) required in order to replace damaged or inoperable
equipment which is necessary to the continued operation of the System as
currently configured or (iii) authorized by Buyer in writing, which shall not be
unreasonably conditioned or withheld;
i. amendment of Seller's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
j. payment, discharge or satisfaction of Liabilities, other than in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
k. material adverse change in the business and, to the knowledge of
Seller, no such change is threatened;
l. conduct of the business outside the ordinary course;
m. loss or interruption in the use of the System;
n. acquisition of any assets outside of the ordinary course of business;
o. assumption of any liability except in the ordinary course of business;
p. execution of any agreement with a labor union;
q. execution of any lease affecting Real Property with annual payments in
excess of $5,000;
r. execution of any agreement or plan of merger, consolidation or
recapitalization;
s. loan, advance or capital contribution made to or investment made in any
entity in excess of $10,000;
t. execution of any other material contract or other agreement with
respect to the System;
u. action by Seller which has materially and adversely affected the
business relationship between Seller and its customers, the loss of which would
have a material adverse effect on the Seller's business, or its suppliers or any
Governmental Authority; or
v. payment or distribution of Assets other than Cash or Cash Equivalents
to any equity interest holder of Seller.
4.5 Use of Assets. Other than the Excluded Assets and except for
certain assets used in connection with billing and other administrative
services, the Assets set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule constitute all of
the assets, rights and properties, tangible or intangible, real or personal
which are utilized in the operation of the System as it is presently conducted.
4.6 No Conflict or Violation. The execution, delivery, and performance
by Seller of this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby: (i) will not violate or
conflict with any provision of Seller's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(ii) will not conflict with or constitute a violation of any applicable statute,
law, rule, code, judgment, order, ordinance, writ, injunction, regulation,
decree, award or ruling of any court or other governmental instrumentality or
result in an event which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any
such conflict or violation; (iii) provided the FCC Consents are obtained, will
not conflict with, constitute grounds for termination of, result in a breach of,
constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of any
performance required by the terms of any Contract, Governmental Authorization,
or other agreement, instrument, license, or permit to which Seller is a party or
by which Seller is bound or subject that is necessary to the lawful conduct of
Seller's business, which relates directly or indirectly to the System, or
results in an event which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in
any such conflict, grounds, breach, default, or acceleration; and (iv) will not
result in the imposition of any Encumbrance upon the Assets or any restriction
or charge on the System, or result in an event which with notice, lapse of time
or both would result in any such imposition, restriction or charge.
4.7 Consents. Except for the Consents set forth in Seller's Disclosure
Schedule and as otherwise agreed to in this Agreement, no consent, approval,
permit, or authorization of, declaration to or filing or registration with any
Governmental Authority or any other party (including without limitation any
Consent necessary for the valid assignment of any Contract) is required to be
made or obtained in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Seller and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
enabling Buyer to own the Assets and operate the System.
4.8 Governmental Authorizations. Seller's Disclosure Schedule contains
a true and complete list of the Governmental Authorizations related to the
System. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of the
Governmental Authorizations. Each Governmental Authorization has been validly
issued to Seller. The Governmental Authorizations comprise all the licenses,
permits, and other authorizations required from Governmental Authorities for the
lawful conduct of the operation of the System as it is currently being operated
(except for local business licenses and occupancy permits). To the best of
Seller's knowledge, the Governmental Authorizations are in full force and effect
and are unimpaired by any acts or omissions of Seller, and are valid for the
balance of the current license term, if any, applicable generally to each such
Governmental Authorization. Seller has operated the System in compliance with
all terms and conditions of the Governmental Authorizations and of any renewals
thereof applicable to it except where the failure to so comply would not have a
material adverse effect on Seller's rights to ownership and use of the Assets,
or on its operation of the System. Seller is the exclusive holder of the FCC
Authorizations. There are no pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge,
threatened proceedings by or before the FCC which would result in the
revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification of the FCC
Authorizations or the imposition of any forfeiture, nor to the best of Seller's
knowledge are there any facts that would give rise to or form the basis for such
a proceeding. Provided the FCC Consents are obtained and become Final Orders,
Seller has (and on the Closing Date will have) the right, power and authority
under the Communications Act to transfer the Assets to Buyer upon consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby. To the best of Seller's knowledge, no
renewal of any FCC Authorization would constitute a major environmental action
under the current rules of the FCC. Seller is not aware of any reason why (i)
those of the FCC Authorizations subject to expiration would not be renewed in
the ordinary course of business or (ii) any of the FCC Authorizations would be
revoked. None of the Governmental Authorizations is subject to any Encumbrance,
other than any liens securing Seller indebtedness, all of which liens shall be
extinguished by Seller prior to or at Closing. Seller's point-to-point microwave
facilities used in the operation of the System, as reflected on the FCC
Authorizations attached to Seller's Disclosure Schedule, include facilities
which operate in the 2110-2200 MHz bands which are potentially subject to
relocation pursuant to Part 101 of the FCC's rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 101. Seller
has received no request or notification that it will be required to relocate,
pursuant to Part 101, any of the point-to-point microwave facilities licensed to
Seller and used in the operation of the System. Except as reflected on Seller's
Disclosure Schedule, there are no unserved areas, as defined in Section 22.99 of
the FCC's rules with respect to the Cellular Radiotelephone Service, 47 C.F.R
ss. 22.99, in connection with the System. Seller has obtained the requisite
approval of or agreement for the service area boundary extensions, as defined in
Section 22.912 of the FCC's rules, 47 C.F.R. ss. 22.912, which are material and
necessary to operate the System as it is currently configured. Seller has made
all material filings required to be made with the FCC or the South Carolina
Public Service Commission in connection with the operation of the System.
4.9 Real Property. Seller's Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
description of all of Seller's interests and rights in Real Property used or
useful in the operation of the System. Seller leases a portion of the Real
Property pursuant to one or more of the Contracts (the "Real Property Leases"),
and each leased Cell Site that is part of the Assets is the subject of a Real
Property Lease, except as reflected on Seller's Disclosure Schedule. There are
no pending or to the best of Seller's knowledge threatened condemnation
proceedings relating to any of the Real Property. All towers and other
structures on the Real Property which are part of the Assets are marked in
accordance with the requirements of the FCC Authorizations and all applicable
state and local laws, except with respect to state and local laws to the extent
that failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Assets or
the operation of the System. Seller has not received any written notice for
assessments for public improvements against any Real Property which remains
unpaid. Except as set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule, Seller has not
granted any oral or written lease, sublease or license granting to any Person
any right to the possession, use, occupancy or enjoyment of any of the Real
Property. None of the Real Property is subject to any Encumbrance that could
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the use or usefulness
of the Real Property, other than any liens securing Seller indebtedness, all of
which liens shall be extinguished by Seller prior to or at Closing. To Seller's
knowledge, the improvements to the Real Property have no material defects, are
in good operating condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and are sufficient
for the operation of the business as presently conducted. None of the
improvements to the Real Property is subject to any commitment or other
arrangement for their use by any Related Party or third party.
4.10 Personal Property. Seller's Disclosure Schedule contains
descriptions of all Seller's material Personal Property. Seller owns and has
good title to each item of Personal Property, except for the Personal Property
that is specifically identified in Seller's Disclosure Schedule as leased
pursuant to one of the Contracts. None of the PersonaI Property is subject to
any Encumbrance, except for any liens securing Seller indebtedness, all of which
shall be extinguished by Seller prior to or at Closing. The Personal Property is
sufficient to permit the System to operate in all material respects in
accordance with the terms of the FCC Authorizations. To Seller's knowledge, the
Personal Property is in good operating condition (ordinary wear and tear
excepted), usable for the purposes used. To Seller's knowledge, the Personal
Property located at each of the Cell Sites has been maintained in accordance
with applicable warranties and manufacturer's specifications. Seller's
Disclosure Schedule also lists all motor vehicles and other Personal Property
for which a certificate of title or origin is required in order to transfer
title from Seller to Buyer.
4.11 Subscribers and Suppliers. A copy of each current form of
Subscriber Agreement is attached to Seller's Disclosure Schedule. As of the
Balance Sheet Date, Seller had approximately 27,990 active cellular subscriber
accounts (including rental accounts and not including employee and agent
accounts) and approximately 3,100 suspended accounts, each telephone number
being a separate account. In addition to the subscriber accounts, as of February
28, 1998 there were approximately 110 agent accounts and 440 employee accounts.
Seller does not have accounts which are designated as demo accounts. Except as
set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule, Seller has not entered into any
Subscriber Agreements outside the ordinary course of business or for
consideration other than cash. To Seller's knowledge, no material supplier of
the business or party to any other Contract with Seller intends to cancel its
relationship with Seller or the business.
4.12 Resale Agreements. Seller is a party to certain resale agreements for
paging services which are listed in the Seller's Disclosure Schedule. Seller has
no resale agreements for cellular services.
4.13 Financial Statements. The Financial Statements are contained in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule. The Financial Statements, the pro-forma Closing
Date Balance Sheet and the Closing Statement do and will, as appropriate, fairly
present the Assets, Liabilities and financial condition and results of the
Seller's operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, subject to normal year-end adjustments in the case of any
interim financial statements.
4.14 Contracts. The Contracts listed in Seller's Disclosure Schedule
comprise all of Seller's Contracts (including Real Property Leases, but
excluding Subscriber Agreements) which (i) as of the date hereof, involve the
receipt or payment by Seller of more than $25,000 annually; (ii) involve the
receipt or payment after the date hereof of more than $10,000 annually (but less
than $25,000 annually) that are not terminable on thirty (30) days or less
notice at any time without penalty; or (iii) although not meeting the monetary
thresholds set forth above (which shall be dispositive with respect to the
materiality of any purely monetary obligations) are otherwise material to the
operation of the System or Seller's business. Seller has delivered to Buyer true
and complete copies of all such Contracts, together with all amendments and
extensions to date. All such Contracts are in full force and effect, are valid,
binding, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, are paid in accordance
with their terms, have not been materially impaired by any acts or omissions of
Seller. Except as set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule, no Contracts
described in Section 4.14(i), (ii) and (iii) above require the consent of any
other contracting party to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To
Seller's knowledge, there is not under any Contract any default by any party
thereto or any event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would permit
any party to terminate such Contract or deprive any party of the benefits of
such Contract.
