Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.4
                                                                    ------------

                               MARKETING AGREEMENT

         This Marketing Agreement is entered into as of November 5, 2001 (the
"Effective Date") by and between Howard Johnson & Company, a Delaware
corporation ("Howard Johnson"), and eBenX, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
("eBenX").

                                   Background
                                   ----------

         Howard Johnson offers a variety of products and employee benefits
services to its customers. eBenX offers Internet-based enrollment and benefit
administration services to employers. Howard Johnson and eBenX believe that the
marketing by Howard Johnson of the services provided by eBenX as part of the
overall package of services marketed by Howard Johnson to certain of its
existing and potential customers would be advantageous to both parties. This
Agreement is being executed in connection with that certain Asset Purchase
Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), dated October 19, 2001, by and between
eBenX and Howard Johnson, pursuant to which eBenX has agreed to purchase certain
assets from Howard Johnson relating to its health and welfare services business.

         NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. Definitions.

         (a) "Agreement means this agreement together with all exhibits and
schedules hereto, and any amendments to the foregoing.

         (b) "eBenX Health and Welfare ("H&W") Services" mean those health and
welfare benefits administration services provided by eBenX to employers as set
forth on Exhibit "A" attached hereto or the Revised Services as set forth in
Section 2(c) hereof.

         (c) "Client" means an employer that has entered into a Client Agreement
with eBenX.

         (d) "Client Agreement" means an agreement between eBenX and a Client
for the provision of eBenX H&W Services and any extensions thereof; provided,
however, that in the event the term of the written agreement or extension shall
have been concluded but eBenX continues to provide eBenX H&W Services to such
Client, the Client Agreement shall be deemed to continue for the time period
that such eBenX H&W Services are provided to such Client.

         (e) "Plan" means any benefit plan with respect to which eBenX H&W
Services are provided.

         (f) "Referral" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(iii)
below.

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         2. Sales and Marketing of eBenX H&W Services.

         (a) During the term of this Agreement, Howard Johnson shall:

                  (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to market the eBenX
         H&W Services to certain clients of Howard Johnson, and shall include
         the eBenX H&W Services as an optional service in presentations to such
         potential Clients, including formal proposals and written marketing
         materials. All descriptions of the eBenX H&W Services provided to
         potential Clients shall consist of materials supplied by eBenX and
         subject to the approval of Howard Johnson;

                  (ii) make Howard Johnson marketing personnel available for up
         to four hours of training by eBenX regarding the eBenX H&W Services,
         either in person or by telephone or videoconference, when scheduled
         upon reasonable advance notice by eBenX; provided, however, that at the
         sole and absolute discretion of Howard Johnson, Howard Johnson may make
         its marketing personnel available for additional training by eBenX;

                  (iii) (A) subject to the following proviso, forward to eBenX a
         copy of each request for proposal from a potential Client which
         includes services equivalent to the eBenX H&W Services, and refer to
         eBenX certain customers of Howard Johnson who, to the knowledge of
         Howard Johnson (as defined below) request assistance with services
         included within the description of eBenX H&W Services (in each case, a
         "Referral"); provided, however, that if Howard Johnson elects not to
         refer a potential Client to eBenX (which it may do in its sole and
         absolute discretion), Howard Johnson may not refer such potential
         Client to any other person. As used in this subsection (iii) and in
         Section 4 of this Agreement, such Referral may also include, if
         reasonably requested by eBenX, procurement by Howard Johnson of
         information about the potential Clients needs for services equivalent
         to the eBenX H&W Services, discussion between Howard Johnson and eBenX
         regarding the scope and needs of the potential Client, availability by
         Howard Johnson to participate in joint client presentations, and the
         provision by Howard Johnson of certain additional information about the
         potential Client's prior history of purchasing services similar to
         eBenX H&W Services. Upon any Referral by Howard Johnson to eBenX, eBenX
         shall, within five Business Days, provide written notice to Howard
         Johnson stating whether it is willing to accept (a "Preliminary Accept
         Notice") or decline (a "Decline Notice") such Referral. If eBenX
         provides to Howard Johnson a Preliminary Accept Notice, eBenX shall
         work directly with the Client in accordance with the terms set forth in
         Article IV herein. As used in this subsection (iii), "knowledge of
         Howard Johnson" is defined as, after due inquiry, the actual knowledge,
         within the scope of such individuals' employment responsibilities, of
         the senior management team and customer relationship managers of Howard
         Johnson.

                  (B) Notwithstanding subsection (A), Howard Johnson shall be
         free to refer a Client or potential Client to any third party if: (v)
         Howard Johnson receives a Decline Notice, (w) the Client or potential
         Client informs Howard Johnson that it is unwilling to be referred to,
         continue to retain or negotiate with eBenX, (x) the quality of services
         provided by eBenX have been reported to Howard Johnson by existing or
         previous Clients to be below industry standards and such reports have
         been reviewed with eBenX, and eBenX has not, in the view of such
         Clients, improved the quality of such services, (y) Howard Johnson
         receives a Preliminary Accept Notice, but thereafter eBenX and the
         Client mutually agree (which agreement eBenX shall not unreasonably
         withhold) that eBenX cannot perform the services

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         required by the Client, and (z) at the sole and absolute discretion of
         Howard Johnson, if eBenX breaches its obligations pursuant to Section
         4(a) hereof. In the case of clause (w) hereof, Howard Johnson shall
         within ten (10) days notify eBenX of such Client's or potential
         Client's unwillingness to be referred to eBenX (the "Unwilling
         Notice"). The Unwilling Notice shall set forth the reason the Client or
         potential Client was unwilling to be referred to eBenX; provided,
         however, that if such Client or potential Client requests that such
         reason not be disclosed to eBenX, the Unwilling Notice need not provide
         any explanation for the Client's or potential Client's unwillingness to
         be referred to eBenX.

                  (C) Notwithstanding subsection (A), AutoNation Benefits
         Company, Inc. ("AutoNation") shall be considered, for the purposes of
         this Agreement, a Referral that has been accepted by eBenX upon the
         earliest to occur of (x) the receipt by eBenX of a written or
         electronic commitment by AutoNation to enter into a Client Agreement,
         (y) the receipt by eBenX of a written or electronic rescission from
         AutoNation of the termination notice dated November 1, 2001 and (z) the
         date that is two years from the date hereof if eBenX continues to
         provide eBenX H&W Services to AutoNation as of such date. Upon the
         occurrence of a Referral, as set forth in this subsection (C),
         AutoNation shall be deemed to have entered into a Client Agreement with
         eBenX.

                  (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with
         eBenX and assist eBenX in the preparation of formal proposals in
         response to Referrals; and

                  (v) at the sole and absolute discretion of Howard Johnson,
         provide eBenX with introductions to potential Clients and assist eBenX
         in arranging presentations to potential Clients.

