FORM OF MASTER TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT between TEMPLE INLAND INC. and FORESTAR REAL ESTATE GROUP INC. and GUARANTY FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
Exhibit 10.3
FORM OF
MASTER TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
between
TEMPLE INLAND INC.
and
FORESTAR REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
and
GUARANTY FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
MASTER TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
between
TEMPLE INLAND INC.
and
FORESTAR REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
and
GUARANTY FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECITATIONS | 4 | |||||
ARTICLE I SERVICES | 5 | |||||
Section 1.1 |
Initial Services | 5 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Company Groups | 5 | ||||
Section 1.3 |
Omitted Services; Additional Services | 5 | ||||
Section 1.4 |
Performance of Services | 5 | ||||
Section 1.5 |
Changes to Services | 6 | ||||
Section 1.6 |
Use of Third Parties to Provide the Services | 6 | ||||
Section 1.7 |
Mutual Cooperation | 6 | ||||
Section 1.8 |
Internal Controls, Record Retention and Operating Policies | 6 | ||||
Section 1.9 |
Audit Assistance | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE II CHARGES AND BILLING; TAXES | 6 | |||||
Section 2.1 |
Charges for Transition Services | 7 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Procedure | 7 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Late Payments | 7 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Taxes | 7 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Record-Keeping | 7 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
No Set-Off | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE III TERM AND TERMINATION | 7 | |||||
Section 3.1 |
Term | 7 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Early Termination | 7 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Information Transmission | 8 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Termination Assistance | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE IV CONFIDENTIALITY | 8 | |||||
Section 4.1 |
Protection of Information | 8 |
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Section 4.2 |
Exclusion of Certain Information | 8 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Non-Public Personal Information | 8 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Security Program | 9 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Notification of Security Breaches | 9 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Operation of a Secure Site | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS | 9 | |||||
Section 5.1 |
Authorization | 9 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Non-Infringement | 9 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Compliance with Laws | 10 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties | 10 | ||||
ARTICLE VI LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY | 10 | |||||
Section 6.1 |
Exclusion of Certain Damages | 10 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Provider’s Indemnification for Third Party Claims | 10 | ||||
Section 6.3 |
Purchaser’s Indemnification for Third Party Claims | 10 | ||||
Section 6.4 |
Clarification of Indemnification | 10 | ||||
ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW | 10 | |||||
Section 7.1 |
Amicable Resolution | 10 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Arbitration | 10 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Governing Law | 10 | ||||
Section 7.4 |
Submission to Jurisdiction | 11 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 11 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS | 11 | |||||
Section 8.1 |
Survival | 11 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Title to Intellectual Property | 11 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Force Majeure | 11 | ||||
Section 8.4 |
Independent Contractors | 11 | ||||
Section 8.5 |
Subrogation | 12 | ||||
Section 8.6 |
Entire Agreement; Incorporation of Schedules and Exhibits | 12 | ||||
Section 8.7 |
Amendments and Waivers | 12 | ||||
Section 8.8 |
No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required | 12 | ||||
Section 8.9 |
No Third Party Beneficiaries | 12 |
Page 2 of 21
Section 8.10 |
Assignment; Binding Agreement | 12 | ||||
Section 8.11 |
Responsible Parties | 12 | ||||
Section 8.12 |
Notices | 12 | ||||
Section 8.13 |
Severability | 13 | ||||
Section 8.14 |
Construction | 13 | ||||
Section 8.15 |
Counterparts | 13 | ||||
Section 8.16 |
Delivery by Facsimile and Other Electronic Means | 13 | ||||
SIGNATURE PAGE | 15 | |||||
EXHIBIT A – SCHEDULES | 16-78 | |||||
EXHIBIT B – GLOSSARY | 79 | |||||
EXHIBIT C – DISPUTE RESOLUTION | 81 | |||||
EXHIBIT D – NOTICE OF EARLY TERMINATION | 83 |
Page 3 of 21
Temple-Inland Inc. (“Temple-Inland”), Forestar Real Estate Group Inc. (“Forestar”)
and Guaranty Financial Group Inc. (“Financial Services”) make this Master Transition
Services Agreement (“Agreement”) in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
contained in this Agreement.
RECITATIONS
A. On the Effective Date, Temple-Inland will distribute to its shareholders pro rata all of the
outstanding stock of Forestar (the “Forestar Distribution”) and all of the outstanding stock of
Financial Services (the “Financial Services Distribution” and, collectively with the Forestar
Distribution, the “Distributions”), both corporations that Temple-Inland currently owns and
controls.
B. Incident to the Distributions, each of the Companies have been required to plan to disaggregate
various shared services and certain common uses of facilities and equipment. In order to facilitate
separation of the Companies on the Effective Date, the Companies have agreed that certain shared
services and certain common uses of facilities and equipment should continue for a transitional
period after the Effective Date (together such shared services and common uses are referred to as
the “Transition Services”).
C. The Provider of the Transition Services and each Purchaser of Transition Services shall agree in
a separate Schedule to this Agreement (“Schedule”) upon the scope, scale and description of
each particular Transition Service to be provided, how long the Transition Service will be
provided, early termination provisions, the price for the Transition Service expressed either as a
fixed unit price or as a fixed periodic price, payment terms and such special terms and conditions
as may be applicable to the particular Transition Service. Each of the Transition Services so
scheduled shall be provided under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement as
supplemented or expressly modified by the applicable Schedule. The form of the Schedules shall be
substantially as set forth in Exhibit A.
