EXHIBIT 1.1
_________ SHARES
NATIONAL INFORMATION CONSORTIUM, INC.
COMMON STOCK
FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[Date]
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
...........................................
...........................................,
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
Eleven Madison Avenue,
New York, N.Y. 10010-3629
Dear Sirs:
1. INTRODUCTORY. National Information Consortium, Inc., a Colorado
corporation ("COMPANY") proposes to issue and sell ________ shares of its Common
Stock ("SECURITIES") and the stockholders listed in Schedule A hereto ("SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS") propose severally to sell an aggregate of ______________
outstanding shares of the Securities (such ____________ shares of Securities
being hereinafter referred to as the "FIRM SECURITIES"). The Company also
proposes to sell to the Underwriters, at the option of the Underwriters, an
aggregate of not more than ________ additional shares of its Securities and the
Selling Stockholders also propose to sell to the Underwriters, at the option of
the Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than _____________ additional
outstanding shares of the Company's Securities], as set forth below (such
____________ additional shares being hereinafter referred to as the "OPTIONAL
SECURITIES"). The Firm Securities and the Optional Securities are herein
collectively called the "OFFERED SECURITIES". The Company and the Selling
Stockholders hereby agree with the several Underwriters named in
Schedule--A--B--hereto ("UNDERWRITERS") as follows:
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS. (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
several Underwriters that:
(i) A registration statement (No. 333- ) relating to the Offered
Securities, including a form of prospectus, has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("COMMISSION") and either (A) has
been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("ACT") and is
not proposed to be amended or (B) is proposed to be amended by
amendment or post-effective amendment. If such registration statement
(the "INITIAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT") has been declared effective,
either (A) an additional registration statement (the "ADDITIONAL
REGISTRATION STATEMENT") relating to the Offered Securities may have
been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("RULE 462(b)")
under the Act and, if so filed, has become effective upon filing
pursuant to such Rule and the Offered Securities all have been duly
registered under the Act pursuant to the initial registration statement
and, if applicable, the additional registration statement or (B) such
an additional registration statement is proposed to be filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) and will become effective upon
filing pursuant to such Rule and upon such filing the Offered
Securities will all have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to
the initial registration statement and such additional
1.
registration statement. If the Company does not propose to amend the
initial registration statement or if an additional registration
statement has been filed and the Company does not propose to amend it,
and if any post-effective amendment to either such registration
statement has been filed with the Commission prior to the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the most recent amendment (if any) to
each such registration statement has been declared effective by the
Commission or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c)
("RULE 462(c)") under the Act or, in the case of the additional
registration statement, Rule 462(b). For purposes of this Agreement,
"EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to the initial registration statement
or, if filed prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the additional registration statement means (A) if the Company has
advised the Representatives thatit does not propose to amend such
registration statement, the date and time as of which such
registration statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereto (if any) filed prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, was declared effective by the Commission or has become
effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c), or (B) if the Company
has advised the Representatives that it proposes to file an amendment
or post-effective amendment to such registration statement, the date
and time as of which such registration statement, as amended by such
amendment or post-effective amendment, as the case may be, is declared
effective by the Commission. If an additional registration statement
has not been filed prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement but the Company has advised the Representatives that it
proposes to file one, "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to such additional
registration statement means the date and time as of which such
registration statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Rule
462(b). "EFFECTIVE DATE" with respect to the initial registration
statement or the additional registration statement (if any) means the
date of the Effective Time thereof. The initial registration
statement, as amended at its Effective Time, including all information
contained in the additional registration statement (if any) and deemed
to be a part of the initial registration statement as of the Effective
Time of the additional registration statement pursuant to the General
Instructions of the Form on which it is filed and including all
information (if any) deemed to be a part of the initial registration
statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430A(b) ("RULE
430A(b)") under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the "INITIAL
REGISTRATION STATEMENT". The additional registration statement, as
amended at its Effective Time, including the contents of the initial
registration statement incorporated by reference therein and including
all information (if any) deemed to be a part of the additional
registration statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to
Rule 430A(b), is hereinafter referred to as the "ADDITIONAL
REGISTRATION STATEMENT". The Initial Registration Statement and the
Additional Registration are hereinafter referred to collectively
as the "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" and individually as a "REGISTRATION
STATEMENT". The form of prospectus relating to the Offered Securities,
as first filed with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
with Rule 424(b) ("RULE 424(b)") under the Act or (if no such filing
is required) as included in a Registration Statement, is hereinafter
referred to as the "PROSPECTUS". No document has been or will be
prepared or distributed in reliance on Rule 434 under the Act.
