EXHIBIT (e)(4)
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AMENDED AND RESTATED TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
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THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of
May 4, 2000 is entered into by SHOPKO STORES, INC., a Wisconsin corporation
("ShopKo") and PROVANTAGE HEALTH SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation
("ProVantage").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on July 19, 1999 ProVantage and ShopKo entered into a Tax Matters
Agreement (the "July Agreement") relating to certain tax matters; and
WHEREAS, ProVantage, Merck & Co., Inc. ("Parent") and PV Acquisition Corp.
("Merger Sub") propose to enter into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
on the date of this Agreement providing for the making of a tender offer by
Merger Sub for shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ProVantage,
at a purchase price of $12.25 per share, and a subsequent merger between
ProVantage and the Merger Sub; and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Parent and Merger Sub entering into the Merger
Agreement, Parent has asked that ShopKo and ProVantage amend and restate the
July Agreement by executing and delivering this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree to amend
and restate the July Agreement in its entirety as follows:
1. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the date
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that Merger Sub purchases shares in the Offer (as defined in the Merger
Agreement).
2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, capitalized terms shall have
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the following meanings.
Action: any action, claim, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any court, any governmental or other regulatory or
administrative agency or commission or any arbitration tribunal.
Affiliate: with respect to any specified person, a person that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, such specified person; provided, however, that
for purposes of this Agreement (i) Affiliates of ProVantage shall not be deemed
to include ShopKo or any of its subsidiaries other than ProVantage and any of
ProVantage's subsidiaries, and
(ii) Affiliates of ShopKo shall not be deemed to include ProVantage or any of
its subsidiaries.
Code: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Distribution Date: The date of the completion of the initial public
offering of the stock of ProVantage.
Taxes: any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts,
profits, franchise or other tax computed in whole or in part by reference to
gross or net income, or based on capital, and any interest, penalties or
additions to tax relating thereto.
3. Tax Indemnification and Cooperation.
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(a) Indemnification for Periods Ending on or Before the Distribution
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Date. ShopKo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ProVantage from and against
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any liability for (i) Taxes attributable to ProVantage for tax periods ending on
or before the Distribution Date, subject to the limitation of Section 3(b)
below, and (ii) Taxes for any period attributable to other members of an
affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code or any analogous
provision of state or local law) to which ProVantage has belonged at any time on
or before the Distribution Date. For purposes of this Section 3, "ProVantage"
shall mean ProVantage and all companies in which ProVantage owned at any time
beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the Effective Date stock
representing at least 80% of the vote and value (within the meaning of Code (S)
1504).
(b) Payment for Subsequent Adjustments. To the extent that an
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adjustment is made by a taxing authority to any Tax item of ProVantage for any
tax period ending after the Distribution Date which creates a tax benefit to
ProVantage and, as a result of such adjustment, a correlative adjustment is made
to any Tax item of ShopKo's affiliated group for any tax period ending on or
before the Distribution Date that results in an increase in the Taxes due for
such period, ShopKo shall not be required to pay or to indemnify ProVantage from
or against any such increase in Taxes, but ProVantage shall, to the extent of
such tax benefit, pay and indemnify ShopKo from and against any such increase in
Taxes for which ShopKo is liable. This payment is due within thirty (30) days
after receipt by ProVantage of notice specifying in reasonable detail the nature
and amount of the correlative tax detriment suffered by ShopKo.
(c) Tax Return Filing Responsibility for Periods Ending On or Before
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the Distribution Date. ShopKo shall file (or shall cause to be filed) all tax
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returns of ProVantage for tax periods ending on or before the Distribution Date.
ShopKo shall, to the extent permissible, include (or cause to be included) the
results of the operations of ProVantage in ShopKo's consolidated federal tax
return and in any other consolidated,
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unitary, or combined tax return for tax periods ending on or before the
Distribution Date and shall pay all Taxes due for such periods with respect to
ProVantage.
(d) Allocation of Income for Year in which Distribution Date Occurs.
