UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT between CROSSFIRE CAPITAL CORPORATION and FERRIS, BAKER WATTS INCORPORATED Dated: _______ __, 2006
EXHIBIT
1.1
between
CROSSFIRE
CAPITAL CORPORATION
and
XXXXXX,
XXXXX XXXXX
INCORPORATED
Dated:
_______ __, 2006
0
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx
___________
__, 2006
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Inc.
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Dear
Sirs:
The
undersigned, Crossfire Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(“Company”),
hereby confirms its agreement with Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Inc. (hereinafter
referred to as “you,”
“FBW”
or
the
“Representative”)
and
with the other underwriters named on
Schedule I
hereto
for which FBW is acting as Representative (the Representative and the other
Underwriters being collectively called the “Underwriters”
or,
individually, an “Underwriter”)
as
follows:
1.
Purchase
and Sale of Securities.
1.1
Firm
Securities.
1.1.1
Purchase of Firm Securities.
On the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to
the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell,
severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of
10,000,000 units (“Firm
Units”)
of the
Company at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $5.565 per
Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from
the Company the number of Firm Securities set forth opposite their respective
names on
Schedule I
attached
hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and
commissions) of $5.565 per share. The Units are to be offered initially to
the
public (the “Offering”)
at the
offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in
Section 2.1.1 hereof). Each Firm Unit consists of one share of the
Company’s common stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “Common
Stock”),
and
two warrants (“Warrant(s)”).
The
shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Firm Units will not
be
separately transferable until 90 days after the effective date (the
“Effective
Date”)
of the
Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof) unless FBW
informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, but
in no
event will FBW allow separate trading until the preparation of an audited
balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company of the proceeds
of the Offering. Each Warrant entitles its holder to exercise it to purchase
one
share of Common Stock for $5.00 during the period commencing on the later of
the
consummation by the Company of its “Business Combination” or one year from the
Effective Date of the Registration Statement and terminating on the five-year
anniversary of the Effective Date. “Business
Combination”
shall
mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar
business combination consummated by the Company with an operating entity in
a
selected industry (as described more fully in the Registration
Statement).
1.1.2
Payment
and Delivery.
Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M.,
Baltimore time, on the third business day following the Effective Date of the
Registration Statement (or the fourth business day following the Effective
Date,
if the Registration Statement is declared effective after 4:30 p.m.) or at
such
earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company
at
the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed
upon
by the
Representative and the Company. The hour and date of delivery and payment for
the Firm Units is called the “Closing
Date.”
Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the
Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by
certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in Clearing House funds, payable as
follows: $57,750,000 of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units
shall be deposited in the trust fund established by the Company for the benefit
of the public stockholders as described in the Registration Statement
(“Trust
Fund”)
pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (the
“Trust
Agreement”)
and
the remaining proceeds shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery
to you of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters)
representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust
Company (the “DTC”))
for
the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such
name
or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request
in writing at least two full business days prior to the Closing Date. The
Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units
for
delivery, at least one full business day prior to the Closing Date. The Company
shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon tender
of
payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.
2
1.1.3
Escrow
of Underwriters’ Expense Allowance.
On the
Closing Date, the Underwriters agree to deposit into the Trust Fund two and
twenty-five hundredths percent (2.25%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering
(attributable to the non-accountable expense allowance) (the“Escrowed
Fees”)
until
the earlier of the completion of a Business Combination or the liquidation
of
the Trust Fund. Upon the consummation of a Business Combination, the
Underwriters shall promptly receive the Escrowed Fees along with any interest
accrued thereon. In the event that the Company is unable to consummate a
Business Combination and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the
trustee of the Trust Fund, is directed to liquidate the Trust Fund, the
Underwriters hereby agree to the following: (i) forfeit any rights or
claims to the Escrowed Fees and any interest accrued thereon; and (ii) that
the Escrowed Fees shall be distributed on a pro-rata basis among the holders
of
the Public Securities (defined below) along with any interest accrued
thereon.
1.2
Over-Allotment
Option.
1.2.1
Option
Units.
For the
purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution
and
sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and
not
jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units from the
Company (the “Over-allotment
Option”).
Such
additional 1,500,000 units are hereinafter referred to as “Option
Units.”
The
Firm Units and the Option Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as
the
“Units,”
and
the Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units
and
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Public
Securities.”
The
purchase price to be paid for the Option Units will be the same price per Option
Unit as the price per Firm Unit set forth in Section 1.1.1
hereof.
1.2.2
Exercise
of Option.
The
Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be
exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time
to time) of the Option Units within 45 days after the Effective Date. The
Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units
prior
to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted
hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the
Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or
facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased
and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units, which
will not be later than five full business days after the date of the notice
or
such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative,
at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed
upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for
the
Option Units does not occur on the Closing Date, the date and time of the
closing for such Option Units will be as set forth in the notice (hereinafter
the “Option
Closing Date”).
Upon
exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to
convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option
Units specified in such notice.
3
1.2.3
Payment
and Delivery.
Payment
for the Option Units will be at the Representative’s election by wire transfer
in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in
Clearing House funds, payable to the Trust Fund at the offices of the
Representative or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the
Representative and the Company upon delivery to you of certificates representing
such securities (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the
Underwriters. The certificates representing the Option Units to be delivered
will be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representative
requests not less than two full business days prior to the Closing Date or
the
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to
the
Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office
of
the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent not less than one full business
day prior to such Closing Date.
1.3
Representative’s
Purchase Option.
1.3.1
Purchase
Option.
The
Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative (and/or their
designees) on the Effective Date an option (“Representative’s
Purchase Option”)
for
the purchase of an aggregate of 500,000 units (the “Representative’s
Units”)
(5% of
the total number of Firm Units sold in the Offering) for an aggregate purchase
price of $100.00. Each of the Representative’s Units is identical to the Firm
Units, except that the Warrants included in the Representative’s Units ( the
“Representative’s
Warrants”)
have
an exercise price of $6.25 (125% of the exercise price of the Warrants included
in the units sold to the public). The Representative’s Purchase Option shall be
exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on the later of the consummation
of
a Business Combination or one year from the Effective Date and expiring on
the
five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price per
Representative’s Unit of $7.50, which is equal to one hundred and twenty five
percent (125%) of the initial public offering price of a Unit. The
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Units, the
Representative’s Warrants and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Representative’s Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
“Representative’s
Securities.”