(ii) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement
is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement: (A) on the
Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the Initial
Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the requirements of
the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission ("RULES AND
REGULATIONS") and did not include any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (B) on the
Effective Date of the Additional Registration Statement (if any), each
Registration Statement conformed or will conform, in all respects to
the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not
include, or will not include, any untrue statement of a material fact
and did not omit, or will not omit, to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and (C) on the date of this Agreement, the Initial
Registration Statement and, if the Effective Time of the Additional
Registration Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Additional Registration Statement each conforms, and at
the time of filing of the Prospectus pursuant
2.
to Rule 424(b) or (if no such filing is required) at the Effective
Date of the Additional Registration Statement in which the Prospectus
is included, each Registration Statement and the Prospectus will
conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules
and Regulations, and neither of such documents includes, or will
include, any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will
omit, to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. If the
Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to
the execution and delivery of this Agreement: on the Effective
Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the Initial Registration
Statement and the Prospectus will conform in all respects to the
requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, neither of
such documents will include any untrue statement of a material
fact or will omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and no Additional Registration Statement has been or will be filed.
The two preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or
omissions from a Registration Statement or the Prospectus based
upon written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being
understood and agreed that the only such information is that
described as such in Section 7(c) hereof.
(iii) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado,
with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties
and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the
Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in
good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or
lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification.
(iv) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and
is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority (corporate
and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described
in the Prospectus; and each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified
to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the
conduct of its business requires such qualification; all of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company has
been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and
nonassessable; and the capital stock of each subsidiary owned by the
Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens,
encumbrances and defects.
(v) The Offered Securities and all other outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and conform to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus; and the stockholders of the
Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the Securities.
(vi) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any
person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any
Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like
payment in connection with this offering.
(vii) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
the Company and any person granting such person the right to require
the Company to file a registration statement under the Act with respect
to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or
to require the Company to include such securities in the securities
registered pursuant to a Registration Statement or in any securities
being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by
the Company under the Act.
(viii) The Securities have been approved for listing subject to
notice of issuance on the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market.
3.
(ix) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing
with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required to be
obtained or made by the Company for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the sale
of the Offered Securities, except such as have been obtained and made
under the Act and such as may be required under state securities laws.
(x) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and
the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not
result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of,
or constitute a default under, any statute, any rule, regulation or
order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company or any of their properties, or any agreement or instrument to
which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or by which the
Company or any such subsidiary is bound or to which any of the
properties of the Company or any such subsidiary is subject, or the
charter or by-laws of the Company or any such subsidiary.
(xi) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company.
(xii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its
subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and
all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from
liens, encumbrances and defects that would materially affect the value
thereof or materially interfere with the use made or to be made thereof
by them; and except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its
subsidiaries hold any leased real or personal property under valid and
enforceable leases with no exceptions that would materially interfere
with the use made or to be made thereof by them.
(xiii) The Company and its subsidiaries possess adequate
certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental
agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by
them and have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the
revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit
that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business,
properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole ("MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT").
(xiv) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any
subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that
might have a Material Adverse Effect.
(xv) The Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire
on reasonable terms, adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights
to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information
and other intellectual property (collectively, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS") necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, or
presently employed by them, and have not received any notice of
infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect
to any intellectual property rights that, if determined adversely to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the
aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
(xvi) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, any rule,
regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any
court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of
hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or
restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic
substances (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), owns or operates any
real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any
environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or
contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any
claim relating to any environmental laws, which violation,
contamination, liability or claim would
4.
individually or in the aggregate have Material Adverse Effect; and the
Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to
such a claim.
(xvii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no pending
actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company, any of
its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if
determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or
would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, or which are otherwise
material in the context of the sale of the Offered Securities; and no
such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the Company's
knowledge, contemplated.
(xviii) The financial statements included in each Registration
Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates shown and
their results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and
such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied
on a consistent basis; and the assumptions used in preparing the pro
forma financial statements included in each Registration Statement and
the Prospectus provide a reasonable basis for presenting the
significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events
described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate
effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma columns therein reflect
the proper application of those adjustments to the corresponding
historical financial statement amounts.
(xix) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, since the date of the
latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus there
has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event
involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition
(financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and, except as
disclosed in or contemplated by the Prospectus, there has been no
dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the
Company on any class of its capital stock.
(xx) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering
and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds
thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment
company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(xxi) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business
with the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in
Cuba within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes and the
Company agrees to comply with such Section if prior to the completion
of the distribution of the Offered Securities it commences doing such
business.]
(xxii) Furthermore, the Company represents and warrants to the
Underwriters that (i) the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
any preliminary prospectus comply, and any further amendments or
supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or
regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus or any
preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are
distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and that
(ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration
or qualification of or with any government, governmental
instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is
necessary under the securities law and regulations of foreign
jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the
United States.