         (b) During the term of this Agreement, at the expense of eBenX, eBenX
shall:

                  (i) prior to the release of any marketing materials describing
         the eBenX H&W Services, (A) provide such materials to Howard Johnson
         for review and approval and (B) permit Howard Johnson to complete any
         and all necessary regulatory reportings or filings that relate to such
         materials;

                  (ii) provide to Howard Johnson the number of copies of
         marketing materials requested by Howard Johnson;

                  (iii) provide one or more individuals to respond to Howard
         Johnson's request for input on requests for information from potential
         Clients; provided, however, that eBenX exercises reasonable care in the
         selection of personnel and the employees so designated have sufficient
         skills and training to provide the services as required by this
         Agreement;

                  (iv) respond in a timely fashion to Referrals; and

                  (v) provide training to a mutually agreeable number of Howard
         Johnson's sales and marketing personnel on relevant aspects of the
         eBenX H&W Services.

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         (c) If at any time during the term of this Agreement eBenX desires to
alter or add to the eBenX H&W Services (such altered or added eBenX H&W Services
being referred to as, the "Revised Services"), eBenX shall provide written
notice to Howard Johnson of the Revised Services. Upon receipt of such notice,
Howard Johnson shall within 10 business days provide written notice to eBenX
stating whether it is willing to accept or decline the Revised Services. If
Howard Johnson accepts the Revised Services, such Revised Services shall be
deemed to be included in Exhibit A hereto.

         3. Fees to Clients. The fees and expenses quoted by eBenX in each
proposal to a potential Client pursuant to a Referral will be determined by
eBenX on a Client-by-Client basis, using eBenX's standard base fees and making
adjustments to reflect the specific eBenX H&W Services to be provided,
Client-specific information, the Referral Royalty and such other factors as
eBenX may deem relevant. All fees may include reasonable annual inflation
factors and reasonable implementation fees.

         4. Referral Royalties. (a) eBenX shall pay Howard Johnson or its
Affiliates a royalty equal to 10% of the gross revenues earned by eBenX for the
first four years of any Client Agreement entered into by eBenX pursuant to a
Referral, plus a royalty equal to 5% of the gross revenues each following year
for the remainder of the Client Agreement (a "Referral Royalty"). The first
royalty payment for each Client shall be made to Howard Johnson on the sixtieth
day after the initial date that eBenX has commenced services for such Client,
and all subsequent royalty payments shall be made on a monthly basis thereafter.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that if, in the reasonable
judgment of eBenX, the cost of the such Referral Royalty makes eBenX's pricing
non-competitive on a case-by-case basis, they will discuss, in good faith,
whether the Referral Royalty may be reduced for such case. Such discussion,
however, in no way obligates Howard Johnson to agree to such a reduction.

         (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), with respect to AutoNation, eBenX
shall pay Howard Johnson or its Affiliates a royalty equal to 10% of the gross
revenues earned by eBenX for the first four years of such Client Agreement, plus
a royalty equal to 5% of the gross revenues each following year for the
remainder of the Client Agreement (the "AutoNation Royalty"). The first royalty
payment of the AutoNation Royalty shall be made to Howard Johnson on the
thirtieth day after the occurrence of a Referral by Howard Johnson pursuant to
Section 2(iii)(C) hereof, and all subsequent royalty payments shall be made on a
monthly basis thereafter.

         (c) In the event that eBenX receives a referral for the same potential
Client from another source, eBenX shall follow the following procedures:

                  (i) If such referral is generated from an employee of eBenX,
         Howard Johnson shall receive the Referral Royalty set forth in
         subsection (a) above; provided, however, with respect to proposals
         relating to the provision of eBenX H&W Services only, if such proposal
         has already been submitted by eBenX to the potential Client and has
         been in the process of being reviewed by the potential Client for a
         period of less than 180 days, no Referral Royalty shall be due and
         payable.

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                  (ii) If such referral is generated by a third party (the
         "Third Party Referrer"), eBenX shall provide to Howard Johnson or to
         the potential Client pursuant to the Referral terms for the eBenX H&W
         Services to be provided to the potential Client that are, excluding (A)
         factors affecting eBenX's cost of providing eBenX H&W Services, such as
         the division of services in cases where eBenX shall be providing
         services jointly with the Third Party Referrer or Howard Johnson, and
         (B) the effect of any difference in cost to eBenX between the payment
         of the Referral Royalty that would be paid to Howard Johnson as opposed
         to any amounts payable to the Third Party Referrer, no less favorable
         than those offered to the Third Party Referrer or to the potential
         Client pursuant to the referral from another source, without regard to
         the size or volume of business eBenX may transact with such Third Party
         Referrer. In the event that eBenX submits proposals to a potential
         Client in response to both a Referral and a Third Party Referrer
         referral, a Referral Royalty shall not be due and payable if eBenX
         enters into a Client Agreement as a result of the proposal made in
         response to the Third Party Referrer referral. In the event that there
         is any question regarding which proposal resulted in a Client
         Agreement, eBenX and Howard Johnson shall negotiate in good faith a
         resolution of such question.

                  (iii) In the event that eBenX has submitted a proposal, which
         has been in the process of being reviewed by the potential Client for a
         period of less than 180 days, in response to (A) a request for proposal
         for eBenX H&W Services only directly from such potential Client, or (B)
         a referral from a Third Party Referrer with respect to eBenX H&W
         Services only that is received by eBenX prior to receipt of the
         Referral, eBenX may (x) pursue both the Referral and the potential
         Client request or Third Party Referrer referral, as applicable, or (y)
         provide to Howard Johnson a Decline Notice with respect to such
         Referral; provided, however, that if such Decline Notice is not
         received by Howard Johnson by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time two
         business days after receipt by eBenX of the Referral, which Referral
         shall be made by Howard Johnson electronically or in writing, eBenX
         shall be deemed to have accepted such Referral. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, in the event that eBenX requests that Howard Johnson provide
         any assistance in connection with any proposal in response to such
         request for proposal or referral, eBenX and Howard Johnson shall
         negotiate in good faith to determine the dollar amount of the Referral
         Royalty owed to Howard Johnson pursuant to this Section 4.

         5. Expenses. Except as expressly provided herein, each of Howard
Johnson and eBenX shall be solely responsible for any and all day-to-day costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their respective
obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, telefax and
mailing expenses and other general administrative costs.

         6. Sales Tax. In addition to the payments set forth herein, eBenX shall
be liable for, and shall indemnify Howard Johnson or its Affiliates, as
applicable, for any sales and/or use tax, VAT, transfer tax, excise tax, tariff,
duty or any other similar tax or payment in lieu thereof imposed by any
governmental authority arising from the Services provided hereunder, or arising
out of this Agreement. eBenX shall not be responsible for payment of any income,
franchise, gross receipts or personal property taxes paid by Howard Johnson or
its Affiliates as a result of this Agreement.