4.15 Intangibles. Seller's Disclosure Schedule contains a true and
complete list of Seller's Intangibles, all of which are valid, in good standing,
and, to the best of Seller's knowledge, uncontested. Except as set forth in
Seller's Disclosure Schedule, Seller has no licenses granted by or to it or any
other agreements to which it is a party, relating in whole or in part to any of
the Intangibles. Seller owns and has good title to the Intangibles. None of the
Intangibles is subject to any Encumbrance, except for any liens securing Seller
indebtedness, all of which liens shall be extinguished by Seller prior to or at
Closing. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of all documents establishing the
Intangibles.
4.16 Taxes.
a. Filing of Tax Returns. Seller has delivered to Buyer
complete and accurate copies of Seller's income and sales and use tax returns
for Seller's past three (3) years. Seller has timely filed with the appropriate
taxing authorities all returns (including, without limitation, information
returns and other material information) in respect to all taxes and other
assessments and levies (including all interest and penalties), in respect of
Taxes required to be filed through the date hereof and will timely file any such
returns required to be filed on or prior to the Closing Date unless otherwise
contested in good faith by Seller (and appropriate reserves set forth on the
Financial Statements with respect thereto) with notice thereof being given to
Buyer. The tax returns and other information filed are complete and accurate in
all material respects.
b. Payment of Taxes. Except as reflected on Seller's
Disclosure Schedule, all Taxes, in respect of periods beginning before the
Closing Date, have been timely paid, or will be timely paid, or an adequate
accrual has been or will be established therefor, as set forth in the Financial
Statements, and Seller does not have any known liability for Taxes in excess of
the amounts so paid or accrual so established.
c. Audits, Investigations or Claims. Except as reflected on
Seller's Disclosure Schedule, the federal income tax returns of Seller have not
been audited by the Internal Revenue Service, and no deficiencies for Taxes have
been claimed, proposed or assessed by any taxing or other Governmental Authority
against Seller. Except as reflected on Seller's Disclosure Schedule, there are
(i) no pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge, threatened audits,
investigations or claims for or relating to any additional liability in respect
of Taxes, (ii) no matters under discussion with any Governmental Authority with
respect to Taxes that in the reasonable judgment of Seller are likely to result
in an additional liability for Taxes, and (iii) no extensions of a statute of
limitations relating to Taxes in effect with respect to Seller.
d. Liens. There are no liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not
yet due and payable) on the Assets.
e. Foreign Person. Seller is not a Person other than a United States Person
within the meaning of the Code.
4.17 Insurance. Seller's Disclosure Schedule
contains a complete and accurate list of all policies and binders of insurance
(showing as to each policy and binder the carrier, policy number, coverage
limits, expiration dates, annual premiums and a general description of the types
of coverage provided) maintained by Seller. All of such policies are sufficient
for compliance with all requirements of law and all of the Contracts. Seller is
not in default under any of such policies or binders and has not failed to give
any notice or to present any claim under any such policy or binder in a due and
timely fashion. Such policies or binders provide replacement cost insurance
coverage for all Personal Property and all improvements upon the Real Property.
Such policies and binders are in full force and effect on the date hereof and
shall be kept in full force and effect by Seller through the Closing Date.
Except as set forth on Seller's Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding
unpaid claims under any policies or binders. No notice of reduction in coverage,
increase in premium, or cancellation or non-renewal with respect to, or
disallowance of any material claim under, any such policy or binder has been
received by Seller.
4.18 Labor Matters. Seller (i) is not a party to any labor
agreement with respect to its employees with any labor organization, group or
association, and (ii) has not been notified at any time during the past three
years of any attempt by organized labor or its representatives to make Seller
conform to demands of organized labor relating to its employees or to enter into
a binding agreement with organized labor that would cover the employees of
Seller. Seller is not subject to any unfair labor practice by the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB).
4.19 Employee Benefit Plans. All Employee Plans that
cover or have covered employees of Seller are set forth in Seller's Disclosure
Schedule. All Employee Plans maintained by Seller conform in all respects with
the provisions of ERISA and have been administered in compliance with the terms
of such plans and with all filing, reporting and disclosure requirements of the
Code and ERISA. There is no pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge,
threatened litigation, claim or assessment against any such Employee Plan. Each
Employee Plan that is a "Pension Plan" is qualified under Section 4001 of the
Code. Seller has not, and no plan fiduciary of any such Employee Plan has,
engaged in any transaction in violation of Section 406(a) or (b) of ERISA or any
"prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975(c)(1) of the Code) for
which no exemption exists under Section 4975(d) of the Code. None of Seller's
employees has been a participant in a Multi-employer Plan. Seller has not been
subject to any "withdrawal liability" (as defined in Section 4201 of ERISA) at
any time assessed against Seller with respect to any Multi-employer Plan. Seller
has maintained all Employee Plans with respect to its employees in a manner that
will not give rise to any successor liability to Buyer under ERISA or the Code.
4.20 Litigation. Except for legal administrative proceedings affecting the
cellular telephone and paging industries generally and as otherwise set forth in
the Seller's Disclosure Schedule, there is no action, suit, claim, arbitration
or other legal or administrative proceeding (collectively, "Actions") pending
or, to the best of Seller's knowledge, threatened against Seller with respect to
the Assets. There is not outstanding any order, writ, injunction, decree, or
judgment of any Governmental Authority applicable to Seller, the business or the
Assets. Except as reflected on Seller's Disclosure Schedule, there are no
pending Actions that have been brought by or on behalf of Seller with respect to
the business or the Assets before any Governmental Authority.
4.21 Compliance With Laws. Except as set forth on Seller's Disclosure
Schedule, Seller is in material compliance with all laws, regulations and
governmental orders applicable to the Assets and the operation of the System.
Seller has not received notice to the effect that, or otherwise been advised
that, it is not in compliance with any laws, and Seller has not taken any action
or failed to take any action that is a violation of any such laws, except for
actions or failures to take action that, individually or in the aggregate, have
not and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the operation of the System or the Assets.
4.22 Bankruptcy. No insolvency proceedings of any
character, including without limitation, bankruptcy, receivership,
reorganization, composition or arrangement with creditors, voluntary or
involuntary, affecting Seller (other than as a creditor) or any of the Assets,
are pending, or to the best of Seller's knowledge, threatened, and Seller has
not made any assignment for the benefit of creditors or taken any action in
contemplation of or which would constitute the basis for the institution of such
insolvency proceedings.
4.23 Environmental and Safety Compliance. Neither
Seller's operation of the business of the System nor the Assets violate in any
material respect any applicable federal, state or local law, rule, regulation or
order relating to air, water or noise pollution, employee health and safety, or
the production, storage, labeling, transportation or disposition of waste or
hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, "Environmental Laws") . Seller has
not caused and to Seller's knowledge is not aware of any condition relating to
or resulting from the release or discharge of Pollutants into the soil, surface
waters, groundwater, drinking water supplies, navigable waters, land, surface or
subsurface strata, or ambient air which has resulted or could result in any
damage, loss, cost, expense, claim, demand, order or liability to or against
Seller or Buyer by a Governmental Authority or other entity relating to or
resulting from the operation of the business of the System, the Assets or
otherwise relating to the Real Property, irrespective of the cause of such
condition. Seller has not received any notice from any Governmental Authority or
private or public entity advising Seller that it is potentially responsible for
response costs with respect to a release or threatened release of any Pollutant.
Seller has not received any notice of violation of any Environmental Law or
zoning or land use ordinance, law or regulation relating to the operation of the
business of the System or the Assets including, but not limited to, CERCLA, the
Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, as amended, the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, or the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, as amended. Seller's Disclosure Schedule also contains a list and
brief description of all material filings by Seller with, material notices to
Seller from, and related material reports to all Governmental Authorities
administering Environmental Laws within three years prior to the date hereof,
including without limitation, filings made, corrective action taken, or
citations received by Seller. Except as set forth in Seller's Disclosure
Schedule, no written environmental assessments or impact statements or reports
relating to the Real Property have been prepared for, or received by, Seller
prior to the date hereof. To the best of Seller's knowledge or as otherwise
disclosed in the Phase I and Phase II environmental reports delivered by Seller
to Buyer prior to execution of this Agreement, none of the properties included
in the Assets or to be leased by Buyer has underground or above ground storage
tanks, or has had any leak, spill, disposal, discharge, or release of any
Pollutant. To Seller's knowledge without any inspection or investigation
whatsoever, there are no (a) friable asbestos-containing materials on or in the
Assets or any buildings or facilities thereon or to be leased to Buyer, or (b)
electrical transformers, fluorescent light fixtures with ballasts, or other
equipment containing PCB's in excess of legal requirements on such properties.
4.24 Broker. Seller has not employed the services of any broker or any similar
Person that will require the payment of any finder's fee, commission or similar
payment in connection with this Agreement or any matter related hereto.
4.25 Accounts Receivable. The Accounts Receivable reflected on the
Financial Statements represent (and the accounts receivable created thereafter
will represent) bona fide claims of Seller against debtors for sales,
performance of services or other transactions in the ordinary course of
business. The Accounts Receivable are, to Seller's knowledge, subject to no
defenses, counterclaims or rights of set-off. Seller maintains a lock box for
the collection of accounts receivable at Quest Point (a wholly-owned subsidiary
of CoreStates) in Tampa, Florida (the "Lock Box"). Seller's Disclosure Schedule
attached hereto sets forth a true, complete and accurate list as of January 10,
1998 listing the total amounts of subscriber receivables and the aging of such
subscriber receivables based on the following past due schedule: 0-29 days,
30-59 days, 60-90 days and over 90 days.
4.26 Inventory. The inventory as reflected on the
Financial Statements (a) was valued at the lower of cost (determined on a
first-in, first-out inventory valuation basis) or market in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and (b) was
purchased in the ordinary course of business. All inventory that is obsolete,
discontinued or of below standard quality was discounted in value to net
realizable value on such Schedule. No write-offs or charges against inventory
have been made since the Balance Sheet Date, except for charges in the ordinary
course of business for sales of inventory. None of the inventory is unusable or
not salable in the lawful and ordinary course of business because of legal
restrictions, failure to meet specifications, damage, physical deterioration or
for any other cause.
