Document

CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED AND REPLACED WITH “[***]”. SUCH IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS (I) NOT MATERIAL AND (II) WOULD LIKELY CAUSE COMPETITIVE HARM TO THE COMPANY IF DISCLOSED.






EXECUTION VERSION
															
					




J.P.Morgan




CREDIT AGREEMENT




dated as of




July 29, 2022




among




VERICEL CORPORATION,




The Other Loan Parties Party Hereto,




The Lenders Party Hereto




and




JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent


___________________________




JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger




															
					


LEGAL 4876-1789-8795v.14







TABLE OF CONTENTS


															
					Page




															
	ARTICLE I Definitions		1
	SECTION 1.01.		Defined Terms		1
	SECTION 1.02.		Classification of Loans and Borrowings		36
	SECTION 1.03.		Terms Generally		36
	SECTION 1.04.		Accounting Terms; GAAP		36
	SECTION 1.05.		Pro Forma Adjustments		37
	SECTION 1.06.		Status of Obligations		38
	SECTION 1.07.		Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification		38
	SECTION 1.08.		Letter of Credit Amounts		39
	SECTION 1.09.		Divisions		39




															
	ARTICLE II The Credits		39
	SECTION 2.01.		Revolving Commitments		39
	SECTION 2.02.		Loans and Borrowings		39
	SECTION 2.03.		Requests for Borrowings		40
	SECTION 2.04.		[Intentionally Omitted]		41
	SECTION 2.05.		Swingline Loans		41
	SECTION 2.06.		Letters of Credit		42
	SECTION 2.07.		Funding of Borrowings		47
	SECTION 2.08.		Interest Elections		48
	SECTION 2.09.		Termination and Reduction of Revolving Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments; Incremental Term Loans		49
	SECTION 2.10.		Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt		51
	SECTION 2.11.		Prepayment of Loans		52
	SECTION 2.12.		Fees		52
	SECTION 2.13.		Interest		53
	SECTION 2.14.		Alternate Rate of Interest		54
	SECTION 2.15.		Increased Costs		56
	SECTION 2.16.		Break Funding Payments		57
	SECTION 2.17.		Taxes		58
	SECTION 2.18.		Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs		61
	SECTION 2.19.		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders		63
	SECTION 2.20.		Defaulting Lenders		64
	SECTION 2.21.		Returned Payments		66
	SECTION 2.22.		Banking Services and Swap Agreements		67




i






															
	ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties		67
	SECTION 3.01.		Organization; Powers		67
	SECTION 3.02.		Authorization; Enforceability		67
	SECTION 3.03.		Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts		68
	SECTION 3.04.		Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change		68
	SECTION 3.05.		Properties		68
	SECTION 3.06.		Litigation and Environmental Matters		68
	SECTION 3.07.		Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default		69
	SECTION 3.08.		Investment Company Status		69
	SECTION 3.09.		Taxes		69
	SECTION 3.10.		ERISA		69
	SECTION 3.11.		Disclosure		69
	SECTION 3.12.		Material Contracts		70
	SECTION 3.13.		Solvency		70
	SECTION 3.14.		Reserved		70
	SECTION 3.15.		Capitalization and Subsidiaries		70
	SECTION 3.16.		Security Interest in Collateral		71
	SECTION 3.17.		Employment Matters		71
	SECTION 3.18.		Margin Regulations		71
	SECTION 3.19.		Use of Proceeds		71
	SECTION 3.20.		No Burdensome Restrictions		71
	SECTION 3.21.		Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions		71
	SECTION 3.22.		Affected Financial Institutions		71
	SECTION 3.23.		Plan Assets		72
	SECTION 3.24.		Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters		72




															
	ARTICLE IV Conditions		73
	SECTION 4.01.		Effective Date		73
	SECTION 4.02.		Each Credit Event		76




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	ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants		76
	SECTION 5.01.		Financial Statements and Other Information		76
	SECTION 5.02.		Notices of Material Events		78
	SECTION 5.03.		Existence; Conduct of Business		79
	SECTION 5.04.		Payment of Obligations		79
	SECTION 5.05.		Maintenance of Properties		79
	SECTION 5.06.		Books and Records; Inspection Rights		79
	SECTION 5.07.		Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations; Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters		80
	SECTION 5.08.		Use of Proceeds		80
	SECTION 5.09.		Accuracy of Information		80
	SECTION 5.10.		Insurance		81
	SECTION 5.11.		[Reserved]		81
	SECTION 5.12.		[Reserved]		81
	SECTION 5.13.		Subsidiary Guarantors; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances		81
	SECTION 5.14.		Post-Closing Requirements		82
	SECTION 5.15.		Vericel Securities Corporation		83




															
	ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants		83
	SECTION 6.01.		Indebtedness		83
	SECTION 6.02.		Liens		85
	SECTION 6.03.		Fundamental Changes		87
	SECTION 6.04.		Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions		87
	SECTION 6.05.		Asset Sales		89
	SECTION 6.06.		Sale and Leaseback Transactions		91
	SECTION 6.07.		Swap Agreements		91
	SECTION 6.08.		Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness		91
	SECTION 6.09.		Transactions with Affiliates		93
	SECTION 6.10.		Restrictive Agreements		93
	SECTION 6.11.		Amendment of Material Documents		94
	SECTION 6.12.		Financial Covenant		94




															
	ARTICLE VII Events of Default		94




iii






															
	ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent		98
	SECTION 8.01.		Authorization and Action		98
	SECTION 8.02.		Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Etc.		100
	SECTION 8.03.		Posting of Communications		101
	SECTION 8.04.		The Administrative Agent Individually		102
	SECTION 8.05.		Successor Administrative Agent		103
	SECTION 8.06.		Acknowledgments of Lenders and Issuing Banks		103
	SECTION 8.07.		Collateral Matters		105
	SECTION 8.08.		Credit Bidding		106
	SECTION 8.09.		Certain ERISA Matters		107
	SECTION 8.10.		Flood Laws		108




															
	ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous		108
	SECTION 9.01.		Notices		108
	SECTION 9.02.		Waivers; Amendments		110
	SECTION 9.03.		Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc.		112
	SECTION 9.04.		Successors and Assigns		114
	SECTION 9.05.		Survival		119
	SECTION 9.06.		Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution		119
	SECTION 9.07.		Severability		121
	SECTION 9.08.		Right of Setoff		121
	SECTION 9.09.		Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process		121
	SECTION 9.10.		WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL		122
	SECTION 9.11.		Headings		123
	SECTION 9.12.		Confidentiality		123
	SECTION 9.13.		Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law		124
	SECTION 9.14.		USA PATRIOT Act		124
	SECTION 9.15.		Disclosure		124
	SECTION 9.16.		Appointment for Perfection		124
	SECTION 9.17.		Interest Rate Limitation		124
	SECTION 9.18.		No Fiduciary Duty, etc.		124
	SECTION 9.19.		[Reserved]		125
	SECTION 9.20.		Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions		125
	SECTION 9.21.		Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs		126




iv






															
	ARTICLE X Loan Guaranty		126
	SECTION 10.01.		Guaranty		126
	SECTION 10.02.		Guaranty of Payment		127
	SECTION 10.03.		No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty		127
	SECTION 10.04.		Defenses Waived		127
	SECTION 10.05.		Rights of Subrogation		128
	SECTION 10.06.		Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration		128
	SECTION 10.07.		Information		128
	SECTION 10.08.		Release of Loan Guarantors		128
	SECTION 10.09.		Taxes		129
	SECTION 10.10.		Maximum Liability		129
	SECTION 10.11.		Contribution		129
	SECTION 10.12.		Liability Cumulative		130
	SECTION 10.13.		Keepwell		130




															
	SCHEDULES:
		
	Commitment Schedule
	Schedule 1.01(A)	—	Existing Letters of Credit		
	Schedule 3.05	—	Properties, etc.		
	Schedule 3.12	—	Material Contracts		
	Schedule 3.15	—	Capitalization and Subsidiaries		
	Schedule 3.25	—	Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters		
	Schedule 5.14	—	Post-Closing Requirements		
	Schedule 6.01	—	Existing Indebtedness		
	Schedule 6.02	—	Existing Investments		
	Schedule 6.09	—	Existing Transactions with Affiliates		
	Schedule 6.10	—	Existing Restrictions		




v






															
	EXHIBITS:		
	Exhibit A	—	Assignment and Assumption
	Exhibit B	—	[Reserved]
	Exhibit C-1	—	Borrowing Request
	Exhibit C-2	—	Interest Election Request
	Exhibit D-1	—	U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
	Exhibit D-2	—	U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
	Exhibit D-3	—	U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
	Exhibit D-4	—	U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
	Exhibit E	—	Compliance Certificate 
	Exhibit F	—	Joinder Agreement









vi






CREDIT AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of July 29, 2022, among VERICEL CORPORATION, as Borrower, the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I


Definitions


SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:


“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.


“Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.


“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.


“Acquisition” means (a) any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which any Loan Party or Subsidiary (i) acquires any business or division of a Person or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person, (b) an acquisition of a drug, medical device or other medical product of any Person or (c) an Exclusive License to develop and commercialize an acquisition of a drug, medical device or other medical product of any Person to the extent the aggregate consideration paid or payable for such Exclusive License (including any Contingent Acquisition Consideration) is greater than $20,000,000.


“Acquisition Holiday” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.12.


“Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means, with respect to any RFR Borrowing, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) Daily Simple SOFR, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.


“Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any ABR Borrowing based on the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.


“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
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“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.


“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.


“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the specified Person.


“Agent-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(d).


“Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.


“ALTA” means the American Land Title Association.


“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1%, and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one-month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%; provided that, for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology).  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.14(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00% per annum, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% per annum for purposes of this Agreement.


“Ancillary Document” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.06(b).


“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.


“Applicable Parties” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(c).


“Applicable Percentage” means, at any time with respect to any Lender, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time and the denominator of which is the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time (provided that, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at such time); provided that, in 
2






accordance with Section 2.20, so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculations above.  


“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan, Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread”, “Term Benchmark and RFR Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Borrower’s Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date, provided that, until the delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Financial Statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) for the first fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 1: 


												
	Total Net Leverage Ratio	ABR Spread	Term Benchmark
and RFR Spread	Commitment Fee Rate
	Category 1                       ≤ 1.00 to 1.00	0.25%	1.25%	0.20%
	Category 2                       > 1.00 to 1.00 but                       ≤ 1.50 to 1.00	0.50%	1.50%	0.20%
	Category 3                      > 1.50 to 1.00 but                       ≤ 2.00 to 1.00	0.75%	1.75%	0.25%
	Category 4                       > 2.00 to 1.00 but                       ≤ 2.50 to 1.00	1.00%	2.00%	0.25%
	Category 5                       > 2.50 to 1.00 but                       ≤ 3.00 to 1.00	1.25%	2.25%	0.25%
	Category 6                       > 3.00 to 1.00	1.50%	2.50%	0.25%




For purposes of the foregoing, (a) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, based upon the Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) for such fiscal quarter and (b) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such Financial Statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that (A) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (B) at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders, if the Borrower fails to deliver the annual or quarterly Financial Statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 6 during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.


If at any time within sixty (60) days after the date of delivery of any Financial Statements, Compliance Certificate or other financial information delivered, the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (in consultation with the Borrower) that the Financial Statements upon which the Applicable Rate was determined were materially incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), or any ratio or compliance information in a Compliance Certificate or other certification was incorrectly calculated, relied on incorrect information or was otherwise not accurate, true or correct in any material respects, the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been 
3






required to pay if such Financial Statements, Compliance Certificate or other financial information had been accurate and/or computed correctly at the time they were delivered.


“Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(a).


“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to the term in Section 9.04(b).


“Arranger” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as sole bookrunner and sole lead arranger for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.


“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.


“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.


“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.14(e).


“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.


“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom,  Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).


“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts and interstate depository network services and cash pooling services).


“Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
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“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto, as hereafter amended.


“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business, appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment or has had any order for relief in such proceeding entered in respect thereof, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the U.S. or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.


“Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (i) RFR Loan, Daily Simple SOFR or (ii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that, if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable, or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.14(b).


“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:


(1)        the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; or


(2)     the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities in the United States at such time; and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.


If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.


“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable 
5






Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in Dollars at such time.


“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides (in consultation with the Borrower) is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).


“Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
 
(1)        in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(2)        in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (3) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.


For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).


“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark: 
6








(1)        a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);


(2)        a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3)        a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof)  announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.


For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).


“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14.


“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.


“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230. 


“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.


“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
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“Borrower” means Vericel Corporation, a Michigan corporation.


“Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a Swingline Loan.


“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.


“Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10.


“Business Day” means, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City or Chicago; provided that, in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan or an ABR Loan based on the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, any such day that is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.


“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations or finance lease obligations on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.


“CFC” means a Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.


“CFC Holding Company” means a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) all or substantially all of the assets of which  consist of the Equity Interests in one or more (x) Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs or (y) other CFC Holding Companies, and (b) that does not Guarantee or otherwise provide any collateral or other credit support for, or suffer to exist a pledge of more than 65% of its voting Equity Interests to secure, any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary.


“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 35.0% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower; (b) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were not (i) directors of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement, nominated or appointed by the board of directors of the Borrower or (ii) appointed by directors so nominated or appointed; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower by any Person or group; or (d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any agreement or instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness (triggering a default or mandatory prepayment, which default or mandatory prepayment has not been waived in writing).


“Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, 
8






regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the U.S. or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.


“Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.


“Chase” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and its successors.


“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans.


“CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term SOFR (or a successor administrator).


“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.


“Collateral” means any and all property pledged or purported to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents and any and all property that is or is required to be covered by the Collateral Documents and that may at any time be, become or be intended to be, pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents, subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders and other Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations; provided that the Collateral shall not include any Excluded Property.


“Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.


“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments (if any) and all other agreements, instruments and documents executed, delivered or otherwise prepared in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent. 


“Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.


“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.


“Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(c).


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“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit E.


“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.


“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus 


(a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of:


 (i) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, 


(ii) income tax expense for such period net of tax refunds,
 
(iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, 


(iv) any unusual or non-recurring non-cash charges for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period), 


(v) any non-recurring fees, cash charges and other cash expenses made or incurred during such period in connection with (A) the Transactions that are paid or otherwise accounted for within 30 days of the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500,000 and (B) amendments, waivers or other modifications in respect of the Loan Documents or the Transactions, 


(vi) the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and cost synergies related to the Transactions, any Permitted Acquisitions, any restructurings, business optimizations, cost savings initiatives and other initiatives occurring after the Effective Date (without duplication of any amounts added back pursuant to Section 1.05 in connection with any such transaction) and projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized within eighteen (18) months after such transaction or initiative is consummated as a result of specified actions taken or committed to be taken (which “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and expenses and cost synergies shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such “run rate” cost savings, restructuring charges and expenses, operating expense reductions and expenses and synergies had been realized on the first day of the period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such “run rate” cost savings, restructuring charges and expenses, operating expense reductions and expenses and synergies are reasonably quantifiable and factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), reasonably attributable to the actions specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions, 


(vii) fees and expenses paid to the Borrower’s board of directors in the ordinary course of business,  


(viii) any non-cash charges made in respect of stock-based compensation, including any non-cash expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation rights, stock options or restricted stock to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Loan Parties, 


(ix) all non-cash losses or reasonable and documented expenses (or minus non-cash income or gain), including non-cash adjustments resulting from the application of purchase accounting, non-cash 
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impairment of goodwill and other long term intangible assets, unrealized non-cash losses (or minus unrealized non-cash gains) under Swap Agreements, unrealized non-cash losses (or minus unrealized non-cash gains) in such period due solely to fluctuations in currency values,


(x) all non-cash charges, expenses, items and losses related to the non-cash effects of purchase accounting or similar adjustments required or permitted by GAAP or change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in net income including the effect of harmonizing accounting policies and principles of targets of any Acquisition and their subsidiaries,


(xi) all fees and expenses relating to, or incurred in connection with (i) Acquisitions and Investments permitted hereunder, (ii) proposed or consummated recapitalizations, or issuances or repurchases or the payment of, or amendments, waivers, consents or modifications or refinancings of, any Indebtedness or  issuances of Equity Interests, (iii) any transaction fees, costs or expenses paid or payable to Agent, agents, arrangers, lenders, investors, holders or secured parties under the Loan Documents or any other Indebtedness permitted under the Loan Documents or (iv) a proposed Disposition not in the ordinary course of business and permitted under the Credit Agreement,


