UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT _____ Shares of Common Stock (Par Value $0.001 Per Share) UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
_____
Shares of Common Stock
(Par
Value $0.001 Per Share)
San Francisco, California | ||
___________ ___, 0000 |
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx & Xx.
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Inc.
SMH
Capital Inc.
c/x
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co.
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Dear
Sirs:
MMC
Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule
A
hereto
(the “Underwriters”),
pursuant to this underwriting agreement (the “Agreement”),
an
aggregate of ____________ shares (the “Firm
Shares”)
of
common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common
Stock”).
In
addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters the option referred to
in
Section 2(d) hereof to purchase an aggregate of not more than an additional
___________ shares (the “Option
Shares”)
of
Common Stock, if requested by the Underwriters in accordance with Section 2(d)
hereof. As used in this Agreement, “Shares”
shall
mean the Firm Shares and the Option Shares collectively. It is understood that
the Underwriters propose to offer the Shares to be purchased hereunder to the
public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Statement
(as
defined below) after the Effective Date (as defined below) of the Registration
Statement.
As
the
representative of the Underwriters, Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. has informed
the Company that Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. is authorized to enter into this
Agreement on behalf of the several Underwriters, and that the several
Underwriters are willing, on the basis of the representations, warranties and
agreements of the Company herein contained, and upon the terms but subject
to
the conditions herein set forth, acting severally and not jointly, to purchase
the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule
A hereto, plus their pro rata portion of the Option Shares if Xxxxxxxx Curhan
Ford & Co. elects to exercise the over-allotment option in whole or in part
for the account of the several Underwriters.
As
the
representative of the Underwriters, Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. has also
informed the Company that (i) the Underwriters have or will orally provide
the
pricing information set forth in Schedule
B
to
prospective purchasers prior to confirming sales of the Shares, and (ii) each
Underwriter has represented and agreed that, without the prior written consent
of the Company and Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., it has not made and will not
make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free writing
prospectus, and any such free writing prospectus, the use of which has been
consented to by the Company and Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., is listed in
Schedule 1(b) hereto.
The
Company confirms its agreements with respect to the purchase of the Shares
by
the Underwriters as follows:
1. Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The
Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters that,
as
of the date hereof, Effective Date, the First Closing Date and each Option
Closing Date (each as defined below):
(a) A
registration statement on Form SB-2 (File No. 333-141924) relating to the
offering of the Shares has been prepared by the Company in conformity with
the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”),
and
the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”)
promulgated pursuant to the Act (the “Rules
and Regulations”),
and
said registration statement has been filed with the Commission under the Act.
Amendments to said registration statement have been similarly prepared and
filed
with the Commission covering the registration of the Shares under the Act
including the related preliminary prospectus or preliminary prospectuses (each
being hereinafter referred to as a “Preliminary
Prospectus”
as
further defined below), each of which has been furnished to the Underwriters.
Each Preliminary Prospectus was endorsed with the legend required by Item 501
of
Regulation S-B of the Rules and Regulations (“Regulation
S-B”).
As
used in this Agreement and unless the context indicates otherwise, the term
“Registration
Statement”
refers
to and means said registration statement, all exhibits, financial statements
and
schedules included therein and the Prospectus included therein, as finally
amended and revised on or prior to the Effective Date (as defined below), and,
in the event of any post-effective amendment thereto or if any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date (as
hereinafter defined), shall also mean such registration statement as so amended
or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be, and shall also
include any Rule 430A Information (as defined below) to be included in the
Prospectus included therein at the Effective Date, as provided by Rule 430A.
The
term “Effective
Date”
shall
mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective
amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement
became or becomes effective. The term “Preliminary
Prospectus”
refers
to and means a preliminary prospectus filed with the Commission and included
in
said Registration Statement before the Effective Date and any preliminary
prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date that
omits Rule 430A Information; the term “Pricing
Prospectus”
shall
mean the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement
immediately prior to the Applicable Time; the term “Applicable Time” shall mean
___:_____, New York time, on the date of this Agreement [Note:
insert the time which, or a time immediately prior to a time, the Shares are
priced];
the
term “Issuer
Free Writing Prospectus”
shall
mean any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 under the Act;
the term “Rule
430A Information”
shall
mean information with respect to the Shares and the offering thereof permitted
to be omitted from the Registration Statement when it becomes effective pursuant
to Rule 430A; and, the term “Prospectus”
refers
to and means the prospectus relating to the Shares that is first filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b) or, if no filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) is required, shall
mean
the form of final prospectus relating to the Shares included in the Registration
Statement at the Effective Date. If the Registration Statement is amended
or such Prospectus is supplemented after the Effective Date and prior to the
Option Closing Date, then the terms “Registration Statement” and “Prospectus”
shall include such documents as so amended or supplemented. Each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in
connection with the offer and sale of the Shares was identical to the electronic
version filed with the Commission via XXXXX, except to the extent permitted
by
Regulation S-T.
2
(b) (i) The
Pricing Prospectus as supplemented by any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, other
documents and pricing information listed in Schedule 1(b) hereto, taken together
(collectively, the “Pricing
Disclosure Package”)
as of
the Applicable Time did not include any untrue statement of a material fact
or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, (ii) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed in Schedule 1(b)
hereto does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and each such Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing
Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing representations and warranties shall not apply to statements
or
omissions made in the Pricing Prospectus or in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus
in reliance upon and conformity with written information furnished to the
Company through Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. by or on behalf of any
Underwriter expressly for inclusion therein. Each of the Registration Statement,
any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment to
the
Registration Statement or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case
may be, at the time it became effective and at all subsequent times, complied
and will comply in all material respects with the Act and the applicable Rules
and Regulations and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Each Preliminary
Prospectus, as of its date, and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
as
of its date and at all subsequent times through the First Closing Date and
any
Option Closing Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the two
immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions
from
the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, as the case may be, or the Prospectus, or any amendments
or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company in writing through Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. by or
on behalf of any of the Underwriters expressly for inclusion
therein.
(c) Neither
the Commission nor any state regulatory authority has issued an order preventing
or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus nor has the Commission
or
any such authority instituted or, to the Knowledge of the Company (as defined
below), threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.
When representations or warranties in this Agreement are qualified to the
“Knowledge of the Company,” they are given by the Company to the extent of and
qualified in all respects by the facts actually known to any of the executive
officers or directors of the Company, with an obligation of reasonable inquiry
on the part of such executive officers and directors, prior to the date such
representations or warranties are made.
3
(d) The
Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of
the
Option Closing Date and the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the
Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the
Shares other than a Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or, following receipt of written consent of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford
&
Co., which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, any Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus.
(e) This
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and assuming
due
authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, is a valid
and binding agreement of, the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnification and contribution
hereunder may be limited by applicable law and except as the enforcement hereof
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors
or by
general equitable principles.
(f) The
Company has been duly incorporated and is now, and at the First Closing Date
(as
defined below) and each Option Closing Date (as defined below) will be, validly
existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State
of
Delaware, and has the corporate power and authority (i) to own or lease, as
the
case may be, its properties, whether tangible or intangible, and conduct its
business as presently conducted and as described in the Pricing Prospectus
(the
“Business”)
and
(ii) to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company has no subsidiaries
other than those subsidiaries set forth on Exhibit 21.1 of the Registration
Statement (each, a “Subsidiary”
and
collectively, the “Subsidiaries”).
Each
of the Subsidiaries has been duly incorporated and is now, and at the Closing
Dates (as defined below) will be, validly existing as a limited liability
company in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction as set
forth on such Exhibit. Each of the Subsidiaries has the power and authority
to
own or lease, as the case may be, its properties, whether tangible or
intangible, and to conduct its business as presently conducted and described
in
the Pricing Prospectus. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation or entity to transact business and is in
good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business transacted
by
it or the character or location of its properties, in each case taken as a
whole, makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to so
qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect upon
the
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, income, stockholders’
equity, net worth, business, assets, or properties of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material
Adverse Effect”).
The
Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock or other equity and ownership and/or voting interests of each
of the Subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interests, liens,
encumbrances, claims and charges other than as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, and all of such shares or other interests
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable. There are no options or warrants for the purchase of, or other
rights to purchase or acquire, or outstanding securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, any capital stock or other securities or interests of the
Subsidiaries. Other than the Subsidiaries, the Company has no equity interests
in any entity. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, as necessary,
any
property owned or leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries, holds such
permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, approvals, consents, orders,
franchises and other authorizations (collectively, “Permits”)
from
state, federal, local, or to the Knowledge of the Company, foreign or other
regulatory authorities, including the California Independent System Operators
(“CAISO”),
the
Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, the California Public Utility Commission
and the California Energy Commission, necessary for the conduct of its Business
and is in compliance with all laws and regulations and all orders and decrees
applicable to it or to such Business, except where the failure to hold such
Permits or comply with such laws, regulations, orders or decrees would not
result in a Material Adverse Effect, and there are no proceedings pending or,
to
the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, seeking to cancel, terminate or limit
such Permits.
4
(g) The
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including
the related notes, filed with the Commission as part of the Registration
Statement and included in the Pricing Prospectus are correct in all material
respects and fairly present the financial position of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash
flows of the Company for the periods indicated therein and comply as to form
in
all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements included
in
Regulation S-X of the Rules and Regulations (“Regulation
S-X).
Such
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied in the United States (“GAAP”)
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as
otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus;
provided,
however,
that
financial statements that are unaudited are subject to year-end adjustments
and
do not contain all footnotes required under GAAP. The selected consolidated
financial data set forth in the Registration Statement and the Pricing
Prospectus fairly present in all material respects the information shown therein
at the dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby and have been presented
on a basis consistent with that of the audited and unaudited financial
statements included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus.