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         7. Exclusivity. Howard Johnson shall not market or promote any entity
that offers services that compete with the eBenX H&W Services during the term of
this Agreement; provided, however, the foregoing restriction shall not prevent
Howard Johnson from entering into ad hoc agreements with third parties with
respect to Referrals for which eBenX has provided a Decline Notice to Howard
Johnson. In addition, Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated shall
not execute more than one strategic partnership or referral agreement, with
respect to services that are equivalent to the eBenX H&W Services as of the date
hereof, with any competitor of eBenX during the term of this Agreement;
provided, however, that Howard Johnson shall provide to eBenX terms with respect
to the Referral Royalty that are no less favorable than those offered in such
strategic relationship or referral agreement. After the conclusion of the
initial term of this Agreement, Howard Johnson shall give eBenX not less than
six months' advance notice prior to (i) commencing the marketing of services
offered by another provider of services substantially equivalent to the eBenX
H&W Services or (ii) commencing development of the internal capacity to provide,
with respect to H&W services, automated enrollment and benefit administration
services.

         8. Confidentiality.

         (a) Howard Johnson and eBenX agree that all information relating to
this Agreement and the eBenX H&W Services contemplated hereby shall be kept
confidential. Howard Johnson agrees that all information relating to this
Agreement and the eBenX H&W Services contemplated hereby shall not be used by
Howard Johnson, its Affiliates, and their respective representatives, directly
or indirectly, to compete with eBenX at any time. Such obligations of
confidentiality and non-competition shall extend to all such information,
whether exchanged orally or in written or electronic form, and whether or not
designated at the time exchanged as confidential. Each party shall be permitted
to disclose confidential information to its officers, directors, employees,
agents, consultants, attorneys and Affiliates who need to know such information
for the purpose of implementing this Agreement or the eBenX H&W Services
contemplated hereby, and agrees to notify such persons of the confidential
nature of such information and to be responsible for any unauthorized disclosure
of such information by such persons. Information shall not be deemed to be
confidential if it becomes publicly available after the date hereof other than
as a result of the unauthorized disclosure thereof by a party or by an officer,
director, employee, agent or Affiliate of a party, or is requested or required
to be disclosed pursuant to applicable laws or regulations or pursuant to
administrative or judicial process. In the event that a party or any of its
agents, representatives, Affiliates, employees, officers or directors becomes
legally compelled to disclose any such confidential information, such party
shall provide the other with prompt written notice of such requirement so that
the other may seek a protective order or other remedy or waive compliance with
this Section 8 and, in the event that such protective order or other remedy is
not obtained, or the other party waives compliance with this Section 8, furnish
only that portion of such confidential information which is legally required to
be provided and exercise their best efforts to obtain assurances that
confidential treatment will be accorded such information.

         9. Term and Termination.

         (a) The term of this Agreement shall be two years commencing on the
Effective Date. At the conclusion of the initial term of this Agreement, the
parties may negotiate

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to extend the term of this Agreement for successive terms of one year. Such
negotiations, however, in no way obligates either party to any such extension.

         (b) Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the
other party upon a Material Breach of this Agreement by the other party. A
"Material Breach" means any of the following:

                  (i) except as set forth in subsection (vii) hereof, the
         failure by a party to perform its material obligations under this
         Agreement and continuation of such failure for thirty (30) days
         following receipt of written notice of such failure (specifying in
         reasonable detail the nature of the failure) from the other party; or

                  (ii) a Material Breach of eBenX alone means any of the
         following:

                           (A) the filing by eBenX of a petition in bankruptcy
                  or for reorganization or for the adoption of an arrangement
                  under The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended (or
                  similar law of the United States or any other jurisdiction,
                  which law relates to the liquidation or reorganization of
                  companies or the modification or alteration of the rights of
                  creditors) or an answer or other pleading admitting or failing
                  to deny the material allegations of such a petition or
                  seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in the relief therein
                  provided;

                           (B) the entry of a court order against eBenX party
                  which has not been vacated, set aside or stayed within 60 days
                  from the date of entry, either (i) appointing a receiver or a
                  trustee for all or a substantial part of eBenX property or
                  (ii) approving a petition filed or application made against it
                  for, or effecting an arrangement in, bankruptcy or made
                  against it for, or effecting an arrangement in, bankruptcy or
                  for a reorganization or other relief pursuant to any
                  bankruptcy act or for any other judicial modification or
                  alteration of the rights of eBenX creditors;

                           (C) an assignment by eBenX for the benefit of its
                  creditors or by its making a proposal to its creditors under
                  any bankruptcy law;

                           (D) consent to the appointment of a receiver or a
                  trustee (or other person performing a similar function) by
                  eBenX for all or a substantial part of its property;

                           (E) the assumption of custody or sequestration by a
                  court of competent jurisdiction of all or substantially all of
                  eBenX property, which custody or sequestration has not been
                  suspended or terminated within 60 days from its inception; or

                           (F) failure by eBenX to pay royalties to Howard
                  Johnson hereunder when due, if such failure is not remedied on
                  or before the tenth business day after notice of such failure
                  is given to eBenX (unless the failure to remedy is subject to
                  the dispute resolution provisions of Section 11(h) herein).

         (c) If at any time Howard Johnson controls, is controlled by or is
under common control with a provider of services substantially similar to the
eBenX H&W Services,

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then eBenX may terminate this Agreement by written notice to Howard Johnson
effective 30 days following receipt of such termination notice.

         (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of Sections 4, 8 and 10 hereof
shall continue in full force and effect following termination of this Agreement
until the expiration (if any) thereof as set forth therein.

         (e) Any termination by Howard Johnson or eBenX pursuant to Section 9(b)
above shall be without prejudice to any rights at law or in equity that either
Howard Johnson or eBenX may have for breach of contract or otherwise.

         10. Indemnification. (a) Howard Johnson hereby agrees to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless eBenX and their Affiliates and their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, "eBenX Indemnitees")
from and against any and all liabilities, losses, claims, damages, and expenses
of any nature, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting
from any default or breach by Howard Johnson in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement or any failure by Howard Johnson to perform its
covenants hereunder or any third party claim against any eBenX Indemnitee.

         (b) The Company hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
Howard Johnson and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors,
employees and agents (collectively, "Howard Johnson Indemnitees," and together
with eBenX Indemnities, the "Indemnitees") from and against any and all
liabilities, losses, claims, damages, and expenses of any nature, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from any default or
breach by eBenX in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or
any failure by eBenX to perform its covenants hereunder or any third party claim
against any Howard Johnson Indemnitee, including those claims related to future
intermediation transactions and existing transactions or in the provision of the
eBenX H&W Services, including, without limitation, any and all loss, liability,
damage, cost or expense of a customer of eBenX.