(xii) any costs, charges, expenses, accruals or reserves incurred or accrued during such period relating to out-of-pocket legal, expert and consulting fees and expenses and all other liabilities (including all damages, fines, judgments, penalties and indemnification and settlement payments) paid in connection with actual or threatened claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, inquiries or investigations, in each case, to the extent such amounts are reimbursed by insurance or other third parties during such period,
(xiii) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses, including, without limitation, (A) severance costs, (B) expenses (including legal expenses) associated with recruitment of senior management (including one time bonuses in connection therewith), (C) expenses related to the vesting of employee benefits in connection with employee departures, (D) retention or stay bonus expenses paid to employees, (E) costs and expenses associated with relocation of people, hardware, records and data, (F) branding or rebranding costs (including costs associated with changing signage, collateral, clothing, websites and related items), (G) consulting expenses, (H) costs, fees and expenses related to office, warehouse, distribution center and facility openings (including any start-up costs and costs associated with duplication of manufacturing facilities), closures, consolidations and relocations, (I) natural disaster losses not covered by insurance, (J) costs and expenses incurred to relocate, establish, qualify or commence manufacturing, supply or distribution operations for the Borrower’s approved products and clinical candidates at third party manufacturers, suppliers and distributors and (K) costs, fees and expenses related to new product launches, including any inbound licensing related to any new product,


(xiv) restructuring costs, integration costs, business optimization expenses or costs, transition services costs (including one-time set up costs and costs related to transition service agreements) and expenses (including work force reductions and the salary, bonus, benefits and other expenses of interim management (including travel and relocation expenses)), costs relating to the undertaking of cost saving initiatives, operating expense reductions and other cost synergies and similar initiatives, retention and recruiting, relocation and signing bonuses and expenses, severance costs,


(xv)      in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment, all adjustments that are set forth in a quality of earnings report or table prepared by a third-party accountant and acceptable to Administrative Agent; provided, that if any such adjustments reflect amounts of the type described in clauses (a)(vi), (a)(xiii) or (a)(xiv), such amounts shall be deemed to be added back pursuant to those clauses and shall be subject to the limitation in the sentence following clause (b) below, and 
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(xvi)     costs, charges, fees, and other amounts expensed at the time of entry or at the time any pre-regulatory approval milestone or sales and commercial milestone is paid with respect to inbound licenses of intellectual property in connection with the acquisition or origination of such license, minus 


(b) without duplication and to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, any unusual or non-recurring gains (excluding proceeds from business interruption insurance actually received and charges, losses and expenses related to losses indemnified, insured or reimbursed by a third party during such period) and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate all amounts added-back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(vi), (a)(xiii) and (a)(xiv) during any period, shall not exceed an amount equal to 30% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated before giving effect to any such add-backs). 


“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations and amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expense and original issue discounts) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates, to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with GAAP.


“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) determined for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions.


“Consolidated Total Assets” means, at any date, total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.


“Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, consisting only of third-party Indebtedness for borrowed money, amounts drawn under standby letters of credit solely to the extent not reimbursed within one (1) Business Day from the date drawn and Indebtedness evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments.


“Contingent Acquisition Consideration” means any earnout obligation, milestone payment or similar deferred or contingent obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred or created in connection with an Acquisition or other Investment, excluding customary escrow arrangements and working capital and other similar purchase price adjustments.


“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.


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“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.


“Covered Entity” means any of the following:


(i)        a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);


(ii)       a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or


(iii)      a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).


“Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.


“Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.


“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.  Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.


“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.


“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.


“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able 
13






to meet such obligations as of the date of certification) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.


“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise) of any property by any Person (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction and any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of such Person), including any sale, assignment, transfer, license or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.


“Disqualified Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any other Equity Interest into which it is convertible or exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures (excluding maturity as a result of an option redemption by the issuer thereof) or is subject to mandatory redemption or repurchase (other than solely for Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days following the latest maturity date of the Loans (excluding any provisions requiring redemption upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event; provided that such change of control or asset sale event results in Payment in Full; (b) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Indebtedness or any Disqualified Equity Interest, at the option of the holder thereof; (c) may be required to be redeemed or repurchased at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares), in whole or in part, in each case on or before the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the latest maturity date of the Loans; or (d) provides for scheduled payments of dividends to be made in cash, provided that if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to a plan for the benefit of future, current or former employees, directors or officers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or by any such plan to such employees, directors or officers, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s, director’s or officer’s termination, death or disability.


“Dollars”, “dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the U.S.


“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.


“ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC. 


“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
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“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.


“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.


“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).


“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.


“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for the Borrower and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.


“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (i) the environment, (ii) preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (iii) the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or (iv) health and safety matters.


“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.


“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.


“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.


“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice 
15






period is waived by regulation); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in critical status, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.


“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.  


“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.


“Excluded Property” means:


(i)        any fee-owned real property that does not constitute Material Real Property


(ii)       property and assets to the extent that the Administrative Agent may not validly possess a security interest therein under, or such security interest is restricted by, applicable laws or the pledge or creation of a security interest in which would require governmental consent, approval, license or authorization that has not been obtained, in each case, other than proceeds thereof and other than to the extent such prohibition or limitation is rendered ineffective under the UCC or other applicable law notwithstanding such prohibition;


(iii)      assets of and equity interests in any Person (other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) to the extent a security interest is not permitted to be granted by the terms of such Person’s organizational documents or joint venture documents, in each case, to the extent such prohibition is not rendered unenforceable pursuant to the UCC or other applicable law notwithstanding such prohibition and to the extent such prohibition was not effected solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of the Loan Documents;


(iv)       leases, licenses or permits or agreements to the extent that, and so long as, a grant of a security interest therein, or, solely in the case of any agreement evidencing a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement to finance the acquisition of property, in the property or assets that secure the underlying obligations with respect thereto would violate or invalidate such lease, license, permit or agreement, or create a right of termination in favor of, or require the consent of, any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any of its respective Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof) that has not been obtained (in each case, after giving effect to the relevant provisions of the UCC or other applicable laws), in each case, other than the proceeds thereof, and only to the extent that and for so long as such limitation on such pledge or security interest is otherwise permitted under the Loan Documents;


(v)        Margin Stock;


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(vi)       any intent-to-use trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark application under applicable federal law; 


(vii)      any deposit account, securities account or commodities account that is (w) used exclusively for the purpose of funding payroll, employee benefits, withholding taxes, or other fiduciary obligations of a Loan Party, (x) a zero balance account, (y) an escrow account, trust account or otherwise maintained solely for the benefit of third parties as cash collateral for obligations owing to such third parties or to establish or maintain escrow amounts for third-parties pursuant to transactions permitted hereunder or (z) other accounts with amounts on deposit which do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time;


(viii)     Equity Interests in (x) VSC for so long as VSC remains an Excluded Subsidiary and (y) any not-for-profit Subsidiary; 


(ix)       voting Equity Interests of any CFC or CFC Holdco representing in excess of 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such CFC or CFC Holdco, as applicable, entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2));


(x)        other assets if, and for so long as, in each case, reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent and Borrower, the cost of obtaining or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets exceed the practical benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom;


(xi)       any vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title; 


(xii)      letter of credit rights in excess of $500,000, except to the extent perfection of a security interest therein is automatic or may be accomplished by filing financing statements in the appropriate form in the applicable jurisdiction under the UCC; and


(xiii)     commercial tort claims in excess of $500,000, except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by filing a UCC financing statement.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Excluded Property” shall not include proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property unless such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would independently constitute Excluded Property.


“Excluded Subsidiary” means any: (i) CFC, CFC Holding Company or Subsidiary of a CFC or CFC Holding Company; (ii) not-for-profit Subsidiary; (iii) Immaterial Subsidiary; (iv) Subsidiary for which guarantees are legally prohibited or require governmental consent, approval, license or authorization that has not been obtained; (v) VSC for so long as VSC does not engage in any business activity other than securities investment activity and otherwise conducts itself as, and is entitled to status as, a “security corporation” by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue pursuant to Massachusetts General Law c. 63, § 38B, or any successor statute; and (vi) any other Subsidiary to the extent the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that the cost and/or burden of obtaining the Guarantee of such Subsidiary outweigh the benefit to the Lenders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary shall constitute an Excluded Subsidiary if (either at the time of designation or thereafter) (x) the primary purpose of such designation is (A) to evade the collateral or guarantee requirements under the Loan Documents for such Subsidiary with no other justifiable business purpose, or (B) to raise (or to facilitate 
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the raising of) capital for any parent of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or (y) such Subsidiary guarantees or otherwise provides credit support for any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary.


“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor of, or the grant by such Loan Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation.  If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.


“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Revolving Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.


“Exclusive License” means any license to develop and commercialize a drug, medical device or other medical product of any Person made on an exclusive basis such that such Person does not retain any right to develop or commercialize such a drug, medical device or other medical product in any jurisdiction or territory. “Exclusively License” shall have the correlative meaning.


“Existing Letters of Credit” means those irrevocable letters of credit previously issued by Silicon Valley Bank which remain outstanding on the date hereof, will be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement for the period from the Effective Date until the then current expiry date of such letters of credit (without giving effect to any evergreen features), and which are set forth on Schedule 1.01(A) hereto.


“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.  


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“FDA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.24(a).


“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.


“Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.


“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.


“Financial Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01.


“Flood Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10.


“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the initial Floor for each of the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be zero.


“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. 
 
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.


“Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(h).


“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.


“Governmental Authority” means the government of the U.S., any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.


“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such 
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Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof.


“Guaranteed Obligations” means (i) with respect to the Borrower, the Specified Ancillary Obligations and (ii) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Secured Obligations, and, in each case, all costs and expenses including, without limitation, all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees (including allocated costs of in-house counsel and paralegals) and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, the Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations; provided that, in each case, the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor.


“Hazardous Materials” means:  (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic materials,” “toxic waste,” or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.


“Health Care Laws” means (a) all laws of any Governmental Authority related to (i) health care fraud and abuse, including the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b), the Federal False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729, et seq.), the Federal Civil Monetary Penalties Law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a−7a), the Federal Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (31 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq.), the Federal Health Care Fraud law (18 U.S.C. § 1347), the criminal false claims statutes (e.g., 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001), the Physician Payment Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. § 1320a−7h), the Federal Health Care Program Overpayment Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7k(d)), the Medicare Secondary Payor Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. §§ 17921 et seq.) and the exclusion laws (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7) and (ii) the safety, efficacy, development, manufacture, testing, storage, transportation, distribution, supply, packaging, holding, import or export, or sale of pharmaceutical products, including, without limitation, the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.), the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), the Food and Drugs Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-27 and Food and Drug Regulations, C.R.C., ch. 870, and the regulations promulgated thereunder; (b) the Medicare statute (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act); (c) the Medicaid Statute (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) and (d) any similar laws of any Governmental Authority, and the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws, including the collection and reporting requirements, and the processing of any applicable rebate, chargeback or adjustment, under applicable rules and regulations relating to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (42 U.S.C. § 1396r-8) and any state supplemental rebate program, Medicare average sales price reporting (42 U.S.C. § 1395w-3a), the Public Health Service Act 
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(42 U.S.C. § 256b), the VA Federal Supply Schedule (38 U.S.C. § 8126) or under any state pharmaceutical assistance program or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs agreement, and any successor government programs.


“Health Care Permits” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.24(c).


“Hostile Acquisition” means (a) the acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person through a tender offer or similar solicitation of the owners of such Equity Interests which has not been approved (prior to such acquisition) by the board of directors (or any other applicable governing body) of such Person or by similar action if such Person is not a corporation and (b) any such acquisition as to which such approval has been withdrawn.


“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, at any time of determination, any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.


“Incremental Facility Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09.


“Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09.


“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (k) obligations with respect to any Contingent Acquisition Consideration, (l) any other Off-Balance Sheet Liability, (m) any Disqualified Equity Interests and (n) obligations, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Swap Agreements, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.


“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a), Other Taxes.


“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(c).


“Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
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“Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.


“Information Memorandum” means the Lender Presentation dated April 19, 2022 relating to the Borrower and the Transactions.


“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08, which shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C-2 hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.


“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each calendar quarter and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any RFR Loan, each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Borrowing of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month) and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, (c) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, and (d) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. 


“Interest Period” means with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Revolving Commitment), as the Borrower may elect; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, and (iii) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.14(e) shall be available for specification in such Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter, in the case of any Borrowing other than a Swingline Loan, shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing. 


“Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.


“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.


“Issuing Bank” means, individually and collectively, each of (i) Chase, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (ii) Silicon Valley Bank solely with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit and (iii) any other Lender from time to time designated by the Borrower as an Issuing Bank, with the consent of such Lender and the Administrative Agent, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i).  Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank 
22






shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Letters of Credit).  At any time there is more than one Issuing Bank, all singular references to the Issuing Bank shall mean any Issuing Bank, either Issuing Bank, each Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or both (or all) Issuing Banks, as the context may require.


“Issuing Bank Sublimit” means, as of the Effective Date, (i) $15,000,000, in the case of Chase and (ii) in the case of any other Issuing Bank, such amount as shall be designated to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing by such Issuing Bank; provided that any Issuing Bank shall be permitted at any time to increase or reduce its Issuing Bank Sublimit upon providing five (5) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.


“Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit F.


“LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).


“LC Disbursement” means any payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.


“LC Exposure” means at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.  


“Lender” means, as of any date of determination, a Person listed on the Commitment Schedule (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Person holding Revolving Exposure), and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09 or an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank.


“Lender-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).


“Letters of Credit” means (a) the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement or (b) the Existing Letters of Credit, and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.


“Letter of Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06(b).


“Liabilities” means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.


“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.


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“Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination an amount equal to the sum of (x) Unrestricted Cash on such date and (y) the aggregate amount of Unfunded Revolving Commitments on such date.


“Limited Condition Transaction” means any Acquisition or other Investment that the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries is contractually committed to consummate (it being understood that such commitment may be subject to conditions precedent, which conditions precedent may be amended, satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement) and whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing; provided that, in the event the consummation of any such Acquisition or Investment shall not have occurred within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the signing of the applicable contractual commitment, such Acquisition or Investment shall no longer constitute a Limited Condition Acquisition for any purpose.


“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each promissory note issued pursuant to this Agreement, each Letter of Credit Agreement, each Collateral Document, each Compliance Certificate, the Loan Guaranty and each other agreement, fee letter, instrument, document and certificate executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and including each other pledge, power of attorney, consent, assignment, contract, notice, letter of credit agreement, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit, and each other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.  Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.


“Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.


“Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement.


“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors and their successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.


“Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans.


“Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X, as applicable.


“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or (c) the rights remedies available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.


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“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.


“Material Real Property” means any real property located in the United States that is owned in fee simple by a Loan Party and has a fair market value (determined in good faith by the Borrower) in excess of $2,500,000.


“Material IP” means any means any Intellectual Property (as defined in the Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries that is material to (a) the commercialization of the products and services of the businesses, or (b) the revenue generation of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries. 


“Material Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary (i) which, as of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower, for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), contributed greater than two and one half percent (2.5%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period, (ii) which contributed greater than two and one half percent (2.5%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of such date or (iii) which owns Material IP; provided that, if at any time the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets attributable to all Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries exceeds five percent (5.0%) of Consolidated EBITDA for any such period or five percent (5.0%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of any such fiscal quarter, the Borrower shall designate sufficient Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Subsidiaries.


“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.


“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.


“Mortgage” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement which conveys or evidences a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, on Material Real Property of a Loan Party, including any amendment, restatement, modification or supplement thereto.


“Mortgage Instruments” means such title reports, ALTA title insurance policies (with endorsements), evidence of zoning compliance, property insurance, flood certifications and flood insurance (and, if applicable FEMA form acknowledgements of insurance), opinions of counsel, ALTA surveys, appraisals, environmental assessments and reports, mortgage tax affidavits and declarations and other similar information and related certifications as are requested by, and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to, the Administrative Agent from time to time.


“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.


“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).
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“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.


“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.


“NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.


“Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.


“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Indemnitee, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.


“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.


“Off-Balance Sheet Liability” of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person or (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than operating leases).


“Original Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).


“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit, or any Loan Document). 


“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or 
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otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).


“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.


“Paid in Full” or “Payment in Full” means, (i) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (ii) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup standby letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 103% of the LC Exposure as of the date of such payment), (iii) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, (iv) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (v) the termination of all Revolving Commitments, and (vi) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Secured Parties counterparties thereto.


“Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.


“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).


“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).


“Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).


“Payment Notice” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).


“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.