4.27 Title; Location of Assets. Seller has good and
marketable title (fee or leasehold) to all of the Assets. Seller will at Closing
convey to Buyer good and marketable title to all Assets, in each case free and
clear of any lien. All of Seller's Assets used in the business of Seller are
located within the state of South Carolina at the locations set forth on
Seller's Disclosure Schedule. The Assets are technically sufficient and capable
of providing cellular telephone service in accordance with Part 22 of the FCC's
rules, 47 C.F.R. Part 22. The Assets constitute all of the assets that are
necessary or used in the operation of Seller's business, as currently conducted,
except for the Excluded Assets and the assets referenced in the definition of
"Assets" which are owned by Seller's Affiliates and located outside of the
Market.
4.28 Transactions with Related Parties. Except as set forth in the
Financial Statements, no Related Party has (a) borrowed money from or loaned
money to Seller that remains outstanding, (b) any contractual or other claims,
express or implied, of any kind whatsoever against Seller, (c) any interest in
any property or assets used by or useful to Seller or Seller's business, or (d)
been a director, officer, or employee of, or had any direct or indirect interest
in, any entity that has done business with Seller or Seller's business.
4.29 Books and Records. Seller has given Buyer access to the Books and
Records which are, with respect to those records which form the basis for the
Financial Statements, true, complete and correct in all material respects and
otherwise are, to the best of Seller's knowledge, true, complete and correct.
4.30 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets. Neither Seller nor any Related
Party has any commitment or legal obligation, absolute or contingent, to any
other Person other than Buyer to sell, assign, transfer or effect a sale of any
of the Assets (other than inventory in the ordinary course of business), to
effect any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or other
reorganization of Seller, or to enter into any agreement or cause the entering
into of any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.
4.31 Disclosure. No representation, warranty or
statement of Seller contained in this Agreement, in any Schedule or Exhibit, or
any agreement delivered in connection herewith contains or will contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements contained herein and therein not misleading. To the best
of Seller's knowledge, there is no fact that Seller has not disclosed to Buyer
that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Seller,
Seller's business or the Assets.
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.
Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as follows:
5.1 Organization, Standing and Authority. Buyer is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. Buyer has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute,
deliver, and perform this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby
according to their respective terms. Prior to the Closing, to the extent
required by law, Buyer will be qualified to do business in South Carolina.
5.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation. Buyer has taken all action
necessary to enter into this Agreement, consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement and each of the
other agreements and documents to be delivered by Buyer when executed and
delivered by Buyer will have been duly executed and delivered by Buyer, and
constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against
Buyer in accordance with its terms, except for the effect thereon of any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally.
5.3 No Conflict or Violation. The execution, delivery, and performance by
Buyer of this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby: (i) will not conflict with
the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Buyer, (ii) will not conflict
with or result in a violation of any applicable statute, law, rule, code,
judgment, order, ordinance, writ, injunction, regulation, decree, award or
ruling of any court or governmental instrumentality or result in an event which
with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any such conflict or
violation, or (iii) provided the Consents are obtained, will not conflict with,
constitute grounds for termination of, result in a breach of, constitute a
default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of any performance
required by the terms of, any agreement, instrument, license, permit, franchise
or other authorization issued by federal, state, or local Governmental
Authorities to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound or subject, or
result in an event which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any
such conflict, grounds, breach, default, or acceleration.
5.4 Consents. Except for the Consents and as otherwise agreed to in this
Agreement, no consent, approval, permit or authorization of, declaration to or
filing or registration with any Governmental Authority or any other third party
is required to be made or obtained by Buyer in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including enabling Buyer to own the Assets and operate the System.
5.5 Buyer Qualifications. Buyer is legally, technically, financially and
otherwise qualified under the Communications Act to hold the FCC Authorizations
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Buyer has no knowledge
of any fact that would, under existing law (including the Communications Act),
disqualify Buyer as an assignee of the FCC Authorizations.
5.6 Litigation. Except for legal administrative proceedings affecting the
cellular and paging industries generally, Buyer is not subject to any judgment,
award, order, writ, injunction, arbitration decision or decree which could
materially adversely affect Buyer's ability to perform its obligations
hereunder. There is no litigation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to
the best of Buyer's knowledge, threatened against Buyer in any federal, state or
local court, or before any administrative agency or arbitrator or before any
other tribunal duly authorized to resolve disputes which seeks to enjoin or
prohibit, or otherwise questions the validity of, any action taken or to be
taken pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or which could materially
adversely affect Buyer's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
5.7 Compliance With Laws. Buyer is not in default with respect to any
judgment, order, injunction or decree of any court, administrative agency or
other governmental authority or any other tribunal duly authorized to resolve
disputes in any respect material to the transactions contemplated hereby except
for defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and will not
have a material adverse effect on Buyer's ability to perform its obligations
hereunder.
5.8 Bankruptcy. No insolvency proceedings of any character, including
without limitation, bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization, composition, or
arrangement with creditors, voluntary or involuntary, affecting Buyer (other
than as a creditor) are pending, or to the best of Buyer's knowledge,
threatened, and Buyer has not made any assignment for the benefit of creditors
or taken any action in contemplation of or which would constitute the basis for
the institution of such insolvency proceedings.
5.9 Broker. Buyer has not employed the services of any broker or any
similar Person that will require the payment of any finder's fees, commission or
similar payment in connection with this Agreement or any matter relating hereto.
5.10 Financial Capability. Buyer represents that Triton Myrtle Acquisition,
L.L.C. has obtained a commitment letter from The Chase Manhattan Bank, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Guaranty Trust Company of New York and TD Securities (USA) Inc. to provide, in
combination with equity and other funding available to Buyer, funding of the
Purchase Price. Buyer will have available on the Closing Date sufficient funds
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, payment of the Purchase Price and Buyer shall be solvent on
the Closing Date with the financial capability to meet its other obligations
when they become due.
5.11 Knowledge of Claims. As of the date hereof, none of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ have actual knowledge, without independent
inquiry, of any breach of the representations and warranties of Seller contained
in this Agreement.
SECTION 6. COVENANTS OF SELLER.
6.1 Pre-Closing Covenants. Seller covenants and agrees with Buyer that for
the period from the date hereof through the Closing: a. Maintenance of the
System. Seller shall carry on its business in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice. Buyer shall not, directly or indirectly, control, supervise
or direct the operation of the System. Seller will continue at all times prior
to the Closing Date to control, supervise and direct the operation of the
System. From the date hereof until the Closing Date, Seller agrees that it will,
unless otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer :
i. use commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the
services of the present employees of Seller's business (except as provided in
Section 8.5); encourage such employees to accept employment with Buyer (if such
employment is offered); and use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve its
relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with
Seller to the end that its goodwill and ongoing business shall be conducted on
substantially the same basis on the Closing Date as on the date hereof;
ii.maintain, in accordance with Seller's past practices and in
accordance with any vendor or manufacturer warranties, the Personal Property in
the same condition as on the date hereof, except for depletion, depreciation,
ordinary wear and tear and damage by unavoidable casualty;
iii. perform all of its material obligations under all Contracts
relating to Seller's business, including the discharge of all accounts payable
of the business according to the terms and conditions of all invoices therefore,
unless contested in good faith by Seller and appropriate reserves are provided
therefor on the Financial Statements;
iv. maintain true, correct and complete Books and Records relating to
Seller's business;
v. comply in all material respects with all laws applicable to the conduct
of Seller's business; and
vi. reasonably promptly upon its knowledge thereof, advise Buyer in writing
of the termination or resignation of any key employee of Seller.
b. Certain Prohibited Transactions. Without limiting the generality of
subsection (a) above, Seller shall not, without the prior written approval of
Buyer (which approval shall not be unreasonably conditioned or withheld):
i. change or permit to be changed the relative ownership interests in
Seller or issue any rights or options to acquire any interest in Seller;
ii. change any of its credit and collection policies or any of its
marketing programs (including instituting any promotional or other special
programs) except in the ordinary course of business;
iii. change or modify in any respect any roaming Contract or roaming rates
except in the ordinary course of business;
iv. make a change in any material equipment vendors except in the ordinary
course of business;
v. hire any employees except in the ordinary course of business;
vi. mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber any of its Assets or sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its Assets except (y) for the sale or
rental of Inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, and (z) for the sale of System equipment when replaced by equipment of
substantially equivalent value and function;
vii. cancel, release or assign any Subscriber Agreements except in the
ordinary course of business;
viii. except as set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule, enter into any
material contract or commitment relating to the System or the Assets except for
entry into or termination or modification of Subscriber Agreements in the
ordinary course of business, or amend, terminate, or waive any substantial right
under any Contract (including, without limitation, any lease for real property,
tower space or equipment building space);
ix. make any material change in any method of accounting or accounting
practice;
x. enter into any agreement to make any commitment or offer to provide
cellular telephone or paging service to subscribers other than in the ordinary
course of business; or waive any material rights relating to the System or the
Assets;
xi. do any other act (y) that would cause any representation or warranty of
Seller to be or become untrue in any material respect or (z) related to the
operation of the System that is not in the ordinary course of business;
xii. make Capital Expenditures other than as (i) set forth in
the Capital Expenditures Summary, (ii) required in order to replace damaged or
inoperable equipment which is necessary to the continued operation of the System
as currently configured or (iii) otherwise approved by Buyer in writing (which
approval shall not be unreasonably conditioned or withheld).
c. Governmental Authorizations. Seller shall not cause or, to
the extent within its control, permit, by any act or failure to act, any of the
Governmental Authorizations to expire or to be surrendered or modified, or take
any action that would cause any Governmental Authority to institute proceedings
for the suspension, revocation, or material and adverse modification of any of
the Governmental Authorizations or fail to prosecute with due diligence any
pending applications for any Governmental Authorizations in connection with the
operation of the System, or take or, to the extent within its control, permit
any other action that would result in the System being in noncompliance with the
requirements of any law, rule or regulation.
