AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICES AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.43
AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this
1st day of May, 2007 by and between US BioEnergy Corporation, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of South Dakota with an office at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
(the “Company”), and Capitaline Advisors, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws
of the State of South Dakota with an office at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00000
(“Capitaline”).
In consideration of the mutual benefits to the parties hereto and the promises, terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound, the parties do hereby mutually
agree as follows:
1. Parties and Related Persons.
(a) The Company. The Company is engaged in, among other things, the business
of developing, owning and operating ethanol plants and other bio-refining facilities.
(b) Capitaline. Capitaline is (directly, as a controlling person of various
investment funds, and through its affiliates) a significant beneficial owner of the
Company’s common stock. Capitaline provides investment capital and financial and human
resources to companies in the renewable energy and finance industries.
2. Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety,
effective from and after January 1, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), that certain Services Agreement,
dated November 17, 2005 (and amended August 14, 2006), between the parties.
3. Purpose. The Company and Capitaline require certain services from one another for
the operation of their respective businesses, as described in Exhibit A attached hereto
(collectively the “Services”), and each party is willing and able to provide the Services to be
provided by such party.
4. Scope of Services.
(a) Scope. The Company and Capitaline agree that the Services must be
performed in accordance with the standards, terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement.
(b) Changes to Services. Either party may, at any time with or without cause,
terminate this Agreement with respect to any Service provided by the other party upon ten
(10) days’ written notice to the other party. Exhibit A may be amended to add Services at
any time upon mutual agreement of the parties.
(c) Independent Contractor. Each party shall provide the Services as an
independent contractor and not as an employee, partner, or agent of the other party. Each
party is free to exercise its judgment in all aspects of its performance of Services under
this Agreement.
(d) Employees. The personnel providing the executive assistant and
administrative assistant Services, as set forth on Exhibit A, shall be employees of
Capitaline, and Capitaline shall be responsible for such employees in all respects,
including with respect to compensation, benefits, and withholding. The personnel providing
the IT Services, as set forth on Exhibit A,
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shall be employees of the Company, and the Company shall be responsible for such
employees in all respects, including with respect to compensation, benefits, and
withholding.
5. Compensation.
(a) By the Company. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will pay
Capitaline (i) a fixed monthly fee of $6,500 for all executive assistant and administrative
assistant Services, (ii) at a rate of $70 per hour for analyst Services, and (iii) a fixed
monthly fee of $10,050 for all office Services.
(b) By Capitaline. During the term of this Agreement, Capitaline will pay the
Company a fixed monthly fee of $2,720 for all IT Services provided by the Company for
Capitaline.
(c) Expenses. All out-of-pocket expenses incurred by a party in providing
Services will be paid by the party receiving the Services.
(d) Compensation and Settlement Procedures. Each party will provide the other
with a written monthly statement, no later than the 10th day of each month, detailing the
charges and expenses for Services provided under this Agreement during the prior month.
Each party shall pay each monthly statement provided by the other by the 20th day of the
month in which the statement was delivered. In addition, the books, accounts and records of
each of the parties will be maintained in such a manner as to be able to determine the
appropriateness or reasonableness of the compensation and reimbursements made under this
Agreement.
6. Standard of Performance.
(a) Warranty. Each party warrants to the other that the Services will be
performed in a competent, diligent manner and in accordance with generally accepted
standards for such Services and any applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or
rules.
(b) Policy Compliance. Each party agrees to comply with all of the policies of
the other party (i) that now exist or as are implemented or revised from time to time and
(ii) of which such party is aware.
(c) No Expenses. Neither party will incur any expenses or liability on account
of the other party outside the normal course of business without specific written approval
from an authorized representative of the other party.
(d) Retention of Control by the Company. Capitaline acknowledges and agrees
that all Services provided by Capitaline for the Company will be subject to the ultimate
authority, control, review and limitation of the Company and its directors and officers.
(e) Retention of Control by Capitaline. The Company acknowledges and agrees
that all Services provided by the Company for Capitaline will be subject to the ultimate
authority, control, review and limitation of Capitaline and its directors and officers.
(f) Supplies and Materials. Supplies and materials, if any, furnished by one
party to the other in connection with providing Services shall remain the property of the
furnishing party and shall be returned by the other party upon demand by the furnishing
party.
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7. Indemnity.
(a) Indemnification by Capitaline. Capitaline agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its affiliates, employees and agents, against any and all loss or cost
the Company may suffer or become obligated to pay as a result of any violation of applicable
laws or regulations by Capitaline, its employees or agents in providing Services hereunder
or as a result of any negligence or willful misconduct of Capitaline, its employees or
agents in providing Services hereunder.
