**Exhibit 10.1**

 

**CHANGE OF CONTROL**

 

**EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT**

 

This Agreement, by and between Electronic Data Systems Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, its successors and assigns (“Company”), and                     (“Executive”), dated as of                     (“Agreement”). 

 

The Compensation and Benefit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”),has determined it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure the Company will have the continued dedication of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control. The Board believes itis imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Companycurrently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Compensation and Benefit Committee of the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement. 

 

The parties hereby agree as follows: 

 

1. Effect of Agreement. 

 

Unless and until there occurs, during the Term of this Agreement, a Changeof Control or a termination of Executive’s employment in anticipation of a Change of Control as contemplated by Section 3, this Agreement shall have no effect and shall not provide any rights or benefits to Executive. Similarly, unless anduntil there occurs, during the Term of this Agreement, a Change of Control or a termination of Executive’s employment in anticipation of a Change of Control as contemplated by Section 3, and unless contrary to applicable law or the terms of awritten contract executed by and/or approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, employment with the Company remains of an indefinite term and may be ended, with or without cause, at any time by either Executive or the Company, with orwithout previous notice. 

 

2. Terms of Employment.

 

This Section 2 sets forth the terms and conditions onwhich the Company agrees to employ Executive during the period (the “Protected Period”) beginning on the first day during the Term of this Agreement on which a Change of Control occurs and ending on the second anniversary of that date, orsuch earlier date as Executive’s employment terminates as contemplated by Section 3. 

 

(A) Position and Duties. 

 

(1)During the Protected Period, Executive’s services shall be performed at the office where Executive was employed immediately preceding the date of the Change of Control or any office or location less than 50 miles from such office, unlessExecutive is on international assignment on the date of the Change of Control and is relocated as a result of Executive’s being repatriated pursuant to the terms of Executive’s international assignment agreement as in effect before thedate of the Change of Control. 

 

(2) During the ProtectedPeriod, Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours (except when on authorized vacation, holidays or sick leave) to the business and affairs of the Company, and, to the extent necessary to discharge theresponsibilities assigned to Executive, to use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities; provided, that Executive may (A) contingent upon obtaining all required approvals, serve oncorporate, civic or charitable boards and committees, (B) fulfill speaking engagements, and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities as anemployee of the Company; and provided, further, that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by Executive before the date of the Change of 

Control, the continued conduct of such activities after the date of the Change of Control shall not bedeemed to significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities to the Company. 

 

(B) Compensation. 

 

(1) Base Salary. During the Protected Period, Executive shall continue to receive the same annual base salary Executive was receiving immediatelypreceding the date of the Change of Control. Executive shall be paid at such intervals as the Company pays executive salaries generally. During the Protected Period, Executive’s annual base salary shall be reviewed for possible increase atleast annually, beginning no more than 12 months after the last such annual review prior to the date of the Change of Control. 

 

(2) Incentive Compensation. Executive shall remain eligible to receive bonuses and other forms of short-term incentive compensation. In addition, duringthe Protected Period, Executive shall remain eligible to participate in all long-term, stock-based and other incentive plans, practices, policies and programs generally applicable to peer executives of the Company. 

 

(3) Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Protected Period, Executiveshall remain eligible to participate in the savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs generally applicable to peer executives of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive shall continue toparticipate in the EDS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. 

 

(4) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Protected Period, Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents, as the case may be, shall remain eligible to participate in and receive benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policiesand programs provided by the Company (including without limitation medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent generallyapplicable to peer executives of the Company. 

 

(5) Expenses.During the Protected Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company to the extent generally applicable topeer executives of the Company. 

 

(6) Fringe Benefits. Duringthe Protected Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company to the extent generally applicable to peer executives of the Company. 

 

(7) Vacation. During the Protected Period, Executive shall be entitled topaid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company as in effect for Executive immediately preceding the date of the Change of Control. 

 

3. Termination of Employment. 

 

(A) By the Company. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Protected Period for Cause or withoutCause. 