         (c) Claims for indemnification under Sections 10(a) and 10(b) shall be
made pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 9.02(b) or 9.03(b),
respectively, of the Purchase Agreement. Nothing herein shall limit the rights
to indemnification, or the obligations to indemnify, of the parties under the
Purchase Agreement.

         (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the maximum amount of indemnifiable losses which may be recovered
from an Indemnitee arising out of or resulting from the causes set forth in (i)
Section 10(a) shall be an amount equal to 100% of the total Referral Royalties
received from eBenX by Howard Johnson pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii)
Section 10(b) shall be an amount equal to 100% of annual revenues from the
Clients referred to eBenX by Howard Johnson pursuant to this Agreement.

         11. Miscellaneous.

         (a) Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, all costs and
expenses, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel,
financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party
incurring such costs and expenses.

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         (b) All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by an
internationally recognized overnight courier service, by telecopy or registered
or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as
shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.02):

                  (i)      if to Howard Johnson:

                           Howard Johnson & Company

                           c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
                           222 Broadway
                           17th Floor
                           New York, NY  10019
                           Telecopy:  (212) 670-4819
                           Attention:  Mark B. Goldfus, Esq.

                           with a copy to:

                           Shearman & Sterling
                           599 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, NY  10022-6069
                           Telecopy:  (212) 848-7179
                           Attention:  John A. Marzulli, Jr., Esq.

                  (ii)     if to eBenX:

                           eBenX, Inc.
                           605 North Highway 169
                           Suite 1200
                           Minneapolis, MN  55441
                           Telecopy:  (763) 614-2025
                           Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

                           with a copy to:

                           Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP
                           260 South Broad Street
                           Philadelphia, PA  19102
                           Telecopy:  (215) 568-6603
                           Attention: Lawrence D. Rovin, Esq.

         (c) Each party agrees to comply with Section 11.03 of the Purchase
Agreement and each will use reasonable best efforts, including notifying their
respective

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employees, to keep confidential the contents of the other party's respective
information systems to which such party's employees may have access.

         (d) If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other
terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force
and effect for so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse
to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order
that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated as
originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

         (e) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all
prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between Howard Johnson
and eBenX with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

         (f) This Agreement may not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise
without the express written consent of Howard Johnson and eBenX (which consent
may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Howard Johnson or eBenX);
provided, however, that eBenX may assign this Agreement or any of its rights and
obligations hereunder to one or more Affiliates of eBenX without the consent of
Howard Johnson however eBenX remains liable hereunder; provided, further, that
this Agreement may, due to the sale of all or substantially all the assets of a
party to a third party purchaser, be assigned to such third party purchaser
without the written consent of the other party hereto. Any attempted assignment
in violation of this provision is void.

         (g) Except for the provisions of Section 9 relating to indemnified
parties, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or
implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person, including,
without limitation, any union or any employee or former employee of Howard
Johnson, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature
whatsoever, including, without limitation, any rights of employment for any
specified period, under or by reason of this Agreement.

         (h) Except for the right to injunctive relief under Section 8 of this
Agreement, for which judicial relief shall remain available, any dispute,
controversy or claim (a "Claim") that cannot be resolved by the parties arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or the services covered by this Agreement
shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") upon notice (the
"Arbitration Notice") of submission given by either Howard Johnson or eBenX to
the other in accordance with subsection (i) hereof, and judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. The arbitration shall be held Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, if a claim is
brought by Howard Johnson or in New York County, New York, if a claim is brought
by eBenX or in such other location as the parties may mutually agree upon. The
arbitration will be conducted before a panel of three arbitrators, with one

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arbitrator named by each party within 15 days of receipt of Arbitration Notice
by the non-initiating party and the third named by the two party-appointed
arbitrators, or (if they should fail to agree on the third within 15 days after
the two party-appointed arbitrators have been named) by the AAA. The arbitrators
may not award non-monetary or equitable relief of any sort. They shall have no
power to award punitive damages or any other damages not measured by the
prevailing party's actual damages. The decision of the arbitrators made in
writing shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto; provided, however,
that the award and judgment of the arbitrators shall have no binding or
precedential effect with respect to any other controversy not before the
arbitrators, whether or not similar to or related to the specific controversy
decided by the arbitrators. All aspects of the arbitration shall be treated as
confidential. Neither the parties nor the arbitrators may disclose the
existence, content or results of the arbitration, except as necessary to comply
with legal or regulatory requirements. Before making any such disclosure, a
party shall give written notice to all other parties and shall afford such
parties a reasonable opportunity to protect their interests. The expenses of
arbitration, including reasonable compensation to the arbitrators, shall be
borne equally by the parties hereto, except that each party shall bear the
compensation and expenses of its own counsel and employees.

         (i) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed in and
to be performed in that State.

         (j) Each of the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law any right it may have to a trial by jury with
respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (a) certifies that no representative,
agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise,
that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce
that foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto
have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and
certifications in this Section 11(j).

         (k) This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by
facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

                                       11
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, through their duly authorized
representatives, have executed this Agreement effective as of the day and year
first set forth above.

                                       EBENX, INC.

                                       By: /s/  John J. Davis
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           John J. Davis
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       HOWARD JOHNSON & COMPANY

                                       By:  /s/  Paul T. Dully
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Paul T. Dully
                                            Chief Financial OfficerEXHIBIT 10.53
                                                                   -------------

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement ("Agreement"), entered into as of the 27th day of
October,  2000,  between  ATG Inc  ("the  Company")  and Vik Mani  ("Prospective
Employee")  and  collectively  as "the  Parties,"  amended and agreed to by both
parties as of February 8 2001 is further  amended and agreed to by both  parties
as of the 18th day of February,  2001.  This amended  Agreement  supersedes  the
previous version of the Agreement; and the terms and conditions contained herein
shall govern the employment  relationship  between the Parties. In consideration
of the foregoing  and the mutual  promises and  covenants  contained  herein and
other good and valuable  consideration,  the Company hereby employs  Prospective
Employee  in a new  position  as its Chief  Operations  Manager,  a  non-officer
position,  as of the date of February 18, 2001,and  Prospective  Employee hereby
accepts such employment.

1.   The term of the employment is for thirty-six (36) months effective the date
     of joining of the Company by  Prospective  Employee  which is November  20,
     2000. ATG will announce  Prospective  Employee as its new Chief  Operations
     Manager of the Company on a date mutually agreed upon. Prospective Employee
     is not employed  "at-will",  but is employed under the terms and conditions
     set forth in this Agreement.