Except as included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus,
no
other financial statement or supporting schedules are required to be included
in
the Registration Statement. All disclosures contained in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Pricing
Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by
the Rules and Regulations) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and
Item
10 of Regulation S-B under the Act, to the extent applicable. The Company and
the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct
or
contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations or any “variable
interest entities” within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 46), not disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing
Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Pricing Prospectus.
(h) The
accounting firm of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Stephanou Mirchandani LLP (“Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx”),
which
has audited the consolidated financial statements filed with the Commission
as
part of the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, are registered
independent public accountants with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board as required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934
Act”),
and
the rules and regulations thereunder. Except as described in the Pricing
Prospectus and as pre-approved in accordance with the requirements set forth
in
Section 10A of the 1934 Act, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx has not been engaged by the Company
to perform any “prohibited activities” (as defined in Section 10A of the 1934
Act).
5
(i) Subsequent
to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Pricing Prospectus and the Company’s latest financial
statements filed with the Commission as a part thereof, and except as described
in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, (i) neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred any material liability or obligation,
direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions whether or
not
incurred in the ordinary course of business; (ii) neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has sustained any material loss or interference with its business
from fire, storm, explosion, flood or other casualty (whether or not such loss
is insured against), or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree; (iii) there has not been, and through and including the First
Closing Date, there will not be, any change in the capital stock or any material
increase in the long-term debt or other securities of the Company; (iv) the
Company has not paid or declared any dividend or other distribution on the
Common Stock or its other securities or redeemed or repurchased any of the
Common Stock or other securities, and (v) no change, event, development or
circumstance has occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Except
in
connection with the listing of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market
or
as have been obtained or made under the Act, the rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”)
(including approval of underwriting compensation) or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, the “blue sky” or securities laws of any state, no Permits of or filing
with any government or governmental instrumentality, agency, body or court,
are
required (i) for the valid authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the
Firm Shares and the Option Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to this
Agreement, and (ii) the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(k) Except
as
disclosed in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, there is neither
pending nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company
or
any Subsidiary any claim, action, suit, or proceeding at law or in equity,
arbitration, investigation or inquiry to which the Company or any of its
respective officers, key employees, directors or 5% or greater securityholders
is a party and involving the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s properties or
businesses, before or by any court, arbitration tribunal or governmental
instrumentality, agency, or body.
(l) There
is
no contract or other document that is required by the Act or by the Rules and
Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing
Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that
has
not been so described or filed as required; each contract or document that
has
been described in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus has been
described accurately, in all material respects, and presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information required to be described; each such contract
or document that is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement is and
shall be in full force and effect at the Closing Date or shall have been
terminated in accordance with its terms or as set forth in the Registration
Statement and Pricing Prospectus; and no party to any such contract has given
notice to the Company or any Subsidiary of the cancellation of or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, has threatened to cancel, any such contract, and
except as described in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in material default thereunder. Except
as described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there
is
no voting or other stockholder agreement between the Company and any of its
stockholders or, to the Knowledge of the Company, between or by and among any
stockholders of the Company. There are and, as of the Closing Date, there will
be, no loans to the Company from any officers, directors, securityholders or
consultants, or any affiliates thereof, except as described in the Registration
Statement and Pricing Prospectus.
6
(m) The
Company and Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property
reflected in the Pricing Prospectus and the financial statements referred to
in
Section 1(g) above as owned by them and good title to all other properties
reflected in such financial statements as owned by them, in each case, free
and
clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions
or encumbrances of any kind except such as (i) are described in the Pricing
Prospectus or (ii) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the
value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made or
to
be made of such property by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, as
applicable. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good title to all
of
its personal property (tangible and intangible) and assets reflected as owned
in
the financial statements referred to in Section 1(g) above, including any
licenses, trademarks and copyrights, described in the Registration Statement
and
Pricing Prospectus as owned by it, free and clear of all security interests,
liens, charges, mortgages, encumbrances and restrictions other than as disclosed
in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus and other than such
security interests, liens, charges, mortgages, encumbrances and restrictions
that do not materially affect the value of such property or materially interfere
with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or
its
Subsidiaries. The material leases, subleases and licenses under which the
Company or a Subsidiary is entitled to lease, hold or use any real or personal
property, are valid and enforceable by the Company and the Subsidiaries; all
rentals, royalties or other payments accruing thereunder that became due prior
to the date of this Agreement have been duly paid except where such non-payment
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; none of
the
Company, any Subsidiary, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party,
is in default in respect of any of the terms or provisions of any such material
lease, sublease or license; and no claim of any sort has been asserted in
writing by anyone against the Company or any Subsidiary under any such lease,
sublease or license affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any
Subsidiary to the continued use or enjoyment of the rights and property covered
thereby. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any
violation of any applicable law, ordinance, regulation, order or requirement
relating to its owned or leased properties, except for any such violation that
would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each
of
the Company and each Subsidiary owns or leases all such properties as are
necessary to its operations as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted
as
set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
(n) Each
of
the Company and the Subsidiaries has filed with the appropriate federal, state
and local governmental agencies, and all appropriate foreign countries and
political subdivisions thereof, all tax returns, including franchise tax
returns, which are required to be filed by it or has duly obtained extensions
of
time for the filing thereof and has paid all material taxes required to be
paid
by it as shown on such returns and all other material assessments against it,
to
the extent that the same have become due and are not being contested in good
faith; and the provisions for income taxes payable, if any, shown on the
financial statements filed as part of the Registration Statement and the Pricing
Prospectus are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid foreign and domestic taxes,
whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of
such
consolidated financial statements. None of the Company nor any Subsidiary has
executed or filed with any taxing authority, foreign or domestic, any agreement
extending the period for assessment or collection of any income taxes and is
not
a party to any pending action or proceeding by any domestic or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, foreign governmental agency for assessment or collection of
material taxes; no claims for material assessment or collection of material
taxes have been asserted in writing against the Company; and there is no
material tax deficiency that has been or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
might
be asserted or threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries.
7
(o) Each
of
the Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by recognized, financially sound
and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts, with such deductibles
and covering such risks as the Company reasonably believes is adequate and
customary for their businesses including, but not limited to, policies covering
real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries
against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism, general liability and
directors and officers liability. The Company has no reason to believe that
it
or any Subsidiary will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage
as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from
similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business
as now conducted without incurring a material additional cost to the Company.
Neither of the Company nor any Subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage
that it has sought or for which it has applied. To the Knowledge of the Company,
there are no facts or circumstances that would require it or a Subsidiary to
notify its insurers of any material claim of which notice has not been made
or
will not be made in a timely manner. To the Knowledge of the Company, there
are
no facts or circumstances under any of its or any Subsidiary’s existing
insurance policies that would relieve any insurer of its obligation to satisfy
in full any existing valid claim of the Company or a Subsidiary under any such
policies.
(p) Except
as
disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, each of
the
Company and the Subsidiaries owns or otherwise possesses adequate, and to the
Knowledge of the Company, enforceable, and unrestricted rights to use all
patents, patent applications, patent rights, licenses, inventions, collaborative
research agreements, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, trademark
registrations, service marks, service xxxx registrations, trade names,
copyrights, works of authorship, formulae, customer lists, designs, technical
data and other proprietary rights and intellectual property (including other
unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems
or procedures) that are necessary to or used in the conduct of its businesses
as
now conducted or as proposed to be conducted as described in the Registration
Statement and Pricing Prospectus (collectively, the “Intellectual
Property”)
except
where the failure to so own or possess such rights could not, in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described
in
the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, (i) the Company or one of
its
Subsidiaries is the beneficial and record owner of all right, title and interest
in, to and under the Intellectual Property, free and clear of all liens,
security interests, charges, encumbrances or other adverse claims and has the
right to use the Intellectual Property without payment to a third party; (ii)
there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, action,
suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s or any
Subsidiary’s rights in or to, or the validity or scope of, any Intellectual
Property, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, do there exist any facts that
would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (iii) to the Knowledge of
the
Company, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has infringed, is infringing
upon, or is otherwise in conflict with the intellectual property rights of
others; (iv) none of the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice
that
it has or may have infringed, is infringing upon, or is in conflict with the
intellectual property rights of others; (v) there is no pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, threatened, action, suit, proceeding or claim by
others alleging that the Company or any Subsidiary infringes, is in conflict
with, or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret
or
other proprietary rights of others, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, do
there exist any facts that would form a reasonable basis for any such claim;
(vi) to the Knowledge of the Company, no others have infringed upon the
Intellectual Property of the Company or any Subsidiary; (vii) neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated or under any liability whatsoever to
make any payment by way of royalties, fees or otherwise to any owner or licensee
of, or other claimant to, intellectual property rights not owned or controlled
by the Company or such Subsidiary or in connection with the conduct of the
Business; (viii) the expiration of any patents, patent rights, trade secrets,
trademarks, service marks, trade names or copyrights would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect that is not otherwise disclosed in the Pricing
Prospectus; and (ix) the Company has taken commercially reasonable security
measures (it being recognized that not taking any action may be commercially
reasonable in respect to an item of information) to protect the secrecy,
confidentiality and value of all material proprietary technical information
developed by and belonging to the Company that has not been patented.