 

(B) By Executive. Executive may terminate employmentduring the Protected Period for Good Reason or without Good Reason. 

 

(C) Termination In Anticipation of a Change of Control. Despite anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (1) a Change of Control occurs, (2) Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company before the Changeof Control occurs in a manner and under 

circumstances that would be considered a termination by the Company without Cause if it had occurredduring the Protected Period, and (3) it is reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such termination of employment was at the request of a third party that had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change of Control or otherwise arose inconnection with or in anticipation of the Change of Control, then such termination shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as a termination by the Company without Cause during the Protected Period. 

 

4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. 

 

(A) If, during the Protected Period, the Company involuntarily terminatesExecutive’s employment other than for Cause (excluding termination for death or Disability) or Executive voluntarily terminates employment for Good Reason and Executive executes a separation agreement deemed acceptable to the companysubstantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A” (“Separation Agreement”): 

 

(1) the Company shall pay to Executive, within 30 days after the Date of Termination, or if later, within 5 days of the Separation Agreement signed byExecutive becoming legally effective, the following: 

 

(a) alump sum payment equal to Executive’s accrued, but unpaid base salary through the date of termination, less all applicable deductions; 

 

(b) a lump sum payment equivalent to 2.99 times Executive’s final annual base salary, less all applicable deductions; 

 

(c) a lump sum payment equivalent to 2.99 times Executive’s annualperformance bonus target as approved by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of EDS’ Board of Directors for the year in which he/she is terminated, less all applicable deductions; and 

 

(d) all deferred and restricted EDS stock units and/or stock optionsawarded to Executive that remain outstanding on the date of termination shall immediately vest, shall immediately be freed of any restrictions regarding their sale or transfer (other than any such restrictions arising by operation of law or pursuantto the terms of any applicable deferral plan), and with regard to all stock options other than those awarded as part of the acquisition of The Feld Group, Inc., they shall be exercisable for a period of (1) year from the date of termination. Withregard to the stock options awarded as part of the acquisition of The Feld Group, Inc., such options shall be exercisable for the period of time provided for in Executive’s applicable stock option award agreement. 

 

(B) If Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated for Cause,death or Disability during the Protected Period, the Company shall provide to Executive his/her accrued, but unpaid base salary through the date of termination, less all applicable deductions, and shall have no other severance and/or separationobligations to Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. If Executive voluntarily terminates his/her employment during the Protected Period other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay his/her accrued, but unpaid base salary throughthe date of termination, less all applicable deductions, and shall have no other severance and/or separation obligations to Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. 

 

5. Exclusivity of Benefits. 

 

If Executive receives benefits pursuant to this Agreement, Executive understands and acknowledges he/she shall not be eligible to receive any otherform of severance and/or separation pay or benefits from the Company, except as may otherwise be provided in Executive’s restricted stock award agreements or stock option agreements. 

6. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. 

 

(A) If any Payment is subject to the Excise Tax, then the Company shall paythe Executive a Gross-Up Payment (regardless of whether the Executive’s employment has terminated). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Parachute Value of all Payments does not exceed 110% of the Safe Harbor Amount, then the Company shall notpay the Executive a Gross-Up Payment, and the Payments due under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount; provided, that if even after all Payments due hereunderare reduced to zero, the Parachute Value of all Payments would still exceed the Safe Harbor Amount, then no reduction of any Payments shall be made. The reduction of the Payments due hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing thepayments under Section 4(A)(1)(b), (c) and/or (d), in that order, unless an alternative method of reduction is elected by the Executive, subject to approval by the Company, and in any event shall be made in such a manner as to maximize the economicpresent value of all Payments actually made to the Executive, determined by the Accounting Firm as of the date of the Change of Control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code using the discount rate required by Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.

