ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This Administration Agreement (“Agreement”) dated and effective as of August 25, 2016, is by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Administrator”), and Guardian Variable Products Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company currently comprised of multiple series (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by means of a registration statement (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Trust, and the Administrator is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR
The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to act as administrator to the Trust for purposes of providing certain administrative services for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services stated herein.
The Trust currently consists of the Fund(s) and their respective classes of shares as listed in Schedule A to this Agreement. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional Fund(s) with respect to which it wishes to retain the Administrator to act as administrator hereunder, the Trust shall notify the Administrator in writing. Upon written acceptance by the Administrator, such Fund(s) shall become subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the existing Fund, except to the extent that such provisions (including those relating to compensation and expenses payable) may be modified with respect to such Fund in writing by the Trust and the Administrator at the time of the addition of such Fund.
2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
The Trust will promptly deliver, upon request, to the Administrator copies of each of the following documents and all future amendments and supplements, if any:
a. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws (“Governing Documents”);
b. The Trust’s currently effective Registration Statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and each Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relating to the Fund(s) and all amendments and supplements thereto as in effect from time to time;
c. Copies of the resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) certified by the Trust’s Secretary authorizing (1) the Trust to enter into this Agreement and (2) certain individuals on behalf of the Trust to (a) give instructions to the Administrator pursuant to this Agreement and (b) sign checks and pay expenses;
d. A copy of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and its investment adviser; and
e. Such other certificates, documents or opinions which the Administrator may, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the proper performance of its duties.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Administrator represents and warrants to the Trust that:
a. It is a Massachusetts trust company, duly organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
b. It has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
c. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;
d. No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Administrator’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and
e. Its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Administrator or any law or regulation applicable to it.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TRUST
The Trust represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
a. It is a statutory trust, duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
b. It has the requisite power and authority under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;
c. All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;
d. It is an investment company properly registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act;
e. The Registration Statement been filed and will be effective and remain effective during the term of this Agreement. The Trust also warrants to the Administrator that as of the effective date of this Agreement, all necessary filings under the securities laws of the states in which the Trust offers or sells its shares have been made;
f. No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Trust’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
g. Its entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Trust or any law or regulation applicable to it; and
h. As of the close of business on the date of this Agreement, the Trust is authorized to issue unlimited shares of beneficial interest;
i. Where information provided by the Trust or the Trust’s Investors includes information about an identifiable individual (“Personal Information”), the Trust represents and warrants that it has obtained all consents and approvals, as required by all applicable laws, regulations, by-laws and ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information, necessary to disclose such Personal Information to the Administrator, and as required for the Administrator to use and disclose such Personal Information in connection with the performance of the services hereunder. The Trust acknowledges that the Administrator may perform any of the services, and may use and disclose Personal Information outside of the jurisdiction in which it was initially collected by the Trust, including the United States and that information relating to the Trust, including Personal Information may be accessed by national security authorities, law enforcement and courts. The Administrator shall be kept indemnified by and be without liability to the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon this representation and warranty, including without limitation, any liability or costs in connection with claims or complaints for failure to comply with any applicable law that regulates the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information.
5. ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
The Administrator shall provide the services as listed on Schedule B, subject to the authorization and direction of the Trust and, in each case where appropriate, the review and comment by the Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel and in accordance with procedures which may be established from time to time between the Trust and the Administrator.
The Administrator shall perform such other services for the Trust that are mutually agreed to by the parties from time to time, for which the Trust will pay such fees as may be mutually agreed upon, including the Administrator’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The provision of such services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
The Administrator shall provide the office facilities and the personnel determined by it to perform the services contemplated herein.
6. COMPENSATION OF ADMINISTRATOR; EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT; TRUST EXPENSES
The Administrator shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses, as agreed upon from time to time in writing between the Trust on behalf of each applicable Fund and the Administrator.
The Trust agrees promptly to reimburse the Administrator for any equipment and supplies specially ordered by or for the Trust through the Administrator and for any other expenses not contemplated by this Agreement that the Administrator may incur on the Trust’s behalf at the Trust’s request or with the Trust’s consent.
