Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                 MERCATA, INC.
                          1999 Equity Incentive Plan

                           Adopted February 1, 1999
                   Approved By Stockholders February 1, 1999
                          Amended September 29, 1999
                  Approved by Stockholders September 29, 1999
                      Termination Date:  February 1, 2009

1.   Purposes.

     (a)  Eligible Stock Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Stock
Awards are the Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its
Affiliates.

     (b)  Available Stock Awards. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means
by which eligible recipients of Stock Awards may be given an opportunity to
benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of the
following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock
Options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) stock bonuses and (v) rights to
acquire restricted stock.

     (c)  General Purpose.  The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain
the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards, to secure
and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide incentives
for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its
Affiliates.

2.   Definitions.

     (a)  "Accountants" means the Company's independent public accountants.

     (B)  "Affiliate" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of
the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in
Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

     (c)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     (d)  "Cause" means (i) conviction of, a guilty plea with respect to, or a
plea of nolo contendere to a charge that a Participant has committed a felony
under the laws of the United States or of any state or a crime involving moral
turpitude, including, but not limited to, fraud, theft, embezzlement or any
crime that results in or is intended to result in personal enrichment at the
expense of the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) material breach of any agreement
entered into between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate that
impairs the Company's or the Affiliate's interest therein; (iii) willful
misconduct, significant failure of the Participant to perform the Participant's
duties, or gross neglect by the Participant of the Participant's duties; or (iv)
engagement in any activity that constitutes a material conflict of interest with
the Company or any Affiliate.

                                       1.
<PAGE>

     (e)  "Constructive Termination" means the occurrence of any of the
following events or conditions: (i) (A) a change in the Participant's status,
title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which
represents an adverse change from the Participant's status, title, position or
responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the
date of a Change in Control (as defined in subsection 11(d)) or at any time
thereafter; (B) the assignment to the Participant of any duties or
responsibilities which are inconsistent with the Participant's status, title,
position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days
preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; or (C) any
removal of the Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect the
Participant to any of such offices or positions, except in connection with the
termination of the Participant's Continuous Service for Cause, as a result of
the Participant's Disability or death or by the Participant other than as a
result of Constructive Termination; (ii) a reduction in the Participant's annual
base compensation or any failure to pay the Participant any compensation or
benefits to which the Participant is entitled within five (5) days of the date
due; (iii) the Company's requiring the Participant to relocate to any place
outside a twenty (20) mile radius of the Participant's current work site, except
for reasonably required travel on the business of the Company or its Affiliates
which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the
Change in Control; (iv) the failure by the Company to (A) continue in effect
(without reduction in benefit level and/or reward opportunities) any material
compensation or employee benefit plan in which the Participant was participating
at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in Control or
at any time thereafter, unless such plan is replaced with a plan that provides
substantially equivalent compensation or benefits to the Participant, or (B)
provide the Participant with compensation and benefits, in the aggregate, at
least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those
provided for under each other employee benefit plan, program and practice in
which the Participant was participating at any time within ninety (90) days
preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; (v) any
material breach by the Company of any provision of an agreement between the
Company and the Participant, whether pursuant to this Plan or otherwise, other
than a breach which is cured by the Company within fifteen (15) days following
notice by the Participant of such breach; or (vi) the failure of the Company to
obtain an agreement, satisfactory to the Participant, from any successors and
assigns to assume and agree to perform the obligations created under this Plan.

     (f)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     (G)  "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance
with subsection 3(c).

     (h)  "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

     (i)  "Company" means Mercata, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     (j)  "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, (i) engaged by
the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is
compensated for such services or (ii) who is a member of the Board of Directors
of an Affiliate. However, the term "Consultant" shall not include either
Directors of the Company who are not compensated

                                       2.
<PAGE>

by the Company for their services as Directors or Directors of the Company who
are merely paid a director's fee by the Company for their services as Directors.

     (k)  "Continuous Service" means that the Participant's service with the
Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not
interrupted or terminated. The Participant's Continuous Service shall not be
deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which
the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant
renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of
the Participant's Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an
Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director of the
Company will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or
the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party's sole discretion, may
determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case
of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military
leave or any other personal leave.

     (l)  "Covered Employee" means the chief executive officer and the four (4)
other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total compensation is
required to be reported to stockholders under the Exchange Act, as determined
for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

     (m)  "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

     (n)  "Disability" means the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

     (o)  "Employee" means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.
Mere service as a Director or payment of a director's fee by the Company or an
Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or
an Affiliate.

     (p)  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     (q)  "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of the Common
Stock determined as follows:

          (i)  If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange
or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for
such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such
exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of
trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Board deems reliable.

          (ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair
Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

                                       3.
<PAGE>

     (r)  "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

     (s)  "Listing Date" means the first date upon which any security of the
Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any
securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of
issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

     (t)  "Non-Employee Director" means a Director of the Company who either (i)
is not a current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a
subsidiary, does not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the
Company or its parent or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or
in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which
disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest
in any other transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item
404(a) of Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to
which disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii)
is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

     (u)  "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to qualify as
an Incentive Stock Option.

     (v)  "Officer" means (i) before the Listing Date, any person designated by
the Company as an officer and (ii) on and after the Listing Date, a person who
is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     (w)  "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

     (x)  "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company and
an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

     (y)  "Optionholder" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to
the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

     (z)  "Outside Director" means a Director of the Company who either (i) is
not a current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code),
is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

                                       4.
<PAGE>

     (aa)  "Participant" means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted
pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an
outstanding Stock Award.

     (bb)  "Plan" means this Mercata, Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan of the
Company.

     (cc)  "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or
any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

     (dd)  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     (ee)  "Stock Award" means any right granted under the Plan, including an
Option, a stock appreciation right, a stock bonus and a right to acquire
restricted stock.

