Document

Exhibit 10.16


Grantee:        
Shares:          


MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY
AWARD AGREEMENT


August 23, 2021






«Grantee»
«Address1»
«Address2»
«City», «State» «PostalCode»


Dear «FirstName»:


            1.         Award.  The awards set forth in this Award Agreement (the "Award Agreement") are subject to your acceptance of and agreement to all of the applicable terms, conditions, and restrictions described in the 2020 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), of Matrix Service Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") a copy of which is on file with, and may be obtained from, the Secretary of the Company, and to your acceptance of and agreement to the further terms, conditions, and restrictions described in this Award Agreement.  To the extent that any provision of this Award Agreement conflicts with the expressly applicable terms of the Plan, it is hereby acknowledged and agreed that those terms of the Plan shall control and, if necessary, the applicable provisions of this Award Agreement shall be hereby deemed amended so as to carry out the purpose and intent of the Plan.


2.         Restricted Stock Units and Performance Unit Long-Term Incentive Award.  


(a)       Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units Awards.  The Company hereby grants to you an aggregate of up to «Shares» restricted stock units (individually, an "RSU," and collectively, "RSUs") as more specifically set forth in Section 2(e).  This grant of RSUs is comprised of up to [Shares] "Stock-Based RSUs" and up to [Shares] "Cash-Based RSUs."  Each Stock-Based RSU entitles you to receive one share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Shares") at such time as the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) lapse as described in Section 2(e)(i).  Each Cash-Based RSU entitles you to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of one Share based on the closing price of the Shares at such time as the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) lapse as described in Section 2(e)(i).  In addition, the Company hereby grants to you an aggregate of up to «Shares» performance units (individually, a "Performance Unit," and collectively, "Performance Units").  Each Performance Unit entitles you to receive up to two Shares at such time as the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) lapse as described in Section 2(e)(ii).




1






            (b)       Form of Restricted Stock; Possession of Certificates.  The Company shall issue the Shares you become entitled to receive hereunder by book-entry registration or by issuance of a certificate or certificates for the Shares in your name as soon as practicable after the restrictions in Section 2(d)(ii) lapse as described in Section 2(e).  In the event the Company issues a certificate or certificates for the Shares, such certificates shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the committee of the Board of Directors that administers the Plan may deem necessary or advisable under the Plan and rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which such Shares are then listed, and any applicable foreign, federal or state securities laws.  


(c)       Stockholder Rights Prior to Issuance of Shares.  Neither you nor any of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to have any voting rights, rights to receive dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares covered by the RSUs or the Performance Units until the date of book-entry registration or issuance by the Company of a certificate to you for such Shares.


                        (d)       Restrictions.


(i)        Your ownership of the RSUs and Performance Units shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in subsection (ii) of this Section 2(d) until such restrictions lapse pursuant to the terms of Section 2(e).


(ii)       The restrictions referred to in subsection (i) of this Section 2(d) are as follows:


(A)      At the time of your termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate, other than a termination of employment that occurs as a result of an event described in any of Subsections (iii) through (vii) of Section 2(e), you shall forfeit the RSUs and Performance Units to the Company and all of your rights thereto shall terminate without any payment of consideration by the Company.  


(B)      You may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any RSUs or Performance Units, or any rights under the RSUs or Performance Units.  No RSU or Performance Unit and no rights under any such RSU or Performance Unit may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  If you or anyone claiming under or through you attempts to violate this Section 2(d)(ii)(B), such attempted violation shall be null and void and without effect, and all of the Company's obligations hereunder shall terminate.


                        (e)       Lapse of Restrictions.


(i)        The restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall lapse with respect to the RSUs in four equal installments of 25 percent each on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of this Award Agreement, such that the restrictions set forth in Section 2(d)(ii) shall have lapsed with respect 
2






to 100 percent of the RSUs on the fourth anniversary of the date of this Award Agreement.


(ii)       The restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall lapse with respect to the Performance Units on the third anniversary of the date of this Award Agreement (the "Measurement Date"), but only if and to the extent the Committee certifies in writing that the "Shareholder Return Goals" set forth in this subsection (ii) are met.  The Shareholder Return Goals are as follows:


									
	



Shareholder
Return Goal
	



Total
Shareholder Return
	Percentage of Performance Units for Which
Conditions are Satisfied

	Threshold Total Shareholder Return Goal	25th percentile of Peer Group
	25%
	
Above Threshold Total Shareholder Return Goal	

35th percentile of Peer Group
	50%
	Target Total Shareholder Return Goal	50th percentile of Peer Group	100%
	Above Target Total Shareholder Return Goal	75th percentile of Peer Group
	150%
	Maximum Total Shareholder Return Goal	90th percentile of Peer Group
	200%






The Committee shall certify on a nondiscretionary basis whether and the extent to which the Shareholder Return Goals have been met on or before the date on which the Company is required to make a book-entry registration or issue a certificate for Shares relating to the achievement of Shareholder Return Goals as set forth in Section 2(e)(viii).  In the event the Committee certifies that the Threshold Total Shareholder Return Goal has not been met, then all of the Performance Units will be forfeited to the Company.  In the event the Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the Maximum Total Shareholder Return Goal, the conditions shall be deemed to have been satisfied and the restrictions on a number of Performance Units equal to all of the Performance Units multiplied by two shall be removed as of the Measurement Date.  In the event the Committee certifies that the Company has achieved a Total Shareholder Return that is between any of the Total Shareholder Return Goals set forth above, then the conditions with respect to the Performance Units shall be deemed to have been met for the number of Performance Units determined by linear interpolation 
3






between such Shareholder Return Goals and the restrictions on such Performance Units shall be removed as of the Measurement Date and the remainder of the Performance Units will be forfeited to the Company.  The Committee has the final authority to determine on a nondiscretionary basis whether the Shareholder Return Goals have been met and to what extent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Committee certifies that the Company has achieved a Total Shareholder Return which is above the 75th percentile of the Peer Group but the Total Shareholder Return of the Company is less than zero, then the conditions with respect to the Performance Units shall be deemed to have been satisfied and the restrictions on a number of Performance Units equal to the Above Target Total Shareholder Return Goal shall be removed as of the Measurement Date and the remainder of the Performance Units will be forfeited to the Company.


For purposes of measuring the Shareholder Return Goals with respect to the Company and each of the companies in the Peer Group: "Total Shareholder Return" shall mean the total shareholder return calculated by subtracting 1 from the following fraction:


Numerator: Ending Stock Value 


Denominator: Beginning Stock Value


"Beginning Stock Value" shall mean, with respect to the Company and each of the companies in the Peer Group, $100, invested in common stock at the average closing stock price of such company for each of the trading days in the period covering April, May and June of 2020; "Ending Stock Value" shall mean, with respect to the Company and each of the companies in the Peer Group, the average closing stock price of such company of one share of common stock for each of the trading days in the period covering April, May and June of 2023 multiplied by the sum of the number of shares represented by the Beginning Stock Value initial $100 investment plus such additional shares resulting from all dividends paid on common stock during the three-year measurement period being treated as though they are reinvested on the applicable ex-dividend dates at the applicable closing prices on such dates; and "Peer Group" shall mean AECOM, , Argan, Inc., Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Dycom Industries, Inc., EMCOR Group, Inc., Exterran Corporation, Granite Construction, Inc., Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, IES Holdings, Inc., KBR, Inc., Limbach Holdings, Inc., MasTec, Inc., Mistras Group, Inc., MYR Group Inc., NV5 Global, Inc., Orion Group Holdings, Inc., Primoris Services Corporation, Quanta Services, Inc., Sterling Construction Company, Inc. and TEAM, Inc.  The Company's ranking relative to members of the Peer Group will be determined by listing the Company and members of the Peer Group from highest to lowest Total Shareholder Return achieved by the respective company and counting down from the company with the highest Total Shareholder Return to the Company's position within such list.  In all events, the Total Shareholder Return of any member of the Peer Group shall be adjusted to give effect to any stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits and similar transactions.  If a company or companies in the 
4






Peer Group files for bankruptcy at any time prior to June 30, 2024[1]  (the "Performance Period Termination Date"), then such company or companies shall have the lowest ranking in the Peer Group.  If the common stock of a company or companies in the Peer Group ceases to trade on a national securities exchange as a result of a going private transaction or other acquisition at any time prior to the Performance Period Termination Date, then such company or companies shall be removed from the Peer Group.  


(iii)      Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (i) and (ii) of this Section 2(e), the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall lapse with respect to the RSUs and the Performance Units (as if the Target Total Shareholder Return Goal had been met) upon the occurrence of your death or "Disability."


The term "Disability" shall mean your inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.  For purposes of this Section 2(e)(iii), the Target Performance Goal shall be deemed to have been met on the date the restrictions lapse by reason of the occurrence prior to the Measurement Date of either of the foregoing events, so that the conditions on issuance of 100 percent of the Performance Units shall be deemed satisfied on the date of such event.


(iv)      Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (i) of this Section 2(e), upon the occurrence of your "Retirement," the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) automatically and with no exercise of discretion of the Committee shall lapse with respect to all of your remaining RSUs and be settled upon the earliest to occur of (A) the normal lapsing schedule set forth in Section 2(e)(i) hereof and (B) your death.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection (iv), in the event that you Retire within one year of the date of this Award Agreement, the restrictions will not lapse on any portion of the RSUs represented by this Award Agreement and all such remaining RSUs shall immediately be forfeited.    


The term "Retirement" or "Retire" shall mean your voluntary "Separation from Service" (as defined in Code Section 409A), on or after the date (A) on which you attain age 65 or (B) on which you attain age 60 and have completed at least ten years of continuous service as an employee of the Company or an Affiliate.


(v)       Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (ii) of this Section 2(e), in the event that you Retire prior to the Measurement Date and the Committee subsequently determines and certifies that the Company has achieved a Shareholder Return Goal at a level at or above the Threshold Shareholder Return Goal, the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall lapse with respect to a pro rata number of Performance Units equal to the total number of Performance Units for which the restrictions would have lapsed on the Measurement Date under Subsection (ii) of this Section 2(e) if you had not 
5






Retired prior to the Measurement Date, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of full and partial months elapsed from the date of the Award to the date of your Retirement, and the denominator of which is 36.


(vi)      Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (i) and (ii) of this Section 2(e), in the event of a Change of Control of the Company, this Award Agreement may be continued or assumed by the continuing or successor (as the case may be) organization (the "Successor"), or the Successor may substitute an equivalent award.  With respect to any RSUs that are continued, assumed or substituted for in accordance with this subsection (vi), the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall continue to lapse with respect to such RSUs (as the same may be adjusted in accordance with this subsection (vi)) as set forth in Section 2(e)(i) hereof._ With respect to any Performance Units that are continued, assumed or substituted for in accordance with this subsection (vi), the Shareholder Return Goals set forth in Section 2(e)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied (as if the greater of the Target Total Shareholder Return Goal or the Company’s actual performance in relation to the Shareholder Return Goal as of the date of the Change of Control had been met) and the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall lapse with respect to the Performance Units (as the same may be adjusted consistent with this subsection (vi)) in equal installments on the anniversary dates of this Award Agreement ending on the fourth anniversary of this Award Agreement; provided, however, in the event you incur a voluntary Separation from Service after suffering an "Adverse Event" or incur an involuntary Separation from Service not for "Cause," in connection with a Change of Control or at any time ending with the earlier to occur of the second anniversary of the Change of Control or the Measurement Date, the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall immediately lapse with respect to the RSUs and the Performance Units (as if the greater of the Target Total Shareholder Return Goal or the Company’s actual performance in relation to the Shareholder Return Goal as of the date of the Change of Control had been met).  


The term "Adverse Event" shall as to any Participant mean:


(A)    a material reduction of the Participant’s authorities, duties, or responsibilities with the Company;


(B)    a material reduction of the Participant’s annual salary or a material reduction in the Participant’s target annual incentive compensation, in each case other than a reduction which is applicable to all employees in the same salary grade as the Participant; or


(C)    a transfer of the Participant’s primary workplace by more than thirty-five (35) miles.


If a Participant purports to terminate his or her employment after suffering an Adverse Event, the Participant must give the Company written notice of his or her intent to terminate within sixty (60) calendar days of the occurrence of the event that allegedly constitutes an Adverse Event. The Company shall have a right 
6






to cure the event alleged to constitute an Adverse Event for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after notice from the Participant of his or her intention to terminate.


The term "Cause" shall mean your theft of company property, embezzlement or dishonesty that results in harm to the Company or any Successor; your continued gross or willful neglect of your job responsibilities after receiving written warnings regarding such neglect from the Company or any Successor; your conviction of a felony or pleading nolo contender to a felony charged under state or federal law; or your willful violation of Company policy or the policies of any Successor.




(vii)     Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (i) and (ii) of this Section 2(e), in the event a Change of Control of the Company occurs and this Award Agreement is not continued or assumed by the Successor and the Successor does not substitute an equivalent award, the restrictions described in Section 2(d)(ii) shall immediately lapse with respect to the RSUs and the Performance Units (as if the greater of the Target Total Shareholder Return Goal or the Company’s actual performance in relation to the Shareholder Return Goal as of the date of the Change of Control had been met).  


(viii)    On the date of the lapse of the restrictions in accordance with this Section 2(e), or in any event, no later than sixty days after such date, the Company will make a book-entry registration or will issue you a certificate as provided in Section 2(b) of this Award Agreement for the Shares covered by such Stock-Settled RSUs and Performance Units in redemption of such RSUs and Performance Units and will pay you by check in redemption of the Shares covered by such Cash-Settled RSUs.    


3.         Agreement with Respect to Taxes; Share Withholding.  


(a)       You agree that (1) you will pay to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, in cash, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or such Affiliate regarding the payment of any taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to the  Stock-Settled RSUs, the Cash-Settled RSUs, the Performance Units and/or the Shares and (2) the Company or any of its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payments of any kind otherwise due to you any taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the Stock-Settled RSUs, the Cash-Settled RSUs, the Performance Units and the Shares.


(b)       With respect to withholding required upon the lapse of restrictions or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of the RSUs and Performance Units awarded or the issuance of Shares to you, you may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which could be withheld on the transaction (or such other amount that will not cause adverse accounting consequences for the Company and 
7






is permitted under the Plan and applicable withholding rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service or other applicable governmental entity). All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by you, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that such Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.


4.         Adjustment of Shares.  The number of Shares subject to the RSUs and Performance Units awarded to you under this Award Agreement may be adjusted as provided in the Plan.  


5.         Agreement With Respect to Securities Matters.  You agree that you will not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares received pursuant to this Award Agreement except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an applicable exemption from such registration.  Unless a registration statement relating to the Shares issuable upon the lapse of the restrictions on the RSUs and Performance Units pursuant to this Award Agreement is in effect at the time of issuance of such Shares, the certificate(s) for the Shares shall contain the following legend:  


The securities evidenced by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any other securities laws.  These securities have been acquired for investment and may not be sold or transferred for value in the absence of an effective registration of them under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and any other applicable securities laws, or receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel or other evidence acceptable to the Company that such registration is not required under such acts.  


            6.         Forfeiture and Clawback.  


(a)    You agree that in the event you violate the confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disparagement provisions of any agreement between you and the Company or any Affiliate, or any plan of the Company or any Affiliate in which you participate, including without limitation, the non-solicitation provisions of Section 7 below, you will forfeit in their entirety the  RSUs and the Performance Units, and all of your rights thereto shall terminate without any payment of consideration by the Company. 


(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Award Agreement to the contrary, you acknowledge that any incentive-based compensation paid to you hereunder may be subject to recovery by the Company under any clawback policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including without limitation the Company's existing policy and any policy which the Company may be required to adopt under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or the requirements of any national securities exchange on which the Company's common stock may be listed. You agree to promptly return any such incentive-based compensation which the Company determines it is required to recover from you under any such clawback policy.






8






7.         Non-Solicitation.  


(a)       Non-Solicitation of Employees.  During the period beginning on the date of this Award Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of the date of your termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate, regardless of the reason for your termination of employment, you shall not, directly, or indirectly by assisting others: (i) cause or attempt to cause or encourage any employee of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or an Affiliate or (ii) solicit the employment or engagement as a consultant or adviser, of any employee of the Company or an Affiliate or any former employee of the Company or an Affiliate who left the employ of the Company or Affiliate within two years following your termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate.


(b)       Reasonableness of Restriction.  You agree and acknowledge that the above non-solicitation covenant is reasonable in the scope of activities restricted, the geographic area covered by the restriction and the duration of the restriction, and is necessary in that it protects the legitimate business interests of the Company and its Affiliates in its confidential information, its proprietary work, and its relationships with its employees, customers, suppliers and agents and that it does not unreasonably impair your ability to earn a livelihood or to support your dependants.


(c)       Irreparable Harm; Injunctive Relief.  You agree and acknowledge that a violation by you of the non-solicitation covenant contained herein will result in immediate and irreparable harm to the Company for which there is no adequate remedy at law.  You hereby agree that the Company will be entitled, in addition to any remedies it might have under this Award Agreement or at law, to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or curtail any threatened or actual breach of this Award Agreement by you, without the posting of bond or other security.


(d)       Extension of Covenant.  During any breach of the non-solicitation provisions of this Award Agreement, the period of restraint set forth herein shall be automatically tolled and suspended for the amount of time that the violation continues.


(e)       Survival of Covenants.  Your obligations pursuant to this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Award Agreement and the termination of your employment with the Company or an Affiliate.


(f)        Attorneys' Fees.  You agree to pay the Company any attorneys' fees and costs which the Company incurs in enforcing, to any extent, the provisions of this Section 7, whether or not litigation is actually commenced, and including any appeal.


8.         Compliance with 409A.  The Company intends that this Award Agreement and the Plan either (a) comply with Section 409A and guidance thereunder or (b) be excepted from the provisions of Section 409A. Accordingly, the Company reserves the right and you agree that the Company shall have the right, without your consent and without prior notice to you, to amend either or both this Award Agreement and the Plan to cause this Award Agreement and the Plan to be so compliant or so excepted and to take such other actions under the Plan and this Award Agreement to achieve such compliance or exception. If the payment of any benefit herein 
9






would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Code Section 409A because the timing of such payment is not delayed as provided in Code Section 409A for a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), then if a Participant is a “specified employee,” any such payment that the Participant would otherwise be entitled to receive during the first six months following a “separation from service” (as defined in Code Section 409A) shall be accumulated and paid or provided, as applicable, within ten (10) days after the date that is six months following such separation from service, or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid or provided under Code Section 409A without being subject to such additional taxes and interest imposed pursuant to Code Section 409A and related provisions of the Code.


9.         Certain Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Award Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings provided in the Plan.


10.       Designation of Beneficiary.  Your beneficiary for receipt of any payment made under this Award Agreement in the event of your death shall be the person(s) designated as your beneficiary(ies) on a form prescribed by the Company.  If no beneficiary is designated, upon your death, payment shall be made to your estate.  


[Signature Page to Follow]






10






If you accept this Award Agreement and agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, please so confirm by signing and returning the duplicate copy of this Award Agreement enclosed for that purpose.


                                                                        MATRIX SERVICE COMPANY






                                                                        By:                                                                              
                                                                        Name:                                                                         
                                                                        Title:                                                                           








            The foregoing Award Agreement is accepted by me as of ______________________, and I hereby agree to the terms, conditions, and restrictions set forth above and in the Plan.








                                                                        «Grantee»












11