(b) Each Selling Stockholder severally represents and warrants and
agrees with the several Underwriters that:
5.
(i) Such Selling Stockholder has and on each Closing Date
hereinafter mentioned will have valid and unencumbered title to the
Offered Securities to be delivered by such Selling Stockholder on such
Closing Date and full right, power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Offered
Securities to be delivered by such Selling Stockholder on such Closing
Date hereunder; and upon the delivery of and payment for the Offered
Securities on each Closing Date hereunder the several Underwriters will
acquire valid and unencumbered title to the Offered Securities to be
delivered by such Selling Stockholder on such Closing Date.
(ii) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement
is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement: (A) on the
Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the Initial
Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the requirements of
the Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, (B) on the Effective Date of the Additional
Registration Statement (if any), each Registration Statement conformed,
or will conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the
Rules and Regulations did not include, or will not include, any untrue
statement of a material fact and did not omit, or will not omit, to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and (C) on the date of this
Agreement, the Initial Registration Statement and, if the Effective
Time of the Additional Registration Statement is prior to the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the Additional Registration Statement
each conforms, and at the time of filing of the Prospectus pursuant
to Rule 424(b) or (if no such filing is required) at the Effective
Date of the Additional Registration Statement in which the Prospectus
is included, each Registration Statement and the Prospectus will
conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules
and Regulations, and neither of such documents includes, or will
include, any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will
omit, to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. If the
Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is subsequent
to the execution and delivery of this Agreement: on the Effective Date
of the Initial Registration Statement, the Initial Registration
Statement and the Prospectus will conform in all respects to the
requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, neither of
such documents will include any untrue statement of a material fact
or will omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The two
preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from a
Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon written
information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood
and agreed that the only such information is that described as such
in Section 7(c).
(iii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no
contracts, agreements or understandings between such Selling
Stockholder and any person that would give rise to a valid claim
against such Selling Stockholder or any Underwriter for a brokerage
commission, finder's fee or other like payment in connection with this
offering.
3. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF OFFERED SECURITIES. On the basis
of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and each
Selling Stockholder agree, severally and not jointly, to sell to each
Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company and each Selling Stockholder, at a purchase price
of $ per share, that number of Firm Securities (rounded up or down, as
determined by Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFBC") in its
discretion, in order to avoid fractions) obtained by multiplying Firm
Securities in the case of the Company and the number of Firm Securities set
forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule A hereto, in
the case of a Selling Stockholder, in each case by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of Firm Securities set forth opposite the name of such
Underwriter in Schedule B hereto and the denominator of which is the total
number of Firm Securities.
6.
Certificates in negotiable form for the Offered Securities to be sold
by the Selling Stockholders hereunder have been placed in custody, for delivery
under this Agreement, under Custody Agreements made with ,
as custodian ("CUSTODIAN"). Each Selling Stockholder agrees that the shares
represented by the certificates held in custody for the Selling Stockholders
under such Custody Agreements are subject to the interests of the Underwriters
hereunder, that the arrangements made by the Selling Stockholders for such
custody are to that extent irrevocable, and that the obligations of the Selling
Stockholders hereunder shall not be terminated by operation of law, whether by
the death of any individual Selling Stockholder or the occurrence of any other
event, or in the case of a trust, by the death of any trustee or trustees or the
termination of such trust. If any individual Selling Stockholder or any such
trustee or trustees should die, or if any other such event should occur, or if
any of such trusts should terminate, before the delivery of the Offered
Securities hereunder, certificates for such Offered Securities shall be
delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement as if such death or other event or termination had not occurred,
regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have received notice of such
death or other event or termination.
The Company and the Custodian will deliver the Firm Securities to
the Representatives for the accounts of the Underwriters, against payment of
the purchase price in Federal (same day) funds by official bank check or
checks or wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC drawn to
the order of in the case of shares of Firm Securities
and in the case of shares of Firm Securities, at the
office of , at A.M., New York time, on
, or at such other time not later than seven full business days
thereafter as CSFBC and the Company determine, such time being herein
referred to as the "FIRST CLOSING DATE". The certificates for the Firm
Securities so to be delivered will be in definitive form, in such
denominations and registered in such names as CSFBC requests and will be made
available for checking and packaging at the office of
at least 24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.