2.   Prospective  Employee  will report at all times to the CEO of the  Company.
     The following  officers and  department  heads shall report to  Prospective
     Employee:
     All operations  personnel and business development  personnel,  except Fred
     Feizollahi.  As Chief  Operations  Manager of ATG,  Prospective  Employee's
     duties  and  responsibilities  will be to manage the  Company's  marketing,
     sales and operations.  Provided,  however, that the Engineering  Department
     (headed by Fred Feizollahi) is outside of the scope of the Chief Operations
     Manager's  responsibilities.  The Chief Operations Manager reports directly
     to the CEO. The Chief Operations  Manager will have no  responsibility  for
     the  financial  management  of the  Company and is not  authorized  to sign
     Company  checks or decide to whom such  checks will or will not be written.
     The Finance,  Accounting and Comptroller  organizations  report directly to
     the Chief  Financial  Officer (CFO),  who reports  directly to the CEO; and
     neither  of these  organizations  nor the CFO  report to or are  within the
     control of the Chief Operations Manager or the Operations organization. The
     Chief Operations Manager is not required or permitted to be involved in the
     collection,  accounting or payment of taxes or other indebtedness on behalf
     of the Company.

3.   The Company shall pay a signing bonus ("Signing Bonus") of $560,000.00,  to
     the Prospective Employee hereby receipted for by the Prospective  Employee,
     and received by the Prospective Employee in two payments on October 5, 2000
     ($307,500) and October 20, 2000  ($252,500)  prior to Prospective  Employee
     giving  notice  to  his  present  employer  of the  intent  to  resign  his
     employment.  The  Signing  Bonus  is paid to the  Prospective  Employee  in
     consideration  of the fact that the  Prospective  Employee  is  agreeing to
     resign his current  employment  as Senior Vice  President  with his current
     employer,  CH2M Hill, a premier  company of world  standing in the industry
     and in robust  financial  condition.  By giving up his employment with CH2M
     Hill,  the  Prospective  Employee is  sacrificing  in excess of one million
     dollars   ($1,000,000.00)   in   annual   bonuses,    long-term   incentive
     compensation,  stock options,  retirement  plans,  ESOP  contributions  and
     company stock appreciation.  The Company  acknowledges that it has received
     full and  adequate  consideration  from the  Prospective  Employee  for the
     Signing  Bonus  paid  by the  Company,  by the  action  of the  Prospective
     Employee  resigning  from his  current  position  and  agreeing to join the
     Company. ATG considers the services of the Prospective Employee critical to
     its credibility in the industry because of the proven  credentials,  skills
     and experience of the Prospective  Employee and is,  therefore,  willing to
     make  this  up-front  investment  as a Signing  Bonus  for the  Prospective
     Employee  as  inducement  for  Prospective  Employee  to resign his current
     employment  and join ATG, a much smaller  company with potential for growth
     but facing much greater  challenges  and  uncertainties.  The Signing Bonus
     shall be  irrevocable  and  non-refundable  to the  Company  and is for the
     inducement to the Prospective  Employee to execute this Agreement and leave
     his current,  senior level employment with a more assured  financial future
     and guaranteed employee benefits.  Upon the execution of this Agreement and
     giving  notice to his current  employer,  the said  Signing  Bonus shall be
     deemed fully earned.  Prospective  Employee  shall be  responsible  for all
     taxes associated with the signing bonus, i.e. federal and state withholding
     for income taxes, social security, and Medicare.

4.   In addition to the Signing Bonus described in Section 3., the Company shall
     pay  Prospective  Employee a salary of  $325,000,  in the first twelve (12)
     months of employment  payable in accordance  with Company  current  payroll
     practices as other  employees are scheduled for their payment of employment
     compensation.  Total first twelve (12) months' compensation,  excluding the
     Signing  Bonus and stock  options as  hereinafter  set forth,  is  $325,000
     gross.

5.   The Company  shall pay to  Prospective  Employee in the second  twelve (12)
     month period of employment,  a salary of $300,000.  Further,  Company shall
     pay Prospective  Employee a performance  cash bonus of $50,000.00  based on
     predetermined  performance goal as set forth below. The total  compensation
     is $350,000 in the second twelve (12) month time period if performance goal
     is met,  excluding stock options as hereinafter set forth.  The performance
     goal is defined as the Company  obtaining  a minimum of $15  million  ("New
     Business  Goal") of new DOE  business  (contracted  capacity)  from  INEEL,
     Hanford,  Rocky Flats or any other DOE contracts  within  twenty-four  (24)
     months from  commencement of the  employment.  Once the $15 million minimum
     New Business Goal  requirement is met, the  performance  cash bonus will be
     earned based on $10,000 per million dollars of new business up to a maximum
     of $50,000. Such performance bonus earned by the Prospective Employee shall
     be paid to the Prospective  Employee at six month intervals  commencing the
     date of  achievement  of the new business  goal,  but no later than 30 days
     after  earning  the maximum  second  twelve  (12) month  employment  period
     performance  bonus as stated above.  In the event  Prospective  Employee is
     terminated by the Company, resigns for Good Reason, as hereinafter defined,
     or due to Change of Control,  as  hereinafter  defined,  or dies or becomes
     disabled during the second twelve (12) month period, such performance bonus
     will be  computed  and paid on the same basis as if he were still  employed
     with the Company for such period.

6.   The Company  shall pay to  Prospective  Employee  in the third  twelve (12)
     month  period of  employment a salary of $300,000 , plus a cash bonus up to
     the amount of $50,000  based on the  performance  goal to be  determined by
     both  Parties.  Such  goal  will not be less  than $20  million  of DOE New
     Business  ($20  million  of DOE  new  business  contracted  capacity)  from
     Hanford, Rocky Flats, INEEL or any other DOE contracts,  however, alternate
     sources of "New  Business"  may be agreed upon  between the Company and the
     Prospective  Employee as the basis for setting  the  performance  goal (New
     Business)  stated above.  Such bonus shall be paid to Prospective  Employee
     pro-rated at 6 month  intervals  commencing  the date of achievement of the
     performance  goal,  but no later than  thirty  (30) days after  earning the
     bonus set forth above. In the event  Prospective  Employee is terminated by
     the Company,  resigns for Good Reason,  as hereinafter  defined,  or due to
     Change of Control,  as  hereinafter  defined,  or dies or becomes  disabled
     during the third twelve (12) month period,  such bonus will be computed and
     paid on the same basis as if he were still  employed  with the  Company for
     such period.  During the third twelve (12) month period of employment only,
     the  Prospective  Employee will be paid salary at the annual salary rate of
     $300,000 only after the performance goal as agreed upon between the Company
     and the  Prospective  Employee as stated  above is achieved  and the actual
     business delivered during the first 24 months of employment is at least $10
     million.  During the third  twelve (12) month  period of  employment  only,
     until such a time when the  performance  goal is achieved,  the Prospective
     Employee will be paid salary at the reduced annual rate of $200,000. In the
     event the  performance  goal for the third  twelve (12) month period is not
     mutually  agreed to, then it shall be as set forth above,  which is defined
     as the Company  obtaining a minimum of $20 million ("New Business Goal") of
     new DOE business (contracted capacity) from INEEL, Hanford,  Rocky Flats or
     any  other  DOE  contracts  within  24  months  from  commencement  of  the
     employment.