D. All the capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meaning either given those terms
or incorporated by reference in the Glossary attached as Exhibit B.
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ARTICLE I
SERVICES
Section 1.1 Initial Services. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company designated as
the Provider on each Schedule to this Agreement, shall provide to the Company or Companies
designated as the Purchaser on the Schedule, the services set forth on that Schedule (“Initial
Services”) under the terms and upon the conditions set forth in this Agreement, including the
applicable Schedule.
Section 1.2 Company Groups. A Company may designate one of its Affiliates as the Provider
on a Schedule. A Company may designate one of its Affiliates as the Purchaser on a Schedule. Any
Company’s Affiliate that provides Transition Services and any Company’s Affiliate that purchases
Transition Services shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Schedule under
which the Transition Services are provided. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the
applicable Schedule, the Affiliate designated either as a Provider or a Purchaser and the Company
designating them shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this Agreement
with respect to the Transition Service provided under the applicable Schedule. As requested by the
other parties to a Schedule, the applicable Company shall cause each of its Affiliates designated
as a Purchaser or a Provider in that Schedule to execute the Schedule to evidence that the member
is legally obligated by that Schedule and terms of this Agreement, but a signature by a member so
designated is not required to bind that member.
Section 1.3 Omitted Services; Additional Services. If during the Term of this Agreement
any of the Companies identifies a service that reasonably should have been included in the
Transition Services, but was inadvertently omitted (“Omitted Services”), then that Company
may request the Company that would have been the Provider of such Omitted Services to furnish the
Transition Services. The Company requested to provide the Omitted Services shall do so if
commercially feasible to provide the Transition Services under the terms of this Agreement for a
fixed unit fee or fixed periodic fee set by the potential Provider in an amount reasonably
estimated to cover the cost of providing the Transition Services and other commercially reasonable
terms covered in a Schedule. If the Company requesting the Omitted Services accepts the terms for
provision of the Omitted Services offered by the potential Provider, those Companies shall enter
into a Schedule that will become part of this Agreement. Companies may also add additional
services (“Additional Services”) that are not Omitted Services by entering into a Schedule
that is made part of this Agreement provided that Additional Services entered under this Agreement
must terminate no later than the end of the term of this Agreement.
Section 1.4 Performance of Services. Provider shall perform its duties and discharge its
obligations under this Agreement in a commercially reasonable manner based upon its current
practices in providing analogous services for itself or its Affiliates (or prior practices in the
absence of a current practice) and in accordance with any service levels and performance
obligations specified in the applicable Schedule. This obligation is subject to and upon the
following conditions:
(a) No Provider shall be required to perform any Transition Service in a manner that would
constitute a violation of applicable law.
(b) No Provider shall be required to perform any Transition Service for the benefit of any Third
Party.
(c) Except as set forth otherwise in an applicable Schedule, no Provider shall be obligated to (i)
hire or train additional employees, (ii) purchase, lease or license any additional equipment or
software or (iii) pay any cost related to the transfer or conversion of Information to Purchaser
upon termination of the Transition Services.
(d) Except as set forth otherwise in an applicable Schedule, Provider shall be solely responsible
for maintaining during the applicable Service Period equipment, software, licenses, personnel,
facilities and other resources reasonably necessary for Provider’s provision of the Transition
Services for which it is responsible that are substantially equivalent to those resources that were
available to the Provider at the Effective Date.
Section 1.5 Changes to Services. Except as provided in Section 1.9 below, Provider may make
changes from time to time in the manner of performing the Transition Services, if:
(a) Provider is making similar changes in performing analogous services for itself or its
Affiliates;
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(b) Provider furnishes to Purchaser substantially the same notice (in content and timing) and right
of consultation as Provider shall furnish to its Affiliates respecting such changes, provided that
if there is no such notice or right of consultation, then Provider shall give a commercially
reasonable notice and right of consultation to Purchaser;
(c) changes shall not result in any material degradation of the Transition Services and after the
applicable changes, the Transition Services shall meet the standards imposed by this Agreement.
Section 1.6 Use of Third Parties to Provide the Services. Provider may discharge its
duties and perform its obligations under this Agreement through agents, subcontractors or
independent contractors.
Section 1.7 Mutual Cooperation. Purchaser and Provider shall cooperate with each other in
connection with the performance of the Transition Services, including producing on a timely basis
all Information that is reasonably requested with respect to the performance of the Transition
Services.
Section 1.8 Internal Controls, Record Retention and Operating Policies. Provider shall
maintain and comply with the internal controls, record retention policies and other operating
policies and procedures that were in place prior to the Effective Date with respect to each
Transition Service or as otherwise implemented by the Parties to comply with internal standards and
procedures or applicable law. If a Purchaser under a Schedule requires a change to the internal
controls or compliance policies or requires the implementation of additional internal controls or
compliance policies related to a Transition Service in order to comply with changes to applicable
law or internal standards and procedures, the Provider shall change or add to the internal controls
or compliance policies related to the Transition Service as requested by the Purchaser. In
connection with a Provider changing or adding to internal controls or compliance policies as
required by the foregoing, the Purchaser shall pay for any additional costs for the Transition
Service associated with the implementation or maintenance of the applicable change or addition;
provided, however, that if (i) such change or addition is required for the compliance of both the
Purchaser and the Provider with a law or policy applicable to both, or (ii) both the Purchaser and
the Provider will benefit from such change or addition, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith
an equitable sharing of the costs associated with such change or addition.