In addition, upon written notice from CSFBC given to the Company and
the Selling Stockholders from time to time not more than 30 days subsequent to
the date of the Prospectus, the Underwriters may purchase all or less than all
of the Optional Securities at the purchase price per Security to be paid for the
Firm Securities. Company and the Selling Stockholders agree, severally and not
jointly, to sell to the Underwriters the respective numbers of Optional
Securities obtained by multiplying the number of Optional Securities specified
in such notice by a fraction the numerator of which is in the case of the
Company and the number of shares set forth opposite the names of such Selling
Stockholders in Schedule A hereto under the caption "Number of Optional
Securities to be Sold" in the case of the Selling Stockholders and the
denominator of which is the total number of Optional Securities (subject to
adjustment by CSFBC to eliminate fractions). Such Optional Securities shall be
purchased from the Company and each Selling Stockholder for the account of each
Underwriter in the same proportion as the number of Firm Securities set forth
opposite such Underwriter's name bears to the total number of Firm Securities
(subject to adjustment by CSFBC to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by
the Underwriters only for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in
connection with the sale of the Firm Securities. No Optional Securities shall be
sold or delivered unless the Firm Securities previously have been, or
simultaneously are, sold and delivered. The right to purchase the Optional
Securities or any portion thereof may be exercised from time to time and to the
extent not previously exercised may be surrendered and terminated at any time
upon notice by CSFBC to the Company and the Selling Stockholders.
Each time for the delivery of and payment for the Optional Securities,
being herein referred to as an "OPTIONAL CLOSING DATE", which may be the First
Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional Closing Date, if any,
being sometimes referred to as a "CLOSING DATE"), shall be determined by CSFBC
but shall be not later than five(3) full business days after written notice of
election to purchase Optional Securities is given. The Company and the Custodian
will deliver the Optional Securities being purchased on each Optional Closing
Date to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters,
against payment of the purchase price therefor in Federal (same day) funds by
official bank check or checks or wire transfer to an
7.
account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC drawn to the order of in
the case of Optional Securities and
in the case of Optional Securities, at the above
office of . The certificates for the Optional Securities being
purchased on each Optional Closing Date will be in definitive form, in such
denominations and registered in such names as CSFBC requests upon reasonable
notice prior to such Optional Closing Date and will be made available for
checking and packaging at the office of at a
reasonable time in advance of such Optional Closing Date.
4. OFFERING BY UNDERWRITERS. It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Securities for sale to the public as
set forth in the Prospectus.
5. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS. The
Company agrees with the several Underwriters and the Selling Stockholders that:
(a) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will
file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance
with subparagraph (1) (or, if applicable and if consented to by CSFBC,
subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier of (A) the
second business day following the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or (B) the fifteenth business day after the Effective Date of
the Initial Registration Statement.
The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any such filing pursuant to
Rule 424(b). If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
an additional registration statement is necessary to register a portion
of the Offered Securities under the Act but the Effective Time thereof
has not occurred as of such execution and delivery, the Company will
file the additional registration statement or, if filed, will file a
post-effective amendment thereto with the Commission pursuant to and in
accordance with Rule 462(b) on or prior to 10:00 P.M., New York time,
on the date of this Agreement or, if earlier, on or prior to the time
the Prospectus is printed and distributed to any Underwriter, or will
make such filing at such later date as shall have been consented to by
CSFBC.
(b) The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any proposal to
amend or supplement the initial or any additional registration
statement as filed or the related prospectus or the Initial
Registration Statement, the Additional Registration Statement (if any)
or the Prospectus and will not effect such amendment or supplementation
without CSFBC's consent; and the Company will also advise CSFBC
promptly of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement (if its
Effective Time is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement) and of any amendment or supplementation of a Registration
Statement or the Prospectus and of the institution by the Commission of
any stop order proceedings in respect of a Registration Statement and
will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop
order and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.
(c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
Securities is required to be delivered under the Act in connection with
sales by any Underwriter or dealer, any event occurs as a result of
which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is
necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act,
the Company will promptly notify CSFBC of such event and will promptly
prepare and file with the Commission, at its own expense, an amendment
or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an
amendment which will effect such compliance. Neither CSFBC's consent
to, nor the Underwriters' delivery of, any such amendment or supplement
shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in
Section 6.
8.
(d) As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability
Date (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to
its securityholders an earnings statement covering a period of at least
12 months beginning after the Effective Date of the Initial
Registration Statement (or, if later, the Effective Date of the
Additional Registration Statement) which will satisfy the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Act. For the purpose of the preceding sentence,
"AVAILABILITY DATE" means the 45th day after the end of the fourth
fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter that includes such
Effective Date, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last
quarter of the Company's fiscal year, "AVAILABILITY DATE" means the
90th day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter.
(e) The Company will furnish to the Representatives copies of each
Registration Statement (of which will be signed and will include all
exhibits), each related preliminary prospectus, and, so long as a
prospectus relating to the Offered Securities is required to be
delivered under the Act in connection with sales by any Underwriter or
dealer, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such
documents, in each case in such quantities as CSFBC requests. The
Prospectus shall be so furnished on or prior to 3:00 P.M., New York
time, on the business day following the later of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the Effective Time of the Initial
Registration Statement. All other such documents shall be so furnished
as soon as available. The Company and the Selling Stockholders will pay
the expenses of printing and distributing to the Underwriters all such
documents.