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ShopKo, in its absolute discretion, shall either (i) cause ProVantage to close
its permanent books and records (including work papers) as of the Distribution
Date, in accordance with Treasury Regulations (S)1.1502-76(b)(2)(i), in order to
permit ProVantage's taxable income for the taxable period ending on the
Distribution Date to be reported and determined on the basis of income shown on
its permanent books and records (including work papers) or (ii) allocate items
of income or deduction between tax periods ending on or before the Distribution
Date and tax periods beginning after the Distribution Date in accordance with
Treasury Regulations (S)1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii).
(e) Audits for Periods Ending On or Before the Distribution Date. In
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the event that any taxing authority conducts an audit to determine the amount of
any tax for any tax period ending on or before the Distribution Date or asserts
for any such period any tax liability not reflected on the applicable return as
prepared by ShopKo, ShopKo shall have the exclusive authority to direct,
compromise or contest such audit or asserted tax liability as it shall in its
sole discretion deem proper, and shall pay all Tax liability and expenses
arising out of the compromise or contest of such audit, unless ShopKo is not
liable for an additional Tax liability pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, ShopKo shall give ProVantage written notice of
any adjustment proposed by a taxing authority or otherwise arising during an
audit for which ShopKo believes that ProVantage may be liable under Section 3(b)
hereof, and if, within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice, ProVantage
agrees in a writing delivered to ShopKo that ProVantage is liable pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof for any additional Tax liability that would result from an
adjustment, ShopKo shall not without the prior written consent of ProVantage
compromise or agree to any such adjustment; provided that, if ProVantage
withholds its consent to any such proposed adjustment, ProVantage shall at its
own expense conduct the contest or compromise of any such adjustment. If ShopKo
fails to give ProVantage the notice referred to in the immediately preceding
sentence with respect to any item of adjustment, ShopKo shall be deemed to have
waived any claim that ProVantage is obligated under Section 3(b) hereof to pay
or to indemnify ShopKo for any increase in taxes resulting from such adjustment.
Furthermore, ShopKo shall not without the prior consent of ProVantage compromise
or agree to any adjustment to the treatment of a Tax item arising in a tax
period ending on or before the Distribution Date which (x) might, with respect
to a tax period of ProVantage beginning after the Distribution Date, (1) affect,
by an amount not less than $25,000.00, a financial statement tax expense
resulting from a permanent difference, as defined in Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes" (but expressly excluding any temporary difference as defined
therein), (2) result in a change of accounting method (as defined in Section 446
of the Code and applicable
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Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) that would cause a net increase in
ProVantage's tax liability in excess of $25,000.00 or (3) result in any other
Tax liability for ProVantage in any period ending after the Distribution Date in
excess of $25,000.00 or (y) relates to a Tax or period with respect to which
ProVantage did not file a consolidated or combined tax return with ShopKo;
provided that, if ProVantage withholds its consent to any such adjustment,
ProVantage shall agree in writing that it will conduct the contest or compromise
of any such proposed adjustment at its own expense and that it will be liable
for the payment of any Tax finally determined to be due by reason of such
adjustment with respect to a tax period beginning on or after the Distribution
Date. ProVantage shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes paid on behalf of or
made available to ShopKo's affiliated group which are attributable to
adjustments made to tax periods ending on or before the Distribution Date for
which ProVantage is liable under Section 3(b), whether received by ProVantage or
ShopKo, and ShopKo shall be entitled to all other refunds of Taxes paid on
behalf of or made available to ShopKo's affiliated group for tax periods ending
on or before the Distribution Date, whether received by ProVantage or ShopKo.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(e), ProVantage shall
have the right to participate at its own expense in any Tax audit relating to
ProVantage.
(f) Tax Return Filing and Payment Responsibility for Periods Ending
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After the Distribution Date. ProVantage has entered into an Administrative
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Services Agreement with ShopKo whereby ShopKo has agreed to prepare certain tax
returns of ProVantage including returns which relate to tax periods which begin
on or after the Distribution Date and end on the date on which ShopKo ceases to
beneficially own a majority of ProVantage's outstanding common stock, for a fee.