 

(B) All determinations required to be made under this Section6, including whether and when Gross-Up Payments are required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payments, whether and in what manner any Payments are to be reduced pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6(A), and the assumptions to be utilized inarriving at such determinations, shall be made by the Accounting Firm, and shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive, except to the extent the Internal Revenue Service or a court of competent jurisdiction makes an inconsistent final andbinding determination. The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days after receiving notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time asmay be requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment that becomes due pursuant to this Section 6 shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days ofthe receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination, or, if later, at least 20 business days before the Executive is obligated to pay the related Excise Tax. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at thetime of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an “Underpayment”). In the event the Accounting Firm determinesthat there has been an Underpayment or the Executive is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax as a result of a claim described in Section 6(C), then the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and anysuch Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive. 

 

(C) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by theCompany of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim. The Executive shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claimand the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period endingon the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall: 

 

(1) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Companyrelating to such claim, 

 

(2) take such action in connectionwith contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including without limitation accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company, 

(3) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and 

 

(4) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating tosuch claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on anAfter-Tax basis, for any Excise Tax or Taxes imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(C), the Company shall control all proceedings taken inconnection with such contest, and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion,either direct the Executive to pay the Taxes claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initialjurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that, if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to theExecutive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an After-Tax basis, from any Excise Tax or Taxes imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income in connection with suchadvance; and provided, further, that any extension of the relevant statute of limitations is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which theGross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. 

 

(D) If, at any time after receiving a Gross-Up Payment or an advancepursuant to Section 6(C), the Executive receives any refund of the associated Excise Tax, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s having complied with the requirements of Section 6(C), if applicable) promptly pay to the Company the amountof such refund, together with any interest paid or credited thereon net of all Taxes applicable thereto. If, after the Executive receives an advance pursuant to Section 6(C), a determination is made that the Executive is not entitled to any refundwith respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not berequired to be repaid, and the amount of any Gross-Up Payment owed to the Executive shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of such advance. 

 

(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Serviceor any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding. 

 

(F) Any other liability for unpaid or unwithheld Excise Taxes, other than those described above, is borne exclusively by theCompany, in accordance with Code Section 3403. The assumption of such liability by the Company shall not in any manner relieve the Company of any of its obligations under Section 6 of the Agreement. 

 

7. Successors. 

 

(A) This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive other than by will or the laws ofdescent and distribution. 

 

(B) This Agreement shall inure tothe benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. Except as provided in Section 7(C), without the prior written consent of Executive, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. 

(C) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform itif no such succession had taken place. 

 

8. Miscellaneous.

 

(A) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed inaccordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended ormodified other than by a written agreement that is specifically identified as an amendment of this Agreement and executed by the Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 

 

(B) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the otherparty or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: 

 

If to Executive: 

[address] 

 

If to the Company: 

Telecommunications Number: (972) 605-1926 

5400 Legacy Drive H3-1D-22 

Plano, Texas 75024 

Attention: Vice President, Global Compensation & Benefits 

 

With a copy to: 

Telecommunications Number (972) 605-5610 

5400 Legacy Drive H3-3A-05 

Plano, Texas75024 

Attention: General Counsel 

 

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually receivedby the addressee. 

 

(C) The invalidity or unenforceability ofany provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. 

 

(D) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable lawor regulation. 

 

9. Certain Definitions. 

 

The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below for purposes ofthis Agreement. 

 

“Accounting Firm” means any lawfirm or the certified public accounting firm among those regularly consulted by the Company during the twelve-month period prior to the date of the Change of Control. 

 

“After-Tax” means after taking into account all applicable Taxes and Excise Tax. 

 

“Board” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of thisAgreement. 

 

“Cause” means Executive has (a) beenconvicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony involving theft or moral turpitude; (b) willfully and materially failed to follow EDS’ lawful and appropriate policies, directives or orders applicable to employees holding comparable positions,which failure 

results in significant harm to EDS (recognizing Executive shall not be obligated to follow policies,directives or orders that are unethical or would require Executive to violate his/her duties and/or obligations to EDS, their Board of Directors, or their shareholders); (c) willfully and intentionally destroyed or stolen EDS property or falsifiedEDS documents; (d) willfully and materially violated the EDS Code of Business Conduct, which violation results in significant harm to EDS or (e) engaged in conduct that constitutes willful gross neglect with respect to employment duties, whichconduct results in significant harm to EDS. For purposes of the definition of Cause, no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executiveintentionally, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interest of EDS. 