8
(q) Except
as
described in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, neither the
Company nor any officer, director or any other affiliate of the Company (as
such
term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Rules and Regulations) has
incurred any liability for or entered into any agreement providing for a
finder’s fee or similar fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(r) Neither
the Company nor any of its officers, directors, or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, other affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated
under
the Rules and Regulations) has taken, and each officer or director has agreed
that he will not take, and the Company has used reasonable efforts to cause
each
of its affiliates not to have taken or take, directly or indirectly, any action
designed to constitute or that has constituted or that might cause or result
in
the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company
or
other violation under Regulation M promulgated under the 1934 Act or otherwise,
to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(s) Except
as
disclosed in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus under the caption
“Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” no person related to the
Company as described in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-B promulgated under the
Act
has or has had during the past three fiscal years of the Company, either
directly or indirectly, (i) a material interest in any person or entity that
(A)
furnishes or sells products that are furnished or sold or are proposed to be
furnished or sold by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (B) purchases from
or sells or furnishes to the Company or any Subsidiary any goods or services,
or
(ii) a beneficial interest in any contract or agreement to which the Company
or
any Subsidiary is a party or by which it may be bound or affected. There are
no
existing agreements, arrangements, or transactions between or among the Company
or any Subsidiary and any officer, director of the Company or any Subsidiary
that are required to be described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing
Prospectus under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions” and that are not so described.
9
(t) The
minute books of the Company have been provided to the Underwriters through
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriters (“Underwriters’
Counsel”),
and
contain accurate summaries of all meetings and actions of the directors, all
committees of the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company since
February 13, 2003, and reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes
accurately in all material respects. The minute books of each Subsidiary have
been provided to the Underwriters through Underwriters’ Counsel and contain
accurate summaries of all meetings and actions of the directors, all committees
of the board of directors and stockholders of such Subsidiary since
February 13, 2003, and reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes
accurately in all material respects.
(u) The
Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement and
Pricing Prospectus a duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization
as
set forth in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus. Based on
the
assumptions stated in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus,
the
Company will have on the Closing Date the as-adjusted stock capitalization
set
forth therein. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Pricing
Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no
options to purchase, warrants or other rights to subscribe for, or any
securities or obligations convertible into, or any contracts or commitments
or
preemptive rights or rights of first refusal to issue or sell shares of the
Company’s or any Subsidiary’s capital stock or any such warrants, convertible
securities or obligations. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement
or
the Pricing Prospectus, no holder of any of the Company’s securities has any
rights, “demand,” “piggyback” or otherwise, to have such securities registered
under the Act, and all holders with any such rights have agreed not to exercise
such rights with respect to the Registration Statement. The Company has the
right under the terms of its agreements with the holders of its securities
to
exclude from the Registration Statement (by amendment or otherwise) any
securities held by such holders.
(v) The
Shares and the other securities of the Company conform in all material respects
to all descriptions and statements in relation thereto in the Registration
Statement and Pricing Prospectus; the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the
Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable; the outstanding options and warrants to purchase Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued and constitute the valid and
binding obligations of the Company, and none of such outstanding shares of
Common Stock or outstanding warrants or options to purchase Common Stock were
issued in violation of the pre-emptive rights, rights of first refusal or
similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company of any
stockholder of the Company. The offers and sales of the outstanding Common
Stock
and outstanding options and warrants to purchase Common Stock since
February 13, 2003 (to the Knowledge of the Company with respect to periods
prior to May 15, 2006) 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. None of the offers and sales of the outstanding
Common Stock or outstanding options or warrants to purchase Common Stock are
required to be integrated (within the meaning of the Act) with the offered
sale
of the Shares.
10
(w) The
issuance and sale of the Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters from the
Company have been duly authorized and, upon delivery against payment therefor
as
contemplated by this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and will conform in all material respects to the description
of
the Shares contained in the Pricing Prospectus.
(x) Each
officer and director of the Company has agreed to sign an agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Lock-up
Agreements”).
The
Company has provided to Underwriters’ Counsel true, accurate and complete copies
of all of the Lock-up Agreements presently in effect or effected
hereby.
(y) Neither
the Company, nor any Subsidiary or any agent of the Company or any Subsidiary,
acting on behalf of the Company, has at any time (i) made any contributions
to
any candidate for political office in violation of law, or failed to disclose
fully any such contributions in violation of law, (ii) made any payment to
any
state, federal or foreign governmental officer or official, or any other person
charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required
or allowed by applicable law or (iii) made any payment of funds of the Company
or any Subsidiary or received or retained any funds in violation of any law,
rule or regulation and under circumstances requiring the disclosure of such
payment, receipt or retention of funds in the Registration Statement and Pricing
Prospectus. The Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ internal accounting controls and
procedures are sufficient to cause the Company and the Subsidiaries to comply
in
all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as
amended.
(z) The
Company is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an
“investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended. After giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and
the
application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement
and Pricing Prospectus, the Company will not be an “investment company” within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules
and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(aa) The
confidentiality agreements between the Company or the Subsidiaries and their
officers, employees and consultants are binding and enforceable obligations
upon
the other parties thereto in accordance with their terms, except to the extent
enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally and to the extent that the remedy of specific
performance and injunction or other forms of equitable relief may be subject
to
equitable defenses and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
therefor may be brought.
(bb) Except
as
set forth in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, none of the
Company or any Subsidiary has employee benefit plans (including, without
limitation, profit sharing and welfare benefit plans) or deferred compensation
arrangements that are subject to the provisions of the United States Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”),
it
being understood that neither the Registration Statement nor the Pricing
Prospectus disclose that such employee benefit plans are subject to ERISA.
The
Company has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under the minimum funding
standards of Section 302 of ERISA and the regulations and published
interpretations thereunder with respect to each “plan” (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA and such regulations and published interpretations) in which
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary are eligible to participate and
each
such plan subject to ERISA is in compliance in all material respects with the
presently applicable provisions of ERISA and such regulations and published
interpretations. None of the Company or any Subsidiary has incurred any unpaid
liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than for the
payment of premiums in the ordinary course) or to any such plan under Title
IV
of ERISA.
11
(cc) The
Company has filed a registration statement on Form 8-A with respect to its
Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act and such registration statement
has been declared effective by the Commission. The Company has filed listing
applications with respect to its Common Stock with The NASDAQ Stock Market
(“NASDAQ”),
such
listing applications have been accepted by, and the Shares have been approved
for listing on, the NASDAQ Global Market, subject to official notices of
issuance. The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the
effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the 1934
Act,
nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or NASDAQ
is
contemplating terminating such registration or listing.
(dd) None
of
the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any
power-generating facility owned by the Company or any Subsidiary is involved
in
any labor disputes with any of its employees or independent contractors at
the
facilities and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no employee or any such
independent contractor has threatened the commencement of any labor disputes
with the Company or any Subsidiary or involving any such facility owned by
the
Company, that, in either case, would reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received any
notice of any bankruptcy, labor disturbance or other event affecting any of
its
principal independent contractors, suppliers or customers that would reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and
each
Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state,
local, and foreign laws and regulations respecting employment and employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours that are
applicable to them, and the Company has no Knowledge that any independent
contractor that provides workers at the Company’s power-generating facilities is
not in compliance with all federal, state, local, and foreign laws and
regulations respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions
of employment and wages and hours with respect to such workers except for such
non-compliance as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any
pending investigations involving the Company or any Subsidiary or any such
facility, by the U.S. Department of Labor or any other governmental agency
responsible for the enforcement of such federal, state, local, or foreign laws
and regulations. There is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against
the Company or any Subsidiary pending before the National Labor Relations Board
or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any strike, picketing, boycott, labor
dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or threatened against or involving the
Company or any Subsidiary or any such facility and none has ever occurred.
No
collective bargaining representation question exists respecting the employees
of
the Company or any Subsidiary and to the Knowledge of the Company, each
independent contractor that provides workers at the Company’s power generating
facilities, and no collective bargaining agreement or modification thereof
is
currently being negotiated by the Company or any Subsidiary or any such
independent contractor. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received
notice that any grievance or arbitration proceeding is pending under any expired
or existing collective bargaining agreements of the Company or any
Subsidiary.
12
(ee) The
Company has provided to Underwriters’ Counsel, complete and accurate copies of
all agreements, certificates, correspondence and other items, documents and
information requested by such counsel.
(ff) The
Company’s board of directors has validly appointed an audit committee whose
composition satisfies the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission adopted thereunder, and Rules 4200 and 4350 of
the
rules of NASDAQ. The Company’s audit committee has adopted a charter that
satisfies the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission adopted
thereunder, and Rules 4200 and 4350 of NASDAQ.
(gg) The
Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting
controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations;
(ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (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 the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action
is taken with respect to any differences. The Company has taken all necessary
actions to ensure that, upon and at all times after effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, it will establish and maintain disclosure controls
and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the 0000
Xxx) that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the
Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s
principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within
those entities. The Company is not aware of (x) any material weakness in the
design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that could
adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial data; or (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s
internal controls over financial reporting. The Company presented in its Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 (such end date, the
“Evaluation
Date”)
the
conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure
controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date.
Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no significant changes in the
Company’s internal controls (as such term is defined in Item 307(b) of
Regulation S-B under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected or is
reasonably likely to affect the Company’s internal controls.
(hh) The
Company is in material compliance with all provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act
of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder
(the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act”)
that
are applicable, or will be applicable as of the date of payment for and delivery
of the Firm Shares pursuant hereto, to the Company.
13
(ii) Except
as
set forth in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus (exclusive of
any
supplement thereto), the Company and each of the Subsidiaries (A) are in
compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws
and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants applicable to its Business (“Environmental
Laws”),
except where any non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to result
in a
Material Adverse Effect, (B) have received and is in compliance with all Permits
required under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its Business, except
where failure to receive or any non-compliance would not reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (C) have not received notice of
any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any
disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants
or
contaminants. The Company has not received written notice and, to the Knowledge
of the Company, has not been named as a “potentially responsible party” under
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980, as amended.