With respect to such periods, ShopKo shall deliver such returns to ProVantage
for its review and ProVantage shall file said returns and pay all Taxes shown as
due on such returns or ultimately determined to be due with respect to such
periods and shall be entitled to keep and retain for itself any refunds of Taxes
or credits paid on behalf of or made available to it and ProVantage shall
control any tax audits or contests with respect thereto. All tax returns and
any schedules to be included therewith for the tax period which begins before
the Distribution Date and ends after the Distribution Date shall be prepared on
a basis consistent with those prepared for prior tax periods and consistent with
the method used by ShopKo to allocate items of ProVantage's income or deduction
for the tax period ending on the Distribution Date pursuant to Section 3(d)
hereof, and shall be subject to the approval of ShopKo prior to being filed by
ProVantage, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. ShopKo shall, to
the extent it in its sole judgment deems permissible, file or cause to be filed
state tax returns for ProVantage for the period ending on the Distribution Date.
In the case of a tax period which begins before the Distribution Date and ends
after the Distribution Date for which ProVantage is required hereunder to file
the return, ShopKo shall reimburse ProVantage for an amount equal to the product
of
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(i) total Taxes for such period, multiplied by (ii) a percentage determined
by dividing ProVantage's net income accrued on or before the Distribution Date
(determined using the allocation method elected by ShopKo under Section 3(d)) by
the total ProVantage net income for such period as shown on such return;
provided, however, that any amount by which ShopKo is required to reimburse
ProVantage hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of all estimated tax
payments previously made by ShopKo with respect to ProVantage's tax liability
for such period.
(g) Treatment of ProVantage Net Operating Losses. ProVantage shall
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make an election pursuant to Section 172(b)(3) of the Code to carry forward any
of its net operating losses incurred in tax periods beginning after the
Distribution Date which, if carried back, would be carried back to a tax period
ending on or before the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
ProVantage shall be entitled to any and all tax refunds, whether received by
ShopKo or ProVantage, that result from a carryback of net operating losses or
credits of ProVantage arising, in a tax period beginning after the Distribution
Date to a tax period ending on or before the Distribution Date (a "ProVantage
Carryback"), if and to the extent that the ProVantage Carryback results from
ProVantage's inability to make an election under Section 172(b)(3) of the Code
or a comparable provision of any state tax law. If and to the extent that
ProVantage fails to make an election available to it under Section 172(b)(3) of
the Code or a comparable provision of any state tax law, ShopKo shall be
entitled to any and all tax refunds, whether received by ShopKo or ProVantage,
that result from a ProVantage Carryback.
(h) Tax Claim Notices by ProVantage. Promptly after receipt by
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ProVantage of a written notice of any demand, claim or circumstance which, after
the lapse of time, would or might give rise to a claim or commencement of any
action, proceeding or investigation with respect to which indemnity or payment
may be sought under Section 3(a) or Section 3(f) hereof (an "Asserted Tax
Liability"), ProVantage shall give written notice thereof to ShopKo (the "Tax
Claim Notice"). The Tax Claim Notice shall contain factual information (to the
extent known to ProVantage) describing in reasonable detail the Asserted Tax
Liability and shall include copies of any notice or other document received from
any taxing authority in respect of such Asserted Tax Liability. If ProVantage
fails to give ShopKo prompt notice of an Asserted Tax Liability as required by
this Section 3(h), and if such failure results in a detriment to ShopKo, then
any amount which ShopKo is otherwise required to pay ProVantage pursuant to
Section 3(a) or Section 3(f) hereof with respect to such Asserted Tax Liability
shall be reduced by the amount of such detriment.