 

“Change of Control” means the happening of any of the events described in sub-sections (a) through (d) below: 

 

(a) the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership (within themeaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50 percent of either (1) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (2) the combined voting power of thethen-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shallnot constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company; (B) any acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by theCompany or a Subsidiary of the Company; or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of this definition; 

 

(b) individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board(the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’sstockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individualwhose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Personother than the Board; 

 

(c) consummation by the Company of areorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets or stock of another corporation (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless,following such Business Combination: 

 

(1) all orsubstantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be,of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including without limitation a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one ormore subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, 

 

(2) no Person (excluding the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company, anycorporation resulting from a Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) 

thereof) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 40 percent or more of the then-outstanding shares ofcommon stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or 40 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such corporation, exceptto the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and, 

 

(3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement,or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination. 

 

(d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 

 

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

 

“Disability” means the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-timebasis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness or injury that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or theExecutive’s legal representative. 

 

“ExchangeAct” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

 

“Excise Tax” means the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax. 

 

“Good Reason” means: (i) reducing Executive’s base salary by more than 25%, excluding an inadvertent errornot made in bad faith and which is remedied promptly by the Company after receipt of notice thereof by Executive, or (ii) requiring Executive to be based at any office or location that is more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s principalwork location immediately preceding the date of the Change of Control, unless Executive is on international assignment on the date of the Change of Control and is relocated as a result of Executive’s being repatriated pursuant to the terms ofExecutive’s international assignment agreement as in effect before the date of the Change of Control. 

 

“Gross-Up Payment” means an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all Taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed withrespect to such taxes), including, without limitation, (i) any income and FICA taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and (ii) Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-UpPayment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in thecalendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in either the state and locality of the Executive’s place of employment at the time of the Change in Control orin the state and locality of residence at the time or times of payment, as applicable, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that could be obtained from the deduction of the state and local taxes. 

 

“Parachute Value” of a Payment means the present value as of thedate of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes ofdetermining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment. 

“Payment” means any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaningof Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. 

 

“Person” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act). 

 

“Protected Period” has the meaning set forth in the first sentenceof Section 2. 

 

“Safe Harbor Amount” means 2.99 timesthe Executive’s “base amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code. 

 

“Subsidiary” of an entity means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, or other entity or enterprise of whichthe first entity owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding shares of stock normally entitled to vote for the election of directors, or of comparable equity participation and voting power. 

 

“Taxes” means all federal, state, local and foreign income,excise, social security and other taxes, other than the Excise Tax, and any associated interest and penalties. 

 

“Term of this Agreement” means the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on December 31, 2005. 

 

“Underpayment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(B).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s handand, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written. 

 
EXECUTIVE: EDS:
 
 
 
  By: Michael H. Jordan    
Chairman of the Board and

Chief ExecutiveOfficer
Dated:                      Dated:                     

EXHIBIT A 

FORM OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT 

 

**AGREEMENT BETWEEN**

**ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS CORPORATION**

**AND**

**[Executive]**

 

This Agreement between EDS (hereinafter defined), and                     (“Executive”) is entered into effective as of the Effective Date (hereinafter defined). 

 

I. RECITALS 

 

1. Executive has been employed as an executive of EDS and in such capacity has had access to and has obtained trade secrets, and highlyconfidential business, technological, customer, and strategic information, as well as business and other proprietary information relating to the internal affairs of EDS. 

 

2. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Executive will receive substantial compensation and other benefits that otherwise would not beavailable to him/her. 

 

3. It is the desire of both parties thatExecutive’s separation be amicable. 

 

4. As set forth below, EDS isproviding the Executive benefits of substantial value under this Agreement, and Executive agrees to be strictly bound by the terms hereof. 