“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:


(a)        the business acquired in connection with such Acquisition is a Similar Business and if acquired using the proceeds of Loans hereunder, is not a Hostile Acquisition; 


(b)        both before and immediately after giving effect (including giving effect on a pro forma basis) to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection therewith, (i) each of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects (or, of such representation or warranty is qualified by materiality, in all respects) (except any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date, which representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, of such representation or warranty is qualified by 
27






materiality, in all respects) as of such prior date) and (ii) no Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom;


(c)        as soon as available, but not less than ten (10) days prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower has provided the Administrative Agent (i) notice of such Acquisition and (ii) to the extent prepared and available in connection with such Acquisition, a copy of all business and financial information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent including pro forma financial statements and statements of cash flow;


(d)        immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.12 (giving effect to any Acquisition Holiday that the Borrower is permitted to elect and does so elect to apply the next succeeding fiscal quarter with respect to such Acquisition), recomputed as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which Financial Statements have been delivered under Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), as if such Acquisition (and any related incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred on the first day of such fiscal quarter;


(e)        the aggregate consideration paid or payable (including without limitation, all transaction costs, any management fees, assumed Indebtedness and liabilities incurred, assumed or reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to such Acquisition and the maximum amount (to the extent such maximum amount is stated, and if not stated, then the reasonably anticipated amount) of all earn-out obligations and other deferred payments), in respect of all Permitted Acquisitions of Excluded Subsidiaries that do not become Loan Parties and Excluded Property shall not exceed, during the term of this Agreement, the greater of $10,500,000 and 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));


(f)        both before and immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, Liquidity shall not be less than $10,000,000; 


(g)        all actions required to be taken with respect to any newly acquired or formed Subsidiary of a Loan Party required under Section 5.13 shall have been taken; and


(h)        the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent the final executed documentation relating to such Acquisition promptly following the consummation thereof.


“Permitted Encumbrances” means:


(a)        Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due, which are not more than thirty (30) days past due or remain payable without penalty or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;


(b)        carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not 
28






overdue by more than ninety (90) days or remain payable without penalty or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;


(c)        pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;


(d)        pledges and deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;


(e)        judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and


(f)        easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; 


provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause (e) above.


“Permitted Investments” means:


(a)        direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the U.S. (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;


(b)        investments in commercial paper maturing within 365 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;


(c)        investments in certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within 365 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;


(d)        fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and


(e)        money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $500,000,000.


“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.


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“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.


“Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.


“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.


“Proceeding” means any claim, litigation, investigation, action, suit, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding in any jurisdiction.


“Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(e).


“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time. 


“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).


“QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.


“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.


“Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).


“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if the RFR for such Benchmark is Daily Simple SOFR, then four Business Days prior to such setting or (3) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.


“Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).


“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).


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“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.


“Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.


“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.


“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.


“Regulatory Authority” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.24(a).


“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents, administrators, managers, representatives and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.


“Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing, or dumping of any substance into the environment.


“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, as applicable, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.


“Relevant Rate” means (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, and (ii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable.


“Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20: (a) at any time prior to the earlier of the Loans becoming due and payable pursuant to Article VII or the Revolving Commitments terminating or expiring, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and Unfunded Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and aggregate Unfunded Revolving Commitments at such time, provided that, solely for purposes of declaring the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Article VII, the Unfunded Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed to be zero in determining the Required Lenders; and (b) for all purposes after the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Article VII or the Revolving Commitments expire or terminate, Lenders having Revolving Exposures representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at such time; provided that, in the case of clauses (a) and (b) above, the Revolving Exposure of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender shall be deemed to exclude any amount of its Swingline Exposure in excess of its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Swingline Loans, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.20 of the Swingline Exposures of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and the Unfunded Revolving Commitment of such Lender shall be determined on the basis of its Revolving Exposure excluding such excess amount and provided further that, “Required Lenders” shall at all times include at least two unaffiliated Lenders.


“Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), 
31






treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.


“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.


“Responsible Officer” means the president, Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower.


“Restricted Payment” means, as the case may be, (i) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) the payment of any management, advisory, transaction services, monitoring, bonus or similar fees, howsoever designated, or the payment of any costs, expenses and indemnities under any management, advisory, monitoring or similar agreement.


“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on the Commitment Schedule opposite such Lender’s name as a “Revolving Commitment”, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation or record (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(70) of the New York UCC) as provided in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C), pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment pursuant to the terms hereof, as applicable, as such Revolving Commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04; provided that at no time shall the Revolving Exposure of any Lender exceed its Revolving Commitment.  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $150,000,000.


“Revolving Credit Maturity Date” means July 29, 2027 (if the same is a Business Day, or if not then the immediately next succeeding Business Day), or any earlier date on which the Revolving Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.


“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, at any time, the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure at such time.


“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.


“RFR” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any ABR Loan or Borrowing).


“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.


“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.
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“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so- called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).


“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), or (d) any Person otherwise the subject of any Sanctions.


“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.


“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.


“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates; provided that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor.


“Secured Parties” means (a) the Lenders, (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) each Issuing Bank, (d) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (e) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.  


“Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.


“Similar Business” shall mean any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Loan Parties or any business that is similar, reasonably related, synergistic, incidental, complementary or ancillary thereto or reasonable extensions, developments or expansions of such businesses or lines of business.


“SOFR” means a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.


“SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).


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“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s Website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.


“SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Daily Simple SOFR.


“Specified Ancillary Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) of any of the Subsidiaries, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates in respect of any Swap Agreement Obligations or any Banking Services Obligations.


“Statement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(f).  


“Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person, the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.  


“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent and/or one or more subsidiaries of the parent.


“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower or of any other Loan Party, as applicable.


“Subsidiary Guarantor” means the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries party hereto as Subsidiary Guarantors as of the Effective Date and any other Material Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement; provided that in no event shall any Excluded Subsidiary constitute a Subsidiary Guarantor.


“Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.


“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.


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“Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any Swap Agreement permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender. 


“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.


“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time (excluding, in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, Swingline Loans made by such Lender in its capacity as a Swingline Lender that are outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Lenders shall not have funded their participations in such Swingline Loans), adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.20 of the Swingline Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and (b) in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender as a Swingline Lender outstanding at such time, less the amount of participations funded by the other Lenders in such Swingline Loans.


“Swingline Lender” means Chase (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Swingline Lender and any consent given by Chase in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by Chase in its capacity as Swingline Lender as well. 


“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.


“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.


“Term Benchmark”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate.


“Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.


“Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.


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“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.  If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.


“Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) the positive amount by which (i) Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness on such date exceeds (ii) Unrestricted Cash on such date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000; provided that until the 90th day following the Effective Date, clause (b) of the definition of Unrestricted Cash shall not apply) to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such date.


“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.


“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or the Alternate Base Rate.


“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or in any other state, the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.


“UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.


“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution. 


“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.


“Unfunded Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender at any time, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender at such time, less its Revolving Exposure at such time.


“Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any 
36






other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.  


 “Unrestricted Cash” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Loan Parties’ unrestricted cash and Permitted Investments that is (a) on deposit with one or more financial institutions in the U.S., (b) maintained in an account that is subject to a deposit account control agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent and (c) not encumbered by or subject to any other Lien, setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right in favor of any Person (other than (i) a Lien securing the Secured Obligations, and (ii) banker’s liens relating to the establishment of depository relations in the ordinary course and not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness).


“U.S.” means the United States of America.


“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.


“U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.


“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.


“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).


“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001. 


“VSC” means Vericel Securities Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation.


“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.


“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.


SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings.   For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Loan”).  Borrowings also 
37






may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing”).


SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. 
   
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP.
 
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such  change  in GAAP or in the application thereof  (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 or 2015-03 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial 
38






Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.04(a) or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“FAS 842”), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, such lease shall not be considered a capital lease, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.  


SECTION 1.05. Pro Forma Adjustments.  (a) To the extent the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or Disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 during the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended or (ii) consummates any transaction that requires any pro forma calculation as a condition thereto or in connection therewith under the terms of this Agreement, then, in each case, (A) the Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments based off of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” but not to exceed the amounts permitted in such definition), as if such acquisition, such Disposition or such other transaction (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first day of such four-quarter period, (B) unless otherwise expressly required hereunder, such pro forma calculation shall be determined by reference to the financial statements for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such calculation for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and (C) any such calculation made by reference to, or requiring pro forma compliance with, any of the financial covenants shall be made by reference to the applicable financial covenant levels required under Section 6.12 for the quarter during which such acquisition, Disposition or other transaction was consummated (or, if there is no financial covenant required to be tested during such fiscal quarter, the financial covenant level for the first testing period scheduled to occur after the date of such calculation).  In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any Indebtedness is incurred or assumed in connection with any transaction permitted hereunder, any pro forma determination of the Total Net Leverage Ratio or compliance with the financial covenant required to be made under this Agreement in connection with such transaction shall be made without including the proceeds of such incurred or assumed Indebtedness as Unrestricted Cash.


(b) In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of:


(i) determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires the calculation of any financial ratio or test, including the Total Net Leverage Ratio;


(ii) testing availability under baskets set forth in this Agreement (including baskets measured as a percentage of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets); or


39






(iii) determining the accuracy of any representation or warranty or the existence of any Default or Event of Default,


in each case, at the option of the Borrower (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be the date the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into (the “LCT Test Date”), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket or other provision, such ratio, test or basket shall be deemed to have been complied with.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has made an LCT Election and any of the ratios, tests or baskets or other provision for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would have failed to have been satisfied as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket or other provision, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Expense or Consolidated Total Assets, at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have failed to have been satisfied as a result of such fluctuations. If the Borrower has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any event or transaction occurring after the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction (a “Subsequent Transaction”) in connection with which a ratio, test or basket availability calculation must be made on a pro forma basis or giving pro forma effect to such Subsequent Transaction, for purposes of determining whether such ratio, test or basket availability has been complied with under this Agreement, any such ratio, test or basket shall be required to be satisfied on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith have been consummated.


SECTION 1.06. Status of Obligations.  In the event that the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, the Borrower shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.


SECTION 1.07. Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification.  The interest rate on a Loan may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform.  Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.14(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest.  The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, 
40






including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability.  The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any  interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
SECTION 1.08. Letter of Credit Amounts.  Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit available to be drawn at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Letter of Credit Agreement related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the available amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum amount is available to be drawn at such time.  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Article 29(a) of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or similar terms of the Letter of Credit itself, or if compliant documents have been presented but not yet honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” and “undrawn” in the amount so remaining available to be paid, and the obligations of the Borrower and each Lender shall remain in full force and effect until the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit.


SECTION 1.09. Divisions.  For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.  


ARTICLE II
The Credits
SECTION 2.01. Revolving Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result (after giving effect to any application of proceeds of such Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.10(a)) in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments.  Within the foregoing limits and 
41






subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.


SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings.


(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.  Any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05.  


(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan.  Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  


(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Term Benchmark Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000.  At the time that each ABR Borrowing or RFR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $500,000;  provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e).  Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $500,000.  Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of eight (8) Term Benchmark Borrowings and RFR Borrowings outstanding.  


(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. 


SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings.  To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by submitting a Borrowing Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or through any Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, (a) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable.  Each such Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.01:


(i) the aggregate principal amount of the requested Borrowing;


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(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;


(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing;


(vi) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and


(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07, and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing. 


If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Borrower be permitted to elect an RFR Loan (it being understood and agreed that Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall only apply to the extent provided in Sections 2.14(a) and 2.14(f)).


SECTION 2.04. [Intentionally Omitted].


SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans.   


(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, from time to time during the Availability Period, the Swingline Lender may agree, but shall have no obligation, to make Swingline Loans in dollars to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000, (ii) the Swingline Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding its Revolving Commitment, or (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.  To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall submit a written notice to the Administrative Agent of such request by fax or through any Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan.  Each such notice shall be in a form approved by the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan.  The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower.  The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower, to the extent the Swingline Lender elects to make such Swingline Loan, by means of a credit to the Funding Account(s) (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank, and in the case of repayment of another Loan or fees or expenses as provided by Section 2.18(c), by remittance to the Administrative Agent to be distributed to the Lenders) by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.


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(b) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding.  Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which the Lenders will participate.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, promptly upon receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent (and in any event, if such notice is received by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on a Business Day no later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time on such Business Day and if received after 11:00 a.m., New York City time, “on a Business Day” shall mean no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer in dollars of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Revolving Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender.  Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.  


(c) The Swingline Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Swingline Lender and the successor Swingline Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Swingline Lender.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid interest accrued for the account of the replaced Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.13(a).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made thereafter and (y) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Swingline Lender, or to such successor and all previous Swingline Lenders, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of the Swingline Lender hereunder, the replaced Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to its replacement, but shall not be required to make additional Swingline Loans.
(d) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Swingline Lender, the Swingline Lender may resign as Swingline Lender at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the 
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Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, the Swingline Lender shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.05(c) above.


SECTION 2.06. Letters of Credit.


(a) General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit denominated in dollars as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period.


(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension; Certain Conditions.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or fax (or transmit through any Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension, but in any event no less than three Business Days) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend or extend such Letter of Credit.  In addition, as a condition to any such Letter of Credit issuance, the Borrower shall have entered into a continuing agreement (or other letter of credit agreement) for the issuance of letters of credit and/or shall submit a letter of credit application, in each case, as required by the Issuing Bank and using such Issuing Bank’s standard form (each, a “Letter of Credit Agreement”).  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed $15,000,000, (ii) no Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall exceed its Revolving Commitment and (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue or modify any Letter of Credit if, immediately after giving effect thereto, the outstanding LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person and its Affiliates would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit.  Without limiting the foregoing and without affecting the limitations contained herein, it is understood and agreed that the Borrower may from time to time request that an Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit in effect at the time of such request, and each Issuing Bank agrees to consider any such request in good faith.  Any Letter of Credit so issued by an Issuing Bank in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit then in effect shall nonetheless constitute a Letter of Credit for all purposes of this Agreement, and shall not affect the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any other Issuing Bank, subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of this Section 2.06(b). All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Effective Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.


The Issuing Bank shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:


(i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the 
45






force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, request or require that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense that was not applicable on the Effective Date and that the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or


(ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally. 


(c) Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-extension by notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration thereof, including, without limitation, any automatic extension provision, one year after such extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for the extension thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above).


(d) Participations.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason, including after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.


(e) Reimbursement.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received after 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of receipt; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is greater than or equal to $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount of such LC Disbursement and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan.  If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in 
46






respect thereof, and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank, as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.


(f) Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, or any of their respective Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit, or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its reasonable discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.


(g) Disbursement Procedures.  The Issuing Bank for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by applicable law or the specific terms of such Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  The 
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Issuing Bank shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by fax or through Electronic Systems) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.


(h) Interim Interest.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans and such interest shall be due and payable on the date when such reimbursement is due; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.


(i) Replacement and Resignation of the Issuing Bank.
  
(i) The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (y) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or extend or otherwise amend any existing Letter of Credit.


(ii) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such resigning Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i)(i) above.


(j) Cash Collateralization.   If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required  Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash in dollars equal to 103% of the amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII.  The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to 
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the extent required by Section 2.11(b) or 2.20. Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.  In addition, and without limiting the foregoing or paragraph (c) of this Section, if any LC Exposure remains outstanding after the expiration date specified in said paragraph (c), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the LC Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to 103% of such LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all moneys or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed, together with related fees, costs, and customary processing charges, and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Default have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent.


(k) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent.  In the event Chase is not the only Issuing Bank, and unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank other than Chase shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions and amendments, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such LC Disbursement, and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank. 


(l) Letters of Credit Issued for Account of Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder supports any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the applicable Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of the Borrower and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges 
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that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries. 


SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings.
  
(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the Funding Account(s); provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.


(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower each severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing; provided, that any interest received from the Borrower by the Administrative Agent during the period beginning when Administrative Agent funded the Borrowing until such Lender pays such amount shall be solely for the account of the Administrative Agent.


SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections.
  
(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.


(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering an Interest Election Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or through any Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type 
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resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable.  


Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit the Borrower to (i) elect an Interest Period for Term Benchmark Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d), or (ii) elect Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR (it being understood and agreed that Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall only apply to the extent provided in Sections 2.14(a) and 2.14(f)).


(c) Each Interest Election Request (including requests submitted through any Electronic System) shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:


i.the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);


ii.the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;


iii.whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing; and


iv.if the resulting Borrowing is a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.


If any such Interest Election Request requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.


(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.


(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Term Benchmark Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be deemed to have an Interest Period that is one month.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Term Benchmark Borrowing and RFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.


SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Revolving Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments; Incremental Term Loans. 


(a) Unless previously terminated, all the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
  
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(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate the Revolving Commitments upon the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.