The Trust will bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation and not specifically assumed by the Administrator. For the avoidance of doubt, Trust expenses not assumed by the Administrator include, but are not limited to: organizational expenses; cost of services of independent accountants and outside legal and tax counsel (including such counsel’s review of the Registration Statement, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-MFP, Form N-SAR, proxy materials, federal and state tax qualification as a regulated investment company and other notices, registrations, reports, filings and materials prepared by the Administrator under this Agreement); cost of any services contracted for by the Trust directly from parties other than the Administrator; cost of trading operations and brokerage fees, commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Trust; investment advisory fees; taxes, insurance premiums and other fees and expenses applicable to its operation; costs incidental to any meetings of shareholders including, but not limited to, legal and accounting fees, proxy filing fees and the costs of preparation (e.g., typesetting, XBRL-tagging, page changes and all other print vendor and XXXXX charges, collectively referred to herein as “Preparation”), printing, distribution and mailing of any proxy materials; costs incidental to Board meetings, including fees and expenses of Board members; travel expenses of State Street personnel; the salary and expenses of any officer, director\trustee or employee of the Trust; costs of Preparation, printing, distribution and mailing, as applicable, of the Trust’s Registration Statements and any amendments and supplements thereto and shareholder reports; cost of Preparation and filing of the Trust’s tax returns, Form N-1A, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-MFP and Form N-SAR, and all notices, registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities laws; all applicable registration fees and filing fees required under federal and state securities laws; the cost of fidelity bond and D&O/E&O liability insurance; and the cost of independent pricing services used in computing the Fund(s)’ net asset value.
7. INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE
At any time, the Administrator may apply to any officer of the Trust or his or her designee for instructions or the independent accountants for the Trust, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Administrator under this Agreement. The Administrator shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Trust) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
The Administrator shall not be liable, and shall be indemnified by the Trust, for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith, and without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, in reliance upon any such instructions or advice or upon any paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund(s). Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing upon the Administrator any obligation to seek such instructions or advice, or to act in accordance with such advice when received.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
The Administrator shall be responsible for the performance only of such duties as are set forth in this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided under Section 14, shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party, including other service providers. The Administrator shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by the Trust insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Administrator’s duties hereunder in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Trust by entities other than the Administrator prior to the Administrator’s appointment as administrator for the Trust. The Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties hereunder unless solely caused by or resulting from the negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of the Administrator, its officers or employees. The Administrator shall not be liable for any special, indirect,
incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) under any provision of this Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder, each of which is hereby excluded by agreement of the parties regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable or whether either party or any entity had been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, the Administrator’s cumulative liability for each calendar year (a “Liability Period”) with respect to the Trust under this Agreement regardless of the form of action or legal theory shall be limited to its total annual compensation earned and fees payable hereunder during the preceding Compensation Period, as defined herein, for any liability or loss suffered by the Trust including, but not limited to, any liability relating to qualification of the Trust as a regulated investment company or any liability relating to the Trust’s compliance with any federal or state tax or securities statute, regulation or ruling during such Liability Period. “Compensation Period” shall mean the calendar year ending immediately prior to each Liability Period in which the event(s) giving rise to the Administrator’s liability for that period have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Period for purposes of calculating the annual cumulative liability of the Administrator for the Liability Period commencing on the date of this Agreement and terminating on December 31, 2016 shall be the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2016, calculated on an annualized basis, and the Compensation Period for the Liability Period commencing January 1, 2017 and terminating on December 31, 2017 shall be the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2016, calculated on an annualized basis.
The Administrator shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including without limitation, work stoppage, power or other mechanical failure, computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action or communication disruption.