     (ff)  "Stock Award Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company
and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan.

     (gg)  "Ten Percent Stockholder" means a person who owns (or is deemed to
own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or of any of its Affiliates.

3.   Administration.

     (a)   Administration by Board. The Board shall administer the Plan unless
and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in
subsection 3(c).

     (b)   Powers of Board. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and
within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

           (i)   To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible
under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock Award
shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be
granted; the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be
identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to
receive stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of shares with respect
to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person.

           (ii)  To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted
under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its
administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.

           (iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in Section 12.

           (iv)  Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as
the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the
Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.

                                       5.
<PAGE>

     (c)  Delegation to Committee.

          (i)   General.  The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a
Committee or Committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term
"Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been
delegated.  If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall
have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore
possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of
the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and
references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or
subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.  The
Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the
administration of the Plan.

          (ii)   Committee Composition when Common Stock is Publicly Traded. At
such time as the Common Stock is publicly traded, in the discretion of the
Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more Outside Directors, in
accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or solely of two or more Non-
Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the scope of such
authority, the Board or the Committee may (1) delegate to a committee of one or
more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors, the authority to grant
Stock Awards to eligible persons who are either (a) not then Covered Employees
and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of
income resulting from such Stock Award or (b) not persons with respect to whom
the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (2) delegate
to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee
Directors the authority to grant Stock Awards to eligible persons who are not
then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

4.   Shares Subject to the Plan.

     (a)  Share Reserve.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in stock, the stock that may be issued pursuant to
Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate seven million four hundred
thousand (7,400,000) shares of non-voting Common Stock.

     (b)  Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.  If any Option shall for any
reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without having been
exercised in full, the stock not acquired under such Option shall revert to and
again become available for issuance under the Plan.  Shares subject to stock
appreciation rights exercised in accordance with the Plan shall not be available
for subsequent issuance under the Plan.

     (c)  Source of Shares. The stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares
or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.

                                       6.
<PAGE>

5.   Eligibility.

     (a)  Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards.  Incentive Stock Options may be
granted only to Employees.  Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may
be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants.

     (b)  Ten Percent Stockholders. No Ten Percent Stockholder shall be eligible
for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such
Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock at the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after
the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

     (c)  Section 162(m) Limitation.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11
relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, no employee shall be eligible to
be granted Stock Awards covering more than one million seven hundred fifty
thousand (1,750,000) shares of the Common Stock during any calendar year.  This
subsection 5(c) shall not apply prior to the Listing Date and, following the
Listing Date, this subsection 5(c) shall not apply until (i) the earliest of:
(1) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in the
number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section
4); (2) the issuance of all of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan; (3) the expiration of the Plan; or (4) the first meeting of
stockholders at which Directors of the Company are to be elected that occurs
after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which
occurred the first registration of an equity security under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act; or (ii) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

6.   Option Provisions.

     Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate.  All Options shall be separately
designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of
grant, and a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares
purchased on exercise of each type of Option.  The provisions of separate
Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the
substance of each of the following provisions:

     (a)  Term. Subject to the provisions of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten
Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the
expiration of ten (10) years from the date it was granted.

     (b)  Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions
of subsection 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price of
each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option on the date the Option
is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be
granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding
sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for
another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the
Code.

                                       7.
<PAGE>

     (c)  Exercise Price of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The exercise price of
each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than fifty percent (50%) of the
Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is
granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Nonstatutory Stock Option may be
granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding
sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for
another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the
Code.

     (d)  Consideration. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to an
Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option (or
subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) (1) by delivery to the
Company of other Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred payment or other
arrangement (which may include, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the use of other Common Stock) with the Participant or (3) in any
other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board; provided,
however, that at any time that the Company is incorporated in Delaware, payment
of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment.

     In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of
interest necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable
provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest
under the deferred payment arrangement.

     (e)  Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock
Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder
only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may,
by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the
Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the
Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

     (f)  Transferability of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. A Nonstatutory Stock
Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If
the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of
the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form
satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the
death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

     (g)  Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject
to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in
periodic installments which may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be
subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be
exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may
deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The
provisions of this subsection 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions
governing the minimum number of shares as to which an Option may be exercised.

                                       8.
<PAGE>

     (h)  Termination of Continuous Service. In the event an Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder's death or
Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that
the Optionholder was entitled to exercise it as of the date of termination) but
only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3)
months following the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service (or
such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the
expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If,
after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified in the Option Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

     (i)  Extension of Termination Date.  An Optionholder's Option Agreement may
also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the
Optionholder's Continuous Service (other than upon the Optionholder's death or
Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of
shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act,
then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term
of the Option set forth in subsection 6(a) or (ii) the expiration of a period of
three (3) months after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service
during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such
registration requirements.

     (j)  Disability of Optionholder.  In the event an Optionholder's Continuous
Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's Disability, the
Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder
was entitled to exercise it as of the date of termination), but only within such
period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months
following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in the
Option Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth
in the Option Agreement.  If, after termination, the Optionholder does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.

     (k)  Death of Optionholder.  In the event (i) an Optionholder's Continuous
Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder's death or (ii) the
Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement
after the termination of the Optionholder's Continuous Service for a reason
other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the
Optionholder was entitled to exercise the Option as of the date of death) by the
Optionholder's estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the option upon
the Optionholder's death pursuant to subsection 6(e) or 6(f), but only within
the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date eighteen (18) months following
the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option
Agreement) or (2) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement.  If, after death, the Option is not exercised within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

     (l)  Early Exercise.  The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder's
Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of
the shares subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any
unvested shares so purchased may be subject to an unvested share

                                       9.
<PAGE>

repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board
determines to be appropriate.

     (m)  Right of Repurchase. The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to repurchase all or
any part of the vested shares acquired by the Optionholder pursuant to the
exercise of the Option.