7.   In addition to the Company's New Business  Goals,  as the Chief  Operations
     Manager,  Prospective  Employee  understands that other overall measures of
     Company's performance, such as profitability, cost cutting measures, health
     and  safety,  effective  and  efficient  operation,  new market and product
     development,   will  also  be  within  Prospective   Employee's   executive
     responsibility.  However,  the standard for Performance  Bonus  eligibility
     shall  be the New  Business  Goals.  Because  of such  responsibilities  of
     Prospective  Employee,  the Company agrees to provide Prospective  Employee
     with a sufficient  operations  budget  assistance  and support to allow the
     accomplishment  of the New Business  Goals,  such as reasonable  travel and
     entertainment  expenses,  cell  phone,  computer,  etc and other  customary
     Business Development expenses, as well as to assist Prospective Employee in
     his overall  responsibilities.  Prospective Employee is authorized to incur
     expenses in the  performance  of his duties.  The Company  shall  reimburse
     Prospective  Employee for all such expenses ten days after  submitting  the
     expenses  or at the next pay  period,  whichever  is  sooner.  The  Company
     recognizes  that  Prospective  Employee's  ability to assist the Company in
     achieving  its  performance  goals,  including New Business  Goals,  may be
     affected by matters  beyond  Prospective  Employee's  control  and/or prior
     knowledge,   such  as  Company's  financial  condition,   prior  regulatory
     violations or other prior  conflicts with clients.  Therefore,  Prospective
     Employee's  failure  to meet  the New  Business  Goals  or  otherwise  meet
     Company's anticipated levels of performance shall not constitute a basis to
     deny  Prospective  Employee  payment of  performance  bonuses or  terminate
     Prospective  Employee's  employment  for  Cause (as  defined  below) to the
     extent caused by matters beyond Prospective Employee's control and/or prior
     knowledge.

8.   In the event the  Prospective  Employee  resigns from the company due to no
     breach by the  Company  of this  agreement  before  expiration  of the (36)
     months term of this agreement,  Prospective Employee's Employment will end,
     without further obligation or liability to the Company, provided,  however,
     the Prospective Employee will make himself available to ATG upon request on
     an exclusive consulting basis at the rate of $2000/day for a minimum period
     of up to 180 days  following his  resignation in order to assure an orderly
     transition.  The foregoing shall constitute  Company's  exclusive remedy in
     the event that Prospective  Employee terminates his employment prior to the
     expiration  of the (36) months terms of this  agreement due to no breach of
     this Agreement by the Company.  Company  expressly waives the right to seek
     other remedies,  including but not limited to specific  performance,  or to
     claim damages,  whether arising in contract,  tort, or otherwise (including
     negligence and strict liability) in connection with Prospective  Employee's
     resignation  of his  employment.  In the  event  the  Prospective  Employee
     resigns  during the term of this  Agreement due to breach of this Agreement
     by the Company,  the Company filing for Bankruptcy in any form, or for Good
     Reason  (hereinafter  defined),  then the Company shall pay the Prospective
     Employee  an amount  equal to one twelve (12) month  period  salary for the
     twelve  (12)  month  period  of  such  resignation,  earned  but  not  paid
     performance  bonuses,  and the  relocation  costs set forth in  Section  18
     hereof.  All payments will be effected in a single lump sum payment  within
     two weeks of the  effective  date of  Prospective  Employee's  resignation.
     Further,  all the stock  options  granted  shall be deemed fully earned and
     vested with the time period to exercise all stock  options  extended by one
     year, and the Company shall be responsible for the  continuation of medical
     benefits at Company's expense for a period of twelve (12) months. It is the
     intent of the Prospective  Employee to remain on the Company's  Payroll and
     help the Company through any  restructuring  activities,  provided however,
     there would be no change in compensation and there will be no change of the
     CEO and/or the Executive Vice President.

     A.   In the event Prospective Employee is terminated by the Company for any
          reason  whatsoever,  including  disability,  and other  than for Cause
          ("Cause" as defined  below)  prior to the end of the  thirty-six  (36)
          month term, the Company shall pay the Prospective Employee a severance
          salary  equal to one twelve  (12) month  period  salary for the twelve
          (12) month period such  termination  occurs,  all the performance cash
          bonuses  earned but not paid to  Prospective  Employee until then, and
          the relocation  costs as set forth in Section 18 hereof.  All payments
          will be effected in a single lump sum payment  within two weeks of the
          effective date of Prospective  Employee's  resignation.  Further,  all
          stock options  granted will be deemed fully earned and vested with the
          time  period to  exercise  the stock  options  extended  by one year .
          Additionally,  the Company shall be responsible  for  continuation  of
          medical  benefits  for a period of  twelve  (12)  months at  Company's
          expense.  In  consideration  of the foregoing,  the Parties  expressly
          waive their rights to bring any claim for other  compensation or other
          legal  action  against the other in  connection  with the  Prospective
          Employee's  termination by the Company.  Nothing herein shall restrict
          the right of the  Company  to  terminate  the  Prospective  Employee's
          employment for Cause. "For Cause" or "Cause" as used in this Agreement
          shall mean that at the option of the Company,  Prospective  Employee's
          employment hereunder shall be terminated immediately,  upon any of the
          following  actions or  occurrences if Company in good faith and not in
          an arbitrary  manner  believes that such action or occurrence  impairs
          Company's  willingness  to place trust in  Prospective  Employee as an
          employee  or impairs  Prospective  Employee's  ability to perform  the
          services required of Prospective Employee hereunder:

          (i)  Prospective   Employee's  personal  dishonesty,   commission  and
               conviction  of  any  felony  affecting  his  reputation  and  the
               business of the Company;

          (ii) Prospective   Employee's  gross  negligence  or  gross  negligent
               misconduct which materially affects the business of the Company;

          (iii) Prospective Employee's willful misconduct;

     B.   Death or disability  shall not be deemed a resignation and Prospective
          Employee or his  successors  or assignees  shall have no obligation of
          any  payments to the Company due to  Prospective  Employee's  death or
          disability. Prospective Employee is deemed to be under a disability if
          he is unable to  perform  his  duties on  account  of illness or other
          incapacity and such illness or other incapacity continues for a period
          of more than three (3) consecutive months during any twelve (12) month
          period.  After such three (3) month period, the Company shall have the
          right to  terminate  Prospective  Employee.  The  termination  becomes
          effective  after  providing  thirty  (30)  days  written  notice.   If
          Prospective  Employee  is  deemed  disabled,  by a  physician  of  his
          choosing, then the time deadline to exercise any stock option shall be
          extended twelve (12)months and waived entirely if Prospective Employee
          is deceased. Prospective Employee's estate, legal representatives,  or
          heirs,  as  appropriate,  shall  succeed to and acquire all rights and
          benefits of Prospective Employee herein.