(jj) In
the
ordinary course of its Business, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries
conduct a periodic review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the Business,
operations and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in the course
of
which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including,
without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up,
closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any Permit,
any
related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to
third parties). On the basis of such review and the amount of its established
reserves, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and
liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material
expenditure by the Company or any Subsidiary.
(kk) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, after reasonable investigation under the
circumstances, there are no affiliations or associations between any member
of
the NASD and any Company officer, director or holder of 5% or more of the
Company’s securities, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the
Pricing Prospectus.
(ll) The
statistical and market-related data included under the captions “Summary,”
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” and “Business” in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus are
based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and
accurate in all material respects.
(mm) The
issue
and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the Company with this Agreement
and
the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict
with
or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
constitute a default under (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
is
bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries is subject; (ii) the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-laws of the Company, each as amended as of the date hereof; or (iii)
any
statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency
or
body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of
their properties, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for such
conflicts, breaches or violations as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or affect the ability of the
Company to perform in all material respects its obligations under this
Agreement.
14
(nn) Neither
the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate
of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational instruments or (ii) in default
in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant
or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or
by
which it or any of its properties may be bound.
(oo) No
forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) (a “Forward
Looking Statement”)
contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus, including the statements (including the assumptions
described therein) included under the heading “Financial Model” in the Issuer
Free Writing Prospectus identified on Schedule 1(b) hereto, has been made or
reaffirmed without a reasonable basis for the matters described therein or
has
been disclosed other than in good faith.
(pp) The
operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted
at
all times in material compliance with applicable financial record keeping and
reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act
of
1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions to which
the Company or the Subsidiaries are subject, the rules and regulations
thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued,
administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the
“Money
Laundering Laws”),
and
no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency,
authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary
with
respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, threatened.
(qq) Except
as
described in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus,
no
Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any
dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on its capital
stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary
from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s material property
or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.
(rr) The
Company is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under
the Act). The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934,
Act,
and has filed all reports required thereby.
Any
certificate signed by an officer of the Company in his capacity as such and
delivered to the Underwriters or Underwriters’ Counsel pursuant to this
Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the
Underwriters as to the matters set forth in such certificate as of the dates
specified therein or if no date is specified, as of the date
thereof.
15
2. Purchase,
Delivery and Sale of the Shares.
(a) Upon
the
basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters
herein contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth,
the
Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters the respective
number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule
A
hereto.
Upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company
herein contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth,
the
Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company
the
respective number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their names on Schedule
A,
subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 9 hereof. The purchase price
per Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company shall be
U.S.$___ per share.
Payment
for the Firm Shares to be sold by the Company shall be made at the First Closing
Date (and, in the case of the Option Shares, if applicable, at the Option
Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order
of
the Company.
(b) Delivery
by the Company of the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and
payment therefor by the Underwriters shall be made by the Company and the
Underwriters at 9:00 a.m. New York time, at the offices of DLA Piper US LLP,
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (the “DLA
Office”),
or at
such other place as may be agreed upon among the Underwriters and the Company,
on the third full business day following the date of this Agreement, or, if
this
Agreement is executed and delivered after 1:30 P.M., New York time, on the
fourth full business day following the date of this Agreement, or at such other
time and date not later than seven full business days following the first day
that Shares are traded as the Underwriters and the Company may determine (or
at
such time and date to which payment and delivery shall have been postponed
pursuant to this Section 2), such time and date of payment and delivery being
herein called the “First
Closing Date”;
provided,
however,
that if
the Company has not made available to the Underwriters copies of the Prospectus
within the time provided in this Agreement, the Underwriters may, in their
sole
discretion, postpone the Closing Date until no later than two full business
days
following delivery of copies of the Prospectus to the Underwriters.
(c) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and on the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements of the Company contained herein,
for
the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution
and sale of the Firm Shares as described in the Registration Statement and
Pricing Prospectus, the Underwriters are hereby granted an option to purchase
all or any part of the Option Shares from the Company. The purchase price to
be
paid per share for the Option Shares will be the same price as the price per
Firm Share set forth in Section 2(a) hereof. The option granted hereby may
be
exercised by notice from the Underwriters to the Company, in accordance with
Section 2(e) hereof solely by the Underwriters as to all or any part of the
Option Shares at any time within 30 days after the Effective Date. The
Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Shares
prior to the exercise by the Underwriters of such option in accordance with
Section 2(d) hereof.
(d) The
option granted pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof may be exercised by Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co. by giving notice to the Company, which must be confirmed
by a letter or facsimile setting forth the number of Option Shares to be
purchased by the Underwriters, the date and time for delivery of and payment
for
the Option Shares to be purchased and stating that the Option Shares referred
to
therein are to be used for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in
connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares by the
Underwriters. If such notice is given prior to the First Closing Date, the
date
set forth therein for such delivery and payment will be the First Closing Date.
If such notice is given on or after the First Closing Date, the date set forth
therein for such delivery and payment will not be earlier than two full business
days thereafter. In either event, the date so set forth will not be more than
15
full business days after the date of such notice. The date and time set forth
in
such notice is herein called the “Option
Closing Date.”
Upon
exercise of such option, through the Underwriters’ delivery of the
aforementioned notice, the Company will become obligated to convey to the
Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section
2(d), the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option
Shares specified in such notice. If any Option Shares are to be purchased,
each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Option
Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the
Underwriters may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number
of Option Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth on
Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number
of
Firm Shares, subject to any adjustment in accordance with Section 8. The
Underwriters may cancel the option at any time prior to its expiration by giving
written notice of such cancellation to the Company.
16
(e) The
Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, a credit representing the
Firm
Shares to an account or accounts at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)
for
the accounts of the Underwriters at the First Closing Date, against the
irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the
amount of the purchase price therefor. The Company shall also deliver, or cause
to be delivered, a credit representing the Option Shares to an account or
accounts at DTC for the accounts of the Underwriters, at the First Closing
Date
or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, against the irrevocable release
of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase
price therefor. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and
place
specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the
Underwriters. Not later than 12:00 noon on the second business day following
the
date the Shares are released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the
Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered copies of the Prospectus in
such
quantities and at such places as the Underwriters shall request.
(f) Unless
the Shares are to be delivered by a “fast” transfer, the Company will make the
certificates for the Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters hereunder
available to the Underwriters for inspection, checking and packaging at the
office of the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent in San Francisco,
California, not less than one full business day prior to the First Closing
Date
and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be (both of which are collectively
referred to herein as the “Closing
Dates”).
The
certificates representing the Shares shall be in such names and denominations
as
the Underwriters may request at least two full business days prior to the
respective Closing Dates. In the event that the Underwriters determine to
utilize DTC, the parties will use their best efforts to make the offering of
the
Shares “DTC eligible” and to comply with the procedures thereof.
17
3. Public
Offering by the Underwriters.
The
Underwriters agree to cause the Shares to be offered to the public initially
at
the price and under the terms set forth in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus as soon, on or after the effective date of this Agreement, as the
Underwriters deem advisable, but no more than five full business days after
such
effective date. The Company is advised by the Underwriters that the Shares
are
to be offered to the public initially at U.S.$___ a share (the “Public
Offering Price”).
4. Agreements
of the Company.
The
Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriters that:
(a) If
the
Registration Statement has not been declared effective prior to the time of
execution of this Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to cause
the
Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as possible, or, if
the
procedure in Rule 430A of the Act is followed, to prepare and timely file with
the Commission under Rule 424(b) under the Act a Prospectus in a form approved
by the Underwriters containing information previously omitted at the time of
effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A of the
Act,
and will not at any time, whether before or after the Effective Date, file
any
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, (i) that shall not have
been previously submitted to, and approved by, the Underwriters or the
Underwriters’ Counsel within a reasonable time prior to the filing thereof, (ii)
to which the Underwriters or the Underwriters’ Counsel shall have reasonably
objected as not being in compliance with the Act or the Rules and Regulations
or
(iii) which is not in compliance with the Act or the Rules and Regulations.
If
the Company elects to rely on Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Company shall
file
a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with
Rule
462(b) under the Act prior to the time confirmations are sent or given, as
specified by Rule 462(b)(2) under the Act, and shall pay the applicable fees
in
accordance with Rule 111 under the Act. The Company further agrees to file
promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act.
(b) The
Company will, promptly after it shall have received notice, notify the
Underwriters, (i) of the receipt of any comments on, or requests for amendment
of, the Registration Statement, for supplement of the Prospectus, or for
additional or supplemental information, by or from the Commission, and (ii)
of
the time and date when the Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto has become effective or any supplement to the Prospectus
has
been filed.
(c) The
Company will advise the Underwriters promptly of any request of the Commission
for an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
or for any additional information, or of the issuance by the Commission of
any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or of
any
judgment, order, injunction or decree preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the institution of any
proceedings for any of such purposes, of which it has Knowledge, and will use
its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, and, if issued,
to
obtain as promptly as possible the lifting thereof.
(d) If
at any
time when a Prospectus relating to the Shares is required, in the opinion of
Underwriters’ Counsel, to be delivered under the Act by the Underwriters (the
“Prospectus
Delivery Period”),
any
event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the reasonable opinion of
counsel for the Company or the Underwriters’ Counsel, 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 the light of the circumstances under which
they
were made when the Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or if it is
necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the
Company will notify the Underwriters promptly and, at the request of Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co., prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate
amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Act, that will
correct such statement or omission, or effect such compliance, each such
amendment or supplement to be reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters’
Counsel, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters copies of such
amendment or supplement as soon as available and in such quantities as the
Underwriters may reasonably request.
18
(e) Within
the Prospectus Delivery Period, or pursuant to the undertakings of the Company
in the Registration Statement, the Company, at its own expense, will comply
in
all material respects with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the
Rules and Regulations, the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated under the 1934 Act, each as now or hereafter amended
or
supplemented, and by any order of the Commission so far as necessary to permit
the continuance of sales of, or dealings in, the Shares.