(i) Tax Adjustment Notices by ShopKo. ShopKo shall give ProVantage
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prompt notice of each item of adjustment proposed by a taxing authority for any
tax period ending on or before the Distribution Date which relates to ProVantage
(a "Tax Adjustment Notice"). A Tax Adjustment Notice shall contain factual
information (to the
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extent known to ShopKo) describing in reasonable detail the proposed adjustment
and shall include copies of any notice or other document received from any
taxing authority in respect of such proposed adjustment. If ShopKo fails to give
ProVantage a Tax Adjustment Notice as required by this Section 3(i), and if such
failure results in a detriment to ProVantage, then any amount which ProVantage
would otherwise be required to pay pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof with respect
to an adjustment that should have been the subject of a Tax Adjustment Notice
shall be reduced by the amount of such detriment. ShopKo may elect to direct,
through counsel of its own choosing and at its own expense, the compromise or
contest, either administratively or in the courts, of any Asserted Tax
Liability. If ShopKo elects to direct the compromise or contest of any Asserted
Tax Liability, it shall, either within 30 calendar days after receiving the Tax
Claim Notice with respect to such Asserted Tax Liability (or sooner, if the
nature of the Asserted Tax Liability so requires) or within 30 calendar days
after giving the Tax Adjustment Notice, whichever is applicable, notify
ProVantage of its intent to do so, and ProVantage shall cooperate at its own
expense in the compromise or contest of such Asserted Tax Liability. ShopKo, in
its discretion, may enter into a settlement agreement with respect to, or
otherwise resolve, any Asserted Tax Liability without the consent of ProVantage,
except that ShopKo, shall not without the prior consent of ProVantage compromise
or agree to any adjustment to the treatment of a Tax item arising in a tax
period ending on or before the Distribution Date which (x) might, with respect
to a tax period of ProVantage beginning after the Distribution Date, (1) affect,
by an amount not less than $25,000.00, a financial statement tax expense
resulting from a permanent difference, as defined in Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes" (but expressly excluding any temporary difference as defined
therein), (2) result in a change of accounting method (as defined in Section 446
of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) that
would cause a net increase in ProVantage's tax liability in excess of $25,000.00
or (3) result in any other Tax liability for ProVantage in any period ending
after the Distribution Date in excess of $25,000.00 or (y) relates to a Tax or
period with respect to which ProVantage did not file a consolidated or combined
tax return with ShopKo; provided that, if ProVantage withholds its consent to
any such adjustment, ProVantage shall agree in writing that it will conduct the
contest or compromise of any such proposed adjustment at its own expense and
that it will be liable for the payment of any tax finally determined to be due
by reason of such adjustment with respect to a tax period beginning on or after
the Distribution Date. If ShopKo (1) within 30 calendar days after receiving the
Tax Claim Notice with respect to such Asserted Tax Liability (or sooner, if the
nature of the Asserted Tax Liability so requires) or within 30 calendar days
after giving the Tax Adjustment Notice, whichever is applicable, notifies
ProVantage that it has elected not to direct the compromise or contest of the
Asserted Tax Liability, or (2) fails to properly notify ProVantage within such
period of its election to direct or not to direct the compromise or contest of
the Asserted Tax Liability, ProVantage may pay,
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compromise, or contest at its own expense and in its sole discretion such
Asserted Tax Liability; provided, however, that ProVantage may not settle or
compromise any Asserted Tax Liability without giving prior notice to ShopKo of
its intention to settle or compromise such liability and receiving ShopKo's
written approval of such settlement or compromise. ProVantage may, at its own
expense and through counsel of its own choosing, elect to direct the contest or
compromise of any Tax adjustment or Tax liability if ProVantage has previously
agreed in a writing delivered to ShopKo that ShopKo has no obligation under
Section 3 (a) hereof to pay or indemnify ProVantage from and against such Tax
liability and that ProVantage is liable for such Tax liability, if any, pursuant
to Section 3(b) hereof. If ShopKo or ProVantage elects to direct the compromise
or contest of any liability for Taxes as provided herein (respectively, the
"Electing Party"), the other party shall promptly empower (by power of attorney
and such other documentation as may be appropriate) the designated
representative of the Electing Party to represent the other party in any audit,
claim for refund or administrative or judicial proceeding insofar as such audit,
claim for refund or proceeding involves an asserted liability for Taxes for
which ShopKo would be liable under Section 3(a) hereof or ProVantage would be
liable under Section 3(b) hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Section 3(i), ProVantage shall have the right to participate at its own
expense in any Tax audit relating to ProVantage.