The
Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities are hereinafter referred
to collectively as the “Securities.”
The
Representative understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions
against transferring the Representative’s Purchase Option during the first year
after the Effective Date, as set forth in Section 3 of the Representative’s
Purchase Option.
1.3.2
Delivery
and Payment.
Delivery and payment for the Representative’s Purchase Option shall be made on
the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Underwriters, upon payment
therefor, certificates for the Representative’s Purchase Option in the name or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriters may
request.
2.
Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The
Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Applicable Time
and as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date, if any, as
follows:
2.1
Filing
of Registration Statement.
2.1.1
Pursuant
to the Act.
The
Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
a
registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1
(File
No. 333-133447), including any related preliminary prospectus dated as of
_________, 2006 (the “Preliminary
Prospectus”),
for
the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as
amended (the “Act”),
which
registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the
Company in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and
regulations (the “Regulations”)
of the
Commission under the Act. Except as the context may otherwise require, such
registration statement on file with the Commission at the time the registration
statement becomes effective, as amended through the Applicable Time (including
the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other
documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information
deemed to be a part thereof through the Applicable Time), is hereinafter called
the “Registration
Statement,”
and
the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the
Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is
hereinafter called the “Prospectus.”
The
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the
date
hereof. “Applicable
Time”
means
the time of sale with respect to each applicable investor at or prior to the
Closing Date.
4
2.1.2
Pursuant
to the Exchange Act.
The
Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-______)
providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange
Act”),
of
the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration of the Units,
Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act has been declared effective
by
the Commission on the date hereof.
2.2
No
Stop Orders, Etc.
Neither
the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory
authority has issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an
order.
2.3
Disclosures
in Registration Statement.
2.3.1
10b-5
Representation.
At the
respective times the Registration Statement, Prospectus and any post-effective
amendments thereto become effective and at all times subsequent thereto up
to
the Applicable Time, Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments
thereto, do and will contain all material statements that are required to be
stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will in
all
material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations;
neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or
supplement thereto, on such dates, do or will contain any untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under
which they were made, not misleading. When the Preliminary Prospectus was first
filed with the Commission and as of the Applicable Time (whether filed as part
of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities or any
amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) and when any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission,
such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto
complied or will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation
and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made
or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the
Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus
or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
2.3.2
Disclosure
of Agreements.
The
agreements and documents described in the Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof
contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required to
be
described in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration
Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other
instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party
or by which its property or business is or may be bound or affected and
(i) that is referred to in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the
Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in
full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the
Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in
accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’
rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and
to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought,
and none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company,
and
neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party
is in default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event
has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both,
would constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge,
performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or
instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law,
rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court,
domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets
or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental
laws and regulations.
5
2.3.3
Prior
Securities Transactions.
No
securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf
of,
or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with the Company within the three years prior to the date
hereof, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement.
2.3.4
Regulations.
The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal,
State and local regulation and any foreign regulation on the Company’s business
as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of
the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
2.4
Changes
After Dates in Registration Statement.
2.4.1
No
Material Adverse Change.
Since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein:
(i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial
or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no
material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated
pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no member of the Company’s management
has resigned from any position with the Company.
2.4.2
Recent
Securities Transactions, Etc.
Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be
indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not:
(i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct
or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or
made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.
2.5
Independent
Accountants.
To the
knowledge of the Company, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx, PC (“M&B”),
whose
report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement,
are
independent accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations. M&B has
not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the
Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is
used
in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.6
Financial
Statements.
The
financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules
included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus fairly present the
financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates
and
for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the supporting
schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information
required to be stated therein. The Registration Statement discloses all material
off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent
obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated
entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect
on
the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of
operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant
components of revenues or expenses.
6
2.7
Authorized
Capital; Options, Etc.
The
Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Prospectus duly authorized,
issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the
adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or
contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective
Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other
rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares
of
Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of Common
Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares
of
Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible
securities.
2.8
Valid
Issuance of Securities, Etc.
2.8.1
Outstanding
Securities.
All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized
and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have
no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security
of
the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized
Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the
outstanding Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under
the
Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part
on
the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of Common
Stock, exempt from such registration requirements.
2.8.2
Securities
Sold Pursuant to this Agreement.
The
Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
and
will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders;
the
Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any
holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted
by
the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the
authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly
taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with
respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement. When issued, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell,
upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor,
the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in
accordance with the terms thereof and such Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants are enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability
of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the
federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject
to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.
2.9
Registration
Rights of Third Parties.
Except
as set forth in the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company
or
any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of
the
Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities
of
the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration
statement to be filed by the Company.
7
2.10
Validity
and Binding Effect of Agreements.
This
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.21 hereof), the
Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2
hereof) and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22.2 hereof) have
been duly and validly authorized by the Company and constitute, and the
Representative’s Purchase Option, has been duly and validly authorized by the
Company and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding
agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’
rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and
to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
2.11
No
Conflicts, Etc.
The
execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement,
the Services Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, the consummation by the Company
of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the
Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without
the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material
breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute
a
material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination
or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of
the
Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party except pursuant to the Trust Agreement referred to in
Section 2.23 hereof; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of
the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company; or
(iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment,
order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business constituted
as of the date hereof.
2.12
No
Defaults; Violations.
No
default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant
or
condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing
an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument
to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to
which
any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not
in
violation of any term or provision of its Articles of Incorporation, as may
be
amended from time to time, or Bylaws or in violation of any franchise, license,
permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental
agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company
or
any of its properties or businesses.
2.13
Corporate
Power; Licenses; Consents.
2.13.1
Conduct
of Business.
Except
as described in the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power
and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders,
licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory
officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business
purpose as described in the Prospectus. The disclosures in the Registration
Statement concerning the effects of federal, state, local and foreign regulation
on this offering and the Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated
are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
2.13.2
Transactions
Contemplated Herein.
The
Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and
to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents,
authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have
been
obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court,
government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and
delivery, of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions and
agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with
respect to applicable federal and state securities laws.
8
2.14
D&O
Questionnaires.