d. Access to Information. Subject to Section 16.11 hereof,
Seller shall give to Buyer and its counsel, lenders, accountants, engineers, and
other representatives (the "Representatives") reasonable access to the System,
and to all Books and Records, and to the officers, employees, and agents of
Seller, and will furnish or cause to be furnished to Buyer and its
representatives all information relating to the Assets, the System, and Seller
that they reasonably request. No investigation by Buyer shall diminish, obviate
or constitute a waiver as to the enforcement of any of the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of Seller under this Agreement. Seller shall
furnish the Representatives during such period with all information and copies
of documents concerning the affairs of the Seller as such Representatives may
reasonably request and shall cause the appropriate officers, employees,
consultants, agents, accountants and attorneys of Seller to cooperate fully with
such Representatives in connection with such review and examination and to make
full disclosure to Buyer of all material facts affecting the financial
condition, business operations and prospects of Seller and the Assets.
e. Monthly Reports. Seller shall provide Buyer with a balance
sheet and related statements of income and those other reports identified on
Schedule 6.1(e) within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each month,
which financial statements shall fairly present the Assets, Liabilities and
financial condition and results of the Seller's operations in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, subject to normal
year-end adjustments.
f. Maintenance of Assets. Seller shall maintain all the Assets
in good and working order and in the condition represented in this Agreement,
except for obsolescence and ordinary wear and tear, and will maintain supplies
of inventory and spare parts consistent with past practice but in any event, not
to exceed that amount of supplies or inventory and spare parts required during
sixty (60) days of normal usage. If any loss, damage, impairment, confiscation,
or condemnation to any of the Assets occurs, Seller shall take all commercially
reasonable actions necessary to repair, replace, or restore the Assets to their
prior condition as represented herein as soon thereafter as possible, and the
proceeds of any claim under any insurance policy shall be used solely to repair,
replace, or restore any of the Assets that are lost, damaged, impaired, or
destroyed.
g. Compliance With Laws. Seller shall comply in all material
respects with all laws, rules and regulations in connection with the Assets and
the System and the matters related to this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of
violation of any law, rule or regulation, Seller shall contest in good faith or
cure the violation prior to the Closing Date.
h. Insurance. Seller shall take all action necessary to keep in full force
and effect any existing insurance policies, or comparable coverage, for the
Assets and the System as set forth in Seller's Disclosure Schedule.
i. Taxes. Seller shall take all actions necessary to file in a
timely manner all federal, state, and local tax and information returns
hereafter required to be filed by Seller relating to or in connection with the
Assets and the operation of the System, and will pay all Taxes (and any other
charges, duties, penalties, interest, or fines) which become due pursuant to
those returns or pursuant to any assessment which becomes due and payable unless
otherwise disputed in good faith by Seller with notice thereof being provided to
Buyer.
j. No Shop. As long as this Agreement is in effect, neither
Seller (nor any of its officers, directors, representatives, employees, agents
or Affiliates) will, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate, encourage or
participate in negotiations or entertain or consider any unsolicited offer with
respect to, or furnish or cause or permit to be furnished any information to any
Person (other than such parties' respective Affiliates or their representatives
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in connection
with any inquiry or offer for any purchase or sale or merger, acquisition,
combination, sale or other disposition involving the System, the Assets or any
material part of the Assets.
k. Roamer Agreements. Seller and Buyer covenant and agree that
prior to the Closing Date each shall enter into roaming agreements with the
other, consistent with standard industry practice for such agreements, so that
from and after the Closing Date subscribers of the CMRS systems owned or
operated by each or its Affiliates who use appropriate dual-mode wireless
telephones may roam on the CMRS systems owned or operated by the other and its
Affiliates.
l. Accounts Receivable. Subject to Section 6.1(b)(ii), between the date
hereof and the Closing Date, Seller will continue its existing credit and
collection procedures to collect its Accounts Receivable.
6.2 Closing Covenant. On the Closing Date, if the conditions set forth
in Section 9.2 have been satisfied, and if this Agreement has not been
terminated pursuant to Section 12, Seller shall transfer, convey, assign, and
deliver to Buyer the Assets as provided in Section 2 and make the deliveries
provided in Section 10.2.
6.3 Title; Risk of Loss. Legal title and risk of loss with respect to
the Assets shall not pass to Buyer or any of its subsidiaries until the Assets
are transferred at Closing. If prior to the Closing Date any of the Assets are
destroyed or damaged by fire or other casualty, Seller may, at its option,
either (a) replace or restore such Assets with Assets of comparable quality or
(b) include an amount equal to a mutually agreed upon cost of completing the
replacement or repair of such property as a deduction in the calculation of the
Purchase Price or, in the absence of such mutual agreement, the parties agree to
extend the time for Closing as reasonably necessary to permit Seller to complete
such repairs or replacement; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.3
shall be deemed to require Buyer to waive any condition to Closing, and the
decision to waive any such condition will be in the sole discretion of Buyer, or
(c) if there are sufficient insurance proceeds available to cover such damage or
destruction (including any loss due to interruption of business after the
Closing Date) assign its rights to such insurance proceeds to Buyer (the options
referred to in (a), (b) and (c) above, collectively, the "Restoration Actions");
provided, however, that if the estimated cost of the Restoration Actions
actually implemented by Seller exceeds $20,000,000, Seller shall only be
obligated with respect to the Restoration Actions in the aggregate up to a total
of $20,000,000. Seller shall have the right to implement one or more of the
Restoration Actions concurrently subject to the written consent of Buyer not to
be unreasonably conditioned or withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
estimated cost of the Restoration Actions exceeds $20,000,000, Buyer may by
written notice to Seller elect to terminate this Agreement.
6.4 Environmental Obligations. Buyer may obtain Phase I and/or Phase
II environmental reports for any of the Real Property. If any environmental
report reveals any condition that would require remediation under applicable
Environmental Laws, then Buyer shall deliver a written notice specifying the
required remediation and the approximate cost therefore (the "Environmental
Notice") to Seller who shall, within fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of
such Environmental Notice, respond to Buyer in writing (the "Environmental
Response") and agree either to (a) complete such remediation prior to Closing or
(b) permit Buyer to have such remediation completed and granting Buyer the right
to include such costs incurred by Buyer in completing such remediation as a
deduction in the calculation of the Purchase Price. If Seller does not deliver
the Environmental Response within such time period and the approximate
remediation cost is an amount in excess of $20,000,000, then Buyer shall have
the right, at its option, by written notice to Seller to (x) terminate this
Agreement or (y) to include such costs as a deduction in the calculation of the
Purchase Price. If the estimated cost of remediation exceeds $20,000,000 Seller
shall only be required to have deducted from the Purchase Price and/or to incur
the cost to remediate up to a total of $20,000,000. If Seller does not deliver
the Environmental Response within such time period and the approximate
remediation cost is less than $20,000,000, then Buyer shall have the right by
written notice to include such costs as a deduction in the calculation of the
Purchase Price. In the event Buyer and Seller disagree as to whether remediation
is required or the cost of such remediation, irrespective of whether an
Environmental Response is provided on a timely basis, the dispute shall be
submitted to a mutually acceptable independent third-party expert of nationally
recognized repute for determination which shall be binding upon the parties and,
if necessary, the funds necessary for the remediation, if any, shall be reserved
from the Purchase Price and placed in escrow pending the determination;
provided, however, that in the event Buyer exercises its termination right
pursuant to this Section 6.4, no funds shall be required to be placed in escrow.
6.5 Notice of Certain Events. Promptly upon its knowledge thereof,
Seller shall advise Buyer in writing of: (i) any material adverse change in
Seller, the Seller's business or the Assets, (ii) any event, condition or
circumstance occurring from the date hereof until the Closing Date that would
constitute a violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant,
agreement or provision contained in this Agreement (provided that such
disclosure shall not be deemed to cure any violation or breach of any such
representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or provision), or (iii) any event,
occurrence, transaction or other item that would have been required to have been
disclosed on any Schedule delivered hereunder, had such event, occurrence,
transaction or item existed on the date hereof.
6.6 Audited Financial Statements. Seller will obtain and deliver to
Buyer the unqualified report of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ("Seller's Accountant") on the
audited balance sheet of Seller as of December 31, 1997, and the related
statements of income and cash flow for the year then ended (collectively,
"Audited Financial Statements"), prepared in accordance with the Rules of the
SEC, including Regulation S-X thereof. Additionally, as promptly as practicable
after providing the Audited Financial Statements, Seller shall use its
reasonable best efforts to deliver prior to the Closing Date (i) the unqualified
report of Seller's Accountant on the audited balance sheets of Seller as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the related statements of income and cash flows
for the years then ended (if required to be included in the securities filings),
(ii) related comfort letters to underwriters, if required and (iii) the consent
of Seller's Accountant, consenting to the inclusion of the Audited Financial
Statements in both an 8-K Statement and an appropriate form of Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as applicable, of Buyer
or any of its Affiliates . The fees and disbursements of Seller's Accountant for
the foregoing and all related services shall be borne and paid solely by Buyer,
and if requested by Seller, directly to Seller's Accountant and Seller and
Seller's Accountant shall be entitled to reasonable and customary indemnities
and/or other protections in connection with the use of information which is
furnished to Buyer in Buyer's 8-K Statement and Registration Statement.
6.7 Seller To Remain In Control. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement that may be construed to the contrary, pending the Closing the Seller
shall maintain full, complete, actual (de facto) and legal (de jure) control
over the FCC Authorizations and the operation of the System in accordance with
the requirements of the Communications Act.
SECTION 7. CLOSING COVENANTS OF BUYER.
7.1 Pre-Closing Covenants. Buyer covenants and agrees with Seller that
between the date hereof and the Closing Date, Buyer shall act so that each
representation and warranty in Section 5 shall continue to be true on and as of
the Closing Date in all material respects as if made on and as of the Closing
Date. Buyer shall not take any action that is inconsistent with Buyer's
obligations under this Agreement or that could hinder or delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.2 Notice of Certain Events. Promptly upon its knowledge thereof,
Buyer shall advise Seller in writing of: (i) any material adverse change in
Buyer which could affect Buyer's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, (ii) any event, condition or circumstance occurring from the date
hereof until the Closing Date that would constitute a violation or breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or provision contained in this
Agreement (provided that such disclosure shall not be deemed to cure any
violation or breach of any such representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or
provision), or (iii) any event, occurrence, transaction or other item that would
have been required to have been disclosed on any Schedule delivered hereunder,
had such event, occurrence, transaction or item existed on the date hereof.