Section 1.9 Audit Assistance. Provider and Purchaser shall cooperate with the other in
providing such Information as may be required and access for audits by independent certified public
accountants, internal auditors, regulators, or other persons with the right of audit. A Party
acting as a Purchaser hereunder may request its third party auditor to perform a SAS 70 Type II
audit or other audit or review of such Provider’s internal controls and operating environment
related to the Transition Services upon reasonable advance notice, and the Provider shall perform
such an audit or review or assist Purchaser or Purchaser’s third party auditor in connection with
such an audit or review, in each case at the Purchaser’s expense. At the conclusion of such audit
or review, the Provider shall implement such reasonable changes to the Transition Services or
operating environment to correct deficiencies identified in the audit report to ensure compliance
with applicable law or that are otherwise necessary for Provider to comply with Purchaser’s
internal policies in connection with the Transition Services. The Parties shall share the costs to
implement all such changes equally. The Company being audited shall be responsible for all
incremental costs incurred by other Companies in providing such Information or assistance.
ARTICLE II
CHARGES AND BILLING; TAXES
Section 2.1 Charges for Transition Services. The charges for the Transition Services shall
be established in monthly units and shall be (a) as set forth in the applicable Schedules, or (b)
determined in accordance with the charging methodology as set forth in the applicable Schedules
(the “Charges”). Provider shall invoice Purchaser for the Charges in the manner and at the time
provided in the applicable Schedule. Charges shall be good faith advance estimates of Provider’s
cost of providing the Transition Services and shall not be corrected retroactively for actual
costs. Provider may change the Charges for future billing at any time to cover a change in the
cost of providing the Transition Service. Provider will give Purchaser thirty (30) days notice of
any such change in Charges. Annually within 30 days after the anniversary date of this Agreement,
Provider and Purchaser shall review the Charges and make any adjustments to those Charges going
forward to reflect changes in the cost of providing the Transition Services during the preceding
year. Changes for any time period covered as an extension of service beyond the originally
scheduled end date shall be at market value instead of cost. The market value pricing will be
determined by the Provider and will be equal and equitable in light of market conditions for
services of a like kind and duration.
Page 6 of 21
There will not be any charges for the time period between the Effective Date and January 1, 2008.
The Parties intend that the Charges will be fair, reasonable and arms length pricing and in
compliance with the affiliate transaction requirements promulgated from time to time by the
regulatory entities having authority over financial services, including Office of Thrift
Supervision (OTS) Regulations 12 C.F.R. 563.41 and 563.42 and Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal
Reserve Act.
Section 2.2 Procedure. Purchaser shall pay to Provider the Charges as invoiced by Provider,
in the manner and at the time provided in the applicable Schedule. All amounts due and payable
under this Agreement shall be invoiced and paid in U.S. dollars.
Section 2.3 Late Payments. Charges not paid when due in accordance with the provisions of
the applicable Schedule shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of Prime Rate
plus two percent (2%) from such date due until the date paid, or the maximum contractual rate
permitted by law.
Section 2.4 Taxes. Purchaser shall pay any and all Transfer Taxes incurred in connection
with the applicable Provider’s provision of the Transition Services.
Section 2.5 Record-Keeping. Provider shall maintain complete and accurate records of any
invoices and supporting documentation for all amounts billed to, and payments made by, the
Purchaser under this Agreement, subject to Provider’s usual record retention policies. Provider
shall provide to Purchaser or its designee documentation and other information relating to each
invoice as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser to verify that Provider’s charges are accurate,
complete, and valid in accordance with this Agreement.
Section 2.6 No Set-Off. Purchaser’s obligation to make any required payments under this
Agreement shall not be subject to any unilateral right of offset, set-off, deduction or
counterclaim, however arising.
ARTICLE III
TERM AND TERMINATION
Section 3.1 Term. Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Section 3.2, this
Agreement will terminate with respect to any Transition Service at the close of business on the
last day of the Service Period for such Transition Service designated in the applicable Schedule.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may elect to extend the Service Period for any Transition
Service in accordance with the terms for extension provided in the applicable Schedule, if any are
expressly provided. Except as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement will terminate at the close
of business on the last day of the last Service Period in effect (the “Term”).
Section 3.2 Early Termination. (a) Purchaser shall have the right at any time during the
Term of this Agreement to terminate its obligation to purchase any Transition Service for future
months, upon the giving of an advance written notice to Provider of (i) not less than the notice
period set forth in the applicable Schedule or, (ii) if the applicable Schedule does not set forth
a number of days, not less than thirty (30) days. If Purchaser terminates a Transition Service
prior to the expiration of the Service Period for such Transition Service, the fees for any
remaining months of the Service Period for associated Transition Services shall be decreased to
account for the Transition Services that are terminated and any prepaid monthly Charges shall be
refunded to Purchaser. Upon early termination of Transition Services under this section, Purchaser
shall pay Provider a termination fee in a reasonable amount set by Provider to reimburse the
Provider for any unreimbursed costs that directly result from the early termination and to recover
any incurred fees or expenses being amortized over the Service Period.
(b) In addition, Purchaser shall have the right at any time during the Term of this Agreement
to terminate its obligations to purchase any Transition Service if Provider materially breaches a
provision with respect to any particular Transition Service and, if curable, does not cure such
breach within thirty (30) days after being given notice of such breach. Upon termination for
breach, Purchaser shall not be obligated to pay a termination fee and any prepaid charges shall be
prorated and the unused portion refunded to Purchaser.
(c) Provider shall have the right at any time during the Term of this Agreement to terminate
its obligation to provide any Transition Service if Purchaser materially breaches a provision with
respect to any particular Transition Service and, if curable, does not cure such breach within 30
days after being given notice of such breach. Failure to timely pay money shall be a material
breach.