(c) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time reduce the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, (x) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (y) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender would exceed the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.


(d) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments under paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction (or such shorter time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent), specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments.


(e) The Borrower shall have the right to increase the Revolving Commitments or enter into one or more tranches of term loans or increases to any then existing tranches of term loans (each an “Incremental Term Loan”), in each case by obtaining additional Revolving Commitments or participations in such Incremental Term Loans, either from one or more of the Lenders or another lending institution (other than any Ineligible Institution), provided that (i) any such request for an increase or tranche of Incremental Term Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000, (ii) after giving effect thereto, the sum of the total of the additional Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans does not exceed the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 100% of  Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), (iii) the Administrative Agent and, only in the case of any increase in the Revolving Commitments, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank have approved the identity of any such new Lender, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld, (iv) any such new Lender assumes all of the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder, and (v) the procedures described in Section 2.09(f) have been satisfied.  Nothing contained in this Section 2.09 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment or participate in any tranche of Incremental Term Loans hereunder at any time.


(f) As a condition precedent to such an increase of the Revolving Commitments or tranche of Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of each Loan Party signed by an authorized officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase or tranche, and (B) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase or 
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tranche, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, (2) no Default or Event of Default exists and (3) the Borrower is in compliance (on a pro forma basis) with the covenant contained in Section 6.12 (which calculations shall assume that such increase of the Revolving Commitments is fully drawn or such tranche of Incremental Term Loans is fully funded, as the case may be) and (ii) legal opinions and documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.


(g) On the effective date of any such increase or tranche of Incremental Term Loans, (i) any Lender increasing (or, in the case of any newly added Lender, extending) its Revolving Commitment shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase or addition and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its revised Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall make such other adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans then outstanding and amounts of principal, interest, commitment fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, in order to effect such reallocation and (ii) except in the case of any Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase (or addition) in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent).  The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, to the extent applicable, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16.  The Incremental Term Loans (x) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Revolving Loans, (y) shall not mature earlier than the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in effect at such time (but may have amortization prior to such date so long as the weighted average life to maturity of any Incremental Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of any other Incremental Term Loans (if any) outstanding at such time) and (z) shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Revolving Loans; provided that (A) the terms and conditions applicable to any tranche of Incremental Term Loans maturing after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in effect at such time may provide for material additional or different financial or other covenants or prepayment requirements applicable only during periods after the  Revolving Credit Maturity Date and (B) the Incremental Term Loans may be priced differently than the Revolving Loans. 


(h) Subject to the foregoing conditions, any Incremental Term Loans or increase in the Revolving Commitments may be made hereunder pursuant to an amendment or restatement (an “Incremental Facility Amendment”) of this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, each Lender participating in such tranche and the Administrative Agent.  The Incremental Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.09 and reflect the applicable Incremental Term Loans and increase in the Revolving Commitments.  Within a reasonable time after the effective date of any increase or addition, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to, revise the Commitment Schedule to reflect such increase or addition and shall distribute such revised Commitment Schedule to each of the Lenders and the Borrower, whereupon such 
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revised Commitment Schedule shall replace the old Commitment Schedule and become part of this Agreement.  


(i) In connection with any increase of the Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.09, any new lending institution becoming a party hereto shall (i) execute such documents and agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) provide to the Administrative Agent, its name, address, tax identification number and/or such other information as shall be necessary for the Administrative Agent to comply with “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act.


SECTION 2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.  


(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay in dollars (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the fifth Business Day after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Loan is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding and the proceeds of any such Revolving Loan shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to repay any Swingline Loans outstanding.


(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.


(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, if any, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.


(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the Obligations.


(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form.


SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans.  


(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16.


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(b) In the event and on such occasion that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay the Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in the LC Collateral Account in an aggregate amount equal to such excess, in accordance with Section 2.06(j)) in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to cause the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Exposures to be less than or equal to the aggregate Revolving Commitments. 


(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by fax or through any Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, of any prepayment under this Section:  (i) in the case of prepayment of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of an RFR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, five (5) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (iii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing (other than a Swingline Loan), not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment or (iv) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment.  Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing.  Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.


SECTION 2.12. Fees.  


(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent a commitment fee for the account of each Lender, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the undrawn portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments terminate; it being understood that the LC Exposure of a Lender shall be included and the Swingline Exposure of a Lender shall be excluded in the drawn portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender for purposes of calculating the commitment fee; provided that, if such Lender continues to have any Revolving Exposure after its Revolving Commitment terminates, then such commitment fee shall continue to accrue on the daily amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure from and including the date on which its Revolving Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Revolving Exposure.  Commitment fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable in arrears on the thirtieth (30th) day following such last day and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof; provided that any commitment fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day and last day of each period but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate).


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(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in each outstanding Letter of Credit, which shall accrue on the daily maximum stated amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Revolving Loans, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank on the daily maximum stated amount then available to be drawn under each outstanding Letter of Credit, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment or extension of any Letter of Credit and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the Issuing Bank relating to Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect.  Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the thirtieth (30th) day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).


(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.


(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid in dollars on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.


SECTION 2.13. Interest.  


(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.


(b) The Loans comprising each Term Benchmark Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.


(c) Each RFR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Rate.


(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default pursuant to any of clauses (a), (b), (h), (i) or (j) of Article VII, all Loans shall bear interest at 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, any amount owing pursuant to this clause (d) shall be payable on demand.


(e) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; 
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provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.


(f) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  All interest hereunder on any Loan shall be computed on a daily basis based upon the outstanding principal amount of such Loan as of the applicable date of determination.  The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.


SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest.
  
(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.14, if:


(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Term SOFR Rate (including, without limitation, because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR for an RFR Loan; or


(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing that the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period, or (B) at any time, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR for an RFR Loan will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing;


then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders through any Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (A) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for (1) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above or (2) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above, and (B) any outstanding RFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at such time.  Furthermore, if any 
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Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.14(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 2.14(a)(i) or (ii) above, on such day, and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan.


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Swap Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 2.14), if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.


(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right (in consultation with the Borrower) to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.


(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.14(e) and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period.  Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.14, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or 
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their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.14.


(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may (in consultation with the Borrower) modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may (in consultation with the Borrower) modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor. 


(f) Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to any Relevant Rate, (i) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, and (ii) in the case of any outstanding RFR Borrowing, such Borrowing shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan.  During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR.  Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.14, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan.


SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs.


(a) If any Change in Law shall:


(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or the Issuing Bank; or
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(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or


(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;


and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.


(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Commitments of or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.


(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.  


(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.


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SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments.  


(a) With respect to Loans that are not RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(d) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (iv) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.


(b) With respect to RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the failure to borrow or prepay any RFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(d) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (iii) the assignment of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.


(c) A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.


SECTION 2.17. Taxes.
  
(a) Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up; Payments Free of Taxes.  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document (including, without limitation, the Secured Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations of each Loan Party) shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law.  If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17), the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.


(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Loan Parties.  The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.


(c) Evidence of Payment.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority 
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evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment, or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.


(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties.  The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.


(e) Indemnification by the Lenders.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).


(f) Status of Lenders.  


(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.


(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person, 


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(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;


(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:


(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the U.S. is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;


(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;


(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or


(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or Exhibit D-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;


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(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and


(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.


Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.


(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds.  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.


(h) Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document (including the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).
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(i) Defined Terms.  For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.


SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs.
  
(a) Each Loan Party shall make each payment or prepayment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due or the date fixed for any prepayment hereunder, in immediately available funds, without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 S. Dearborn St., Chicago IL 60603, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.  


(b) All payments and any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrower) or (B) a mandatory prepayment (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, in each case, shall be applied first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements including amounts then due to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank from the Borrower (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Loan Parties (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans ratably, fourth, to prepay principal on the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred three percent (103%) of the aggregate LC Exposure, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, and to pay any amounts owing in respect of Swap Agreement Obligations and Banking Services Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, ratably, fifth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower or any other Loan Party and sixth, any remainder shall be for the account of the Loan Parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower, or unless a Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Term Benchmark Loan, except (i) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (ii) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding ABR Loans and, in any such event, the Borrower shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured Obligations arising under Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations shall be excluded from the application described above and paid in 
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clause fifth if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may have reasonably requested from the applicable provider of such Banking Services or Swap Agreements.


(c) At the election of the Borrower, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder, whether made following a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.05 or may be deducted from any deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent.  Upon any such election by the Borrower as provided in the preceding sentence, the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans), and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Sections 2.03 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees if not paid when due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.  Nothing in this Section 2.18(c) shall limit any right of setoff of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders arising under the Loan Documents (including Section 9.08 of this Agreement) or other applicable law. 


(d) If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.


(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received, prior to any date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Lenders or the Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms hereof or any other Loan Document (including any date that is fixed for prepayment by notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(f)), notice from the Borrower that the Borrower will not make such payment or prepayment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such 
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event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.


(f) The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrower with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “Statements”).  The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrower’s convenience.  Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations.  If the Borrower pays the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement, the Borrower shall not be in default of payment with respect to the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided, that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.


SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.


(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.


(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee (other than any Ineligible Institution) that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a 
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reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.  Each party hereto agrees that (x) an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and (y) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.


SECTION 2.20. Defaulting Lenders.   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:


(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);


(b) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:  first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize the LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize the future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender's breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to 
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the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;


(c) such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Revolving Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document; provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (c) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby; 


(d) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:


(i) all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender (other than, in the case of a Defaulting Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the portion of such Swingline Exposure referred to in clause (b) of the definition of such term) shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Commitment;


(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding; 


(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;


(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and 


(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and
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(e) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and Swingline Exposure related to any such newly made Swingline Loan or LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
1.
If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.


In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.


SECTION 2.21. Returned Payments. If, after receipt of any payment which is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion), then the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender.  The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds.  The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.


SECTION 2.22. Banking Services and Swap Agreements.  Each Lender or Affiliate thereof providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent).  In furtherance of that requirement, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall furnish the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations.  The most recent information provided 
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to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining which tier of the waterfall, contained in Section 2.18(b), such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations will be placed.  For the avoidance of doubt, so long as Chase or its Affiliate is the Administrative Agent, neither Chase nor any of its Affiliates providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall be required to provide any notice described in this Section 2.22 in respect of such Banking Services or Swap Agreements.


ARTICLE III


Representations and Warranties
Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that (and where applicable, agrees): 


SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers.  Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.  


SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability.  The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions.  Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, subject to implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and any equivalent foreign laws, rules and regulations as they relate to pledges of equity in or in Indebtedness owed by Foreign Subsidiaries.


SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.  The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any Material Indebtedness binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or other requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.


SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.  


(a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, reported on by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, certified by its Financial Officer.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates 
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and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.


(b) No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since December 31, 2021.


SECTION 3.05. Properties.
  
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is a material leased location or Material Real Property.  Each of the Loan Parties and each Subsidiary has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02 and defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes in each instance, necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses.  


(b) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property reasonably necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted.  A correct and complete list of which, as of the date of this Agreement, is set forth on Schedule 3.05, and to the knowledge of each Loan Party, the use thereof by each Loan Party and each Subsidiary does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person, and each Loan Party’s and each Subsidiary’s rights thereto are not subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement.


SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters.
  
(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against or affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.


(b) (i) No Loan Party or any Subsidiary has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability and (ii) and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any  Subsidiary (A) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law (B) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (C) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (D) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability. 


SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default.  Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (i) all material Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (ii) all Material Indebtedness.  No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the incurring of any Obligations by any Loan Party or the grant or perfection of Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral.


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SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status.  No Loan Party or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.


SECTION 3.09. Taxes.  Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves.  No tax liens have been filed and no material claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes.


SECTION 3.10. ERISA.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Accounting Standards Codification No. 715) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Accounting Standards Codification No. 715 or subsequent recodification thereof, as applicable) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.


SECTION 3.11. Disclosure.  


(a) Neither the Information Memorandum nor any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, when taken as a whole not materially misleading as of the time when made or delivered. All financial performance projections delivered to the Administrative Agent, including the financial performance projections delivered on or prior to the Effective Date, represent the Borrower’s good faith estimate of future financial performance and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrower at the time so delivered to be fair and reasonable in light of current market conditions, it being acknowledged and agreed by Administrative Agent and Lenders that projections are not a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Borrower’s control, no assurance can be given that any particular financial projections will be realized, and projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material.


(b) As of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects. 


SECTION 3.12. Material Contracts.  As of the Effective Date, all material agreements and contracts to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is a party or is bound as of the date of this Agreement, the termination, breach or non-performance or non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, are listed on Schedule 3.12 (“Material Contracts”).  As 
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of the Effective Date, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in (i) any Material Contract to which it is a party or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Material Indebtedness except in each case to the extent that the non-performance, non-observance or non-fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained therein could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


SECTION 3.13. Solvency.


(a) Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.


(b) No Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary. 


SECTION 3.14. Reserved.
  
SECTION 3.15. Capitalization and Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.15 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Borrower of each Subsidiary, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each Subsidiary’s authorized Equity Interests, of which all of such issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.15, (c) the type of entity of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, and (d) whether such Subsidiary is a Loan Party or Material Subsidiary.  All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.


SECTION 3.16. Security Interest in Collateral.  The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents create legal and valid Liens on all the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute first priority perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of (a) Permitted Encumbrances or Liens permitted under Section 6.02(d), to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law and (b) Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title), to the extent the Administrative Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral.


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SECTION 3.17. Employment Matters.  As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have not been in material violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters.  To the knowledge of any Loan Party, all payments due from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  


SECTION 3.18. Margin Regulations.  No Loan Party is engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock.  Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of any Loan Party only or of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) will be Margin Stock.  Neither the making of any Loan hereunder nor the use of proceeds thereof will violate the provisions of Regulation U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.


SECTION 3.19. Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.


SECTION 3.20. No Burdensome Restrictions.  No Loan Party is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.10.


SECTION 3.21. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.  Each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors, and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that could reasonably be expected to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person.  None of (a) any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of such Loan Party any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.   No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions. 
 
SECTION 3.22. Affected Financial Institutions.  No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.


SECTION 3.23. Plan Assets.  None of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations).


SECTION 3.24. Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters. Except in each case as may be disclosed on Schedule 3.24:
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(a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge thereof, each of their respective employees and contractors solely with respect to the exercise of their respective duties on behalf of such Person, are and since January 1, 2015 have been, in compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries have received written notice of any pending or, to the Borrower’s or any Subsidiaries’ knowledge, threatened claim, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, audit, inspection, investigation, seizure, shutdown, field action, recall, untitled letter or warning letter, notice of suspension or cancellation of Drug Establishment License or other license, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Form 483, notice of suspension or cancellation of a license from Health Canada, arbitration or other similar correspondence or action from any applicable Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the safety, efficacy, development, manufacture, testing, storage, transportation, distribution, supply, packaging, holding, import or export, or sale of pharmaceutical products (each a “Regulatory Authority”), alleging that any operation or activity of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any of the products, is in violation of any applicable Health Care Law in each case that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries have received any written communication from any Regulatory Authority or been notified in writing since January 1, 2015 that any product approval or clearance granted to it is withdrawn or modified or that such an action is under consideration, in each case that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, agents (1) are excluded from participation in any Federal Health Care Program pursuant to any applicable Health Care Laws, including, without limitation 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b; or  have, since January 1, 2015, engaged in any activities which are cause for civil penalties or mandatory or permissive exclusion from any state or Federal Health Care Program pursuant to any applicable Health Care Laws, including, without limitation 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


(b) All products formulated, developed, manufactured, tested, distributed, supplied, packaged, held, stored, transported, sold, imported, exported, marketed, advertised, promoted or distributed by the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, are being, and since January 1, 2015 have been, formulated, developed, manufactured, tested, distributed, supplied, packaged, held, stored, transported, sold, imported, exported, marketed, advertised, promoted or distributed in compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


(c) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, holds or possesses, and is operating and since January 1, 2015, the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries has operated in compliance with, all licenses, franchises, permits, privileges, variances, immunities, approvals, clearances, registrations, exemptions, and other authorizations from Regulatory Authorities that are necessary under any applicable Health Care Law to conduct its business as currently conducted (collectively, the “Health Care Permits”), and all such Health Care Permits are in full force and effect, except, in each case, where the failure to have or do any of the foregoing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of its material obligations with respect to the Health Care Permits, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other impairment of the rights of the holder of any Health Care 
76






Permit that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


(d) Except with respect to matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective officers, directors and/or any of its Subsidiaries, employees, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, agents or contractors, is currently, or has in the past been, debarred, suspended or excluded from participation, or otherwise ineligible to participate, in any Federal Health Care Program or similar program outside of the United States pursuant to any applicable Health Care Laws, including, without limitation, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7 or holds a certificate of registration with a regulatory body which is suspended or has been revoked or has a pending discipline proceeding with any regulatory body.


