PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB‑ADVISORY AGREEMENT

PRINCIPAL VARIABLE CONTRACTS FUNDS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB‑ADVISORY AGREEMENT

XXXXX ADVISORY LLC SUB-ADVISED FUNDS

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) executed as of November 1, 2019 by and between PRINCIPAL GLOBAL INVESTORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called "the Manager"), and XXXXX ADVISORY LLC, a Maryland corporation (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 Fund 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 each series identified in Appendix A (hereinafter called the “Series”), which the Manager has agreed to provide to the Fund, and the Sub‑Advisor desires to furnish such services; and

WHEREAS, the Manager and the Sub-Advisor agree to amend and restate the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager (having assumed the rights and obligation of Principal Management Corporation) and the Sub-Advisor dated July 1, 2009 with this Agreement; 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 Series, 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.

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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 Series.

(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 Fund consistent with the Series’ 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 Bylaws, 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 reasonably 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 Series.

(e) Maintain, in connection with the Sub-Advisor’s investment advisory services provided to the Series, its compliance with the 1940 Act and the regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and the Series’ investment strategies and restrictions as stated in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, subject to receipt of such additional information as may be required from the Manager and provided in accordance with Section 11(d) of this Agreement. The Sub-Advisor has no responsibility for the maintenance of Fund records except insofar as is directly related to the services it provides to the Series.

(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 Series are being observed.

(g) Upon request, provide assistance in 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 its duties under this Agreement.

(i) Open accounts with broker-dealers and futures commission merchants (“broker-dealers”), select broker-dealers to effect all transactions for the Series, 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 Series 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 Manager recognizes that, in some cases, this procedure may limit the size of the position that may be acquired or sold for the Series. 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 Series 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 Series at prices which are advantageous to the Series and

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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 Series 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 Series. In addition, joint repurchase or other accounts may not be utilized by the Series 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 Series 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 Series 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 Fund 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 Series upon request by the Fund or the Manager.

(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 Series, 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 Series.

(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. Manager acknowledges receipt of Sub-Advisor’s Form ADV more than 48 hours prior to the execution of this Agreement.

(n) Perform quarterly and annual tax compliance tests to monitor the Series’ 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 11(d) of this Agreement. The Sub‑Advisor shall notify the Manager immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Series has ceased to be in compliance or that it might not be in compliance in the future. If it is determined that the Series is not in compliance with the requirements noted above, the Sub-Advisor, in consultation with the Manager, will take prompt action to bring the Series back into compliance (to the extent possible) within the time permitted under the Code.

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(o) Have the responsibility and authority to vote proxies solicited by, or with respect to, the issuers of securities held in the Series. The Manager shall cause to be forwarded to Sub-Advisor all proxy solicitation materials that it receives and shall assist Sub-Advisor in its efforts to conduct the proxy voting process.

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 Fund, the Manager shall pay the compensation specified in Appendix A to 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 duties under this Agreement or as a result of the failure by the Manager or any of its affiliates to comply with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law 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 (excluding any broker-dealer selected by the Sub-Advisor), or affiliates.

6.    Trade Errors

The Sub-Advisor will notify the Manager of any Trade Error(s), regardless of materiality, promptly upon the discovery such Trade Error(s) by the Sub-Advisor. Notwithstanding Section 5, the Sub-Advisor shall be liable to the Manager, the Fund or its shareholders for any loss suffered by the Manager or the Fund resulting from Trade Errors due to negligence, misfeasance, or disregard of duties of the Sub Advisor or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents (excluding any broker-dealer selected by the Sub-Advisor), or affiliates. For purposes under this Section 6, “Trade Errors” are defined as errors due to (i) erroneous orders by the Sub-Advisor for the Series that result in the purchase or sale of securities that were not intended to be purchased or sold; (ii) erroneous orders by the Sub-Advisor that result in the purchase or sale of securities for the Series in an unintended amount or price; or (iii) purchases or sales of financial instruments which violate the investment limitations or restrictions disclosed in the Fund’s registration statement and/or imposed by applicable law or regulation (calculated at the Sub-Advisor’s portfolio level), unless otherwise agreed to in writing.

7.    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.

8.    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.

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9.    Duration and Termination of This Agreement

This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Series as of the corresponding date set forth on Appendix B to this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time, and unless otherwise terminated with respect to such Series, shall continue in effect thereafter for the initial term set forth on Appendix B to this Agreement, and thereafter from year to year provided that the continuance is specifically approved within the period required by the 1940 Act either by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series 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 a Series 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 Series 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 Series during such period is in compliance with Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act.

This Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Series 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 Series on sixty days written notice. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. In interpreting the provisions of this Section 9, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act (particularly the definitions of "interested person," "assignment", "voting security" and “majority of the outstanding voting securities”) shall be applied.

10.    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 Series 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, and such amendment is signed by both parties.

11.    Additional Series

In the event the Manager wishes to appoint the Sub-Advisor to perform the services described in this Agreement with respect to one or more additional Series of the Fund after the effective date of this Agreement, such Series will become a Series under this Agreement upon approval of this Agreement in the manner required by the 1940 Act and the amendment of Appendices A and B hereto.

12. General Provisions

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

(b) 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 00000‑0200, and the address of the Sub‑Advisor shall be Xxxxx Advisory, 000 X. Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.

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(c) 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 Fund.

(3) the Sub-Advisor becomes aware of any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in a conviction, order, judgment or decree issued with respect to it or any affiliate that could reasonably be expected to result in the Sub-Advisor becoming ineligible to serve as an investment adviser of a registered investment company under the 0000 Xxx.

(4) the Sub-Advisor becomes aware of a transaction or series of transactions that is reasonably likely to result in a change in the management or control of the Sub-Advisor or otherwise in the assignment (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) of this Agreement by the Sub-Advisor.

(d) The Manager shall provide (or cause the Series custodian to provide) timely information to the Sub-Advisor regarding such matters as the composition of the assets of the Series, cash requirements and cash available for investment in the Series, and all other reasonable information as may be necessary for the Sub-Advisor to perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder.

(e) 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 GLOBAL INVESTORS, LLC
	By	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
		Name:	Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
		Title:	Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Governance Officer, and Assistant Corporate Secretary
	By	/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Name:	Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Title:	Assistant General Counsel
	XXXXX ADVISORY LLC
	By	/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
		Name:	Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
		Title:	Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer

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APPENDIX A

INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

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APPENDIX B

Effective Date and Initial Term of Sub-Advisory Agreement for each Series
Series	Effective Date	Initial Term
LargeCap Growth Account I	July 1, 2010	2 Years

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