(d) Provider shall also have the right at any time during the Term of this Agreement to
terminate its obligations to provide any Transition Service if there is a change in control of
Purchaser. For this section,
Page 7 of 21
“Change in Control” means transfer of a majority of Purchaser’s outstanding voting stock to a
Person not a Party to this Agreement.
(e) Provider shall also have the right to terminate its obligations to provide any Transition
Service on thirty (30) days written notice if conditions change to render the provision of the
Transition Service commercially unreasonable.
(f) Written notice of any Early Termination shall be provided in the form attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit D.
Section 3.3 Information Transmission. On or prior to the last day of each relevant Service
Period, the Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to support any transfer of
Information concerning the relevant Transition Services to the applicable Purchaser. If requested
by the Purchaser, the Provider shall deliver to the applicable Purchaser, within such time periods
as Provider and Purchaser may reasonably agree, all Information received, generated or computed for
the benefit of such Purchaser during the Service Period, in electronic and/or hard copy form;
provided that (a) the Provider shall not have any obligation to provide or cause to provide
Information in any non-standard format, and (b) the Provider shall be reimbursed for its reasonable
out-of-pocket costs for providing Information in any format other than its standard format, unless
otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Schedule.
Section 3.4 Termination Assistance. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, each
Provider shall have an obligation that survives such termination to provide to the Purchaser, or
Purchaser’s designees, services as necessary to effect an orderly and smooth transition of the
Transition Services to the Purchaser or a successor service provider and such other cooperation as
reasonably requested by the Purchaser in connection with such termination or expiration. Any
particular termination and expiration assistance services may be detailed in an applicable Schedule
and shall include, at a minimum, any knowledge transfer, training of Purchaser’s or its designee’s
personnel, transfer of data and other materials related to the Transition Services and any
information and assistance reasonably necessary or desirable or reasonably requested by the
Purchaser to ensure an orderly and smooth transition of the Transition Services to Purchaser or a
successor service provider.
ARTICLE IV
CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 4.1 Protection of Information. Provider and Purchaser may share Information that
is confidential or subject to privacy laws in the course of Provider performing Transition
Services. Provider and Purchaser shall each protect and maintain the confidentiality of all
Information provided to it by the other Party that is either designated as “confidential” by
clearly so marking on or in the transmittal in a manner that may be easily observed, is required to
be kept confidential under law, or contains financial or proprietary data (“Confidential
Information”). Provider and Purchaser shall each use, as applicable, (a) in the absence of a
policy or procedure used to provide substantially the same service before the Effective Date, the
same internal policies and controls to protect and maintain the other’s Confidential Information as
are used to protect their own Confidential information or (b) those policies and procedures that
were in effect prior to the Effective Date and used by the Provider in providing substantially the
same service to Purchaser. Provider and Purchaser shall use the other’s Confidential Information
only as required for the purposes of this Agreement and shall return upon request, subject to the
limitations of Section 3.3, or destroy Confidential Information that is no longer needed to render
Transition Services in accordance with the receiving Party’s retention policies.
Section 4.2 Exclusion of Certain Information. The provisions of Section 4.1 do not apply to
Information that (i) was, is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of
a breach of this Section 4.1 or any applicable confidentiality agreement by the receiving Party or
its representatives; (ii) was or is developed by the receiving Party independently of and without
reference to any Confidential Information of the disclosing Party; or (iii) was, is or becomes
available to the receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a Third Party not bound by a
confidentiality agreement.
Section 4.3 Non-Public Personal Information. Non-Public Personal Information means all
“non-public personal information” as defined by the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, 15 U.S.C. § 6801 et
seq., as amended from time to time, and all applicable implementing regulations and agency
pronouncements related thereto, as amended from time to time (collectively, the “GLBA”). Provider
agrees to keep confidential, safeguard and not disclose any Non-Public
Page 8 of 21
Personal Information in violation of the GLBA, the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information
Security Standards, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Interagency Guidance on
Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice (the
“Interagency Guidance”), or in violation of any other applicable law. Provider warrants that its
policies, business practices and methodologies are, to the extent required, or forseeably required,
in compliance with any and all relevant portions of applicable law.
Section 4.4 Security Program. Provider will maintain reasonable security policies,
procedures, and systems to protect Non-Public Personal Information it receives, stores, uses or
transmits. Provider will maintain a comprehensive, written security program (“Security Program”)
that is designed to: (a) ensure the security and confidentiality of Non-Public Personal
Information; (b) restrict the use of Non-Public Personal Information to the purpose for which it is
given to Provider; (c) protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity
of Non-Public Personal Information; and (d) otherwise comply with applicable law and meet the
objectives of 12 C.F.R. Part 570, Appendix B, the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for
Safeguarding Customer Information. The Security Program will include administrative, technical,
and physical safeguards that are commensurate with the scope of Provider activities and the
sensitivity of Non-Public Personal Confidential Information. The Security Program will include, as
appropriate, and without limitation: access controls on electronic systems that are used to
maintain, access or transmit Non-Public Personal Information; adjustments to security programs due
to technology changes; access restrictions at physical locations containing Non-Public Personal
Information; encryption of electronic Confidential Information, as further set forth herein; dual
control procedures; testing and monitoring of electronic systems; and procedures to detect actual
and attempted attacks on or intrusions into the electronic systems containing or processing
Non-Public Personal Information. Provider will promptly provide a copy of its Security Program to
Purchaser upon its request. Upon request, Provider also will provide reasonable evidence that
Provider maintains adequate security controls in accordance with the requirements herein.