To the
Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the
“Questionnaires”)
completed by each of the Company’s stockholders immediately prior to the
Offering (the “Initial
Stockholders”)
and
provided to the Underwriters as an exhibit to his or her Insider Letter (as
defined in Section 2.22.1) is true and correct in all respects and the
Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the
information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Initial
Stockholder to become inaccurate and incorrect.
2.15
Litigation;
Governmental Proceedings.
There
is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation
or governmental proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened
against, or involving the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Initial
Stockholder which has not been disclosed in the Registration
Statement.
2.16
Good
Standing.
The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and
is
in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation as of the date
hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a
foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of
property or the conduct of business requires such qualification.
2.17
Stop
Orders.
The
Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or any part thereof.
2.18
Transactions
Affecting Disclosure to NASD.
2.18.1
Finder’s
Fees.
Except
as described in the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements,
agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting
or origination fee by the Company or any Initial Stockholder with respect to
the
sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or
understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Initial
Stockholder that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”).
2.18.2
Payments
Within Twelve Months.
The
Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or
otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or
otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company
or
introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the
Company; (ii) to any NASD member; or (iii) to any person or entity
that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any NASD member,
within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date, other than payments to
FBW.
2.18.3
Use
of
Proceeds.
None of
the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any
participating NASD member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized
herein and except as may be paid in connection with a Business Combination
as
contemplated by the Prospectus.
2.18.4
Initial
Stockholders’ NASD Affiliation.
Based
on questionnaires distributed to such persons, no officer, director or any
beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or
indirect affiliation or association with any NASD member. The Company will
advise the Representative and its counsel if it learns that any officer,
director or owner of at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares is
or becomes an affiliate or associated person of an NASD member participating
in
the offering.
9
2.19
Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.
Neither
the Company nor any of the Initial Stockholders or any other person acting
on
behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give
any
money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers
in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or
agent
of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency
or
instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party
or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or
candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or
may
be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it
in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject
the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a
material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company
as
reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Prospectus or
(iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal
accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply
with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.20.
Officers’
Certificate.
Any
certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered
to you or to your counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the
Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.21
Warrant
Agreement.
The
Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants and
the Representative’s Warrants with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
(the
“Warrant
Agreement”).
2.22
Agreements
With Initial Stockholders.
2.22.1
Insider
Letters.
The
Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable
agreements (except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or
noncompete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws,
and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other
forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought)
annexed as Exhibits _________, to the Registration Statement (the “Insider
Letters”),
pursuant to which each of the Initial Stockholders of the Company agree to
certain matters, including but not limited to, certain matters described as
being agreed to by them under the “Proposed Business” Section of the
Prospectus.
2.22.2
Escrow
Agreement.
The
Company has caused the Initial Stockholders to enter into an escrow agreement
(the “Escrow
Agreement”)
with
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Escrow
Agent”)
in
form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, whereby the Common Stock
owned by the Initial Stockholders will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent,
until six months after the consummation of a Business Combination. During such
escrow period, the Initial Stockholders shall be prohibited from selling or
otherwise transferring such shares (except to spouses and children of Initial
Stockholders and trusts established for their benefit and as otherwise set
forth
in the Escrow Agreement), but will retain the right to vote such shares. The
Escrow Agreement shall not be amended, modified or otherwise changed without
the
prior written consent of FBW.
2.23
Investment
Management Trust Agreement.
The
Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds
of
the Offering in form and substance satisfactory to the
Underwriters.
10
2.24
Covenants
Not to Compete.
No
Initial Stockholder of the Company is subject to any noncompetition agreement
with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect his ability
to
be an Initial Stockholder, employee, officer and/or director of the
Company.
2.25
Financial
Advisory Agreement.
Intentionally
Omitted.
2.26
Investments.
No more
than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment
Company Act”))
of
the Company’s total assets consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net
income after taxes is derived from, securities other than “Government
securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company
Act).
2.27
Subsidiaries.
The
Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.
2.28
Related
Party Transactions.
There
are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the
Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus that
have
not been described as required.
2.29
Board
of Directors.
The
Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of the persons set forth on
Schedule 2.29. The qualifications of the persons serving as Board members
and the overall composition of the Board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act
of
2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. At least one member of the Board
qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
2.30
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Compliance.
2.30.1
Disclosure
Controls.
The
Company has developed and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures
that will comply with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, and such
controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information
concerning the Company will be made known on a timely basis to the individuals
responsible for the preparation of the Company’s Exchange Act filings and other
public disclosure documents.
2.30.2
Compliance.
The
Company and each of its directors and its senior financial officers has
consulted with the Company’s independent auditors and outside counsel with
respect to, and is familiar in all material respects with, the requirements
of
the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002. The Company is, or on the Effective Date will
be, in compliance with the provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002
applicable to it, and has implemented or will implement such programs and taken
reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s future compliance (not later than the
relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefore) with all the provisions
of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
3.
Covenants
of the Company.
The
Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1
Amendments
to Registration Statement.
The
Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment
or
supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed
after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which
the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2
Federal
Securities Laws.
11
3.2.1
Compliance.
During
the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon
it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations
under
the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit
the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance
with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus
relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act,
any
event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended
or
supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to
comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an
appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the
Act.
3.2.2
Filing
of Final Prospectus.
The
Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of
Rule 424 of the Regulations.
3.2.3
Exchange
Act Registration.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier time upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will use its best
efforts to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants
under the provisions of the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the
Units under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of
FBW.
3.2.4
Free
Writing Prospectuses.
The
Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer
relating to the Public Securities that would constitute an issuer free writing
prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act, without the prior consent
of
FBW. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by FBW is hereinafter
referred to as a “Permitted
Free Writing Prospectus”.
The
Company represents that its will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus
as
an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and
will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the 1933 Act,
including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record
keeping.
3.3
Blue
Sky Filing.
Intentionally
Omitted.
3.4
Delivery
to Underwriters of Prospectuses.
The
Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge, from
time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus as such Underwriters may reasonably request and,
as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto
becomes effective, deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements,
including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of
all
exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original
executed consents of certified experts.
3.5
Effectiveness
and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative.
The
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain
effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice
in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings
for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering
or
sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any
proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the
Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for
any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening
of any event during the period described in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the
judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making
of
any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make
the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall
enter
a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make
every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such
order.
