PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT LARGECAP VALUE ACCOUNT III

PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

LARGECAP VALUE ACCOUNT III

AGREEMENT executed as of the 1st day of January, 2010, by and between PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT 

CORPORATION, an Iowa corporation (hereinafter called "the Manager"), and ALLIANCEBERSTEIN L.P. 

(formerly known as ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership 

(hereinafter called "the Sub-Advisor"). 

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Manager is the manager and investment adviser to each Account of the Principal 

Variable Contracts Funds, Inc., (the "Fund"), an open-end management investment company 

registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and 

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Sub-Advisor to furnish it with portfolio selection and 

related research and statistical services in connection with the investment advisory services for the 

LargeCap Value Account of the Fund (hereinafter called the “Account”), which the Manager has 

agreed to provide to the Fund, and the Sub-Advisor desires to furnish such services; and 

WHEREAS, The Manager has furnished the Sub-Advisor with copies properly certified or 

authenticated of each of the following and will promptly provide the Sub-Advisor with copies properly 

certified or authenticated of any amendment or supplement thereto: 

(a) Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement") with the Fund; 

(b) The Fund's registration statement and financial statements as filed with the Securities and 

Exchange Commission; 

(c) The Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws; 

(d) Policies, procedures or instructions adopted or approved by the Board of Directors of the 

Fund relating to obligations and services provided by the Sub-Advisor. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the terms and conditions hereinafter set 

forth, the parties agree as follows: 

1. Appointment of Sub-Advisor 

In accordance with and subject to the Management Agreement, the Manager hereby appoints 

the Sub-Advisor to perform the services described in Section 2 below for 

investment and reinvestment of the securities and other assets of the Account, subject to the 

control and direction of the Manager and the Fund's Board of Directors, for the period and 

on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees to 

furnish the services hereinafter set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Sub- 

Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, 

except as expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the 

Fund or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the 

Manager. 

2.	Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Sub-Advisor
	The Sub-Advisor will:
	(a)	Provide investment advisory services, including but not limited to research, advice and
		supervision for the Account.
	(b)	Furnish to the Board of Directors of the Fund for approval (or any appropriate
		committee of such Board), and revise from time to time as economic conditions require,
		a recommended investment program for the Account consistent with the Account’s
		investment objective and policies.
	(c)	Implement the approved investment program by placing orders for the purchase and
		sale of securities without prior consultation with the Manager and without regard to the
		length of time the securities have been held, the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or
		any tax considerations, subject always to the provisions of the Fund’s Articles of
		Incorporation and By-laws, the requirements of the 1940 Act, as each of the same shall
		be from time to time in effect.
	(d)	Advise and assist the officers of the Fund, as requested by the officers, in taking such
		steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Board of
		Directors, and any appropriate committees of such Board, regarding the general
		conduct of the investment business of the Account.
	(e)	Maintain, in connection with the Sub-Advisor’s investment advisory services obligations,
		compliance with the 1940 Act and the regulations adopted by the Securities and
		Exchange Commission thereunder and the Account’s investment strategies and
		restrictions as stated in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information.
	(f)	Report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at such times and in such detail as the
		Board of Directors may reasonably deem appropriate in order to enable it to determine
		that the investment policies, procedures and approved investment program of the
		Account are being observed.
	(g)	Upon request, provide assistance and recommendations for the determination of the
		fair value of certain securities when reliable market quotations are not readily available
		for purposes of calculating net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods
		established by the Fund's Board of Directors.
	(h)	Furnish, at its own expense, (i) all necessary investment and management facilities,
		including salaries of clerical and other personnel required for it to execute its duties
		faithfully, and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and
		equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment advisory affairs of the
		Account.
	(i)	Open accounts with broker-dealers and futures commission merchants (“broker-
		dealers”), select broker-dealers to effect all transactions for the Account, place all
		necessary orders with broker-dealers or issuers (including affiliated broker-dealers),
		and negotiate commissions, if applicable. To the extent consistent with applicable law,
		purchase or sell orders for the Account may be aggregated with contemporaneous
		purchase or sell orders of other clients of the Sub-Advisor. In such event allocation of