(f) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered
Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as CSFBC
designates and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as
required for the distribution.
(g) During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
furnish to the Representatives and, upon request, to each of the other
Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year,
a copy of its annual report to stockholders for such year; and the
Company will furnish to the Representatives (i) as soon as available, a
copy of each report and any definitive proxy statement of the Company
filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
mailed to stockholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other
information concerning the Company as CSFBC may reasonably request.
(h) For a period of 90 days after the date of the initial public
offering of the Offered Securities, the Company will not offer, sell,
contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under
the Act relating to, any additional shares of its Securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
shares of its Securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make
any such offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior
written consent of CSFBC except of convertible or exchangeable
securities or the exercise of warrants or options, in each case grants
of employee stock options pursuant to the terms of a plan in effect on
the date hereof, issuances of Securities pursuant to the exercise of
such options or the exercise of any other employee stock options
outstanding on the date hereof or issuances of Securities pursuant to
the Company's dividend reinvestment plan.
(i) The Company and each Selling Stockholder agree with the
several Underwriters that the Company and such Selling Stockholder will
pay all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the
Company and such Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, under this
Agreement, for any filing fees and other expenses (including fees and
disbursements of counsel) in connection with qualification of the
Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as
CSFBC designates and the printing of memoranda relating thereto for the
filing fee incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the Offered
Securities, for any travel expenses of the Company's officers and
employees and any other expenses of the Company in connection with
9.
attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers of the
Offered Securities, for any transfer taxes on the sale by the Selling
Stockholders of the Offered Securities to the Underwriters and for
expenses incurred in distributing preliminary prospectuses and the
Prospectus (including any amendments and supplements thereto) to the
Underwriters.
(j) Each Selling Stockholder agrees to deliver to CSFBC,
attention: Transactions Advisory Group on or prior to the First Closing
Date a properly completed and executed United States Treasury
Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified by
Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof).
(k) The Selling Stockholder agrees, for a period of 90 days after
the date of the initial public offering of the Offered Securities, not
to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of,
directly or indirectly, any additional shares of the Securities of the
Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for any shares of Securities, enter into a transaction which would have
the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement
that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences
of ownership of the Securities, whether any such aforementioned
transaction is to be settled by delivery of the Securities or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the
intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or enter
into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without,
in each case, the prior written consent of CSFBC.
6. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS. The obligations
of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Securities on the
First Closing Date and the Optional Securities to be purchased on each Optional
Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company and the Selling Stockholders herein, to
the accuracy of the statements of Company officers made pursuant to the
provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Selling
Stockholders of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional
conditions precedent:
(a) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated the
date of delivery thereof (which, if the Effective Time of the Initial
Registration Statement is prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, shall be on or prior to the date of this Agreement or, if
the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is subsequent
to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be prior to the
filing of the amendment or post-effective amendment to the registration
statement to be filed shortly prior to such Effective Time), of
confirming that they are independent public accountants within the
meaning of the Act and the applicable published Rules and Regulations
thereunder and stating to the effect that:
(i) in their opinion the financial statements and
schedules )examined by them and included in the Registration
Statements comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
published Rules and Regulations;
(ii) they have performed the procedures specified by
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for a
review of interim financial information as described in
Statement of Auditing Standards No. 71, Interim Financial
Information, on the unaudited financial statements included in
the Registration Statements;
(iii) on the basis of the review referred to in
clause (ii) above, a reading of the latest available interim
financial statements of the Company, inquiries of officials of
the Company who have responsibility for financial and
accounting matters and other specified procedures, nothing
came to their attention that caused them to believe that:
10.
(A) the unaudited financial statements
included in the Registration Statements do not comply
as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
related published Rules and Regulations or any
material modifications should be made to such
unaudited financial statements for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles;
(B) the unaudited consolidated net sales,
net operating income, net income and net income per
share amounts for the -month periods ended
[____________] included in the Prospectus do not
agree with the amounts set forth in the unaudited
consolidated financial statements for those same
periods or were not determined on a basis
substantially consistent with that of the
corresponding amounts in the audited statements of
income;
(C) at the date of the latest available
balance sheet read by such accountants, or at a
subsequent specified date not more than three
business days prior to the date of this Agreement,
there was any change in the capital stock or any
increase in short-term indebtedness or long-term debt
of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or,
at the date of the latest available balance sheet
read by such accountants, there was any decrease in
consolidated net assets, as compared with amounts
shown on the latest balance sheet included in the
Prospectus; or
(D) for the period from the closing date of
the latest income statement included in the
Prospectus to the closing date of the latest
available income statement read by such accountants
there were any decreases, as compared with the
corresponding period of the previous year, in
consolidated net sales or net operating income in the
total or per share amounts of consolidated income
before extraordinary items or net income;
except in all cases set forth in clauses (C) and (D) above for
changes, increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses
have occurred or may occur or which are described in such
letter; and
(iv) they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other
financial information contained in the Registration Statements
(in each case to the extent that such dollar amounts,
percentages and other financial information are derived from
the general accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries subject to the internal controls of the Company's
accounting system or are derived directly from such records by
analysis or computation) with the results obtained from
inquiries, a reading of such general accounting records and
other procedures specified in such letter and have found such
dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information to
be in agreement with such results, except as otherwise
specified in such letter.