12
3.6
Review
of Financial Statements.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier date upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its expense,
shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants
to
review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first
three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial
information, the filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q quarterly report and the
mailing of quarterly financial information to stockholders.
3.7
Transactions.
3.7.1
Business
Combinations.
The
Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which is
affiliated with any Initial Stockholder unless the Company obtains an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm that the Business Combination is
fair to the Company’s stockholders from a financial perspective.
3.7.2
Administrative
Services.
The
Company has entered into an agreement (the “Services
Agreement”)
with
FL Administration Inc. (the “Provider”),
pursuant to which the Provider will make available to the Company general and
administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial
support for an amount equal to $7,500.00 per month.
3.7.3
Affiliate
Compensation.
The
Company shall not pay any Initial Stockholder or any of their affiliates any
fees or compensation from the Company, for services rendered to the Company
prior to, or in connection with, the consummation of a Business
Combination;
provided that
the
Initial Stockholders shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for
their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with seeking and
consummating a Business Combination.
3.8
Standard
& Poor’s.
The
Company will apply to be included in Standard and Poor’s Daily News and
Corporation Records Corporate Descriptions for a period of five years from
the
consummation of a Business Combination.
3.9
Warrant
Solicitation Fees.
Intentionally
omitted.
3.10
Financial
Public Relations Firm.
Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business
Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations firm
reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a term to be agreed upon by
the
Company and the Representative.
3.11
Reports
to the Representative.
3.11.1
Periodic
Reports, Etc.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will furnish to
the
Representative (Attn: Xxxxx
Xxxx, Vice President)
and its
counsel copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special
reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of
any
class of its securities (if not readily available via the XXXXX service), and
promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report
the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of
every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company
or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) copies of each
Form SR; (iv) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or
13E-4 received or prepared by the Company; (v) five copies of each
Registration Statement; (vi) a copy of monthly statements, if any, setting
forth such information regarding the Company’s results of operations and
financial position (including balance sheet, profit and loss statements and
data
regarding outstanding purchase orders) as is regularly prepared by management
of
the Company; and (vii) such additional documents and information with
respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company
as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request.
13
3.11.2
Transfer
Sheets.
For a
period of five years following the Effective Date or until such earlier time
upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain
a
transfer and warrant agent acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer
Agent”)
and
will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such
transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may request,
including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer
Agent and DTC. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is acceptable to the
Underwriters.
3.11.3
Secondary
Market Trading Survey.
Intentionally
Omitted.
3.11.4
Trading
Reports.
During
such time as the Public Securities are listed on the American Stock Exchange
(the “AMEX”),
the
Company shall provide to the Representative, at its expense, such reports
published by the AMEX relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as
the
Representative shall reasonably request.
3.12
Disqualification
of Form S-1.
For a
period equal to seven years from the date hereof, the Company will not take
any
action or actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1
(or other appropriate form) for the registration of the Warrants and the
Representative’s Warrants under the Act.
3.13
Payment
of Expenses.
3.13.1
General
Expenses Related to the Offering.
The
Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident
to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement,
including, but not limited to: (i) the preparation, printing, filing and
mailing (including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of
the
Registration Statement, the Preliminary and final Prospectuses and the printing
and mailing of this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of
all
copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to
the
Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters; (ii) the
printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, the shares of Common
Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the Representative’s Purchase
Option, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) filing
fees, costs and expenses (including disbursements for the Representative’s
counsel) incurred in registering the Offering with the NASD; (iv) filing fees,
costs and expenses incurred in listing the Units on the AMEX; (v) costs and
expenses of Representative’s counsel up to a maximum of $75,000; (vi) costs of
placing “tombstone” advertisements in The
Wall Street Journal,
The
New York Times
and a
third publication to be selected by the Representative; (vii) fees and
disbursements of the transfer and warrant agent; (viii) the preparation,
binding and delivery of leather-bound volumes, in form and style reasonably
satisfactory to the Representative and transaction lucite cubes or similar
commemorative items in a style and quantity as reasonably requested by the
Representative; and (ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section 3.13.1 including, without limitation,
“road-show” expenses (up to a maximum of $25,000). The Company also agrees that,
if requested by the Representative, it will engage an investigative search
firm
of the Representative’s choice to conduct an investigation of the principals of
the Company as shall be mutually selected by the Representative and the Company.
The Representative may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable
to
the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any, the
expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Representative and
others.
14
3.13.2
Nonaccountable
Expenses.
The
Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to
Section 3.13.1, on the Closing Date it will pay to the Representative a
nonaccountable expense allowance equal to two and twenty-five hundredths of
a
percent (2.25%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale
of
the Firm Units by deduction from the proceeds of the Offering contemplated
herein.
3.13.3
Expenses
Related to Business Combination.
The
Company further agrees that, in the event the Representative assists the Company
in trying to obtain approval of a proposed Business Combination, the Company
agrees to reimburse the Representative for all out-of-pocket expenses,
including, but not limited to, “road-show” and due diligence
expenses.
3.14
Application
of Net Proceeds.
The
Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner
consistent with the application described under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in
the Prospectus.
3.15
Delivery
of Earnings Statements to Security Holders.
The
Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar
month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be
certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants
unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the
provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period
of
at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Effective
Date.
3.16
Notice
to NASD.
In the
event any person or entity (regardless of any NASD affiliation or association)
is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to
provide any other merger and acquisition services, the Company will provide
the
following to the NASD prior to the consummation of the Business Combination:
(i) complete details of all services and copies of agreements governing
such services; and (ii) justification as to why the person or entity
providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered an
“underwriter and related person” with respect to the Company’s initial public
offering, as such term is defined in Rule 2710 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.
The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential
arrangement will be made in the proxy statement which the Company will file
for
purposes of soliciting stockholder approval for the Business
Combination.
3.17
Stabilization.
Neither
the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or
stockholders (without the consent of FBW) has taken or will take, directly
or
indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might
reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the
Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
3.18
Internal
Controls.
The
Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to
provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorization;
(ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared
with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
with respect to any differences.
15
3.19
Accountants.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain M&B
or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to
FBW.
3.20
Form 8-K.