	securities so sold or purchased, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will
	be made by the Sub-Advisor in the manner the Sub-Advisor considers to be the most
	equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to other clients.
	The Sub-Advisor will report on such allocations at the request of the Manager, the Fund
	or the Fund’s Board of Directors providing such information as the number of
	aggregated trades to which the Account was a party, the broker-dealers to whom such
	trades were directed and the basis for the allocation for the aggregated trades. The
	Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to obtain execution of transactions for the Account
	at prices which are advantageous to the Account and at commission rates that are
	reasonable in relation to the benefits received. However, the Sub-Advisor may select
	brokers or dealers on the basis that they provide brokerage, research or other services
	or products to the Sub-Advisor. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Sub-
	Advisor may pay a broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities
	transaction in excess of the amount of commission or dealer spread another broker or
	dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Advisor determines
	in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of
	the brokerage and research products and/or services provided by such broker or
	dealer. This determination, with respect to brokerage and research products and/or
	services, may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall
	responsibilities which the Sub-Advisor and its affiliates have with respect to the Account
	as well as to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Not all such
	services or products need be used by the Sub-Advisor in managing the Account. In
	addition, joint repurchase or other accounts may not be utilized by the Account except
	to the extent permitted under any exemptive order obtained by the Sub-Advisor
	provided that all conditions of such order are complied with.
(j)	Maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Account as are required of
	an investment advisor of a registered investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act
	and Investment Advisor’s Act of 1940 (the “Investment Advisor’s Act”), and the rules
	thereunder, and furnish the Fund and the Manager with such periodic and special
	reports as the Fund or Manager may reasonably request. In compliance with the
	requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor hereby agrees that all
	records that it maintains for the Account are the property of the Fund, agrees to
	preserve for the periods described by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records that it
	maintains for the Account and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under
	the 1940 Act, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any records that it
	maintains for the Account upon request by the Fund or the Manager. The Sub-Advisor
	has no responsibility for the maintenance of Fund records except insofar as is directly
	related to the services provided to the Account.
(k)	Observe and comply with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and the Sub-Advisor’s Code of
	Ethics adopted pursuant to that Rule as the same may be amended from time to time.
	The Manager acknowledges receipt of a copy of Sub-Advisor’s current Code of Ethics.
	Sub-Advisor shall promptly forward to the Manager a copy of any material amendment
	to the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics.
(l)	From time to time as the Manager or the Fund may request, furnish the requesting party
	reports on portfolio transactions and reports on investments held by the Account, all in
	such detail as the Manager or the Fund may reasonably request. The Sub-Advisor will
	make available its officers and employees to meet with the Fund’s Board of Directors at
	the Fund’s principal place of business on due notice to review the investments of the

	Account.
	(m)	Provide such information as is customarily provided by a sub-advisor and may be
		required for the Fund or the Manager to comply with their respective obligations under
		applicable laws, including, without limitation, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
		amended (the “Code”), the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act, the Securities Act of
		1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any state securities laws, and any rule or
		regulation thereunder. Sub-Advisor will advise Manager of any changes in Sub-
		Advisor’s general partners within a reasonable time after any such change.
	(n)	Perform quarterly and annual tax compliance tests to monitor the Account ‘s compliance
		with Subchapter M of the Code and Section 817(h) of the Code, subject to receipt of
		such additional information as may be required from the Manager and provided in
		accordance with Section 10(d) of this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor shall notify the
		Manager immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Account
		has ceased to be in compliance or that it might not be in compliance in the future. If it is
		determined that the Account is not in compliance with the requirements noted above,
		the Sub-Advisor, in consultation with the Manager, will take prompt action to bring the
		Account back into compliance (to the extent possible) within the time permitted under
		the Code.
3.	Prohibited Conduct
	In providing the services described in this agreement, the Sub-Advisor will not consult with
	any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to any
	investment company sponsored by Principal Life Insurance Company regarding transactions
	for the Fund in securities or other assets.
4.	Compensation
	As full compensation for all services rendered and obligations assumed by the Sub-Advisor
	hereunder with respect to the Account, the Manager shall pay the compensation specified in
	Appendix A to this Agreement. Brokerage services provided to the Account by the Sub-
	Advisor’s affiliate, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx & Co., LLC (“SCB LLC”), are not within the scope of
	the duties of the Sub-Advisor under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of
	applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Fund’s board of directors, SCB LLC may
	receive brokerage commissions, fees or other remuneration from the Account for these
	services in addition to the sub-advisory fees, for services under this Agreement.
5.	Liability of Sub-Advisor
	Neither the Sub-Advisor nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates shall
	be liable to the Manager, the Fund or its shareholders for any loss suffered by the Manager
	or the Fund resulting from any error of judgment made in the good faith exercise of the Sub-
	Advisor's investment discretion in connection with selecting investments for the Account or
	as a result of the failure by the Manager or any of its affiliates to comply with the terms of this
	Agreement and/or any insurance laws and rules, except for losses resulting from willful
	misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of, or from reckless disregard of, the duties of the
	Sub-Advisor or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or affiliates.
6.	Supplemental Arrangements

	The Sub-Advisor may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with the Sub-
	Advisor or with unaffiliated third parties to better enable the Sub-Advisor to fulfill its
	obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the
	Sub-Advisor, subject to written notification to and approval of the Manager and, where
	required by applicable law, the Board of Directors of the Fund.
7.	Regulation
	The Sub-Advisor shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction
	over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other
	material which any such body may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and
	regulations.
8.	Duration and Termination of This Agreement
	This Agreement shall become effective on the latest of (i) the date of its execution, (ii) the
	date of its approval by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including approval by
	the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of
	the Manager, the Sub-Advisor, Principal Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast in person
	at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval or (iii) if required by the 1940
	Act, the date of its approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Account.
	It shall continue in effect thereafter from year to year provided that the continuance is
	specifically approved at least annually either by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a
	vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Account and in either event by a
	vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the
	Manager, Principal Life Insurance Company, the Sub-Advisor or the Fund cast in person at a
	meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
	If the shareholders of the Account fail to approve the Agreement or any continuance of the
	Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor will
	continue to act as Sub-Advisor with respect to the Account pending the required approval of
	the Agreement or its continuance or of any contract with the Sub-Advisor or a different
	manager or sub-advisor or other definitive action; provided, that the compensation received
	by the Sub-Advisor in respect to the Fund during such period is in compliance with Rule
	15a-4 under the 1940 Act.
	This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the
	Board of Directors of the Fund or by the Sub-Advisor, the Manager or by vote of a majority of
	the outstanding voting securities of the Account on sixty days written notice. This Agreement
	shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. In interpreting the provisions of
	this Section 8, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the
	definitions of "interested person," "assignment" and "voting security") shall be applied.