     D.   "Good Reason" for Prospective  Employee's resignation from the Company
          shall mean any one of the  following:  (i) the Company  breaches  this
          Agreement;  (i) the Company files for Bankruptcy in any form; (ii) the
          Company fails to meet its obligations to pay wages or state or federal
          taxes;  (iii) the Company  fails to renew its Officers  and  Directors
          Liability   Insurance   Policies  with  the  same  policy  limits  and
          comparable coverage as the current policies; (v) the Company's by-laws
          do not clearly define the duties of the Chief Operations  Manager in a
          manner  consistent with the description set forth in Section 2, above,
          or are not amended to be consistent within 7days of the effective date
          of this  Agreement;  (vi) the Board of Directors does not approve this
          amended  Agreement and  Prospective  Employee does not receive written
          confirmation  of such approval  within 7 days of the effective date of
          this  Agreement;  (vii) the Company  has not  recorded or the Board of
          Directors has not confirmed the Company's payment of the Signing Bonus
          within  one  week of the  effective  date of this  Agreement;(viii)  a
          mutually acceptable arrangement is not reached between the Prospective
          Employee and the Company within two weeks of signing of this Agreement
          by the Prospective Employee and the Company to Protect the Prospective
          Employee  against  Payroll and Payroll  Taxes  Liability and to defend
          against potential claims in the event the Company files for Bankruptcy
          in any form.

     E.   Company's  termination  of  Prospective  Employee  will  be  effective
          immediately  upon  the  Company   providing   written  notice  to  the
          Prospective  Employee in the manner described in Section 22 unless the
          Company's  notification  specifies otherwise.  Prospective  Employee's
          resignation shall be effective immediately upon Prospective Employee's
          written  notice to the Company in the manner  described in Section 22,
          unless Prospective Employee's notification specifies otherwise.

9.   Prospective  Employee shall be granted an option to purchase  90,000 shares
     of the  Company's  common  stock at the  market  price on  January 2, 2001,
     deemed  vested  in  accordance  with the  Company's  policies  i.e.  vested
     proratedly  over  thirty-six  (36)  month  s.  However,  in  the  event  of
     Prospective  Employee's death,  disability,  termination by the Company, or
     resignation  by  Prospective  Employee  during the term for Good  Reason or
     Change of Control,  all such stock  options  granted shall be deemed earned
     and vested,  and the time period to exercise the options  shall be extended
     by twelve months.

10.  In the event the New Business Goal ($20 million of contracted  capacity) is
     met by the  Company on or before  December  31,  2001,  a stock  option for
     60,000  shares of the  Company's  common  stock,  at the stock  price as of
     December  31,  2001 shall be granted to the  Prospective  Employee.  In the
     event the New Business  Goal is exceeded by $10 million ($30 million  total
     of contracted capacity), a stock option of an additional 60,000 shares (for
     a total of 120,000 shares) of Company's  common stock, at the same price as
     set forth above,  shall be granted to  Prospective  Employee.  Such options
     shall vest in  accordance  with the  Company  policy as set forth  above in
     Section  9,  subject to the same  exceptions  as set forth in Section 9 for
     death,  disability,  termination  by the  Company,  or  resignation  by the
     Prospective Employee for Good Reason or Change of Control.

11.  In the event during the term of this Agreement,  the Company's common stock
     sells  publicly  at a price of $20 or more per  share for a period of three
     (3) consecutive months, (in the event of stock splits, adjustments shall be
     made accordingly for such effective  computation),  the Company shall grant
     Prospective  Employee an additional  100,000 shares of the Company's common
     stock,  deemed  vested  equally over the three twelve (12) month periods of
     the term. The option price shall be as set forth above.  Such options shall
     vest in accordance with the Company policy as set forth above in Section 9,
     subject  to the same  exceptions  as set  forth  in  Section  9 for  death,
     disability,  termination by the Company,  or resignation by the Prospective
     Employee for Good Reason or Change of Control.

12.  All stock  options  vested to  Prospective  Employee  must be  exercised in
     accordance with the Company's standard policies for officer stock options.

13.  "Change of Control" means any one of the following:

     (i)  change of ownership including acquisition of the Company;  acquisition
          of equal to or greater  than 50%of the issued and  outstanding  common
          stock  by a  single  individual  or  entity  other  than  the  current
          principal stock holders;
     (ii) a significant merger or consolidation;
     (iii)change  in   executive   direction  of  the  Company   including   the
          appointment of a new CEO;
     (iv) a change  in the  majority  of the  Board of  Directors  caused by the
          merger or consolidation;
     (v)  Liquidation or Dissolution of the Company including direct or indirect
          sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
          the Company;
     (vi) a  significant  change in the business  lines of the  Company.  In the
          event of a Change of  Control,  the  Prospective  Employee  may resign
          without   further   obligation   to  the  Company  or  the   successor
          organization  and Company  shall pay to  Prospective  Employee all the
          salaries and performance  bonuses payable to the Prospective  Employee
          during  the first  twenty-four  (24) month  period of this  Employment
          Agreement,  as well as the relocation costs provided for in Section 18
          hereof.  All  payments  will be  effected in a single lump sum payment
          within  two  weeks of the  effective  date of  Prospective  Employee's
          resignation.  Further,  Stock Options already granted are deemed fully
          earned and vested. .  Additionally,  the Company shall provide for the
          continuation of medical benefits at Company's  expense for a period of
          eighteen (18) months after Prospective  Employee's separation from the
          Company.  The time  period  to  exercise  all stock  options  shall be
          extended by one year .

14.  The Company's  corporate house in Richland,  WA, fully furnished,  shall be
     provided, as primary residence, exclusively to Prospective Employee and his
     family,  and paid for and  maintained  by the Company.  All  utilities  and
     maintenance  expenses  will be Company's  responsibility.  The  Prospective
     Employee  will be  responsible  for all personal  long  distance  telephone
     charges.  Prospective  Employee's  principal  place of work is deemed to be
     Richland, WA.

15.  DELETED.

16.  The Company shall provide Prospective  Employee with the Company's standard
     benefits to all  employees,  including but not limited to medical,  dental,
     vision  and  life  insurance  benefits,  as  well as  participation  in the
     Company's 401K or other  retirement  plan(s),  sick days and personal days.
     Prospective  Employee  shall be provided  the option to add, at his expense
     such participation of family members in such plans.