(b) Notice to Capitaline. The Company agrees to notify Capitaline as soon as
reasonably practicable of any matter that may result in a claim by the Company for
indemnification from Capitaline hereunder. If Capitaline acknowledges its responsibility
for the matter, Capitaline will have the right to control the defense and select defense
counsel.
(c) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless Capitaline, its affiliates, employees and agents, against any and all loss or cost
Capitaline may suffer or become obligated to pay as a result of any violation of applicable
laws or regulations by the Company, its employees or agents in providing Services hereunder
or as a result of any negligence or willful misconduct of the Company, its employees or
agents in providing Services hereunder.
(d) Notice to the Company. Capitaline agrees to notify the Company as soon as
reasonably practicable of any matter that may result in a claim by Capitaline for
indemnification from the Company hereunder. If the Company acknowledges its responsibility
for the matter, the Company will have the right to control the defense and select defense
counsel.
(e) Limits on Liability. Neither party will be liable to the other party in
connection with the Services provided hereunder for any indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages of any kind (including lost profits or interruption of business),
regardless of the form of action, whether in tort or contract (including negligence, strict
liability, breach of contract or otherwise), even if a party has been advised of the
possibility of such damages.
8. Term and Termination.
(a) Term. The term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and
continue for a period of one (1) year, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, and
will automatically continue thereafter until terminated by either party as provided in
Section 8(b).
(b) Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time after
the end of the initial one (1) year term by giving at least thirty (30) days’ written notice
to the other party.
(c) Termination upon Company’s Notice. Either party may terminate this
Agreement for any reason upon not less than sixty (60) days’ notice to the other party.
(d) Termination for Cause. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon a
material breach by the other party of any provision or condition of this Agreement. In the
event that a party has materially breached this Agreement, then (i) the non-breaching party
must notify the breaching party of the breach, (ii) the breaching party must commence a cure
of the breach within ten (10) days after its receipt of that notice, and (iii) the breaching
party must complete the cure of the breach within twenty (20) days after commencing its
cure. If the breaching party does
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not commence or complete the cure within the specified time, then this Agreement will
terminate immediately and without further notice.
(e) Rights upon Termination. At termination, each party’s obligation to pay
and right to receive compensation hereunder will cease, except in respect of Services
performed (and expenses incurred) prior to the date of termination.
(f) Survival of Obligations. The termination of this Agreement will not
terminate any obligation accrued prior to the termination, or any obligations that by their
nature survive termination, including, without limitation, obligations under the
indemnification, warranty and confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.
(g) Return of Information and Property. Promptly following the termination of
this Agreement, each party will return to the other party all confidential or proprietary
information of the other party and all property owned by the other party.
9. Confidentiality.
(a) Each party (the “Receiving Party”) agrees that all information provided by or
obtained from the other party (the “Disclosing Party”) in connection with the performance or
receipt of Services hereunder, and all information generated using such information
(collectively, the “Confidential Information”), must be kept strictly confidential during
term of this Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Unless required by law, the
Receiving Party will not disclose the Confidential Information to any third party, or use
the Confidential Information for its own or any third party’s benefit, without the prior
written approval of the Disclosing Party, except that the Receiving Party each may use the
Confidential Information to provide the Services.
(b) At the request of the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party must promptly destroy
or return or cause to be returned to the Disclosing Party any Confidential Information,
without retaining any copies or extracts thereof. Furthermore, the Receiving Party must, if
requested by the Disclosing Party, provide a certificate stating that the Receiving Party
has complied with the terms and conditions of this Section 9(b).
10. Notices. All notices, claims, requests and other communications (“Notices”) under
this Agreement (i) must be in writing and (ii) must be delivered to the following relevant address
or fax number or to such other address or fax number as is giving in writing by either party to the
other party in accordance with this Section 10:
If to the Company:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
US BioEnergy Corporation
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No.:
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
US BioEnergy Corporation
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No.:
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If to Capitaline:
Xxxx Xxxxx
Chief Compliance Officer
Capitaline Advisors, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
Chief Compliance Officer
Capitaline Advisors, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
Notice will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon the date of delivery if delivered in person
or by fax (receipt confirmed), (ii) five (5) days after the date of mailing if deposited in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, or (iii) upon the date of the postmark on the return receipt
if deposited in the United States mail, with postage prepaid for certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, unless an earlier delivery date is indicated by the return receipt.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Rights Cumulative. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, and to
the extent permitted by law, any rights and remedies described in this Agreement are
cumulative and not alternative to any other rights or remedies available at law or in
equity.