7.3 Closing Covenant. On the Closing Date, if the conditions set forth
in Section 9.1 have been satisfied, and if this Agreement has not been
terminated pursuant to Section 12, Buyer shall purchase the Assets from Seller
as provided in Section 2 and shall make the deliveries provided in Section 10.3.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.
8.1 FCC Consents. The sale of the Assets as contemplated by this
Agreement is subject to the prior consent and approval of the FCC. Not later
than ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement, Buyer and Seller
shall file with the FCC applications for the FCC Consents (the "Assignment
Applications"). Buyer and Seller agree to use their best efforts to: (i)
prosecute the Assignment Applications with all reasonable diligence; (ii) amend
the Assignment Applications as may be required or desirable to effectuate the
transactions contemplated hereunder; (iii) oppose any petition to deny or other
opposition filed against the Assignment Applications; and (iv) otherwise use
their best efforts to obtain a grant of the Assignment Applications as
expeditiously as practicable. Neither Buyer nor Seller shall seek, nor cause any
of their agents to seek, and each shall use its best efforts to oppose, any
request for reconsideration, application for review or any other attempt to seek
any form of review of the FCC Consents. The failure by either party to timely
file or diligently prosecute its portion of the Assignment Applications as
required by this Section shall be a material breach of this Agreement. All fees
charged by the FCC in connection with filing the Assignment Applications shall
be split equally between Buyer and Seller.
8.2 Other Consents.
a. To the extent necessary, within ten (10) Business Days
after the date of this Agreement, Seller and Buyer shall join in any
applications, filings or registrations required by any state or local
Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the South Carolina Public
Service Commission) to request issuance of orders approving the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (if such orders are requisite to the completion
of these transactions) and diligently and expeditiously take all steps
reasonably necessary to prosecute any such applications. The failure by either
party to timely file or diligently prosecute its portion of any such
applications as required by this Section shall be a material breach of this
Agreement. All filing and grant fees charged by such state regulatory authority
in connection with such applications shall be split equally between Buyer and
Seller.
b. Seller shall commence, as soon as practicable, all action
reasonably necessary to obtain all other Consents, provided that, such action
does not cause a material adverse change in the terms or conditions of any
Contract or Governmental Authorization that could be materially less
advantageous to the System than those existing under the Contract or
Governmental Authorization as in effect on the date hereof. Seller shall
promptly advise Buyer of any difficulties experienced in obtaining any of the
Consents and of any conditions proposed, considered, or requested for any of the
Consents.
8.3 Cooperation. The Parties shall cooperate fully with each other in
connection with any actions required to be taken as part of their obligations
under this Agreement, and will use their best efforts to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill their obligations hereunder.
8.4 HSR Filings. Within twenty (20) Business Days after the date of
this Agreement, Buyer shall make any and all filings that the parties determine
are required under the HSR Act. All filing and grant fees in connection with
such HSR Act filings shall be split equally between Buyer and Seller.
8.5 Employees. Seller shall terminate all of its employees as of the
Closing Date. It is Buyer's current intention to offer employment to some or all
of Seller's employees. Buyer shall provide to Seller a written list, not less
than twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, of those employees of Seller
which will be offered employment by Buyer. If Buyer offers employment to any of
Sellers employees, Buyer's offers of employment shall be on terms and conditions
that Buyer shall determine in its sole discretion. Buyer will consult with
Seller prior to any communications with Seller's employees regarding future
employment.
8.6 Schedule Revision. Prior to Closing, Seller shall compile a
revised Seller's Disclosure Schedule, which revised Seller's Disclosure Schedule
shall reflect accurate and complete information as of the Closing Date.
8.7 Transition Services. Prior to Closing, Buyer and Seller shall
negotiate in good faith a transition services agreement, whereby Seller shall
provide to Buyer, (i) for sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, with one
option to extend for an additional sixty (60) days, transition billing and call
center backup services, and (ii) for up to six (6) months after the Closing
Date, on a month-to-month basis, to the extent permitted under Seller's
Affiliate's existing agreements with the providers of such services, access to
the NACN, CDPD and SMS platforms. The transition services agreement shall
provide that Seller shall charge Buyer for billing services $2.00 per billing
record during the first sixty (60) days and $2.25 per billing record for the
sixty (60) day extension period and shall charge Buyer its costs for providing
call center backup services and access to the NACN and CDPD and SMS platforms.
The agreement shall include provisions which are customary in the industry for
cellular billing agreements but shall recognize that Seller is not in the
business of providing these transition services.
8.8 Best Efforts to Obtain Financing. Prior to the Closing, Buyer shall use
its best efforts to obtain the financing required to pay the Purchase Price at
Closing.
8.9 Best Efforts to Obtain Extensions. Prior to the Closing, if
requested by Buyer, Seller shall use its best efforts to extend Contracts that
the parties agree in good faith are necessary or useful for the continued
operation of the System.
SECTION 9. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER.
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer. All obligations of Buyer to
purchase the Assets and to complete the related transactions contemplated by
this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in the discretion of
Buyer in respect to the waiver of such conditions) by Buyer, on or prior to the
Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
a. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All
representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects (except for representations and
warranties qualified by materiality which will be true and correct in all
respects) at and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and
warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date, and Seller shall have
performed in all material respects all agreements, covenants and conditions
required hereby to be performed by it, prior to or at the Closing Date; provided
that for all purposes under this Agreement, the existence or occurrence of any
events or circumstances that constitute a breach of a representation or warranty
of Seller made in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Seller's
Disclosure Schedule) on the date of such representation or warranty is made
shall not constitute a breach of such representation or warranty if such event
or circumstance is cured on or prior to the Closing Date (except as limited by
the time periods set forth in Section 12.2 if notice is given pursuant to that
Section). There shall be delivered to Buyer at Closing a certificate signed by
the President of Seller to the foregoing effect ("Seller's Closing
Certificate").
b. Consents. The FCC Consents shall have become Final Orders
and shall not contain conditions that are material and adverse to the System or
the Buyer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
9.1, Section 9.2 or otherwise, if no petitions to deny the Assignment
Applications have been filed within the applicable public comment period, and
the FCC thereafter grants said Applications and such grant becomes legally
effective by the release of an FCC Public Notice announcing the grant (the
"Effective Order"), Buyer may, with the written consent of Seller, waive on
behalf of the parties the requirement that the FCC Consents shall have become
Final Orders. Consents for the assignment of all Real Property Leases listed in
Schedule 4.9 of Seller's Disclosure Schedule shall have been obtained without
any material and adverse change in the terms or conditions of any such Real
Property Lease or Contract, unless (i) such Consent is waived by the Buyer, (ii)
Seller agrees, in its sole discretion, to indemnify Buyer for increased costs or
other damages resulting from the failure to obtain such Consent, or (iii) the
parties mutually agree on an alternative course of action to resolving the
absence of any such Consent. Any such Real Property Lease or other Contract for
which a Consent to the assignment from Seller to Buyer is not obtained shall
remain the responsibility of Seller unless Buyer specifically agrees in writing
to take assignment of such Real Property Lease or other Contract without the
Consent to the assignment.
c. Governmental Authorizations. Seller shall be the holder of
all FCC Authorizations and any other FCC licenses and permits granted on or
before the Closing Date and necessary to operate the System, and there shall not
have been any modification of any of the FCC Authorizations that could have a
materially adverse effect on Seller's operation of the System. No proceeding
shall be pending the effect of which could be to revoke, cancel, fail to renew,
suspend, or modify adversely in any material respect any of the Governmental
Authorizations.
d. Deliveries. Seller shall have made all the deliveries to Buyer set forth
in Section 10.2.
e. Opinions of Counsel. Seller shall have delivered to Buyer
one or more opinions of Seller's counsel (which may be in-house counsel with
respect to the matter to be addressed pursuant to Section 9.1(e)(iv)(A)(iii)),
dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to Buyer and providing substantially as
follows:
i. Seller's existence and good standing are as stated in Sections 4.1 and
4.2 hereof;
ii. Seller has full corporate power and authority to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
iii. This Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby and all other
agreements and undertakings contained in this Agreement have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered, and (other than the
noncompete/nonsolicitation agreements referenced in Section 2.9) all such
instruments are valid and enforceable against Seller in accordance with their
respective terms except for the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and the enforceability of equitable remedies including injunctive
relief and specific performance;
iv. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller nor the
consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby (A) will violate,
conflict with, or constitute a breach of any of the terms of (i) Seller's
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or, (ii) to the best knowledge of such
counsel, violate any federal, North Carolina or New York law or regulation or
any presently existing order, judgment, injunction award or decree applicable to
Seller or the Assets or (iii) subject to the receipt of any required consent or
the providing of any required notice or similar action, any Contract listed
pursuant to Section 4.14 in Seller's Disclosure Schedule; or (B) requires the
authorization, consent, order, permit, approval of or providing of notice to, or
filing with, any federal, North Carolina or New York governmental body under any
statute or rule known to such counsel for consummation by Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby other than the filings under the HSR Act and
the Assignment Applications;
v. Seller holds all the FCC Authorizations, which include all of the FCC
licenses, permits and authorizations necessary for the Seller to operate a
Cellular Radiotelephone system on Frequency Block A in the Market as currently
configured, and the FCC Authorizations are in full force and effect;
vi. There is no final adverse order, decree or other ruling that has been
issued by the FCC against Seller or the System or, to the best of counsel's
knowledge, no complaint, investigation, proceeding, petition, notice of
violation, or notice of apparent liability pending or threatened by or before
the FCC against Seller or the System; and
vii. All FCC Consents and orders required for assignment of the FCC
Authorizations to Buyer have been duly issued, are in full force and effect and
are Final Orders unless the parties close on Effective Order. No further
consent, approval, authorization or order of the FCC not obtained and in effect
on the date of the opinion is required to assign the Governmental Authorizations
from Seller to Buyer.
f. Adverse Changes. Between the Balance Sheet Date and the Closing Date
there shall have been no material adverse change in the Assets or the condition
(financial or otherwise) of the System.
g. No Governmental Proceeding or Litigation. No suit, action,
investigation, inquiry or other proceeding by any governmental authority or
other Person shall have been instituted or threatened that questions the
validity or legality of the transactions contemplated hereby or which would
reasonably be expected to affect materially and adversely the value of the
Assets.
h. HSR Act. The applicable waiting periods, including any
extension thereof, under the HSR Act shall have expired or shall have been
terminated and neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor the FTC shall have
taken any action to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
i. Non-foreign Affidavit. At Closing, Seller shall furnish to Buyer an
affidavit stating, under penalty of perjury, that the indicated number is its
United States taxpayer identification number and that it is not a foreign
person, pursuant to Section 1445(b)(2) of the Code.