(j) Treatment of ShopKo Options and ShopKo Compensation Exercised by
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or Payable to ProVantage Employees. ShopKo and ProVantage understand and agree
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that certain stock options to acquire common stock of ShopKo are held by various
ProVantage employees (the "ShopKo Options") and that certain ProVantage
employees may participate in other nonqualified incentive programs of ShopKo
("ShopKo Compensation"). ShopKo agrees that it shall take such action as it
deems appropriate to insure that all applicable federal and state payroll,
withholding, income or other Taxes in connection with or arising out of the
ShopKo Options and the ShopKo Compensation are withheld or collected from any
employee of ProVantage. ProVantage agrees that it shall take all necessary and
appropriate steps to timely claim any compensation deductions available to it
for any Tax purpose in connection with the ShopKo Options exercised after the
Distribution Date and payments of ShopKo Compensation made to ProVantage
employees after the Distribution Date. With respect to both the ShopKo Options
and the ShopKo Compensation, ProVantage agrees to promptly pay ShopKo an amount
equal to the "tax benefit" obtained by ProVantage as a result of its claiming
compensation deductions with respect to such items as well as the employer's
share of any employment taxes paid by ShopKo arising out of exercise of the
ShopKo Options or payment of the ShopKo Compensation. For purposes of this
paragraph, tax benefit shall mean thirty percent (30%) of the claimed
compensation expense. Such tax benefit shall be paid to ShopKo within thirty
(30) days after the filing of the Tax return on which ProVantage is able to
claim such compensation expense. In the event that there is any subsequent
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adjustment by any Tax authority with respect to ProVantage's deductions
attributable to such items which has the effect of reducing the amount of the
foregoing tax benefit, ShopKo agrees to pay ProVantage the difference between
the amount of the payment or payments previously made by ProVantage to ShopKo
and the amount that would have been paid by ProVantage to ShopKo after taking
into account the adjustment with respect to ProVantage's deductions. To the
extent that ProVantage fails to claim any compensation deductions with respect
to the ShopKo Options exercised after the Distribution Date and the ShopKo
Compensation, ProVantage agrees to pay to ShopKo the tax benefit (so calculated)
that it would have obtained if it had claimed such deductions. ProVantage
agrees to notify ShopKo at or before the time that ProVantage agrees to extend
the period of limitations for the assessment of tax by any Tax authority for any
Tax period of ProVantage ending after the Distribution Date and during which a
ShopKo Option has been exercised or a payment of ShopKo Compensation been made.
If ProVantage so notifies ShopKo and ProVantage is ultimately unable to claim
deductions with respect to such ShopKo Options or ShopKo Compensation, no amount
shall be owing from ProVantage to ShopKo under this Section 3(j). If ProVantage
fails to so notify ShopKo and neither ProVantage nor ShopKo is ultimately able
successfully to claim deductions with respect to such ShopKo Options or ShopKo
Compensation, ProVantage agrees that it will pay to ShopKo an amount equal to
the tax benefit that ProVantage would have received if it had successfully
claimed deductions with respect to such items.