(b) Deviation from Contract Terms. If either party deviates from the
provisions of this Agreement, even without protest by the other party, the deviation will
not be held to change this Agreement or the rights and responsibilities of the parties.
(c) Waiver. A party will not be deemed to waive a breach, right or remedy
hereunder unless the waiver is in writing and signed by the waiving party. Any waiver will
be valid only in that instance and not in connection with any subsequent action or
circumstance.
(d) Severability. If any provision herein is held to be partially or
completely unenforceable, then this Agreement will be deemed to be amended to modify such
provision to the extent necessary to make it enforceable, or, if necessary, this Agreement
will be deemed to be amended to delete the unenforceable provision.
(e) Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement, including the exhibits
and any other attachments hereto (which are incorporated herein by reference), constitutes
the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
there are no other agreements, representations or warranties, oral or written, between the
parties relating to that subject matter. Except as provided herein, this Agreement may not
be changed, modified, or amended in whole or in part except in a writing duly signed by both
parties
(f) Disputes. If a dispute arises under this Agreement, the parties will
attempt to settle the dispute through good faith negotiations. If negotiations fail, the
parties agree to endeavor to settle the dispute in an amicable manner by mediation
administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the AAA’s Commercial
Mediation Rules. If mediation is unsuccessful, any unresolved controversy or claim arising
under this Agreement will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the AAA in
accordance with the AAA’s Commercial Arbitration Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered in
arbitration may be entered in any court having proper jurisdiction.
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(g) Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. In the event of litigation, arbitration,
mediation or other proceedings arising under this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees and costs.
(h) Interest on Past Due Amounts. All late payments due under this Agreement
shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month (annual
percentage rate of 18%) compounded monthly, unless a lower interest rate is required by
applicable law. Interest shall be calculated from the due date until the date payment is
received.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
South Dakota, disregarding the conflict of laws principles thereof.
(j) No Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned in whole or in part
without the written consent of the other party. This Agreement is binding upon and inures
to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which will constitute an original, and all of which together will constitute one and
the same instrument.
[signatures next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first
above written.
THE COMPANY: | ||||
US BIOENERGY CORPORATION | ||||
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Its:
|
VP and General Counsel | |||
CAPITALINE: | ||||
CAPITALINE ADVISORS, LLC | ||||
By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
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|||
Its:
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Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
CAPITALINE SERVICES
Analyst, Executive Assistant, and Administrative Assistant Services
The following Capitaline employees will provide to the Company the services listed beneath their
names:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx (Analyst)
• | Assist with financial analysis projections / pro formas. | ||
• | Assist with evaluation of strategic transactions. | ||
• | Assist with site selection analysis. | ||
• | Assist with questions regarding historic accounting issues. |
Xxxxx Xxxxx (Executive Assistant)
• | Act as executive assistant to Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxxx Xxx. | ||
• | Assist with preparation and production of presentations and related materials for Xxxxxx Xxxxx. | ||
• | Assist with event planning. | ||
• | Corporate aircraft flight coordinator. | ||
• | Travel reservations for Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx. | ||
• | Backup receptionist, including various administrative duties. |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (Administrative Assistant)
• | Act as administrative assistant to Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxx. | ||
• | Office receptionist. | ||
• | Various administrative duties, such as filing and mail distribution. | ||
• | Reconcile VISA account statements for Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
Office Services
Capitaline will provide the Company with approximately 3,000 square feet of fully furnished office
space and related office services for use by Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxx,
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, including:
• | Six computers and associated computer hardware; | ||
• | The use of standard office software; | ||
• | Unlimited use of standard office equipment (copiers, printers, fax machines, projectors); | ||
• | High-speed Internet access; | ||
• | Telephones, eight telephone lines, and local and long-distance telephone services (but not cell phones or cell phone services); | ||
• | Office supplies and postage; | ||
• | Utilities and janitorial services; | ||
• | The use of a board room, a conference room, a lobby, restrooms, a work area, and a storage area; and | ||
• | Parking. |
US BIOENERGY SERVICES
IT Services
The following Company employee will provide to Capitaline the services listed beneath his name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx (IT)
• | Archive tape back-up and management. | ||
• | Server maintenance and application of necessary updates. | ||
• | PC maintenance and application of necessary updates. | ||
• | Software installation and licensing. | ||
• | Hardware and software purchasing. | ||
• | Printer maintenance. | ||
• | Email maintenance and spam filtering. | ||
• | Virus protection and licensing. | ||
• | ABRA maintenance and backups. | ||
• | Domain / website maintenance | ||
• | Miscellaneous support and trouble shooting. | ||
• | Phone system maintenance. | ||
• | Disaster recovery planning. |