     (n)  Right of First Refusal. The Option may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to exercise
a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Optionholder of
the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares received upon the exercise
of the Option. Except as expressly provided in this subsection 6(n), such right
of first refusal shall otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the
Bylaws of the Company.

     (o)  Re-Load Options. Without in any way limiting the authority of the
Board to make or not to make grants of Options hereunder, the Board shall have
the authority (but not an obligation) to include as part of any Option Agreement
a provision entitling the Optionholder to a further Option (a "Re-Load Option")
in the event the Optionholder exercises the Option evidenced by the Option
Agreement, in whole or in part, by surrendering other shares of Common Stock in
accordance with this Plan and the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement.
Any such Re-Load Option shall (i) provide for a number of shares equal to the
number of shares surrendered as part or all of the exercise price of such
Option; (ii) have an expiration date which is the same as the expiration date of
the Option the exercise of which gave rise to such Re-Load Option; and (iii)
have an exercise price which is equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Re-Load Option on the date of
exercise of the original Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Re-Load Option
shall be subject to the same exercise price and term provisions heretofore
described for Options under the Plan.

          Any such Re-Load Option may be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, as the Board may designate at the time of the grant
of the original Option; provided, however, that the designation of any Re-Load
Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to the one hundred thousand
dollar ($100,000) annual limitation on the exercisability of Incentive Stock
Options described in subsection 10(d) and in Section 422(d) of the Code.  There
shall be no Re-Load Options on a Re-Load Option.  Any such Re-Load Option shall
be subject to the availability of sufficient shares under subsection 4(a) and
the "Section 162(m) Limitation" on the grants of Options under subsection 5(c)
and shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Board may
determine which are not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan
regarding the terms of Options.

7.   Provisions of Stock Awards other than Options.

     (a)  Stock Bonus Awards. Each stock bonus agreement shall be in such form
and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate.
The terms and conditions of stock bonus agreements may change from time to time,
and the terms and conditions of separate stock bonus agreements need not be
identical, but each stock bonus

                                      10.
<PAGE>

agreement shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference
in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following
provisions:

          (i)   Consideration. A stock bonus shall be awarded in consideration
for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate for its
benefit.

          (ii)  Vesting.  Shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus
agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in favor of
the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

          (iii) Termination of Participant's Continuous Service.  In the event a
Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire any or
all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant which have not vested
as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus agreement.

          (iv)  Transferability.  Rights to acquire shares under the stock bonus
agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and
conditions as are set forth in the stock bonus agreement, as the Board shall
determine in its discretion, so long as stock awarded under the stock bonus
agreement remains subject to the terms of the stock bonus agreement.

     (b)  Restricted Stock Awards. Each restricted stock purchase agreement
shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board
shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the restricted stock
purchase agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions
of separate restricted stock purchase agreements need not be identical, but each
restricted stock purchase agreement shall include (through incorporation of
provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of
each of the following provisions:

          (i)   Purchase Price.  The purchase price under each restricted stock
purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board shall determine and
designate in such restricted stock purchase agreement.  The purchase price shall
not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the stock's Fair Market Value on
the date such award is made or at the time the purchase is consummated.

          (ii)  Consideration. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to
the restricted stock purchase agreement shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the
time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board, according to a deferred
payment or other arrangement with the Participant; or (iii) in any other form of
legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its discretion;
provided, however, that at any time that the Company is incorporated in
Delaware, payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined in the Delaware
General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment.

          (iii) Vesting.  Shares of Common Stock acquired under the restricted
stock purchase agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase
option in favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be
determined by the Board.

                                      11.
<PAGE>

          (iv) Termination of Participant's Continuous Service.  In the event a
Participant's Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase or
otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the
Participant which have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms
of the restricted stock purchase agreement.

          (v) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares under the restricted
stock purchase agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such
terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock purchase
agreement, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, so long as stock
awarded under the restricted stock purchase agreement remains subject to the
terms of the restricted stock purchase agreement.

     (c)  Stock Appreciation Rights.

          (i)  Authorized Rights. The following three types of stock
appreciation rights shall be authorized for issuance under the Plan:

               (1) Tandem Rights. A "Tandem Right" means a stock appreciation
right granted appurtenant to an Option which is subject to the same terms and
conditions applicable to the particular Option grant to which it pertains with
the following exceptions: The Tandem Right shall require the holder to elect
between the exercise of the underlying Option for shares of Common Stock and the
surrender, in whole or in part, of such Option for an appreciation distribution.
The appreciation distribution payable on the exercised the Tandem Right shall be
in cash (or, if so provided, in an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock
based on Fair Market Value on the date of the Option surrender) in an amount up
to the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value (on the date of the Option surrender)
of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by that portion of the
surrendered Option in which the Optionholder is vested over (B) the aggregate
exercise price payable for such vested shares.

               (2) Concurrent Rights. A "Concurrent Right" means a stock
appreciation right granted appurtenant to an Option which applies to all or a
portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the underlying Option and which
is subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to the particular Option
grant to which it pertains with the following exceptions: A Concurrent Right
shall be exercised automatically at the same time the underlying Option is
exercised with respect to the particular shares of Common Stock to which the
Concurrent Right pertains. The appreciation distribution payable on an exercised
Concurrent Right shall be in cash (or, if so provided, in an equivalent number
of shares of Common Stock based on Fair Market Value on the date of the exercise
of the Concurrent Right) in an amount equal to such portion as determined by the
Board at the time of the grant of the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market
Value (on the date of the exercise of the Concurrent Right) of the vested shares
of Common Stock purchased -under the underlying Option which have Concurrent
Rights appurtenant to them over (B) the aggregate exercise price paid for such
shares.