 

THEREFORE, in order to set forth the terms, conditions and covenants upon which the parties have agreed, EDS and Executive agree as follows: 

 

II. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 

 

1. “EDS” shall mean Electronic Data Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation,all its direct and indirect subsidiaries, all its affiliated entities, and all its successors and assigns, and the employees, agents, attorneys, officers and directors of each of them. 

 

2. “EDS Information” shall mean all business information, technological information, intellectual property, trade secrets,customer and other confidential information belonging to EDS or relating to EDS’ internal affairs, or information relating to its business, technology and customers which is not readily available to the general public. 

 

3. The term “Participate” shall mean lending one’s name to, acting as aconsultant or advisor to, being retained or employed by, or acquiring any direct or indirect interest in any business or enterprise, whether as a stockholder, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise (other than by ownership of less thanfive percent of the stock of a publicly-held corporation). 

 

4. The term“Effective Date” shall be the date seven days after Executive signs this Agreement on the signature page below. 

 

III. TERMS 

 

1. Resignation. Effective as of the close of business on                     ,200    , Executive shall resign from all positions held by him/her at EDS (including without limitation any positions as an officer and/or director), and from all positions he/she holds on behalf of EDS (e.g., externalboard memberships). 

 

2. Non-Competition and Other Conduct. Executiveacknowledges and agrees that under the terms and the provisions of this Agreement, and in consideration for compliance with the terms, conditions and covenants hereunder, he/she will receive benefits from EDS that would not otherwise be available tohim/her, and that such benefits are substantial and material. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that in the course of his/her 

employment with EDS he/she has been entrusted with, and been privy to, sensitive, privileged and confidential EDSInformation, and as an executive of EDS has participated in the legal affairs, management, strategic planning and development of the business and services of EDS, the analysis of the needs and requirements of EDS’ customers, and other similarmatters that, if discussed, communicated, or disclosed to third parties or used in competition with EDS, would be highly detrimental to EDS. In addition, Executive has been entrusted with, and has obtained, other EDS Information. Accordingly,Executive agrees to the following provisions and covenants: 

 

2.1 Non-Competition. For six (6) months following Executive’s resignation from EDS he/she will not (without EDS’ express written waiver), directly or indirectly, engage in the following conduct wherever EDS is marketing orproviding its services or products: 

 

a. Participate in anyactivity as or for a competitor of EDS, which is the same or similar to the activities in which Executive was involved at EDS; 

 

b. Hire, attempt to hire or assist any other person or entity in hiring or attempting to hire an employee of EDS, or any person who was an EDS employeewithin the preceding six-month period; 

 

c. Solicit, incompetition with EDS, the business of any EDS customer or any entity whose business EDS was actively soliciting during the preceding six-month period; 

 

d. Consult with or accept employment with any existing or prospective customer, contractor, alliance partner or venture partner of EDS with respect to anymatters or transactions in which EDS has an economic or financial interest (for purposes of this Subsection 2.1d., prospective customer, contractor, alliance partner or venture partner means any person or entity to or with which EDS is proposing ornegotiating any business relationship); 

 

e. Participatevoluntarily with any person or entity that is involved in a potential or existing business or legal dispute with EDS, including but not limited to litigation, except as may be required by law. 

 

With regard to the prohibitions contained in Subsections 2.1 of Section III of thisAgreement, EDS agrees it shall exercise good faith in considering Executive’s requests for written waivers, and EDS agrees its decisions in that regard shall be reasonable and based on rational business concerns and/or judgment. In the eventExecutive wishes to request a waiver of any provision of this Subsection 2.1, he shall do so in writing addressed to the General Counsel of EDS. 