The
Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants
to
audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (the
“Audited
Financial Statements”)
reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the initial public
offering. As soon as the Audited Financial Statements become available, the
Company shall immediately file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission,
which Report shall contain the Company’s Audited Financial
Statements.
3.21
NASD.
The
Company shall advise the NASD if it is aware that any 5% or greater stockholder
of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an NASD member
participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public
Securities.
3.22
Corporate
Proceedings.
All
corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have
been done to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel for the
Underwriters.
3.23
Investment
Company.
The
Company shall cause the proceeds of the Offering to be held in the Trust Fund
to
be invested only in “government securities” with specific maturity dates as set
forth in the Trust Agreement and disclosed in the Prospectus. The Company will
otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject
to
the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business
Combination, it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing,
reinvesting, owning, holding or trading securities.
3.24
Colorado
Trust Filing.
In the
event the Securities are registered in the State of Colorado, the Company will
cause a Colorado Form ES to be filed with the Commissioner of the State of
Colorado no less than 10 days prior to the distribution of the Trust Fund
in connection with a Business Combination and will do all things necessary
to
comply with Section 00-00-000 and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado Securities
Act.
3.25
No
Fiduciary Duties.
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the
Company is solely contractual in nature and that none of the Underwriters or
their affiliates shall be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owe
any
fiduciary duty to the company in connection with the Offering and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.
Conditions
of Underwriters’ Obligations.
The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units,
as
provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as
of
each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy
of
the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof
and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the
following conditions:
4.1
Regulatory
Matters.
4.1.1
Effectiveness
of Registration Statement.
The
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M.,
Baltimore time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as
shall be consented to in writing by you, and, at each of the Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose
shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission
and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall
have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx.
16
4.1.2
NASD
Clearance.
By the
Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from the NASD
as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as
described in the Registration Statement.
4.1.3
American
Stock Exchange Clearance.
On the
Effective Date, the Company’s Units shall have been approved for listing on the
American Stock Exchange.
4.1.4.
Free
Writing Prospectuses.
The
Representative covenants with the Company that the Underwriters will not use,
authorize the use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for the use
of a
"free writing prospectus" as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, which
term
includes use of any written information furnished by the Commission to the
Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement,
other
than any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus approved by the Company in advance
in writing.
4.2
Company
Counsel Matters.
4.2.1
Closing
Date Opinion of Counsel.
On the
Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion
of
Davies Xxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP (“Davies”),
counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative
and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative to the effect
that:
(i) The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and
is
in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation. The Company
is
duly qualified and licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation in
each jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of any properties or the
character of its operations requires such qualification or licensing, except
where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
(ii) All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized
and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are
not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none
of
such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
stockholder of the Company arising by operation of law or under the Articles
of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. The offers and sales of the outstanding
Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and
the
applicable state securities or Blue Sky Laws or exempt from such registration
requirements. The authorized and outstanding capital stock of the Company is
as
set forth in the Prospectus.
(iii) The
Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
and
will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders.
The
Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any
holders of any security of the Company arising by operation of law or under
the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. When issued, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell,
upon exercise thereof and payment therefor, the number and type of securities
of
the Company called for thereby and such Warrants, the Representative’s Purchase
Option, and the Representative’s Warrants, when issued, in each case, are
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms,
except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the United States and state securities laws;
and
(c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms
of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
The
certificates representing the Securities are in due and proper
form.
17
(iv) This
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Trust Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement have each been duly and validly authorized and, when
executed and delivered by the Company, constitute, and the Representative’s
Purchase Option has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when
executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding obligations
of
the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except: (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provisions may be limited under the United States and state securities laws;
and
(c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms
of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
(v) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement,
the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement
and the Services Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Securities, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance
by the Company with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, do not and
will
not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both,
(a) to such counsel’s knowledge, conflict with, or result in a breach of,
any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result
in
the creation or modification of any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company pursuant to
the
terms of, any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract,
commitment or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, (b) result in any violation of the provisions of
the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Company, or (c) to such
counsel’s knowledge, violate any statute or any judgment, order or decree, rule
or regulation applicable to the Company of any court, domestic or foreign,
or of
any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body
having jurisdiction over the Company, its properties or assets.
(vi) The
Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any
post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other than the financial
statements included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each
as of
their respective dates complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Act and Regulations. The Securities conform in all material
respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement
and
the Prospectus. No United States or state statute or regulation required to
be
described in the Prospectus is not described as required (except as to the
Blue
Sky laws of the various states, as to which such counsel expresses no opinions),
nor are any contracts or documents of a character required to be described
in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to
the
Registration Statement not so described or filed as required (except for the
contracts and documents described in the “Underwriting” section of the
Registration Statement, as to which such counsel expresses no
opinions).
(vii) Counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of
the
Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company
and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Preliminary
Prospectus as of _________, 2006, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and
related matters were discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon
and
does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness
of
the statements contained in the Preliminary Prospectus as of _________, 2006,
the Registration Statement and Prospectus (except as otherwise set forth in
this
opinion), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them
to
believe that either the Preliminary Prospectus as of _________, 2006, the
Registration Statement as of the Effective Date, or the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, as of its respective date and as of the Closing
Date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with
respect to the financial statements and schedules and other financial and
statistical data included in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or Prospectus).
18
(viii) The
Registration Statement is effective under the Act. To such counsel’s knowledge,
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
pending or threatened under the Act or applicable state securities
laws.
(ix) To
such counsel’s knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by
any court of governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending,
or
threatened against the Company that is required to be described in the
Registration Statement.
4.2.2
Option
Closing Date Opinion of Counsel.
On the
Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the
favorable opinion of Davies, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Representative, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the statements made
by
Davies in their respective opinions delivered on the Closing Date.
4.2.3
Reliance.
In
rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving
the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and
jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems
proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion
or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative,
familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the
extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers
of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdiction having
custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of
the
Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall
be
delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The opinion of counsel for
the Company and any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall
include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for
the
Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.
4.3
Cold
Comfort Letter.