               (3) Independent Rights.  An "Independent Right" means a stock
appreciation right granted independently of any Option but which is subject to
the same terms and conditions applicable to a Nonstatutory Stock Option with the
following exceptions:  An Independent Right shall be denominated in share
equivalents.  The appreciation distribution

                                      12.
<PAGE>

payable on the exercised Independent Right shall be not greater than an amount
equal to the excess of (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the
exercise of the Independent Right) of a number of shares of Company stock equal
to the number of share equivalents in which the holder is vested under such
Independent Right, and with respect to which the holder is exercising the
Independent Right on such date, over (b) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the
date of the grant of the Independent Right) of such number of shares of Company
stock. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercised Independent Right
shall be in cash or, if so provided, in an equivalent number of shares of Common
Stock based on Fair Market Value on the date of the exercise of the Independent
Right.

          (ii)  Relationship to Options. Stock appreciation rights appurtenant
to Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. The "Section 162(m)
Limitation" provided in subsection 5(c) and any authority to reprice Options
shall apply as well to the grant of stock appreciation rights.

          (iii) Exercise.  To exercise any outstanding stock appreciation right,
the holder shall provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance
with the provisions of the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such right.   Except
as provided in subsection 5(c) regarding the "Section 162(m) Limitation," no
limitation shall exist on the aggregate amount of cash payments that the Company
may make under the Plan in connection with the exercise of a stock appreciation
right.

8.   Covenants of the Company.

     (a)  Availability of Shares. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the
Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock
required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

     (b)  Securities Law Compliance.  The Company shall seek to obtain from each
regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority
as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common
Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this
undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act
the Plan, any Stock Award or any stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such
Stock Award.  If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from
any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the
Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of stock under the
Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and
sell stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is
obtained.

9.   Use of Proceeds from Stock.

     Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute
general funds of the Company.

                                      13.
<PAGE>

10.  Miscellaneous.

     (a) Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting.  The Board shall have the
power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or
the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance
with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the
time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

     (b) Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of,
or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares subject to
such Stock Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all
requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms.

     (c) No Employment or other Service Rights.  Nothing in the Plan or any
instrument executed or Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon
any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in
the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect
the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an
Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a
Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant's agreement with the Company
or an Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of
the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may
be.

     (d) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation.  To the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of stock with
respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by
any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and
its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or
portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they
were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

     (e) Investment Assurances.  The Company may require a Participant, as a
condition of exercising or acquiring stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give
written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant's knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser
representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and
experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of
evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and
risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances
satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring the stock
subject to the Stock Award for the Participant's own account and not with any
present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the stock.  The foregoing
requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be
inoperative if (i) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition
of stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently
effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (ii) as to any
particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that
such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable
securities laws.  The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place
legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems
necessary or

                                      14.
<PAGE>

appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but
not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the stock.

     (f) Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of a Stock
Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax
withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of stock under a
Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company's right to
withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a
combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii) authorizing the
Company to withhold shares from the shares of the Common Stock otherwise
issuable to the participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of stock
under the Stock Award; or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered
shares of the Common Stock.

11.  Adjustments upon Changes in Stock.

     (a) Capitalization Adjustments. If any change is made in the stock subject
to the Plan, or subject to any Stock Award, without the receipt of consideration
by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization,
reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change
in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of
consideration by the Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the
class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to
subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities subject to award to any
person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and the outstanding Stock Awards will be
appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of securities and price per
share of stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make
such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
(The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be
treated as a transaction "without receipt of consideration" by the Company.)

     (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Stock Awards shall terminate
immediately prior to such event.

     (c) Asset Sale, Merger, Consolidation or Reverse Merger. In the event of
(i) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (ii) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or
(iii) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of
securities, cash or otherwise, then any surviving corporation or acquiring
corporation shall assume any Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or shall
substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire the same
consideration paid to the stockholders in the transaction described in this
subsection 11(c) for those outstanding under the Plan). In the event any
surviving corporation or acquiring corporation refuses to assume such Stock
Awards or to substitute similar stock awards for those outstanding under the
Plan, then with respect to Stock Awards held by Participants whose Continuous
Service has not terminated, the vesting of such Stock Awards (and, if
applicable, the time during which such Stock Awards may be exercised) shall be
accelerated in full, and the Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if
applicable)

                                      15.
<PAGE>

at or prior to such event. With respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding
under the Plan, such Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if
applicable) prior to such event.

     (d) Special Acceleration Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this Plan to the contrary, following the Listing Date if (i) a Change in
Control (as such term is defined below) occurs and (ii) within one (1) month
prior to the date of such Change in Control or thirteen (13) months after the
date of such Change in Control the Continuous Service of a Participant
terminates due to an involuntary termination (not including death or Disability)
without Cause or due to a Constructive Termination, then the vesting and
exercisability of all Stock Awards held by such Participant shall be accelerated
in full or any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with
respect to a Stock Award shall lapse in full, as appropriate; provided, however,
that if such potential acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of Stock
Awards (or lapse of reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with
respect to Stock Awards) would cause a contemplated Change in Control
transaction that would otherwise be eligible to be accounted for as a "pooling-
of-interests" transaction to become ineligible for such accounting treatment
under generally accepted accounting principles as determined by the Accountants
prior to the Change of Control, such acceleration shall not occur.

     For purposes of this subsection 11(d) only, Change in Control means: (i) a
dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (ii) a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company; (iii) a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is not the surviving corporation and in which beneficial ownership of
securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the
combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed;
(iv) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of
securities, cash or otherwise, and in which beneficial ownership of securities
of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting
power entitled to vote in the election of Directors has changed; (v) an
acquisition by any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)
or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding
any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the
Company or subsidiary of the Company or other entity controlled by the Company)
of the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company
representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled
to vote in the election of Directors; or (vi) in the event that the individuals
who, as of the Listing Date, are members of the Company's Board  (the "Incumbent
Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the
Board.  (If the election, or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, of any new Director is approved by a vote of at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Incumbent Board, such new Director shall be considered to
be a member of the Incumbent Board in the future.)