17.  Prospective  Employee  shall be entitled  to receive 4 weeks paid  vacation
     during each twelve (12) month period of the agreement. Prospective Employee
     agrees to reasonably  work with the Company as to timing and length of time
     increments when such vacation is used.

18.  The Company  will pay  relocation  costs for the  Prospective  Employee and
     spouse to move to Richland, Washington including coach air fare or over the
     road expenses. The Prospective Employee will maintain his current household
     in Denver  at his own  expense  and will not move  furniture  to  Richland,
     Washington.  The Company  will pay for  movement  of  personal  effects and
     shipment of one automobile.  In the event of termination of the Prospective
     Employee by the Company,  voluntary termination by the Prospective Employee
     due to Good  Reason or Change of Control  conditions  stated in Section 13,
     all  relocation  costs,  on the same  basis as above,  shall be paid to the
     Employee for relocation back to Denver, Colorado or another city within the
     continental USA within the same distance.

19.  Prospective  Employee  agrees to give notice to his current  employer on or
     before November 17, 2000.  Prospective  Employee can use his best judgement
     how to transition  from his existing  employment  provided ATG can announce
     his  employment as provided for in Section 1. If the  Prospective  Employee
     does not resign from the current  employer,  the Prospective  Employee will
     promptly  refund,  at the  request of the CEO of the  Company,  the Signing
     Bonus paid in consideration  and as inducement to the Prospective  Employee
     for resigning  from his current  employment,  received IN CASH OR CERTIFIED
     FUNDS.  It is agreed  that such  repayment  of the  Signing  Bonus shall be
     LIQUIDATED  DAMAGES and are Company's SOLE AND ONLY REMEDY for  Prospective
     Employee's failure to resign from his current employment for the purpose of
     joining the  Company.  Company  expressly  waives the  remedies of specific
     performance and additional damages.

20.  The  Company  will  reimburse  Prospective  Employee's  family  (either the
     Prospective  Employee or the spouse) for round-trip coach class airfare and
     expenses  to Denver,  Colorado  not to exceed ten trips  during each twelve
     (12) month  period of  employment.  In  additional  to the ten  trips,  the
     Company will reimburse  Prospective  Employee and the spouse for additional
     two trips the cost of  round-trip  coach  class  airfare  and  expenses  to
     Denver,  Colorado  during the  Holiday  seasons  i.e.  November  22 through
     December 31.

21.  All information disclosed and discussed in writing or verbally by any party
     (or its representative) in connection with the transaction  contemplated by
     this  Agreement  to any other party (or its  representative)  shall be kept
     confidential by such other party and its representative.

22.  Any notice or other  communication  hereunder  must be given in writing and
     (a)  delivered  in  person,  (b)  transmitted  by telex,  telefax  or other
     telecommunications mechanism or (c) mailed by certified or registered mail,
     postage prepaid, receipt requested, as follows:

         If to Company addressed to:
         ATG Inc.
         47375 Fremont Boulevard
         Fremont, CA 94538

         Attention: Doreen Chiu, President and CEO

         If to Prospective Employee, addressed to:
         Vik Mani
         7902 Glenridge Drive
         Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

         or to such other  address or to such other person as either party shall
         have last  designated  by such  notice to the  other  party.  Each such
         notice or other communication shall be effective

          (i)  if given by  telecommunication,  immediately  when transmitted to
               the  applicable  number so  specified  in (or  pursuant  to) this
               Section 22 and an electronic acknowledgement is recorded
          (ii) if  given  by  mail,  three  days  after  such  communication  is
               deposited  in  the  mails  with  first  class  postage   prepaid,
               addressed as aforesaid
          (iii) if given by Express or Priority Mail, the date of mailing or
          (iv) if given by any  other  means,  when  actually  received  at such
               address.

23.  This  Agreement  supersedes  any and all prior  written or oral  agreements
     between the Company and  Perspective  Employee and  constitutes  the entire
     agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and
     no  modification,  amendment,  or waiver of any of the  provisions  of this
     Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

24.  Prospective  Employee and the Company agree that any dispute or controversy
     relating  or in  connection  with this  Agreement,  or the  interpretation,
     validity,  construction,  performance,  breach,  or  termination  shall  be
     settled by binding arbitration. The decision of the Arbitrator may enter as
     a judgment in any court with competent jurisdiction. .

25.  This Agreement is binding upon and benefits the heirs, executors, and legal
     representatives of Prospective  Employee and any successors of the Company.
     Any such  successor  of the  Company  will be  deemed  substituted  for the
     Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. Successor shall
     mean any firm,  corporation,  or other  business  entity  which at any time
     whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise,  directly or indirectly acquires
     all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.

26.  The  Prospective  Employee is not  required  to Mitigate  the amount of any
     payment or benefit received  pursuant to this Agreement due to cessation of
     employment . Further,  the Company  cannot  reduce any benefits or payments
     because of any earnings or benefits that  Prospective  Employee may receive
     from any other source known to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
     the  Prospective  Employee  is not  required  to inform the  Company of any
     retirement benefits received from present or previous  employers,  and such
     retirement   benefits  shall  not  reduce  the  liability  of  the  Company
     hereunder.

27.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
     shall be an original,  but all of which together  shall  constitute one and
     the same agreement. Facsimile signatures are deemed to be originals for the
     purposes of this Agreement.

28.  All agreements and covenants  contained  herein are severable,  and, in the
     event any one of them,  with the exception of those  contained in reference
     to  the  duties  to be  performed  by  the  Prospective  Employee  and  his
     compensation,  shall be held to be invalid  by any  competent  court,  this
     Agreement  shall be interpreted as if such invalid  agreements or covenants
     were not contained herein.

29.  Any ambiguity in this Agreement will be not be construed in favor of either
     party.

30.  ATG  represents  that no  claims  have  been  paid and  there are no claims
     currently  pending  on  the  existing   Directors  and  Officers  Liability
     Insurance Policies with Executive Risk Indemnity Inc. and Genesis Insurance
     Company.  ATG further  represents  that these  policies  will be renewed or
     policies with comparable  coverage and limits of liability purchased and in
     effect prior to the expiration of the current insurance  policies on May 6,
     2001. ATG will provide  Prospective  Employee with written  confirmation of
     the foregoing from its insurance  agent within 14 days of execution of this
     Agreement.

31.  The Company hereby  represents that this Agreement has been approved by its
     Board of Directors and agrees to hold harmless  Prospective Employee if the
     Board of Directors has not approved this Agreement.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its duly  authorized  officer or individually as of the day and year
first above written.

         Company                                 Prospective Employee

         ATG, Inc.

         By   /s/ Doreen M. Chiu                 /s/ Vik Mani

         ATG, Inc. President & CEO               Vik Mani

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