At the
time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option
Closing Date, if any, you shall have received a letter, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including
the non-material nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in
clause (iii) below) to you and to Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx from M&B dated,
respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, if any:
(i) Confirming
that they are independent accountants with respect to the Company within the
meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations and that they have not, during
the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus,
provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in
Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) Stating
that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the published
Regulations thereunder;
(iii) Stating
that, on the basis of a limited review which included a reading of the latest
available unaudited interim financial statements of the Company (with an
indication of the date of the latest available unaudited interim financial
statements), a reading of the latest available minutes of the stockholders
and
board of directors and the various committees of the board of directors,
consultations with officers and other employees of the Company responsible
for
financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures and inquiries,
nothing has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that:
(a) the unaudited financial statements of the Company included in the
Registration Statement do not comply as to form in all material respects with
the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations or are
not
fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement; (b) at a
date not later than five days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any change in the capital
stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease in the stockholders’
equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the _________, 2006
balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, other than as set forth
in
or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or, if there was any decrease,
setting forth the amount of such decrease, and (c) during the period from
_________, 2006 to a specified date not later than five days prior to the
Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there
was any decrease in revenues, net earnings or net earnings per share of Common
Stock, in each case as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding
year and as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding quarter,
other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or,
if
there was any such decrease, setting forth the amount of such
decrease;
19
(iv) Setting
forth, at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective Date, the
amount of liabilities of the Company (including a breakdown of commercial papers
and notes payable to banks);
(v) Stating
that they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages
of revenues and earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining
to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in each case to the extent that
such
amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived from
the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and
excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with
the
results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and
other
appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) set forth in the letter
and found them to be in agreement;
(vi) Stating
that they have not during the immediately preceding five year period brought
to
the attention of the Company’s management any reportable condition related to
internal structure, design or operation as defined in the Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 60 “Communication of Internal Control Structure Related
Matters Noted in an Audit,” in the Company’s internal controls; and
(vii) Statements
as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as
you
may reasonably request.
4.4
Officers’
Certificates.
4.4.1
Officers’
Certificate.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of
the
Board or the Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of
the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may
be, respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants
and
complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section
4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In
addition, the Representative will have received such other and further
certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably
request.
4.4.2
Secretary’s
Certificate.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Date,
as the case may be, respectively, certifying: (i) that the By-Laws and
Articles of Incorporation of the Company are true and complete, have not been
modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions
relating to the public offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full
force
and effect and have not been modified; (iii) all correspondence between the
Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the incumbency of
the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate
shall
be attached to such certificate.
20
4.5
No
Material Changes.
Prior
to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:
(i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development
involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects
or
the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest
dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement
and
Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall
have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Initial Stockholder
before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other
administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may
materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial
condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under
the Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened
by
the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and
any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements
which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the
Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements
of
the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the
Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.6
Delivery
of Agreements.
4.6.1
Effective
Date Deliveries.
On the
Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement,
the
Services Agreement and all of the Insider Letters.
4.6.2
Closing
Date Deliveries.
On the
Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Representative’s Purchase Option.
4.7
Opinion
of Counsel for the Underwriters.
All
proceedings taken in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of
the
Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to you and to Xxxxxxx Savage and you shall have received from such
counsel a favorable opinion, dated the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date,
if any, with respect to such of these proceedings as you may reasonably require.
On or prior to the Effective Date, the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date,
as the case may be, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished
such
documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the
purpose of enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in
this
Section 4.7, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or
satisfaction of any of the representations, warranties or conditions herein
contained.
5.
Indemnification.
5.1
Indemnification
of Underwriters.
5.1.1
General.
Subject
to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each of the Underwriters, their respective directors, officers and
employees and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter
(“controlling
person”)
within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act,
against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever
(including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation,
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any
action between any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the
Underwriters and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them
may
become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common
law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or
based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented);
(ii)
in any post-effective amendment or amendments or any new registration statement
and prospectus in which is included securities of the Company issued or issuable
upon exercise of the Representative’s Purchase Option; or (iii) any
application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5
collectively called “application”)
executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the
Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Units under the securities
laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission
or
agency, the American Stock Exchange; or the omission or alleged omission
therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were
made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with
respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for
use
in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or
any
amendment or supplement thereof, or in any application, as the case may be.
With
respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained
in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the
extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter
results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to
the
person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the
written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by
the
Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been
corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus
was a
result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under
Section 3.4 hereof. The Company agrees promptly to notify the
Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against
the
Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons in connection
with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Registration
Statement or Prospectus.
21
5.1.2
Procedure.
If any
action is brought against an Underwriter or controlling person in respect of
which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to
Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company in
writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the
defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject
to
the reasonable approval of such Underwriter) and payment of actual expenses.
Such Underwriter or controlling person shall have the right to employ its or
their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person unless:
(i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have
been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of
such
action; (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of
the defense of such action; or (iii) such indemnified party or parties
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it
or
them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company
(in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of
such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which
events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm
of
attorneys selected by the Underwriter and/or controlling person shall be borne
by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
if
the Underwriter or controlling person shall assume the defense of such action
as
provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any
settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
22
5.2
Indemnification
of the Company.
Each
Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several
Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict
conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect
to
such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application. In case any action
shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based
on
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which
indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have
the
rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person
so
indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters
by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
5.3
Contribution.
5.3.1
Contribution
Rights.
In
order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case
in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this
Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is
judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court
of
competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of
the
last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such
case
notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification
in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or
otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for
which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each
such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated
by
said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as
incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriters are responsible for that
portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing
on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price
appearing thereon (to the extent that it shall have actually been paid from
the
Trust Fund to the Underwriters as of each date a contribution obligation is
payable hereunder; otherwise, the Underwriters’ contribution shall be limited to
the underwriting discount paid on the Closing Date) ( the“Underwriters’
Contribution Percentage”)
and the
Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no person guilty of
a
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation,
provided, further,
that
upon consummation of a Business Combination and delivery of the Escrowed Fees
to
the Underwriters, the Underwriters’ Contribution Percentage shall be increased
by the percentage that the Escrowed Fees bears to the initial offering price
(the“Final
Contribution Percentage”)
and the
Final Contribution Percentage shall hereafter be applicable only to new claims
for contribution by the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee
of
an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who
controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriters or the Company, as applicable.
5.3.2
Contribution
Procedure.
Within
fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its
representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made
against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of
the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the contributing party
will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party
other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or
proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing
party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid
fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein
with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified.
Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking
contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding
effected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of
such
contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section are
intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution
under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not
joint.
23
6.
Default
by an Underwriter.
6.1
Default
Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units.
If any
Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to
purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the over-allotment option is
exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units with
respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10%
of
the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed
to
purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default
relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion
to
their respective commitments hereunder.
6.2
Default
Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units.
In the
event that such default relates to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option
Units, you may in your discretion arrange for yourself or for another party
or
parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which such default
relates on the terms contained herein. If within one business day after such
default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units you do
not
arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option Units, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of one business day within which to
procure another party or parties satisfactory to you to purchase said Firm
Units
or Option Units on such terms. In the event that neither you nor the Company
arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which a default
relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement will automatically be
terminated without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided
in
Sections 3.15 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided
in Section 5 hereof);
provided,
however,
that if
such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will not
terminate as to the Firm Units; and
provided further
that
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if
any,
to the other several Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned
by
its default hereunder.
6.3
Postponement
of Closing Date.
In the
event that the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are
to be
purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another
party or parties as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but
not in any event exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever
changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees
to
file promptly any amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
that
in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter may thereby be made necessary.
The
term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted
under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party
to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.
7.
Right
to Appoint Representative.
For a
period of two years from the Effective Date, upon notice from FBW to the
Company, FBW shall have the right to send a representative (who need not be
the
same individual from meeting to meeting) to observe each meeting of the Board
of
Directors of the Company; provided that such representative shall sign a
Regulation FD-compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably
acceptable to FBW and its counsel in connection with such representative’s
attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors; and provided further that
upon
written notice to FBW, the Company may exclude the representative from meetings
where, in the written opinion of counsel for the Company, the representative’s
presence would destroy the attorney-client privilege. The Company agrees to
give
FBW written notice of each such meeting and to provide FBW with an agenda and
minutes of the meeting no later than it gives such notice and provides such
items to the other directors, and reimburse the representative of FBW for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its attendance
at
the meeting, including but not limited to, food, lodging and
transportation.
24
8.
Additional
Covenants.
8.1
Board
Composition and Board Designations.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date, the Company shall ensure that
(i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the
overall composition of the board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002
and
the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq
or any other national securities exchange or national securities association
(as
the case may be in the event the Company seeks to have its Public Securities
listed on another exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system), and
(ii) if applicable, at least one member of the board of directors qualifies
as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of
2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
8.2
Additional
Shares or Options.
The
Company hereby agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination
(as such term is defined in the Registration Statement), it shall not issue
any
shares of Common Stock or any options or other securities convertible into
Common Stock, or any shares of Preferred Stock which participate in any manner
in the Trust Fund or which vote as a class with the Common Stock on a Business
Combination.
8.3
Trust
Fund Waiver Letters.
The
Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation
of any operating business which the Company seeks to acquire (“Target
Business”)
or
obtain the services of any vendor unless and until the Target Business or the
vendor executes a waiver letter in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A
and
B,
respectively. Furthermore, each officer and director of the Company shall
execute a waiver letter in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C.
8.4
Insider
Letters.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would cause
a
breach of any of the Insider Letters executed between each Initial Stockholder
and FBW and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider
Letters without the prior written consent of FBW.
8.5
Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause
the Company to be in breach or violation of its Articles of Incorporation or
By-Laws.
8.6
Blue
Sky Requirements.
The
Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with ten copies of all
proxy
information and all related material filed with the Commission in connection
with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission.
In addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which its initial
public offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such
state.
8.7
Acquisition/Liquidation
Procedure.
The
Company agrees: (i) that, prior to the consummation of any Business
Combination, it will submit such transaction to the Company’s stockholders for
their approval (“Business
Combination Vote”)
even
if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require
stockholder approval under applicable state law; and (ii) that, in the event
that the Company does not effect a Business Combination within 18 months
from the consummation of this Offering (subject to extension for an additional
six-month period, as described in the Prospectus), the Company will be
liquidated and will distribute to all holders of IPO Shares (defined below)
an
aggregate sum equal to the Company’s “Liquidation Value.” With respect to the
Business Combination Vote, the Company shall cause all of the Initial
Stockholders to vote the shares of Common Stock owned by them immediately prior
to this Offering in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of
the
IPO Shares. At the time the Company seeks approval of any potential Business
Combination, the Company will offer each of holders of the Company’s Common
Stock issued in this Offering (the “IPO
Shares”)
the
right to convert their IPO Shares at a per share price equal to the amount
in
the Trust Fund (inclusive of any interest income therein, net of working capital
and taxes payable) on the record date (the “Conversion
Price”)
for
determination of stockholders entitled to vote upon the proposal to approve
such
Business Combination (the “Record
Date”)
divided by the total number of IPO Shares. The Company’s “Liquidation Value”
shall mean the Company’s book value, as determined by the Company and audited by
M&B. In no event, however, will the Company’s Liquidation Value be less than
the Trust Fund, inclusive of any net interest income thereon. If holders of
less
than 20% in interest of the Company’s IPO Shares vote against such approval of a
Business Combination, the Company may, but will not be required to, proceed
with
such Business Combination. If the Company elects to so proceed, it will convert
shares, based upon the Conversion Price, from those holders of IPO Shares who
affirmatively requested such conversion and who voted against the Business
Combination. Only holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive liquidating
distributions and the Company shall pay no liquidating distributions with
respect to any other shares of capital stock of the Company. If holders of
20%
or more in interest of the IPO Shares vote against approval of any potential
Business Combination, the Company will not proceed with such Business
Combination and will not convert such shares.
25
8.8
Rule 419.
The
Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from
becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any
Business Combination, including, but not limited to, using its best efforts
to
prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a
“xxxxx stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such
period.
8.9
Affiliated
Transactions.
The
Company shall cause each of the Initial Stockholders to agree that, in order
to
minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the Initial Stockholders will present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any
suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the earlier of
the
consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the
Company or until such time as the Initial Stockholders cease to be an officer
or
director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary obligations
the
Initial Stockholders might have or new fiduciary obligations related to or
affiliated with entities to whom the Initial Stockholders have pre-existing
fiduciary obligations, including, but not limited to, fiduciary obligations
to
next generation, follow-on or successor entities to any entities to which the
Initial Stockholders have pre-existing obligations.