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of Seller. The obligations of Seller to
sell, transfer and convey the Assets and complete the related transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in the
discretion of Seller with respect to the waiver of such conditions) by Seller,
on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
a. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All representations and
warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects (except for representations and warranties qualified by
materiality which will be true and correct in all respects) as if such
representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing Date, and
Buyer shall have performed in all material respects all agreements, covenants
and conditions required hereby to be performed by it, prior to or on the Closing
Date. There shall be delivered to Seller at Closing a certificate of the
President of Buyer to the foregoing effect ("Buyer's Closing Certificate").
b. Deliveries. Buyer shall have made all the deliveries set forth in
Section 10.3.
c. Buyer's Opinion. Buyer shall have delivered to Seller one or more
opinions of Buyer's counsel, dated as of the Closing Date, addressed to Seller
and providing with respect to Buyer (or with respect to its permitted assignees
to the extent assigned as though they were a party hereto) substantially as
follows:
i. Buyer's existence and good standing are as stated in Section 5.1 hereof;
ii. Buyer has full corporate (or other entity) power and authority to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
iii. This Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby and all other
agreements and undertakings contained in this Agreement have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered, and all such instruments are valid and
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms except for
the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and the enforceability of
equitable remedies including injunctive relief and specific performance;
iv. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the
consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby (i) will violate,
conflict with, or constitute a default under Buyer's Certificate of
Incorporation or applicable formation document, or, to the best knowledge of
such counsel, any United States federal law or regulation applicable to Buyer;
or (ii) requires the authorization, consent, order, permit or approval of, or
filing with, any United States federal governmental body under any statute or
rule known to such counsel for consummation by Buyer of the transactions
contemplated hereby other than the filings under the HSR Act and the Assignment
Applications; and
v. All FCC Consents and orders required for assignment of the FCC
Authorizations to Buyer have been duly issued, are in full force and effect and
are Final Orders unless the parties close on Effective Order. No further
consent, approval, authorization or order of the FCC not obtained and in effect
on the date of the opinion is required to assign the Governmental Authorizations
from Seller to Buyer.
d. HSR Act. The applicable waiting period, including any extension thereof,
under the HSR Act shall have expired or shall have been terminated and neither
the U.S. Department of Justice nor the FTC shall have taken any action to
prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
e.FCC and Other Consents. The FCC Consents shall have been granted.
SECTION 10. CLOSING; CLOSING DELIVERIES.
10.1 Closing; Termination.
a. Closing Date. The Closing shall take place within five (5) Business Days
after the grants of the FCC Consents become Final Order (or Effective Order, if
applicable), or on such other date that is agreed upon in writing by Buyer and
Seller.
b. Closing Place. The Closing shall be held at the offices of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
L.L.P., ▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. in Washington, D.C. or any other place that is
agreed upon in writing by Buyer and Seller.
10.2 Deliveries by Seller. Prior to or on the Closing Date, Seller
shall deliver, or cause to be delivered by its Affiliates or subsidiaries, to
Buyer the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and
its counsel:
a. All deeds and bills of sale, assignments and other
instruments of conveyance and transfer, effecting the sale, transfer, assignment
and conveyance of the Assets to Buyer (other than the Excluded Assets or any
other assets specifically excluded herein), including, without limitation, the
following:
i. one or more assignments of lease with respect to the Real Property
Leases;
ii. one or more bills of conveyance with respect to the Personal Property;
iii. one or more assignments with respect to the Contracts and Subscriber
Agreements;
iv. one or more assignments with respect to the Governmental
Authorizations;
v. one or more assignments with respect to the Intangibles; and
vi. such other instruments as shall be reasonably requested by Buyer to
vest in Buyer title to the Assets free and clear from all Encumbrances in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
b. the Books and Records;
c. all Consents required pursuant to Section 9.1(b);
d. evidence of the satisfaction of any Seller indebtedness, including UCC-3
termination statements;
e. Copies of resolutions adopted by the board of directors of Seller, duly
authorizing and approving the execution of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, certified by its Secretary as being
true and correct on the Closing Date;
f. Seller's Closing Certificate;
g. the opinion described in Section 9.1(e);
h. certified copies of Seller's Articles of Incorporation and a Certificate
of Existence;
i. a copy of Seller's Bylaws which have been certified by its Secretary;
j. all such other documents and instruments as Buyer or its counsel shall
reasonably request and which shall be reasonably required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby;
k. the Non-foreign Affidavit described in Section 9.1(i);
l. the Capital Expenditures Summary;
m. a calculation of the Initial Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 2.7;
n. the Closing Date Balance Sheet and accompanying Closing Statement; and
o. a revised Seller's Disclosure Schedule pursuant to Section 8.7.
p. the non-compete agreement required by Section 2.9, and
q. payoff letters satisfactory to Buyer and its lenders, if applicable.
10.3 Deliveries by Buyer. Prior to or on the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver
to Seller the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller
and its counsel:
a. The Purchase Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.7, payable on the
Closing Date in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account designated by Seller in writing and delivered to Buyer no later than two
(2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;
b. The Capital Expenditures Payment;
c. Copies of resolutions adopted by the board of directors or members or
managers, as the case may be, of Buyer, and each permitted assignee, if any,
duly authorizing and approving the execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, certified by its Secretary
as being true and correct on the Closing Date;
d. Buyer's Closing Certificate;
e. certified copies of Buyer's Certificate of Incorporation and each
permitted assignee, if any, constituent document;
f. a copy of Buyer's By-Laws which have been certified by its Secretary;
g. an assumption by Buyer of all the Assumed Liabilities set forth in
Section 3.1;
h. the opinion described in Section 9.2(c);
i. a Certificate of Good Standing for Buyer and each permitted assignee, if
any, from the appropriate state authority; and
j. all such other documents and instruments as Seller or its counsel shall
reasonably request and which shall be reasonably required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
10.4 Form of Instruments. All of the foregoing instruments shall be in
form and substance, and executed and delivered in a manner, reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer's counsel and Seller's counsel.
SECTION 11. ACTIONS BY SELLER AND BUYER AFTER THE CLOSING.
11.1 Tax Matters: Payments of Debts and Liabilities.
a. Books and Records. Each party agrees that it will cooperate
with and make available to the other party, during normal business hours, all
Books and Records, information and employees (without substantial disruption of
employment) retained and remaining in existence after the Closing which are
necessary or useful in connection with any tax inquiry, audit, investigation or
dispute, any litigation or investigation or any other matter requiring any such
Books and Records, information or employees for any reasonable business purpose.
The party requesting any such Books and Records, information or employees shall
bear all of the out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation
attorneys fees, but excluding reimbursement for salaries and employee benefits)
reasonably incurred in connection with providing such Books and Records,
information or employees. All information received pursuant to this Section
11.1(a) shall be subject to the terms of Section 16.11.
b. Cooperation and Records Retention. Seller and Buyer shall
(i) each provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested
by any of them in connection with the preparation of any tax return, audit, or
other examination by any taxing authority or judicial or administrative
proceedings relating to liability for Taxes, (ii) each retain and provide the
other with any records or other information that may be relevant to such return,
audit or examination, proceeding or determination, and (iii) each provide the
other with any final determination of any such audit or examination, proceeding,
or determination that affects any amount required to be shown on any tax return
of the other for any period. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Buyer and Seller shall each retain, until the applicable statutes of limitations
(including any extensions) have expired, copies of all tax returns, supporting
work schedules, and other records or information that may be relevant to such
returns for all tax periods or portions thereof ending on or before the Closing
Date and shall not destroy or otherwise dispose of any such records without
first providing the other party with a reasonable opportunity to review and copy
the same.
c. Following the Closing Date. Seller shall promptly pay when
due all of its debts and Liabilities, including any liability for income taxes
and excluding any debts and Liabilities expressly assumed by Buyer hereunder;
provided, however, this covenant shall not apply to any debt or Liability or
portion thereof, that Seller is contesting in good faith by appropriate
proceedings; and provided further, that Seller shall pay promptly all or that
portion of such contested debt or Liability that is found to be owing at the
completion of such proceedings.
11.2 Closing Financial Statements. Seller shall deliver the Closing
Financial Statements within forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date. Buyer
and Seller will cooperate in the preparation or audit, if deemed necessary by
Buyer, at Buyer's expense, of any Financial Statements.
11.3 Rescission. In the event that Closing occurs on Effective Order
and if the FCC Consents are subsequently withdrawn and if at such time or
thereafter the parties are legally obligated to rescind the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the parties shall rescind the transaction in a
manner that puts each party in the position it would have been in as of the
Closing Date, had the transactions contemplated hereby not been consummated.
Buyer further covenants and agrees that in the event of a rescission pursuant to
this Section 11.3, Buyer will transfer, assign and deliver the Assets and the
System to Seller in substantially the same condition as the Assets and System
existed on the Closing Date, except and, to the extent there is a net diminution
in the value of the Assets, subject to appropriate compensation, except for (i)
ordinary wear and tear, (ii) Assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of
in the ordinary course of business and (iii) changes in any Assets (including
the loss or destruction thereof) after the Closing Date to the extent such
changes are not due to the acts or omissions of Buyer or would have occurred
absent the Closing and Seller shall return the Purchase Price to Buyer net of
compensation if Seller and Buyer agree to the amount of such compensation or,
otherwise, Seller shall pay the Purchase Price less the amount in controversy to
Buyer with the amount in controversy to be placed in escrow pending resolution
of the dispute pursuant to Section 15 hereof.
SECTION 12. TERMINATION.