(f) The
Company will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, a signed copy of
the
Registration Statement and of any amendment or supplement thereto that has
been
filed prior to the date of this Agreement, together with each exhibit filed
therewith, and three conformed copies of such Registration Statement and as
many
amendments thereto (unsigned and exclusive of exhibits) as the Underwriters
may
reasonably request. The signed copies of the Registration Statement so furnished
to the Underwriters will include signed copies of any and all consents and
reports of the independent public auditors as to the financial statements
included in the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, and signed copies
of any and all consents and certificates of any other person whose profession
gives authority to statements made by them and who are named in the Registration
Statement or Pricing Prospectus as having prepared, certified or reviewed any
parts thereof.
(g) The
Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, (i) prior to the
Effective Date, copies of each Preliminary Prospectus filed with the Commission
bearing in red ink the statement required by Item 501 of Regulation S-B;
(ii) on and from time to time after the Effective Date, copies of the
Prospectus; and (iii) as soon as they are available, and from time to time
thereafter, copies of each amended or supplemented Prospectus, and the number
of
copies to be delivered in each such case will be such as the Underwriters may
reasonably request. The Company has consented and hereby consents to the use
of
each Preliminary Prospectus for the purposes permitted by the Act and the Rules
and Regulations. The Company authorizes the Underwriters to use the Prospectus
in connection with the sale of the Shares during the Prospectus Delivery Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Underwriters shall not use any Preliminary
Prospectus or the Prospectus if the Company has given the Underwriters written
notice of the occurrence, or imminently potential occurrence, of any development
that could cause such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may
be,
to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading.
19
(h) The
Company shall promptly from time to time take such action as the Underwriters
may reasonably request to qualify or register the Shares for offering and sale
under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the securities laws of
such
U.S. jurisdictions as the Underwriters may request and comply with such laws
so
as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions
for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares;
provided
that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to (i) qualify
generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this paragraph or where it would be subject to
taxation as a foreign corporation, or (ii) consent to general service of process
in any such jurisdiction. The Company will advise Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co.
promptly of receipt by the Company of any notice regarding the suspension of
the
qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Shares
for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation of threat
of
any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any
order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company
shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the
earliest possible date.
(i) During
the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date
of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up
Period”),
the
Company shall not (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option
or
contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option,
right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of,
directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or (2) enter into any
swap
or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of
the
economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such
transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery
of
Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior
written consent of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld) and the prior consent of a majority of the Company’s
independent directors.
The
foregoing paragraph shall not apply to (i) the issuance of securities pursuant
to the Company’s stock option plans in the form and amount approved for issuance
as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (ii) the exercise
of options or warrants or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date
of the Prospectus and which is described in the Registration Statement or (iii)
the issuance of securities in connection with a merger of acquisition by the
Company of the assets or capital stock of another person or entity, so long
as
the securities so issued by the Company may not be resold during the Lock-up
Period; provided,
however,
that
the Company agrees that such issuances may be made subject to the terms of
the
form of Lock-Up Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
The
Company also agrees that during such period, the Company will not file any
registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, under the Act for any such transaction described in
the
foregoing paragraph or which registers, or offers for sale, Common Stock or
any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock,
except for a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to employee benefit
plans. The Company agrees that if (a) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up
Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material
event relating to the Company occurs, or (b) prior to the expiration of the
Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results
during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the
restrictions set forth herein shall continue to apply until the expiration
of
the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the
occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. waives, in writing, such extension.
20
(j) As
soon
as practicable, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of
the 12-month period beginning on the day after the end of the fiscal quarter
of
the Company during which the effective date of the Registration Statement is
deemed to occur pursuant to Rule 158(c), the Company will make generally
available to its security holders (within the meaning of Section 11(a) of the
Act) an earnings statement of the Company meeting the requirements of Rule
158(a) under the Act covering a period of at least 12 months beginning
after the Effective Date, and advise the Underwriters that such statement has
been so made available.
(k) The
Company will apply the net proceeds (“Proceeds”)
it
realizes from the sale of the Shares in the manner set forth under the caption
“Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing Prospectus.
(l) During
the course of the distribution of the Shares, the Company will not and the
Company will cause its officers and directors not to take, directly or
indirectly, any action designed to or which might, in the future, cause or
result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.
(m) The
Company will use its best efforts, at its cost and expense, to take all
necessary and appropriate action to list the Shares on the NASDAQ and maintain
such listing for as long as the Shares are so qualified.
(n) The
Company will file with the Commission such information on Form 10-Q or Form
10-K
as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act.
(o) The
Company will, upon request of any Underwriter, furnish, or cause to be
furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company’s
trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any,
operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line
offering of the Shares (the “License”);
provided,
however,
that
the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, shall be
granted without any fee and shall not be assigned or transferred.
(p) On
the
Closing Dates, all transfer or other taxes (other than income taxes) that are
required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Shares
will
have been fully paid by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes, if any,
will have been fully complied with.
(q) Subsequent
to the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement
and
Pricing Prospectus and prior to the Closing Dates, except as disclosed in or
contemplated by the Registration Statement and Pricing Prospectus, (i) the
Company will not have incurred any liability or obligation, direct or
contingent, or entered into any material transaction other than in the ordinary
course of business; (ii) there shall not have been any change in the capital
stock, funded debt (other than regular repayments of principal and interest
on
existing indebtedness) or other securities of the Company (except as
contemplated in the Registration Statement), or the occurrence of any event,
fact or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect; and (iii) the Company shall not have paid or declared any
dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock or its other securities
or
redeemed or repurchased any of the Common Stock or other
securities.
21
(r) The
Company agrees that it has not made and, without the prior written consent
of
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., it will not make any offer relating to the
Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433
under the Act.
(s) The
Company has complied with and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433
under the Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely
filing with the Commission or retention where required and
legending.
(t) The
Company agrees that if at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing
Prospectus any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue
statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances then prevailing,
not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof to Xxxxxxxx Curhan
Ford & Co., will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter an
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such statement or
omission.
(u) Prior
to
the latest of the Option Closing Date, the Company will not issue any press
release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold any press
conference with respect to the Company, its condition, financial or otherwise,
or earnings, business affairs or business prospects (except for routine oral
communications in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices of the Company and of which, to the extent reasonably possible,
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. is notified in advance), without the prior
written consent of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless in the judgment of the Company and
its
counsel, and after notification of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., such press
release or communication is required by law.
Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co., on behalf of the several Underwriters, may, in its sole
discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company of any one or more
of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., for the benefit
of each of the other Underwriters, agrees not to consent to any action proposed
to be taken by the Company or any other holder of the Company’s securities that
would otherwise be prohibited by, or to waive compliance by the Company or
any
such other security holder with the provisions of, any Lock-Up Agreement
delivered in accordance with Section 2(x) hereof without giving each of the
other Underwriters at least 17 days prior notice (or such shorter notice as
each
of the other Underwriters may deem acceptable to permit compliance with
applicable provisions of NASD Conduct Rule 2711(f) restricting publication
and
distribution of research and public appearance by research analysts before
and
after the expiration, waiver or termination of a lock-up
agreement).
22
5.
Indemnity
and Contribution by the Company and the Underwriters.
(a) The
Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter and any
person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act
or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any loss, expense, liability,
damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which the
Underwriters or any such controlling person may incur insofar as such loss,
expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or, is based upon (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
the
Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any
post-effective amendment thereof by the Company) or the Prospectus (the term
Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 6 being deemed to include any
Preliminary Prospectus, Pricing Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus,
the
Prospectus and any Prospectus supplements, in each case as amended or
supplemented by the Company), (ii) any application or other document, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, executed by the Company or based upon written
information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction
(domestic or foreign) in order to qualify the Shares under the securities or
“blue sky” laws thereof or filed with the Commission or any securities
association or securities exchange (each an “Application”),
or
(iii) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to
be
stated in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Application or
necessary to make the statements made therein in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; except, in the case of each of
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), to the extent that any such loss, expense,
liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon (x) any such untrue
statement or omission of a material fact contained in and in conformity with
information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters to the
Company expressly for use in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus
or
(y) sales to any person asserting any such loss, expense, liability, damage
or
claim incurred from purchasing the Shares, if a copy of the Pricing Disclosure
Package or the Prospectus (in each case, as then amended or supplemented if
the
Company shall have timely furnished any amendments or supplements thereto)
was
not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person, if
required by law to have been delivered, at or prior to the written confirmation
of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the Pricing Disclosure Package
or the Prospectus (in each case, as so amended or supplemented), as applicable,
would have cured the defect giving rise to such loss, expense, liability, damage
or claim, unless such failure is the result of noncompliance by the
Company.
(b) Each
of
the Underwriters shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Company and its directors, officers, employees and agents, each
person who controls the Company, as the case may be, within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act from and against any loss,
expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of
investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Company, or any such person
may
incur but only insofar as such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises
out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement of a material fact contained
in
the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by
any
post-effective amendment thereof by the Company) or the Prospectus in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf
of
such Underwriter to the Company expressly for inclusion in the Registration
Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective
amendment thereof by the Company) or the Prospectus, as specified in the last
sentence of this Section 5(b), or (ii) any omission to state a material fact
regarding such Underwriter required to be stated in such Registration Statement
or the Prospectus or necessary to make such statement not misleading. The
obligation of each of the Underwriters to indemnify the Company (including
any
director, officer, employee, agent or control person thereof) shall only relate
to any untrue statement or omission which applies to the Underwriter. The
Company and the Underwriters acknowledge that the information set forth (x)
on
the cover page of the Prospectus concerning the Underwriters, relating to the
delivery of the Shares, and (y) under the caption “Underwriting” in the
Prospectus with respect to passive market and stabilization activities by the
Underwriters constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the
Underwriters to the Company for purposes of this Section 5.