Section 4.5 Notification of Security Breaches. Provider will comply with all applicable
law relating to security breaches, including, but not limited to, Texas and California law and the
Interagency Guidance. Provider will respond immediately to remedy any known security breaches or
service disruptions and, in the event of any threatened or actual disclosure, loss or breach in the
security of Information, Provider will immediately notify Purchaser of any threatened or actual
disclosure, loss or breach, and the actions that Provider is taking to prevent any further
disclosure, loss or breach.
4.6 Operation of a Secure Site. Provider will undertake reasonable measures to ensure the
security, confidentiality, and integrity of all Non-Public Personal Information transmitted through
or stored on Provider’s server(s), including, without limitation: (a) providing at a minimum,
128-bit SSL encrypted session when collecting or utilizing Non-Public Personal Information; (b)
firewall protection; (c) maintenance of independent archival and backup copies of all of Non-Public
Personal Information and ensuring that all back-up tapes that contain any Non-Public Personal
Information are no less than 128-bit encrypted; (d) protecting from any network attack and other
malicious or disabling entry, data, work, code or program; (e) performing periodic information
security risk assessments to identify and assess risks arising from any third party connection to
the Provider’s information system and implementing any appropriate mitigating security controls;
and (f) ensuring that Non-Public Personal Information is stored on a database that is separate from
all web server(s) and on a host that is secured on Provider’s internal network or a non-Internet
facing network. Provider will ensure that all user identifications and passwords and Confidential
Information received and transmitted via the Internet is, at a minimum, 128-bit SSL encrypted. All
stored passwords will be encrypted pursuant to these same encryption standards. Provider will use
industry standard encryption algorithms to meet its encryption requirements hereunder.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS
Section 5.1 Authorization. Each Company represents and warrants: (a) that this Agreement
has been validly executed and delivered by such Company and that the provisions set forth in this
Agreement constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of such Company and any of its
Affiliates designated by Company as a Provider or Purchaser, enforceable against such Company and
each such Affiliate in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and with regard to equitable
remedies, to the discretion of the court before which proceedings to obtain such remedies may be
pending;
Page 9 of 21
and (b) that such Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement, including requisite authorizations from each Affiliate that may be designated as a
Provider or Purchaser.
Section 5.2 Non-Infringement. Provider shall perform Transition Services under this
Agreement in a manner that does not and shall not infringe, or constitute an infringement or
misappropriation of, any intellectual property rights of any Third Party.
Section 5.3 Compliance with Laws. Each Party shall perform Transition Services under this
Agreement in a manner that complies in all material respects with all applicable laws.
Section 5.4 Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN
THIS AGREEMENT, PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ALL TRANSITION SERVICES AND ANY GOODS
DELIVERED INCIDENT THERETO ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS-IS” “WHERE-IS” BASIS AND THAT PROVIDER MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION SERVICES AND PROVIDER HEREBY
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION SERVICES, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
ARTICLE VI
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
Section 6.1 Exclusion of Certain Damages. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PROVIDER OR PURCHASER, ITS
AFFILIATES OR ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PERFORMANCE OF TRANSITION SERVICES, EVEN IF THAT PROVIDER OR PURCHASER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND EACH PROVIDER OR PURCHASER HEREBY WAIVES ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
THE MEMBERS OF ITS GROUP ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM FOR LOST PROFITS, WHETHER
ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.
Section 6.2 Provider’s Indemnification for Third Party Claims. Provider shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Purchaser and its directors, officers and employees, and each of the
successors and assigns of any of the foregoing from and against any and all claims of Third Parties
relating to, arising out of or resulting from Provider’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in
the performance of its obligations hereunder, or breach of this Agreement, other than to the extent
such Third Party claims are attributable to the gross negligence, negligence, willful misconduct or
breach of this Agreement by any Person so indemnified by Provider.
Section 6.3 Purchaser’s Indemnification for Third Party Claims. Purchaser shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Provider and its directors, officers and employees, and each of the
successors and assigns of any of the foregoing from and against any and all claims of Third Parties
relating to, arising out of or resulting from Purchaser’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in
the performance of its obligations hereunder, or breach of this Agreement, other than to the extent
such Third Party claims are attributable to the gross negligence, negligence, willful misconduct or
breach of this Agreement by any Person so indemnified by Purchaser.
Section 6.4 Clarification of Indemnification. As used in Sections 6.2 and 6.3, without
limitation, “willful misconduct” includes any felony where scienter is an element, any intentional
tort or any common law fraud.
ARTICLE VII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW
Section 7.1 Amicable Resolution. In accordance with Exhibit C, each Company and
each Provider and Purchaser shall seek to resolve in an amicable manner all disputes and
disagreements connected with their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement,
including involving such senior management as may be required to reach resolution of any dispute.
Section 7.2 Arbitration. Subject to Section 7.1, and except for suits seeking injunctive
relief or specific performance, in the event of any dispute, controversy or claim arising under or
in connection with this Agreement (including any dispute, controversy or claim relating to the
breach, termination or validity of this Agreement), Provider and
Page 10 of 21
Purchaser agree to submit any such dispute, controversy or claim to binding arbitration in
accordance with Exhibit C.
Section 7.3 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of
the State of Texas and applicable federal law, without giving effect to any conflict of law
principle.