 

2.2 Other Conduct. Executive will not discuss, disclose, communicate, or use for any purpose any EDS Information. (By way of example and not by way oflimitation, absent written approval from EDS, Executive shall not publish any books or articles related to his/her employment at EDS and shall not grant interviews and/or make appearances related to his/her employment at EDS). Executive also agreesthat absent written approval by EDS, he/she shall make no public statements nor publish in any form any information related to his/her separation and/or pending separation from EDS. Executive further agrees he/she will not commit any act or make anystatement that is, or could reasonably be interpreted as, detrimental to the business, reputation, or good will of EDS, including disparaging or embarrassing EDS or its officers, directors, agents, attorneys and other personnel, or discussing theinternal or private business affairs of EDS with any third parties. However, Subsection 2.2 shall not prohibit Executive from communicating to third parties general information about his/her duties and responsibilities while employed by EDS, generalinformation about EDS that is readily available to the general public, and general information about the positions he/she held while employed by EDS. No later than                , 200    , Executive shall return to EDS all EDS property and equipment, and, any and all documents (including allelectronic material and duplicate copies) and other tangible items of or containing EDS Information which are in Executive’s possession, custody or control, or which come into his/her possession, custody, or control after the Effective Date ofthis Agreement. EDS and Executive acknowledge that the terms of this Paragraph shall not preclude Executive from providing truthful testimony if mandated by subpoena or court order to do so, or pursuant to an informal request from a governmentalagency. 

 

2.3 Remedies. If the scope of any provision containedin this Agreement is too broad to permit enforcement of such provision to its full extent, then such provision shall be reformed and/or modified to exclude 

the unenforceable language, and enforced as reformed or modified to the maximum extent permitted by law, in anyproceedings brought to enforce such provision. Subject to the provisions of the foregoing sentence, whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but ifany provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision, to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement, and shall not invalidate the remainderof such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that EDS would be irreparably damaged in the event that the provisions of Subsection 2 of Section III of this Agreement are violated, and agrees thatEDS shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity) to an injunction or injunctions to redress breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions hereof. Executiveshall be responsible for reimbursing EDS for the costs and attorneys’ fees associated with litigation pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section III of this Agreement, provided EDS substantially prevails in such litigation. 

 

3. Cooperation. Executive covenants and agrees that from and after the Effective Date, he/shewill cooperate fully with EDS, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates and attorneys in the defense or prosecution of any lawsuit, dispute, investigation or other legal proceedings or any preparation for any such disputes or proceedings that maybe anticipated or threatened (“Proceedings”). Executive further covenants and agrees that he/she will cooperate fully with EDS, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates and attorneys on any other matter (“Matters”) related toEDS business during the period of Executive’s employment with EDS. Executive also covenants and agrees that he/she will cooperate fully with EDS, its officers, employees, agents, affiliates and attorneys in responding to any form of mediainquiry or in making any form of public comment related to his/her employment at EDS, including, but not limited to, his/her separation from EDS. 

 

Such cooperation shall include providing true and accurate information or documents concerning, or affidavits or testimony about, all or any matters at issue in anyProceedings/Matters as shall from time to time be requested by EDS, and shall be within the knowledge of Executive. Such cooperation shall be provided by Executive without remuneration, but Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for allreasonable and appropriate expenses incurred by him/her in so cooperating, including (by way of example and not by way of limitation) airplane fares, hotel accommodations, meal charges and other similar expenses to attend Proceedings/Matters outsideof the city of Executive’s residence. In the event Executive is made aware of any issue or matter related to EDS, is asked by a third party to provide information regarding EDS, or is called other than by EDS as a witness to testify in anymatter related to EDS, Executive will notify EDS immediately in order to give EDS a reasonable opportunity to respond and/or participate in such Proceeding/Matter. 