The Trust shall indemnify and hold the Administrator and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Administrator’s acceptance of this Agreement, any action or omission by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Trust or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Trust or its investment adviser, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of the Administrator, its officers or employees in cases of its or their own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
The limitation of liability and indemnification contained herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (the “Receiving Party”) regarding the Disclosing Party’s business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 10 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party’s other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its Affiliates (as defined in Section 10 below), including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other
similar process, (d) that is required to be disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Administrator or its Affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
10. USE OF DATA
(a) In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Administrator (which term for purposes of this Section 10 includes each of its parent company, branches and affiliates (“Affiliates”)) may collect and store information regarding the Trust or Fund and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers solely in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Trust and the Administrator or any of its Affiliates and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management.
(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Administrator and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information (“Data”) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Trust and the Administrator or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Trust/Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data; provided that, unless the Trust otherwise consents, Data is combined or aggregated with information relating to (i) other customers of the Administrator and/or its Affiliates or (ii) information derived from other sources, in each case such that any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Trust/Fund, and such use will be designed to prevent identification of the Trust, any Fund, or any beneficial interests in a Fund. The Trust agrees that Administrator and/or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Administrator’s compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Administrator and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Trust/Fund.
(c) Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 10 shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Administrator and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Administrator shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 10 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement.
(d) Upon written request from the Trust, the Administrator shall promptly return or destroy any non-public portfolio holdings information relating to the Trust, except the Administrator may keep copies of the information for the purpose of maintaining appropriate business records or as may be required by law or any regulatory authority.
11. COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS; RECORDS
The Trust assumes full responsibility for complying with all securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and regulations applicable to it.
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust shall at all times remain the property of the Trust, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request except as otherwise provided in Section 13. The Administrator further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Trust pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records may be surrendered in either written or machine-readable form, at the option of the Administrator. In the event that the Administrator is requested or authorized by the Trust, or required by subpoena, administrative order, court order or other legal process, applicable law or regulation, or required in connection with any investigation, examination or inspection of the Trust by state or federal regulatory agencies, to produce the records of the Trust or the Administrator’s personnel as witnesses or deponents, the Trust agrees to pay the Administrator for the Administrator’s time and expenses, as well as the fees and expenses of the Administrator’s counsel incurred in such production.
12. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE
The services of the Administrator are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Administrator shall be free to render similar services to others. The Administrator shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or authorized by the Trust from time to time, have no authority to act or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.
13. EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION
This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for an initial term ending June 9, 2020 (the “Initial Term”). After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive 1-year terms (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be, or such shorter period as the Parties may agree. During the Initial Term and thereafter, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) in the event of the other party’s material breach of a material provision of this Agreement that the other party has either (a) failed to cure or (b) failed to establish a remedial plan to cure that is reasonably acceptable, within 60 days’ written notice of such breach, or (ii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the other party or upon the happening of a like event to the other party at the direction of an appropriate agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph with respect to the Trust or any Fund, the Trust or applicable Fund shall pay Administrator its compensation due and shall reimburse Administrator for its costs, expenses and disbursements.
In the event of: (i) the Trust’s termination of this Agreement with respect to the Trust or its Fund(s) for any reason other than as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph or (ii) a transaction not in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which the Administrator is not retained to continue providing services hereunder to the Trust or a Fund (or its respective successor), the Trust or applicable Fund shall pay the Administrator its compensation due through the end of the then-current term (based upon the average monthly compensation previously earned by Administrator with respect to the Trust or such Fund) and shall reimburse the Administrator for its costs, expenses and disbursements. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursement, the Administrator will deliver the Trust’s or such Fund’s records as set forth herein. For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be required pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph in the event of any transaction such (a) the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or a Fund and distribution of the Trust’s or such Fund’s assets as a result of the Board’s determination in its reasonable business judgment that the Trust or such Fund is no longer viable (b) a merger of the Trust or a Fund into, or the consolidation of the Trust or a Fund with, another entity, or (c) the sale by the Trust or a Fund of
all, or substantially all, of the Trust’s or Fund’s assets to another entity, in each of (b) and (c) where the Administrator is retained to continue providing services to the Trust or such Fund (or its respective successor) on substantially the same terms as this Agreement.
Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to the Trust or any other Fund.