For purposes of this subsection, (i) if the Effective Time of the
Initial Registration Statements is subsequent to the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" shall mean the
initial registration statement as proposed to be amended by the
amendment or post-effective amendment to be filed shortly prior to its
Effective Time, (ii) if the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
Statements is prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement but
the Effective Time of the Additional Registration Statement is
subsequent to such execution and delivery, "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS"
shall mean the Initial Registration Statement and the additional
registration statement as proposed to be filed or as proposed to be
amended by the post-effective
11.
amendment to be filed shortly prior to its Effective Time, and
(iii) "PROSPECTUS" shall mean the prospectus included in the
Registration Statements.
(b) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration
Statement is not prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
such Effective Time shall have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New
York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date as shall
have been consented to by CSFBC. If the Effective Time of the
Additional Registration Statement (if any) is not prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Effective Time shall
have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of
this Agreement or, if earlier, the time the Prospectus is printed and
distributed to any Underwriter, or shall have occurred at such later
date as shall have been consented to by CSFBC. If the Effective Time of
the Initial Registration Statement is prior to the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Prospectus shall have been filed with
the Commission in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and Section
5(a) of this Agreement. Prior to such Closing Date, no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement shall have
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been
instituted or, to the knowledge of any Selling Stockholder, the Company
or the Representatives, shall be contemplated by the Commission.
(c) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any
development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition
(financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries taken as one enterprise which, in the
judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including the
Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or
inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering or the
sale of and payment for the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in
the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of
Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that any such
organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt
securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive
implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible
downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any material suspension or material
limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock
Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices for trading on such
exchange, or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company
on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking
moratorium declared by U.S. Federal or New York authorities; or (v) any
outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United States
is involved, any declaration of war by Congress or any other
substantial national or international calamity or emergency if, in the
judgment of a majority in interest of the Underwriters including the
Representatives, the effect of any such outbreak, escalation,
declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable
to proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and
payment for the Offered Securities.
(d) The Representatives shall have received an opinion, dated
such Closing Date, of Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Company,
to the effect that:
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an
existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the
State of Colorado, with corporate power and authority to own
its properties and conduct its business as described in the
Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified to do business
as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification;
(ii) The Offered Securities delivered on such Closing
Date and all other outstanding shares of the Common Stock of
the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
fully paid and nonassessable and conform to the description
thereof
12.
contained in the Prospectus; and the stockholders of the
Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the
Securities;
(iii) There are no contracts, agreements or
understandings known to such counsel between the Company and
any person granting such person the right to require the
Company to file a registration statement under the Act with
respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned
by such person or to require the Company to include such
securities in the securities registered pursuant to the
Registration Statement or in any securities being registered
pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
Company under the Act;
(iv) The Company is not and, after giving effect to
the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the
application of the proceeds thereof as described in the
Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(v) No consent, approval, authorization or order of,
or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court
is required to be obtained or made by the Company or any
Selling Stockholder for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Custody Agreement in
connection with the sale of the Offered Securities, except
such as have been obtained and made under the Act and such as
may be required under state securities laws;
(vi) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or the Custody Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein or therein contemplated will not result in
a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of,
or constitute a default under, any statute, any rule,
regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any
court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary
of the Company or any of their properties, or any agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a
party or by which the Company or any such subsidiary is bound
or to which any of the properties of the Company or any such
subsidiary is subject, or the charter or by-laws of the
Company or any such subsidiary;
(vii) The Initial Registration Statement was declared
effective under the Act as of the date and time specified in
such opinion, the Additional Registration Statement (if any)
was filed and became effective under the Act as of the date
and time (if determinable) specified in such opinion, the
Prospectus either was filed with the Commission pursuant to
the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in such opinion on
the date specified therein or was included in the Initial
Registration Statement or the Additional Registration
Statement (as the case may be), and, to the best of the
knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any part thereof
has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Act, and
each Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and each
amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective
effective or issue dates, complied as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
Regulations; such counsel have no reason to believe that any
part of a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, as
of its effective date or as of such Closing Date, contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; or that the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its
issue date or as of such Closing Date, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they
13.
were made, not misleading; the descriptions in the
Registration Statements and Prospectus of statutes, legal and
governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents
are accurate and fairly present the information required to
be shown; and such counsel do not know of any legal or
governmental proceedings required to be described in a
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which are not
described as required or of any contracts or documents of
a character required to be described in a Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits
to a Registration Statement which are not described
and filed as required; it being understood that such counsel
need express no opinion as to the financial statements or
other financial data contained in the Registration Statements
or the Prospectus; and
(viii) This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company.