12.1 Grounds for Termination.
a. Unless Buyer elects to close upon the issuance of an
Effective Order, either party may terminate this Agreement if Final Orders
granting the FCC Consents are not obtained within twelve (12) months after the
filing of the Assignment Applications.
b. Either party may terminate this Agreement if the
terminating party is not then in material breach hereof, by sending a
termination notice to the other party declaring that this Agreement shall
terminate and be deemed null and void, upon the occurrence of either of the
following:
i. If on the Closing Date any of the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 9 hereof to the obligations of the terminating party have not been
satisfied by the non-terminating party or waived by the terminating party;
ii. If, subject to Section 12.2, the other party has breached
any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein;
provided, however, with respect to breaches of representations and warranties,
the nonbreaching party shall not have a right to terminate this Agreement unless
the damages reasonably expected to result from such breaches exceed $1,000,000;
provided further that the Closing hereunder pursuant to this Section 12.1(b)(ii)
shall not affect the nonbreaching party's right to indemnity hereunder; or
iii. If, subject to Section 12.2, there shall be in effect any
judgment, decree, or order that would prevent or make the Closing unlawful.
12.2 Breaches and Defaults; Opportunity to Cure. Prior to the exercise
by a party of any termination rights afforded under this Agreement, if either
party (the "Non-Breaching Party") is basing such termination upon a breach by
the other party (the "Breaching Party"), the Non-Breaching Party shall provide
the Breaching Party with written notice specifying in reasonable detail the
nature of such breach, whereupon the Breaching Party shall have thirty (30) days
from the receipt of such notice to cure such breach; provided, however, that if
such breach is not capable of being cured within such period and if the
Breaching Party shall have commenced action to cure such breach within such
period and is diligently attempting to cure such breach and such breach can
reasonably be expected to be cured during the additional time period, the
Breaching Party shall be afforded an additional reasonable amount of time to
cure such breach but not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days; provided,
further, however, that Buyer shall have no opportunity to cure the breach of its
obligation to deliver any required portion of the Purchase Price to be delivered
to Seller at Closing. If the breach is not cured within such time period, then
the Breaching Party shall be in default hereunder and the Non-Breaching Party
shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement (as provided in Section 12.1).
SECTION 13. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND
INDEMNIFICATION.
13.1 Representations and Warranties. All representations and
warranties of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement shall be deemed
continuing representations and warranties and shall survive the Closing for a
period of one (1) year from the Closing Date; provided, however, that the
representation and warranty contained in Section 4.19 shall survive the Closing
for a period of two (2) years and the representations and warranties contained
in Sections 4.3, 4.16, 4.24, 4.27, 5.2 and 5.9 shall survive the Closing for a
period equal to the statute of limitations for breach of contract under the
governing law specified by Section 16.5. Any investigations by or on behalf of
any party hereto shall not constitute a waiver as to enforcement of any
representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein. No notice or information
delivered by a party shall affect the other party's right to rely on any
representation or warranty made by the first party or relieve the first party of
any obligations hereunder as the result of a breach of any of its
representations and warranties.
13.2 Indemnification by Seller. Subject to Section 13.4 hereof,
notwithstanding the Closing, Seller hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer
and its shareholders, members, partners, managers, officers, employees and their
agents, representatives and permitted assigns harmless against and with respect
to, and shall reimburse Buyer for:
a. Breach. Any and all losses, Liabilities, damages, lawsuits, claims,
deficiencies and related interest, demands, costs, expenses, penalties and
reasonable attorney's fees (collectively, "Damages") resulting from any untrue
representation, breach of warranty, or nonfulfillment of any covenant by Seller
contained herein or in any certificate, document, or instrument delivered by
Seller to Buyer hereunder; and
b. Ownership. Any and all Damages resulting from the ownership of the
Assets prior to the Effective Time including, without limitation, the Excluded
Liabilities; and
c. Legal Matters. Any and all actions, suits, proceedings,
claims, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, and expenses, including
reasonable legal fees and expenses (collectively, "Claims"), incident to any of
the foregoing or incurred in investigating or attempting to avoid the same or to
oppose the imposition thereof, or in enforcing this indemnity; provided,
however, that Seller shall not be required to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer
under this Section 13.2 with respect to any Damages or Claims arising out of any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4, unless and
until Damages and/or Claims for which such indemnification is sought under this
Section 13.2 shall exceed in the aggregate Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000), in which event Seller shall indemnify and hold Buyer
harmless for the full amount of such Damages and/or Claims, provided further
that in no event shall the aggregate liability of Seller for all Damages and/or
Claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement exceed Eight Million Dollars
($8,000,000) (the "Seller Total Claim Cap"); provided, however, that the Seller
Total Claim Cap shall not apply to claims by Buyer based (predominantly with
respect to (i) only) on (i) Seller's knowing and intentional misrepresentation
of material facts actually known by one or more of those executive employees
listed in the definition of "To Seller's knowledge", (ii) Excluded Liabilities,
(iii) failure to proceed to Closing if all conditions precedent are not met and
Buyer is not in default, (iv) failure to comply with the obligations to
creditors of Seller, which obligations are not extinguished by compliance with
the terms of the South Carolina Bulk Sales Act (v) failure to comply with the
post-closing covenants contained in Section 11.1, 16.2, 16.4 and 16.11 or (vi)
failure of Seller or its Affiliates to comply with the terms of the
noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreements referenced in Section 2.9.
13.3 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to Section 13.4 hereof,
notwithstanding the Closing, Buyer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Seller
its shareholder, members, partners, managers, officers, employees and their
agents, representatives and permitted assigns harmless against and with respect
to, and shall reimburse Seller for:
a. Breach. Any and all Damages resulting from any untrue representation,
breach of warranty, or nonfulfillment of any covenant by Buyer contained herein
or in any certificate, document, or instrument delivered by Buyer to Seller
hereunder;
b. Ownership. Any and all Damages resulting from the ownership of the
Assets after the Effective Time; and
c. Legal Matters. Any and all Claims, incident to any of the
foregoing or incurred in investigating or attempting to avoid the same or to
oppose the imposition thereof, or in enforcing this indemnity, provided,
however, that Buyer shall not be required to indemnify and hold harmless Seller
under this Section 13.3 with respect to any Damages or claims arising out of any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5, unless and
until Damages and/or claims for which such indemnification is sought under this
Section 13.3 shall exceed in the aggregate Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000), in which event Buyer shall indemnify and hold Seller
harmless for the full amount of such Damages and/or Claims; provided, further,
however, that in no event shall the aggregate liability of Buyer for all Damages
and/or Claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement exceed Eight Million
Dollars ($8,000,000) (the "Buyer Total Claim Cap"); provided further, however,
that the Buyer Total Claim Cap shall not apply to Claims by the Seller for (i)
Assumed Liabilities, (ii) Buyer's knowing and intentional misrepresentation of
material facts actually known to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and (iii) failure to comply with the post-closing covenants contained
in Sections 11.1, 16.2, 16.4 and 16.11; and
d. Liquidated Damages. In the event of a termination of this
Agreement by Seller in accordance with the terms of Section 12.1(b)(ii) prior to
Closing, as Seller's sole and exclusive remedy and in lieu of any other claims
Seller may have against Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, Seller shall be
entitled to retain the Escrow Amount as liquidated damages.
13.4 Limitation of Damages. The foregoing obligations described in
Sections 13.2 and 13.3 shall be subject to and limited by the following
principles and limitations.
a. All representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement from the Closing Date through the date that is one (1) year
following the Closing Date ("Claim Period") and shall thereafter terminate;
provided, however, that the representations and warranties contained in Section
4.19 shall survive for a period through the date that is two (2) years following
the Closing Date and the representations and warranties contained in Sections
4.3, 4.16, 4.24, 4.27, 5.2 and 5.9 shall survive the Closing for a period equal
to the statute of limitations for breach of contract under the governing law
specified by Section 16.5. Claims first asserted within the Claim Period
referred to above shall not be barred and shall survive indefinitely until such
claims are resolved. Any claims asserted after the Claim Period shall be barred.
13.5 Procedure for Indemnification. The procedure for indemnification shall
be as follows:
a. Notice. The party entitled to be indemnified (the "Claimant") shall, as
soon as practicable after Claimant becomes aware of the facts, condition or
event that gives rise to a Damage or Claim, give notice to the party required to
provide indemnification (the "Indemnitor") of any Damage or Claim, whether
solely between the parties or brought by another party, specifying the factual
basis for the claim and the amount thereof.
b. Investigation. With respect to claims between the parties,
following receipt of notice from the Claimant of a claim, the Indemnitor shall
have thirty (30) days to make any investigation of the claim that the Indemnitor
deems necessary or desirable. For the purposes of this investigation, the
Claimant agrees to make available to the Indemnitor and/or its authorized
representatives the information relied upon by the Claimant to substantiate the
claim. If the Claimant and the Indemnitor cannot agree as to the validity and
amount of the claim within the thirty (30) day period (or any mutually agreed
upon extension thereof), the Claimant may seek appropriate legal remedy.
c. If any lawsuit or enforcement action (a "Third-Party
Action") is filed against a Claimant entitled to the benefit of indemnity
hereunder, written notice (the "Third-Party Action Notice") shall be given by
the Claimant to the Indemnitor as promptly as practicable (and in any event
within ten (10) Business Days after the service of the citation or summons or
other manner of process). After such notice, if the Indemnitor shall acknowledge
in writing to the Claimant that the Indemnitor shall be obligated under the
terms of its indemnity hereunder in connection with such Third-Party Action,
then the Indemnitor shall be entitled, if it so elects, (i) to take control of
the defense and investigation of such Third-Party Action, (ii) to employ and
engage attorneys of its choice to handle and defend the same, at the
Indemnitor's cost, risk and expense, and (iii) to compromise or settle such
Third-Party Action, which compromise or settlement shall be made only with the
written consent of the Claimant (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed) unless such compromise or settlement involves only the
payment of money damages and does not impose an injunction or other equitable
relief upon the Claimant. If the Indemnitor fails to assume the defense of such
Third-Party Action within fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of the
Third-Party Notice, the Claimant will (upon delivering notice to such effect to
the Indemnitor) have the right to undertake the defense, compromise or
settlement of such Third-Party Action; provided, however, that such Third-Party
Action shall not be compromised or settled without the prior written consent of
the Indemnitor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed. In the event the Claimant assumes the defense of the Third-Party
Action, the Claimant will keep the Indemnitor timely informed of the progress of
any such defense, compromise or settlement.
d. Bulk Sales. It may not be practicable to comply or attempt
to comply with the procedures of the "Bulk Sales Act" or similar law of the
state in which the Assets are situated or of any other state that may be
asserted to be applicable to this Agreement. Accordingly, to induce Buyer to
waive any requirements for compliance with any or all of such laws, Seller
hereby agrees that the indemnity provisions of this Article 13 hereof shall
apply to any Damages of Buyer arising out of or resulting from the failure of
Seller to comply with any such laws.