     (e) Parachute Payments. In the event that the acceleration of the vesting
and exercisability of the Stock Awards or lapse of reacquisition or repurchase
rights held by the Company with respect to Stock Awards provided for in
subsection 11(d) and benefits otherwise

                                      16.
<PAGE>

payable to a Participant (i) constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning
of Section 280G (as it may be amended or replaced) of the Code, and (ii) but for
this subsection 11(e) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999
(as it may be amended or replaced) of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), then such
Participant's benefits hereunder shall be delivered to such lesser extent which
would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax;
provided, however, that the benefits hereunder shall be reduced only to the
extent necessary only after all cash amounts otherwise payable to such
Participant and which constitute "parachute payments" have been returned. Unless
the Company and such Participant otherwise agree in writing, any determination
required under this subsection 11(e) shall be made in writing in good faith by
the Accountants. For purposes of making the calculations required by this
subsection 11(e), the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and
approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good
faith interpretations concerning the application of the Code. The Company and
such Participants shall furnish to the Accountants such information and
documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a
determination under this subsection 11(e). The Company shall bear all costs the
Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations
contemplated by this subsection 11(e).

12.  Amendment of the Plan and Stock Awards.

     (a) Amendment of Plan.  The Board at any time, and from time to time, may
amend the Plan.  However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to
adjustments upon changes in stock, no amendment shall be effective unless
approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval
is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3
or any Nasdaq or securities exchange listing requirements.

     (b) Stockholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any
other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited
to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section
162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of
performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of
compensation paid to certain executive officers.

     (c) Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board
may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to
provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided
under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder
relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive
Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.

     (d) No Impairment of Rights.  Rights under any Stock Award granted before
amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the Participant
consents in writing.

     (e) Amendment of Stock Awards. The Board at any time, and from time to
time, may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards; provided, however,
that the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such
amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and
(ii) the Participant consents in writing.

                                      17.
<PAGE>

13.  Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

     (a) Plan Term.  The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth
(10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by
the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier.  No Stock Awards may be
granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

     (b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall
not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan
is in effect except with the written consent of the Participant.

14.  Effective Date of Plan.

     The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no Stock
Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock bonus, shall be granted)
unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company,
which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the
Plan is adopted by the Board.

15.  Choice of Law.

     All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of
this Plan shall be governed by the law of the State of Delaware, without regard
to such state's conflict of laws rules.

                                      18.<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                 Mercata, Inc.

                       2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

               Adopted by the Board of Directors February 23, 2000
                     Approved by Stockholders _____, 2000

1.   Purpose.

     (a)  The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which Employees of
the Company and certain designated Affiliates may be given an opportunity to
purchase shares of the Common Stock of the Company.

     (b)  The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of
such Employees, to secure and retain the services of new Employees and to
provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of
the Company and its Affiliates.

     (c)  The Company intends that the Rights to purchase shares of the Common
Stock granted under the Plan be considered options issued under an "employee
stock purchase plan," as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.

2.   Definitions.

     (a)  "Affiliate" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation,
whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e)
and (f), respectively, of the Code.

     (b)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     (c)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     (d)  "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance
with subparagraph 3(c) of the Plan.

     (e)  "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of Mercata, Inc..

     (f)  "Company" means Mercata, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     (g)  "Director" means a member of the Board.

     (h)  "Eligible Employee" means an Employee who meets the requirements set
forth in the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering.

     (i)  "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute
"employment" by the Company or the Affiliate.

                                       1.
<PAGE>

     (j)  "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" means a plan that grants rights
intended to be options issued under an "employee stock purchase plan," as that
term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.

     (k)  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     (l)  "Fair Market Value" means the value of a security, as determined in
good faith by the Board. If the security is listed on any established stock
exchange or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
then, except as otherwise provided in the Offering, the Fair Market Value of the
security shall be the closing sales price (rounded up where necessary to the
nearest whole cent) for such security (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with
the greatest volume of trading in the relevant security of the Company) on the
relevant determination date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable, or if such date is not a trading day,
then on the next preceding trading day.

     (m)  "Non-Employee Director" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or subsidiary, does not
receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent or
subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than
as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required
under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act
("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest in any other transaction as to
which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is
not engaged in a business relationship as to which disclosure would be required
under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a "non-
employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

     (n)  "Offering" means the grant of Rights to purchase shares of the Common
Stock under the Plan to Eligible Employees.

     (o)  "Offering Date" means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to
commence.

     (p)  "Outside Director" means a Director who either (i) is not a current
employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of
the Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a
former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time, and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

     (q)  "Participant" means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding
Right granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who
holds an outstanding Right granted under the Plan.

     (r)  "Plan" means this Mercata, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.

                                       2.
<PAGE>

     (s)  "Purchase Date" means one or more dates established by the Board
during an Offering on which Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised and
purchases of shares of the Common Stock carried out in accordance with such
Offering.

     (t)  "Right" means an option to purchase shares of the Common Stock granted
pursuant to the Plan.

     (u)  "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to
Rule 16b-3 as in effect with respect to the Company at the time discretion is
being exercised regarding the Plan.

     (v)  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

3.   Administration.

     (a)  The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board
delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in subparagraph 3(c).
Whether or not the Board has delegated administration, the Board shall have the
final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise
in the administration of the Plan.

     (b)  The Board (or the Committee) shall have the power, subject to, and
within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

          (i)   To determine when and how Rights to purchase shares of the
Common Stock shall be granted and the provisions of each Offering of such Rights
(which need not be identical).