23
(c) Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of
notice of any claims or the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify in writing each party against whom
indemnification is to be sought of the claim or the commencement thereof (but
the failure so to notify an indemnifying party shall not (i) relieve the
indemnifying party from any liability which it may have under this Section
5, to
the extent that it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure
does
not materially prejudice the indemnifying party as a result thereof, and (ii)
in
any event shall not relieve it from any liability that such indemnifying party
may have otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement hereunder). The
indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying
party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified
party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses
of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except
as
set forth below); provided,
however,
that
such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. The
indemnifying party may participate in the defense of such action at its own
expense, and to the extent it may elect, by written notice delivered to the
indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such
indemnified party, the indemnifying party may assume the defense thereof with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however,
that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the written
consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnified party or parties 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 indemnified party
or
parties unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been
authorized in writing by one of the indemnifying parties in connection with
the
defense of such action, (ii) the indemnifying parties shall not have employed
reasonably satisfactory counsel to have charge of the defense of such action
within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, (iii)
the
indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of
the
defense, or (iv) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably
concluded based on the advice of the advice of counsel that there may be
defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to
those
available to one or all of the indemnifying parties (in which case the
indemnifying parties 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 fees and expenses of one counsel selected by all of the indemnified parties
to represent them all (in addition to one local counsel selected by all of
the
indemnified parties to represent them all in each applicable jurisdiction)
shall
be borne by the indemnifying parties. In the case of any separate counsel for
the Company and its officers, directors and control persons, such counsel shall
be designated in writing by the Company. In the case of any separate counsel
for
the Underwriters and their respective officers, directors and control persons,
such counsel shall be designated in writing by Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
parties, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of
judgment with respect to, any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding
by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could have been
sought under this Section 5 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual
or potential parties thereto), unless (x) such settlement, compromise or consent
(I) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim
and
(II) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability
or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party, and (y) the
indemnifying party reaffirms its indemnification obligations pursuant to this
Agreement.
24
(d) If
the
indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified
party under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 5 in respect of any losses,
expenses, liabilities, damages or claims referred to therein, then each
applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as
a
result of such losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering
of the Shares or (ii) if (but only if) the allocation provided by clause (i)
above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but
also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
on
the other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on
the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to such offering shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds (net of
underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received
by the Company from the Shares sold under this Agreement, on the one hand,
and
the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters
with respect to the Shares purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand,
bear to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Shares under this
Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the
Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, (i) whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied
by
the Company or by the Underwriters, (ii) the intent of the parties, and (iii)
their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct
or
prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as
a
result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall
be
deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by
such party in connection with investigating or defending any claim or
action.
(e) The
Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable
if
contribution pursuant to Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation
or
by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in Section 5(d)(i) and, if applicable, Section
5(d)(ii), above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, (i) none
of
the Underwriters shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Shares purchased by
the
Underwriters and, (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution
from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
Underwriters’ obligations in Section 5(d) shall be several in proportion to
their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
25
The
indemnity and contribution contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative
and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement
and (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters or the
Company and such party’s officers or directors or any person controlling such
parties.
6. Survival
of Agreements, etc.
All
statements contained in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the parties
in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations and
warranties hereunder. Notwithstanding any investigations made by or on behalf
of
the parties to this Agreement, all representations, warranties, indemnities
and
agreements made by the parties to this Agreement or pursuant hereto shall remain
in full force and effect and will survive delivery of and payment for the
Shares. The provisions of Sections 4, 5, 11 and 15 shall survive the termination
or cancellation of this Agreement.
7. Conditions
of Underwriters’ Obligations.
The
respective obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm
Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the
Option Shares, the Option Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of
the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section
1
as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then made
and,
with respect to the Option Shares, as of the Option Closing Date as though
then
made, to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and obligations
hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:
(a) The
Registration Statement shall have become effective prior to the execution of
this Agreement, or at such later date as shall be consented to in writing by
the
Underwriters; no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have
been
issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or, to
the
Knowledge of the Company or any Underwriter, threatened by the Commission;
any
request of the Commission for additional information (to be included in the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus,
the
Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction
of
Underwriters’ Counsel; the NASD shall have raised no objection to the fairness
and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements; and no amendment
to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing
Prospectus, or the Prospectus to which the Underwriters or the Underwriters’
Counsel shall have reasonably objected, after having received reasonable notice
of a proposal to file the same, shall have been filed.
(b) All
corporate proceedings and other legal matters in connection with this Agreement,
the form of Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing
Prospectus, and the Prospectus and the registration, authorization, issue,
sale
and delivery of the Shares, shall have been reasonably satisfactory to
Underwriters’ Counsel, and such counsel shall have been furnished with such
papers and information as they may reasonably have requested to enable them
to
pass upon the matters referred to in this Section 7.
26
(c) Subsequent
to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing
Date, and on the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have
been any Material Adverse Effect that, in the sole judgment of Xxxxxxxx Curhan
Ford & Co., is material and adverse and that makes it, in the sole judgment
of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
the public offering of the Shares as contemplated by the
Prospectus.
(d) At
the
First Closing Date and on the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the
Underwriters shall have received from DLA Piper USA LLP, counsel for the Company
(“Company
Counsel”),
a
signed opinion dated as of such Closing Date, reasonably satisfactory to the
Underwriters’ Counsel, in the form and substance of Exhibit B annexed hereto,
including a signed negative assurance statement dated as of such Closing Date,
reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters’ Counsel, in the form and substance
reflected in Exhibit B.
(e) At
the
First Closing Date, and on the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the
Underwriters shall have received from Underwriters’ Counsel a signed opinion
dated as of such Closing Date in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
the Underwriters.
(f) The
Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing
Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be,
in
form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the
type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” with respect to the
financial statements and certain financial information contained in the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus,
and
the Prospectus; provided,
however,
that
the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier
than two business days before the Closing Date.
(g) The
Underwriters shall have received on the First Closing Date and on the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of each of the Company, each
dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company
to the effect that, and Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. shall be satisfied
that:
(i) The
representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and
correct, as if made on and as of the First Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, and the Company has complied with all the agreements
and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at
or
prior to the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may
be;
(ii) When
the
Registration Statement became effective and at all times subsequent thereto
up
to the delivery of such certificate, the Registration Statement, the Pricing
Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto,
contained all material information required to be included therein by the Act
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as the
case may be, and in all material respects conformed to the requirements of
the
Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations thereunder, the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus, and the
Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, did not and does not
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit 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 (except with respect
to
the Registration Statement), not misleading; and, since the effective date
of
the Registration Statement, there has occurred no event required to be set
forth
in an amended or supplemented Prospectus which has not been so set forth;
and
27
(iii) Subsequent
to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus, and the
Prospectus, there has not been or occurred, as the case may be: (A) any Material
Adverse Effect; (B) any transaction that is material to the Company and its
Subsidiaries considered as a whole, except transactions entered into in the
ordinary course of business; (C) any obligation, direct or contingent, that
is
material to the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as a whole, incurred
by
the Company or the Subsidiaries, except obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business; (D) any change in the capital stock or outstanding
indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is material to
the
Company and the Subsidiaries considered as a whole; (E) any dividend or
distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries; or (F) any loss or damage (whether or not
insured) to the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has
been
sustained or will have been sustained that has a Material Adverse
Effect.
(h) The
Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Underwriters Lock-up
Agreements, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, from each
officer and director of the Company.
(i) The
Shares shall be listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, subject only to official
notice of issuance.
(j) The
Company shall have complied with the provisions of this Agreement with respect
to the furnishing of Prospectuses.
(k) On
or
before each of the First Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, the Underwriters and Underwriters’ Counsel shall have received such
information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the
purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares
as
contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the
representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions
or
agreements, herein contained.
If
any
condition specified in this Section 7 is not satisfied when and as required
to
be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Underwriters by written
notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First Closing Date and,
with respect to the Option Shares, at any time prior to the Option Closing
Date,
which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any
other party, except for the expenses described in Section 11 of this
Agreement.
8. Default
of One or More of the Underwriters.
Subject
to Sections 7 and 10 hereof, if, on the First Closing Date or the Option Closing
Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or
refuse to purchase Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder
on
such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter
or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10%
of
the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other
Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number
of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears
to
the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such
non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Shares that such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such
date. If, on the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may
be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares
and the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which such default occurs
exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date,
and
arrangements satisfactory to the Company and the other Underwriters for the
purchase of such Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default, this
Agreement shall terminate without liability of any non-defaulting Underwriter
or
the Company or the Subsidiaries, except that the provisions of Section 5, 11
and
15 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any
such case either the Underwriters or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may
be,
but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes,
if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents
or arrangements may be effected.
28
As
used
in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person
substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 8. Any action taken
under this Section 8 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability
in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
9. Effective
Date.
This
Agreement will become effective (the “Effective
Date”)
upon
the later of when (i) the Underwriters and the Company shall have received
notification of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or (ii) the
execution of this Agreement.