(e) The Representatives shall have received the opinion
contemplated in the Power of Attorney executed and delivered by each
Selling Stockholder and an opinion, dated such Closing Date, of
, counsel for the Selling Stockholders, to the effect that:
(i) Each Selling Stockholder had valid and
unencumbered title to the Offered Securities delivered by such
Selling Stockholder on such Closing Date and had full right,
power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the
Offered Securities delivered by such Selling Stockholder on
such Closing Date hereunder; and the several Underwriters have
acquired valid and unencumbered title to the Offered
Securities purchased by them from the Selling Stockholders on
such Closing Date hereunder;
(ii) No consent, approval, authorization or order of,
or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court
is required to be obtained or made by any Selling Stockholder
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Custody Agreement or] this Agreement in connection with the
sale of the Offered Securities sold by the Selling
Stockholders, except such as have been obtained and made under
the Act and such as may be required under state securities
laws;
(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of the
Custody Agreement and this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions therein and herein contemplated will not
result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, any
rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body
or any court having jurisdiction over any Selling Stockholder
or any of their properties or any agreement or instrument to
which any Selling Stockholder is a party or by which any
Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the properties
of any Selling Stockholder is subject or the charter or
by-laws of any Selling Stockholder which is a corporation; and
(iv) The Power of Attorney and related Custody
Agreement with respect to each Selling Stockholder has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling
Stockholder and constitute valid and legally binding
obligations of each such Selling Stockholder enforceable in
accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
and similar laws of general applicability relating to or
affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;
and]
(v) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by each Selling Stockholder.
14.
(f) The Representatives shall have received from Xxxxxxx,
Phleger & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or
opinions, dated such Closing Date, with respect to the incorporation of
the Company, the validity of the Offered Securities delivered on such
Closing Date, the Registration Statements, the Prospectus and other
related matters as the Representatives may require, and the Selling
Stockholders and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such
documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon
such matters. In rendering such opinion, Xxxxxxx, Phleger & Xxxxxxxx
LLP may rely as to the incorporation of the Company and all other
matters governed by Colorado law upon the opinion of Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxxx LLP referred to above.
(g) The Representatives shall have received a certificate,
dated such Closing Date, of the President or any Vice President and a
principal financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such
officers, to the best of their knowledge after reasonable
investigation, shall state that: the representations and warranties of
the Company in this Agreement are true and correct; the Company has
complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part
to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing
Date; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
instituted or are contemplated by the Commission; the Additional
Registration Statement (if any) satisfying the requirements of
subparagraphs (1) and (3) of Rule 462(b) was filed pursuant to Rule
462(b), including payment of the applicable filing fee in accordance
with Rule 111(a) or (b) under the Act, prior to the time the Prospectus
was printed and distributed to any Underwriter; and, subsequent to the
respective dates of the most recent financial statements in the
Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change, nor any
development or event involving a prospective material adverse change,
in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results
of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole
except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus or as
described in such certificate.
(h) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated
such Closing Date, of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP which meets the
requirements of subsection (a) of this Section, except that the
specified date referred to in such subsection will be a date not more
than three days prior to such Closing Date for the purposes of this
subsection.
(i) On or prior to the date of this Agreement, the
Representatives shall have received lockup letters from each of
executive officers, directors and 5% stockholders of the Company who
are not Selling Stockholders.
The Selling Stockholders and the Company will furnish the Representatives with
such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as
the Representatives reasonably request. CSFBC may in its sole discretion waive
on behalf of the Underwriters compliance with any conditions to the obligations
of the Underwriters hereunder, whether in respect of an Optional Closing Date or
otherwise.
7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION. (a) The Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers and each
person, if any who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several,
to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary
prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
15.
damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged
omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed
that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the
information described as such in subsection (c) below.
(a) The Selling Stockholders, jointly and severally, will indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers and each
person who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to
which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar
as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Selling
Stockholders will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from
any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed
that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the
information described as such in subsection (c) below.
(b) Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and each
Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which
the Company or such Selling Stockholder may become subject, under the Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related
preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
through the Representatives specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and each Selling
Stockholder in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it being understood
and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists
of (i) the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each
Underwriter: the last paragraph at the bottom of the cover page concerning the
terms of the offering by the Underwriters, the legend concerning
over-allotments, stabilizing and passive market making on the inside front cover
page and, the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the paragraph
under the caption "Underwriting" and the information contained in the and
paragraph[s] under the caption "Underwriting."