8.10
Target
Net Assets.
The
Company agrees that the initial Target Business that it acquires must have
a
fair market value equal to at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at the time
of such acquisition. The fair market value of such business must be determined
by the Board of Directors of the Company based upon standards generally accepted
by the financial community, such as actual and potential sales, earnings and
cash flow and book value. If the Board of Directors of the Company is not able
to independently determine that the Target Business has a fair market value
of
at least 80% of the Company’s fair market value at the time of such acquisition,
the Company will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment
banking firm which is a member of the NASD with respect to the satisfaction
of
such criteria. The Company is not required to obtain an opinion from an
investment banking firm as to the fair market value if the Company’s Board of
Directors independently determines that the Target Business does have sufficient
fair market value.
26
9.
Representations
and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
Except
as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and
agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations,
warranties and agreements at the Closing Dates and such representations,
warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and Company, including the
indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative
and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any controlling person, and shall
survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the
Securities to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration
of
any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later
of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the
representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect.
10.
Effective
Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof.
10.1
Effective
Date.
This
Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the
Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
10.2
Termination.
You
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any
Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or
occurrence has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the immediate
future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States;
or
(ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange or on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or
successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum
prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities
shall have been required on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the
Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii)
if
the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in
major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a
New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign
exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United
States securities market, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a
material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage
or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have
been insured, will, in your opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the
delivery of the Units, or (vii) if any of the Company’s representations,
warranties or covenants hereunder are breached, or (viii) if the
Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material
adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse
material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment
would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery
of the Units or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale
of
the Units.
10.3
Expenses.
In the
event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever,
within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the
terms
herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out of pocket expenses related
to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.13.1
hereof.
10.4
Indemnification.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election
hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this
Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not
be in any way effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry
out
the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
11.
Miscellaneous.
11.1
Notices.
All
communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied and confirmed
and shall be deemed given when so delivered or telecopied and confirmed or
if
mailed, two days after such mailing
27
If
to the
Representative:
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Inc.
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxx, Vice-President
Copy
to:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
If
to the
Company:
Crossfire
Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, President
Copy
to:
Davies
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
11.2
Headings.
The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any
of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
11.3
Amendment.
This
Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the
parties hereto.
11.4
Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties,
oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
11.5
Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the controlling persons,
directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their
respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person
shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim
under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein
contained.
11.6
Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to conflict of laws. The
Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising
out of, relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced
in
the courts of the State of Maryland of the United States of America for the
District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, and irrevocably submits to such
jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives
any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent
an
inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company
may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set
forth in Section 10 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service
and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or
claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action
shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or
incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
28
11.7
Execution
in Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been
signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties
hereto.
11.8
Waiver,
etc.
The
failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver
of
any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement
or
any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter
enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the
party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought;
and
no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be
construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
29
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and
the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between
us.
Very truly yours, | ||
CROSSFIRE CAPITAL CORPORATION | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Title:
President
|
Accepted
on the date first
above
written.
XXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXX, INCORPORATED | ||
|
|
|
By:
|
||
Name:
Xxxxx
Xxxx
|
||
Title:
Vice-President
|
30
SCHEDULE
I
CROSSFIRE
CAPITAL CORPORATION
10,000,000
Units
Underwriter
|
|
Number
of Firm Units to be
Purchased |
|
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Incorporated
|
|
||
|
|
________________
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
31
SCHEDULE
2.29
CROSSFIRE
CAPITAL CORPORATION
Board
of Directors
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx
X.X.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
32
EXHIBIT
A
Crossfire
Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, President
Gentlemen:
Reference
is made to the Final Prospectus of Crossfire Capital Corporation (“Crossfire”),
dated ,
2006
(the “Prospectus”).
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in Prospectus.
We
have
read the Prospectus and understand that Crossfire has established the Trust
Fund, initially in an amount of $
for the
benefit of the Public Stockholders and that Crossfire may disburse monies from
the Trust Fund only (i) to the Public Stockholders in the event of the
redemption of their shares or the liquidation of Crossfire or (ii) to
Crossfire after it consummates a Business Combination.
For
and
in consideration of Crossfire agreeing to evaluate the undersigned for purposes
of consummating a Business Combination with it, the undersigned hereby agrees
that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or
to
any monies in the Trust Fund (the “Claim”)
and
hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising
out
of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Crossfire and will not seek
recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
|
|
Print
Name of Target Business
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Authorized
Signature of Target Business
|
33
EXHIBIT
B
Crossfire
Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, President
Gentlemen:
Reference
is made to the Final Prospectus of Crossfire Capital Corporation (“Crossfire”),
dated ,
2006
(the “Prospectus”).
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in Prospectus.
We
have
read the Prospectus and understand that Crossfire has established the Trust
Fund, initially in an amount of $
for the
benefit of the Public Stockholders and that Crossfire may disburse monies from
the Trust Fund only: (i) to the Public Stockholders in the event of the
redemption of their shares or the liquidation of Crossfire; or (ii) to
Crossfire after it consummates a Business Combination.
For
and
in consideration of Crossfire engaging the services of the undersigned, the
undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest
or
claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Fund (the “Claim”)
and
hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising
out
of, any contracts or agreements with Crossfire and will not seek recourse
against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
|
|
Print
Name of Target Business
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Authorized
Signature of Target Business
|
34
EXHIBIT
C
Crossfire
Capital Corporation
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, President
Gentlemen:
The
undersigned officer or director of Crossfire Capital Corporation (“Crossfire”)
hereby
acknowledges that Crossfire has established the Trust Fund, initially in an
amount of $___ for the benefit of the Public Stockholders and that Crossfire
may
disburse monies from the Trust Fund only (i) to the Public Stockholders in
the event of the redemption of their shares or the liquidation of Crossfire
or
(ii) to Crossfire after it consummates a Business Combination.
The
undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest
or
claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Fund (the “Claim”)
and
hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising
out
of, any contracts or agreements with Crossfire and will not seek recourse
against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, such waiver shall not apply to any shares acquired by the
undersigned in the public market after the initial public offering by the
Company of its securities.
|
|
Print
Name of Target Business
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Authorized
Signature of Target Business
|
35