If a successor administrator for one or more Funds shall be appointed by the Board of the Trust, the Administrator and the Trust, on behalf of any applicable Fund(s) agree, upon termination and the Administrator’s receipt of instructions from the Trust, to reasonably cooperate to deliver to such successor Administrator, the records of the Trust and/or the Funds as reasonably requested by the Trust. Each of the Administrator and the Trust, on behalf of any applicable Fund(s), agrees to reasonably cooperate with the successor administrator in the execution of such documents and the performance of such other necessary actions as may reasonably be requested by the successor administrator or the Trust in order to substitute the successor administrator for the Administrator, provided, however, that any special or unduly burdensome arrangements, and any expenses associated therewith, shall be subject to good faith negotiation and mutual agreement by the parties hereto. All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with the transfer of the administration services hereunder upon termination hereof shall be borne by the respective Funds (except as may be specifically and mutually agreed in writing by the parties in relation to such special arrangements).
14. EMPLOYMENT OF OTHERS
The Administrator may employ, engage, associate or contract with such person or persons, including, without limitation, affiliates and subsidiaries of the Administrator, as the Administrator may deem desirable to assist it in performing its duties under this Agreement without the consent of the Trust; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Administrator and that the Administrator shall be as fully responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement.
15. INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Administrator and the Trust on behalf of each of the Funds, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable laws or regulations or any provision of the Trust’s Governing Documents. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of the Agreement.
16. NOTICES
Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder will be in writing and may be sent by hand, or by facsimile transmission, or overnight delivery by any recognized delivery service, to the parties at the following address or such other address as may be notified by any party from time to time:
If to the Trust:
GUARDIAN VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
0 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X-00X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Equity Counsel
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Administrator:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
000 Xxxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Vice President
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
with a copy to:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Legal Division — Global Services Americas
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel
17. AMENDMENT
This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.
18. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior consent in writing of the other party, except that the Administrator may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Administrator.
19. SUCCESSORS
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Trust and the Administrator and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
20. DATA PROTECTION
The Administrator shall implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Trust’s shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Administrator receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) driver’s license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account.
Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous representations, warranties or commitments regarding the services to be performed hereunder whether oral or in writing.
22. WAIVER
The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement or the failure of a party hereto to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any such term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise or any other right or remedy. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.
23. SEVERABILITY
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
24. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
25. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, xerographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
26. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received via electronically transmitted form.
27. DISASTER RECOVERY AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY
The Administrator shall take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions in the event of equipment failure, work stoppage, governmental action, communication disruption or other impossibility of performance beyond the Administrator’s control. The Administrator shall enter into and shall maintain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for (i) periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to the Trust and (ii) emergency use of electronic data processing equipment as necessary to provide services under this Agreement. Upon reasonable request, the Administrator shall discuss with the Trust any business continuity/disaster recovery plan of the Administrator and/or provide a high-level presentation summarizing such plan
28. INSURANCE COVERAGE
The Administrator shall at all times during the term of this Agreement maintain, at its cost, insurance coverage regarding its business in such amount and scope as it deems adequate in connection with the services provided by State Street under this Agreement. Upon the Trust’s reasonable request, which in no event shall be more than once annually, State Street shall furnish to the Trust a summary of State Street’s applicable insurance coverage.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first written above.