Section 7.4 Submission to Jurisdiction. SUBJECT TO SECTION 7.2, EACH OF THE PARTIES
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS (FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY) TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR
FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND
DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT; PROVIDED THAT THE PARTIES MAY BRING ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS AGAINST
EACH OTHER IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO IMPLEAD THE OTHER PARTY IN ANY ACTION
COMMENCED BY A THIRD PARTY THAT IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY ALSO AGREES NOT TO BRING
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY OTHER COURT OR IN
OTHER JURISDICTIONS UNLESS SUCH ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARE NECESSARY TO IMPLEAD THE OTHER PARTY IN
ANY ACTION COMMENCED BY A THIRD PARTY THAT IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES WAIVES
ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT AND
WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY, OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT
THERETO. ANY PARTY MAY MAKE SERVICE ON ANY OTHER PARTY BY SENDING OR DELIVERING A COPY OF THE
PROCESS TO THE PARTY TO BE SERVED AT THE ADDRESS AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE GIVING OF
NOTICES IN SECTION 8.12. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 7.4, HOWEVER, SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY
TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A
FINAL NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE
ENFORCED BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY.
Section 7.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH
COUNSEL), EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Survival. Sections 1.9, Article 2, Sections 3.3 and 3.4, and Articles 4-7,
shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement and of each Schedule made under this
Agreement.
Section 8.2 Title to Intellectual Property. Each Purchaser acknowledges that it will
acquire no right, title or interest (including any license rights or rights of use) in any
intellectual property that is owned or licensed by any Provider, by reason of the provision of the
Transition Services provided hereunder. No Purchaser will remove or alter any copyright, trademark,
confidentiality or other proprietary notices that appear on any intellectual property owned or
licensed by any Provider, and each Purchaser shall reproduce any such notices on any and all copies
thereof. No Purchaser will attempt to decompile, translate, reverse engineer or make excessive
copies of any intellectual property owned or licensed by any Provider, and each Purchaser shall
promptly notify such Provider of any such attempt, regardless of whether by Purchaser or any Third
Party, of which Purchaser becomes aware.
Section 8.3 Force Majeure. No Party shall be held liable or responsible to another Party or
be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for failure or delay in fulfilling or
performing any term of this Agreement when such failure or delay is caused by or results from
events beyond the reasonable control of the non-performing Party, including fires, floods,
earthquakes, embargoes, shortages, epidemics, pandemics, quarantines, war, acts of war (whether war
be declared or not), terrorist acts, insurrections, riots, civil commotion, strikes, lockouts or
other labor disturbances (whether involving the workforce of the non-performing Party or of any
other
Page 11 of 21
Person), acts of God or acts, omissions or delays in acting by any governmental authority. The
suspension of performance shall be of no greater scope and no longer duration than is necessary and
the non-performing Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to
perform.
Section 8.4 Independent Contractors. The Parties each acknowledge that they are separate
entities, each of which has entered into this Agreement for independent business reasons. The
relationships of the Parties hereunder are those of independent contractors and nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to create a joint venture, employer/employee, partnership or any other
relationship.
Section 8.5 Subrogation. If any liability arises from the performance of any Transition
Services under this Agreement by a Third Party contractor, the Purchaser with respect to such
Transition Services shall be subrogated to such rights, if any, as the Provider may have against
such third party contractor.
Section 8.6 Entire Agreement; Incorporation of Schedules and Exhibits. This Agreement
(including all Schedules and Exhibits) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter. All
Schedules and Exhibits referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this
Agreement as if set forth in full herein.
Section 8.7 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended and any provision of this
Agreement may be waived, provided that any such amendment or waiver shall be binding upon a Party
only if such amendment or waiver is set forth in a writing executed by such Party. No course of
dealing between or among any Persons having any interest in this Agreement shall be deemed
effective to modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of
any party hereto under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 8.8 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required. No delay or failure
in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect or operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to
enforce such a right, power or remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right,
power or remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights
or remedies that any Party hereto would otherwise have. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of
any kind or character of any breach or default under this Agreement or any such waiver of any
provision of this Agreement must satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8.7 and shall be
effective only to the extent in such writing specifically set forth.
Section 8.9 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to confer on any Person other than the Parties, and their respective successors and
permitted assigns, any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by virtue of this
Agreement.
Section 8.10 Assignment; Binding Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation
of law or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties,
and any instrument purporting to make such an assignment without prior written consent shall be
void; provided, however, either Party may assign this Agreement to a successor entity in
conjunction with a merger effected solely for the purpose of changing such Party’s state of
incorporation. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the
benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
Section 8.11 Responsible Parties. Each Party shall be responsible for its Affiliates
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 8.12 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications given under this
Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, mailed by first class mail
(postage prepaid and return receipt requested), telecopied (and confirmed by telecopy answer back),
or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address
indicated below or such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient
Party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending Party. Any notice, demand or
other communication under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so personally
delivered or so telecopied and confirmed (if telecopied before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on a business
day, or if sent, one business day after deposit with an overnight courier, or, if mailed, five
business days after deposit in the U.S. mail.
Page 12 of 21
TEMPLE-INLAND INC.
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
FORESTAR REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
GUARANTY FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxx, General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
The Parties may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications hereunder by
electronic communications pursuant to procedures agreed to, provided that approval of such
procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Parties agree
otherwise, notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon
the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return
receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement),
provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of
the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of
business on the next business day for the recipient.