 

4. Compensation, Benefits and Other Consideration to be Received by Executive. Following the Effective Date of this Agreement and subject toExecutive’s ongoing compliance with the terms, conditions, and covenants in this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation, benefits and other consideration to be paid or conveyed pursuant to the terms, conditions andcovenants in this Agreement, as set forth below: 

 

a. Through                        , 200    , Executive shall continue to receive his currentannual base salary of $                 per year, less all applicable deductions; 

 

b. No later than                        , 200     (or as soon as practicable after the Effective Dateof this Agreement), EDS agrees to provide Executive with a payment in the gross lump sum amount of $                , which is equivalent to the sum ofExecutive’s final annual base salary ($                ) and his/her annual performance bonus target for 200    , less allapplicable deductions; and 

 

c. As of the Effective Date ofthis Agreement, all deferred and restricted stock units and/or stock options awarded to Executive that remain outstanding on the date of his/her termination shall immediately vest, shall immediately be freed of any restrictions regarding their saleor transfer (other than any such restrictions arising by operation of law or pursuant to the terms of the EDS Executive Deferral Plan), and with regard to all stock options, they shall be exercisable for a period of one (1) year from the date oftermination. 

 

The foregoing compensation, benefits and other consideration tobe received by Executive constitute his sole and exclusive rights to any payments or benefits from EDS, and Executive shall receive no consideration or benefits other than those expressly granted herein, except for benefits to which he/she isentitled under any EDS plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

5. Complete Release. Executive agrees to release EDS from all claims or demands Executive may have against EDS,including, but not limited to, any claims related to Executive’s employment with EDS or separation from that employment and any claims for attorney’s fees and costs. This Agreement includes, without limitation, a release of any rights orclaims Executive may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, which prohibits age discrimination in employment; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination in employment based onrace, color, national origin, religion or sex; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities; the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, which regulates matters regardingcompensation; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, which regulates matters regarding certain types of leaves; or any other federal, state or local laws or regulations that in any way relate to the employment of individuals and/or prohibitemployment discrimination of any form. This Agreement also includes, without limitation, a release by Executive of any related or unrelated wrongful discharge claims, contractual claims, tort claims or any other actions. This Agreement covers bothclaims that Executive knows about and those he/she may not know about. Executive expressly waives any right to assert after signing this Agreement that any claim, demand, obligation, or cause of action has through ignorance, oversight, or for anyother reason, been omitted from the scope of Subsection 6 of Section III of this Agreement. Executive further promises never to file a lawsuit, demand, action or otherwise assert any claims that are released in Subsection 5 of Section III of thisAgreement (excluding a lawsuit filed by Executive solely for purposes of challenging the validity of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act waiver). 

 

This Agreement does not include a release of (i) Executive’s right, if any, to benefits Executive is entitled to under any EDS plan qualified under Section 401(a) ofthe Internal Revenue Code, including the EDS Retirement Plan and EDS 401(k) Plan, and COBRA benefits pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 4980B, (ii) any rights or claims Executive may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act whicharise after the date Executive signs this Agreement, or (iii) any rights pursuant to this Agreement. 

 

6. Non-Admission of Liability. By entering into this Agreement, EDS does not admit it has done anything wrong. 

 

7. Period for Review and Consideration of Agreement. Executive understands he/she has been given a period of 21 days to review and consider this Agreement before signingit. Executive further understands he/she may use as much of the 21 day period as he/she wishes prior to signing. 

 

8. Encouragement to Consult with Attorney. Executive acknowledges he/she was advised in writing to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement. 

 

9. Executive’s Right to Revoke Agreement. Executive may revoke this Agreement withinseven days of signing it. Revocation must be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to EDS. For the revocation to be effective, written notice must be received by EDS no later than the close of business on the seventh day after Executivesigns this Agreement. If Executive revokes this Agreement, it shall not be effective or enforceable and Executive will not receive the benefits described in Subsection 4 of Section III or any other payments or benefits from EDS, except those towhich he/she otherwise is entitled by law. 

 

10. Amendments. This Agreement maynot be modified or amended, and there shall be no waiver of its provisions, except by a written instrument executed by Executive and a corporate officer of EDS. 

 

11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, in conjunction with Executive’s Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement dated                    , 200    , [list all applicable agreements] which are incorporated herein by reference,constitute the entire agreement of the parties, and supersede and prevail over all other prior agreements, understandings or representations by or between the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to Executive’s employment with EDS. Tothe extent provisions in this Agreement directly conflict with provisions in the above-referenced agreements, the provisions in this Agreement shall control. 