10. Termination.
The
Underwriters shall have the right by written notice to the Company (which may
be
delivered electronically through email or facsimile) to terminate this Agreement
at any time prior to the First Closing Date or, with respect to the obligations
of the Underwriters to purchase the Option Shares, at any time prior to the
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, if (i) the Company shall have failed
or
refused to fully perform or comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement
on its part to be performed and complied with by it prior to the applicable
Closing Date; (ii) any of the conditions of Underwriters’ obligations as set
forth in Section 7 herein shall not have been satisfied on or prior to the
First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be;
(iii) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange or NASDAQ, shall have been suspended; (iv) minimum
or
maximum prices will have been established on such exchanges by the Commission
or
the NASD; (v) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared either
by
federal or New York state authorities; (vi) any other restrictions on
transactions in securities materially affecting the free market for securities
or the payment for such securities or adversely affecting the distribution
of
the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, as the case may be, shall be established
by any of such exchanges, by the Commission, by any other federal or state
agency, by action of the Congress or by Executive Order; (vii) the Company
shall
have sustained a material loss, whether or not insured, by reason of earthquake,
fire, flood, accident or other calamity of such character as in the sole
judgment of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co. may interfere materially with the
conduct of the Business and operations of the Company or make it impracticable
to proceed with the offering, sale and delivery of the Firm Shares or the Option
Shares, as the case may be, on the terms contemplated by any Preliminary
Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus, or the Prospectus; (viii) any action has
been taken by the government of the United States or any department or agency
thereof that, in the sole judgment of Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., has had a
material adverse effect upon the general market for securities and has made
it
impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and delivery of the Firm Shares
or the Option Shares, as the case may be, on the terms set forth in any
Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing Prospectus, or the Prospectus; (ix) there
shall have occurred the outbreak of any new war, a significant escalation in
existing hostilities or any other event or calamity, including without
limitation as a result of terrorist activities, that, in the sole judgment
of
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., materially disrupts the financial markets of the
United States and makes it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale
and
delivery of the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, as the case may be, on the
terms set forth in the Prospectus; (x) the general market for securities or
political, legal or financial conditions shall deteriorate so materially from
that in effect on the date of this Agreement that, in the sole judgment of
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., it becomes impracticable for the Underwriters to
commence or proceed with the public offering of the Shares and with the payment
for or acceptance thereof; (xi) trading of any securities of the Company shall
have been suspended, halted or delisted on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market or by the Commission; or (xii) in the sole judgment
of
Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., any change that could result in a Material
Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Pricing
Prospectus, or the Prospectus. 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
Sections 5, 11 and 15 hereof shall not be in any way affected by such election
or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part
hereof.
29
11. Expenses.
(a) Whether
or not the offering of the Shares is consummated, the Company agrees to pay
all
costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company
hereunder, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (i)
the
preparation, printing, filing with the Commission, and copying of the
Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, this
Agreement and other underwriting documents, if any, and any drafts, amendments
or supplements thereto, including the cost of all copies thereof supplied to
the
Underwriters in such quantities as reasonably requested by the Underwriters
and
the costs of mailing Prospectuses to offerees and purchasers of the Shares;
(ii)
the printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of certificates representing
the
Shares, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) the
reasonable fees, expenses and other costs related to the registration or
qualification of the Shares under state securities or “blue sky” laws, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 12(c) below; (iv) the reasonable
fees,
costs and disbursements of Underwriters’ Counsel in connection with the review
and analysis of certain “blue sky” matters related to the offering; (v) all
reasonable fees and expenses of Company counsel and accountants; (vi) the
fees and expenses of Underwriters’ Counsel, incurred in connection with
obtaining clearance of the offering with the NASD; (vii) all costs and expenses
of any listing of the Shares on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other stock
exchange or over-the-counter market, or in Standard and Poor’s Corporation
Records or any other securities manuals; (viii) the cost of “tombstone”
advertisements to be placed in one or more daily or weekly periodicals as the
Underwriter may request; (ix) travel expenses of the Company in connection
with
the “road show” presentations; (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the
performance of the Company’s obligations hereunder which are not otherwise
specifically provided for in this Section 12(a); provided,
however,
that
the aggregate fees and expenses referenced in clauses (iv) and (vi) shall not
exceed $10,000; and provided
further
that except as provided in this Section 11, the Underwriters shall pay their
own
costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel, any
transfer taxes on the Shares that they may sell and the expenses of advertising
(including any “tombstone”) the offering of the Shares by the Underwriters. The
obligations of the Company under this Section 11(a) shall survive any
termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
30
(b) In
addition to the responsibility of the Company for payment of the foregoing
expenses, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters a non-accountable expense
allowance equal to 0.50% of the gross proceeds of the offering of the Firm
Shares. The non-accountable expense allowance due shall be paid at the First
Closing Date. If the sale of the Firm Shares provided for herein is not
consummated because the Underwriters elect to terminate this Agreement in
accordance with clause (i) or (ii) of Section 10(a) hereof, then the Company
shall reimburse the Underwriters in full for their actual accountable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the proposed purchase and
sale of the Shares (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements
of
Underwriters’ Counsel without regard to any limitations set forth in Section
11(a)).
Not-withstanding the foregoing, in the event the offering is terminated, each
Underwriter will not be entitled to retain or receive more than an amount equal
to its actual accountable out-of-pocket expenses and shall reimburse the Company
for the remainder, if any. The Underwriters hereby acknowledge and agree that
their expenses in connection with the “road show” presentations shall be paid
from the non-accountable expense allowance.]
(c) Subject
to Section 4(h) hereof, the Underwriters shall determine in which states or
jurisdictions the Shares shall be registered or qualified for sale.
12. Notices.
Any
notice hereunder shall be in writing, unless otherwise expressly provided
herein, and if to the respective persons indicated, will be sufficient if mailed
by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, delivered by
national overnight courier service or hand delivered, addressed as respectively
indicated or to such other address as will be indicated by a written notice
similarly given, to the following persons:
(a) If
to the
Underwriters - addressed to Xxxxxxxx Curhan Ford & Co., 000 Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Head of
Investment Banking; with a copy to Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, 0000 Xxxxxx
xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.;
provided,
however,
that
such copy to Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP shall not constitute notice delivered
to the Underwriters.
(b) If
to the
Company - addressed to MMC Energy, Inc., 00 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer, with
a
copy to DLA Piper US LLP, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.; provided,
however,
that
such copy to DLA Piper shall not constitute notice delivered to the
Company.
31
13. Successors.
This
Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters,
the
Company and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or
mentioned in this Agreement is intended, or will be construed, to give any
person, corporation or other entity other than the controlling persons,
directors, officers, employees and agents referred to in Section 5 hereof (to
the extent provided for in Section 5), and their respective successors and
assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or in respect
to
this Agreement or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all
conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole
and
exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other persons.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no purchaser of
any
of the Shares from the Underwriters will be deemed a successor or assign solely
because of such purchase.
14. Finders
and Holders of First Refusal Rights.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule 14 to this Agreement the Company represents and warrants
to the Underwriters that it has not paid any compensation for services as a
finder in connection with any prior financing of the Company during the
twelve-month period immediately preceding the date hereof and that no person
is
entitled, directly or indirectly, to compensation for services as a finder
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company
further represents and warrants, that no person holds a right of first refusal
or similar right in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement that has not been waived. In addition, the Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Underwriters, their officers, directors, agents and each
person, if any, who controls such Underwriters within the meaning of Section
15
of the Act, from and against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
whatsoever arising out of a claim by an alleged finder or alleged holder of
a
right of first refusal or similar right in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by the Company, insofar as such loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense arises out of any action or alleged action of the
Company, as the case may be.
(b) Each
of
the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the
Company that no person is entitled, directly or indirectly, to compensation
for
services as a finder in connection with the proposed transactions contemplated
by this Agreement; and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly,
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its officers, directors
and agents, from and against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
whatsoever arising out of a claim by an alleged finder in connection with the
proposed offering, insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
arises out of any action or alleged action of such Underwriter.
15. Applicable
Law.
This
Agreement shall be a deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State
of
New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of said State applicable to contracts made and to be performed
entirely within such State. Each of the Company and the Underwriters (i) agrees
that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in the State courts of the State
of
New York, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, (ii) waives any objection which the Company
or
the Underwriters, as the case may be, may have now or hereafter to the venue
of
any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) irrevocably consents to the
jurisdiction of the State courts of the State of New York, County of New York,
or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
in
any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Company and the Underwriters
further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which
may be served in any suit, action or proceeding in the State courts of the
State
of New York, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for
the
Southern District of New York, and agrees that service of process upon the
Company or the Underwriters, as the case may be, mailed by certified mail to
such party’s address as set forth in Section 12 hereof shall be deemed in every
respect effective service of process upon such party in any such suit, action
or
proceeding. In the event of litigation between the parties arising hereunder,
the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s
fees.
32
16. No
Fiduciary Duty.
The
Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the Underwriters are acting as principals
and not as agents or fiduciaries of the Company and (b) the Company’s engagement
of the Underwriters in connection with the offering of Shares contemplated
by
the Prospectus is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity.
Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its
own
judgments in connection with the offering of Shares contemplated by the
Prospectus (irrespective of whether the Underwriters have advised or is
currently advising the Company on related or other matters). The Company waives
any claim that the Company has against the Underwriters with respect to any
breach of fiduciary duty in connection with this offering.
17. Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not
limit or otherwise affect any of the terms or provisions hereof.
18. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts which, taken together,
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
19. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the
Underwriters and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or
oral, between them.
20. Terminology.
All
personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine,
feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders and the singular
shall include the plural, and vice versa.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
33
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate the
Underwriters’ acceptance thereof, as of the day and year first above written, in
the spaces provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter with the
Underwriters’ acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement among
us.
Very truly yours, | ||
MMC ENERGY, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxx |
|
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Confirmed
and accepted on the day and year first above written.