Section 8.13 Severability. The Parties agree that (i) the provisions of this Agreement
shall be severable in the event that for any reason whatsoever any of the provisions hereof are
invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, (ii) any such invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable
provisions shall be replaced by other provisions which are as similar as possible in terms to such
invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable provisions but are valid and enforceable, and (iii) the
remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law.
Section 8.14 Construction. The descriptive headings herein are inserted for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to be a substantive part of or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this
Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular
forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any
agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable
hereof. The use of the words “include” or “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example
rather than by limitation. The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The
Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event
an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as
if drafted jointly by the Parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise
favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this
Agreement. The Parties agree that prior drafts of this Agreement shall be deemed not to provide any
evidence as to the meaning of any provision hereof or the intent of the Parties hereto with respect
hereto. In case of ambiguity or conflict between the terms and conditions of the body of this
Agreement and the terms and conditions of a Schedule to this Agreement, the terms and conditions of
the Schedule shall control.
Section 8.15 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (any one
of which need not contain the signatures of more than one Party), each of which shall be deemed to
be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 8.16 Delivery by Facsimile and Other Electronic Means. This Agreement, and any
amendments hereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other
electronic transmission, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original contract and
shall be considered to have the same binding legal effects as if it
Page 13 of 21
were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any Party, each
other Party shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other Parties. No Party
shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the
fact that any signature was transmitted or communicated through the use of facsimile machine or
other electronic means as a defense to the formation of a contract and each such Party forever
waives any such defense.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
Page 14 of 21
SIGNED: To be effective as of the effective date on this day of , 2007.
TEMPLE-INLAND INC. | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
FORESTAR REAL ESTATE GROUP INC. | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
GUARANTY FINANCIAL GROUP INC. | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Page 15 of 21
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SCHEDULE
FORM OF SCHEDULE
Schedule #
Provider:
Purchaser:
General Description of Transition Services:
Description and Limitations on Scope:
Description and Limitations on Scale:
Deliverables:
Deliveries (include scheduled times and places):
Charge (best estimate of actual cost:
Terms of Payment – To be billed quarterly, in advance, payable on receipt of invoice:
Service Period Start Date:
Service Period End Date:
Provision for Extension of Service Period:
Information to Be Provided by Purchaser:
Storage:
Special Terms:
Special Conditions:
Basic Assumptions (include principal assumptions underlying agreement):
Provider Contact Person:
Purchaser Contact Person:
SIGNED: To be effective as of the effective date on this day of , 2007.
Page 16 of 21
EXHIBIT B
GLOSSARY
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Additional Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.
“Affiliate” means a Person that Person controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with such other Person; a Person shall be deemed to control another Person if that Person
has the right to vote 50 percent or more of the voting interests of such other Person or is
entitled to receive 50 percent or more of the net profits of such other Person or is otherwise able
to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such other Person.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to the Agreement and includes all
Exhibits and Schedules to the Agreement.
“Companies” means Temple-Inland, Forestar and Financial Services.
“Company” means one of them as the term is used.
“Confidential Information” has the meaning given that term in Section 4.1, as limited by
Section 4.2.
“Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitations to the Agreement.
“Effective Date” means [to be added]
“Exhibits” means all of the exhibits referenced in the Agreement.
“Financial Services” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Financial Services Group” means Financial Services and its Affiliates.
“Forestar” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Forestar Group” means Forestar and its Affiliates.
“Glossary” means the lists of defined terms included in this Exhibit B.
“Group” means the group of affiliated entities associated with a particular Company. See
the definitions of Group specific to each Company.
“Information” means information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written,
oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies,
reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how,
techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples,
flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software,
marketing plans, customer names, and other technical, financial, employee or business information
or data, but excludes, except for Section 4.1, communications by or to attorneys (including
attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or
under their direction (including attorney work product), all of which Information from or to
attorneys is designated as “Confidential Information” for the purposes of Section 4.1.
“Initial Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
“Omitted Services” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.
“Party” means in context any Person contractually bound by this Agreement, including
Persons bound by being designated as a Provider or a Purchaser in a Schedule.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability partnership, limited liability company, proprietorship, other business
organization, trust, or governmental or regulatory authority, body, corporation or entity.
“Prime Rate” means the rate that (or its successor or another major money
center commercial bank agreed to by the ) announces as its prime lending rate, as
in effect from time to time.
“Provider” means, with respect to any Transition Services, the entity or entities
identified on the applicable Schedule as the “Provider.”
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“Purchaser” means, with respect to any Transition Services, the entity or entities
identified on the applicable Schedule as the “Purchaser.”
“Schedule” has the meaning set forth in the Recitations to this Agreement.
“Service Period” means, with respect to any Transition Services, the period commencing on
the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the date the Purchaser terminates the provision
of the Transition Services, or (ii) the termination date specified with respect to the Transition
Services on the applicable Schedule, unless extended pursuant to this Agreement. Service Periods
will be expressed in monthly units for purposes of charges.
“Taxes” means all United States federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross
income, gross receipts, social security, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise, capital gains,
withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment, social security, excise, property, and any and all
other taxes, assessments, fees or other similar governmental charges, whether computed on a
separate, consolidated unitary, combined or any other basis together with any interest and any
penalties, additions to tax, estimated taxes or additional amounts with respect thereto.
“Third Party” means any Person other than a Party and the Affiliates of that Party as of
the date of execution of this Agreement.
“Temple-Inland” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Temple-Inland Group” means Temple-Inland and its Affiliates.
“Transition Services” has the meaning set forth in the Recitations to this Agreement and
includes the Initial Services, Omitted Services and the Additional Services.