          (ii)  To designate from time to time which Affiliates of the Company
shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

          (iii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Rights granted under it,
and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration.
The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or
inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary
or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.

          (iv)  To amend the Plan as provided in paragraph 14.

          (v)   To terminate or suspend the Plan as provided in paragraph 16.

          (vi)  Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as
it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and
its Affiliates and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

     (c)  The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee of
the Board composed of two (2) or more members, all of the members of which
Committee may be, in the discretion of the Board, Non-Employee Directors and/or
Outside Directors. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee
shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers
theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a

                                       3.
<PAGE>

subcommittee of two (2) or more Outside Directors any of the administrative
powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to
the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or such a subcommittee), subject,
however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the
Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.

4.   Shares subject to the Plan.

     (a)  Subject to the provisions of paragraph 13 relating to adjustments upon
changes in securities, the shares of the Common Stock that may be sold pursuant
to Rights granted under the Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate two hundred
fifty thousand (250,000) shares of the Common Stock (the "Reserved Shares").  As
of each January 1, beginning on January 1, 2002, and continuing through and
including January 1, 2010, the number of Reserved Shares will be increased
automatically by the lesser of (i) one percent (1%) of the total number of
shares of the Common Stock outstanding on such January 1 or (ii) one hundred
twenty-five thousand (125,000) shares.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
may designate a smaller number of shares to be added to the share reserve as of
a particular January 1.  If any Right granted under the Plan shall for any
reason terminate without having been exercised, the shares of the Common Stock
not purchased under such Right shall again become available for the Plan.

     (b)  The shares of the Common Stock subject to the Plan may be unissued
shares of the Common Stock or shares of the Common Stock that have been bought
on the open market at prevailing market prices or otherwise.

5.   Grant of Rights; Offering.

     The Board may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of Rights to
purchase shares of the Common Stock under the Plan to Eligible Employees in an
Offering on an Offering Date or Dates selected by the Board.  Each Offering
shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board
shall deem appropriate, which shall comply with the requirements of Section
423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Rights to purchase shares of
the Common Stock under the Plan shall have the same rights and privileges.  The
terms and conditions of an Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the
Plan and treated as part of the Plan.  The provisions of separate Offerings need
not be identical, but each Offering shall include (through incorporation of the
provisions of this Plan by reference in the document comprising the Offering or
otherwise) the period during which the Offering shall be effective, which period
shall not exceed twenty-seven (27) months beginning with the Offering Date, and
the substance of the provisions contained in paragraphs 6 through 9, inclusive.

6.   Eligibility.

     (a)  Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the
Board may designate as provided in subparagraph 3(b), to Employees of an
Affiliate. Except as provided in subparagraph 6(b), an Employee shall not be
eligible to be granted Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such
Employee has been in the employ of the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may
be, for such continuous period preceding such grant as the Board may require,
but

                                       4.
<PAGE>

in no event shall the required period of continuous employment be less than
ninety (90) days or equal to or greater than two (2) years; provided, however,
that Employees who are employed by the Company as of the Effective Date of this
Plan who would otherwise be Eligible Employees if not for the required period of
continuous employment with the Company shall be eligible to participate in the
Plan with respect to the first Offering Period without regard to their period of
prior continuous employment with the Company provided that they remain in
continuous employment through the end of the first Offering Period.

     (b)  The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an
Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified
in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an
Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Right under that
Offering, which Right shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering.
Such Right shall have the same characteristics as any Rights originally granted
under that Offering, as described herein, except that:

          (i)   the date on which such Right is granted shall be the "Offering
Date" of such Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise
price of such Right;

          (ii)  the period of the Offering with respect to such Right shall
begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; and

          (iii) the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an
Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the
Offering, he or she will not receive any Right under that Offering.

     (c)  No Employee shall be eligible for the grant of any Rights under the
Plan if, immediately after any such Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock
possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value
of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Affiliate. For purposes of this
subparagraph 6(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply in
determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee
may purchase under all outstanding rights and options shall be treated as stock
owned by such Employee.

     (d)  An Eligible Employee may be granted Rights under the Plan only if such
Rights, together with any other Rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase
Plans of the Company and any Affiliates, as specified by Section 423(b)(8) of
the Code, do not permit such Eligible Employee's rights to purchase shares of
the Common Stock or any Affiliate to accrue at a rate which exceeds twenty five
thousand dollars ($25,000) of the fair market value of such shares of the Common
Stock (determined at the time such Rights are granted) for each calendar year in
which such Rights are outstanding at any time.

     (e)  The Board may provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly
compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code
shall not be eligible to participate.

                                       5.
<PAGE>

7.   Rights; Purchase Price.

     (a)  On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering
made under the Plan, shall be granted the Right to purchase up to the number of
shares of the Common Stock purchasable either:

          (i)  with a percentage designated by the Board not exceeding fifteen
percent (15%) of such Employee's Earnings (as defined by the Board in each
Offering) during the period which begins on the Offering Date (or such later
date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date
stated in the Offering, which date shall be no later than the end of the
Offering; or

          (ii) with a maximum dollar amount designated by the Board that, as the
Board determines for a particular Offering, (1) shall be withheld, in whole or
in part, from such Employee's Earnings (as defined by the Board in each
Offering) during the period which begins on the Offering Date (or such later
date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date
stated in the Offering, which date shall be no later than the end of the
Offering and/or (2) shall be contributed, in whole or in part, by such Employee
during such period.

     (b)  The Board shall establish one or more Purchase Dates during an
Offering on which Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised and purchases
of shares of the Common Stock carried out in accordance with such Offering.