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Name: |
Xxxx X Xxxxxx |
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SVP and Treasurer |
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STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY |
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Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
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Executive Vice President |
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SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
Guardian Variable Products Trust
Guardian Large Cap Disciplined Growth VIP Fund
Guardian Large Cap Fundamental Growth VIP Fund
Guardian Integrated Research VIP Fund
Guardian Diversified Research VIP Fund
Guardian Large Cap Disciplined Value VIP Fund
Guardian Growth & Income VIP Fund
Guardian Mid Cap Relative Value VIP Fund
Guardian Mid Cap Traditional Growth VIP Fund
Guardian International Value VIP Fund
Guardian International Growth VIP Fund
Guardian Core Plus Fixed Income VIP Fund
SCHEDULE B
LIST OF SERVICES
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Fund Administration Treasury Services as described in Schedule B1 attached hereto; |
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Fund Administration Tax Services as described in Schedule B2 attached hereto; |
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Fund Administration Legal Services as described in Schedule B3 attached hereto; and |
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Fund Administration CFTC Services as described in Schedule B4 attached hereto. |
Schedule B1
Fund Administration Treasury Services
a. Prepare for the review by designated officer(s) of the Trust financial information regarding the Fund(s) that will be included in the Trust’s semi-annual and annual shareholder reports, Form N-Q reports and other quarterly reports (as mutually agreed upon), including tax footnote disclosures where applicable;
b. Coordinate the audit of the Trust’s financial statements by the Trust’s independent accountants, including the preparation of supporting audit workpapers and other schedules;
c. Prepare for the review by designated officer(s) of the Trust the Trust’s periodic financial reports required to be filed with the SEC on Form N-SAR and financial information required by Form N-1A, proxy statements and such other reports, forms or filings as may be mutually agreed upon;
d. Prepare for the review by designated officer(s) of the Trust annual fund expense budgets, perform accrual analyses and roll-forward calculations and recommend changes to fund expense accruals on a periodic basis, arrange for payment of the Trust’s expenses, review calculations of fees paid to the Trust’s investment adviser, custodian, fund accountant, distributor and transfer agent, and obtain authorization of accrual changes and expense payments;
e. Provide periodic testing of the Fund(s) with respect to compliance with the Internal Revenue Code’s mandatory qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and limitations for the Fund(s) contained in the Registration Statement for the Fund(s) as may be mutually agreed upon, including quarterly compliance reporting to the designated officer(s) of the Trust as well as preparation of Board compliance materials;
f. Prepare and furnish total return performance information for the Fund(s), including such information on an after-tax basis, calculated in accordance with applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations, as may be reasonably requested by Trust management;
g. Prepare and disseminate vendor survey information;
h. Prepare and coordinate the filing of Rule 24f-2 notices, including coordination of payment;
i. Provide sub-certificates in connection with the certification requirements of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 with respect to the services provided by the Administrator; and
j. Maintain certain books and records of the Trust as required under Rule 31a-1(b) of the 1940 Act, as may be mutually agreed upon.
SCHEDULE B2
Fund Administration Tax Services
a. Prepare annual tax basis provisions for both excise and income tax purposes, including wash sales and all tax financial statement disclosure;
b. Prepare the Funds’ annual federal, state, and local income tax returns and extension requests for review and for execution and filing by the Trust’s independent accountants and execution and filing by the Trust’s treasurer, including Form 1120-RIC, Form 8613 and Form 1099-MISC;
c. Prepare annual shareholder reporting information relating to Form 1099-DIV;
d. Preparation of financial information relating to Form 1099-DIV, including completion of the ICI Primary and Secondary forms, Qualified Dividend Income, Dividends Received Deduction, Alternative Minimum Tax, Foreign Tax Credit, United States Government obligations;
e. Review annual minimum distribution calculations (income and capital gain) for both federal and excise tax purposes prior to their declaration; and
f. Participate in discussions of potential tax issues with the Funds and the Funds’ audit firm.
Tax services, as described in this Schedule, do not include identification of passive foreign investment companies, qualified interest income securities or Internal Revenue Code Section 1272(a)(6) tax calculations for asset backed securities.
SCHEDULE B3
Fund Administration Legal Services
Subject to the authorization and direction of the Trust, State Street will provide Fund Administration Legal Services set forth on this Schedule B3 .
a. Prepare the agenda and resolutions for all requested Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and committee meetings, make presentations to the Board and committee meetings where appropriate or upon reasonable request, prepare minutes for such Board and committee meetings and attend the Trust’s shareholder meetings and prepare minutes of such meetings;
b. Prepare for filing with the SEC the following documents: Form N-CSR, Form N-PX and all amendments to the Registration Statement, including updates of the Prospectus and SAI for the Fund(s) and any supplements to the Prospectus and SAI for the Fund(s);
c. Prepare for filing with the SEC information statements and proxy statements and provide consultation on proxy solicitation matters;
d. Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars;
e. Maintain copies of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws;
f. Assist in developing guidelines and procedures to improve overall compliance by the Trust;
g. Assist the Trust in the handling of routine regulatory examinations of the Trust and work closely with the Trust’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters;
h. Maintain awareness of significant emerging regulatory and legislative developments that may affect the Trust, update the Board and the investment adviser on those developments and provide related planning assistance where requested or appropriate; and
i. Coordinate with insurance providers, including soliciting bids for Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions (“D&O/E&O”) insurance and fidelity bond coverage, file fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations.