(k) Mutual Cooperation. ShopKo and ProVantage shall provide each
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other with such cooperation and information as either reasonably may request of
the other in filing any tax return, amended return, or claim for refund, in
determining a liability for Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes, or in
conducting any audit or proceeding in respect of Taxes. Such cooperation and
information shall include providing copies of relevant tax returns or portions
thereof, together with accompanying schedules and related work papers and
documents relating to rulings or other determinations by tax authorities. Each
party shall make its employees available on a mutually convenient basis to
provide explanation of any documents or information provided hereunder. ShopKo
shall make available to ProVantage, with respect to all tax years in which
ProVantage was includable in ShopKo's affiliated group (as defined in section
1504 of the Code) copies of all work papers and schedules relating to the
preparation of ProVantage's pro forma federal and state income tax returns which
were included in ShopKo's federal consolidated and state income tax returns
which are necessary to reconcile such pro forma returns with the amounts
actually included in such consolidated returns. ShopKo and ProVantage shall
make available to each other all other books and records relating to Taxes of
ProVantage with respect to all tax years in which ProVantage was includable in
ShopKo's affiliated group (as defined in section 1504 of the Code). ShopKo and
ProVantage agree to maintain and preserve for a period of eight (8) years after
the period to which such
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documents relate, and, upon written request, to provide to the other party, such
factual information as that party reasonably requires for filing tax returns,
tax planning, and contesting any tax audit that only ShopKo or ProVantage, as
the case may be, actually possesses.
4. Notice. Any notice shall be in writing and shall be effective and
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deemed to have been given when it is (i) mailed, postage prepaid, by certified
first class mail, return receipt requested, addressed to a party and received by
such party; (ii) hand or courier delivered; or (iii) sent by telecopy with
receipt confirmed, as follows:
If to ShopKo: ShopKo Stores, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxx
X.X. Xxx 00000
Xxxxx Xxx, XX 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
cc: General Counsel
If to ProVantage: ProVantage Health Services, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
cc: Legal Department
in either case,
with a copy to: Merck & Co. Inc.
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, X.X. 00000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Any party may from time to time designate another address to which notice or
other communication shall be addressed or delivered to such party and such new
designation shall be effective on the later of (i) the date specified in the
notice or (ii) receipt of such notice by the intended recipient.
5. General.
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(a) Assignment. Neither party may assign any of its rights or
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delegate any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement without the other
party's consent.
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Any attempted assignment or delegation of any rights, duties, or obligations in
violation of this Section 5(a) shall be void and without effect.
(b) Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, modified,
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superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof
may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties, or in the
case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Any waiver by either party
hereto of any condition, or of the breach of any provision or term in any one or
more instances shall not be deemed to be nor construed as a further or
continuing waiver of any such condition, or of the breach of any other provision
or term of this Agreement.
(c) Integration. This Agreement supersedes any and all prior or
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contemporaneous oral agreements or understandings between the parties regarding
the subject matter of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to
modify the terms and conditions of any other written agreement between the
parties, including the Administrative Services Agreement dated as of July 19,
1999.
(d) Severability. If any term or condition of this Agreement shall
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be held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of
any other term or condition hereof.
(e) Successors. This Agreement binds and inures to the benefit of
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the parties and their respective legal representatives, successors, and
permitted assigns.
(f) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws
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of the State of Wisconsin and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be
determined under the substantive law of Wisconsin, without giving effect to
Wisconsin's conflict of law rules or principles.
(g) Reasonableness. As concerns every provision of this Agreement,
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ShopKo and ProVantage agree to act reasonably and in good faith unless a
provision expressly states that ProVantage or ShopKo may act in its sole
discretion.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement maybe executed in two counterparts,
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each of which shall constitute an original, and both of which, when taken
together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(i) Further Assurances. Each party shall take such actions, upon
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request of the other party and in addition to the actions specified in this
Agreement, as may be necessary or reasonably appropriate to implement or give
effect to this Agreement.
(j) No Third Party Beneficiaries. Each of the provisions of this
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Agreement is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their
Affiliates,
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respectively, as their interests may appear, and shall not be deemed for the
benefit of any other person or entity or group of persons or entities.
(k) Construction. Descriptive headings to sections and paragraphs
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are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provisions in this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the duly authorized officers of the parties as of the date first written above.
SHOPKO STORES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Sr. Vice President,
General Counsel/Secretary
PROVANTAGE HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President and
Chief Executive Officer