THE UNDERWRITERS | ||
XXXXXXXX CURHAN FORD & CO. | ||
Acting severally on behalf of itself and as representative of the several Underwriters | ||
|
|
|
By: | XXXXXXXX CURHAN FORD & CO. | |
By: | ||
Name: |
|
|
Title: |
34
EXHIBIT
A
(Lock-Up
Letter Agreement)
_________,
__, 2006
Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co.
As
Representative of the several Underwriters
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned understands that you and certain other firms (the “Underwriters”)
propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting
Agreement”)
providing for the purchase by the Underwriters of shares (the “Stock”)
of
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common
Stock”),
of
MMC Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”),
and
that the Underwriters propose to reoffer the Stock to the public (the
“Offering”).
In
consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the
Underwriters, and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned
hereby irrevocably agrees that, without the prior written consent of Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co., on behalf of the Underwriters (which consent may be
withheld in its sole discretion), the undersigned will not, directly or
indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter
into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to,
result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares
of Common Stock (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock that
may
be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and shares
of
Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
(other than the Stock), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction
that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits
or
risks of ownership of shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction
described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common
Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3)
make
any demand for or exercise any right or file or cause to be filed a registration
statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration
of
any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock or any other securities of the Company or (4)
publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, for a period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 90th day after the date of
the
Prospectus relating to the Offering (such 90-day period, the “Lock-Up
Period”). The
foregoing sentence shall not apply to transactions relating to (a) the
sale
by the undersigned of Common Stock to Xxxxxxxx Curhan & Ford or the other
underwriters participating in the Offering, (b)
the
sale of shares of Common Stock or securities acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the Offering, provided
that no
filing under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange
Act”),
shall
be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales
of
Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions,
(c)
transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common
Stock as a bona fide gift, (d) distributions of shares of Common Stock or
securities to partners, members or stockholders of the undersigned, or (e)
if
the undersigned is a corporation, transfers of shares of Common Stock or
securities to an affiliate or affiliates of such corporation; provided
that in
the case of any gift, distribution or transfer pursuant to clause (c), (d)
or (e), (i) each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter
substantially in the form of this letter and (ii) no filing under
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial
ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily
made during the restricted period referred to in the foregoing sentence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this letter shall prohibit
the undersigned from establishing a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of
the
Exchange Act, provided that the undersigned shall not engage in any transaction
under such trading plan until the termination of the restrictions imposed by
this agreement.
Exh.
A-1
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company
issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to
the
Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company
announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period
beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed
by this Lock-Up Letter Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration
of
the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the
announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event,
unless you waive such extension in writing. The undersigned hereby further
agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action
that is subject to the terms of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement during the period
from the date of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement to and including the
34th
day
following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, it will give notice thereof
to
the Company and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action
unless it has received written confirmation from the Company that the Lock-Up
Period (as such may have been extended pursuant to this paragraph) has
expired.
With
respect to the Offering, the undersigned waives any registration rights relating
to registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise,
of
any Common Stock owned either of record or beneficially by the undersigned,
including any rights to receive notice of the Offering.
In
furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its transfer agent are hereby
authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would
constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
It
is
understood that, if the Company notifies the Underwriters that it does not
intend to proceed with the Offering, if the Underwriting Agreement does not
become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions
thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to
payment for and delivery of the Stock, the undersigned will be released from
its
obligations under this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
Exh.
A-2
The
undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters will
proceed
with the Offering in reliance on this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.
Whether
or not the Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including
market conditions. Any Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting
Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company
and
the Underwriters.
[Signature
page follows]
Exh.
A-3
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power
and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon
request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in
connection with the enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned
shall
be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns
of
the undersigned.
Very truly yours, | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name:
Title:
|
Dated:
_______________
Xxx.
X-0
XXXXXXX
X-0
(Form
of
Opinion of Company Counsel)
1. The
Company validly exists as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
the
State of Delaware. The Company has the corporate power and authority to own
its
property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus. The Company
is qualified to do business or licensed as a foreign corporation and is in
good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction listed on Schedule
[ ] hereto.
2. Each
of
the subsidiaries of the Company identified in Schedule
[ ] hereto is qualified to do business and is in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdictions listed opposite such subsidiary’s
name in Schedule [ ] hereto.
3. The
Company has authorized and issued capital stock as set forth in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus and the shares of capital stock of the Company
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of the Shares have
been
duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and
non-assessable.
4. The
Shares to be issued and sold by the Company on the date hereof have been duly
authorized by the Company and, when issued and sold by the Company, and
delivered by the Company to, and paid for by, the Underwriters in accordance
with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully
paid
and non-assessable.
5. No
stockholder of the Company or any other person has any preemptive right, right
of first refusal or other similar right to subscribe for or purchase securities
of the Company arising (i) by operation of the certificate of incorporation
or
by-laws of the Company, as currently in effect, or (ii) under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
6. Except
as
disclosed in the Prospectus, to our knowledge, there are no contractual
preemptive rights that have not been waived with respect to the Shares to be
issued and sold by the Company on the date hereof.
7. Except
as
disclosed in the Prospectus, to our knowledge (i) there are no outstanding
securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
or
evidencing the right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of capital stock
of
the Company, and (ii) there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants
or rights of any character obligating the Company to issue any shares of its
capital stock or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or evidencing
the right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of such capital stock. Except
as described in the Prospectus or pursuant to that certain separation Agreement
and Release dated March 12, 2007 by and between the Company and Xxxxxx Xxxxx,
to
our knowledge, no holder of any securities of the Company has the right, which
has not been satisfied or effectively waived, to have any shares of common
stock
or other securities of the Company included in the Registration Statement or
the
right, as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement, to require
registration under the Act of any shares of common stock or other securities
of
the Company.
Exh.
B-1
8. The
Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize it to (i) issue
the Shares, (ii) execute, deliver and perform all of its other obligations
under
the terms and provisions of the Underwriting Agreement, and (iii) consummate
the
transactions contemplated thereby.
9. The
execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company does not,
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement by the Company, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, will
not: (a) result in any breach or default under (nor constitute any event that,
with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or default under)
(i) any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company,
as amended to date, or (ii) any provision of any agreement or instrument filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; or (b) violate (i) any provision
of
any applicable federal law, New York State commercial law or the Delaware
General Corporation Law, in each case known to us to be customarily applicable
to transactions of the nature contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, or
(ii) any judgment, decree or order known to us of any court or any public
governmental or regulatory agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company,
except in the case of clauses (a)(ii), (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above, as would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.
10. No
consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any federal
or state governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency
is required to be obtained or made by the Company in connection with the
issuance and sale of the Shares, and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, other than such as
have
previously been obtained on or prior to the date hereof and are in full force
and effect, including, without limitation, registration of the Shares under
the
Securities Act and of the common stock of the Company under the Exchange Act;
provided,
however,
that we
express no opinion as to (a) state securities or “blue sky” laws or foreign
securities laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being
offered by the Underwriters, and (b) the approval of the National Association
of
Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms and conditions of the Underwriting
Agreement.
11. To
our
knowledge, there are no contracts, licenses, or other documents that are
required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement by the Regulations that have not been described or filed
as required.
12. We
have
read the statements in the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors - We are
subject to electricity generating and other rules and regulations that are
costly to comply with and subject to change,” the last paragraph under
“Business-Industry Overview-Electricity Generating Market,” “Business-Government
Regulation,” “Description of Capital Stock,” “Shares Eligible for Future Sale”
and “Material United States Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders,” and in
Items 24 and 26 of Part II of the Registration Statement, in each case, insofar
as such statements constitute a summary of the legal matters, documents or
proceedings referred to therein or refer to statements of law or legal
conclusions, fairly summarize, in all material respects, the matters referred
to
therein.
13. The
Registration Statement [and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any,]
has
been declared effective by the Commission under the Act and, to our knowledge,
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement [or
the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any] has been issued by the Commission
nor, to our knowledge, is a proceeding for that purpose pending before or
contemplated by the Commission. Any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant
to Rule 424 under the Act has been made in the manner and within the time period
required by such Rule 424.
Exh.
B-2
14. The
Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares
and application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will
not
be, required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
15. To
our
knowledge, there are no California, Delaware or U.S. federal legal or
governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any
of
its subsidiaries is a party that are of a character required to be described
in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that have not been described
therein.
16. The
Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus (except as
to
the financial statements, and other financial data or financial models included
therein, as to which we express no opinion), at the time it was filed with
the
Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements
of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
In
addition to the foregoing opinions, we advise you supplementally that we have
participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the
Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company,
representatives of the Underwriters and representatives of Underwriters’
counsel, during which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement,
the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and related matters were
discussed. Although we are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (other
than as specified in Paragraphs 12 and 16 above), on the basis of the
information we gained during the course of performing the services referred
to
above, we confirm to you that nothing has come to the attention of those lawyers
in our firm who have participated in the representation of the Company in
connection with the offering, including the diligence process, and preparation
of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the
Prospectus, that has led us to believe that (i) the Registration Statement,
at
the time it was declared effective, contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Pricing Disclosure Package, at
the
Applicable Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
to
state a material fact therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, or (iii) the Prospectus, at the time the Prospectus was filed with
the Commission or at the date hereof, contained or contains an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading (in each case, it being understood that we do
not
express any belief with respect to the financial statements or financial models
and other financial data included therein, included in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus).
Exh.
B-3
SCHEDULE
A
Underwriters
Name
of Underwriter
|
Number
of Firm Shares Purchased
|
|
Xxxxxxxx
Curhan Ford & Co.
|
||
Canaccord
Xxxxx Inc.
|
||
SMH
Capital Inc.
|
||
Total
|
SCHEDULE
B
Pricing
Information
SCHEDULE
1(b)
List
of
Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses and Other Supplemental Materials
SCHEDULE
14
[Finders]