SCHEDULE B4
Fund Administration CFTC Services
Subject to the authorization and direction of the Trust, State Street will provide the CFTC Services set forth on Schedule B4 (the “CFTC Services”) to assist the Funds, the Trust and/or its affiliates in complying with applicable CFTC compliance testing and reporting requirements.
Limitation of Responsibilities. With regard to the CFTC Services, the Administrator’s responsibilities are limited to the provision of the CFTC Services described in Schedule B4. These responsibilities do not include: (i) determination of the Trust’s status as a Commodity Pool Operator (a “CPO”), (ii) the determination of the Trust’s eligibility for an exclusion from classification as a CPO, or (iii) the completion and filing of the Form CPO-PQR. Where the Trust uses the Services to comply with any law, representation, agreement or other obligation, State Street makes no representation that any such Services complies with such law, representation, agreement, or other obligation, and State Street has no obligation of compliance with respect thereto. The Trust should contact its legal counsel for specific guidance on compliance with the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the “Commodity Exchange Act”). Unless the Trust currently subscribes to fund administration legal services with the Administrator, the CFTC Services do not include assisting the Trust with preparation of annual enhanced prospectus disclosures. Assistance with the registration of an entity as a CPO is not included as a CFTC Service.
Responsibilities of the Trust. The Trust is responsible for providing authorization and direction to the Administrator with respect to the CFTC Services. The Trust is responsible for arranging, in each case where appropriate, for the review and comment by Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel of CFTC financial information, reports and any filings prepared by the Administrator. In addition, the Trust is solely responsible for determining Trust’s status as a CPO, and/or Trust’s eligibility for an exclusion from classification as a CPO.
The Trust shall be responsible for accurately and timely supplying the Administrator with complete financial, organizational and other information, and/or arranging for the provision of such information from third parties, as may be required in order for the Administrator to provide the CFTC Services, and any information requested by the Administrator in connection with the foregoing. The Administrator is authorized and instructed to rely upon the information it receives from the Trust or any third party (including, without limitation, the Trust’s third party administrator(s), custodian(s), prime broker(s), and other service providers to the Trust) authorized by the Trust to provide such information to the Administrator and on any instructions received from the Trust. The Trust and any third party from which the Administrator shall receive or obtain certain records, reports and other data included in the CFTC Services provided hereunder are solely responsible for the contents of such information, including, without limitation, the accuracy thereof, and the Administrator shall be entitled to rely on such records, reports and other data as provided to the Administrator by the Trust or any third party, and any instructions provided to the Administrator by the Trust, and shall have no responsibility for making any interpretive determinations with respect thereto. The Administrator has no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any such information, or instructions, and shall be without liability for any loss or damage suffered by the Trust as a result of the Administrator’s reliance on and utilization of such information or instructions believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly issued by or on behalf of the Trust or such third party. The Administrator shall have no responsibility and shall be without liability for any loss or damage caused by the failure of the Trust or any third party to provide it with the information required.
CFTC financial reporting, compliance testing and exclusion filing services
Subject to the authorization and direction of the Trust and, in each case where appropriate, the review and comment by Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel, and in accordance with procedures that may be established from time to time between the Trust and the Administrator, the Administrator will:
i. Perform [daily][weekly][monthly] testing for compliance with the CFTC initial margin test and the CFTC net notional test; and
ii. As applicable, prepare the Trust’s initial and annual Rule 4.5 notice of exclusion from classification as a CPO under the Commodity Exchange Act and file such initial and annual notice with the National Futures Association.