     (c)  In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may
specify a maximum number of shares of the Common Stock that may be purchased by
any Participant as well as a maximum aggregate number of shares of the Common
Stock that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering.  In
addition, in connection with each Offering that contains more than one Purchase
Date, the Board may specify a maximum aggregate number of shares of the Common
Stock which may be purchased by all Participants on any given Purchase Date
under the Offering.  If the aggregate purchase of shares of the Common Stock
upon exercise of Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum
aggregate amount, the Board shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares of
the Common Stock available in as nearly a uniform manner as shall be practicable
and as it shall deem to be equitable.

     (d)  The purchase price of shares of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to
Rights granted under the Plan shall be not less than the lesser of:

          (i)   an amount equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market
value of the shares of the Common Stock on the Offering Date; or

          (ii)  an amount equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market
value of the shares of the Common Stock on the Purchase Date.

8.   Participation; Withdrawal; Termination.

     (a)  An Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan pursuant to
an Offering by delivering a participation agreement to the Company within the
time specified in the Offering, in such form as the Company provides. Each such
agreement shall authorize payroll

                                       6.
<PAGE>

deductions of up to the maximum percentage specified by the Board of such
Employee's Earnings during the Offering (as defined in each Offering). The
payroll deductions made for each Participant shall be credited to a bookkeeping
account for such Participant under the Plan and either may be deposited with the
general funds of the Company or may be deposited in a separate account in the
name of, and for the benefit of, such Participant with a financial institution
designated by the Company. To the extent provided in the Offering, a Participant
may reduce (including to zero) or increase such payroll deductions. To the
extent provided in the Offering, a Participant may begin such payroll deductions
after the beginning of the Offering. A Participant may make additional payments
into his or her account only if specifically provided for in the Offering and
only if the Participant has not already had the maximum permitted amount
withheld during the Offering.

     (b)  At any time during an Offering, a Participant may terminate his or her
payroll deductions under the Plan and withdraw from the Offering by delivering
to the Company a notice of withdrawal in such form as the Company provides.
Such withdrawal may be elected at any time prior to the end of the Offering
except as provided by the Board in the Offering.  Upon such withdrawal from the
Offering by a Participant, the Company shall distribute to such Participant all
of his or her accumulated payroll deductions (reduced to the extent, if any,
such deductions have been used to acquire shares of the Common Stock for the
Participant) under the Offering, without interest unless otherwise specified in
the Offering, and such Participant's interest in that Offering shall be
automatically terminated.  A Participant's withdrawal from an Offering will have
no effect upon such Participant's eligibility to participate in any other
Offerings under the Plan but such Participant will be required to deliver a new
participation agreement in order to participate in subsequent Offerings under
the Plan.

     (c)  Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan shall terminate
immediately upon cessation of any participating Employee's employment with the
Company or a designated Affiliate for any reason (subject to any post-employment
participation period required by law) or other lack of eligibility. The Company
shall distribute to such terminated Employee all of his or her accumulated
payroll deductions (reduced to the extent, if any, such deductions have been
used to acquire shares of the Common Stock for the terminated Employee) under
the Offering, without interest unless otherwise specified in the Offering. If
the accumulated payroll deductions have been deposited with the Company's
general funds, then the distribution shall be made from the general funds of the
Company, without interest.  If the accumulated payroll deductions have been
deposited in a separate account with a financial institution as provided in
subparagraph 8(a), then the distribution shall be made from the separate
account, without interest unless otherwise specified in the Offering.

     (d)  Rights granted under the Plan shall not be transferable by a
Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or
by a beneficiary designation as provided in paragraph 15 and, otherwise during
his or her lifetime, shall be exercisable only by the person to whom such Rights
are granted.

9.   Exercise.

     (a)  On each Purchase Date specified therefor in the relevant Offering,
each Participant's accumulated payroll deductions and other additional payments
specifically

                                       7.
<PAGE>

provided for in the Offering (without any increase for interest) will be applied
to the purchase of shares of the Common Stock up to the maximum number of shares
of the Common Stock permitted pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the
applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No
fractional shares of the Common Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of
Rights granted under the Plan unless specifically provided for in the Offering.

     (b)  Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Offering, the amount, if
any, of accumulated payroll deductions remaining in any Participant's account
after the purchase of shares of the Common Stock that is equal to the amount
required to purchase one or more whole shares of the Common Stock on the final
Purchase Date of the Offering shall be distributed in full to the Participant at
the end of the Offering, without interest. If the accumulated payroll deductions
have been deposited with the Company's general funds, then the distribution
shall be made from the general funds of the Company, without interest. If the
accumulated payroll deductions have been deposited in a separate account with a
financial institution as provided in subparagraph 8(a), then the distribution
shall be made from the separate account, without interest unless otherwise
specified in the Offering. The amount of accumulated payroll deductions
remaining in any Participant's account that is less than the amount required to
purchase one whole share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of the
Offering shall be carried over to the next Offering or shall, if the Participant
requests or does not participate in the next Offering, be refunded.

     (c)  No Rights granted under the Plan may be exercised to any extent unless
the shares of the Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan
(including Rights granted thereunder) are covered by an effective registration
statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance
with all applicable state, foreign and other securities and other laws
applicable to the Plan. If on a Purchase Date in any Offering hereunder the Plan
is not so registered or in such compliance, no Rights granted under the Plan or
any Offering shall be exercised on such Purchase Date, and the Purchase Date
shall be delayed until the Plan is subject to such an effective registration
statement and such compliance, except that the Purchase Date shall not be
delayed more than twelve (12) months and the Purchase Date shall in no event be
more than twenty-seven (27) months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase
Date of any Offering hereunder, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible,
the Plan is not registered and in such compliance, no Rights granted under the
Plan or any Offering shall be exercised and all payroll deductions accumulated
during the Offering (reduced to the extent, if any, such deductions have been
used to acquire Shares) shall be distributed to the Participants, without
interest unless otherwise specified in the Offering. If the accumulated payroll
deductions have been deposited with the Company's general funds, then the
distribution shall be made from the general funds of the Company, without
interest. If the accumulated payroll deductions have been deposited in a
separate account with a financial institution as provided in subparagraph 8(a),
then the distribution shall be made from the separate account, without interest
unless otherwise specified in the Offering.