(e) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has knowingly and willfully offered, paid, solicited or received any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe or rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind in return for, or to induce, the purchase, lease or order, or the arranging for or recommending of the purchase, lease or order, of any good, facility, item, or service for which payment may be made in whole or in part under any Federal Health Care Program or similar program outside the United States or any other applicable law.


(f) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened material inquiries, inspections, audits, overpayments, qui tam actions, appeals, investigations, professional disciplinary or regulatory proceedings, or claims or other actions which relate to a material violation of any Health Care Laws or which, if resolved in a manner adverse to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, would, either individually or in the aggregate, result in the imposition of any material penalties under a Health Care Law, restrict their ability under a Health Care Law to conduct the business as currently conducted in any material respect, or result in their ineligibility, debarment, suspension, exclusion from participation in any Federal Health Care Program or similar program outside the United States, and none of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries is currently or has been a party to a corporate integrity agreement, deferred prosecution agreement, consent decree, settlement, agreement or similar agreements or orders mandating or prohibiting future or past activities relating to the safety, efficacy, development, manufacture, testing, storage, transportation, distribution, supply, packaging, holding, import or export, marketing or sale of pharmaceutical products, or has any reporting or disclosure obligations pursuant to a settlement agreement, plan or correction or other remedial measure entered into with any Regulatory Authority.


(g) Since January 1, 2015, and except with respect to matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, there have been no recalls, detentions, withdrawals, field corrections, safety alerts, “dear doctor” letters, investigator notices, seizures, termination or suspension of manufacturing, or other notice of action relating to an alleged lack of safety, efficacy or regulatory compliance voluntarily or involuntarily undertaken, or requested or threatened by a Governmental Authority, relating to any of the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ products.


ARTICLE IV


Conditions


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SECTION 4.01. Effective Date.  The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):


(a) Credit Agreement and Loan Documents.  The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto, a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party (which, subject to Section 9.06(b), may include any Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) and (ii) duly executed copies of the Loan Documents and such other legal opinions, certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the Transactions and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10 payable to the order of each such requesting Lender and a written opinion of the Loan Parties’ counsel, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.


(b) Financial Statements and Projections.  The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years, (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available and (iii) reasonably satisfactory Projections through 2027.


(c) Closing Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other governing body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized as of the Effective Date to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization. 


(d) No Default Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing as of such date and (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except those representations and warranties that are already qualified by materiality which shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such date.


(e) Fees.  The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel), at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.  All such amounts may be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Effective Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date.


(f) Lien and IP Searches.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in the jurisdiction of organization of each Loan Party, and the results of search reports in 
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respect of the intellectual property of the Loan Parties, and such searches shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.


(g) Reserved.
  
(h) Funding Account.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice (which notice shall be in the form of a Borrowing Request or such other form or method reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) setting forth the deposit account of the Borrower (as may be updated from time to time by written notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the “Funding Account”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrower to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement and which, in the case of a Borrowing Request, shall be delivered in accordance with Section 2.03, together with a customary funding indemnification letter to the extent any such Loan will be a Term Benchmark Loan.


(i) Reserved.


(j) Solvency.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer dated the Effective Date in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.


(k) Pledged Equity Interests; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note and other instrument or possessory collateral (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement, endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof or accompanied by allonges or other acknowledgements signed in blank, as applicable.


(l) Filings, Registrations and Recordings.  Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and federal intellectual property filings) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02(d) or Permitted Encumbrances  to the extent any such Liens or Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.


(m) Insurance.  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 of this Agreement and the Security Agreement.


(n) Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.


(o) USA PATRIOT Act, Etc.  At least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, (i) the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have received (x) all documentation and other information regarding the Loan Parties requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-
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money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrower at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date and (y) a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party and (ii) to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrower at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).


(p) Other Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested (including, without limitation, a properly completed letter of credit application (whether standalone or pursuant to a master agreement, as applicable) if the issuance of a Letter of Credit will be required on the Effective Date, together with an executed copy of the Issuing Bank’s master agreement for the issuance of commercial Letters of Credit).


The Administrative Agent shall notify the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.  


SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event.  The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:


(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty which is qualified by materiality shall be true and correct in all respects) with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct only as of such specified date).


(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.


Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section, as applicable. 


Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue to make Loans and an Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue, amend or extend, or cause to be issued, amended or extended, any Letter of Credit for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if the Administrative Agent believes that making such Loans or issuing, amending or extending, or causing the issuance, amendment or extension of, any such Letter of Credit is in the best interests of the Lenders.


ARTICLE V


Affirmative Covenants
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Until all of the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:


SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:


(a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if earlier, by the date that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Borrower for such fiscal year would be required to be filed under the rules and regulations of the SEC, giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form) (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022), its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception, and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;


(b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if earlier, by the date that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Borrower for such fiscal quarter would be required to be filed under the rules and regulations of the SEC, giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form) (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; 
(c) Within five (5) Business Days of any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022) (collectively or individually, as the context requires, the “Financial Statements”), a Compliance Certificate (i) certifying, in the case of the Financial Statements delivered under clause (a) or (b) above, as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.12 and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the Financial Statements accompanying such certificate;


(d) [reserved];


(e) as soon as available, but in any event no later than  sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated balance sheet, 
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income statement and cash flow statement) of the Borrower for each month of the upcoming fiscal year (the “Projections”) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;


(f) promptly following any request therefor, (x) such other information regarding the operations, changes in ownership of Equity Interests, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation;


(g) promptly after any request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or the applicable ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents and notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; 


(h) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and


(i) promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding, written notice thereof.


Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b) or (h) of this Section 5.01 (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which such materials are publicly available as posted on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether made available by the Administrative Agent); provided that (A) upon written request by the Administrative Agent (or any Lender through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or such Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (B) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or through Electronic System) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent through Electronic System electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such document to it and maintaining its copies of such documents.


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SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (but in any event within three (3) Business Days after an Authorized Officer becomes aware thereof) written notice of the following:


(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;


(b) receipt of any notice of any investigation by a Governmental Authority or any Proceeding commenced or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that (i) seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (v) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose Environmental Liability, (vi) asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 in respect of any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge, or (vii) involves any product recall;


(c) [reserved];


(d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000; and


(e) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to this Agreement. 


Each notice delivered under this Section (i) shall be in writing, (ii) shall contain a heading or a reference line that reads “Notice under Section 5.02 of Vericel Corporation Credit Agreement dated July 29, 2022” and (iii) shall be accompanied by a statement of an executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.


SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business.  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, (b) preserve and maintain its rights (charter and statutory), privileges, franchises, licenses, qualifications and permits necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business except as could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or Disposition permitted under Section 6.05.


SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations.  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Loan Party or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to,  remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.
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SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties.  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and damage by casualty excepted except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.


SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights.  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent, upon reasonable prior written notice during normal business hours (unless an Event of  Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no notice shall be required and Administrative Agent shall have access at any and all times during the continuance thereof), to visit and inspect its properties, conduct at the Loan Party’s premises examinations of the Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers.  The Loan Parties acknowledge that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain reports pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall be limited to one such visit and inspection per calendar year and the Loan Parties shall not be required to pay for more than one such visit and inspection per calendar year.


SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations; Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters.  


(a) Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) comply with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under Material Contracts to which it is a party except in each case where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Loan Party will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.


(b) Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) comply with all applicable Health Care Laws and (ii) to hold and possess all Health Care Permits and maintain such Health Care Permits in full force and effect, in each case except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.


SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. 


(a) The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit will be used only to finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions, capital expenditures and dividends and other Restricted Payments, in each case, permitted hereunder).  No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulations T, U and X.  


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(b) The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.  


SECTION 5.09. Accuracy of Information.  The Loan Parties will ensure that any information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section 5.09; provided that, with respect to the Projections, the Loan Parties will cause the Projections to be prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time (it being understood and agreed that Projections delivered to the Administrative Agent, represent the Borrower’s good faith estimate of future financial performance and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrower at the time so delivered to be fair and reasonable in light of current market conditions, it being further acknowledged and agreed by Administrative Agent and Lenders that projections are not a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Borrower’s control, no assurance can be given that any particular financial projections will be realized, and projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material).


SECTION 5.10. Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities; business interruption; and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent upon written request, but no more frequently than annually, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.


SECTION 5.11. [Reserved].
  
SECTION 5.12. [Reserved].


SECTION 5.13. Subsidiary Guarantors; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances. 


(a) As promptly as possible but in any event (i) within sixty (60) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after any Person becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or any Subsidiary (other than VSC) ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary or (ii) within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after VSC ceases to conduct itself as, or is no longer entitled to status as, a “security corporation” by the 
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Massachusetts Department of Revenue pursuant to Massachusetts General Law c. 63, § 38B, or any successor statute (including by engaging in any business activity other than securities investment activity), the Borrower shall (x) provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person and (y) cause each such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement and a joinder to the Security Agreement (in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof, which shall be accompanied by appropriate organizational resolutions, other organizational documentation and legal opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent).  In connection therewith, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information regarding such newly formed or acquired Subsidiaries as may be required to comply with the applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act.  Each such Person delivering a Joinder Agreement (1) shall automatically become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties, and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (2) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral, including any parcel of Material Real Property located in the U.S. owned by any Loan Party.


(b) Each Loan Party will cause, and will cause each other Loan Party to cause, all of its owned property other than Excluded Property (whether real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed) to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, subject in any case to Liens permitted by Section 6.02(d) or Permitted Encumbrances to the extent such Liens or Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party (i) will cause (x) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than any CFC Holdings Company) and (y) 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each CFC Holding Company and Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by any Loan Party (other than any Equity Interests to the extent constituting Excluded Property), in each case, to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Security Agreement and (ii) will deliver Mortgages and all related Mortgage Instruments and other deliveries requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to any Material Real Property owned by such Loan Party to the extent, and within such time period as is, reasonably required by the Administrative Agent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no such Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments are required to be delivered hereunder as of the Effective Date and (ii) no such pledge agreement in respect of the Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to be perfected under the law of any jurisdiction outside the U.S..


(c) Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages, Mortgage Instruments, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created 
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by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Loan Parties.


(d) If any material assets other than Excluded Property are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien under the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower will (i) notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and (ii) take, and cause each applicable Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties (in all cases with respect to Material Real Property, in accordance with the conditions in Section 5.13(b) above).


(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, (i) no actions will be required outside of the U.S. in order to create or perfect any security interest in any assets located outside of the U.S., (ii) no foreign law security or pledge agreements, foreign law mortgages or deeds or foreign intellectual property filings or searches will be required to be delivered hereby or pursuant to the terms of any Collateral Document and (iii) the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) determine in its sole and reasonable discretion that the cost to the Loan Parties of granting and perfecting any Lien is disproportionate to the benefit to be realized by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties by perfecting a Lien in a given asset or group of assets included in the Collateral and, in such case, the Administrative Agent shall be permitted to, without the consent of the Lenders or Required Lenders, waive any requirement of perfection of any such Lien required under the Loan Documents. 


SECTION 5.14. Post-Closing Requirements.  Not later than the dates set forth in Schedule 5.14 (or such later dates as the Administrative Agent shall agree in its reasonable discretion) or as otherwise required thereunder, the Loan Parties shall take the actions set forth on Schedule 5.14.


SECTION 5.15. Vericel Securities Corporation.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein (including, without limitation, the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to make investments pursuant to Section 6.04 hereof), if at any time VSC has not become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.13 hereof and the Loan Parties have in the aggregate less than $20,000,000 of Unrestricted Cash, then (i) VSC shall not be permitted to hold more than $500,000 of cash and Permitted Investments and (ii) VSC shall immediately transfer any cash and Permitted Investments in excess of $500,000 to one or more accounts of Loan Parties that is subject to a deposit account control agreement or securities account control agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent. 


ARTICLE VI


Negative Covenants
Until all of the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:


SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:


(a) the Secured Obligations;
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(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof;


(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;


(d) Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (d) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations;


(e) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (whether or not constituting purchase money Indebtedness), including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) below; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e), together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) below, shall not exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of  Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));


(f) Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b), (e), (i) and (j) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount or interest rate of the Original Indebtedness, (ii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iii) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (iv) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (v) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness  are not less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment or Lien priority to the Obligations or any of the other Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness; 


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(g) Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;


(h) Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;


(i) Subordinated Indebtedness (together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) above) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $5,250,000 and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)); 


(j) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (j), together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) above, shall not exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of  Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));


(k) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;


(l) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;


(m) Indebtedness arising under indemnity agreements to title insurers to cause such title insurers to issue to Agent title insurance policies;


(n) Indebtedness arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations,  purchase price adjustments and other similar obligations not constituting Contingent Acquisition Consideration in favor of (i) sellers in connection with Acquisitions or similar Investments permitted hereunder and (ii) purchasers in connection with Dispositions permitted under Section 6.2(b);


(o) Indebtedness in respect of netting services or overdraft protection in connection with deposit accounts or securities accounts in the ordinary course of business;


(p) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries consisting of Contingent Acquisition Consideration;


(q) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Borrower to any stockholder of the Borrower or any current or former director, officer, employee, member of management, manager or 
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consultant of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or their respective immediate family members, heirs, estates, spouses, ex-spouses or successors, as the case may be) to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests permitted by Section 6.08(a)(ix); and


(r) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding at any time outstanding the greater of (x) $5,250,000 and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).


SECTION 6.02. Liens.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:


(a) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document; 


(b) Permitted Encumbrances;


(c) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;


(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(e), (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;


(e) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;


(f) Liens arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06; 


(g) Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of the Borrower or another Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary; 


(h) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business


(i) Liens on unearned insurance premiums securing the financing thereof to the extent permitted under Section 6.1(k)


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(j) Liens on property or assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (or a similar Investment permitted by Section 6.04), or on property or assets of a Subsidiary of the Borrower in existence at the time such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (or a similar Investment permitted by Section 6.04); provided that (i) any Indebtedness that is secured by such Liens is permitted to exist under Section 6.05(j), and (ii) such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation or anticipation of, such Permitted Acquisition or such other Investment and do not attach to any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;


(k) Liens that are replacements of Liens permitted under this Section 6.2 to the extent that the original Indebtedness is permitted under Section 6.1 and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness (excluding the amount of any premiums or penalties and accrued and unpaid interest thereon) and if such original Indebtedness has been modified or replaced, the resulting Indebtedness constitutes a Refinance Indebtedness;


(l) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease not prohibited by this Agreement;


(m) Liens arising from the filing of precautionary uniform commercial code financing statements with respect to any lease not prohibited by this Agreement;


(n) (i) non-exclusive licenses and sublicenses granted by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, non-exclusive intellectual property Licenses) in the ordinary course of business and not materially interfering with the business of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, and (ii) leases and subleases (by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party as lessor or sublessor) to third parties in the ordinary course of business not interfering with the business of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries;


(o) Liens arising out of consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business;


(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business; and


(q) Liens on assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not constituting Collateral not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.02 so long as the aggregate outstanding amount of obligations secured by such Liens does not exceed the greater of (x) $1,875,000 and (y) 6.25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).




SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes.


(a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or otherwise Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, (i) any Subsidiary of 
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the Borrower may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) may merge into any other Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party and (iii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent); provided that any such merger or consolidation involving a Person that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.


(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Similar Business. 


(c) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to change its fiscal year or any fiscal quarter from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.


(d) No Loan Party will change the accounting basis upon which its financial statements are prepared.


SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, form any subsidiary after the Effective Date, or purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger or consolidation with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary prior to such merger or consolidation) any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any Person or any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise) or acquire any Exclusive License or rights to a drug, medical device or other medical product line of any Person (the items described in this paragraph are referred to as “Investments”), except:


(a) Permitted Investments;


(b) Investments in existence as of the Effective Date and described in Schedule 6.04 and Investments consisting of any modification, replacement (with an Investment of the same type), renewal, reinvestment or extension of any Investment described in Schedule 6.04; provided that the amount of any such Investment is not increased from the amount of such Investment on the Effective Date;


(c) Investments made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, provided that (i) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party (other than Excluded Property) shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement and (ii) the aggregate outstanding amount of investments by Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) of the proviso to Section 6.04(d) and outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness subject to Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of  Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial 
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statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs);


(d) loans or advances made by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement and (ii) the outstanding amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (ii) of the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness subject to Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs);


(e) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (ii) of the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) of the proviso to Section 6.04(d)) shall not exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of  Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs);


(f) loans or advances made by a Loan Party to its employees, officers and directors in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; 


(g) notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;


(h) investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;


(i) investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition), so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;


(j) investments received in connection with the Disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05;


(k) investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances”; 


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(l) Permitted Acquisitions;


(m) Investments in any joint venture in an amount not to exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $10,500,000 and (y) 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));


(n) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by the Borrower to officers, directors and employees of a Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries which are used by such Persons to purchase simultaneously Stock of the Borrower up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;


(o) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons or any license or sublicense of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business or which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower (including any license or sublicense to develop and commercialize a drug, medical device or other medical product line of any Person made on an exclusive basis in a particular jurisdiction or territory); and 


(p) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any time outstanding, the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).


In determining the amount of Investments outstanding at any time, investments shall always be taken at the original amount invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.


SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, Dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to the Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:


(a) Dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business;


(b) Dispositions of assets to the Borrower or any other Loan Party;


(c) Dispositions of Accounts (excluding Dispositions in a factoring arrangement) in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;


(d) Dispositions of cash, Permitted Investments and other investments permitted by clauses (i) and (k) of Section 6.04 and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08;
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(e) Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;


(f) Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;


(g) transactions permitted by Section 6.03(a);


(h) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;


(i) Dispositions of non-core assets acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, which, within 180 days of the date of such Acquisition (or such longer period not to exceed one year as agreed to by Administrative Agent), are designated in writing to Administrative Agent as being held for sale or disposition and not for the continued operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses;


(j) (i) any termination of any lease in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any expiration of any option agreement in respect of real or personal property and (iii) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contractual rights or litigation claims (including in tort) in the ordinary course of business;


(k) any trade-in of equipment in contemporaneous exchange for other equipment in the ordinary course of business;


(l) the expiration of patents or copyrights in accordance with their statutory terms that are not material to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;


(m) the non-exclusive licensing, cross licensing or sub licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles (whether pursuant to franchise agreements or otherwise) in the ordinary course of business;


(n) the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business and dispositions to landlords of improvements made to leased real property pursuant to customary terms of leases; and


(o) Dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for fair market value; provided, that (i) at the time of any Disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such Disposition and (ii) the aggregate fair market value of all assets so sold by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, together, shall not exceed in any fiscal greater of (x) $5,250,000 and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and (iii) after giving effect to such Disposition, the Loan Parties are in compliance on a pro forma basis with the covenant set forth in Section 6.12 
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recomputed for the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered (or are required to have been delivered) under Section 5.1.


SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”), except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 180 days after the Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset.


SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.


SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.
  
(a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except:


(i) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its common stock payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, and, with respect to its preferred stock, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred stock or in shares of its common stock;


(ii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests; 


(iii) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans entered in the ordinary course of business for management or employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and


(iv) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments not exceeding in any fiscal year the greater of (x) $5,250,000 and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), so long as immediately prior to and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom; and


(v) the Borrower may make any other Restricted Payments; provided, that (A) immediately prior to and after giving effect no Default or Event of Default then exists or would 
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result therefrom and (B) the Total Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 2.00 to 1.00 recomputed as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which Financial Statements have been delivered under Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), as if such Restricted Payment (and any related incurrence of Indebtedness) had occurred on the first day of such fiscal quarter; and


(vi) cashless exercises of options and warrants;
 
(vii) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Loan Parties may make working capital adjustment payments, purchase price adjustment payments, indemnity and similar obligation payments pursuant to any applicable acquisition agreement entered into in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition that is an Investment permitted under Section 6.04;


(viii) Restricted Payments in cash to purchase or redeem fractional shares of the Equity Interests of the Borrower for de minimis amounts; 


(ix) the Borrower may redeem or repurchase from current or former directors, officers, employees, members of management, managers, advisors or consultants (or their heirs, estates, spouses, ex-spouses or successors, as the case may be) (or to pay Taxes of such Persons that are required to be withheld and paid by the Borrower as a result of the repurchase of Equity Interests or deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or their respective immediate family members) Equity Interests (and/or make payments on promissory notes issued by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.01(q)); provided that (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately arise as a result of such Restricted Payment; and (ii) the aggregate Restricted Payments permitted under this paragraph (ix) in any fiscal year of the Borrower shall not exceed the greater of (x) $2,500,000 and (y) 8% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or most recently prior to such time for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such Financial Statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)); and


(x) any Restricted Payment consisting of the cashless exchange of Equity Interests for any other Equity Interests (in each case, so long as such exchanged Equity Interests does not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests).


(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Indebtedness, except:


(i) payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;


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(ii) payment of regularly scheduled or other required interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;


(iii) refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01; and 


(iv) payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05.
 
SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any investment permitted by Sections 6.04(b), 6.04(c), 6.04(d) or 6.04(o), (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c), (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04(f), (g) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings and indemnification payments to such directors or officers to the extent required by reasonable and customary indemnification provisions of the applicable organizational documents or requirements of applicable law, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, and (i) transactions set forth on Schedule 6.09.


SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements.  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to,  directly or indirectly enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, including for the avoidance of doubt, real property or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any applicable law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of assets or Stock or a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to such assets or the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and subleases restricting the subletting or assignment of the leased property thereunder or 
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customary provisions in agreements, licenses or sublicenses entered into in the ordinary course of business restricting assignment or transfer of (including the granting of any Lien upon) such agreement, license or sublicense, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in joint venture agreements, limited liability operating agreements, partnership agreements, stockholders agreements, other organizational documents and other similar agreements for Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower not entered into in contemplation of any senior financing and stock sale agreements, joint venture agreements, sale/leaseback agreements, purchase agreements, or acquisition agreements (including by way of merger, acquisition or consolidation) entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary solely to the extent pending the consummation of the underlying transactions that would be otherwise permitted hereunder, (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions on cash deposits or other deposits imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions on pledges and transfers pertaining to the Stock issued by Persons which are not Subsidiaries contained in the applicable joint venture agreement or other organizational document to the extent not entered into in contemplation of any senior financing.


SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents.  Except as expressly permitted under Section 6.03, no Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness, or (b) its charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, in each case, to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be materially adverse to the Lenders (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).


SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenant. The Borrower will not permit the Total Net Leverage Ratio, on the last day of any fiscal quarter ending on or after June 30, 2022, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00; provided, that the Borrower may, in connection with a Permitted Acquisition for which the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid in respect thereof equals or exceeds $10,000,000, elect to increase the maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio permitted hereunder to 4.00 to 1.00 for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the fiscal quarter in which such Permitted Acquisition occurs (any such election in respect of the maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio pursuant to this Section 6.12 being referred to as the “Acquisition Holiday”); provided, further that following the Borrower’s election to utilize an Acquisition Holiday, the Borrower shall not be permitted to request an additional Acquisition Holiday unless a period of two consecutive fiscal quarters shall have passed since the last day of the prior Acquisition Holiday.


ARTICLE VII


Events of Default


If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:


(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise; 


(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan 
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Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;


(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially incorrect when made or deemed made;


(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.03(a) (with respect to a Loan Party’s existence), 5.08, 5.13, 5.14 or 5.15, or in Article VI or in Article X;


(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of (i) five (5) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of Section 5.01, 5.02 (other than Section 5.02(a)), 5.03 (other than with respect to a Loan Party’s existence) through 5.07, 5.10 or 5.11 of this Agreement or (ii) thirty (30) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of any other Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document;


(f) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure;


(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05;


(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;


(i) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail 
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to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;


(j) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally, to pay its debts as they become due;


(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of forty-five (45) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary  to enforce any such judgment or any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall fail within forty-five (45) days to discharge one or more non-monetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgments or orders, in any such case, are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;


(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;


(m) a Change in Control shall occur;


(n) [Reserved];


(o) the Loan Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty or any Loan Guarantor shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of the Loan Guaranty, or any Loan Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08;


(p) except as permitted by the terms of any Collateral Document, (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or (ii) any Lien securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien; 


(q) any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document; or


(r) any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms);


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then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Revolving Commitments, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, but ratably as among the Loans at the time outstanding, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Secured Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Loan Parties, (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof and (iv) exercise all other rights and remedies of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents and applicable law; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Secured Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to cash collateralize the LC Exposure as provided in clause (iii) above shall automatically become effective, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Loan Parties.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.13(d) and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.


In addition to any other rights and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties may exercise all rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Loan Party or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived by the Borrower on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, or consent to the use by any Loan Party of any cash collateral arising in respect of the Collateral on such terms as the Administrative Agent deems reasonable, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign give an option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver, or acquire by credit bid on behalf of the Lenders, the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere, upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery, all without assumption of any credit risk.  The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Loan Party, which right or equity is hereby waived and released by the Borrower on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries.  The Borrower further agrees on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative Agent shall reasonably select, whether at the premises of the Borrower, another Loan Party or elsewhere.  The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it 
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pursuant to this Article VII, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any other way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including Section 9-615(a)(3) of the UCC, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Loan Party.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries waives all Liabilities it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.  If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.


ARTICLE VIII


The Administrative Agent


SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action. 


(a) Each Lender, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and each Issuing Bank authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than within the United States, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s behalf.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.


(b) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and each Issuing Bank; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Banks with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required 
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Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.


(c) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:


(i) the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank, any other Secured Party or holder of any other Secured Obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and


(ii) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account. 


(d) The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.


(e) The Arranger shall not have obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.


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(f) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:


(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and


(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;


and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03).  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.


(g) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrower’s rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, none of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article. 


SECTION 8.02. Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Etc.. 


(a) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this 
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Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.


(b) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (x) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 5.02 unless and until written notice thereof stating that it is a “notice under Section 5.02” in respect of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, or (y) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of Default” or a “notice of an Event of Default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank.  Further, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any Liability, cost or expense suffered by the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any Lender or the Issuing Bank as a result of, any determination of any Revolving Exposure, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or the Issuing Bank.


(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof). 


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SECTION 8.03. Posting of Communications. 


(a) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks by posting the Communications on IntraLinksTM, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic system chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”).


(b) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.


(c) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.


“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.


(d) Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents.  Each 
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Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.


(e) Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.


(f) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document. 


SECTION 8.04. The Administrative Agent Individually.  With respect to its Revolving Commitment, Loans (including Swingline Loans) and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be.  The terms “Issuing Banks”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks.


SECTION 8.05. Successor Administrative Agent. 


(a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent.  If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank.  In either case, such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing).  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.


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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and Loan Document, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and each Issuing Bank.  Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.


SECTION 8.06. Acknowledgments of Lenders and Issuing Banks. 


(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or Issuing Bank, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument (and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or 
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based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.


(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date or the effective date of any such Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall have become a Lender hereunder.


(c) (i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.  A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 8.06(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.


(ii) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment.  Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.


(iii) The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not 
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pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party.


(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.06(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document. 


(d) Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) it has requested a copy of each report prepared by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the Administrative Agent (A) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to a report and (B) shall not be liable for any information contained in any report; (iii) the reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel and that the Administrative Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the reports; (iv) it will keep all reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, (A) it will hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any report in connection with any extension of credit that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (B) it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any report through the indemnifying Lender.


SECTION 8.07. Collateral Matters.  


(a) Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.08 or with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof.  In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC.  In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.


(b) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Banking Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations and no Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.  By accepting the benefits 
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of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Banking Services or Swap Agreement, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph. 


SECTION 8.08. Credit Bidding.  The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law.  In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for  the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase).  In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Secured Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any Disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Secured Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership interests, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle  and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Secured Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Secured Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Secured Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.  Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Secured Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and 
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provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.


SECTION 8.09. Certain ERISA Matters.


(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:


(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments or this Agreement,


(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement,


(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, or


(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.


(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of 
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the Administrative Agent or the Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments or this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto).


(c) The Administrative Agent and the Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.


SECTION 8.10. Flood Laws.  Chase has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “Flood Laws”).  Chase, as administrative agent or collateral agent on a syndicated facility, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender in the syndicate) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws.  However, Chase reminds each Lender and Participant in the facility that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or Participant in the facility) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the flood insurance requirements.


ARTICLE IX


Miscellaneous
SECTION 9.01. Notices.  


(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by fax or Electronic Systems (and subject in each case to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:


(i) if to any Loan Party, to it in care of the Borrower at:


Vericel Corporation 
64 Sidney Street
Cambridge, MA  02139 
Attention: Sean Flynn, General Counsel  


With a copy to:


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King & Spalding LLP
110 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60606
Attention: Amy Peters
Email: apeters@kslaw.com


(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, or Chase in its capacity as an Issuing Bank, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Middle Market Servicing 
10 South Dearborn, Floor L2 
Suite IL1-1145 
Chicago, IL, 60603-2300 
Attention: Michael Wilson 
Fax No: (312) 732-6688
Email: Michael.w.wilson@chase.com


With a copy to:


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 
Shared Mailbox 
Client Processing Specialist 
10 South Dearborn, Floor L2 
Chicago, IL 60603-2300 
JPM.Agency.Servicing.1@JPMorgan.com


and for updates to the list of Competitors: JPMDQ_Contact@jpmorgan.com. 
 
(iii) if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address or fax number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.


All such notices and other communications (i) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail shall be deemed to have been given when received, (ii) sent by fax shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient, or (iii) delivered through any Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in such paragraph (b).


(b) Notices and other communications to any Loan Party or any Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, or pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II or to compliance and no Default certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by using Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.  Unless the Administrative Agent 
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otherwise proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.


(c) Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  


SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments.  


(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.


(b) Except as provided in Section 2.09 with respect to any Incremental Facility Amendment or modification of the Commitment Schedule, and subject to Sections 2.14(b) and (c) and Sections 9.02(c) and (e), neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (i) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or (ii) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto; provided that no such agreement shall (A) increase the Revolving Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (B) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby (except that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (B)), (C) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Secured Obligations payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Revolving Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a 
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Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (D) change Section 2.09(d) or Section 2.18(b) or (d) or any other provision of the Loan Documents requiring pro rata treatment of payments and prepayments (including the definition of Applicable Percentage) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Revolving Commitments or the manner in which payments are shared, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (E) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) (it being understood that, solely with the consent of the parties prescribed by Section 2.09 to be parties to an Incremental Facility Amendment, Incremental Term Loans and additional Revolving Commitments may be included in the determination of Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the initial Revolving Commitments and Loans are included on the Effective Date), (F) release the Borrower or release any Loan Guarantor from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (G) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (H) (i) subordinate the Liens securing the Secured Obligations to any other Lien securing any other Indebtedness or other obligation or (ii) subordinate any of the Obligations outstanding hereunder in the right of payment (including pursuant to any “waterfall” provision) to any other Indebtedness or other obligation or (I) change Section 2.20, without the consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.06 or any Letter of Credit Agreement or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively.  The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04.  


(c) The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent (or its designee), at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, and the cash collateralization of all Unliquidated Obligations in a manner satisfactory to each affected Lender, (ii) constituting property being Disposed of if the Loan Party Disposing of such property certifies to the Administrative Agent that the Disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the property being Disposed of constitutes 100% of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release the Loan Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary, (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (iv) as required to effect any Disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders or, to the extent required by Section 9.02(b), all of the Lenders.  Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon 
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(or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.  Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.  In addition, each of the Secured Parties, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent (or its designee), at its option and in its discretion, (x) to subordinate any Lien on any assets granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(b) or 6.02(d), or (y) in the event that the Borrower shall have advised the Administrative Agent that, notwithstanding the use by the Borrower of commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of such holder (but without the requirement to pay any sums to obtain such consent) to permit the Administrative Agent to retain its liens (on a subordinated basis as contemplated by clause (x) above), the holder of such other Indebtedness requires, as a condition to the extension of such credit, that the Liens on such assets granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document be released, to release the Administrative Agent’s Liens on such assets.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.


(d) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender directly affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrower may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity (other than any Ineligible Institution) which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.  Each party hereto agrees that (a) an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and (b) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.


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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.


SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc.  


(a) Expenses.  The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, shall pay all (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Arranger, taken as a whole, one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction and one regulatory counsel, and, solely, in the event of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel (and, if necessary, one regulatory counsel and one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) to each group of similarly situated affected Persons), in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through an Electronic System or Approved Electronic Platform) of the credit facility provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, taken as a whole, one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction and one regulatory counsel, and, solely, in the event of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel (and, if necessary, one regulatory counsel and one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) to each group of similarly situated affected persons), in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.  


(b) Limitation of Liability.  To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall assert, and the Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), except to the extent they are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Lender-Related Person and (ii) no party hereto shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this Section 9.03(b) shall relieve the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 9.03(c), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.


(c) Indemnity.  The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any 
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and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, (iv) the failure of a Loan Party to deliver to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence with respect to a payment made by such Loan Party for Taxes pursuant to Section 2.17, or (v) any actual or prospective Proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such Proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such Liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted primarily from (x) the gross negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of the funding obligations (at a time where no Loan Party has breached its obligations under the Loan Documents) of such Indemnitee or (y) a dispute solely among Indemnitees not arising out of any act or omission on the part of any Loan Party or its Affiliates (other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as the Arranger, Administrative Agent or any other agent or any other similar role under the Loan Documents).  This Section 9.03(c) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.


(d) Lender Reimbursement.  Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by any Loan Party under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.03 to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Agent-Related Person”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Loan Parties and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentage in effect on the date on which such payment is sought under this Section (or, if such payment is sought after the date upon which the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date), and agrees to indemnify and hold each Agent-Related Person harmless from and against any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in any way relating to or arising out of the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent-Related Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or Liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in its capacity as such; provided, further, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such Liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Agent-Related Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.


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(e) Payments.  All amounts due under this Section 9.03 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.


SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns.


(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Loan Party without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.


(b) (i)        Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:


(A) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment of all or a portion of the Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof, and provided further that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;


(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) with a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment;


(C) the Issuing Bank; and


(D) the Swingline Lender.


(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: 


(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Revolving Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower 
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and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;


(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;


(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and


(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including federal and state securities laws.


For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” , “Competitor” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:


“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.


“Competitor” means any Person that is an operating company directly and primarily engaged in substantially similar business operations as the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries.


“Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Parent, (c) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof, (d) a Loan Party or Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Loan Party or (e) any Person that is (x) designated by the Borrower, by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, as (i) an ineligible institution or (ii) a Competitor or (y) clearly identifiable, solely on the basis of such Person’s name, as an Affiliate of any Person referred to in clause (e)(i) or (e)(ii) above; provided that, with respect to clause (c), such company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Revolving Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided further that, Ineligible Institutions shall (A) exclude any Person that the Borrower has designated as no longer being a an Ineligible Institution by written notice delivered to Administrative Agent (including via e-mail, with receipt confirmed by Administrative Agent) from time to time and (B) include (I) any Person that is added as a Competitor and (II) any Person that is clearly identifiable, solely on the basis of such Person’s name, as an Affiliate of any Person referred to in clause 
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(B)(I), pursuant to a written supplement to the list of Competitors that are Ineligible Institutions, that is delivered by the Borrower after the date hereof to Administrative Agent.  Such supplement shall become effective three (3) Business Days after the date that such written supplement is delivered to Administrative Agent for disclosure to the Lenders, but which shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any Persons that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Loans and/or Commitments as permitted herein.


(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.


(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.


(v) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(d), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.


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(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) other than an Ineligible Institution in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Sections 2.17(f) and (g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17 with respect to any participation than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.


Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(d) as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Revolving Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Revolving Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.


(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
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(e) Competitors.


(i) No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Competitor as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or grant a participation in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Borrower consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Competitor for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee or Participant that becomes a Competitor after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a written supplement to the list of “Competitors” referred to in, the definition of “Competitors”), (x) such assignee or Participant shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender or Participant and (y) the execution by the Borrower of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Competitor. Any assignment or participation in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.


(ii) If any assignment or participation is made to any Competitor without the Borrower’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Competitor after the applicable Trade Date, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Competitor and the Administrative Agent, require such Competitor to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.04), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Competitor paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case, plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.


(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Competitors to whom an assignment or participation is made in violation of clause (i) above (A) will not have the right to (x) receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Competitor will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Competitors consented to such matter and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization, each Competitor party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such plan of reorganization, (2) if such Competitor does vote on such plan of reorganization notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other applicable laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan of reorganization in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other applicable laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the Bankruptcy Court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (2).


(iv) The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrower hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Competitors and any updates thereto from time to time on an Approved Electronic Platform, including that portion of such Approved Electronic Platform that is 
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designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the list of Competitors to each Lender or potential Lender requesting the same.


(v) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Competitors. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any other Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Competitor or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, by any other Person to any Competitor.


SECTION 9.05. Survival.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect until Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.  The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Revolving Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.


SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.


(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) increases or reductions of the Issuing Bank Sublimit of the Issuing Bank constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  


(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 9.01), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic 
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Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower and each Loan Party hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrower and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower and/or any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.


SECTION 9.07. Severability.  Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.


SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final and in whatever currency denominated) at any time held, and other obligations at any time owing, by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the Secured Obligations now or hereafter existing and owing to such Lender or the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Loan Parties may be 
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contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that, in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The applicable Lender, the Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff or application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff or application under this Section.  The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have.


SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
  
(a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.


(b) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Secured Party relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Collateral or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York. 


(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Federal (to the extent permitted by law) or New York State court.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.


(d) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably 
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waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.


(e) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Each Foreign Subsidiary that is a party hereto irrevocably designates and appoints the Borrower, as its authorized agent, to accept and acknowledge on its behalf, service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(c) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City.  The Borrower hereby represents, warrants and confirms that the Borrower has agreed to accept such appointment.  Said designation and appointment shall be irrevocable by each such Foreign Subsidiary until Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.  Each Foreign Subsidiary party thereto hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(c) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City by service of process upon the Borrower as provided in this Section 9.09(e); provided that, to the extent lawful and possible, notice of said service upon such agent shall be mailed by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Borrower and (if applicable to) such Foreign Subsidiary at its address set forth herein or in the Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Foreign Subsidiary became a party hereto, as applicable, or to any other address of which such Foreign Subsidiary shall have given written notice to the Administrative Agent (with a copy thereof to the Borrower).  Each Foreign Subsidiary party hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all claim of error by reason of any such service in such manner and agrees that such service shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such Foreign Subsidiary in any such suit, action or proceeding and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid and personal service upon and personal delivery to such Foreign Subsidiary.  To the extent any Foreign Subsidiary party hereto has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether from service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment, execution or otherwise), each Foreign Subsidiary hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the Loan Documents.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.


SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY ATTORNEY) OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.


SECTION 9.11. Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.


SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that 
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Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (x) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (y) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facility provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facility provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Borrower, (i) to any Person providing a Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations, or (j) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.  For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.


EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.


ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES.  ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN 
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ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.


SECTION 9.13. Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law.  The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder.  Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein.  Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrower in violation of any Requirement of Law.


SECTION 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.


SECTION 9.15. Disclosure. Each Loan Party, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with, any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates.


SECTION 9.16. Appointment for Perfection.  Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control.  Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.


SECTION 9.17. Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.


SECTION 9.18. No Fiduciary Duty, etc..  (a) Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Loan Parties with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary 
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to, or an agent of, any Loan Party or any other person.  Each Loan Party agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.  Additionally, each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Loan Parties as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction.  Each Loan Party shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to any Loan Party with respect thereto.


(b)        Each Loan Party further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services.  In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, any Loan Party or its Affiliates and other companies with which any Loan Party may have commercial or other relationships.  With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.


(c)        In addition, each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise.  No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies.  Each Loan Party also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to any Loan Party, confidential information obtained from other companies.


SECTION 9.19. [Reserved].
  
SECTION 9.20. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:


(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; 


(b) and the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:


(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;


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(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or


(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.


SECTION 9.21. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.  To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): 


In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.  In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.  Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.


ARTICLE X


Loan Guaranty


SECTION 10.01. Guaranty.  Each Loan Guarantor hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Loan Guarantor. Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and 
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may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.


SECTION 10.02. Guaranty of Payment.  This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue the Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.


SECTION 10.03. No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty.  


(a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including:  (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration, or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower or any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party, or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.  


(b) The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.  


(c) Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection, or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of the Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).  


SECTION 10.04. Defenses Waived.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, 
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to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party, or any other Person.  Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder.  The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty, except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.


SECTION 10.05. Rights of Subrogation.  No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification that it has against any Obligated Party, or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders. 


SECTION 10.06. Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration.  If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.


SECTION 10.07. Information.  Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.


SECTION 10.08. Release of Loan Guarantors.


(a) A Subsidiary Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Loan Guaranty upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise.  In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably 
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request to evidence such termination or release.  Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.


(b) Further, the Administrative Agent may (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of the Borrower, release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Guaranty if such Subsidiary Guarantor constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary of the type described in clause (vi) of the definition thereof, unless such Subsidiary either (x) becomes non-Wholly-Owned pursuant to a bona fide equity investment by a non-Affiliate third-party or (y) becomes a bona fide joint venture with a non-Affiliated third party as determined in good faith by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent); provided that no such release shall occur if such Subsidiary Guarantor continues (after giving effect to the consummation of such transaction or designation) to be a guarantor or provide any credit support in respect of any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.


(c) Upon Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, the Loan Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Loan Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person. 


SECTION 10.09. Taxes.  Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be made by each Loan Guarantor without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law.  If any Loan Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Loan Guarantor may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.  If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.


SECTION 10.10. Maximum Liability.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act or similar statute or common law.  In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.


SECTION 10.11. Contribution.  


(a) To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment, the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this 
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Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.


(b) As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.


(c) This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.


(d) The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.


(e) The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.


SECTION 10.12. Liability Cumulative.  The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.


SECTION 10.13. Keepwell.   Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations.  Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.


[Signature Page Follows]






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Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.


VERICEL CORPORATION, 
as the Borrower


By:    /s/ DOMINICK C. COLANGELO       
Name:    Dominick Colangelo                         
Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer   




Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation








JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually as a
Lender, and as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender 
and Issuing Bank 


By:    /s/ LEAH ZVALEUSKAS       
Name:    Leah Zvaleuskas                         
Title:     Authorized Officer  


Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation










KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender 




By:    /s/ J.T. TAYLOR       
Name:    J.T. Taylor                         
Title:     SVP and Group Head, Banking Group Portfolio Management   




Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation








SILICON VALLEY BANK, as a Lender and Issuing 
Bank


By:    /s/ JUSTIN ROBERTS       
Name:    Justin Roberts                         
Title:     Director  




Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation








WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 
as a Lender 




By:    /s/ MONIQUE DUBISKY       
Name:    Monique Dubisky                         
Title:     Managing Director   













Signature Page to Credit Agreement 
Vericel Corporation








SCHEDULES:
Commitment Schedule
Schedule 1.01(A) - Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.05 – Properties, etc.
Schedule 3.12 – Material Contracts
Schedule 3.15 – Capitalization and Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.24 – Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters
Schedule 5.14 – Post-Closing Requirements
Schedule 6.01 – Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 – Existing Liens
Schedule 6.09 – Existing Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 6.04 – Existing Investments
Schedule 6.10 – Existing Restrictions



























































LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6








COMMITMENT SCHEDULE
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT




COMMITMENT SCHEDULE


						
	Lender
	Revolving Commitment

	JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.	$60,000,000
	KeyBank National Association	$30,000,000
	Silicon Valley Bank	$30,000,000
	Wells Fargo Bank, National Association	$30,000,000
	Total
	$150,000,000
















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6








SCHEDULE 1.01 (A)
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


Existing Letters of Credit


[***]













LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6








SCHEDULE 3.05
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT




Schedule 3.05
Properties, etc.


[***]















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 3.12
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT





Schedule 3.12
Material Contracts


Vericel’s  existing material agreements are referenced in the Borrower’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2022.  Such agreements include:


1.Executive Employment Agreement, executed March 4, 2013 and effective March 1, 2013, by and between the Borrower and Dominick C. Colangelo (reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Borrower’s Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 8, 2013).


2.Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2014, by and between the Borrower and Sanofi (reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Borrower’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2014).


3.Lease Agreement, dated November 30, 2005, by and between the Borrower and Up 64 Sidney Street, LLC, as amended (reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 14, 2016).


4.Lease Agreement, dated October 21, 2020 by and between the Borrower and Up 64 Sidney Street, LLC, as amended, (reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 24, 2021).


5.Vericel Corporation 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (reference to Appendix I of the Borrower’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed on March 25, 2015).


6.Distribution Agreement by and between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated May 15, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K/A filed June 2, 2017).


7.First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement by and between Dominick C. Colangelo and the Borrower, dated September 14, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K filed September 19, 2017).


8.First Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated August 10, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.8 on Form 10-Q filed November 7, 2017).


9.Second Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated October 13, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.56 on Form 10-K filed March 8, 2018).


10.Third Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated November 14, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.57 on Form 10-K filed March 8, 2018).
LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 3.12
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT



11.Fourth Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated July 25, 2018 (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 10-Q filed November 6, 2018).


12.Dispensing Agreement by and between AllCare Plus Pharmacy and the Borrower, dated July 26, 2018 (reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Form 10-Q, filed November 6, 2018).


13.Fifth Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated October 18, 2018 (reference to Exhibit 10.3 on Form 10-Q filed November 6, 2018).


14.Amended and Restated ACI-Maix Supply Agreement, dated March 17, 2018, as amended, by and between the Borrower and Matricel GMBH (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2018).


15.Sixth Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated April 18, 2019 (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2019).


16.First Amendment to Dispensing Agreement by and between AllCare Plus Pharmacy and the Borrower, dated May 1, 2019 (reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Form 10-Q, filed August 6, 2019).


17.License Agreement between the Borrower and MediWound LTD., dated May 6, 2019 (reference to Exhibit 10.9 on Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2019).


18.Supply Agreement between the Borrower and MediWound LTD., dated May 6, 2019 (incorporated reference to Exhibit 10.10 on Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2019).


19.Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Michael Halpin and the Borrower, dated September 14, 2017 (reference to Exhibit 10.11 on Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2019).


20.First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, executed and effective June 3, 2019, by and between the Borrower and Michael Halpin (reference to Exhibit 10.12 on Form 10-Q, filed August 6, 2019).


21.Employment Agreement, dated January 25, 2021, by and between the Borrower and Joseph Mara (reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K filed January 25, 2021).






22.Employment Agreement, dated November 4, 2019 by and between the Borrower and Sean C. Flynn (reference to Exhibit 10.43 on the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2021).


LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 3.12
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

23.Employment Agreement, dated August 20, 2018 by and between the Borrower and Dr. Jonathan M. Hopper (reference to Exhibit 10.44 on the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2021).


24.Second Amendment to the Dispensing Agreement between AllCare Plus Pharmacy, Inc. and the Borrower, dated September 20, 2021 (reference to Exhibit 32.3 on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2021).


25.Seventh Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated October 1, 2021 (reference to Exhibit 32.4 on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2021).


26.Lease Agreement, dated January 28, 2022, by and between the Borrower and NBD Property Owner 2, L.P.


27.Eighth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and the Borrower, dated May 15, 2022.


28.Third Amendment to the Dispensing Agreement between AllCare Plus Pharmacy, Inc. and the Borrower, dated May 16, 2022.


29.Form of New Hire Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (effective April 26, 2022).


30.Form of Current Employee Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (effective April 26, 2022).


31.Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (effective April 26, 2022).


32.Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Non-employee Directors under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (effective April 26, 2022).


33.Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors under the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (effective April 26, 2022).



















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 3.15
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT



Schedule 3.15
Capitalization and Subsidiaries






Borrower:
Vericel Corporation, a Michigan corporation


															
	Subsidiary
	Classes of Authorized Equity Interests
	Ownership
	Loan Party
	Material Subsidiary

	Vericel Security Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation
	Capital stock
	Wholly-owned by Borrower
	No
	Yes

	Vericel Denmark ApS, a Danish private limited company
	Capital stock
	Wholly-owned by Borrower
	No
	No






















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 3.24
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT









Schedule 3.24
Healthcare and Regulatory Authority Matters




None.

















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 5.14
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT











Schedule 5.14
Post-Closing Requirements




1.On or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent certificates and endorsements with respect to its property and business interruption insurance policies and general and excess liability insurance policies naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as lender’s loss payee or as additional insured, as applicable, in a manner consistent with the requirements in Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents.


2.On or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all duly executed Account Control Agreements (as defined in the Security Agreement) with respect to the accounts at Silicon Valley Bank listed on Exhibit B to the Security Agreement as required under Section 4.14 of the Security Agreement.