13.6 Knowledge and Materiality. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, for purposes of this Section 13 only, the
representations and warranties contained in Sections 4 and 5 shall be deemed to
be made without qualification with respect to knowledge. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of this Section 13 only,
all claims shall be deemed to be material until the basket of $250,000
referenced in 13.2 and 13.3 has been attained and thereafter a claim with
respect to any item qualified by materiality shall be deemed to be material only
if the damages associated with such item exceeds $5,000.
SECTION 14. REMEDIES.
14.1 By Seller. If Seller has the right to terminate pursuant to
Section 12(b)(i) hereof, Seller may at its sole election (i) waive such right
and close (without waiving its rights to recover Damages pursuant to Section
13); or (ii) terminate the Agreement and seek all remedies to which it is
entitled by law.
14.2 By Buyer. If Buyer has the right to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 12(b)(i) hereof, Buyer may at its sole election either (i)
waive such right and close (without waiving its rights to recover Damages
pursuant to Section 13); or (ii) terminate the Agreement and seek all remedies
to which it is entitled by law.
14.3 Generally; No Implied Release. A termination of this Agreement
will not release either party from breach of this Agreement which occurs prior
to such termination, except to the extent that such party's liability is limited
or released as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
14.4 Specific Performance. The parties recognize that if Seller fails
or refuses to perform under the provisions of this Agreement, monetary damages
alone will not be adequate to compensate Buyer for its injury. Buyer shall
therefore be entitled, in addition to any other remedies that may be available,
including money damages, to obtain specific performance of Seller's obligations
under the terms of this Agreement. If any action is brought by Buyer against
Seller to enforce this Agreement, Seller shall waive the defense that there is
an adequate remedy at law.
SECTION 15. ARBITRATION.
The parties agree that any controversy, dispute or claim
(collectively, a "Dispute") between the parties arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the breach, termination or validity thereof shall be resolved
by arbitration; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 15
shall be construed to limit or preclude a party from bringing any action in any
court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or other provisional relief
solely to compel the other party to comply with its non-monetary obligations
under this Agreement, including the right to specific performance set forth in
Section 14.4. Within ten (10) days following the date that a dispute arises
hereunder, Buyer and Seller shall select a mutually acceptable arbitrator
located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to resolve such dispute. If
the parties are unable to agree upon the arbitrator within the ten (10) day
period, then three arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the rules of the
American Arbitration Association. Such arbitration shall be conducted in
Washington, D.C. pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association,
and shall be concluded as soon as reasonable practicable. The arbitrators shall
render a written decision, which shall include findings of fact and conclusions
of law. The decision of the arbitrators shall be final, conclusive and binding
on the parties and judgment thereon may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. The party not prevailing shall be responsible for all fees and
expenses, including attorneys fees, in connection with such arbitration.
SECTION 16. MISCELLANEOUS.
16.1 Allocation of Purchase Price. On the Closing Date, Buyer and
Seller shall mutually agree in writing upon the allocation of the Purchase Price
among the Assets. Such allocation shall be adjusted as necessary in connection
with the final determination of the Purchase Price Adjustment. The parties agree
that such allocation shall be made based upon the relative fair market values of
the Assets as of the Closing Date and the noncompete/nonsolicitation agreements
which the parties agree shall be allocated an aggregate value of $100,000)
referred to in Section 2.9. In the absence of mutual agreement within such
period, the parties shall submit promptly the determination of such allocation
to the Independent Accountant who will be engaged by the parties to allocate the
Purchase Price among the Assets based upon the relative fair market values as of
the Closing Date and the noncompete/nonsolicitation agreements referred to in
Section 2.9. The determination of the Independent Accountant shall be final,
binding and conclusive on the parties hereto, and the fees and expenses of the
Independent Accountant shall be borne by the party whose proposed allocations of
the Purchase Price differs to the greater extent from that of the Independent
Accountant (as to be determined by the Independent Accountant). In addition,
Buyer and Seller agree that they: (i) shall jointly complete and separately file
in a timely fashion Form 8594 with each of their federal income tax returns for
the year required; and (ii) shall not take any position on any income, transfer
or gains tax return before any governmental agency charged with the collection
of any such tax or in any judicial proceeding that is in any manner inconsistent
with the terms of the agreed upon (or determined by the Independent Accountant)
allocation without the written consent of the other.
16.2 Fees and Expenses. Any transfer taxes (including any bulk sales
taxes), sales taxes, document stamps, or other charges levied by any
governmental entity on account of the transfer and conveyance of the Assets from
Seller to Buyer shall be split equally between Buyer and Seller. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party shall pay its own expenses
incurred in connection with the authorization, preparation, execution, and
performance of this Agreement, including all fees and expenses of counsel,
accountants, agents, and representatives.
16.3 Notices. All notices, demands, and requests required or permitted
to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly delivered and received (i) on the date of personal
delivery (which shall include delivery by facsimile if received between the
hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, local time, on any Business Day), (ii) on the date
of receipt (as shown on the return receipt) if mailed by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested or (iii) on the next day if
sent by overnight courier, in each case addressed as follows:
If to Seller:
Vanguard Cellular Systems of South Carolina, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President and General
Counsel
Facsimile: (▇▇▇)▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, L.L.P.
▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
If to Buyer:
Triton PCS, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, CEO
Facsimile: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
Kleinbard, ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LLP
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
or to any other or additional persons and addresses as the parties may from time
to time designate in a writing delivered in accordance with this Section 16.3.
16.4 Further Assurances. The parties shall take any actions and execute any
other documents that reasonably may be necessary or desirable to the implement
and consummation of this Agreement.
16.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including
principles of conflicts of law; provided, however, that with respect to the Real
Property this Agreement shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of South Carolina.
16.6 Headings. The headings herein are included for ease of reference
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of the
provisions of this Agreement.
16.7 Gender and Number. Words used herein, regardless of the gender
and number specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other
gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, and another number, singular or plural,
as the context requires.
16.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, all annexes, schedules and
exhibits hereto, and all certificates and other documents to be delivered by the
parties pursuant hereto, collectively represent the entire understanding and
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement supersedes that certain confidentiality agreement between the parties
dated December 18,1997 and that certain letter agreement between the parties,
dated February 18, 1998, and all other prior negotiations and agreements between
the parties. This Agreement cannot be amended, supplemented, or changed except
by an agreement in writing that makes specific reference to this Agreement and
which is signed by the party against which enforcement of any such amendment,
supplement, or modification is sought.
16.9 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, 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 or affected, it
being intended that all the rights and privileges established hereunder shall be
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
16.10 Benefit and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party
without the written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided no such consent shall be required
upon assignment by Buyer of any of its rights and obligations to an Affiliate of
Buyer (which Affiliate shall join in the representations and warranties of Buyer
in Section 5 hereof as though it were a party hereto to the extent such
representations and warranties are applicable to such Affiliate) or a transferee
of the FCC Authorizations and Buyer shall remain responsible for all of the
assignee's obligations; provided that such assignment will not reasonably be
expected to cause any delay or postponement of the Closing in excess of five (5)
Business Days.
16.11 Confidential Information. Neither party shall disclose the
transaction contemplated herein until after the date of execution of this
Agreement after which date either party may make a public announcement. Copies
of any public announcements shall be provided to the other party via facsimile
the day of such announcement. In connection with the negotiation of this
Agreement and the preparation for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, each party acknowledges that it has had and will have
access to confidential information relating to the other party. Each party and
its Representatives shall treat such information as confidential, preserve the
confidentiality thereof and not duplicate or use such information, except among
Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or as
otherwise required by law, including securities laws or as required by either
party to enforce its rights under this Agreement. In the event of the
termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, each party shall return
(or destroy with delivery of a certificate confirming such destruction) to the
other all documents, work papers and other material (including all copies
thereof) obtained in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and
will use all reasonable efforts, including instructing its employees and others
who have had access to such information, to keep confidential and not to use any
such information, unless such information is now, or is hereafter disclosed,
through no act or omission of such party, in any manner making it available to
the general public. The parties acknowledge, but do not represent or warrant,
that portions of the Assets, including but not limited to subscriber lists and
Subscriber Agreements, constitute trade secrets and confidential business
information. Each party agrees not to disclose any such information to any party
other than the other party unless and until such time as this Agreement is
terminated; provided, however, after the Closing Date, Buyer shall have the
right to disclose such information as it deems appropriate in its sole
discretion.
16.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts with
the same effect as if the signature on each counterpart were upon the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
BUYER:
ATTEST: TRITON PCS, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/M.E. Kalogris
Secretary Title: CEO
SELLER:
VANGUARD CELLULAR SYSTEMS OF SOUTH
ATTEST: CAROLINA, INC.
/s/▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ S. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ III
Assistant Secretary Title: Vice President
SELLER'S DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
Schedule 1 Excluded Assets
Schedule 2.6 Previously Approved Capital Expenditures
Schedule 2.9 Form of Noncompetition/Nonsolicitation Agreement
Schedule 3.1 Assumed Obligations
Schedule 4.4 Certain Changes or Events
Schedule 4.7 Consents
Schedule 4.8 Governmental Authorizations
Schedule 4.9 Description of Real Property
Schedule 4.10 Description of Personal Property
Schedule 4.11 Subscriber Agreements Not in Ordinary Course of Business
Schedule 4.12 Resale Agreements
Schedule 4.13 Financial Statements
Schedule 4.14 Contracts
Schedule 4.15 Description of Intangibles
Schedule 4.16 Taxes
Schedule 4.17 Insurance Policies
Schedule 4.19 Employee Plans
Schedule 4.20 Litigation
Schedule 4.21 Compliance with Laws
Schedule 4.25 Accounts Receivable
Schedule 6.1(e) Monthly Reports