12. Consequences of Executive’s Breach. Executive agrees that if he/she violates, or fails to respect, honor andcomply with any term, condition or covenant herein, in addition to having its other legal and equitable remedies, EDS is discharged and released from its obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, all obligations to provide anyunpaid or unconveyed salary, payments, benefits, or other remuneration described in Subsection 4 of Section III of this Agreement. Executive also recognizes and agrees that if he/she violates any of the terms of this Agreement, this Agreement shallremain in full force and effect, including his/her release of all claims. 

 

Additionally, if Executive breaks his/her promise in Subsection 5 of Section III of this Agreement and files a lawsuit or claim based on legal claims that have been released (excluding a lawsuit filed by Executive solely for the purpose ofchallenging the validity of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act waiver), Executive will pay for all costs incurred by EDS, including its attorneys’ fees, in defending against Executive’s lawsuit and/or claims. In addition, ifExecutive breaks his/her promise in Subsection 6 of Section III of this Agreement and files a lawsuit or claim based on legal claims that have been released (excluding a lawsuit filed by Executive solely for the purpose of challenging the validityof the Age Discrimination in Employment Act waiver), he/she will pay as liquidated damages to EDS a sum of money equal to the gross consideration already provided to Executive pursuant to Subsection 4 of Section III of this Agreement, including, butnot limited to, the monetary equivalent of all previously conveyed non-cash benefits. 

 

In addition to the consequences described above, if Executive breaks any of the promises he/she made in Subsections 2.1, 2.2, 3, or 13 of Section III of this Agreement, Executive acknowledges the calculation of the harm done to EDS, and theresulting damages would be extremely difficult to determine. Therefore, Executive agrees that in the event he/she breaks any of the promises he made in Subsections 2.1, 2.2, 3, or 13 of Section III of this Agreement, he/she will pay as liquidateddamages to EDS a sum of money equal to the gross consideration already provided to Executive pursuant to Subsection 4 of Section III of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the monetary equivalent of all previously conveyed non-cashbenefits. 

 

13. Confidentiality. Executive and EDS agree the terms of thisAgreement shall be kept strictly confidential, except as may be required by law, and, in the case of EDS, disclosure is permitted as necessary for business purposes. Executive may disclose such information to individuals retained by him/her toprovide advice/guidance on personal financial and/or legal matters, or as may be required by a financial institution for business reasons (but in all such instances only if Executive shall have first obtained from such individuals and/orinstitutions their written agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such information). 

 

14. Governing Law. This Agreement and its enforceability shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive law of the State of Texas. Any dispute or conflict arising out of or relating to thisAgreement, except for an action brought by EDS pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section III of this Agreement, must be brought in a court that has jurisdiction over matters in Collin County, Texas. Furthermore, Executive agrees such court shall havepersonal jurisdiction over him/her and further agrees to waive any rights he may have to challenge the court’s jurisdiction over him/her. 

 

15. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by telecopy or facsimile transmission at the telecommunications numberset forth below, by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows and shall be effective upon receipt: 

 
If to Executive:[address]If to EDS:Telecommunications Number: (972) 605-19265400 Legacy Drive H3-1D-22Plano, Texas 75024Attention: Michael E. Paolucci  Vice President, Global Compensation & Benefits

With a copy to:

Telecommunications Number (972) 605-0791

5400 Legacy Drive H3-3A-05

Plano, Texas 75024

Attention:
 
Nick Linn
  
Manager, Labor & Employment

 

EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGESHE/SHE HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS IT AND IS VOLUNTARILY ENTERING INTO IT. 

 

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IT CONTAINS A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS. 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement to be binding and enforceable on the Effective Date. 

 

EXECUTIVE:
 
EDS:
   
By:
 
Michael H. Jordan
    
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Dated:                        
 
Dated: