Document:

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EXHIBIT 10.33

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                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            (VARIABLE FUNDING NOTE),

                           dated as of April 13, 2005,

                                      among

                               CPS WAREHOUSE TRUST
                                   as Issuer,

                       CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.,
                                  as Servicer,

                              PARADIGM FUNDING LLC,
                                  as Paradigm,

                                       and

                 WESTLB AG, acting through its New York Branch,
                      as Committed Note Purchaser and Agent

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                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of
April 13, 2005 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this "AGREEMENT"), is made
among CPS WAREHOUSE TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the "ISSUER"), CONSUMER
PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC., a California corporation ("CPS" or the "SERVICER"),
PARADIGM FUNDING LLC, a Delaware corporation ("PARADIGM"), and WESTLB AG (f/k/a
WESTDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE), acting through its New York Branch, a
German banking corporation (together with its successors and assigns, "WEST
LB"), as Committed Note Purchaser (in such capacity, together with any
successors in such capacity, the "COMMITTED NOTE PURCHASER") and as agent for
Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser (in such capacity, together with any
successors in such capacity, the "AGENT").

                                   BACKGROUND

                  1. The Issuer, the Servicer, Paradigm, the Committed Note
Purchaser and the Agent (the "AMENDING PARTIES") entered into that Note Purchase
Agreement dated as of March 7, 2002 (the "ORIGINAL Agreement"), which was
amended and restated as of November 30, 2004 (as amended and restated, the
"AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT").

                  2. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the
Original Agreement, the Issuer, WestLB and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association ("WELLS FARGO"), as successor-by-merger to Wells Fargo Bank
Minnesota, National Association, as successor-in-interest to Bank One Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (together with its successors in trust thereunder as
provided in the Indenture referred to below, the "TRUSTEE"), entered into the
Indenture, dated as of March 7, 2002 (the "ORIGINAL INDENTURE"), which was
amended and restated as of November 30, 2004 (as amended and restated, the
"AMENDED AND RESTATED INDENTURE"), pursuant to which the Issuer issued its
Variable Funding Note (as amended and restated, the "AMENDED AND RESTATED
NOTE").

                  3. The security for the Amended and Restated Note includes
retail installment sale contracts secured by the new and used automobiles, vans,
minivans and light trucks (the "RECEIVABLES") that were pledged by the Issuer to
the Trustee pursuant to the Amended and Restated Indenture. The holder of the
Amended and Restated Note also has the benefit of a financial guarantee
insurance policy (the "NOTE POLICY") issued by XL Capital Insurance Inc.
("XLCA").

                  4. The Issuer from time to time acquired pools of Receivables
from CPS pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2002
(the "ORIGINAL SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT"), among the Issuer, as purchaser,
CPS, as seller and servicer (in such capacities, the "SELLER" and the
"SERVICER," respectively), Systems & Services Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, as back-up servicer, and Wells Fargo, as successor-by-merger to
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as successor-in-interest to
Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as standby servicer and as Trustee, which was
amended and restated as of November 30, 2004 (as amended and restated, the
"AMENDED AND RESTATED SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT"), by the Issuer, as
purchaser, CPS, as Seller and Servicer, Wells Fargo, as back-up servicer (in
such capacity, the "BACK-UP Servicer") and Trustee, and WestLB, as Agent.

                  5. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and the
Amended and Restated Indenture the Issuer issued the Amended and Restated Note
in favor of Paradigm and obtained the agreement of Paradigm to make loans from
time to time (each, an "ADVANCE") for the purchase of Invested Amounts, all of
which Advances are evidenced by the Amended and Restated Note.

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                  6. The Trustee, WestLB and the Issuer are amending and
restating the Amended and Restated Indenture pursuant to that Second Amended and
Restated Indenture dated as of even date herewith (as the same may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereof, the "INDENTURE") and, in connection therewith, amending
and restating the Amended and Restated Note (as the same may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereof and the Indenture, the "NOTE") and the parties to the
Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement are amending and restating the
Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement pursuant to that Second
Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement dated as of even date herewith
(as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the "SALE AND SERVICING
AGREEMENT"). Simultaneously with the amendment and restatement of the Amended
and Restated Indenture, the Amended and Restated Note and the Amended and
Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Note Policy is being terminated in
accordance with its terms and XLCA is releasing, and will be released from, as
applicable, all of its rights, duties and obligations under the Note Policy and
the Basic Documents (as defined in the Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing
Agreement).

                  7. The Amending Parties now desire to amend and restate the
Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect the terms upon which Paradigm and the
Committed Note Purchaser will continue to make Advances to the Issuer for the
purchase of Invested Amounts.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

                  SECTION 1.01 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement and unless
the context requires a different meaning, capitalized terms used but not defined
herein (including the PREAMBLE and the RECITALS hereto) shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in ANNEX A to the Sale and Servicing Agreement. In
addition, the following terms shall have the following meanings and the
definitions of such terms are applicable to the singular as well as the plural
form of such terms and to the masculine as well as the feminine and neuter
genders of such terms:

                                   ARTICLE II
                          PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE NOTE

                  SECTION 2.01 THE INITIAL NOTE PURCHASE. On the terms and
conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Sale and Servicing Agreement and this
Agreement, and in reliance on the covenants, representations and agreements set
forth herein and therein, the Issuer shall issue and cause the Trustee to
authenticate and deliver to the Agent, as agent for Paradigm and the Committed
Note Purchaser, the Note on the date hereof. Such Note shall be dated the date
hereof, registered in the name of the Agent, as agent for Paradigm, the
Committed Note Purchaser, and their respective successors and assigns and duly
authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

                  SECTION 2.02 ADVANCES. Upon the Issuer's request, delivered in
accordance with the provisions of SECTION 2.03, and the satisfaction of all
conditions precedent thereto, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement, Paradigm may and,
if Paradigm determines that it will not make an Advance or any portion of an
Advance, the Committed Note Purchaser shall, to the extent Paradigm does not
make such Advance, make Advances from time to time during the Term; PROVIDED
that no Advance shall be required or permitted to be made on any date if, after
giving effect to such Advance, (a) the Invested Amount would exceed the Maximum
Invested Amount or (b) a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists or would exist. The
proceeds of all Advances on any date shall be deposited into the Principal
Funding Account. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture, the
aggregate principal amount of the Advances outstanding may be increased or
decreased from time to time.

                  SECTION 2.03 ADVANCE PROCEDURES. Whenever the Issuer wishes
Paradigm to make an Advance, the Issuer shall (or shall cause the Servicer to)
notify the Controlling Party by written notice delivered to the Controlling
Party no later than the third Business Day prior to the proposed Funding Date.

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Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall in each case refer to this
Agreement and specify the aggregate amount of the requested Advance to be made
on such date. The Controlling Party shall promptly advise Paradigm and the
Committed Note Purchaser of any notice given pursuant to this section and shall
promptly thereafter (but in no event later than 11:00 a.m. New York City time on
the proposed Funding Date) notify the Issuer whether Paradigm or the Committed
Note Purchaser has determined to make such Advances. On the Funding Date,
subject to the other conditions set forth herein, in the Indenture, and in the
Sale and Servicing Agreement, Paradigm or the Committed Note Purchaser, as the
case may be, shall make available to the Issuer the amount of such Advance by
wire transfer in U.S. dollars of such amount in same day funds to the Principal
Funding Account no later than 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date of such
Advance.

                  SECTION 2.04 THE NOTE. On each date an Advance is funded under
the Note pursuant to the Indenture and on each date the amount of outstanding
Advances thereunder is reduced, a duly authorized officer, employee or agent of
the Controlling Party shall make appropriate notations in its books and records
of the amount of such Advance and the amount of such reduction, as applicable.
The Issuer hereby authorizes each duly authorized officer, employee and agent of
the Controlling Party to make such notations on the books and records as
aforesaid and every such notation made in accordance with the foregoing
authority shall be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the accuracy of the information so
recorded and shall be binding on the Issuer absent manifest error; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in the event of a discrepancy between the books and records of the
Controlling Party and the records maintained by the Trustee pursuant to the
Indenture, such discrepancy shall be resolved by the Controlling Party and the
Trustee.

                  SECTION 2.05 COMMITMENT TERM. The "TERM" of the Commitment
hereunder shall be for a period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the
Facility Termination Date, or such later date as the Committed Note Purchaser,
Paradigm and the Agent may agree to in writing, in their sole and absolute
discretion.

                  SECTION 2.06 SELECTION OF INTEREST RATES. Following any
assignment by Paradigm to its related liquidity providers pursuant to the
applicable liquidity purchase agreement or to the Committed Note Purchaser
hereunder, the Issuer may elect that Advances accrue interest at the Base Rate
or (if the Issuer gives notice prior to 11:00 a.m. (London Time) on the date
which is two London Business Days prior to the commencement of the related
Eurodollar Interest Period) that such Advances be made as Eurodollar Advances.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                INTEREST AND FEES

                  SECTION 3.01 INTEREST. Each Advance funded or maintained by
Paradigm during any Interest Period (a) through the issuance of commercial paper
shall bear interest at the CP Rate for such Interest Period and (b) through
means other than the issuance of Commercial Paper shall bear interest at (i) the
Base Rate for the related Interest Period or (ii) if the required notice has
been given, the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for the related Eurodollar
Interest Period, in each case except as otherwise provided in the definition of
Eurodollar Interest Period or in SECTION 3.03 or 3.04. Paradigm shall promptly
(but in no event later than the Business Day preceding the next Determination
Date) notify the Issuer and the Servicer of the applicable interest rate for the
Advances as of the first day of each Interest Period.

                  (a) Interest on Advances shall be due and payable on each
Settlement Date in accordance with the provisions of the Sale and Servicing
Agreement.

                  (b) All computations of interest at the CP Rate and the
Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) shall be made on the basis of a year of 360
days and the actual number of days elapsed and all computations of interest at
the Base Rate shall be made on the basis of a 365 (or 366, as applicable) day
year and actual number of days elapsed. Whenever any payment of interest or
principal in respect of any Advance shall be due on a day other than a Business
Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day (other than
as provided in the definition of Eurodollar Interest Period) and such extension
of time shall be included in the computation of the amount of interest owed.

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                  SECTION 3.02 FEES. On each Settlement Date on or prior to the
Facility Termination Date, the Issuer shall pay a facility fee equal to (i) the
product of (x) a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual number of days
elapsed in the related Interest Period and the denominator of which is 360 and
(y) 0.25% and (ii) the difference between (a) the Maximum Invested Amount and
(b) the daily average outstanding Invested Amount (the "UNUSED FACILITY FEE")
during the related Interest Period. Such Unused Facility Fee shall be paid in
accordance with Section 5.7(a)(ix) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.

                  SECTION 3.03 EURODOLLAR LENDING UNLAWFUL. If Paradigm, the
Committed Note Purchaser or any Program Support Provider shall reasonably
determine (which determination shall, upon notice thereof to Paradigm and the
Issuer, be conclusive and binding on Paradigm and the Issuer absent manifest
error) that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any
law or regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental
Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for any such Program Support Provider to
make, continue, or maintain any Advance as, or to convert any Advance into, the
Eurodollar Tranche of such Advance, the obligation of such Person to make,
continue or maintain or convert any such Advance as the Eurodollar Tranche of
such Advance shall, upon such determination, forthwith be suspended until such
Person shall notify Paradigm and the Issuer that the circumstances causing such
suspension no longer exist, and Paradigm shall immediately convert all Advances
of any such Program Support Provider, as applicable, into the Base Rate Tranche
of such Advance at the end of the then current Eurodollar Interest Periods with
respect thereto or sooner, if required by such law or assertion.

                  SECTION 3.04 DEPOSITS UNAVAILABLE. If Paradigm, the Committed
Note Purchaser or any Program Support Provider shall have reasonably determined
that:

                  (a) Dollar deposits in the relevant amount and for the
         relevant Eurodollar Interest Period are not available to all Reference
         Lenders in the relevant market; or

                  (b) by reason of circumstances affecting all Reference
         Lenders' relevant market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining
         the interest rate applicable hereunder to the Eurodollar Tranche of any
         Advance; or

                  (c) Paradigm, the Committed Note Purchaser or the Majority
         Program Support Providers have notified Paradigm and the Issuer that,
         with respect to any interest rate otherwise applicable hereunder to the
         Eurodollar Tranche of any Advance the Eurodollar Interest Period for
         which has not then commenced, such interest rate will not adequately
         reflect the cost to such Majority Program Support Providers of making,
         funding or maintaining their respective Eurodollar Tranche of such
         Advance for such Eurodollar Interest Period,

then, upon notice from Paradigm, the Committed Note Purchaser or the Majority
Program Support Providers to Paradigm and the Issuer, the obligations of
Paradigm, the Committed Note Purchaser and all Program Support Providers to make
or continue any Advance as, or to convert any Advances into, the Eurodollar
Tranche of such Advance shall forthwith be suspended until Paradigm shall notify
the Issuer that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.

                  SECTION 3.05 INCREASED COSTS, ETC. The Issuer agrees to
reimburse Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser and any Program Support
Provider (each, an "AFFECTED PERSON") for an increase in the cost of, or any
reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by any such Affected Person,
including reductions in the rate of return on such Affected Person's capital, in
respect of making, continuing or maintaining (or of its obligation to make,
continue or maintain) any Advances as, or of converting (or of its obligation to
convert) any Advances into, the Eurodollar Tranche of such Advance that arise in
connection with any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness,

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interpretation reinterpretation or phase-in, in each case, after the date
hereof, of any law or regulation, directive, guideline, decision or request
(whether or not having the force of law) of any court, central bank, regulator
or other Governmental Authority, except for such changes with respect to
increased capital costs and taxes which are governed by SECTIONS 3.07 and 3.08,
respectively; PROVIDED, however, that the Issuer shall have no obligation to pay
any such additional amount under this SECTION 3.05 with respect to any day or
days unless any such Affected Person shall have notified Paradigm and the Issuer
of its demand therefor within forty-five (45) days of the date upon which such
Affected Person has obtained audited information with respect to the fiscal year
of such Affected Person in which such day or days occurred. Each such demand
shall be provided to Paradigm and the Issuer in writing and shall state, in
reasonable detail, the reasons therefor and the additional amount required fully
to compensate such Affected Person for such increased cost or reduced amount or
return. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the Issuer to Paradigm and
by Paradigm directly to such Affected Person within five (5) Business Days of
its receipt of such notice, and such notice shall, in the absence of manifest
error, be conclusive and binding on Paradigm and the Issuer.

                  SECTION 3.06 FUNDING LOSSES. In the event any Affected Person
shall incur any loss or expense (including any loss or expense incurred by
reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by
such Affected Person to make, continue or maintain any portion of the principal
amount of any Advance as, or to convert any portion of the principal amount of
any Advance into, the Eurodollar Tranche of such Advance) as a result of:

                  (a) any conversion or repayment or prepayment (for any reason,
         including, without limitation, as a result of the acceleration of the
         maturity of the Eurodollar Tranche of such Advance or the assignment
         thereof in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Program
         Support Agreement) of the principal amount of any portion of the
         Eurodollar Tranche on a date other than the scheduled last day of the
         Eurodollar Interest Period applicable thereto;

                  (b) any Advance not being made as an Advance under the
         Eurodollar Tranche after a request for such an Advance has been made in
         accordance with the terms contained herein; or

                  (c) any Advance not being continued as, or converted into, an
         Advance under the Eurodollar Tranche after a request for such an
         Advance has been made in accordance with the terms contained herein, or

                  (d) any failure of the Issuer to make a prepayment on the Note
         after notice thereof is delivered pursuant to SECTION 10.1(B) of the
         Indenture.

then, upon the written notice of any Affected Person to Paradigm and the Issuer,
the Issuer shall pay to Paradigm and Paradigm shall, within five (5) Business
Days of its receipt thereof, pay directly to such Affected Person such amount as
will (in the reasonable determination of such Affected Person) reimburse such
Affected Person for such loss or expense. Such written notice (which shall
include calculations in reasonable detail) shall, in the absence of manifest
error, be conclusive and binding on Paradigm and the Issuer.

                  SECTION 3.07 INCREASED CAPITAL COSTS. If any change in, or the
introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation or reinterpretation or
phase-in, in each case after the date hereof, of any law or regulation,
directive, guideline, decision or request (whether or not having the force of
law) of any court, central bank, regulator or other Governmental Authority
affects or would affect the amount of capital required or reasonably expected to
be maintained by any Affected Person or any Person controlling such Affected
Person and such Affected Person reasonably determines (in its sole and absolute
discretion) that the rate of return on its or such controlling Person's capital
as a consequence of its commitment or the Advances made by such Affected Person
is reduced to a level below that which such Affected Person or such controlling
Person would have achieved but for the occurrence of any such circumstance,
then, in any such case after notice from time to time by such Affected Person to
Paradigm and the Issuer, the Issuer shall pay to Paradigm and Paradigm shall pay

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an incremental commitment fee sufficient to compensate such Affected Person or
such controlling Person for such reduction in rate of return; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that neither the Issuer nor Paradigm shall have any obligation to pay any such
additional amount under this SECTION 3.07 with respect to any day or days unless
such Affected Person shall have notified Paradigm and the Issuer of its demand
therefor within forty-five (45) days of the date upon which such Affected Person
has obtained audited information with respect to the fiscal year of such
Affected Person in which such day or days occurred. A statement of such Affected
Person as to any such additional amount or amounts (including calculations
thereof in reasonable detail), in the absence of manifest error, shall be
conclusive and binding on Paradigm and the Issuer; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that
the initial payment of such increased commitment fee shall include a payment for
accrued amounts due under this SECTION 3.07 prior to such initial payment. In
determining such additional amount, such Affected Person may use any method of
averaging and attribution that it (in its reasonable discretion) shall deem
applicable so long as it applies such method to other similar transactions.

                  SECTION 3.08 TAXES. All payments by the Issuer of principal
of, and interest on, the Advances and all other amounts payable hereunder
(including fees) shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any
present or future income, excise, stamp or franchise taxes and other taxes,
fees, duties, withholdings or other charges of any nature whatsoever imposed by
any taxing authority, but excluding in the case of any Affected Person, taxes
imposed on or measured by its overall net income, overall receipts or overall
assets and franchise taxes imposed on it by the jurisdiction of any Affected
Person, as the case may be, in which it is organized or is operating or any
political subdivision thereof and taxes imposed on or measured by its overall
net income, overall receipts or overall assets or franchise taxes imposed on it
by the jurisdiction of any Affected Person's Domestic Office or Eurodollar
Office, as the case may be, or any political subdivision thereof (such
non-excluded items being called "TAXES"). In the event that any withholding or
deduction from any payment to be made by Paradigm hereunder is required in
respect of any Taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, then
the Issuer will pay to Paradigm and Paradigm will

                  (a) pay directly to the relevant authority the full amount
         required to be so withheld or deducted;

                  (b) promptly forward to the agent for the relevant Affected
         Person an official receipt or other documentation satisfactory to the
         agent for the relevant Affected Person or evidencing such payment to
         such authority; and

                  (c) pay to the agent for the relevant Affected Person such
         additional amount or amounts as is necessary to ensure that the net
         amount actually received by each Affected Person will equal the full
         amount such Affected Person would have received had no such withholding
         or deduction been required.

Moreover, if any Taxes are directly asserted against any Affected Person with
respect to any payment received by such Affected Person or its agent hereunder,
such Affected Person or its agent may pay such Taxes and Paradigm will promptly
upon receipt of prior written notice stating the amount of such Taxes pay such
additional amounts (including any penalties, interest or expenses) as is
necessary in order that the net amount received by such person after the payment
of such Taxes (including any Taxes on such additional amount) shall equal the
amount such person would have received had not such Taxes been asserted. Each
Affected Person shall make all reasonable efforts, including transferring its
interest in the Note to another lending office, to avoid the imposition of any
Taxes which would give rise to an additional payment under this SECTION 3.08.

                  If the Issuer fails to pay any Taxes when due to the
appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the Affected Person or its
agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Issuer
shall indemnify the Affected Person and their agent for any incremental Taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by any such Affected Person or its
agent as a result of any such failure. For purposes of this SECTION 3.08, a
distribution hereunder by the agent for the relevant Affected Person shall be
deemed a payment by the Issuer.

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                  Upon the request of the Issuer, each Affected Person that is
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States shall,
prior to the initial due date of any payments hereunder and to the extent
permissible under then current law, execute and deliver to Paradigm and the
Issuer on or about the first scheduled payment date in each calendar year
thereafter, one or more (as the Issuer may reasonably request) United States
Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8ECI or Forms W-8BEN or such other forms or
documents (or successor forms or documents), appropriately completed, as may be
applicable to establish the extent, if any, to which a payment to such Affected
Person is exempt from withholding or deduction of Taxes. Paradigm shall not,
however, be required to pay any increased amount under this SECTION 3.08 to any
Affected Person that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than
the United States if such Affected Person fails to comply with the requirements
set forth in this paragraph.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                               OTHER PAYMENT TERMS

                  SECTION 4.01 TIME AND METHOD OF PAYMENT. All amounts payable
to Paradigm or the Committed Note Purchaser hereunder or with respect to the
Note shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds in Dollars
not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date due. Any funds
received after that time will be deemed to have been received on the next
Business Day.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    THE AGENT

                  SECTION 5.01 AUTHORIZATION AND ACTION. Each Note Purchaser
Party is hereby deemed to have designated and appointed West LB as the Agent
hereunder, and hereby authorizes the Agent to take such actions as agent on its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent by the terms of
this Agreement together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
The Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly
set forth herein (whether as Agent or, if applicable, Controlling Party), or any
fiduciary relationship with Paradigm, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities on the part of the Agent
shall be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist for the Agent. In
performing its functions and duties hereunder, the Agent shall act solely as
agent for the Note Purchaser Parties and does not assume nor shall it be deemed
to have assumed any obligation or relationship of trust or agency with or for
the Issuer or any of its successors or assigns. The Agent shall not be required
to take any action that exposes the Agent to personal liability or that is
contrary to this Agreement or applicable law. The appointment and authority of
the Agent hereunder shall terminate upon the earlier of (x) the indefeasible
payment in full of the Note and all other amounts owed by the Issuer hereunder
and under the Indenture (the "AGGREGATE UNPAIDS") and (y) the resignation of the
Agent without the appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to Section 5.07.

                  SECTION 5.02 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Agent may execute any
of its duties under this Agreement by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and
shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such
duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of
any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  SECTION 5.03 EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither the Agent nor any
of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be (a) liable for any
action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in
connection with this Agreement (except for its, their or such Person's own gross
negligence or willful misconduct or, in the case of the Agent, the breach of its
obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement), or (b) responsible in any
manner to any of the Note Purchaser Parties for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties made by the Issuer contained in this Agreement or
in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided
for in, or received under or in connection with, this Agreement for the value,
validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this
Agreement or any other document furnished in connection herewith, or for any
failure of the Issuer to perform its obligations hereunder, or for the
satisfaction of any condition specified in Article VII. The Agent shall not be
under any obligation to any Note Purchaser Party to ascertain or to inquire as
to the observance or performance of any of the agreements or covenants contained
in, or conditions of, this Agreement, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of the Issuer. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
Funding Termination Event or potential Funding Termination Event unless the
Agent has received notice from the Issuer or a Note Purchaser Party.

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                  SECTION 5.04 RELIANCE. The Agent shall in all cases be
entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any document or
conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed,
sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of
legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Issuer),
independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall
in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under
this Agreement or any other document furnished in connection herewith unless it
shall first receive such advice or concurrence of Paradigm or the Note Purchaser
Parties, as applicable, as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified
to its satisfaction by the Note Purchaser Parties, provided that unless and
until the Agent shall have received such advice, the Agent may take or refrain
from taking any action, as the Agent shall deem advisable and in the best
interests of the Note Purchaser Parties. The Agent shall in all cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, in accordance with a request
of a Note Purchaser Party and such request and any action taken or failure to
act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Note Purchaser Parties.

                  SECTION 5.05 NON-RELIANCE ON THE AGENT AND OTHER PURCHASERS.
Each Note Purchaser Party expressly acknowledges that neither the Agent nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Agent
hereafter taken, including, without limitation, any review of the affairs of the
Issuer, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the
Agent. Each Note Purchaser Party represents and warrants to the Agent that it
has and will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Note Purchaser Party and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the
business, operations, property, prospects, financial and other conditions and
creditworthiness of the Issuer and made its own decision to enter into this
Agreement and, in the case of a Hedge Counterparty, such Hedge Counterparty's
Hedge Agreement.
                  SECTION 5.06 THE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. The Agent
and any of its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, and generally
engage in any kind of business with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer as
though the Agent were not the Agent hereunder.

                  SECTION 5.07 SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may, upon 5 days
notice to the Issuer and the Note Purchaser Parties, and the Agent will, upon
the direction of Paradigm or any successor Noteholder, resign as Agent. If the
Agent shall resign, then Paradigm or any successor Noteholder, during such 5-day
period, may appoint from among the Note Purchaser Parties a successor Agent. The
retiring Agent shall agree to cause the re-registration of the Note in the name
of a successor Agent or Paradigm or any successor Noteholder and/or the
Committed Note Purchaser, as directed by Paradigm or any successor Noteholder.
After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of
SECTION 9.05 and this Article V shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Agent under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  SECTION 6.01 THE ISSUER. The Issuer represents and warrants to
Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser that each of its representations and
warranties in the Indenture and the other Basic Documents is true and correct,
as of the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof and as of and
after giving effect to the making of each Advance as if made on and as of the
making of each Advance, and further represents and warrants to such parties, as
of the date hereof and as of and after giving effect to the making of each
Advance, that:

                  (a) The Issuer has been duly organized and is validly existing
         as a statutory trust in good standing under the laws of the State of
         Delaware, and the Issuer has full power and authority (corporate and
         other) necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct its
         business as now conducted by it and to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement and the other Basic Documents and,
         with respect to the Issuer, to cause the Trustee to authorize and issue
         the Note from time to time as contemplated by this Agreement and the
         Indenture;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                  (b) the Issuer is not in violation of its certificate of trust
         or in default under any agreement, indenture or instrument to which it
         is a party, the effect of which violation or default would be
         materially adverse to it, to the Receivables or to any of the
         transactions contemplated hereby. Neither the issuance and sale of the
         Note, nor the execution, delivery and performance by the Issuer of this
         Agreement or any Basic Document to which it is a party, nor the
         consummation by the Issuer of any of the transactions contemplated
         hereby or by any Basic Document, nor compliance by the Issuer with the
         provisions hereof or thereof, does or will conflict with or result in a
         breach or violation of any term or provision of the certificate of
         trust (or other document of similar import) of the Issuer or conflict
         with, result in a breach, violation or acceleration of, or constitute a
         default under, the terms of any indenture or other agreement or
         instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which either of them is
         bound or to which any of the properties of the Issuer is subject, the
         effect of which conflict, breach, violation, acceleration or default
         would be materially adverse to it, the Receivables or any of the
         transactions contemplated hereby or any statute, order or regulation
         applicable to the Issuer of any court, regulatory body, administrative
         agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Issuer, the
         effect of which conflict, breach, violation or default would be
         materially adverse to it, the Receivables or any of the transactions
         contemplated hereby. The Issuer is not a party to, bound by or in
         breach or violation of any indenture or other agreement or instrument
         to which it is a party, or subject to or in violation of any statute,
         order or regulation of any court, regulatory body, administrative
         agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over it that materially
         and adversely affects, or could reasonably be expected to materially
         and adversely affect, (i) the ability of the Issuer to perform its
         obligations under this Agreement or any Basic Document or (ii) the
         business, operations, financial condition, properties, assets or
         prospects of the Issuer;

                  (c) there are no actions or proceedings against, or
         investigations of, the Issuer pending, or, to the knowledge of the
         Issuer, threatened, before any court, arbitrator, administrative agency
         or other tribunal (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement, any
         Basic Document or the Note, (ii) seeking to prevent the issuance of the
         Note or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by
         this Agreement or any Basic Document, (iii) that, if determined
         adversely to the Issuer, could reasonably be expected to materially and
         adversely affect the Receivables or the business, operations, financial
         condition, properties, assets or prospects of the Issuer or the
         validity or enforceability of, or the performance by the Issuer of its
         obligations under, this Agreement, any Basic Document or the Note or
         (iv) seeking to affect adversely the federal income tax attributes of
         the Note;

                  (d) immediately prior to each pledge of Receivables by the
         Issuer to the Trustee as contemplated by the Indenture, the Issuer (i)
         had good title to, and was the sole owner of, each such Receivable and
         the other property purported to be pledged by it pursuant to the
         Indenture free and clear of any Lien and (ii) had not assigned to any
         person any of its right, title or interest in such Receivables or
         property.

                  (e) [Reserved].

                  (f) no Funding Termination Event, or event which, with the
         giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute a
         Funding Termination Event, has occurred and is continuing;

                  (g) assuming Paradigm or other purchaser of the Note hereunder
         is not purchasing with a view toward further distribution and there has
         been no general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning
         of the Securities Act, the offer and sale of the Note in the manner
         contemplated by this Agreement is a transaction exempt from the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act, and the Indenture is
         not required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; and

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                  (h) the Issuer has furnished to the Committed Note Purchaser
         true, accurate and (except as otherwise consented by the Committed Note
         Purchaser) complete copies of all other Basic Documents to which it is
         a party as of the date of this Agreement, all of which Basic Documents
         are in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement and no
         terms of any such agreements or documents have been amended, modified
         or otherwise waived as of such date.

                  SECTION 6.02 SERVICER. The Servicer represents and warrants to
Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser, as of the date hereof and as of and
after giving effect to the making of each Advance, that:

                  (a) the Servicer has been duly organized and is validly
         existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
         of California, and the Servicer has full power and authority (corporate
         and other) necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct its
         business as now conducted by it and to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement and the other Basic Documents;

                  (b) the Servicer is not in violation of its certificate of
         incorporation or by-laws, respectively, or in default under any
         agreement, indenture or instrument to which it is a party, the effect
         of which violation or default would be materially adverse to it, to the
         Receivables or to any of the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither
         the issuance and sale of the Note, nor the execution, delivery and
         performance by the Servicer of this Agreement or any Basic Document to
         which it is a party, nor the consummation by the Servicer of any of the
         transactions contemplated hereby or by any Basic Document, nor
         compliance by the Servicer with the provisions hereof or thereof, does
         or will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any term or
         provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other
         document of similar import) of the Servicer or conflict with, result in
         a breach, violation or acceleration of, or constitute a default under,
         the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which
         the Servicer is a party or by which either of them is bound or to which
         any of the properties of the Servicer is subject, the effect of which
         conflict, breach, violation, acceleration or default would be
         materially adverse to it, the Receivables or any of the transactions
         contemplated hereby or any statute, order or regulation applicable to
         the Servicer of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or
         governmental body having jurisdiction over the Servicer, the effect of
         which conflict, breach, violation or default would be materially
         adverse to it, the Receivables or any of the transactions contemplated
         hereby. The Servicer is not a party to, bound by or in breach or
         violation of any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which it
         is a party, or subject to or in violation of any statute, order or
         regulation of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or
         governmental body having jurisdiction over it that materially and
         adversely affects, or could reasonably be expected to materially and
         adversely affect, (i) the ability of the Servicer to perform its
         obligations under this Agreement or any Basic Document or (ii) the
         business, operations, financial condition, properties, assets or
         prospects of the Servicer;

                  (c) there are no actions or proceedings against, or
         investigations of, the Servicer pending, or, to the knowledge of the
         Servicer, threatened, before any court, arbitrator, administrative
         agency or other tribunal (i) asserting the invalidity of this
         Agreement, any Basic Document or the Note, (ii) seeking to prevent the
         issuance of the Note or the consummation of any of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement or any Basic Document, (iii) that, if
         determined adversely to the Servicer, could reasonably be expected to
         materially and adversely affect the Receivables or the business,
         operations, financial condition, properties, assets or prospects of the
         Servicer or the validity or enforceability of, or the performance by
         the Servicer of its obligations under, this Agreement, any Basic
         Document or the Note or (iv) seeking to affect adversely the federal
         income tax attributes of the Note;

                  (d) each representation and warranty made by it in each Basic
         Document to which it is a party (including any representations and
         warranties made by it as Servicer) is true and correct as of the date
         originally made, as of the date hereof as if made on and as of the date
         hereof and as of and after giving effect to the making of each Advance
         as if made on and as of the making of each Advance,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                  (e) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Servicer and
         its consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and the related
         statements of income, changes in stockholders equity and cash flow as
         of and for the fiscal year ending on such date (including in each case
         the schedules and notes thereto) (the "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"), have
         been prepared in accordance with GAAP and present fairly the financial
         position of the Servicer and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
         dates thereof and the results of their operations for the periods
         covered thereby subject, in the case of all unaudited statements, to
         normal year-end adjustments and lack of footnotes and other
         presentation items.

                  SECTION 6.03 NOTE PURCHASER. Each of Paradigm and the
Committed Note Purchaser represents and warrants to the Issuer and the Servicer,
as of the date hereof (or as of a subsequent date on which a successor or assign
of Paradigm or the Committed Note Purchaser shall become a party hereto), that:

                  (a) it has had an opportunity to discuss the Issuer's and the
         Servicer's business, management and financial affairs, and the terms
         and conditions of the proposed purchase, with the Issuer and the
         Servicer and their respective representatives;

                  (b) it is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule
         501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and
         has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business
         matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investing
         in, and is able and prepared to bear the economic risk of investing in,
         the Note;

                  (c) it is purchasing the Note for its own account, or for the
         account of one or more "accredited investors" within the meaning of
         Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities
         Act that meet the criteria described in SUBSECTION (B) and for which it
         is acting with complete investment discretion, for investment purposes
         only and not with a view to distribution, subject, nevertheless, to the
         understanding that the disposition of its property shall at all times
         be and remain within its control;

                  (d) it understands that the Note has not been and will not be
         registered or qualified under the Securities Act or any applicable
         state securities laws or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction
         and is being offered only in a transaction not involving any public
         offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and may not be resold
         or otherwise transferred unless so registered or qualified or unless an
         exemption from registration or qualification is available, that the
         Issuer is not required to register the Note, and that any transfer must
         comply with provisions of SECTION 2.3 of the Indenture;

                  (e) it understands that the Note will bear the legend set out
         in the form of Note attached as EXHIBIT A-1 to the Indenture and be
         subject to the restrictions on transfer described in such legend;

                  (f) it will comply with all applicable federal and state
         securities laws in connection with any subsequent resale of the Note;

                  (g) it understands that the Note may be offered, resold,
         pledged or otherwise transferred with the Issuer's prior written
         consent (unless an Event of Default has occurred, in which case, the
         Issuer's consent is not required) only (A) to the Issuer or an
         Affiliate of the Issuer, (B) in a transaction meeting the requirements
         of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (C) in a transaction
         complying with or exempt from the registration requirements of the
         Securities Act and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of
         any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction;
         notwithstanding the foregoing, it is hereby understood and agreed by
         the Issuer that the Note will be pledged by Paradigm pursuant to
         Paradigm's commercial paper program documents, and may be sold,
         transferred or pledged to West LB or any affiliate of West LB or, any
         commercial paper conduit administered by West LB or any affiliate of
         West LB, without the consent of the Issuer;

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                  (h) if it desires to offer, sell or otherwise transfer, pledge
         or hypothecate the Note as described in clause (B) or (C) of the
         preceding paragraph, the transferee of the Note will be required to
         deliver a certificate and may under certain circumstances be required
         to deliver an opinion of counsel, in each case, as described in the
         Indenture, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
         applicable seller, that an exemption from the registration requirements
         of the Securities Act applies to such offer, sale, transfer or
         hypothecation. Paradigm understands that the registrar and transfer
         agent for the Note will not be required to accept for registration of
         transfer the Note acquired by it, except upon presentation of an
         executed letter in the form required by the Indenture;

                  (i) it will obtain from any purchaser of the Note
         substantially the same representations and warranties contained in the
         foregoing paragraphs; and

                  (j) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
         executed and delivered by Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser and
         constitutes a legal, valid, binding obligation of Paradigm and the
         Committed Note Purchaser, enforceable against Paradigm and the
         Committed Note Purchaser in accordance with its terms.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   CONDITIONS

                  SECTION 7.01 CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE. Paradigm will have no
obligation to purchase the Note hereunder unless:

                  (a) the Indenture shall be in full force and effect; and

                  (b) at the time of such issuance, all conditions to the
         issuance of the Note under the Indenture and under SECTION 2.2 of the
         Sale and Servicing Agreement shall have been satisfied.

                  SECTION 7.02 CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCE. The obligation of
Paradigm to fund the initial Advance hereunder shall be subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent that all conditions precedent set forth
in the Indenture and in SECTION 2.2 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement shall
have been satisfied, the Agent shall have received a duly executed and
authenticated Note registered in its name as Agent and stating that the
principal amount thereof shall not exceed the Maximum Invested Amount and the
Issuer shall have paid all fees required to be paid by it on the Closing Date,
including all fees required hereunder.

                  SECTION 7.03 CONDITIONS TO EACH ADVANCE. The election of
Paradigm to fund, and the obligation of the Committed Note Purchaser to fund,
any Advance on any day (including the Initial Advance) shall be subject to the
conditions precedent that on the date of the Advance, before and after giving
effect thereto and to the application of any proceeds therefrom, the following
statements shall be true:

                  (a) the Facility Termination Date shall not have occurred;

                  (b) the Controlling Party shall have received the Servicer's
         Certificate for the Accrual Period immediately preceding the date of
         such Advance and an executed advance request in the form of EXHIBIT B-1
         or EXHIBIT B-2 hereto (each such request, an "ADVANCE REQUEST")
         certifying as to the current Borrowing Base;

                  (c) such Advance is at least $1,000,000;

                  (d) such Advance will not cause there to be more than two
         Advances in a calendar week;

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                  (e) after giving effect to such Advance, the Aggregate
         Principal Balance of Eligible Receivables will be $5,000,000 or more;

                  (f) after giving effect to such Advance, the Invested Amount
         of the Note will not exceed the Maximum Invested Amount;

                  (g) no Funding Termination Event or Event of Default has
         occurred or will occur as a result of making such Advance;

                  (h) the representations and warranties made by the Servicer
         and the Issuer are true and correct;

                  (i) the Controlling Party shall have received a properly
         completed Borrowing Base Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT A hereto at
         least 3 Business Days prior to such Funding Date;

                  (j) the Trustee shall (in accordance with the procedures
         contemplated in SECTION 3.4 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement) have
         confirmed receipt of the related Receivable File for each Eligible
         Receivable included in the Borrowing Base calculation;

                  (k) the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account shall equal
         or exceed the Required Reserve Account Amount, taking into account the
         application of the proceeds of the proposed Advance on such date;

                  (l) Hedge Agreements are in full force and effect in
         accordance with SECTION 2.1(b)(xviii) of the Sale and Servicing
         Agreement;

                  (m) after giving effect to such Advance, the Borrowing Base
         Deficiency shall be equal to zero;

                  (n) immediately prior to giving effect to such Advance, the
         Weighted Average Portfolio Spread shall not be less than 3.0%; and

                  (o) all limitations specified in SECTION 2.02 of this
         Agreement and in SECTION 2.2 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement shall
         have been satisfied with respect to the making of such Advance.

                  The giving of any notice pursuant to SECTION 2.03 shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuer and the Servicer that all
conditions precedent to such Advance have been satisfied.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    COVENANTS

                  SECTION 8.01 COVENANTS. Each of the Issuer and the Servicer
severally covenants and agrees that, until the Note and all other obligations of
the Issuer under this Agreement have been paid in full and the Term has expired,
it will:

                  (a) duly and timely perform all of its respective covenants
         and obligations under each Basic Document to which it is a party;

                  (b) not except as contemplated by the Indenture, amend,
         modify, waive or give any approval, consent or permission under, any
         provision of the Indenture or any other Basic Document to which it is a
         party unless any such amendment, modification, waiver or other action
         is in writing and made in accordance with the terms of the Indenture or
         such other Basic Document, as applicable;

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                  (c) at the same time any report, notice or other document is
         provided to the Rating Agencies and/or the Trustee, or caused to be
         provided, by the Issuer or the Servicer under the Indenture, provide
         the Controlling Party with a copy of such report, notice or other
         document; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Servicer nor the Issuer
         shall have any obligation under this SECTION 8.01(C) to deliver to the
         Controlling Party copies of any vehicle identification number listings;

                  (d) at any time and from time to time, following at least 3
         Business Days prior notice from the Controlling Party, and during
         regular business hours, permit the Controlling Party, or its agents,
         representatives or permitted assigns, access to the offices of, the
         Servicer and the Issuer, as applicable, (i) to examine and make copies
         of and abstracts from all documentation relating to the Collateral, and
         (ii) to visit the offices and properties of, the Servicer and the
         Issuer for the purpose of examining such materials described in CLAUSE
         (I) above, and to discuss matters relating to the Collateral, or the
         administration and performance of the Indenture, the Sale and Servicing
         Agreement and the other Basic Documents with any of the officers or
         employees of, the Servicer and/or the Issuer, as applicable, having
         knowledge of such matters.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                  SECTION 9.01 AMENDMENTS. No amendment to or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by the Servicer, the
Issuer, Paradigm or the Committed Note Purchaser therefrom, shall in any event
be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Servicer, the
Issuer, the Agent, the Committed Note Purchaser and Paradigm.

                  SECTION 9.02 NO WAIVER; REMEDIES. Any waiver, consent or
approval given by any party hereto shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given, and no waiver by a party
of any breach or default under this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any
other breach or default. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise,
and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder, or any
abandonment or discontinuation of steps to enforce the right, power or
privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right. No notice to or demand on any party hereto in any case shall
entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar
or other circumstances. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  SECTION 9.03 BINDING ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement
shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Issuer, the Servicer,
the Committed Note Purchaser, Paradigm, the Agent, and their respective
successors and assigns; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Issuer nor the
Servicer may assign its rights or obligations hereunder or in connection
herewith or any interest herein (voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser;
and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that neither Paradigm nor the Committed Note Purchaser
may transfer, pledge, assign, sell participations in or otherwise encumber its
rights or obligations hereunder or in connection herewith or any interest herein
except as permitted under SECTIONS 9.03 (A) AND (B). Nothing expressed herein is
intended or shall be construed to give any Person other than the Persons
referred to in the preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under or in respect of this Agreement.

                  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this
Agreement, Paradigm may at any time grant to one or more Program Support
Providers a participating interest in or lien on Paradigm's interests in the
Advances made hereunder and such Program Support Provider, with respect to its
participating interest, shall be entitled to the benefits granted to Paradigm
under this Agreement.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                  (b) Paradigm may at any time assign its rights in the Note
(and its rights hereunder and under the Basic Documents) to the Committed Note
Purchaser. Furthermore, Paradigm may at any time grant a security interest in
and lien on, all or any portion of its interests under this Agreement, the Note
and all Basic Documents to (i) the Committed Note Purchaser, (ii) any Person
who, at any time now or in the future, provides program liquidity or credit
enhancement, including without limitation, a surety bond for Paradigm or (iii)
any other Person who, at any time now or in the future, provides liquidity or
credit enhancement for Paradigm, including without limitation, a surety bond;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, any such security interest or lien shall be released upon
assignment of the Note to the Committed Note Purchaser. The Committed Note
Purchaser may assign its Commitment or all or any portion of its interest under
the Note, this Agreement and the Basic Documents to any Person with the written
consent of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and
agreed by the Issuer that the Note may be sold, transferred or pledged without
the consent of the Issuer in compliance with, and as provided for under, SECTION
6.03(G). Notwithstanding any other provisions set forth in this Agreement, the
Committed Note Purchaser may at any time create a security interest in all or
any portion of its rights under this Agreement, the Note and the Basic Documents
in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                  SECTION 9.04 SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made herein and in the Note delivered pursuant
hereto shall survive the making and the repayment of the Advances and the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Note and shall continue in full
force and effect until all interest and principal on the Note and other amounts
owed hereunder have been paid in full and the commitment of Paradigm hereunder
has been terminated. In addition, the obligations of the Issuer and Paradigm
under SECTIONS 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.07 and 3.08 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.

                  SECTION 9.05 PAYMENT OF COSTS AND EXPENSES; INDEMNIFICATION.

                  (a) PAYMENT OF COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Issuer agrees to pay on
         demand all reasonable expenses of the Agent, Paradigm and the Committed
         Note Purchaser (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
         expenses of counsel to the Agent, Paradigm and the Committed Note
         Purchaser, if any) in connection with:

                  (i) the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and
         administration of this Agreement and of each other Basic Document,
         including schedules and exhibits, and any amendments, waivers,
         consents, supplements or other modifications to this Agreement or any
         other Basic Document as may from time to time hereafter be proposed,
         whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are
         consummated, and

                  (ii) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement and the other Basic Documents.

The Issuer further agrees to pay, and to save the Agent, Paradigm and the
Committed Note Purchaser harmless from all liability for, (i) any breach by the
Issuer of its obligations under this Agreement (ii) all reasonable costs
incurred by Paradigm in enforcing this Agreement and (iii) any stamp,
documentary or other taxes which may be payable in connection with the execution
or delivery of this Agreement, any Advance hereunder, or the issuance of the
Note or any other Basic Documents. The Issuer also agrees to reimburse the
Agent, Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser upon demand for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, Paradigm or the Committed Note
Purchaser in connection with (x) the negotiation of any restructuring or
"work-out", whether or not consummated, of the Basic Documents and (y) the
enforcement of the Basic Documents.

                  (b) INDEMNIFICATION. In consideration of the execution and
         delivery of this Agreement by Paradigm and the Committed Note
         Purchaser, the Issuer and the Servicer, jointly and severally, hereby
         indemnify and hold Paradigm and the Committed Note Purchaser and each
         of their officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the
         "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") harmless from and against any and all actions,
         causes of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and damages, and

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

         reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith (irrespective of
         whether any such Indemnified Party is a party to the action for which
         indemnification hereunder is sought and including, without limitation,
         any liability in connection with the offering and sale of the Note),
         including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (collectively,
         the "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES"), incurred by the Indemnified Parties or
         any of them (whether in prosecuting or defending against such actions,
         suits or claims) as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to

                  (i) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in
         part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any Advance; or

                  (ii) the entering into and performance of this Agreement and
         any other Basic Document by any of the Indemnified Parties,

except for any such Indemnified Liabilities arising for the account of a
particular Indemnified Party by reason of the relevant Indemnified Party's gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct and, with respect to the Servicer,
excluding any Indemnified Liabilities that would constitute recourse to the
Servicer for loss by reason of the bankruptcy, insolvency (or other credit
condition) of, or default by the related Obligor on any Receivable. If and to
the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason,
the Issuer hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and
satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under
applicable law. The indemnity set forth in this SECTION 9.05(B) shall in no
event include indemnification for any Taxes (which indemnification is provided
in SECTION 3.08). the Issuer shall give notice to the Rating Agencies of any
claim for Indemnified Liabilities made under this Section.

                  SECTION 9.06 CHARACTERIZATION AS BASIC DOCUMENT; ENTIRE
AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a Basic Document for all
purposes of the Indenture and the other Basic Documents. This Agreement,
together with the Indenture, the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the documents
delivered pursuant to SECTION 7.01 and the other Basic Documents, including the
exhibits and schedules thereto, contains a final and complete integration of all
prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all previous oral statements
and other writings with respect thereto.

                  SECTION 9.07 NOTICES. All notices, amendments, waivers,
consents and other communications provided to any party hereto under this
Agreement shall be in writing and addressed, delivered or transmitted to such
party at its address or facsimile number set forth below its signature hereto or
at such other address or facsimile number as may be designated by such party in
a notice to the other parties. Any notice, if mailed and properly addressed with
postage prepaid or if properly addressed and sent by pre-paid courier service,
shall be deemed given when received; any notice, if transmitted by facsimile,
shall be deemed given when transmitted upon receipt of electronic confirmation
of transmission.

                  SECTION 9.08 SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. Any covenant,
provision, agreement or term of this Agreement that is prohibited or is held to
be void or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of the prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                  SECTION 9.09 TAX CHARACTERIZATION. Each party to this
Agreement (a) acknowledges that it is the intent of the parties to this
Agreement that, for accounting purposes and for all federal, state and local
income and franchise tax purposes, the Note will be treated as evidence of
indebtedness issued by the Issuer, (b) agrees to treat the Note for all such
purposes as indebtedness and (c) agrees that the provisions of the Basic
Documents shall be construed to further these intentions.

                  SECTION 9.10  NO PROCEEDINGS; LIMITED RECOURSE.

                  (a) THE ISSUER. Each of the parties hereto (other than the
Issuer) hereby covenants and agrees that, prior to the date which is one year
and one day after the date on which the Note and all Secured Obligations have
been paid in full, it will not institute against, or join with any other Person
in instituting against, the Issuer, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings under any federal or

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

state bankruptcy or similar law, all as more particularly set forth in SECTION
13.16 of the Indenture and subject to any retained rights set forth therein;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this SECTION 9.10(a) shall constitute a
waiver of any right to indemnification, reimbursement or other payment from the
Issuer pursuant to this Agreement, the Sale and Servicing Agreement or the
Indenture. In the event that the Committed Note Purchaser (solely in its
capacity as such) or Paradigm (solely in its capacity as such) takes action in
violation of this SECTION 9.10(a), the Issuer agrees that it shall file an
answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of
such a petition by any such Person against the Issuer or the commencement of
such action and raise the defense that such Person has agreed in writing not to
take such action and should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such other
defenses, if any, as its counsel advises that it may assert. The provisions of
this SECTION 9.10(a) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Nothing
contained herein shall preclude participation by the Committed Note Purchaser or
Paradigm in assertion or defense of its claims in any such proceeding involving
the Issuer. The obligations of the Issuer under this Agreement are solely the
trust obligations of the Issuer. No recourse shall be had for the payment of any
amount owing in respect of this Agreement, including the payment of any fee
hereunder or any other obligation or claim arising out of or based upon this
Agreement, against any certificateholder, stockholder, employee, officer,
director, affiliate or trustee of the Issuer; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, nothing in this
SECTION 9.10(A) shall relieve any of the foregoing Persons from any liability
which any such Person may otherwise have for its gross negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct. In addition, each of the parties hereto agree that all fees,
expenses and other costs payable hereunder by the Issuer shall be payable only
to the extent set forth in SECTION 11.16 of the Indenture and that all other
amounts owed to them by the Issuer shall be payable solely from amounts that
become available for payment pursuant to the Indenture and the Sale and
Servicing Agreement.

                  (b) PARADIGM. Each of the parties hereto (other than Paradigm)
hereby covenants and agrees that it will not, prior to the date which is one
year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial
paper notes and other securities issued by Paradigm, institute against, or join
with any other Person in instituting against, Paradigm, any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other
proceedings under any Federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, subject to any
retained rights set forth therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this
SECTION 9.10(B) shall constitute a waiver of any right to indemnification,
reimbursement or other payment from Paradigm pursuant to this Agreement, the
Sale and Servicing Agreement or the Indenture. In the event that the Issuer, the
Servicer or the Committed Note Purchaser (solely in its capacity as such) takes
action in violation of this SECTION 9.10(B), Paradigm agrees that it shall file
an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of
such a petition by any such Person against Paradigm or the commencement of such
action and raise the defense that such Person has agreed in writing not to take
such action and should be estopped and precluded therefrom and such other
defenses, if any, as its counsel advises that it may assert. The provisions of
this SECTION 9.10(B) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Nothing
contained herein shall preclude participation by the Issuer, the Servicer or the
Committed Note Purchaser in assertion or defense of its claims in any such
proceeding involving Paradigm. The obligations of Paradigm under this Agreement
are solely the limited liability company obligations of Paradigm. No recourse
shall be had for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement,
including the payment of any fee hereunder or any other obligation or claim
arising out of or based upon this Agreement, against any member, partner,
stockholder, employee, officer, director, affiliate or incorporator of Paradigm;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, nothing in this SECTION 9.10(B) shall relieve any of the
foregoing Persons from any liability which any such Person may otherwise have
for its gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

                  SECTION 9.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REGARD TO OTHERWISE APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

                  SECTION 9.12 JURISDICTION. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT
AGAINST ANY OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE
BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF
THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HEREUNDER ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH
ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF
THE AFORESAID COURTS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT
RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 9.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. ALL PARTIES HEREUNDER
HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF,
UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF
CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF
THE PARTIES IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH. ALL PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND
AGREE THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FULL AND SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS
PROVISION AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR ALL PARTIES TO
ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

                  SECTION 9.14  [RESERVED].

                  SECTION 9.15 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts (which may include facsimile) and by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be
deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

                  SECTION 9.16 ISSUER OBLIGATION. No recourse may be taken,
directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer, the
Seller, the Servicer, the Depositor, the Owner Trustee or the Trustee on the
Note or under this Note Purchase Agreement or any certificate or other writing
delivered in connection herewith or therewith, against (i) the Seller, the
Servicer, the Depositor, the Trustee or the Owner Trustee in its individual
capacity, (ii) any owner of a beneficial interest in the Issuer or (iii) any
partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer, director, employee or agent of the
Seller, the Servicer, the Depositor, the Trustee or the Owner Trustee in its
individual capacity, any holder of a beneficial interest in the issuer, the
Seller, the Servicer, the Depositor, the Owner Trustee or the Trustee or of any
successor or assign of the Seller, the Servicer, the Depositor, the Trustee or
the Owner Trustee in its individual capacity, except as any such Person may have
expressly agreed (it being understood that the Trustee and the Owner Trustee
have no such obligations in their individual capacity) and except that any such
partner, owner or beneficiary shall be fully liable, to the extent provided by
applicable law, for any unpaid capital contribution or failure to pay any
installment or call owing to such entity. For all purposes of this Note Purchase
Agreement, in the performance of any duties or obligations of the Issuer
hereunder, the Owner Trustee shall be subject to, and entitled to the benefits
of, the terms and provisions of Articles VI, VII and VIII of the Trust
Agreement.

                     [Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers and delivered as
of the day and year first above written.

                             CPS WAREHOUSE TRUST
                             By: Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
                             capacity but solely as Owner Trustee

                             By:
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                             Address: Rodney Square North
                                      1100 North Market Street
                                      Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

                             Attention:   Corporate Trust   Administration
                             Telephone:   (302) 636-6194
                             Facsimile:   (302) 636-4140

                             CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.

                             By:
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                             Address: 16355 Laguna Canyon Road
                                      Irvine, California 92618

                             Attention:   Mark Creatura
                             Telephone:   (949) 785-6691
                             Facsimile:   (888) 577-7923

<PAGE>

                             PARADIGM FUNDING LLC

                             By:
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                             Address:  1211 Avenue of the Americas
                                       New York, New York  10036

                             Attention:   Richard Gomelsky
                             Telephone:   (212) 597-8347
                             Facsimile:   (212) 852-5971

                             WESTLB AG, acting through its New York Branch,
                             as Committed Note Purchaser and Agent

                             By:
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                             By:
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                             Address: 1211 Avenue of the Americas
                                      New York, New York  10036

                             Attention:  Richard Gomelsky
                             Telephone:  (212) 597-8347
                             Facsimile:  (212) 852-5971Exhibit 10.16

Exhibit
10.16

CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT

Contract
No. 19032

CONTRACT
FOR SALE AND

PURCHASE
OF LIQUID HELIUM

between

KEYES
HELIUM COMPANY, LLC

and

AIR
PRODUCTS HELIUM, INC.

amended
and restated as of

1
January 1999

 

 

TABLE
OF CONTENTS

	
      ARTICLE
	
      Page
	 
	
      I
	
      DEFINITIONS
      
	
      2

	
      II
	
      FACILITY
	
      7

	
      III
	
      TERM
	
      8

	
      IV
	
      SALE
      AND PURCHASE OF HELIUM 
	
      8

	
      V
	
      PRICE 
	
      10

	
      VI
	
      TOLLING
	
      14

	
      VII
	
      QUALITY
	
      16

	
      VIII
	
      MEASUREMENT
	
      17

	
      IX
	
      PREPARATION
      AND DELIVERY
	
      17

	
      X
	
      BILLING
      AND PAYMENT
	
      19

	
      XI
	
      FORCE
      MAJEURE
	
      20

	
      XII
	
      REGULATION:
      WAIVER OF DEFAULT
	
      21

	
      XIII
	
      WARRANTY
	
      21

	
      XIV
	
      GENERAL
	
      22

	
      XV
	
      NOTICES
	
      23

	
      XVI
	
      GOVERNING
      LAW
	
      25

 

CONTRACT
FOR SALE AND PURCHASE OF LIQUID HELIUM

AS
AMENDED AND RESTATED

THIS
AGREEMENT is made
and entered into, as amended and restated, as of the 1st day of
January 1999, by and between KEYES HELIUM
COMPANY, LLC, a Colorado
limited liability company (“KHC” or “Seller”) and AIR
PRODUCTS HELIUM, INC., a
Delaware corporation, (“Buyer”).

W I T
N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Seller
has access to sources of natural gas containing Helium, and is able to supply
Liquid Helium from Seller’s purification and liquefaction facility located in
Cimarron County, Oklahoma;

WHEREAS, Seller
desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, the Liquid
Helium production from Seller’s facility; and

WHEREAS, Buyer
has Crude Helium available for Tolling in Seller’s Facility on the terms set
forth herein.

NOW,
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and the agreements contained herein, Seller and
Buyer mutually covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE
I

DEFINITIONS

Unless
the context otherwise requires, and in addition to the terms defined above, the
following terms shall have the following respective meanings, all definitions
being equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms.

“Additional
Volumes” means any volumes of Helium owned by Seller, which are produced or
which Seller expects to produce at a facility other than Seller’s Facility, and
which are not subject to Seller’s obligations to third parties predating this
Agreement.

“Adjustment
Period” means: (a) for purposes of the Tier I volume price

adjustment
provided for in Section 5.2,
the 12
Month period commencing 1 October

1994 and
ending 30 September 1995 and each 12 Month period thereafter; and (b)
for

purposes
of the Tier II volume price adjustment provided for in Section 5.2, the
12

Month
period commencing 1 October 1995 and ending 30 September 1996 and
each

12 Month
period thereafter.

“Affiliate”
means, with respect to a person, any other person who is directly or indirectly,
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the
person.

“Article”
means an Article of this Agreement, unless otherwise noted.

“Base
Period” means: (a) for purposes of the Tier I volume price
adjustment

2

provided
for in Section 5.2, Buyer’s 1994 fiscal year, 1 October 1993 - 30 September
1994; 

and (b)
for purposes of the Tier II volume price adjustment provided for in Section 5.2,

Buyer’s
1995 fiscal year, 1 October 1994 - 30 September 1995.

“Buyer”
means Air Products Helium, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, for purposes of
Section 5.2, its Affiliates.

“Commencement
Date” means the first day of the month in which the first delivery of Liquid
Helium to Buyer under this Agreement occurs, namely, 1 January
1999.

“Contract
Year” means each period of 12 consecutive Months beginning on the 1 January
after the Commencement Date and each succeeding 1 January.

“Crude
Helium” means the gaseous product extracted from natural gas, which product is
comprised of Helium together with other constituents of natural gas and which is
acceptable for storage in the BLM System.

“Force
Majeure” means act of god, strike, lockout or other industrial disturbance, act
of public enemy, war, blockade, insurrection, riot, epidemic, landslide,
lightning, earthquake, fire, storm, flood, washout, arrest and restraint of
rulers and peoples, civil disturbance, explosion, breakage or accident to
machinery or equipment, or lines of pipe, freezing of wells or lines of pipe,
partial or entire failure of gas wells or pressure

3

protection
devices, machinery or equipment breakdown, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
of equipment, inability to obtain materials, supplies, or permits, and any laws,
orders, rules, regulations, acts or restraints of any government or governmental
body of authority whether civil or military, and any other cause, whether
similar or dissimilar to any of the causes or categories of causes described
above, not within the reasonable control of the Party claiming suspension and
which by the exercise of due diligence such Party is unable to
avoid.

“Helium”
is an element with unique properties such as the second lightest, next to
hydrogen, inert to chemical reaction, high thermal conductivity and the lowest
boiling point, 4.2°K, of any known element.

“Liquid
Helium” means Helium in the liquid state.

“MCF”
means one thousand SCF, and “MMCF” means one million SCF.

“Merchant
Helium” means all sales of refined Helium sold by Buyer to unrelated third
parties on other than a wholesale or swap basis.

“Month”
means a period of time beginning at 8:00 a.m. local time at Seller’s Facility on
the first day of a calendar Month an ending at 8:00 a.m. local time at Seller’s
Facility on the first day of the next succeeding calendar
Month.

4

“Notice”
means a written notice, and “Notify” means the giving of a Notice, in accordance
with Section 15.1.

“Party”
or “Parties” means KHC and/or Air Products Helium, Inc., and their successors or
assigns.

“Required
Volumes” has the meaning identified in Section 4.1.

“Sales
Value” means the proceeds of the Total Volume sold for delivery during the Base
Period or the applicable Adjustment Period in the United States of America.
Sales Value shall not include amounts that Buyer charges customers for
equipment, freight and service charges.

“Sales
Volumes” means all volumes of Helium owned by Seller which are produced at
Seller’s Facility (including any expansion of Seller’s Facility).

“SCF”
means the volume of Helium contained in one cubic foot of space at a temperature
of 70° F and at an absolute pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch. As used
with reference to Helium, SCF means the quantity of liquid which in the vapor
phase at the above conditions of temperature and pressure will occupy one cubic
foot of space. One pound of Helium is equivalent to 96.71 SCF.

“Section”
means a Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise noted.

5

“Seller”
means KHC, its successors and assigns and, for purposes of Section 4.2 only, CIG
Resources Company, an Affiliate of KHC.

“Seller’s
Facility” means Seller’s Helium purification and liquefaction plant located in
Cimarron County, Oklahoma.

“Supply
Period” means the period beginning on the Commencement Date, and continuing for
a period of 252 consecutive Months after the Commencement Date, unless extended
thereafter by mutual consent.

“Taxes”
means any tax, assessment, excise or duty applicable to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

“Toll
Price” means the price per MCF for Tolling Tolled Volumes, as set forth in
Article VI.

“Tolled
Volumes” means volumes of Crude Helium Buyer Tolls pursuant to Article
VI.

“Tolling”
or “Tolls(s)” means the refining of Buyer’s Crude Helium at Seller’s Facility
for the Toll Price.

“Total
Volume” means the volume of Merchant Helium sold by Buyer and its

6

Affiliates
in the United States of America in arms-length sales to unrelated third parties
expressed in MCF.

“Unit”
means Helium tankers or containers.

“Unit
Price” means the price per MCF (per volume tier) sold and purchased hereunder,
as set forth in Article V.

“BLM”
means the United States Bureau of Land Management.

“BLM
System” means the BLM Storage and Pipeline System.

ARTICLE
II

FACILITY

2.1.
Installed
Facility. Seller
has constructed and placed in operation Seller’s Facility.

2.2.
Seller’s
Obligation to Obtain Contracts. It is
recognized by the Parties that Seller’s ability to supply Helium to Buyer is
dependent upon Seller obtaining contracts with third parties to supply Seller’s
Facility with natural gas containing Helium. The Parties recognize, however,
that Seller makes no representation or warranty of an ability to obtain
contracts to supply Seller’s Facility natural gas containing
Helium.

2.3
Seller’s
Facility Capability.
Seller’s Facility has an installed nominal

7

capacity
of 170 MMCF of Liquid Helium per Contract Year. Actual capacity on a daily
operating basis is currently approximately 150 MMCF of Liquid Helium per
Contract Year. Seller agrees to refine, at Seller’s facility, Additional Volumes
of Crude Helium produced at any other facility connected to the BLM System, in
lieu of requiring Buyer to provide Tolled Volumes pursuant to Section
6.1.

ARTICLE
III

TERM

3.1.
Term. The
term of this Agreement shall be from the execution hereof until terminated in
accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement.

3.2.
Primary
Term. Either
Party may terminate this Agreement as of

December
31, 2021, or as of any anniversary date thereafter by giving not less than
24

Months
prior Notice to the other Party, which Notice shall be given in accordance
with

Section
15.1, subject to any extensions pursuant to Section 11.2.

ARTICLE
IV

SALE
AND PURCHASE OF HELIUM

4.1
Basic
Obligation. During
each Contract Year during the Supply Period Buyer shall purchase, at the Unit
Price, all of the Sales Volumes produced at Seller’s Facility (“Required
Volumes”).

4.1.1 If,
in any Contract Year, Buyer fails to take all of the Required Volumes, Buyer
shall make a payment to Seller as determined by multiplying the
difference

 

8

between:
(a) the Sales Volumes actually taken by Buyer; and (b) the Required Volumes,
times the Unit Price. Such payment shall be made within 30 days of the end of
the applicable Contract Year.

4.1.2
Buyer shall use reasonable good faith efforts to take Helium hereunder in
relatively equal monthly quantities.

4.2
Additional
Volumes. Seller
shall Notify Buyer and solicit from Buyer an offer of purchase of any Additional
Volumes other than (a) those Additional Volumes of Crude Helium processed at
Seller’s Facility and (b) those Additional Volumes Seller chooses to store. If
Buyer Notifies Seller that it elects not to purchase such Additional Volumes, or
does not respond within 90 days thereafter, Seller may offer such Additional
Volumes to third parties. If Buyer offers to purchase such Additional Volumes,
Seller may during the next 90 days solicit offers of purchase from third
parties, but Seller may not sell such Additional Volumes to a third party on
terms more favorable to the third party than those offered by Buyer. If Seller
has not agreed to sell such Additional Volumes to a third party within this
period, or elected to store or not produce such Additional Volumes, Buyer’s
offer shall be deemed accepted. Buyer shall have the rights in this Section 4.2
for such Additional Volumes only where such rights do not conflict with Seller’s
obligations predating this Agreement or with Seller’s ability to enter into new
projects (including with Nitrotec Corporation).

9

 

ARTICLE
V

PRICE

5.1
Unit
Price. The
Unit Price shall be F.O.B. the Seller’s facility and shall be:

	
      Volume
      Tier 
	
      Price

	
      Up
      to 70 MMCF (Tier I volume)
	
      [****]

	
      Above
      70 MMCF (Tier II volume) 
	
      [****]

 

If in any
Contract Year the Required Volume is greater or less than 150 MMCF, then the
billed amount for Tier II volumes for such Contract Year shall be adjusted as
follows:

A. Sales
Volumes > 70,000 MCF < 115,000,001 SCF shall be valued at [****]

B. Sales
Volumes> 115,000 MCF up to the total Required Volume shall be valued at
[****]

The sum
of A + B minus
the Tier II billed value for that Contract Year shall be invoiced or credited to
Buyer by Seller as an adjustment in the invoice for January of the following
Contract Year.

5.2
Price
Adjustment. The
Unit Price shall be subject to annual adjustment with respect to all Contract
Years commencing on or after 1 January 1999, determined by application of the
following formula:

 

Certain
confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Brackets surrounding asterisks on this page in
this exhibit denote the omission. 

10

 

	 	
      PN
	
      =
	
      $ [applicable
      Volume Tier price] x [XAP/XBP]

	
      Where:
	
      PN
	
      =
	
      the
      adjusted Unit Price for the particular Contract Year, in $/MCF, using the
      method set forth in this Section 5.2.

Price
changes for Buyer shall be determined by calculating the average Sales Value
(“XAP”) of
Buyer, in $/MCF, for Liquid Helium sold by Buyer during the Adjustment Period
immediately prior to the commencement of the Contract Year for which the
adjusted Unit Price is being determined, which shall be calculated in accordance
with the following formula:

 

	 	
      XAP
      
	
      =
	
      SAP/VAP

       

	
      Where:
	
      SAP
      
	
      =
	
      Sales
      Value from sales of Merchant Helium by Buyer

      during
      the Adjustment Period. 

       

	 	
      VAP
	
      =
	
      Total
      Volumne in MCF of Merchant Helium sold by Buyer corresponding to
      Buyer’s Sales Value during the
      Adjustment Period.

 

The
initial calculation for that portion of any adjustment attributable to a change
in average sales price shall equal the net change, from fiscal 1994 and 1995, in
Buyer’s sales revenues and volumes for the Adjustment Period. Annual price
adjustments shall be effective 1 January of each subsequent Contract
Year.

The
average sales price of Buyer, in $/MCF, for Helium sold by buyer during
the

 

11

Base
Period (“XBP”) shall be
calculated in accordance with the following formula:

	 	
      XBP
	
      =
	
      SBP/VBP

       

	
      Where:
	
      SBP
      
	
      =
	
      Sales
      Value from sales of Merchant Helium by Buyer during the Base
      Period.

       

	 	
      VBP
	
      =
	
      Total
      volume in MCF of Merchant Helium sold by Buyer corresponding to Buyer’s
      Sales Value during the Base Period.

5.3
Unit
Price Floor. Buyer
and Seller agree that the Unit Price for Liquid Helium delivered hereunder shall
be not lower than [$45.00/MCF] for the
first 70 MMCF (Tier I volume) of Liquid Helium sold to Buyer during any Contract
Year, and not lower than [$38.00/MCF] for all
Liquid Helium sold to Buyer above 70 MMCF (Tier II volume) in any Contract
Year.

5.4
Books
and Records. Buyer
shall maintain true and complete books of account, containing an accurate record
of all information necessary for the proper computation of the Unit Price for
Helium under the procedure described above in Section 5.2. Buyer shall transmit
to Seller within three Months after the end of the Base Period or applicable
Adjustment Period, as the case may be, the weighted average selling price for
the Base Period or Adjustment Period required in the application of such
formulae. For a period of not more than two years from the transmittal of said
weighted average price data, Seller shall have the right at all reasonable times
to inspect such books to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to verify
such data. Such inspection shall be subject to such restriction on disclosure as
may be 

12

reasonably
necessary to protect the confidentiality of proprietary information of Buyer.
Buyer is not required to preserve said books for longer than two years from the
transmittal of said price data to which such books relate.

5.5
Taxes. Seller
shall be responsible for Taxes imposed or assessed prior to the point of
delivery into Buyer’s Units. Buyer shall be responsible for Taxes imposed or
assessed after the point of delivery into Buyer’s Units, provided, however,
Taxes levied or imposed by any future law or any governmental authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (excluding, however, any
tax upon the net income of Seller imposed by a governmental authority of the
United States of America, and further excluding any reimbursement in whole or in
part for any liability which Seller may have to any third party, including
without limitation any oil and gas lessor, lessee, mineral owner or pipeline
company, with respect to any sums attributable to the Helium sold by Seller to
Buyer hereunder) shall, if paid by Seller as the result of performance of the
Agreement, be added to the price and paid by Buyer. Any further real or personal
property Taxes shall only be payable by Seller if solely attributable to the
Helium purification and liquefaction portions of the Seller’s Facility. Prior to
the payment of any such Taxes, Buyer shall be afforded the opportunity to
challenge any such Taxes at its election and expense.

5.6
Price
Renegotiation. For
Contract Years commencing 1 January 2009 and 1 January 2016, the then-current
Unit Price, the Unit Price floor mentioned in Section 5.3, Toll Price and
adjustment terms for Helium and Tolling under this

 

13

Agreement,
shall be subject to renegotiation upon Notice by either Party to the other. Such
Notice shall be given not later than the 1 October 2007 and 1 October 2014,
respectively. If the Parties have been unable to reach agreement prior to the 1
October 2008 or 1 October 2015, as the case may be, after having conducted
good-faith negotiations with respect to the modification of the then-current
Unit Price, the Unit Price floor mentioned in Section 5.3, Toll Price and
escalation terms, then either Party shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement as of December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2015,
respectively.

 

 

ARTICLE
VI

TOLLING

6.1
Tolling
Request By Seller. If
requested by Seller, Buyer will provide Crude Helium via the BLM System to be
Tolled by Seller through Seller’s Facility up to the quantity of Crude Helium
sufficient to allow Seller’s Facility to produce 170 MMCF per year of Liquid
Helium during the fifth through tenth Contract Years of the Supply Period (not
to exceed 500 MMCF of Tolled Volumes during the fifth through tenth Contract
Years). If, in any Contract Year, Buyer fails to provide Tolled Volumes which
have been requested hereunder, Buyer shall make a payment to Seller as
determined by multiplying the amount of the Tolled Volumes requested but not
provided, and the Toll Price. Such payment shall be made within 30 days of the
end of that Contract Year.

6.2
Tolling
Request by Buyer. Seller
will Toll Crude Helium at Buyer’s request

14

if (a)
capacity is available at Seller’s Facility, and (b) Buyer tenders a quantity of
Crude Helium sufficient to allow Seller’s Facility to produce up to 170 MMCF of
Liquid Helium per Contract Year. Seller may shut down Seller’s Facility at the
end of any Contract Year and terminate this Agreement if Buyer has failed to
give the Notice required under Section 6.3 during such Contract
Year.

6.3
Notices
of Tolling Requirement. During
the first six Contract Years, Seller will provide Buyer, for each Contract Year
no later than 15 November of the previous Contract Year, a Notice containing a
forecast of Seller’s Tolling capacity available and whether such Tolling will be
required during the next Contract Year. Starting in the sixth Contract Year,
Buyer will provide Seller, for each contract Year no later than 15 November of
the previous Contract Year, a Notice containing a forecast of Buyer’s Tolling
requirements for the subsequent Contract Year. Seller shall be prepared to Toll
such forecasted volume, but Seller’s obligation to Toll shall be limited to the
Tolling capacity available during such Contract Year. Seller’s Tolling capacity
shall be limited to the extent that Seller has available Crude Helium from other
sources for processing, which shall take precedence to Tolling Buyer’s Crude
Helium.

6.4
Toll
Price. Buyer
shall pay [****] per MCF
(“Toll Price”) for the Liquid Helium produced by Tolling and delivered into
Buyer’s Units. Buyer shall be responsible for any BLM charges associated with
Tolled Volumes. The Toll Price is subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 6.6.

__________________________

Certain
confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Brackets surrounding asterisks on this page in
this exhibit denote the omission. 

15

 

6.5
Delivery
of Tolling Quantities. Buyer
will provide Seller via the BLM

System
1.02 units of Crude Helium for each unit of Liquid Helium to be delivered
into

Buyer’s
containers at Seller’s Facility on a schedule mutually agreed to by Buyer
and

Seller.

6.6
Toll
Price Adjustment. The
Toll Price shall be adjusted 1 January 1999 and on each 1 January thereafter by
the same percentage change in Seller’s Liquid Helium price for Tier I volumes as
calculated in Section 5.2. Buyer and Seller agree that the Toll Price shall not
be lower than [** **] during
any Contract Year.

ARTICLE
VII

QUALITY

7.1
Purity. All
Liquid Helium delivered hereunder shall have a purity of not less than 99.999%
Helium by volume in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Helium
Specification G-9.1 Grade P-1992.

7.2
Crude
Helium Specification. All
quantities of Crude Helium delivered hereunder shall conform to the
specification set forth in the contracts between the BLM and Buyer and/or Seller
to store Crude Helium in the BLM System.

7.3
Samples. For
quality control purposes, representative samples of Helium after being vaporized
shall be analyzed by Seller by gas chromatography, or other mutually agreeable
method, as required.

 __________________________

Certain
confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Brackets surrounding asterisks on this page in
this exhibit denote the omission. 

16

ARTICLE
VIII

MEASUREMENT

8.1
Scales. Seller
shall install, own, operate and maintain equipment, scales and instruments
required for the measurement of Liquid Helium delivered hereunder. Seller shall
weigh each Unit used for the transportation of Buyer’s Liquid Helium, with the
Unit’s liquid nitrogen reservoir completely filled, immediately before and after
filling and calculate the quantity, by weight, of Liquid Helium delivered into
each such Unit, converted to SCF of Helium. At the time of weighing of the Unit
prior to shipment, pressure within the Unit shall not exceed 3 pounds
per square inch gauge. Buyer shall have the right to witness testing or
calibration of Seller’s measuring equipment, scales or instruments. Buyer hall
have the right at all reasonable times to inspect the above-referenced records
covering not more than 24 Months immediately preceding each such inspection.
Seller shall not be obligated to preserve such records for more than two
years.

8.2
Unit
of Measurement. The
unit of measurement for measuring Helium hereunder shall be one
SCF.

ARTICLE
IX

PREPARATION
AND DELIVERY

9.1
Liquid
Nitrogen. Seller
shall fill with liquid nitrogen the shielding reservoirs in Buyer’s Units as
required at Seller’s Facility. Buyer shall pay Seller $200 for the liquid
nitrogen furnished to Buyer by Seller for use in the preparation and filling of
the shielding reservoir of each of Buyer’s Units regardless of
size.

 

17

9.2
Service
Charges. Service
charges for cool down and purging Buyer’s Units required by Seller at Seller’s
Facility shall be as follows:

 

9.2.1 The
charge for Helium used to cool down buyer’s Units to Liquid Helium temperatures
shall be a lump sum of [*** *] for
those Units arriving at Seller’s Facility with an inside temperature of minus
315°F or lower and a lump sum of [****] for
those Units arriving at Seller’s Facility with an inside temperature of minus
316°F or above, but no cooldown charge will be assessed for Units arriving at
Seller’s Facility with an inside temperature of minus 423°F or
lower.

9.2.2 Buyer’s
Units arriving at Seller’s Facility in a contaminated condition will be assessed
a charge of [****] to purge
these Units when the contamination is greater than 150 ppm.

9.3
Suitable
Containers. Buyer
assumes full responsibility for providing Units suitable for filling by Seller.
Buyer shall use reasonable efforts to provide Units with minimum residual for
filling at Seller’s Facility. Seller shall have the right to refuse to fill
Buyer’s Units if they are not in a condition normally acceptable in the industry
for filling with Liquid Helium. Buyer shall provide a suitable Unit for filling
at Seller’s Facility at all times during the Supply Period. Buyer and Seller
will cooperate so that the scheduling of Units for delivery of Liquid Helium is
on a reasonably consistent basis, and that the unavailability of such Units does
not disrupt operations of Seller’s Facility.

__________________________
Certain
confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Brackets surrounding asterisks on this page in
this exhibit denote the omission. 

18

9.4
Delivery
Point. The
Liquid Helium and liquid nitrogen shall be delivered to Buyer F.O.B. Buyer’s
Units at Seller’s Facility.

ARTICLE
X

BILLING
AND PAYMENT

10.1
Statement Seller
shall render to Buyer bimonthly (i.e., twice a month) a billing statement
showing the quantity of Helium delivered, the applicable Unit Piece, the
applicable Toll Price (volumes of Liquid Helium produced by Tolling to be
clearly identified), the total amount due for Helium, the rate for preparation
of each Unit, the total amount due for preparation of Units during the billing
period, the total amount due for Unit service charges, and the total amount due
Seller for that shipment. Reconciliation of Tolled Volume balances shall be on a
monthly basis within 30 days of statement date.

10.2
Payment. Buyer
shall, within 15 days after receipt of the billing statement described in
Section 10.1, pay to Seller the amount of money due Seller for Helium, and
service charges for the shipments covered by the statement.

10.3
Claims. Notice
of any claims based on an error in any billing statement rendered or payment
made shall be given to the Party against whom such claim is made with 24 Months
from the date of the relevant billing statement or payment, and in the absence
of such Notice each such billing statement and each such payment shall be
conclusively presumed to be correct.

 

19

 

10.4
Books
and Records. Seller
shall maintain true and complete books of account, containing an accurate record
of all price and production information necessary for the proper computation of
the information required for each billing statement in accordance with Section
10.1. Buyer shall have the right at all reasonable times to inspect such records
of Seller to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to verify such
information for a period of not more than two years from the date of the
applicable billing statement. Such inspection shall be subject to such
restriction on disclosure as may be reasonably necessary to protect the
confidentiality of proprietary information of Seller. Seller is not required to
preserve said books and records for longer than said two year
period.

ARTICLE
XI

FORCE
MAJEURE

11.1
Relief
From Performances. In the
event of either Party being rendered unable wholly or in part by Force Majeure
to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement, other than to make
payments of amounts due hereunder, upon such Party giving Notice to the other
Party, stating the full particulars of such Force Majeure as soon as possible
after the occurrence of the cause stated in said Notice, performance of the
obligations of the Party giving such Notice, so far as they are affected by such
Force Majeure, shall be suspended during the continuance of any inability so
caused by no longer period, and such inability to perform shall, so far as
possible, be remedied with all reasonable dispatch.

20

11.2
Extension
of Time. When
Seller is unable by reason of Force Majeure to supply any Helium which Seller is
otherwise obligated to supply to Buyer hereunder, then the supply Period will be
extended as necessary to permit Seller to supply such Helium to
Buyer.

ARTICLE
XII

REGULATION:
WAIVER OF DEFAULT

12.1
Regulations. This
Agreement is subject to valid present or future, laws, rules, regulations, and
orders of duly constituted authorities having jurisdiction or
control.

12.2
No
Waiver. No
waiver by either Party of any one or more defaults by the other in the
performance of any provisions of this Agreement shall operate or be construed as
a waiver of any future default or defaults, whether of a like or of a different
character.

ARTICLE
XIII

WARRANTY

13.1
Seller’s
Warranties. Seller
warrants that the Sales Volumes delivered to Buyer shall conform to the
specification set forth in Section 7.1, and that at the time of delivery, Seller
shall have good title and right to transfer the same and that the same shall be
delivered free of encumbrances.

 

21

13.2
Buyer’s
Warranty. Buyer
warrants that, as to the Tolled Volumes, Buyer shall have good title and right
to transfer the same for Tolling and that the same shall be delivered free of
encumbrances.

	 	
      13.3
	
      No
      Other Warranties.
      THE WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN
SECTIONS

13.1 AND
13.2 ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR

IMPLIED,
IN FACT OR BY LAW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITING THE

GENERALITY
OF THE FOREGOING, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR

FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

ARTICLE
XIV

GENERAL

14.1
Headings. All
headings appearing in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be
considered part of this Agreement for any purpose, or as in any way
interpreting, construing, varying, altering, or modifying this Agreement or any
of the terms and provisions thereof.

14.2
Complete
Agreement. The
terms of this Agreement express and constitute the full agreement between the
Parties with respect to the subject matter thereof, and there are no warranties,
covenants, stipulations, or conditions existing apart from the terms of this
Agreement.

14.3
Binding
Nature. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the

 

22

benefit
of the Parties, their successors and assigns.

        14.4 Assignment. This
Agreement shall not be assignable by any Party without the prior consent of the
other Parties given in accordance with Section 15.1, which assignment shall not
be unreasonably withheld

14.5 Prior
Agreement. The
Contract for Sale and Purchase of Liquid Helium between Buyer and Seller dated 1
November, 1993, as amended, is terminated as of 1 January 1999. Provided
however, Buyer and Seller remain obligated for performance, payments and
accounting adjustments attributable to the period prior to 1 January
1999.

ARTICLE
XV

NOTICES

15.1 Manner
of Giving Notice. All
notices and other writings expressly required to be given in accordance with
this Section 15.1 shall be in writing and shall be sent by registered or
certified United States Mail (return receipt requested), as
follows:

SELLER:

Keyes
Helium Company, LLC

P.O. Box
1087

Colorado
Springs, CO 80944

Attention: John
Connor

BUYER:

Air
Products Helium, Inc.

7201
Hamilton Boulevard

Allentown,
PA 18195-1501

Attention:
Corporate Secretary

 

23

Notices
and other writings given under this Section 15.1 shall be deemed given effective
the third business day following the date of deposit thereof in the United
States Mail or with a recognized overnight courier.

15.2
Other
Communications. All
communications given under this Agreement other than those Notices governed by
Section 15.1 shall be given in a manner such that the communication is likely to
be received in a timely manner by a responsible representative of the receiving
Party.

15.3
Change
in Address. Either
Party shall have the right at any time to Notify the other in writing of a
different address to which Notices are to be sent under Section
15.1.

15.4
Statements
and Billings. All
statements and billings to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be delivered or sent to the Parties at the above-- 

stated
addresses by regular U.S. Mail, postage prepaid or as otherwise agreed by the
Parties.

15.5
Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall have
full force and effect and shall be equally binding on the Parties.

 

24

ARTICLE
XVI

GOVERNING
LAW

This
Agreement, both as to interpretation and performance, shall be governed by the
laws of the State of Colorado, without giving effect to its conflict of laws
provisions.

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Parties have caused their duly authorized representatives to execute this
Agreement in duplicate copies, each an original for all purposes, as of the date
and year first above written.

	
      KEYES
      HELIM COMPANY, LLC
	
      AIR
      PRODUCTS HELIUM, INC.

	
      By:
      /s/
      Donald
      J. Zinko

      Donald
      J. Zinko

      Chair,
      Managers’ Committee
	
      By:
      [Signature
      Illegible] 

      Name:
      ________________ 

      Title:
      __________________

 

25

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