3.On or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all duly executed Collateral Access Agreements with respect to the locations listed in Part VII of Exhibit A to the Security Agreement as required under Section 4.13 of the Security Agreement















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 6.01
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT









Schedule 6.01
Existing Indebtedness




1.Contingent milestone payments to MediWound LTD. to commercialize NexoBrid in North America pursuant to that certain License Agreement between the Borrower and MediWound LTD., dated May 6, 2019, and that certain Supply Agreement between the Borrower and MediWound LTD., dated May 6, 2019 (each as in effect on the Effective Date):


a.Regulatory approval - $7,500,000


b.Sales milestones – up to $125,000,000















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 6.02
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT









Schedule 6.02
Existing Liens


None.

















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 6.04
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT









Schedule 6.04
Existing Investments


[***]

















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 6.09
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT







Schedule 6.09
Existing Transactions with Affiliates


None.















LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6



SCHEDULE 6.10
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT









Schedule 6.10
Existing Restrictions


None.









LEGAL 4868-7139-7163v.6






EXHIBIT A  


ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION


This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.


For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below (including any letters of credit and guarantees and swingline loans included in such facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and other rights of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.


1.             Assignor:                      ______________________________


2.             Assignee:         ______________________________ 
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1]


3.              Borrower:                     Vericel Corporation


4.          Administrative Agent:   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the                                                Credit Agreement


5.         Credit Agreement:        The Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 among Vericel Corporation, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent


6.         Assigned Interest:


                                             
1 Select as applicable.
A-1






									
	Aggregate Amount of Revolving Commitment/Loans for all Lenders	Amount of Revolving Commitment/Loans Assigned	Percentage Assigned of Revolving Commitment/Loans 2

	$	$	%
	$	$	%
	$	$	%






Effective Date:   _____________ ___, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]


The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including federal and state securities laws.


The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:


ASSIGNOR  


[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]




By:_____________________________ 
Name:___________________________ 
Title:____________________________




ASSIGNEE 
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:_____________________________ 
Name:___________________________ 
Title:____________________________
















                                             
2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Revolving Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.


A-2








[Consented to and]3 Accepted:


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as    
Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender




By:_________________________________
Name:______________________________ 
Title:_______________________________


[Consented to:]4


[BORROWER]




By:________________________________
Name:_____________________________ 
Title:_______________________________






















































                                             
3 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and/or Swingline Lender, as applicable, is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
4 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.



A-3






ANNEX 1 to 
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION


STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR 
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION


1.Representations and Warranties.  


1.1 Assignor.  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, (iv) any requirements under applicable law for the Assignee to become a lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or to charge interest at the rate set forth therein from time to time or (v) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.


1.2 Assignee.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement and under applicable law that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of this type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Assignor or any other Lender or their respective Related Parties, and (vi) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Assignor or any other Lender or their respective Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.


2.Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other 
Annex 1-1






amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.


3.General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Approved Electronic Platform (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.



Annex 1-2






EXHIBIT B


[Reserved.]





B-1






EXHIBIT C-1


[FORM OF] BORROWING REQUEST


[COMPANY NAME/HEADER]


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, Floor L2
Suite IL1-1145
Chicago, IL, 60603-2300
Attention: ___________________
Fax No: (312) ___________


Date: 


Ladies and Gentlemen:


This Borrowing Request is furnished pursuant to Section 2.03 of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Vericel Corporation (the “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”), as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Borrowing Request have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.  The Borrower represents that, as of this date, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied. 


The Borrower hereby notifies Chase of its request for the following Revolving Borrowing: 


1.Aggregate Amount of the Borrowing5:                $_________________


2.Borrowing Date of the Borrowing (must be a Business Day): ____________________


3.The Borrowing shall be a ___ ABR Borrowing or ___ Term Benchmark Borrowing6


4.If a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the duration of Interest Period 7:


                   One Month __________


                   Three Months_________


                   Six Months__________


5.Location and number of the Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to which proceeds of Borrowing are to be disbursed:




                                                                  
5  Must comply with Section 2.02(c) of the Agreement
6  If no election is made, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing
7  Shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period.”  Cannot extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.  If an Interest Period is not specified, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
C-1-1










VERICEL CORPORATION, as the Borrower


By: _______________________ 
Name: 
Title:







C-1-2






EXHIBIT C-2


[FORM OF] INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST


[COMPANY NAME/HEADER]




JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, Floor L2
Suite IL1-1145
Chicago, IL, 60603-2300
Attention: ___________________
Fax No: (312) ___________


Date:


Ladies and Gentlemen:


This Interest Election Request is furnished pursuant to Section 2.08(c) of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Vericel Corporation (the “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“Chase”), as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Interest Election Request have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement. 


The Borrower is hereby requesting to convert or continue certain Borrowings as follows:


1.Borrowing to which this Interest Election Request applies: ________________________________


2.Date of conversion/continuation (must be a Business Day): __________________, 20____


2.   Amount of Borrowings being converted/continued:               $ _______________


3.Nature of conversion/continuation:
☐ a. Conversion of ABR Borrowings to Term Benchmark Borrowings
☐ b. Conversion of Term Benchmark Borrowings to ABR Borrowings
☐ c. Continuation of Term Benchmark Borrowings as such


4.If Borrowings are being continued as or converted to Term Benchmark Borrowings, the duration of the new Interest Period that commences on the conversion/continuation date8:  
One Month __________     Three Months         __________     Six Months       __________






                                
8  Shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period.” Cannot extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.  If an Interest Period is not specified, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.


C-2-1






5.The undersigned officer of the Borrower certifies that, both before and after giving effect to the request above, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Agreement.




VERICEL CORPORATION, as the Borrower




By: _______________________
Name:
Title: 



C-2-2






EXHIBIT D-1


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE 
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Vericel Corporation, as Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto.  


Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.


The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments. 


Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.


[NAME OF LENDER]




By:_________________________ 
Name:_______________________ 
Title:________________________




Date: ________ __, 20[  ]













D-1-1






EXHIBIT D-2


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE 
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Vericel Corporation, as Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto.  


Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.


The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.


[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]


By:_________________________
Name:_______________________ 
Title:________________________


Date: ________ __, 20[  ]



D-2-1






EXHIBIT D-3


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Vericel Corporation, as Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto.  


Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
 
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.


[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]


By:_________________________
Name:_______________________ 
Title:________________________


Date: ________ __, 20[  ]



D-3-1






EXHIBIT D-4


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE 
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Vericel Corporation, as Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto.  


Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.


The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W‐8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.


Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.


[NAME OF LENDER]


By:_________________________ 
Name:_______________________ 
Title:________________________


Date: ________ __, 20[  ]



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EXHIBIT E


COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


To:       The Lenders party to the 
Credit Agreement described below+
This Compliance Certificate (this “Certificate”), for the period ended [____], is furnished pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as amended, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Vericel Corporation (the “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders and as the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.


THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT: 


1.         I am the [____] of the Borrower and I am authorized to deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;


2.         I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the compliance of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the Agreement during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements (the “Relevant Period”);


3.         The attached financial statements of the Borrower and, as applicable, its Subsidiaries and/or Affiliates for the Relevant Period: (a) have been prepared on an accounting basis (the “Accounting Method”) consistent with the requirements of the Agreement and, except as may have been otherwise expressly agreed to in the Agreement, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and (b) to the extent that the attached are not the Borrower’s annual fiscal year end statements, are subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;


4.         The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose and I have no knowledge of, except as set forth below, (a) the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default under the Agreement or any other Loan Document during or at the end of the Relevant Period or as of the date of this Certificate or (b) any change in the Accounting Method or in the application thereof that has occurred since the date of the annual financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with the closing of the Agreement or subsequently delivered as required in the Agreement;


5.         I hereby certify that, except as set forth below, no Loan Party has changed (i) its name, (ii) its chief executive office, (iii) its principal place of business, (iv) the type of entity it is or (v) its state of incorporation or organization without having given the Administrative Agent the notice required by the Security Agreement;


6.         The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it is true and correct only as of such earlier date;


7.         Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations evidencing the Borrower’s compliance with certain covenants of the Agreement, all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct; and


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8.         Schedule II hereto sets forth the computations necessary to determine the Applicable Rate commencing on the Business Day this Certificate is delivered. 


Described below are the exceptions, if any, referred to in paragraph 4 hereof by listing, in detail, the (i) nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event or (ii) change in the Accounting Method or the application thereof and the effect of such change on the attached financial statements:


______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________


The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Schedule I and Schedule II hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this      day of               ,        .


By:                  
Name:         
Title:         





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Schedule I to Compliance Certificate 


Compliance as of [____] with 
Provisions of Section 6.12 of the Agreement


The computations set forth in this Schedule I are designed to facilitate the calculation of financial covenants and certain other provisions in the Agreement relating to the information set forth in the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements delivered with this Certificate.  The computations set forth in this Schedule I have been made in accordance with GAAP.  The use of abbreviated terminology and/or descriptions in the computations below are not in any way intended to override or eliminate the more detailed descriptions for such computations set forth in the relevant provisions of the Agreement, all of which shall be deemed to control.  In addition, the failure to identify any specific provisions or terms of the Agreement in this Schedule I does not in any way affect their applicability during the periods covered by such financial statements or otherwise, which shall in all cases be governed by the Agreement.


															
			
	A. Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended 4 fiscal quarters

			
		With reference to any period:
	
			
		(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period
	$____________

			
		plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,
	
			
		(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
	+ $____________

			
		(iii) income tax expense for such period net of tax refunds for such period
	+ $____________

			
		(iv) depreciation for such period
	+ $____________

			
		(v) amortization for such period
	+ $____________

			
		(vi) any unusual or non-recurring non-cash charges for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period)
	

+ $____________

			










															
		(vii) any non-recurring fees, cash charges and other cash expenses made or incurred during such period in connection with (A) the Transactions that are paid or otherwise accounted for within 30 days of the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500,000 and (B) amendments, waivers or other modifications in respect of the Loan Documents or the Transactions
	+ $____________

			
		(viii) the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and cost synergies related to the Transactions, any Permitted Acquisitions, any restructurings, business optimizations, cost savings initiatives and other initiatives occurring after the Effective Date (without duplication of any amounts added back pursuant to Section 1.05 of the Credit Agreement in connection with any such transaction) and projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized within eighteen (18) months after such transaction or initiative is consummated as a result of specified actions taken or committed to be taken (which “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and expenses and cost synergies shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such “run rate” cost savings, restructuring charges and expenses, operating expense reductions and expenses and synergies had been realized on the first day of the period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such “run rate” cost savings, restructuring charges and expenses, operating expense reductions and expenses and synergies are reasonably quantifiable and factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), reasonably attributable to the actions specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions 9
	+ $____________

			
		(ix) fees and expenses paid to the Borrower’s board of directors in the ordinary course of business
	+ $____________

	9  The aggregate of all amounts added-back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses A.(viii), A.(xv) or A.(xvi) during any period, shall not exceed an amount equal to 30% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated before giving effect to any such add-backs).











															
					
		(x) any non-cash charges made in respect of stock-based compensation, including any non-cash expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation rights, stock options or restricted stock to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Loan Parties	+ $____________

			
		(xi) all non-cash losses or reasonable and documented expenses (or minus non-cash income or gain), including non-cash adjustments resulting from the application of purchase accounting, non-cash impairment of goodwill and other long term intangible assets, unrealized non-cash losses (or minus unrealized non-cash gains) under Swap Agreements, unrealized non-cash losses (or minus unrealized non-cash gains) in such period due solely to fluctuations in currency values	+ $____________

			
		(xii) all non-cash charges, expenses, items and losses related to the non-cash effects of purchase accounting or similar adjustments required or permitted by GAAP or change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in net income including the effect of harmonizing accounting policies and principles of targets of any Acquisition and their subsidiaries	+ $____________

			
		(xiii) all fees and expenses relating to, or incurred in connection with (i) Acquisitions and Investments permitted hereunder, (ii) proposed or consummated recapitalizations, or issuances or repurchases or the payment of, or amendments, waivers, consents or modifications or refinancings of, any Indebtedness or issuances of Equity Interests, (iii) any transaction fees, costs or expenses paid or payable to Agent, agents, arrangers, lenders, investors, holders or secured parties under the Loan Documents or any other Indebtedness permitted under the Loan Documents or (iv) a proposed Disposition not in the ordinary course of business and permitted under the Credit Agreement	+ $____________

			
		(xiv) any costs, charges, expenses, accruals or reserves incurred or accrued during such period relating to out-of-pocket legal, expert and consulting fees and expenses and all other liabilities (including all damages, fines, judgments, penalties and indemnification and settlement payments) paid in connection with actual or threatened claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, inquiries or investigations, in each case, to the extent such amounts are reimbursed by insurance or other third parties during such period	+ $____________

			










															
		(xv) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses, including, without limitation, (A) severance costs, (B) expenses (including legal expenses) associated with recruitment of senior management (including one time bonuses in connection therewith), (C) expenses related to the vesting of employee benefits in connection with employee departures, (D) retention or stay bonus expenses paid to employees, (E) costs and expenses associated with relocation of people, hardware, records and data, (F) branding or rebranding costs (including costs associated with changing signage, collateral, clothing, websites and related items), (G) consulting expenses, (H) costs, fees and expenses related to office, warehouse, distribution center and facility openings (including any start-up costs and costs associated with duplication of manufacturing facilities), closures, consolidations and relocations, (I) natural disaster losses not covered by insurance, (J) costs and expenses incurred to relocate, establish, qualify or commence manufacturing, supply or distribution operations for the Borrower’s approved products and clinical candidates at third party manufacturers, suppliers and distributors and (K) costs, fees and expenses related to new product launches, including any inbound licensing related to any new product	+ $____________

			
		(xvi) restructuring costs, integration costs, business optimization expenses or costs, transition services costs (including one-time set up costs and costs related to transition service agreements) and expenses (including work force reductions and the salary, bonus, benefits and other expenses of interim management (including travel and relocation expenses)), costs relating to the undertaking of cost saving initiatives, operating expense reductions and other cost synergies and similar initiatives, retention and recruiting, relocation and signing bonuses and expenses, severance costs	+ $____________

			
		(xvii) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment, all adjustments that are set forth in a quality of earnings report or table prepared by a third-party accountant and acceptable to Administrative Agent; provided, that if any such adjustments reflect amounts of the type described in A.(viii), A.(xv) or A.(xvi), such amounts shall be deemed to be added back pursuant to those clauses and shall be subject to the limitation in the footnote to A.(viii)	+ $____________

			










															
		(xviii) costs, charges, fees, and other amounts expensed at the time of entry or at the time any pre-regulatory approval milestone or sales and commercial milestone is paid with respect to inbound licenses of intellectual property in connection with the acquisition or origination of such license	+ $____________

			
		minus, without duplication and to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period,
	
			
		(xix) any unusual or non-recurring gains and any non-cash items of income for such period
	– $____________

			
		(xx) Consolidated EBITDA (aggregate of A.(i) through A.(xix))


	

= $____________



	B. Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio (Section 6.12)

		(i) Consolidated Total Funded Indebtedness as of such dat
	$____________

			
		(ii) Unrestricted Cash on such date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000
	–$____________

			
		(iii) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended 4 fiscal quarters (from A.(xx) above)
	

$____________

			
		(iii) Total Net Leverage Ratio (ratio of (B.(i) minus B.(ii)) to B.(iii)
	___ to 1.00

			
		Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.12
	___ to 1.00

			
		In compliance?
	Yes/No (select one)

















Schedule II to Compliance Certificate 


Borrower’s Applicable Rate Calculation











EXHIBIT F


JOINDER AGREEMENT


THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [____], is entered into between [_______], a [______] (the “New Subsidiary”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 29, 2022 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Vericel Corporation (the “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent for the Lenders. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.


The New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, hereby agree as follows:


1.         The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a Loan Party under the Credit Agreement and a “Loan Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the obligations of a Loan Party and a Loan Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement.  The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement, including without limitation (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement, (b) all of the covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of the Credit Agreement and (c) all of the guaranty obligations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the New Subsidiary, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.10 and 10.13 of the Credit Agreement, hereby guarantees, jointly and severally with the other Loan Guarantors, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof and agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid or performed in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise), the New Subsidiary will, jointly and severally together with the other Loan Guarantors, promptly pay and perform the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.  


2.         If required, the New Subsidiary is, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, executing and delivering such Collateral Documents (and such other documents and instruments) as requested by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement.


3.         The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement is as follows:


______________________________________ 
______________________________________ 
______________________________________


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4.         The New Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the New Subsidiary upon the execution of this Agreement by the New Subsidiary.
5.         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.         THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.


[NEW SUBSIDIARY]


By:_____________________________ 
Name:___________________________ 
Title:____________________________


Acknowledged and accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative 
Agent


By:_____________________________ 
Name:___________________________ 
Title:____________________________


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