10.  Covenants of the Company.

     (a)  During the terms of the Rights granted under the Plan, the Company
shall ensure that the number of shares of the Common Stock required to satisfy
such Rights are available.

                                       8.
<PAGE>

     (b)  The Company shall seek to obtain from each federal, state, foreign or
other regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such
authority as may be required to issue and sell shares of the Common Stock upon
exercise of the Rights granted under the Plan.  If, after reasonable efforts,
the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency
the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful
issuance and sale of shares of the Common Stock under the Plan, the Company
shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell shares of the
Common Stock upon exercise of such Rights unless and until such authority is
obtained.

11.  Use of Proceeds from Shares.

     Proceeds from the sale of shares of the Common Stock pursuant to Rights
granted under the Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

12.  Rights as a Stockholder.

     A Participant shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of
the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of the Common Stock subject to
Rights granted under the Plan unless and until the Participant's shares of the
Common Stock acquired upon exercise of Rights under the Plan are recorded in the
books of the Company.

13.  Adjustments upon Changes in Securities.

     (a)  If any change is made in the shares of the Common Stock subject to the
Plan, or subject to any Right, without the receipt of consideration by the
Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization,
reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change
in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of
consideration by the Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the
class(es) and maximum number of Reserved Shares of the Common Stock subject to
the Plan pursuant to subparagraph 4(a) including the annual increases in the
Reserved Shares of the Common Stock to be reserved under the Plan, and the
outstanding Rights will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es), number of
shares of the Common Stock and purchase limits of such outstanding Rights.  The
Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding
and conclusive.  (The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company
shall not be treated as a transaction that does not involve the receipt of
consideration by the Company.)

     (b)  In the event of:  (i) a dissolution, liquidation, or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or (iii) a reverse merger
in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of the Common
Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of
the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or
otherwise, then: (1) any surviving or acquiring corporation may assume Rights
outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar rights (including a right
to acquire the same consideration paid to the Company's stockholders in the
transaction described in this subparagraph 13(b)) for those outstanding under
the Plan, or (2) in the event any surviving or acquiring corporation does not
assume such Rights or substitute similar rights for those

                                       9.
<PAGE>

outstanding under the Plan, then, as determined by the Board in its sole
discretion, such Rights may continue in full force and effect or the
Participants' accumulated payroll deductions (exclusive of any accumulated
interest which cannot be applied toward the purchase of shares of the Common
Stock under the terms of the Offering) may be used to purchase shares of the
Common Stock immediately prior to the transaction described above under the
ongoing Offering and the Participants' Rights under the ongoing Offering
thereafter terminated.

14.  Amendment of the Plan.

     (a)  The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the Plan.
However, except as provided in paragraph 13 relating to adjustments upon changes
in securities and except as to minor amendments to benefit the administration of
the Plan, to take account of a change in legislation or to obtain or maintain
favorable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for Participants or the
Company or any Affiliate, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the
stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary for
the Plan to satisfy the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act and any Nasdaq or other securities exchange listing
requirements.  Currently under the Code, stockholder approval within twelve (12)
months before or after the adoption of the amendment is required where the
amendment will:

          (i)   Increase the number of shares of the Common Stock reserved for
Rights under the Plan;

          (ii)  Modify the provisions as to eligibility for participation in the
Plan to the extent such modification requires stockholder approval in order for
the Plan to obtain employee stock purchase plan treatment under Section 423 of
the Code or to comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3; or

          (iii) Modify the Plan in any other way if such modification requires
stockholder approval in order for the Plan to obtain employee stock purchase
plan treatment under Section 423 of the Code or to comply with the requirements
of Rule 16b-3.

     (b)  It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any
respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide Employees with the
maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans
and/or to bring the Plan and/or Rights granted under it into compliance
therewith.

     (c)  Rights and obligations under any Rights granted before amendment of
the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan, except with the
consent of the person to whom such Rights were granted, or except as necessary
to comply with any laws or governmental regulations, or except as necessary to
ensure that the Plan and/or Rights granted under the Plan comply with the
requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

15.  Designation of Beneficiary.

     (a)  A Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is
to receive any shares of the Common Stock and/or cash, if any, from the
Participant's account under the Plan in

                                      10.
<PAGE>

the event of such Participant's death subsequent to the end of an Offering but
prior to delivery to the Participant of such shares of the Common Stock and
cash. In addition, a Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary
who is to receive any cash from the Participant's account under the Plan in the
event of such Participant's death during an Offering.

     (b)  The Participant may change such designation of beneficiary at any time
by written notice. In the event of the death of a Participant and in the absence
of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of
such Participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares of the Common
Stock and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the
Participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the
knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such
shares of the Common Stock and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more
dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or
relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may
designate.

16.  Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

     (a)  The Board in its discretion may suspend or terminate the Plan at any
time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate at the time that all of
the shares of the Common Stock subject to the Plan's reserve, as increased
and/or adjusted from time to time, have been issued under the terms of the Plan.
No Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it
is terminated.

     (b)  Rights and obligations under any Rights granted while the Plan is in
effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the Plan, except as
expressly provided in the Plan or with the consent of the person to whom such
Rights were granted, or except as necessary to comply with any laws or
governmental regulation, or except as necessary to ensure that the Plan and/or
Rights granted under the Plan comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the
Code.

17.  Effective Date of Plan.

     The Plan shall become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of
the Company's registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to
the initial public offering of shares of the Company's Common Stock (the
"Effective Date"), but no Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised
unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company
within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the
Board, which date may be prior to the Effective Date.

                                      11.

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00003-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00003-of-00352.parquet"}]]