9.	Amendment of this Agreement
	No material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved, if required by
	the 1940 Act or the rules, regulations, interpretations or orders issued thereunder, by vote of
	the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Account and by vote of a
	majority of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the
	Manager, the Sub-Advisor, Principal Life Insurance Company or the Fund cast in person at a
	meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
10. General Provisions

(a) Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as 

(b) are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. This Agreement shall be construed and 

     enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Iowa. The 

(c) captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or 

   delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. 

(d) Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed 

postage pre-paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for 

the receipt of such notices. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the 

address of the Manager for this purpose shall be Principal Financial Group, Xxx Xxxxxx, 

Xxxx 00000-0000, and the address of the Sub-Advisor shall be 0000 Xxxxxx xx xx 

Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000. ATTN: Xxxxxxx Xxxx. 

(e) The Sub-Advisor will promptly notify the Manager in writing of the occurrence of any of 

   the following events: 

(1) the Sub-Advisor fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment 

Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Advisor is 

required to be registered as an investment advisor in order to perform its obligations 

under this Agreement. 

(2) the Sub-Advisor is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, 

proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public 

board or body, involving the affairs of the Account. 

(f) The Manager shall provide (or cause the Account custodian to provide) timely 

information to the Sub-Advisor regarding such matters as the composition of the assets 

of the Account, cash requirements and cash available for investment in the Account, and 

all other reasonable information as may be necessary for the Sub-Advisor to perform its 

duties and responsibilities hereunder. 

(g) The Sub-Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates will in any way refer 

directly or indirectly to its relationship with the Fund, the Series, or the Manager or any of 

their respective affiliates in offering, marketing or other promotional materials without 

the express written consent of the Manager. 

(h) The Sub-Advisor represents that it will not enter into any agreement, oral or written, or other 

understanding under which the Fund directs or is expected to direct portfolio securities 

transactions, or any remuneration, to a broker or dealer in consideration for the promotion or 

sale of Fund shares or shares issued by any other registered investment company. Sub- 

advisor further represents that it is contrary to the Sub-advisor’s policies to permit those who 

select brokers or dealers for execution of fund portfolio securities transactions to take into 

account the broker or dealer’s promotion or sale of Fund shares or shares issued by any 

other registered investment company. 

(i) This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date first above 

written. 

PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION 

By   /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Beer

Xxxxxxx X. Beer, Executive Vice President and 

Chief Operating Officer 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. 

By  /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx

Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Assistant Secretary 

APPENDIX A 

The Sub-Advisor shall serve as investment sub-advisor for the Account. The Manager will pay 

the Sub-Advisor, as full compensation for all services provided under this Agreement, a fee 

computed at an annual rate as follows (the "Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee"): 

Sub-Advisor’s Fee As A Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets

0.23% for the first $300 million of average daily net assets

0.20% of the average daily net assets thereafter 

In calculating the fee for the Account on or after July 1, 2004, assets of any unregistered separate 

account of Principal Life Insurance Company and any investment company sponsored by Principal 

Life Insurance Company to which the Sub-Advisor provides investment advisory services and which 

have the same investment mandate as the Account, will be combined (together, the “Aggregated 

Assets”). The fee charged for the assets in the Account shall be determined by calculating a fee on 

the value of the Aggregated Assets and multiplying the aggregate fee by a fraction, the numerator of 

which is the amount of assets in the Account and the denominator of which is the amount of the 

Aggregated Assets. Cash and cash equivalents shall be included in the Series net assets calculation 

up to a maximum of 1.00% of the Series net assets. If the Manager requests the Sub-Advisor to raise 

cash in the Series portfolio in excess of 1.00% of the Series net assets for the purpose of funding 

redemptions from the Series, such amount requested shall be included in the Series net assets 

calculation. 

The Sub-Advisor Percentage Fee shall be accrued for each calendar day and the sum of the daily 

fee accruals shall be paid monthly to the Sub-Advisor. The daily fee accruals will be computed by 

multiplying the fraction of one over the number of calendar days in the year by the applicable annual 

rate described above and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Account as determined in 

accordance with the Account’s prospectus and statement of additional information as of the close of 

business on the previous business day on which the Account was open for business. 

If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any month, the fee (if any) for 

the period from the effective date to the end of such month or from the beginning of such month to 

the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which 

such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.