“Transfer Taxes” means all sales, use, goods and services, harmonized sales, transfer,
reporting, recording, filing, and other similar fees, taxes and charges arising out of or in
connection with the transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement.
Page 18 of 21
EXHIBIT C
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
(a) Disputes. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any dispute,
controversy or claim, counterclaim, or cross claim, whether based on contract, tort, statute,
fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory between Companies or between a Provider and a
Purchaser (a “Dispute”), that arises out of or relates to this Agreement or any obligations
or Transition Services to be provided under this Agreement, shall be resolved in accordance with
the procedures described in this Exhibit C. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
matters subject to arbitration shall include the following: (i) any claim of breach of this
Agreement, (ii) any question regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement,
(iii) any claim that this Agreement or any portion of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or
otherwise voidable, (iv) any dispute or claim as to whether a matter is arbitrable under this
provision, (v) any and all claims and rights arising under local, state or federal laws, statutes,
ordinances or regulations, (vi) any dispute concerning the power and authority to decide if a class
action is authorized, (vi) any dispute or claim in a class action; and (vii) any dispute or claim
resulting or growing out of activities performed or obligations imposed under this Agreement,
regardless of whether the dispute or claim sounds in contract, tort, strict liability or a
statutory cause of action.
(b) Internal Dispute Resolution. In the case of a Dispute, the affected Parties
hereby establish an internal hierarchy to facilitate resolution of any Dispute as set forth below:
(i) Upon written request of any of the Companies, Provider or Purchaser, each affected
Party shall appoint a designated representative whose task it shall be to meet for the
purpose of endeavoring to resolve such Dispute. Prior to any initial meeting, the
designated representative shall provide to each Party written notice of any Dispute, which
notice shall include a detailed description of the claim or dispute sufficient to allow a
full analysis and complete response. Each affected Party shall provide its response to any
claim or dispute in advance of the first meeting between or among designated
representatives. The designated representatives shall meet as often as the affected Parties
reasonably deem necessary to discuss the Dispute in an effort to resolve the Dispute without
the necessity of any further proceeding. For the purposes of this Exhibit C, the term
“affected Party” means all Parties to this Agreement who must be joined as a party to an
action under Rule 39(a) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(ii) Each of the affected Parties shall negotiate in an attempt to resolve the Dispute
for a period of not greater than 30 days after notice of the Dispute is received by the
affected Parties.
(iii) If the affected Parties are unable to resolve any Dispute as contemplated by this
provision (b), the dispute shall be submitted to mandatory and binding arbitration at the
election of any of the affected Parties.
(c) Mandatory Arbitration.
(i) The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted by three arbitrators under the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association in effect at the time
demand for arbitration is made, and under the Federal Arbitration Act in effect at the time
demand for arbitration is made. The affected Parties may agree to use one arbitrator under
this provision (c), when applicable. Judgment on the award of the arbitrators may be
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction.
(ii) The arbitration shall take place in the City of Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx County, Texas and
the proceeding shall be conducted in the English language.
(iii) The governing law for the arbitration shall be the law of the State of Texas.
(iv) An award of the arbitrators shall be exclusive, final and binding on all affected
Parties, their successors and assigns and subject to judicial review only under the limited
circumstances described in the Federal Arbitration Act.
Page 19 of 21
(v) The litigation of any issues relating to vacating, modifying, or correcting the
award or claims about the arbitrator or the arbitration shall be brought in the courts in
Xxxxxx County, Texas.
(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the claim submitted to
arbitration is for actual damages of $100,000 or less, then a single arbitrator shall decide
the matter and all other provisions hereof shall be construed in a manner consistent with
the use of one arbitrator.
(vii) No damages excluded under Section 6.1 of the Agreement may be awarded by the
arbitrator(s). Any other remedy allowed by applicable law shall be available, including
temporary relief while matter is pending in arbitration.
(viii) Failure to demand arbitration within two years of the date that an affected
Party knows or should have known of the facts upon which a claim is based shall be a waiver
of the claim and of the right to submit the claim to arbitration. Whether a claim and the
right to arbitrate the claim have been waived may be determined by arbitration.
(ix) The arbitrators shall make an award within 90 days of the date the receipt of
evidence by the arbitrators is closed.
(x) Any affected Party may invoke arbitration by demanding arbitration in a notice to
the other affected Parties and any required submission of the matter to the American
Arbitration Association.
(xi) The arbitrators shall permit discovery and rule on matters of confidentiality as
they determine is appropriate under the circumstances.
(xii) If an affected Party desires to have a transcript of the arbitration proceeding,
that affected Party must give notice to the arbitrators and to the other affected Parties
not less than ten days before the hearing (counting back from the date of the hearing
commences). If both affected Parties give notice, then the affected Parties shall arrange
for one reporter and split equally the cost of the reporter and one copy of the transcript
for each party and one original and two copies for the arbitrators (unless there is only one
arbitrator, in which case the cost of one original for the arbitrator).
Notwithstanding these arbitration provisions, the affected Parties may seek extraordinary relief in
a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce this Agreement or any provision thereof or to maintain
the status quo pending dispute resolution or as otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
Page 20 of 21
EXHIBIT D
NOTICE OF EARLY TERMINATION
For Schedule #
TO: General Counsel of (Name of entity to Receive Notice)
The undersigned Provider or Purchaser hereby gives notice to the other Party to the above
referenced Schedule that the Transition Service listed on the Schedule shall end on
(termination date).
Date of Notice
Name of Entity Giving Notice
Authorized Signature
Page 21 of 21