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above, notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under subsection (a), (b) or (c) above. In case any such action
is brought
16.
against any indemnified party and it notifies an indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with
the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party),
and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if indemnity may
be sought pursuant to the last paragraph in Section 7 (a) hereof in respect
of such action or proceeding, then in addition to such separate firm for the
indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be liable for the
reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for the Designated Underwriter for the defense of any
losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the Directed Share
Program, and all persons, if any, who control the Designated Underwriter
within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Act of Section 20 of the
Exchange Act. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent
of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party unless such (i) settlement includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an
admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an
indemnified party.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a), (b)
or (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages
or liabilities referred to in subsection (a), (b) or (c) above (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements
or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the
Company and the Selling Stockholders bear to the total underwriting discounts
and commissions received by the Underwriters. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Selling
Stockholders or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue
statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of
this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection
(e) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.
17.
(e) The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the
Selling Stockholders may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter (as
hereinafter defined) within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the
respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the Company
who has signed a Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of the Act.
8. DEFAULT OF UNDERWRITERS. If any Underwriter or Underwriters default
in their obligations to purchase Offered Securities hereunder on either the
First or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of Offered
Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to
purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Offered Securities
that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, CSFBC may
make arrangements satisfactory to the Company and the Selling Stockholders for
the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons, including any of the
Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the
non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their
respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Offered Securities that such
defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If
any Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of shares of
Offered Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds
10% of the total number of shares of Offered Securities that the Underwriters
are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to
CSFBC, the Company and the Selling Stockholders for the purchase of such Offered
Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default,
this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or the Selling Stockholders, except as
provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default occurs with respect to
Optional Securities after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not
terminate as to the Firm Securities or any Optional Securities purchased prior
to such termination). As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes
any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein
will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
9. SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS. The respective
indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the
Selling Stockholders, of the Company or its officers and of the several
Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the
results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any Selling
Stockholder, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or
directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment
for the Offered Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
8 or if for any reason the purchase of the Offered Securities by the
Underwriters is not consummated, the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall
remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by them pursuant to
Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company, the Selling
Stockholders, and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in effect,
and if any Offered Securities have been purchased hereunder the representations
and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under Section 5 shall also
remain in effect. If the purchase of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters
is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of any event specified
in clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6(c), the Company and the Selling
Stockholders will, jointly and severally, reimburse the Underwriters for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably
incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities.
10. NOTICES. All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if
sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed
to the Representatives c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Eleven
Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010-3629, Attention: Investment Banking
Department - Transactions Advisory Group, or, if sent to the Company, will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at
, Attention: , or, if sent to the
18.
Selling Stockholders or any of them, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed
and confirmed to at ; provided, however, that
any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 will be mailed, delivered or
telegraphed and confirmed to such Underwriter.
11. SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective personal representatives
and successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred
to in Section 7, and no other person will have any right or obligation
hereunder.
12. REPRESENTATION. The Representatives will act for the several
Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and any action under this Agreement taken by the Representatives
jointly or by CSFBC will be binding upon all the Underwriters. will act
for the Selling Stockholders in connection with such transactions, and any
action under or in respect of this Agreement taken by will be binding
upon all the Selling Stockholders.]
13. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.
14. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in
any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Company irrevocably appoints ____________
as its authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York upon
which process may be served in any such suit or proceeding, and agrees that
service of process upon such agent, and written notice of said service to the
Company by the person serving the same to the address provided in Section 10,
shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company
in any such suit or proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all
action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such
agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this
Agreement.
19.
If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives'
understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the
counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the
Selling Stockholders, the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance
with its terms.
Very truly yours,
................................................
[INSERT NAME OR NAMES OF SELLING STOCKHOLDERS]
................................................
NATIONAL INFORMATION CONSORTIUM, INC.
By...............................
[INSERT TITLE]
The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the date first above
written.
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
......................................
......................................
Acting on behalf of themselves and as the
Representatives of the
several Underwriters.
By CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
By..................................
[INSERT TITLE]
20.
SCHEDULE A
NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF OPTIONAL
FIRM SECURITIES SECURITIES TO
SELLING STOCKHOLDER TO BE SOLD BE SOLD
------------------- --------------- -------------
Total............ -------- ---------
-------- ---------
-------- ---------
21.
SCHEDULE B
NUMBER OF
FIRM SECURITIES
UNDERWRITER TO BE PURCHASED
----------- ---------------
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation..............
---------
Total...................................
---------
---------
22.
